Pellet Smoker vs offset vs kamodo- pros/cons

[strei]

I got into smoking last year with cheap propane device and want to upgrade. I'm not interested in using the smoker as grill, mostly just for low and slow. I am having trouble deciding what to get. While I like the convienience and design of pellet smokers I have read that they may not deliver enough smoke. Can you experienced pelleters help direct me? Thank you

 

[HoDeDo]

Alot depends on what fits the style you want to cook:
1. Do you want the pit mobile/easy to manuver? Kamado is not ideal for moving around - tip/drop and you are buying a new one! Offset, depending on size can also be a pain if it is not on pneumatic tires, or a trailer. Pellet cookers move around more like a grill, so a little less drama.

2. How much baby sitting do you want to do? Offset takes some tending.... no set it and leave for 6 hrs., Kamado can go longer between tending it, but still needs a little work depending on what the air is doing. Pellets require the least tending... but still need to be checked on occasionally.

3.Fuel availability: What do you have available for fuel. Obviously ordering pellets is pretty easy, and BPS ships to your door. but do you have wood plentiful? Do you split wood already? Do you have easy access to good lump charcoal? Fuel availability would likely play into my decision also

4. Finally price point.... are you looking to spend $500 or $5000? $12000? sky's the limit. That will play into the decision too.

 

[TentHunter]

While I like the convienience and design of pellet smokers I have read that they may not deliver enough smoke.

In addition to what Andy (HoDeDo) said, let me add that some pellet cookers give a lighter smoke than others. Memphis grills, for example are known for a lighter smoke profile but Memphis owners love the grilling abilities, whereas MAK's are know for giving a little deeper smoke. It depends on what you like.

I have absolutely no problem getting a good smoke profile with my MAK 1 Star. In fact I just made some bacon this past week and it is very smoky.


Second, smoke level is very subjective. Some folks think if you don't burp smoke rings, then it doesn't have enough smoke. Even with my stick/charcoal burners I prefer a smaller, hotter, clean burning fire that gives that light blueish gray smoke rather than a white billowing smoke. The beauty of pellet cookers is that they provide that type of a smoke profile without all the hassle of baby sitting your fire.


Pellet grills have a "Smoke mode" setting that uses hot smoking temps (165° - 185°). For brisket, pork butt, etc. where I want more smoke flavor, I just run in smoke mode for a good 1 -2 hours and then bump the grill up to 225° and continue cooking low & slow until I foil. As with ANY smoker higher = less smoke; lower heat = more smoke. And, the longer it takes your meat to reach 140° the more smoke it can absorb.


For some items, just like with any smoker, you may want to cold smoke the meat first. This can easily be done in a pellet cooker by using one of the A-MAZE-N products. They are inexpensive to add, require no modification of your grill and work very well.

https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/store/bbq-accessories/a-maze-n-tube-smoker
https://www.bigpoppasmokers.com/store/bbq-accessories/a-maze-m-maze-smoker


Here are a couple pics from recent smokes on our MAK.

Jowl Bacon. There's plenty of smoke on these.

I hope this helps answer some of your questions about smoke level in pellet cookers.

Cliff

 

[muebe]

The a-maze-n tube smoker provides plenty of supplemental smoke to any grill but works really well in pellet grills. It allows me to provide smoke flavor to say a whole chicken cooked at 350F. And increase smoke flavor at lower temps.

My wife really loves our pellet grill because she does not like the heavy smoke flavor that my other smokers do.

 

[Pappymn]

I had forgotten about the jowl bacon. Did we ever see that sliced up? Sorry if I missed it.

 

[strei]

In addition to what Andy (HoDeDo) said, let me add that some pellet cookers give a lighter smoke than others. Memphis grills, for example are known for a lighter smoke profile but Memphis owners love the grilling abilities, whereas MAK's are know for giving a little deeper smoke. It depends on what you like.


Thank you TentHunter and HoDeDo for your input. Do you know why do the different makes lead to different smoke levels? Where does Yoder grills perform on the smoke levels?

 

[TentHunter]

Thank you TentHunter and HoDeDo for your input. Do you know why do the different makes lead to different smoke levels? Where does Yoder grills perform on the smoke levels?

There are several factors involved in why one gives more/less smoke, including: programming of the controls, temp range setting (lowest temp setting), whether it has a variable speed fan, the way the smoke is exhausted from the unit, insulation/efficiency, etc.


We have some fine members here who are Yoder owners and can give better input on their smoke levels.

 

[Patrick_CT]

Part of the decision for me to go with a pellet grill is that my wife loves the taste of food cooked over wood but does not like it to be too strong.I also travel for work and she likes to grill and still get that wood fired taste. We have a newborn and a 4yo so time can slip away from us and we can not constantly check or waste an entire day tending the fire on an offset.

for these reasons the pellet grill fit all of our needs. I thought the same as you when I was buying it about not really needing it for grilling, but you will find yourself using it for everything.

I did recently add a Drum smoker to the mix.. but that is a fun hobby when I have time to play with it. And we love the taste of food from that as well!
Welcome to the group!