Hello all,
First off I want to say how invaluable this forum has been in my research - more like a quest in helping me decide which pellet smoker I should purchase. I went through many threads and various other forums in my research. I originally started out looking at the Yoder YS640, then the Blazin, FEC, I also researched the Rec Tec, newer Traeger Timberline series, GMG, even the Pitts and Spitts, which seems to be very well made but rust long-term was a concern. I came so very close to pulling the trigger on the Yoder YS640; There is a local dealer near me. But something inside said it wasn't for me. Because of this I went to the official Yoder forums and spent a good time there reading through many treads about what issues old and new users were experiencing. Needless to say my hesitation was warranted and I didn't like what I read in regards to high pellet consumption, taking too long to get up to temp and too much pit temperate differences from left to right. I was looking for trends in threads rather than just one person having an issue. I don't like tinkering with things to always make them work. I felt that the Yoder is probable more suited for someone used to using stick burners. I want to spend time with my family and doing other things instead of managing my pit.
Again, this is MY OWN perspective from my research. I'm sure Yoder is a fine product and there are many delighted users out there and reviews that support this, construction of their pits seem awesome, almost tank like! In the end I found myself always coming back to the MAK. I believe I've watched every Youtube video that I could find that showed the MAK smokers in actions. In my opinion I believe what sets the MAK pellet smokers apart from others is that it was designed and built from the ground up to be a pellet smoker. Others seemed to be stick burners with a controller and some type of auger/burner assembly with various size pellet hoppers. I really love the fact that newer/updated accessories are often compatible with older models, MAK cares about keeping their old customers happy. The PID controller in my opinion seems to be unparalleled to others and the MAK is made in the USA! I'm a stickler for quality and not cutting any corners and the people at MAK Grills seemed to have accomplished that in their product. There were so many innovations like the clean out door on the front right that I was not aware of when I saw some instructional videos. The folks at MAK don't seem to be resting on their laurels and always improving on their improvements.
My only hesitation at this point is the price. I'm not new to smoking game, I would consider myself a serious hobbyist and have friends that are in the competition scene. I currently have a 22" WSM, an older stainless table performer and a Weber gasser. Upwards of 3K for a smoker is a lot and I first balked at the price; even though it's within my budget; the questions is do I want or need to spend that much to satisfy my smoking hobby? Knowing myself I don't think I would be happy with a smoker like a Traeger or a Rec Tec, even though I'm sure they're fine machines. The REC appears to be the bang-for-the-buck pellet smoker to go to if you're on a budget.
Right now only the MAK 2 Star General is on my to buy list. I don't think I'll be happy until it's sitting on my back porch
Here is what I need help on going forward.
Considering getting the stainless shelf for the front, do any current owners have this and is it useful? My only concern is it might make it a little harder to manage the items on the smoker since one be further away.
I want to purchase an upper rack with the MAK 2 Star, I'm thinking the half rack. I could get the full rack, but I plan on just leaving the half rack in place all of the time unless I have something like a turkey to smoke. I like the full rack, because it has 50% more space than the half, but don't like the fact that it makes it harder to move things around on the main rack when the full rack is always installed. Perhaps I could get the half and incorporate one of the older half racks with the legs on the left and right in the front to give me the space of a full rack when I need it? Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 2016+ MAK 2's have the newer design where the upper rack slides into rails without legs. If I did this would the two different generation half racks be different heights?
Do any of you have the cover lower shelf/door option, if so do you think it was money well spent?
Is the wifi included?
Can the pit boss be controlled via an app or only a web browser, I didn't see a MAK app in the apple apps store.
Do any probes come with the unit, if not is there a big difference in between the standard probe and the heavy duty one?
In about 60 degree weather, how long does the MAK 2 take to get up to max temp in minutes? I looked around online but couldn't find this information. Would be nice to see someone post a matrix showing ramp up temp/time scenario.
Lastly, do the MAK smokers ever go on sale or yearly specials, what is typical turn around time from order to delivery?
Thank you all in advance for your suggestions and input.
-MAKintosh
First off I want to say how invaluable this forum has been in my research - more like a quest in helping me decide which pellet smoker I should purchase. I went through many threads and various other forums in my research. I originally started out looking at the Yoder YS640, then the Blazin, FEC, I also researched the Rec Tec, newer Traeger Timberline series, GMG, even the Pitts and Spitts, which seems to be very well made but rust long-term was a concern. I came so very close to pulling the trigger on the Yoder YS640; There is a local dealer near me. But something inside said it wasn't for me. Because of this I went to the official Yoder forums and spent a good time there reading through many treads about what issues old and new users were experiencing. Needless to say my hesitation was warranted and I didn't like what I read in regards to high pellet consumption, taking too long to get up to temp and too much pit temperate differences from left to right. I was looking for trends in threads rather than just one person having an issue. I don't like tinkering with things to always make them work. I felt that the Yoder is probable more suited for someone used to using stick burners. I want to spend time with my family and doing other things instead of managing my pit.
Again, this is MY OWN perspective from my research. I'm sure Yoder is a fine product and there are many delighted users out there and reviews that support this, construction of their pits seem awesome, almost tank like! In the end I found myself always coming back to the MAK. I believe I've watched every Youtube video that I could find that showed the MAK smokers in actions. In my opinion I believe what sets the MAK pellet smokers apart from others is that it was designed and built from the ground up to be a pellet smoker. Others seemed to be stick burners with a controller and some type of auger/burner assembly with various size pellet hoppers. I really love the fact that newer/updated accessories are often compatible with older models, MAK cares about keeping their old customers happy. The PID controller in my opinion seems to be unparalleled to others and the MAK is made in the USA! I'm a stickler for quality and not cutting any corners and the people at MAK Grills seemed to have accomplished that in their product. There were so many innovations like the clean out door on the front right that I was not aware of when I saw some instructional videos. The folks at MAK don't seem to be resting on their laurels and always improving on their improvements.
My only hesitation at this point is the price. I'm not new to smoking game, I would consider myself a serious hobbyist and have friends that are in the competition scene. I currently have a 22" WSM, an older stainless table performer and a Weber gasser. Upwards of 3K for a smoker is a lot and I first balked at the price; even though it's within my budget; the questions is do I want or need to spend that much to satisfy my smoking hobby? Knowing myself I don't think I would be happy with a smoker like a Traeger or a Rec Tec, even though I'm sure they're fine machines. The REC appears to be the bang-for-the-buck pellet smoker to go to if you're on a budget.
Right now only the MAK 2 Star General is on my to buy list. I don't think I'll be happy until it's sitting on my back porch
Here is what I need help on going forward.
Considering getting the stainless shelf for the front, do any current owners have this and is it useful? My only concern is it might make it a little harder to manage the items on the smoker since one be further away.
I want to purchase an upper rack with the MAK 2 Star, I'm thinking the half rack. I could get the full rack, but I plan on just leaving the half rack in place all of the time unless I have something like a turkey to smoke. I like the full rack, because it has 50% more space than the half, but don't like the fact that it makes it harder to move things around on the main rack when the full rack is always installed. Perhaps I could get the half and incorporate one of the older half racks with the legs on the left and right in the front to give me the space of a full rack when I need it? Correct me if I'm wrong but I believe the 2016+ MAK 2's have the newer design where the upper rack slides into rails without legs. If I did this would the two different generation half racks be different heights?
Do any of you have the cover lower shelf/door option, if so do you think it was money well spent?
Is the wifi included?
Can the pit boss be controlled via an app or only a web browser, I didn't see a MAK app in the apple apps store.
Do any probes come with the unit, if not is there a big difference in between the standard probe and the heavy duty one?
In about 60 degree weather, how long does the MAK 2 take to get up to max temp in minutes? I looked around online but couldn't find this information. Would be nice to see someone post a matrix showing ramp up temp/time scenario.
Lastly, do the MAK smokers ever go on sale or yearly specials, what is typical turn around time from order to delivery?
Thank you all in advance for your suggestions and input.
-MAKintosh
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