Which Pellet Smoker to Buy?

K

KevinW

New member
I recently bought a GMG Jim Bowie and it had a broken weld so I got it replaced. The second grill had too many spacers in one of its legs which made the whole unit rock. GMG is sending me a new leg to fix the problem.

While waiting for the leg to arrive, I went looking again at the Mak 2 Star General. I'm considering taking back the GMG and dropping down the money for the Mak. $2k difference, though. I'm wondering if it's really worth it? Is there a significant performance difference? Longevity?

Most of the time, I'm just smoking for a family of four. Our house, though, hosts a lot of neighborhood parties so I'll need the room in the smoker.

Thanks in advance for any advice offered!
 
jimsbarbecue

jimsbarbecue

Moderator
MAK Grills

We own MAK#068 and #186. 068 has been used abused about 4 years, towed around on a hitch mount I made. I am guessing it has been cooked on over a 1000 times. the only part that needed to be replaced in that time was a igniter. I recommend you do what we did the last time we needed a Great pellet grill. Call Big Poppa Smokers and have one shipped to your house!
 
scooter

scooter

Moderator
GMG's are entry level grills, they cook good and with some TLC may even last you quite a while. I have MAK #28 which is the 3rd production grill sold by MAK (they started with #26). Like Jim I've used mine heavily since 2009 and it's never failed. With the build quality of these cookers I fully expect to hand down my 2 Star to my kids when I pass on.
 
M

Mikekll

New member
I had a GMG Jim Bowie.
It was the most frustrating, heap of Chinese made ?*&% that can be bought.
It was HORRIBLE!!!!!!
I lost $1,100 after arguing with the HORRIFIC customer service I received from GMG.
I sold the grill to an individual after explaining the 3 pages of email trail problems I had (I have the emails if anyone is interested in reading them) with GMG and receiving HORRIFIC support from GMG. The individual was willing to take the risk and try to fix this Chinese made heap of *&%^!!!!!!
I bought a Mak II Star General. It is a quality, American made masterpiece!!!!! It's ability to hold and maintain temperatures is INCREDIBLE (I live in Alaska, that means something). BUY THE MAK!!!!!
DO NOT BUY GMG!!!!!! THEY ARE HORRIBLE!!!!!!!!!!
 
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