Which smoker should I buy?

[mattpink]

Brand new to smokers but think the Pellet Grill smokers are the way to go. I am looking to spend around $600 - $800. Looking for a more of an entry level type grill. I think I have narrowed it down to the following:

Green Mountain Daniel Boone
Camp Chef
Cabela's (similar to camp chef)
Traeger

Any thoughts or recommendations?

 

[Mojak]

Extend your budget, get a MAK and never look back. My MAK 2 is just an incredible smokin' machine!

 

[TentHunter]

If you are adamant about sticking to that price range, then out of that list, it would come down to either a Traeger or Daniel Boone for me (depending on exactly which model we're talking).


First, all of those grills are imports. That may or may not be important to you (only you can decide); it's just something to be aware of.


► Cabelas & Camp Chef pellet grills are the same grill (it just has Cabelas name on it). At least half of the reviews I've read on these grills are less than stellar. Issues I see are:

1) They are elusive on warranty details. My guess is it's covered by their general 1-year warranty.

2) In Cabelas Q & A section, they say it's made in Missouri, USA, yet their description says "Imported." Camp Chef's website doesn't specify, but their "Live Chat" tech support said their products have been made oversees for 12 years now, and Amazon lists the country of origin as "China."

3) I do not like the chimney design on them. It lets too much smoke & heat flow right out of the top. This is a bad design that is, unfortunately, all too common with several of the cheaper grills. Even Grid Iron owners are having this issue. There is a company now making after-market downdraft baffles for grills with this issue, BUT that's an extra cost and work, plus you have to find and order it separately.





► Rec Tec - If you are willing to spend a little more, but need to save some $$$, then take a look at the Rec Tec grills. They are NOT on par with Memphis or MAK, but in my opinion they are the best of the imported grills.



► One of the things to consider is shipping cost. Unless you have a dealer for one of the brands you mentioned, you could pay between $100 - $200 for shipping.



► Now, if you really want to get the best for your money, plan to use it a lot, and don't want to worry about upgrading later, then save up a few more $$ and look at the Memphis Select or MAK 1 Star. Yes you will pay more, BUT believe me when I tell you that they are more than worth the price difference.


One of the things I can honestly say is, you will be hard pressed to find an unhappy MAK owner. After researching for almost a year, we went with a MAK and don't regret that decision one little bit!

Hope this info helps!

 

[Mojak]

+1 TentHunter!

 

[scooter]

Buy the best and only cry once. Those may seem like only words but it's advice from experience. I went with an entry level pellet cooker for my first. Four months later I sold it at a loss and bought the best. I cried twice. Don't cry twice.

 

[Frog13]

I'm with these guys, I would take the Green Mountain over the Traeger. I was in the same dilemma you are a while back and decided I wanted to do it right, so I started looking at MAK and Yoder. I ended up with a Rec-Tec, a little more than I wanted to originally spend but not too far out of my budget. Once I wear this one out my plan is to get a MAK. There are a lot of people happy with each cooker from each price point but typically it seems with pellet cookers you pretty much do get what you pay for.

 

[mattpink]

I went ahead and bought a Green Mountain today...thought I got a good deal...they gave me $100 off with a cover...we'll see how it goes...My wife wasn't to excited about spending money on a smoker...so I figured I'd go with the GM for now...If I am any good at this I'll see about upgrading later. Giving it a go tomorrow with a pork shoulder...should be fun..

 

[octanefam]

Is your dealer going to give you a good price on upgrading to the Wifi unit when it comes out next month?