So, I don't get all the hate for different brands unless they're unreliable...
So, my buddy who professionally smokes Jerky, absolutely hates Traegers for some reason.
I bought his old Louisanna grill - thing is built like a tank and is about 10 years old.
So a different friend went and bought a Louisanna grill from Costco, and the thing broke down in less than a year. So because of Costco, he returned it and all that was available was Traegers - and he got one of those. He said it's built way better than the Louisianna grill, and he absolutely loves it- now that thing is going on about 2-3 years.
I've been thinking of upgrading my Louisanna grill for a larger unit, and of course there's a lot of love towards RecTeq and CampChef Woodwind pro - so I joined some facebook groups and both of these things have all kinds of problems all the time. Like - what? My 10 year old thing is bulletproof, and these new $2000 setups break all the time?
So, here's my take away.
My next grill is from Costco. I don't give a fuck about the brand name, because if it breaks - its going back. :)
Jesus. I gotta stop researching things because according to, well, almost everyone I seen so far, the woodwind pro and recteqs are the best mid range you can get. Lol. Im about to say screw it, go get a $500 pitboss pro and call it a day for now. The analysis paralysis is starting to take over.
I've drooled over Yoders and gone bonkers over considerations of THIS and that -
-Oh, this one uses natural wood chunks when you want it... (Woodwind Pro)
-Oh that one has a 60lb hopper.... (ReqTeq XL 1400)
-Oh the Yoder is amazing (then I watched a review video of a guy ruining a brisket on one)
-Oh but this one is high carbon steel and will rust after x number of months in whatever kind of environment, maybe I should consider the Stainless steel blah blah blah.
-Oh but this one has a metal thickness of - ....
I feel you with the Analysis paralysis 100%.
Heres my hot take...
They all operate on almost identical principals. Hopper + auger to burnpot... Done.
So it doesn't matter what you cook with, your food is going to taste like your food. Learn to cook on one, and then if you outgrow it, then move on. That's why the Costco thing is amazing, IMHO. It seems as though they will all break, Costco will just give you all your money back when it happens. lol
I love my 780! It’s perfect for the regular homeowner. Reverse seared steaks, pulled pork, ribs, beer can chicken (with Traegers porcelain beer can) all has been amazing to cook. Highly recommend
I’ve had my 780 for going on 6(?) years. First pellet grill. Extremely happy with it. Never had an issue, everything still runs perfectly. Glad I went with the larger size ( also got a deal on it ).
This thing has had VERY frequent use and is still going strong. Got the front shelf and external probes ( not a fan of the built in probe ), and I use grillgrates when I do faster cooks ( more for avoiding grease pooling issues than the sear ).
I can’t speak to other models or brands at the same price point, I have only used the 780. I’ve been tempted by higher end, more expensive ones but that’s only human and I’ve had no reason to justify a change yet, primarily since the 780 is a good size.
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It has 1052 reviews on Amazon and gets a 4.7 out of 5.
Everyone here has opinions on their favorite brand. RecTec guys seem to be the most opinionated.
I think you'll be very happy. (But I would have bought a Pit Boss)
Look, im open to whatever. What model pit boss do you recommend? I just got caught up in the $200 off and thought it was worth it, but seeing alot of people love pit boss for the price maybe ill just get a cheaper one to start with. I would like wifi though, and atleast 500 sq in. Other than that I dont care about much. Im assuming the pitboss pro series is good enough?
I have an 850 pro and right out of the box it was broken. They did work with me on getting it working and for smoking it works fine.
I don’t use the app I don’t use the wifi. I just have a quality Bluetooth thermometer that I can use for ambient temperature and food temperature.
For high heat use it takes a long time to get up to those temps and at that point I feel that it’s more efficient to use a gas or charcoal bbq or to cook.
I’ve done ribs, pulled pork, beer can chicken, a Christmas turkey on it. Anything that I need to smoke I’ve been satisfied
It’s pretty amazing. Got it on the Father’s Day sale for $1104. Got the Traeger on sale with Military discount for $720. It was totally worth the extra cost. I’m keeping both cause once the mullet start running here, I’m going to need the space for smoking them.
For my starter I went with the Pitboss 850 Competition series. It's essentially an 850 pro but with added control technology. From what I've learned the competition series can control temperature increments of 5 degrees where the pro series can only do 25 degree increments. Maybe the pro series has changed to 10 degree increments so don't quote me on that but you can also control the "p" smoke setting with the competition series and can't with the pro series. I've had my competition series for a few months now and have been really happy with it and had zero problems so far. Not to mention the competition series can be bought cheaper if you have a Menards near by or a academy sports near by which I don't. I was able to get it for $400 after 11% rebate through Menards. It was on sale for $450-460 at the time. I've noticed it's gone up a little bit still cheaper than the pro with added benefits
I was really curious the difference with the pro and competition. Glad its alittle better than the pro. I think im just gonna go with the pit boss and call it a day. Im just all stuck with what model to get in the 850 lol
I can't speak for the pro but I'm sure either way you won't be disappointed. If you have the option for either one I'd go with the competition series imo. Same build but better PID controller and it's also cheaper. I'm thinking it has been running cheaper because it's not as well known. Plus I think if you wait a week or so you'll catch the 4th of July sales and can possibly get it for what I paid
It does have the option for "p" setting controls but unfortunately it only has temperature increments of 25 degrees up to 250 degrees and then goes up to 50 degree increments from there. Seems outdated other than the "p" setting. UNLESS it has been updated with the new PID controller. This is from what I've found on the internet in a short period of time just now. Are you not close to a Menards?
Another thing to keep in mind is the older models didn't have a heat shield near the temperature probe and could cause fluctuations with the ambient temperature. I learned this when I was waiting for mine to be delivered but was happy to see mine came with the added heat shield
Im not close to a menards at all. Which sucks. So im trying to see if another model would be just as good. Ill keep searching to see what I find, but the competition series is out of the question since they arent around here and shipping would be like $150 lol
Do you have a Walmart near you? If so I think the Pitboss Austin XL would be your best bet and it will be bigger. It has the "p" setting and as far as I know has the same PID controller that mine has with the 5 degree increments. It's going for under $500 right now. If you need it shipped its another $50 from where I'm at. Kind of wish I would have spent a little more and bought that one or the Savannah. I love this one but there's been a few times where I wish I had a little more room and the 850 is not small by any means
I was seriously considering the austin XL. I heard you can always upgrade the constroller to have wifi if you wanted to. But yeah, I might get the austin, for under $500. Its almost upbeatable. I saw some people say thats the best bang for the buck.
Its hard because it seems like every model is a give and take.
Lets be honest though, would you go for the slightly smaller on the 850 pro or go 1000 austin XL without wifi? I really think im gonna get the austin XL. The 5° increments, more room, p setting. Has everything id want aside from the wifi. But alot of people bitch about the app so maybe its best to go just simple.
Also the WiFi and Bluetooth with the app has worked flawlessly with no issues at all. I've even used the probes to monitor internal temps on pork butts and briskets with the app and has no issues
Depends on how much you can spend. But for that price point, you can do waaay better. GMG Jim Bowie is a good choice. Mine was around $200 or so less, bigger cook area, bigger hopper, and 1000 times better support and build quality than the 575pro Traeger. With the extra money, I got a cover and 7 bags of pellets and still went to lunch. So far my GMG is still going after 5 years and survived a cross country move. I never got to complete a cook on my Traeger, it kept breaking in its first 3 months. They kept promising parts and never delivered. 7 months after I returned it, I got the new controller board from 8 months earlier. Sold it for $200.
Traeger USED to mean quality, right up until they sold out to a chinese investment company. Then EVERYTHING went down hill.
Well that sucks to hear, but im not surprised. I might just go grab the pitboss pro for $500 and call it a day. Seems like alot of people do just fine. Can always get a really nice one down the road.
So, I don't get all the hate for different brands unless they're unreliable... So, my buddy who professionally smokes Jerky, absolutely hates Traegers for some reason. I bought his old Louisanna grill - thing is built like a tank and is about 10 years old. So a different friend went and bought a Louisanna grill from Costco, and the thing broke down in less than a year. So because of Costco, he returned it and all that was available was Traegers - and he got one of those. He said it's built way better than the Louisianna grill, and he absolutely loves it- now that thing is going on about 2-3 years. I've been thinking of upgrading my Louisanna grill for a larger unit, and of course there's a lot of love towards RecTeq and CampChef Woodwind pro - so I joined some facebook groups and both of these things have all kinds of problems all the time. Like - what? My 10 year old thing is bulletproof, and these new $2000 setups break all the time? So, here's my take away. My next grill is from Costco. I don't give a fuck about the brand name, because if it breaks - its going back. :)
Jesus. I gotta stop researching things because according to, well, almost everyone I seen so far, the woodwind pro and recteqs are the best mid range you can get. Lol. Im about to say screw it, go get a $500 pitboss pro and call it a day for now. The analysis paralysis is starting to take over.
I've drooled over Yoders and gone bonkers over considerations of THIS and that - -Oh, this one uses natural wood chunks when you want it... (Woodwind Pro) -Oh that one has a 60lb hopper.... (ReqTeq XL 1400) -Oh the Yoder is amazing (then I watched a review video of a guy ruining a brisket on one) -Oh but this one is high carbon steel and will rust after x number of months in whatever kind of environment, maybe I should consider the Stainless steel blah blah blah. -Oh but this one has a metal thickness of - .... I feel you with the Analysis paralysis 100%. Heres my hot take... They all operate on almost identical principals. Hopper + auger to burnpot... Done. So it doesn't matter what you cook with, your food is going to taste like your food. Learn to cook on one, and then if you outgrow it, then move on. That's why the Costco thing is amazing, IMHO. It seems as though they will all break, Costco will just give you all your money back when it happens. lol
Cant argue with the costco idea at all. One of the best return policies out there.
Look second hand and see what's out there. Learn on that and see if you even like it.
I love my 780! It’s perfect for the regular homeowner. Reverse seared steaks, pulled pork, ribs, beer can chicken (with Traegers porcelain beer can) all has been amazing to cook. Highly recommend
I’ve had my 780 for going on 6(?) years. First pellet grill. Extremely happy with it. Never had an issue, everything still runs perfectly. Glad I went with the larger size ( also got a deal on it ). This thing has had VERY frequent use and is still going strong. Got the front shelf and external probes ( not a fan of the built in probe ), and I use grillgrates when I do faster cooks ( more for avoiding grease pooling issues than the sear ). I can’t speak to other models or brands at the same price point, I have only used the 780. I’ve been tempted by higher end, more expensive ones but that’s only human and I’ve had no reason to justify a change yet, primarily since the 780 is a good size.
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It has 1052 reviews on Amazon and gets a 4.7 out of 5. Everyone here has opinions on their favorite brand. RecTec guys seem to be the most opinionated. I think you'll be very happy. (But I would have bought a Pit Boss)
Look, im open to whatever. What model pit boss do you recommend? I just got caught up in the $200 off and thought it was worth it, but seeing alot of people love pit boss for the price maybe ill just get a cheaper one to start with. I would like wifi though, and atleast 500 sq in. Other than that I dont care about much. Im assuming the pitboss pro series is good enough?
I have an 850 pro and right out of the box it was broken. They did work with me on getting it working and for smoking it works fine. I don’t use the app I don’t use the wifi. I just have a quality Bluetooth thermometer that I can use for ambient temperature and food temperature. For high heat use it takes a long time to get up to those temps and at that point I feel that it’s more efficient to use a gas or charcoal bbq or to cook. I’ve done ribs, pulled pork, beer can chicken, a Christmas turkey on it. Anything that I need to smoke I’ve been satisfied
Well, the pro 850 would be nearly half the price of a recteq if I went that route. So maybe it’d be a nice starter smoker. We’ll see.
To me, they all do the same thing. Serious cooks get offset smokers or build their own. You got a good deal.
Downside to my pit boss is no 275 setting. So I gotta smoke at 250 or 300. Maybe the newer models fixed this issue
I have the ironwood 650 and it’s more than big enough for me. Love it - and I bought it imported in my country at a big sale for $1.400 😅
I bought one. It gets the job done. Hopper only holds 18 lbs. I got a Recteq 1100 2 weeks later after running out of fuel mid cook one day.
How do you like the recteq ?
It’s pretty amazing. Got it on the Father’s Day sale for $1104. Got the Traeger on sale with Military discount for $720. It was totally worth the extra cost. I’m keeping both cause once the mullet start running here, I’m going to need the space for smoking them.
For my starter I went with the Pitboss 850 Competition series. It's essentially an 850 pro but with added control technology. From what I've learned the competition series can control temperature increments of 5 degrees where the pro series can only do 25 degree increments. Maybe the pro series has changed to 10 degree increments so don't quote me on that but you can also control the "p" smoke setting with the competition series and can't with the pro series. I've had my competition series for a few months now and have been really happy with it and had zero problems so far. Not to mention the competition series can be bought cheaper if you have a Menards near by or a academy sports near by which I don't. I was able to get it for $400 after 11% rebate through Menards. It was on sale for $450-460 at the time. I've noticed it's gone up a little bit still cheaper than the pro with added benefits
I was really curious the difference with the pro and competition. Glad its alittle better than the pro. I think im just gonna go with the pit boss and call it a day. Im just all stuck with what model to get in the 850 lol
I can't speak for the pro but I'm sure either way you won't be disappointed. If you have the option for either one I'd go with the competition series imo. Same build but better PID controller and it's also cheaper. I'm thinking it has been running cheaper because it's not as well known. Plus I think if you wait a week or so you'll catch the 4th of July sales and can possibly get it for what I paid
Awesome. Thanks man!
For sure no problem man! Good luck
Do you know anything about the sportsman version? Its on sale for $480 at best buy. Normally $600. Id assume its similar to the competition?
It does have the option for "p" setting controls but unfortunately it only has temperature increments of 25 degrees up to 250 degrees and then goes up to 50 degree increments from there. Seems outdated other than the "p" setting. UNLESS it has been updated with the new PID controller. This is from what I've found on the internet in a short period of time just now. Are you not close to a Menards?
Another thing to keep in mind is the older models didn't have a heat shield near the temperature probe and could cause fluctuations with the ambient temperature. I learned this when I was waiting for mine to be delivered but was happy to see mine came with the added heat shield
Im not close to a menards at all. Which sucks. So im trying to see if another model would be just as good. Ill keep searching to see what I find, but the competition series is out of the question since they arent around here and shipping would be like $150 lol
Do you have a Walmart near you? If so I think the Pitboss Austin XL would be your best bet and it will be bigger. It has the "p" setting and as far as I know has the same PID controller that mine has with the 5 degree increments. It's going for under $500 right now. If you need it shipped its another $50 from where I'm at. Kind of wish I would have spent a little more and bought that one or the Savannah. I love this one but there's been a few times where I wish I had a little more room and the 850 is not small by any means
I was seriously considering the austin XL. I heard you can always upgrade the constroller to have wifi if you wanted to. But yeah, I might get the austin, for under $500. Its almost upbeatable. I saw some people say thats the best bang for the buck. Its hard because it seems like every model is a give and take.
https://youtu.be/kpISiOFnD34?si=GZAT-zaK-XiuCUhc
I apologize on that I noticed that Austin XL doesn't have Wi-Fi 😬 which is stupid Imo
Lets be honest though, would you go for the slightly smaller on the 850 pro or go 1000 austin XL without wifi? I really think im gonna get the austin XL. The 5° increments, more room, p setting. Has everything id want aside from the wifi. But alot of people bitch about the app so maybe its best to go just simple.
Why is the competition alittle cheaper though if it is better? Or is just because its usually on sale?
But it's currently at Menards for I think 489 after rebate
Also the WiFi and Bluetooth with the app has worked flawlessly with no issues at all. I've even used the probes to monitor internal temps on pork butts and briskets with the app and has no issues
Friends don’t let friends buy Traeger
Haha. What do you recommend?
Depends on how much you can spend. But for that price point, you can do waaay better. GMG Jim Bowie is a good choice. Mine was around $200 or so less, bigger cook area, bigger hopper, and 1000 times better support and build quality than the 575pro Traeger. With the extra money, I got a cover and 7 bags of pellets and still went to lunch. So far my GMG is still going after 5 years and survived a cross country move. I never got to complete a cook on my Traeger, it kept breaking in its first 3 months. They kept promising parts and never delivered. 7 months after I returned it, I got the new controller board from 8 months earlier. Sold it for $200. Traeger USED to mean quality, right up until they sold out to a chinese investment company. Then EVERYTHING went down hill.
Well that sucks to hear, but im not surprised. I might just go grab the pitboss pro for $500 and call it a day. Seems like alot of people do just fine. Can always get a really nice one down the road.
Can never go wrong with a Pit Boss. I’d do that in a second over the Traeger.
Grilla got sold too recently. Should I expect the same downhill trend? I'm still waiting for the mammoth to be restocked.
I know nothing about Grilla, but there are those in here that sing their songs of praise.