OT: Pellet smoker grills, Question for you grillers

[Offshore Dawg]

I plan on getting a pellet smoker and I am looking at A Traeger 575 pro. If some of you can stop arguing for a few minutes let me know your opinions.

[Goldendawg]

This inquiry should be referred to the LFL Professionals only.***** Hail State!

[TheLostDawg]

I plan on getting a pellet smoker and I am looking at A Traeger 575 pro. If some of you can stop arguing for a few minutes let me know your opinions.

Green mountain grill is better. Traeger just has name recognition. Gmg blows out the ashes when done vs Traeger you have to manually do it after each use unless they've since changed things. Gmg would also get hotter. Buddy has pit boss and he likes it. I think those have a blower mechanisms too for when you get through.

[Dawgology]

I plan on getting a pellet smoker and I am looking at A Traeger 575 pro. If some of you can stop arguing for a few minutes let me know your opinions.

I have had one for a little over two years and love it. But as other posters have indicated you do have to manually clean it out. This works for me though because I am lazy and otherwise would not clean any other part of my smoker if not forced to take the drip pan and grates out to clean out the ash tray.

ETA: any advice on how to keep an F'n Blackstone top from rusting would be greatly appreciated. I season the hell out of that thing and it still wants to rust after every time I cook on it.

[BeardoMSU]

I plan on getting a pellet smoker and I am looking at A Traeger 575 pro. If some of you can stop arguing for a few minutes let me know your opinions.

Love my T575. Highly recommend. You won't regret it. Tip: Buy a small shop vac specifically for cleaning and you're set.

[BeardoMSU]

Green mountain grill is better. Traeger just has name recognition. Gmg blows out the ashes when done vs Traeger you have to manually do it after each use unless they've since changed things. Gmg would also get hotter. Buddy has pit boss and he likes it. I think those have a blower mechanisms too for when you get through.

You don't have to clean a Traeger after each cook. I typically do it every other month and I use mine at least once a week.

Also, ignore the "only use Traeger pellets" BS...use whatever brand/flavor you like that's the cheapest. I get mine from Tractor Supply.

[NWADAWG]

I plan on getting a pellet smoker and I am looking at A Traeger 575 pro. If some of you can stop arguing for a few minutes let me know your opinions.

I've got a pit boss that I've had for several years and love it. Other guys I work with have traeger or other brands and like theirs also. Common theme for all pellet smokers seems to be that if you really want a strong smoke flavor, buy a smoke tube also.

[DEDawg]

It?s awesome go for it. I love mine. I use it as an oven all the time for random stuff

[Cowbell]

Green mountain grill is better. Traeger just has name recognition. Gmg blows out the ashes when done vs Traeger you have to manually do it after each use unless they've since changed things. Gmg would also get hotter. Buddy has pit boss and he likes it. I think those have a blower mechanisms too for when you get through.

We actually owned a retail store on our ranch at one time and sold both of these brands and I couldn't agree more. I would list brands in order from GMG, Pit Boss, and then traeger.

[TheLostDawg]

You don't have to clean a Traeger after each cook. I typically do it every other month and I use mine at least once a week.

Also, ignore the "only use Traeger pellets" BS...use whatever brand/flavor you like that's the cheapest. I get mine from Tractor Supply.

Agree. I buy competition blend from pitboss at Walmart. They have a picture on the back that tells you what that flavor, and others, go with (which meat).

[TheLostDawg]

I have had one for a little over two years and love it. But as other posters have indicated you do have to manually clean it out. This works for me though because I am lazy and otherwise would not clean any other part of my smoker if not forced to take the drip pan and grates out to clean out the ash tray.

ETA: any advice on how to keep an F'n Blackstone top from rusting would be greatly appreciated. I season the hell out of that thing and it still wants to rust after every time I cook on it.

I bought some Blackstone gel? And put it on after. Still would do it so I bought a Silicone mat on Amazon that covers the griddle and it helped.

[Ranchdawg]

I have a 1st edition Trager bought it is Aprox 15yrs ago. Bought it from the guy that owns Grills of Mississippi in Ridgeland Ms. He was selling them out of his carport back then. I don’t know the model no. but it’s not a big one. My stepson in Collierville Tn. that was on a championship bar b que cooking team showed me a trick on all pellet smokers especially Trager and Pit Boss. Buy some gasket material at Academy Sports and seal the door to the cooking area of the grill. The gasket material is flame resistant material sorta like felt and is only Aprox 1/4 wide. It prevents from losing smoke around the door. You find it in the grilling accessories at Academy.

[Cooterpoot]

How many of you actually "grill" on your pellet grill? Most everybody I know just smokes with them, so curious about the grilling. Because I can grill like a mother17er! I built a homemade smoker from a small drum and use is a little.

[starkvegasdawg]

I have had one for a little over two years and love it. But as other posters have indicated you do have to manually clean it out. This works for me though because I am lazy and otherwise would not clean any other part of my smoker if not forced to take the drip pan and grates out to clean out the ash tray.

ETA: any advice on how to keep an F'n Blackstone top from rusting would be greatly appreciated. I season the hell out of that thing and it still wants to rust after every time I cook on it.

Same issue here. I don't care what I do the damn top rusts. I'm guessing it is the humidity here. Would love to find out from someone in AZ if they have this problem.

[Dawgology]

I bought some Blackstone gel? And put it on after. Still would do it so I bought a Silicone mat on Amazon that covers the griddle and it helped.

I had been looking at the silicone mat. May have to go ahead and buy it if it helps.

[Dawgology]

Same issue here. I don't care what I do the damn top rusts. I'm guessing it is the humidity here. Would love to find out from someone in AZ if they have this problem.

That’s got to be it. I’ve cleaned, scoured, and reseasoned the thing so many times but it’s so much fun making breakfast on it and it makes the absolute best smash burgers.

[huffy]

*Masterbuilt Gravity Series Guy has entered the chat*

17 grilling on the Traeger. It takes forever to get hot (25+/- minutes for grilling temp) and the flavor is meh. My wife hates it when I use our Ironwood. I got it from a sales promo and honestly, my Masterbuilt runs circles around it. I load my hopper with kingsford charcoal and throw in a few hickory chunks with it. 0 to 700? in less than 15 minutes.

Smoking, the Traeger is fine. Masterbuilt does just as good for flavor and is faster than the Traeger.

[BeardoMSU]

How many of you actually "grill" on your pellet grill? Most everybody I know just smokes with them, so curious about the grilling. Because I can grill like a mother17er! I built a homemade smoker from a small drum and use is a little.

I already had a Weber gas grill, so if I need to grill something, I use it. I often slow smoke things then finish on grill; almost like sous vide, but with smoke. It's great!

[Cooterpoot]

I'm 100% charcoal and wood. Choose my wood depending on type of meat being grilled. I'd never cook outside with gas. That's for a stove inside or an outdoor kitchen IMO. Pellet grills are cool but I can buy/make a smoker for a fraction of the price. I really don't get the Blackstones. Those are a massive waste of funds.