Author Topic: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!  (Read 2346 times)

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Offline Dakotad11

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New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #-1 on: October 25, 2017, 06:13:54 PM »
Hi all from the good ole Mid Ohio Valley! I'm new to this forum and new to pellet grills, well, smoking all together. I absolutely love grilling but want to take it up a notch.

I have been researching for about 2 months now, and after reading what feels like every review on every grill and every pellet grill related posts on multiple forums, I believe I have narrowed down my choices, no specific order, to what would suit me best but what like some more insight from the more experienced.

Option #1: Yoder Smokers YS640 - $2300 with options of my preference. Love the way it's built, its operation, wonderful fan base and most of all it's looks! My concerns..... pellet consumption???  I have read from multiple reviewers that it eats ~5lbs an hour at temps above 350F.... scary... as I will be using it quite often to grill steaks, chicken, chops, brats, veggies, etc. Offset firebox pros and cons? But I love the fact of the open flame option as well as the baffle.. I think?? Also, the controller doesn't have the reputation of my next two options. How's the warrany? Made in USA

Option #2: Blaz'n Grillworks Grid Iron - $2040 with options of my preference. Similar look to Yoder which I love. Fast response when contacted Tim via email. Reputable controller. Bigger hopper. Ash clean out. Central firebox pros and cons? Concerns, internals made from 409 stainless which still rusts. Very very little reviews that I have been able to find. How does it grill?? Pellet consumption?? I would really like some input from someone who has used one. Warranty is the worst of all options it appears. How's customer service? Performance? Longevity? Made in USA

Option #3: Rec Tec RT680 - $1450 with options of my preference. Reputable controller. All 304 stainless internals which I feel is a huge plus. Central fire box pros and cons? Huge hopper that doubles as a giant shelf/warmer. HUGE fan base, Rec Tec community seems extremely loyal to the company and to Ray. Wonderful customer service. Really seems like the best bang for my buck but to be honest I absolutely hate the look, ie. bullhorns, I can live with the red and even fab up a different handle no problem, but that adds to the cost. Chine made. Hmm? But great warranty.

All seem like great options but I'm the type of person that does not like buying things multiple times or wish I had went a different route. I'm ok with spending more upfront for something that will last longer, but don't want something hat will eat up my meat money because its a pellet hog. As I said I will be doing alo of high temp grilling as well as low temp smokes and really want to have one versatile machine that does all.

Any and all input is appreciated and I thank you in advance!!!!

Offline smokeasaurus

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If you have the budget like you have shown with your options you should just get a MAK. Own the best and be done with it. Cry once I say.

I do not own a MAK. Have done product testing on many however and saw a MAK one day sitting in a BBQ showroom and it just screamed American Quality.

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Offline Dakotad11

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New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill
« Reply #1 on: November 01, 2017, 12:33:03 PM »
Well all my decision was made for me over the weekend. I was lucky enough to win a RT680 on custom built cart with custom grill grates and a cold smoker box on a FB page!!! Couldn't be more excited. Cart and grates are being built this week and should be able to pick it up sometime next week! Thanks all for your input!!!


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Offline HighOnSmoke

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #2 on: November 01, 2017, 12:34:32 PM »
Congrats on your new smoker!
Mike

Auto Akorn Kamado
Recteq Stampede
Recteq Bullseye 380X
Weber Master Touch
PK Original Grill
Weber Jumbo Joe
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Offline Pappymn

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New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill
« Reply #3 on: November 01, 2017, 01:41:39 PM »
Very cool. Congrats


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Offline dhornick

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #4 on: February 08, 2018, 05:14:16 PM »
Hey Dakotad11, which did you decide to go with?  I'd be interested to know??? And how do you like it?

Offline tomcrete1

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #5 on: February 08, 2018, 05:15:27 PM »
Welcome from Wisconsin !  :)
Webber Spirit
Visions Ceramic
PBC
King Griller Akorn
Big Easy SRG
Big Easy
Rec Tec Mini
PK Grill
Cook Air Grill
Blackstone Pizza Oven
Blackstone 28" Griddle
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Offline TentHunteR

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #6 on: February 08, 2018, 05:20:45 PM »
Welcome to the forum, from NE Ohio!

And congrats on winning a new pellet grill!
<><
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Former Owner: MAK 1 Star General - 2014 & 2011 Models
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Offline Tailgating is my game

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2018, 06:53:55 PM »
lucky guy...enjoy
Big Easy IR fryer
Margaritaville Tailgating Grill. (Jets)
Char-Broil Grill2Go X200
Pizza Pronto Gas Pizza oven & WOK
Coleman Portable Propane Fryer
Sears 4 burner gas G

Weber 22 inch Chal
Uniflame Little Char
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Gasone butane
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Offline sliding_billy

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #8 on: February 09, 2018, 01:56:16 AM »
Greetings from North Texas.
Custom Offset/GMG Davy Crockett/Vision Kamado/Blackstone 36"/Weber 22" "redhead"/ WSM 14.5" X2/Jumbo Joe/Pit Boss Copperhead/KCBS

Offline Jaxon

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #9 on: February 09, 2018, 07:59:57 AM »
I've seen giveaways like that on FB, but thought they were bogus.

Guess I'll have to look more carefully.

Congratulations!
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Offline Big Dawg

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #10 on: February 09, 2018, 06:05:07 PM »
I've seen giveaways like that on FB, but thought they were bogus.

Guess I'll have to look more carefully.

Congratulations!

I saw that one and thought the same thing.  Glad you jumped on it, Dakotad11 ! ! !





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Offline Curtislowe

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #11 on: February 15, 2018, 08:51:44 PM »
Welcome!  Happy cooking!  Great info can be found here!!  You will get some opinions on what grill you should get.  I have not gotten to the pellet phase ....yet... So sorry I'm no help.
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Offline teesquare

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Re: New Memeber! Which Pellet Grill??? Decisions, Decisions.. Help!
« Reply #12 on: February 16, 2018, 08:17:50 AM »
I have cooked on a Memphis, tho never owned one. They are stylish, aesthetically sleek looking, and pretty well made. And they emphasize or bias their function on the ability to grill at temps. approaching - or maybe even matching most gas grills, while using wood pellets. They can cook at low temps. as well...but their marketing strength is grilling.

So it is a matter of what your usage criteria happens to be. Your individual cooking style will be your best guide. ;) :)
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