Let's Talk BBQ

Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: Jaxon on April 27, 2018, 11:25:03 AM

Title: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Jaxon on April 27, 2018, 11:25:03 AM
I've been watching videos of folks cooking with pellet grills and I've noticed they are pretty loud...some had a "pulsing" fan noise.
I am thinking of getting one and putting it on the patio, but if they are that noisy, I'll have to reconsider.

What do you think?
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: rwalters on April 27, 2018, 11:32:03 AM
Not sure what your definition of "to noisy" is... but, I don't think I've ever heard someone say that their pellet grill was to noisy to the point it was a problem.  Do you hear it running... absolutely.  Noisy... not to me.  Although the sound is not the same, I would say that it's no louder than your standard oscillating house fan (if that).
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: TentHunteR on April 27, 2018, 11:38:31 AM
You can hear them, but I certainly wouldn't say it's "noisy". 
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Jaxon on April 27, 2018, 12:03:05 PM
I was watching this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=543s&v=jQzTz39oiYM and couldn't hear the guy over the noise.
Title: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: rwalters on April 27, 2018, 12:15:24 PM
I was watching this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=543s&v=jQzTz39oiYM and couldn't hear the guy over the noise.
WOW, now I understand the concern. I have never heard a pellet grill like that. I do believe that the higher end pellet grills will be quieter as they have higher quality parts that tend to move as smooth as butter, but even my old Traeger wasn’t noisy. Bottom line, I would not let noise deter me from experiencing the beauty of pellet cooking :)
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: HighOnSmoke on April 27, 2018, 12:20:54 PM
That is the fan noise Jaxon. My Davy Crockett does the same thing. Not loud enough to bother me as it is not that close to the house. On the other hand my Blaz'n Grillworks Grid Iron is absolutely quiet. The only way I can tell it is running is by the smoke. Of course it is a tank and a lot more expensive than the Green Mountain grills. I am bringing my Davy Crockett to your place on the 11th of May so you will hear first hand how it sounds. Not all pellet grills are the same.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Dave R. on April 27, 2018, 12:44:40 PM
I was watching this video https://m.youtube.com/watch?t=543s&v=jQzTz39oiYM and couldn't hear the guy over the noise.
I suspect noise issue was caused from poor sound equipment or positioning. As others have said there is fan noise but would it make having a discussion with someone difficult, well not in my experience. The MAK uses an axial variable speed fan so it does ramp up and then down but the noise level is not at all annoying. Music to my ears frankly as it means it is controlling the heat nicely. Agreed about some of the grills maybe using parts that are not as good but like anything else, you get what you pay for, or least we all hope you do.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: ClimberDave on April 27, 2018, 01:43:31 PM
I  don't yet own a pellet grill but my buddies Traeger  is pretty darn loud. 
Loud enough that we  will walk away  if we are having a conversation.
Happy to hear they aren't all that loud.
Title: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: rwalters on April 27, 2018, 02:18:03 PM
A couple of years ago, I was visiting one of my favorite bbq shops. They sell numerous brands of pellet grills, including GMG, Traeger and Memphis (used to carry MAK before they went direct). The shop owner had a fan from a GMG and one from a MAK on display. He did this so that you could spin them and see/feel the difference. It was very apparent that job do get what you pay for in the world of pellet cookers. The difference was VERY noticeable.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: skidog on April 27, 2018, 04:03:21 PM
My little DC certainly isn't whisper quiet but I feel like he had that mic down by the grill, even him touching the tin foil was extremely loud. I've sat on the deck with family many times with the DC running and it in no way affected conversation.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Jaxon on April 27, 2018, 09:05:03 PM
Thanx for the replies...

At my age, I'm thinking that just about any grill will last a lifetime.  I find it very hard to pull the trigger on a MAK or RecTec simply because of the $$$.  I'm looking for a grill that will handle about 4 racks of ribs or 2 Boston butts, so it doesn't have to be a big one.

I am considering a GMG Daniel Boone at this time.  There is a dealer right here in Byron.  I'll check out Mike's grill when he is here in a couple of weeks.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Roget on April 27, 2018, 11:42:32 PM
I can attest to the fact that not all GMGs sound like that.
As others have posted, my Davey Crockett doesn't make any thing close to that amount of noise.
You can hear the auger when it is pushing pellets & you cab hear the fan, but not like his.
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: smokeasaurus on April 28, 2018, 09:29:44 AM
Green Mountain Grills Daniel Boone is a solid performer at the price point Jack. Now there fan "pulses" on and off. It does not run steady.

I promise the noise will not bother you.

Having a dealer close by is helpful if you ever need replacement parts for your Boone.

Getting a downdraft hood is a must. They really work great in GMG pellet grills.

Get your grill first and then I will set you up for the downdraft hood.  First things first!!  Also ask your dealer for some GMG Gold Blend pellets. Real nice mix.

Here you go, keep you motivated
https://youtu.be/7n7SXUjy5J8
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Jaxon on April 28, 2018, 01:29:41 PM
Thanks for the encouragement and help, Smoke...
Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: smokeasaurus on April 28, 2018, 04:53:39 PM
you are welcome Jack. As much as I love my MAK pellet grill, I am sure glad I got my big Charcoal Grill. It is great having both styles.

When you are pressed for time or you want to smoke something but have other things to do, the pellet grill will be your best friend.

But when I have time, I am starting a fire and maintaining it myself.......but sadly, I have more busy days than days with nothing to do and the MAK gets fired up.

Nice thing is, your chores get done and you have grub that tastes as good or better than you would get by cooking it yourself all day.  :)
Title: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: zueth on April 29, 2018, 11:57:24 PM
Made a quick 20 second video while cooking ribs on my GMG tonight so you could hear the noise it makes.
https://youtu.be/21opy6xeDR8


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Gtsum2 on April 30, 2018, 05:59:38 PM
Believe it is a function of price and quality. My Memphis’s Elite sounds like a fine, well engineered machine.  My new toy hauler cooker - Davy Crockett- is quite loud in comparison..both the fan and the auger. The auger(s) are silent on the Memphis


Memphis Elite

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Title: Re: Pellets equal noise?
Post by: Jaxon on May 01, 2018, 11:59:38 AM
Made a quick 20 second video while cooking ribs on my GMG tonight so you could hear the noise it makes.
https://youtu.be/21opy6xeDR8


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That helps a lot, sir.
Thanks.