Let's Talk BBQ
FORUM SPONSORS => MAK Grills => Topic started by: TentHunteR on April 13, 2014, 08:33:59 AM
-
I'd been eyeing the improvements to the MAK 1 Star, after talking with MAK-Daddy, who said he could use some serious field testing, we decided to go ahead and give it a go. This also meant finding a new home for our original 1 Star. Fortunately a good friend has been wanting one, so we struck a deal and he is the proud owner of MAK 1 Star #171.
One big plus (for us at any rate) is the $900+ in add-ons/accessories we'd purchased over the past three years for the original 1 Star still fit and work with the new one. These include: 2 upper half racks, Griddle & Split Grate, FlameZone, Searing Grate, 4" casters, Side & Bottom Shelves.
We received the new grill last Thursday, but with all the rain we've had lately, the yard had finally dried out enough this past Wednesday to get this new grill put together.
We got the grill unpacked, parts laid out and parts checked.
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-nMS8gUwbg5Q/U0lT4rVtExI/AAAAAAAAGsQ/IoKY_TuEnOk/s640/2014MAK2.JPG)
The first thing I noticed was the difference in packaging & assembly. The new 1 Stars take up less room during shipping, which I am sure saves on shipping costs which have soared the past few years. This approach allows a person's money to go into production rather than shipping. Nice move MAK Grills! :)
Talk about a class act; MAK even includes a set of Allen wrenches, and not some cheap Chinese set either... Made in America baby!
(https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-O3OjMNfVfi0/U0p9pYnBqrI/AAAAAAAAGt4/65ebeiPNvg8/s402/2014MAK8.JPG)
Here is the grill assembled with the optional 4" Casters (available on MAK's website). Boy it sure is pretty!
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-9gVrBeATQ2o/U0lT4o2oKtI/AAAAAAAAGsI/QHg2DYQiS_w/s720/2014MAK3.JPG)
The next thing to notice is the grease drain systems has been totally re-designed. The grease bucket is gone and in its place is a pull-out Grease/Ash drawer. The drawer is designed to accept a disposable aluminum mini-loaf pan for easy grease/ash clean-out.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1K_eDpuFNHg/U0lT4giPwKI/AAAAAAAAGss/QZ98T6cfiCM/s640/2014MAK4.JPG)
Inside, you'll find a removable stainless steel grease shield and ash clean-out cover.
These will make cleaning the grease chute and sweeping out the ash an easy task.
(https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Vhphkbp_pTw/U0lT5FM9l1I/AAAAAAAAGsY/4ulxJndbhgY/s800/2014MAK5.JPG)
Grease Drain Details
(https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-GGDDjVJ9r9E/U04J_iGnLDI/AAAAAAAAGvA/B_UfGAdoZTA/s800/GREASFLW.JPG)
Another improvement is the smoke vent baffle is now easily removable to make cleaning the rear vents much easier.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-mGUHAfyQSLI/U0lXzoTO-uI/AAAAAAAAGtY/el-nIswvsOY/s640/2014MAK7.JPG)
The new 1 Star also features the latest Pellet Boss & firmware.
(https://lh6.googleusercontent.com/-alem_pSHheA/U0lX06914LI/AAAAAAAAGtk/pxLNxTq96W8/s522/2014MAK9.JPG)
My initial thoughts? These improvements show why a MAK is worth every penny spent. They are always on the cutting edge looking for ways to improve. Knowing how happy I was with our original 1 Star, these improvements can only make our MAK experience even better!
I can't wait to get cooking on this.
-
Great looking cooker. Looking forward to seeing you put it through its paces.
-
Very nice Cliff!
I know that you will enjoy that grease tray design. Memphis also uses a pull out tray for grease and it is nice not having to worry about my dogs tipping the bucket trying to get at the goods ;)
-
looks good. Now let us see how it cooks!
I like the removal of the grease bucket too.
-
Looking good Cliff.
Can your take a photo of the tray/pan under the grates. Also I'm not seeing where the grease now goes.
Thanks ;D
-
Great write up Tent. I like the grease trap design. I assume this will be part of the 2 star at some point.
-
Very nice looking grill there. I want the upgrades on my old mak
-
Very, very nice!! A big plus, the old dog doesn't need to learn any new tricks! In addition, your new dog house is the same size as your old one, should you need it.
Art
-
Great looking Grill Cliff ... Enjoy!
-
I loved my 1 stars. I own 2 of them. #63 & #69. #63 is across the street on loaner. the improvements look great. explain more on the grease drawer. how is the new finish on it? everyone knows that the 1 star smokes more than any other pellet smoker.
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb366/sparky5353/march%20bbq%20madness/marchbbqfun256.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/sparky5353/media/march%20bbq%20madness/marchbbqfun256.jpg.html)
(http://i1202.photobucket.com/albums/bb366/sparky5353/march%20bbq%20madness/marchbbqfun257.jpg) (http://s1202.photobucket.com/user/sparky5353/media/march%20bbq%20madness/marchbbqfun257.jpg.html)
see. ;)
-
Congratulations on one sweet pellet cooker 8)
-
Awesome looking cooker Cliff! You going to bring it to the Gathering this year? ;)
-
Congrats on the new toy Cliff! Looking forward to hearing of your cooks
-
Great looking grill, can't wait to see the good stuff that comes out of it. ;)
-
Ok you got a new toy . congratulations .
now go and smoke something interesting .
-
Great write up Tent. I like the grease trap design. I assume this will be part of the 2 star at some point.
We're workin' on it, Pappy! They're in the process of incorporating that into the 2 Star, along with a few other updates for 2015.
Like Cliff said, the accessories will work on 'updated' models, so you won't have to worry about any extra goodies you have not working with a new grill. They make every effort to make sure everything is 'backwards compatible' whenever they introduce new innovations.
Very excited to see what you make for your inaugural run on the new MAK, Cliff! Decisions, decisions. :)
-
By request I added a better pic showing the Grease Drain Details to the original post above. :)
-
Cliff, that is a whole lot of improvements. Congrats on the newer grill. I know that you'll cook some great food on it and I'll be watching for everyone of them.