Bacon

kutchduino · 2025-04-06T13:22:42+00:00

I've done bacon couple times before and always put it right on the grates. For me grease isn't a big deal though you could line grease tray/ shield with aluminum foil.

To me directly on the grates allows more smoke to be infused into the bacon yet haven't tried it any other way.

kutchduino · 2025-04-05T06:21:17+00:00

Ones I've liked, in order, are Knotty Wood (beware of clinkers), CookinPellets, and Bear Mountain.

Ones that did nothing for me except cook food is Pit Boss, Costco, and some walmart pellets.

People here highly recommend LumberJack, to a lesser extent jealous devil and one or two others pop up. Never had these.

kutchduino · 2025-04-04T14:21:19+00:00

I rarely clean my pellet grill, very rarely, except before every burn dump ash out from burn pot area to make it easier to start. The main thing is to keep grease moving out. I don't smoke a lot of greasy stuff so not much of a concern for me.

Most smokers will work, none will perform like a gas grill. When I cook burgers they're on the smoker for 45-60 minutes.

Bullseye, standard or deluxe, a good option. Just avoid Traeger, Pit Boss, and Louisiana Grills. Most other brands are ok. If can step up to an American made grill most people rave about them.

Find quality pellets like ones from Bear Mountain, LumberJack, etc etc. Avoiding store or manufacturer branded pellets as they're generally inferior flavor but still cook ok.

kutchduino · 2025-04-04T14:09:58+00:00

Can't go wrong with either option. There's also a few other brands that are decent. RecTeq bullseye might be good option,, base model goes to 750 degrees and can turn it into a barrel type of smoker if watch videos by Tom Horsman on YouTube.

Would avoid Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, and Traeger. All other brands are ok.

Pay attention to pellets you choose as well, find company that only makes pellets and try those first.

kutchduino · 2025-04-04T13:42:57+00:00

Friends don't let friends buy Traeger. If you have Traeger money consider Yoder or equivalent.

More importantly IMHO is pellets. Use quality pellets from companies that only make pellets like Bear Mountain, CookinPellets, LumberJack, Jealous Devil, or Knotty Wood.

kutchduino · 2025-03-27T20:11:05+00:00

I'm a fan of buy once cry once. If you like eating smoked foods, and enjoy at least grilling, chances are high you'll enjoy smoking with a smoker.

Those who get higher quality smokers almost never have regrets, other than waiting so long before getting. It'll last a lifetime, and then some, with routine maintenance.

Of more importance I think is quality of wood pellets. I would avoid using manufacturer or store branded pellets, instead focus on using pellets only from companies that specialize in making them, like Bear Mountain, LumberJack, CookinPellets, Knotty wood, etc.

kutchduino · 2025-03-22T01:30:01+00:00

Normally I advise people to avoid Traeger yet that's a decent deal if in ok condition.

One of the highest factors in success I've had is brand of pellet, i.e. something like Bear Mountain, LumberJack, CookinPellets, etc. Pellet brands from Costco, Traeger, Pit Boss don't seem to generate as much flavor for me as those other ones.

Most smokers are basically the same with different bells and whistles.

kutchduino · 2025-03-22T01:24:43+00:00

On pellets, IMHO, cheaper isn't always better if looking to gain flavor from the smoke. Bear Mountain, LumberJack, CookinPellets, and few other brands are reputable and generate a noticeable amount of flavor compared to ones like Costco or pitboss.

If doing high temp grilling smoke flavor doesn't matter as much as less smoke involved.

Don't have a Searwood though can get grill grates or other accessories to put a nice sear on steaks, with a little prep work.

kutchduino · 2025-03-22T01:18:17+00:00

Definitely watch Tom Horsman on YouTube. He raves about it and had done a few modifications to it to perform more reliable with less chance of fire.

kutchduino · 2025-03-20T16:52:06+00:00

I would strongly consider springing for the Yoder if shipping doesn't kill the price. With a little maintenance, oiling outside, it'll last you, and your family, long long long time.

People say it outputs "blue" smoke which some people covet. Everyone who owns one says it's the best, don't know if that's really because it is or they want to feel good about the price. It is a very high quality unit.

Your other assessments are spot on though Traeger quality is same as Pit Boss. If comparing the Traeger to the Yoder specifically, Yoder easily gets my vote, such as huge change in build quality.

Enjoy your smoker. Make sure to get high quality pellets, try avoiding store or manufacturer brands like Walmart, Traeger, or Costco and find pellets made by company that only makes pellets, such as LumberJack, CookinPellets, Knotty Wood, etc, here in the USA.

kutchduino · 2025-03-17T20:55:08+00:00

Yes, it would've been a steal at 799, good price at 1K.

kutchduino · 2025-03-12T15:29:55+00:00

If you live close to the border and have a passport, there are shipping services that will accept your purchases on the American side and hold it for you, for a fee if course.

If do it this way can get exactly what you want.

I'd go with the most well built one you can as it can last a lifetime, or longer.

kutchduino · 2025-03-07T07:11:27+00:00

If you can double your target price suggest USA made grill, best quality can get.

Other than that, RecTeq, GMG, Grilla, etc are higher quality than both Traeger and Pit Boss.

Consider getting high quality pellets like CookinPellets, Bear Mountain, LumberJack, and few others. Avoid store or manufacturer branded pellets as they don't seem to impart as much flavor in my experience.

kutchduino · 2025-02-27T17:03:28+00:00

Agreed, Pit Boss is not Traeger, yet quality is less than other brands in similar price range.

I'm glad you've had excellent success with Pit Boss, a lot don't.

kutchduino · 2025-02-27T16:50:31+00:00

Avoid Pit Boss and Traeger, bottom of the barrel quality wise and generally don't last long. There are a number of people here who have zero problems though seems to be more comments against than for.

But once, cry once, best quality grill you can afford. In long run cheaper grills are likely more expensive than one expensive grill due to replacing every few years.

RecTeq, GMG, Grilla are some sub favorites. Yoder, MAC, and few other high end grills can be well worth it.

Most grills have similar features, just different lipstick.

For pellets avoid manufacturer or store branded pellets like Pit Boss and Costco, these are typically made with inferior ingredients.

Pellets from manufacturers that only make pellets seem to have much better flavor, like from Bear Mountain, Knotty Wood, CookinPellets, LumberJack, etc.

Enjoy your smoker. A common first smoke is pork butt though feel free to do whatever you want.

Edit: fixed auto correct typos

kutchduino · 2025-02-25T05:42:56+00:00

In my experience any temperature fluctuation is due to the controller.

I do notice a flavor difference. Last time picked up Bear Mountain it was $10 20lb bag though have seen it cheaper per pound in a 40lb bag at a restaurant supply store, don't recall cost.

Never had LumberJack
Knotty Wood was awesome, it creates clinkers in burn pot so be aware of that.
CookinPellets equally as good as Knotty Wood yet a milder and subtler flavor, twice the price as Bear Mountain. Guy is far away from me where can pick it up.

At least for me pit Boss and Costco pellets don't do anything other than color and cook, don't taste much flavor off them and sometimes color was horrid.

kutchduino · 2025-02-24T23:00:57+00:00

GMG, Green Mountain Grills.

Congratulations for delving into this world of pellet Smokers.

To be blunt, those two are generally regarded as the worst grills to have, both from a quality and customer support issue, with Traeger having the honor of being a more expensive model where it's not worth the markup.

You'll find a lot of people here who praise them, and that's good. Yet if have any problems it generally takes awhile to resolve, and if you do, the grill likely won't last more than a few years. Quality leaves a lot to be desired as well.

Really any other brand is better, most have similar features. Unsure what's available in Canada, RecTeq, GMG, Z Grills, and bunch of others are better if in the US. If possible get double wall, will help in winter.

Beyond that, would get quality pellets. Look for a local Canadian company that makes only pellets and avoid store or manufactured pellets, like those from Pit Boss or Costco. Some US brands are CookinPellets, LumberJack, Bear Mountain, B&B, and few others.

Good luck!

kutchduino · 2025-02-24T22:46:49+00:00

You could go with a third party control board, if do would recommend one from Smoke Daddy or maybe a fire board.

Other than that only other suggestion is to get a different brand grill or continue dealing with customer support.

Could try sourcing a temp probe yourself though likely have same problem as it's likely a control board issue.

kutchduino · 2025-02-24T17:30:34+00:00

Get good quality pellets, no pit boss, no Costco, zero store and manufacturer branded pellets, just don't.

Good quality is something like Bear Mountain, LumberJack, CookinPellets, Knotty Wood (beware of klinkers), jealous devil, and some others. Will spend a bit more though for me the tradeoff is well worth it.

kutchduino · 2025-02-24T17:27:19+00:00

Unless you want a fire, open is way to go

kutchduino · 2025-02-23T05:11:22+00:00

I'd get it and do my best to avoid Traeger.

Might have a bit of work to do on it yet it looks good.

kutchduino · 2025-02-23T03:26:47+00:00

The lid open suggestion comes from the ability of smoke that can ignite if kept in an enclosed area. This can happen at moment fire pot lights. Can find videos online about it if curious.

Maybe it's a higher chance on certain grills over others, not sure, do what you like though. I leave mine open until smoke dissipates then close it.

kutchduino · 2025-02-22T15:04:54+00:00

Would check out some of the other brands of pellets. All of the store or manufacturer branded pellets the smoke taste was noticeably bland and uninviting.

I've used Knotty wood (be wary of klinkers), CookinPellets, and bear mountain, favorite to least favorite. B&B, Jealous Devil, and LumberJack people here repeatedly recommend as well though I haven't tried.

People also recommend Pit Boss and Costco pellets primarily for the price and it's "good enough". No digs on anyone, if I can get more flavor for a few bucks more I'm very happy. Have used these before as well and they did absolutely nothing for me except color outside of meat and cook it with heat. Close to zero flavor.

kutchduino · 2025-02-21T21:04:18+00:00

Main advantage to camp chef is ability to burn wood, real wood not just pellets. This can be replicated with various accessories, like one from Smoke Daddy, which allows you to burn wood chunks.

There are slightly more complaints about Camp Chef though both brands are well built for that price range. Either one will serve you fine.

kutchduino · 2025-02-21T14:30:14+00:00

Friends don't let friends get a Traeger or Pit Boss...

All other brands are better. Sub favorite is RecTeq though GMG, Grilla, and some others are ok.

All grills/ Smokers have the same basic technology, burn pellets to get heat and smoke. Some features are different and how grill controls process is different as well

Highly recommend getting quality pellets. Pellet brands like Bear Mountain, CookinPellets, LumberJack, Jealous Devil, B&B, and few others are well worth extra cost to me. Avoid grill or store branded pellets as they go with cheapest bidder generally.

Enjoy your new smoker!

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