Pitmaster Decision Tree Version 2

[STEbbq]

So, I looked over all of the feedback, and here's my version 2 for the decision tree.

I also reviewed WillTravelForFood 's version (also below), which I felt was excellent as well.

I am open to more feedback on improvements.

I also wanted to include a poll, because at this point, the main difference is brand and budget recommendations that are included on mine, that WillTravelForFood has left off, as they have pursued a different design. I did include a caveat on mine that I thought might help.

What is your preferred version?

[N227GB]

When I zoom into 220% on the first chart, I still have trouble making it out. Can you increase the resolution?

[STEbbq]

WillTravelForFood

[Alan Brice]

Yeah, mine sux as well.

[MBMorgan]

Two points:

1. A griddle is not "hibachi style". It is "Teppanyaki style". A hibachi is a charcoal grill.

2. Saying that pellet cookers have "No" smoke flavor is not only wrong ... it's starting to get pretty irritating to myself, and presumably to fellow owners of pellet cookers who cook on them regularly and quite successfully ... smoke flavor and all. If you must label the smoke profile of fuel types, I'd suggest you try something different and more accurate.

[WillTravelForFood]

This is why we work together. Had to start somewhere

[Panhead John]

Don’t worry guys, he’s just a grouchy old bastard.

[STEbbq]

Revised and new version uploaded!

[synodog]

I think it’s nice to have brands listed. It doesn’t mean I will choose one of them but it’s nice to know that brand has the style I might be interested in.

[WillTravelForFood]

are you suggestng it's a "generic list of brands, such as...." rather than "these are the only brands to consider" ?

[synodog]

WillTravelForFood generic list. In perfect MCS world I have or would have tried every gold or platinum rated cooker. That’s not possible in this world so a list of cookers that achieves the concept I might be interested in is helpful.

[MBMorgan]

To build upon a suggestion I made earlier about "hibachi" vs "teppanyaki", why bother with either? Both are uniquely Japanese and I'd wager that most griddle aficionados here in the Pit spend far more time with smash burgers and breakfast goodies than they do making onion ring volcanos and tossing shrimp into their hats. How about just setting "griddling" alongside "grilling" and "smoking" on the same level and skip the whole "teppanyaki" (a subset of griddling, really) thing?

[Panhead John]

I think this whole thing is a waste of time honestly. I’m sorry and mean no offense to anyone. No matter what you put out there, most people are not gonna look for this and then spend the time to wade their way through a confusing maze of choices. Just by human nature, they’re just gonna post their questions anyway. If I was a newbie to grilling or smoking, I’d find all this just a big turnoff.

[STEbbq]

Fair enough. Skipped teppanyaki and went straight to griddle. New version uploaded.

[bbqLuv]

You left out the "Mother of all Pellet Grills"--Traeger. We all know Traeger was the start of the pellet grill revolution.

I vote for Traeger and pass the PBR, please.

[Draznnl]

Ah yes, Traeger. The PBR of pellet cookers.

[Panhead John]

I totally get it with the intent of all this, trying to help a fellow member reach a buying decision on a cooker/smoker. There is nothing but good will in all of this!…..and I’m honestly not trying to downplay any of it, but is this really necessary, or even needed? I’ve been here long enough to know that when someone asks for advice on buying something, everyone here is more than happy to help out, especially when someone is asking for advice on a new cooker! 😂 That post is guaranteed to run at least 3 or 4 pages! That’s part of the fun of this place, imparting your wisdom and experience in helping someone. I have absolutely no experience with a pellet grill, as an example, but I still look forward to reading everyone’s responses if someone else is in the market for one. Do we really want to sanitize the experience by telling someone……ok, we’ll help you, but please go here and read this first….





By doing so, this might give someone the impression that hey, “We don’t mind helping you but please, keep your questions to a minimum. Do your homework before asking us anything else.” And another thing is, when would we refer them to this? At what point in the thread does it become apparent that this is even needed? I’m just gonna be honest here, but if I was told to go here and read this first, I’d go elsewhere for my answers.

[Jim White]

I see what you're saying to some extent, but as I recall, very early in the process this was also described as an exercise to help us formulate the questions to ask when someone comes to us to ask what they should buy, since the folks who hang out here are usually regarded by their friends as their local bbq expert. I find this very useful when coming at it from that direction.

[Johnny Booth]

The decision tree seems to lead from lots of smoke, to searing, which leads back to a gas grill? That is not logical. Smoking and searing in one unit is best achieved by a two-zone setup.

The flow chart seems to be logical, but leaves casual grilling to gas only, no charcoal.

[STEbbq]

Panhead John

I think those are some really reasonable questions, and I totally understand them. I absolutely do not want to "mandate" anything in terms of our approach. So, no, I have zero plans and I don't think anyone wants to do something like "read this thread for advice and review our handy flow charts before we can help. If you can't do that, buzz off".

I think when they are at the point of asking questions with a thread, we help! I would say in the majority of situations, these resources are probably more handy before someone ever makes a post, but if they are at the point of making a post, then we have to step in and do our jobs as helping spending other people's money!

Situations where I think it can be handy:

1) If someone is new to the forum and reviewing past posts/available information to learn, this can be a great resource for lurkers that may not ever want to post. Still paying members right?

2) It is helpful for us as advice-givers, because maybe we know what questions to ask to really help them drill down into what they would be most happy with buying. I see a lot of threads with posters not knowing what they want to buy, and neither the advice giver or the potential buyer knows the right questions to ask/answer to get to where they want to go. Or, recommendations are suggested only to be shot down due to x constraint.

I don't know if this is the case, but I do wonder if some new posters may be like "I made a post, and now I have 10 different replies with 10 different questions, and I don't have time to respond to all of them". Maybe that thread is now like "well, the first 2-3 responses asked very similar questions about what my needs are, so I can respond to that, and now they have given me a good recommendation".

To me, that seems like we are helping people figure out their needs and buy something more quickly and efficiently, which maybe will make them post more.

I also don't see a issue with us responding to whatever the poster needs, and linking to the flows chart/advice thread list if it would seem relevant for the situation. "Hey, here's what we think would be a perfect recommendation for you...and if you enjoy reading over some additional thoughts, here's a few handy threads/flow charts, otherwise, post away!".

3) For someone who wants to make a first post, they have a ready resource of questions and topics to address (many forums have a questionnaire) so everyone can give the best advice possible with good information. We are absolutely not mandating a questionnaire (unless everyone wants to do one), but I can see some posters finding it handy when formulating questions/first posts. We don't have everything organized in a single place here on the Pit, so now we do.


x) I may be a bit nerdy, but it was rather fun for me to put this all together. So, fun for me counts too. I suspect the same is the case for WillTravelForFood .

[WillTravelForFood]

Yup, Nerds Rule!

(whether it be data nerds, electronic nerds, fishing nerds, cooking nerds, art nerds.... pick your passion and go all-in)

[bmillin]

Thanks for putting the effort into this. My first thought is, the transition from “Do you like to grill” to a gas grill is too sudden. Lots of other options there.

I love flowcharts and have done a lot of them in my day but sometimes they can get too busy. Maybe the “do you like to grill” choice or whatever should lead to a page 2 so you don’t have to try and fit everyone in one chart.

[WillTravelForFood]

(and even if the end result is that we don't end up with a handy-dandy infographic -- this conversation about the best way to go about recommending any particular cooking device for an individual with varied desires has been entertaining and educational anyway)

[WillTravelForFood]

that being said, we may have a different idea of a question/answer flow... stay tuned

[WillTravelForFood]

Question one for the group:

Which cook/grills should be included, so we don't leave any out? Reply in the comments on this post. We are assuming KETTLE, KAMADO... but "smoker" may be too broad an entry to be standalone, and "Traeger" is too specific

OR is the list of cook topic areas in the forum good enough to reference?

[ecowper]

Honestly, I’m kind of surprised to see only one option under Grilling and that is Gas. Really? My dad grilled on a Weber as long as I can remember, but never “smoked” anything in his life. I would wager that there are a ton of folks like that, including some here in Pitmaster.

[Johnny Booth]

I have to agree with ecowper here. Cooking on charcoal does not add smoke flavor, but it does taste distinctly different than gas. In my opinion, many times better flavor w/ charcoal. That and startup costs of a charcoal grill (<$100), could sway a decision.

[ecowper]

Johnny Booth I would venture to say that most folks that want to grill burgers think that a Weber Kettle is cheaper to buy than anything, but that a gas grill is easier to use.

[Murdy]

@IFindZeroBadCooks
"Still, if someone is doing steaks, burgers, and a few hot dogs every once in a while, is charcoal a really better option than gas? The individual has already said smoke flavor doesn’t matter."

No, but it's a kettle is a better option than either a gas grill or a barrel if you want to grill and smoke. Pigeon-holing a person as either wanting smoke flavor or not may not reflect reality.

I think the subject is too complex to be broken down to a (relatively) simple flow chart.

[WillTravelForFood]

We're thinking that we started with the wrong set of questions.

It's not "how do you like to cook". It's WHAT do you want to cook.... followed by either "level of effort" or "flavor profile". And maybe thinking about potential for accessories vs not.

This is one example of how to select an Insta-pot that gets to the core differences between them.

http://dumpsterfirecookingschool.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/12/InstantPotSelectionFlowchart_v2017-12-11.pdf

[Johnny Booth]

I can agree with that. A novice might not really know how to use a method, or why they would want access to it. However, if they have a specific food they want to make, that may motivate them to buy a device to ensure they can cook what they want.

Many perspectives here, finding a way to cover as many bases and keep it simple is a challenge. Good luck in the journey and Thanks to all for a great thread.

[WillTravelForFood]

this is NOT complete. But thought we'd throw a work-in-progress up.

Hopefully this direction addresses some of the questions/concerns that others have raised. Needs obvious assistance in the middle of when to recommend stick burners (for example). But this version does make it a bit more obvious that there isn't necessarily a single cooker for every job.

Don't assume the unattached decision items are going to stay. They've been disconnected for a reason