Grill/Smoker selection help

[AZhouse]

Hello,
Intro,
My wife and I recently retired from active duty military and are looking forward to starting a new chapter where we can spend more time in the states with family.

To the contributors of this site,
I've been following the site for some time, but this is my first post. I want to thank all the folks contributing to this site, as your efforts have greatly improved my understanding and skills of outdoor grilling selection, techniques, and recipes. Because of the lessons/techniques, I learned here, my family and I have enjoyed many outdoor BBQ/Cooking events.

Question to the community
I have a Backwoods G2 Chubby Smoker, XL Big Green Egg, and a Masterbuilt electric smoker. I'm looking for a new addition that allows for high temp grilling with controlled temps and a simpler/smaller smoking option. My thought is a Primo Oval Ceramic Grill. So something versatile. Thoughts?

-The Backwoods G2 is excellent, and I use it for meats 15 pounds or more (i.e., 2x 20lb+ briskets, six whole chickens, two turkeys). I use it for those extended, low temp smokes for lots of meat...and it has never failed. I've had the smoker for nine years, and it performs without fail. My only Con would be it's set for lots of meats for big groups...not really a con as that was in the product description.
-Big Green Egg XL is excellent, and I use it for 2" steaks to chicken. I've had the Egg for eight years, and it also performs without fail. I must admit I mainly use it for steaks or foods that require a sear. My only Con is that it's challenging to set up for indirect grilling when cooking multiple items and just grilling for two.
-Masterbuilt electric smoker is also excellent, and I use it solely for smoking my homemade sausages and deer hot links. Its tall capacity allows me to hang my sausages, allowing for full heat/smoke vs. placing them on a grill. No complaints, as the family has been happy with everything I've pulled out of this smoker.

I fully appreciate and respect the breadth of opinions and expertise on this site.

Thank you
Joe W

[RiverJeff]

Looking good in the neighborhood!!
Hello and Welcome from Nebraska!

[Old Glory]

Welcome aboard!

I would suggest you check out the Weber Summit Charcoal Grill AKA Weber Kamado.

[RonB]

Welcome to the posting side of The Pit.

It's hard to go wrong with a Weber Kettle. You can grill or smoke on it, and it will easily cook for up to 4 people.

You can add an SnS, a Vortex, and a very nice temp controller and still be less than the Primo. You could also add a rotisserie and probably still be less than the Primo. There's a whole lot of versatility with these options.

[klflowers]

+3

[Purc]

+4 and thank you for your service.

[Soonerpop]

Yep, +5. And thank you.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Congrats on the retirement(s). A great retirement present would be an all stainless MAK 2 star with the way overpriced super smoker box... it grills fairly well, though you'd want the MAK sear grates. That would give you a very versatile cooker and cause you to debate on of the other cookers going away as well (That's my stupid expensive idea)

Or you can go cheaper and grab a decent gasser and pony up for a fireboard or similar with a fan to control one of your other cookers?

[AZhouse]

I'm personally not a fan of the gasser setups. However, I do like the idea of being able to retire some of the older grills for a simpler solution...However, I do look at retiring my grills in the same light as I think about retiring my other constitutional allowed tools. I'll never sell or get rid of either. I learned a lot with both and there are memories attached to each.
Joe W

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

AZhouse won't find many here who would discourage stockpiling/collecting cookers

[Soonerpop]

Exactly. Because less is not more, as in MCS—More Cooker Syndrome

[Allon]

Thank you both for your service!

You're much further along in the smoking game than I so I'll just stay out of it and watch.

Until you cook something...

Welcome to the Pit from Central Massachusetts.

Strength and Honor

[mcook2201]

Greetings from North Carolina. Have to agree that it is hard to beat the Weber kettle with the SnS, other accessories. Have a 22" and 26", go with the 26".

[LA Pork Butt]

Welcome to the Pit from Dallas, Texas! I think Uncle Bob might recommend the Oklahoma Joe Bronco.

[Uncle Bob]

Thanks for the wave Sonny. It's not really clear to me what he wants to achieve, so while the Bronco can be made to accomplish a wide range of cooks, I can also see where the BGE accessorized could accomplish many things as well.

[tenphases]

You have a great setup, what you want, really simple with lots of options. Ok, Weber 22, weber 26, sns kettle all work for your needs.

[Santamarina]

Welcome from California!

When it comes to easy grilling for two it’s tough to beat a Weber kettle.

[Bad Hat BBQ]

Hello from Manassas

Big Fan of the Okie Joe....the charcoal grates from Horizon work well and then you can smoke, grill....whatever

[Steve R.]

You're familiar with Masterbuilt, so you might want to take a look at the Gravity Series charcoal grills/smokers. I got my 1050 last fall and have absolutely loved it. It's been my most used outdoor cooker. There is a site (LS Mods) that sells some high quality accessories that make it even better.

[treesmacker]

Welcome!

I don't have an RT-380, but it seems to fit the bill for "for high temp grilling with controlled temps and a simpler/smaller smoking option". It seems to be at a reasonable price too. And... ease of use.

https://www.recteq.com/products/rt-b...d-pellet-grill

Does anyone here in the pit have any experience with this?

Edit: I found this... https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/fo...ill#post928520

[treesmacker]

I don't see a review for the current version here on Amazing Ribs - I'd say best to see what users say.

[Allon]

Agreed.

[Rtoboz]

I got a RB 380 for Christmas and it has really performed well for me. With a temperature range from 180 to over 700 degrees, it will sear my steaks and smoke some salmon. I also have a RT 680 that I use for all my bigger smokes. But the RB 380 has taken over virtually all of the grilling work. My gasser just sits in the corner now!

[HawkerXP]

Welcome to the Pit!

[willxfmr]

Welcome from Wisconsin. Glad you could join us!

The LSG 24x48 grill would serve your stated goals very well. Gives you the option of a smaller grill space by using just one side. Or you could load it up and grill for the neighborhood. It will also serve as a smaller smoker with the option to sear afterwards.