Choosing Pellet Smoker

[Bogy]

I have a Grilla OG. Mine is so original OG that it was made in Holland, MI, not China. Also doesn't have all the bells and whistles they come with today. The design is very unique, and that hasn't changed. Puts out great food. Depending on just how big a cooker you want, I would recommend taking a look at it. If you want a more traditional pellet burner, the Silverback offers more cooking space, but that OG will hold more than you would think. My other pellet burner is a Blaz'n Grid Iron. Great smoker, but well above your price range.

Both my son and son in law have Pit Boss smokers. I have not heard that my SIL has had any issues. My son actually sells them in the store he manages, so that's what he has. He's had more issues with his, but customer service has been good. It might help that he sells them.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

A friend had their flat top and it was all sorts of messed up upon opening the box, PB quickly mailed him a brand new unit and let him keep the old one which he donated to my old work. PB was easy to work with to source the replacement parts needed to fix it.

[Bogy]

ItsAllGoneToTheDogs when I bought my second Pit Boss flat top from my son, he had two out on display. As we were looking at them he realized one of the handles had been put on upside down. I took the other one. It wasn't the fault of Pit Boss, but whoever put it together got a lecture on assembly techniques.

[Dadof3Illinois]

I researched pellet cookers a lot before buying my Camp Chef Woodwind 36. Depending on what you plan and how much you'll be cooking at one time will determine what size your going to need. If your not going to feed a ton of people every weekend then a 24" cooker would work fine for you.
Do you have any other cookers/smokers you'll be using along with the pellet grill.

[saneric38]

My first cooker was a vertical Pit Boss (pro series 4, version 1). It has and continues to cook a bunch. I have seen many that had issues and I did also. Downside to the series 1 where the series 2 seems to have adjusted: 1) the thermostat seems to been in a poor location (bottom back). 2) the control box had isses and seems to be in a poor location at the bottom front where I (maybe my fault) have spilled a bumch on it. I bought some aftermarket control boxes and mounted one the side bottom. The other is backup. I also moved the thermostat to mid-ways up the middle. FYI-that voids warranty.

I do like the vertical style. However, if I was buying a new one, I'd really look hard at the new camp chef pro pellet cooker with the box that allows charcoal or wood chunks.

[bbqLuv]

Traeger grills are not really the top of the line but close, I have a Timberline 850 and love it.
I cooked some really good chicken and ribs at a friend's house on an entry-level lowest-cost PifBoss.
Both were really, really good. I was surprised.

If I had to do it again, I would still go with a Traeger.

[Bogy]

Do we have you confused enough yet? Asking this bunch for advice on what to buy expands your choices instead of narrowing them.
I know this is true, because I keep making this mistake myself. 🤣

[westgordonfn]

Haha!!! True!! Thankful for yours and everyone’s input.

[bep35]

I just ordered a Grilla OG during their Black Friday sale (20% off). It hasn't shipped yet but I am looking forward to taking it for a test cook upon arrival. I will let you know if it measures up to all the positive comments from owners here. Researching and dreaming of a new smoker is half the fun, so have Fun!

[Bogy]

I hope you aren't getting frustrated by the wait. Grilla evidently got swamped with BF sales, and it's taking time for them to get through the backlog. Looks like they are getting close, but some people expect to order something that weighs 145 lbs and takes special shipping and have it appear the next day when they order from Amazon and get it overnight. Grilla owner page on Facebook is ridiculous. It's worth the wait.

[bep35]

No frustration here. I have three or four other cookers I can use in the meantime including a GMG Trek we have for camping. MCS is ruthless on Black Friday!

[TripleB]

This one is a classic. Easy to maintain and run.

[DogFaced PonySoldier]

We still waitin' for the chili results, riiiiiight Panhead John?

[bbqLuv]

When I saw Easy Bake, I thought of Peller Grill.
Now I am sad.

[Panhead John]

DogFaced PonySoldier Chili results? There wasn’t any judging on the chili cook off, it was just for fun. 😀

[glitchy]

As someone that’s had several different pellet grills and most of them cookie cutter imports, I’ll say among those there’s little difference in end results and the quality of most is good. You run the risk of issues like any mass produced and shipped across the ocean product. I’ve had sturdy ones and flimsy ones and couldn’t tell a difference in end results from them. I couldn’t tell from the food if the temps held super steady or fluctuated plus/minus 25°.

CampChef has great features for the price. Traeger is just fine. Grilla and Recteq are sturdier and may last a couple years longer. Plus many others to choose from.

If your a person that takes good care of things and keeps them a long time, you might want to look into some of the American made pellet grills. They’re built better than all the mass import brands and should last a lot longer. Smokin Brothers starts just a couple hundred over your $1000 mark. They use dealers, so you might be able to see and buy local if there’s one near you. https://smokinbrothers.com/product/s...itional-grill/

Good luck with your hunt.

[DavidNorcross]

^^^The man knows^^^

[STEbbq]

I thought you’d usually flag the Weber SmokeFire. What has prompted the heightened regard for Smokin Brothers?

[glitchy]

STEbbq I usually don’t mention the SmokeFire unless people ask. I still feel it’s not proven stable enough to recommend. I have no level of regard for SmokinBrothers, just respect that they’re making reasonably affordable pellet grills in Missouri. Though I did see they are making Myron Mixon’s pellet grill line now. I don’t love their aesthetics, but have never heard anything bad about them at all.

[westgordonfn]

I’ve decided on the Grilla Silverbac. Thank you everyone for your suggestions and input.

[jfmorris]

Great choice! Let us know how it works for you once it comes in.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

sounds like a great pick! Hope you enjoy it.

[Bogy]

Any Grilla is a great choice! Enjoy!

[DavidNorcross]

You will not regret.

[radiodome21]

Nice. I’m putting Mine to the test tomorrow night to see how it holds up doing brisket during a snowstorm

[HawkerXP]

Have you heard of a PBC?

Welcome to the Pit from a fellow Virginian!

[Clawbear57]

Welcome to the pit. From NC.