Shopping after old pellet grill cremated itself

[Frank45]

Lurker mostly shopping for a new pellet pooper. Have had a Traeger and most recently a GMG Jim Bowie, I had upgraded the controller to one of their newer ones. The GMG caught fire the other evening at 425 while I was cooking some bacon. (Already smoked and sliced, had it on a rack on a tray, didn’t want to heat up the house by turning on the oven). Just my bride and I but kid #1 is due in a month or so. I cook outside 4ish nights per week year round and the pellet grill has been my most used method for that. I’ve searched here, Reddit (which is meh), looked at manufacturers’ websites, various AI searches and come up with a short list of criteria and possible solutions that I would like some feedback on, please.

Made in USA

Fire Board controller or equivalent with inputs for type k probes, I think. Probably at least 2 or 3?

Wifi connectivity without annoying interface.

Roughly $2k budget, this can be stretched if necessary but would rather keep it in that ballpark.

47” OAW. This is maybe less of a sticking point than I have been thinking, but it would fit my current outdoor cooking space envelope without rearranging other stuff and keep everything under cover, well lit, and out of the way.

Pellet dump would be nice but I’ve lived without one. Easier firebox cleaning and particularly grease clean up would be really nice.

Short list includes

Yoder us480s (feel like I’d be paying for popularity and name a bit).

MAK One Star General (not sure with their lack of a new manufacturer, I was about to order one before I read about that).

Smokin Brothers Premiere Plus 36 (new leader).

Thanks in advance for the recommendations.

[barelfly]

Hey I’ll help you spend your money! I don’t have a pellet pooper but do love the look and build of LoneStar Grillz PP…I think that’s beyond your stretched budget as well! But. I’ll root you on in your search and spend and leave the recommendations to those that have a pellet cooker.

But have fun in the process and can’t wait to see pics of the cooker you do get!

[realdocBBQ]

Made in USA and good app without issues - I'll say Yoder. The YS480S ought to be in reach for you, and you might be able to find a YS640S for sale sometime on FB or something. Worth considering. LSG is another option, I think they've got Fireboard controllers available now, too, but I'm not as familiar with LSG products personally.

[Jerod Broussard]

Yeah, fiteboard for some time now.

[Donw]

With a Yoder you are paying for heavy duty construction, often referred to as “Built like a Tank”, and a history of standing by your purchase with readily accessible parts and advice. However you won’t find several of your wants like a pellet dump, but a bucket top vacuum on a 5 gallon bucket is a good alternative. Good hunting.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I thought Yoder offered a pellet dump upgrade, unless that was just owners swapping hoppers from their big model.

[Jerod Broussard]

I plan to eventually get a smaller LSG than my cabinet LSG. I chose Blazen Grill Works over Yoder. LSG only for me now.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

The 1 star MAK would fit your needs especially with the new controller. I'm not overly worried about them not finding a new supplier honestly, and would be surprised if they aren't cranking out cookers in the next 30 days or so. No rust or significant maintenance needs other than brushing the ash into the grease tray for disposal between long cooks.

I would probably pick the LSG over Yoder though there is a "wait" tax with the LSG both have similar maintenance requirements.

I would take a look at the Cook Shack options though controller doesn't exactly meet your criteria, they are the cheapest made in the US stainless cooker.

You can also add a Fireboard Pellet Drive to many popular pellet cookers as an option down the road.

[Frank45]

I’d snap up a MAK 1 star if I could find it, but I’m a bit worried about the future of the company and what a new supplier will do for quality and pricing? That could be completely unfounded.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Frank45 check the MAK Pellet Grill Fans group on Facebook and ask if anyone is selling one, could be a good time to score a deal with the uncertainty (even if MAK were to dissolve you can rig a fireboard to one and a couple companies make custom replacement parts for pellet grills)

[Frank45]

Thanks and keep the info coming.

I’ll look harder at how I can fit the LSG 20” x 36”. The OAW is listed at 52” so a bit too wide to fit my envelope. Pretty much checks all of the other boxes, though. Didn’t they also make a model with a 20” x 30” grill?

I’ll check out cook shack but I would rather not have stainless components. They are usually much thinner and obviously worse for heat retention, for more $.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I've never had an issue with either of my MAKs in winter or summer at least below 350 or so, in the winter obviously if trying to get above 500 the pellet consumption suffers but when smoking there's a negligible difference in burn rate. I'm sure it's a combination of design and controller but my MAK is significantly more frugal than all of my friends' pellet cookers from various brands. Dunno if that's true for the Cook Shack models but at least worth looking at.

[Draznnl]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had a Yoder for more than 5 years and have nothing but good things to say about their customer service. I’ve called or emailed them several times and received very fast, helpful responses each time. Beside that, I’ve been happy with the quality of cooks I get from it.

[randy.56]

Big Rectec fan here, had a 680 since 2017, only hick up was the igniter went out a couple years back. They sent a new one free of charge. He said those usely last 5000 starts. They have a few models to choose from. Good luck and congratulations on the first kid coming.

[realdocBBQ]

Igniter life is definitely affected by how often and well you clean out your firebox, as well as local ambient conditions like humidity, etc., if it sits a long time with ash in the pot and high humidity. Not pointing at you, just a general statement - I definitely do NOT clean mine out nearly as often as I should...

[briano52]

Lurker mostly shopping for a new pellet pooper. Have had a Traeger and most recently a GMG Jim Bowie, I had upgraded the controller to one of their newer ones. The GMG caught fire the other evening at 425 while I was cooking some bacon. (Already smoked and sliced, had it on a rack on a tray, didn’t want to heat up the house by turning on the oven). Just my bride and I but kid #1 is due in a month or so. I cook outside 4ish nights per week year round and the pellet grill has been my most used method for that. I’ve searched here, Reddit (which is meh), looked at manufacturers’ websites, various AI searches and come up with a short list of criteria and possible solutions that I would like some feedback on, please.

Made in USA

Fire Board controller or equivalent with inputs for type k probes, I think. Probably at least 2 or 3?

Wifi connectivity without annoying interface.

Roughly $2k budget, this can be stretched if necessary but would rather keep it in that ballpark.

47” OAW. This is maybe less of a sticking point than I have been thinking, but it would fit my current outdoor cooking space envelope without rearranging other stuff and keep everything under cover, well lit, and out of the way.

Pellet dump would be nice but I’ve lived without one. Easier firebox cleaning and particularly grease clean up would be really nice.

Short list includes

Yoder us480s (feel like I’d be paying for popularity and name a bit).

MAK One Star General (not sure with their lack of a new manufacturer, I was about to order one before I read about that).

Smokin Brothers Premiere Plus 36 (new leader).

Thanks in advance for the recommendations.

I am curious about the MAK "lack of manufacturer" comment. What is up with that? Update: I see the comment below. I am still a little curious. MAK does their own fabrication and always has. Maybe they lost a supplier?

[Carolyn]

They lost their metal manufacturer, so they are in the process in getting another on. They estimated about a 3 month delay in production.

[jfmorris]

Paging glitchy if he is lurking around, as he has experience with more pellet cookers than most folks I know....

The local friends I know with Yoder smokers (YS640 not the 480) seem to really like them. I can't comment personally on the others, but thing I would stay away from one from a business that might be dissolving, due to future lack of parts availability.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Parts aren't AS big of an issue these days, but if buying new I'd be more cautious, used not so much. Fireboard keeps adding more and more kits for models and SmokeDaddy and others have stuff as well to include firepots, augers, and ignitors. As long as the brand has guaranteed longevity on the body the innards aren't as vital as they used to be. I'd still steer away from cheaper cookers that deflector plates and stuff might rot away on though.

[bbqLuv]

although I love my Traeger Timberline 850,
I think if I ever need to replace it, I will take a really hard look at Smokefire by Webber.

[Frank45]

I looked hard at it but I feel that some of the higher end options would probably be better for me. I love my Weber gasser, bought it used for $50 from the local dealer and have rebuilt the guts a few times and added an OEM side burner. Not saying they’re the best name in gas grills, but they make darn good stuff and are as established as a company can get.

[glitchy]

When I bought my MAK, I was down to choosing between MAK and Yoder. The MAK ended up being my 11th or 12th pellet grill and I’ve had it 6 years now. I have zero complaints about it whatsoever and their customer service has been fantastic. Many people that have owned more mainstream pellet grills don’t believe that MAKs produce smokier food, but the difference is very noticeable to me. However, I’m not liking that their fabrication partner went out of business, it does have me worried about their future. Though I’m sure the same thing could happen to many pellet grill companies.

My fear with Yoder was the ongoing body maintenance potentially needed. I didn’t enjoy the thought of that.

If I were shopping again I’d either buy another MAK or a Weber Searwood. I haven’t kept up with Smokin Brothers since buying my MAK to know what they’ve been up to.

[WI Bubba]

The LSG pooper does stretch the budget, but 5 years down the road you won't remember that. You'll just be happy you spent the money and got one.

The 36" LSG pooper has plenty of space to cook for for a crowd, but isn't so big that you don't want to fire it up for a couple of steaks. And their wait times have come down a lot since I got mine.

glitchy loves his MAK and so do a lot of other people, so I wouldn't say anything bad about them. I've just never put my hands on one like I have the LSG pooper.

If you want to see some of the things I made when the LSG was new

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/pellet-cookers/lone-star-grillz-lsg/1169746-cooking-on-the-lone-star-grillz-20x36

And another one with some test runs and early cooks.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/pellet-cookers/lone-star-grillz-lsg/1168951-lone-star-grillz-20x36-initial-review

[glitchy]

I would say the same about LSG. I don’t think the LSG was out quite yet or was insanely back ordered when I got my MAK. It would have been a contender in my options with their build quality and Fireboard controller.

[CaptainMike]

I've had several pellet poopers over the years and I've used other brands as well. I bought a LSG 20x42 about 4 years ago and it runs trouble free. A wonderful, well-built machine that I use an average 4 days a week. I will have this cooker for the rest of my life.