After 45 years of grilling/smoking/BBQ...am I nuts?!

[Texas Larry]

As a ceramic cooker, my answer is yes. But, have fun and get the cooker that makes you happy. I have a theory about MCS. We just want the experience of cooking on a different cooker or the challenge of getting good at it. Maybe you have gotten so good on your Pimo that the challenge is gone and you are bored. What do you think?

I think you may have hit it (or me?) on the nose.

[Texas Larry]

Was in San Diego recently for wedding and rented a house for a week and when I went out on the patio, low and behold sat a Traeger smoker. Got to play with it now I have the bug.

Along with #Sac3848 — hooked and bugged. We shall see how this goes...

TxL

[wustl-duck]

So have you made the jump yet TL? I'm just beginning to play with my new DLX but I will definitely be adding the sear box, if for no other reason than to do reverse sear steaks and chops. I would have gotten the Whirlwind but the DLX was on sale locally and even after getting the sear box, it saved me $200. Super easy to run and clean.

Hi, my name is Ted and I suffer from MCS.....

[bten]

Will continue pondering all your wisdom.

TxL.

That "Pondering" won't take long.....

[BC Buck]

I've run the gamut of cookers, always learning, but never as much as in the past few years on Amazing Ribs and now on the Pit. Thank you all!

Now to my nuttiness: I'm thinking of replacing my Primo XL with a Camp Chef SmokePro SG. My wife thinks I'm wacko, as always when MCS kicks in. I'm eagerly awaiting Max's review. Your thoughts?

First time to post on this forum after some time of lurking. (Full disclosure, I also have a PBC, and a Weber Go-Anywhere (for what that's worth).

Texas Larry

Iv had that same unit for two months. Camp Chef had to send me a new controller and RTD because I had flame outs and temp swings. They are fast at getting you replacement parts. The sear box works excellent. The open flame will sear with unit on high but nothing like direct heat zone of charcoal. The open flame is nice for burning off the grease plate and grill grates. Still not as much smoke flavor as a pain in the butt stick burner. Im still learning this piece of equipment.

[bten]

I have had the "cheap" version SE for about 8 months. I really like the unit. It had larger temperature swings when I first got it, but it seems to have settled down now. In the past week and a half, I have done a whole ham, pork loin and chicken leg/thigh qtrs.on 3 different days. The temps were right where they needed to be, and the smoke flavor was great.

Camp Chef makes a nice unit for the price.

[Texas Larry]

Thanks, bten, BC Buck and all. Still pondering and now working toward a Yoder YS640. Hoping for something a little more sturdy if finances allow. The nuttiness continues...!

TXL

[bten]

I have been looking hard at the Yoder units. I am already planning for my next pellet grill.

[Sweaty Paul]

TXL, I love my Yoder YS-640. It really sears well with the two piece diffuser kit and grill grates. Keeps very even temps at all temps. Good luck on your search. If you’ve questions let me know.

[DavidNorcross]

I used gas and charcoal for many years. I love weber products but now use a pellet grill (RecTec RT680) and a Blackstone 36" griddle. Very happy with this setup.

[fzxdoc]

I always wonder if those sear stations on a pellet pooper are large enough to do 4-8 steaks at once like I can on my gasser with the Grill Grate Griddle, or, say, DavidNorcross does on his Blackstone.

Not that I often sear that many at once, but it sure comes in handy when entertaining.

Kathryn

[Sweaty Paul]

Kathryn, I think 4 is optimal for sear station on the Yoder YS-640, but, with patience and good movement it will do 8. I use the grill grates with flat side up to maximize the Malliard reaction. It really does work well on the Yoder and I thought it a gimmick initially and have been pleasantly surprised. Still have my gasser and Webers though.

[fzxdoc]

Thanks for the reply, Sweaty Paul . That's good to know.

Kathryn