I got my Camp Chef Deluxe Pro for under $400 on sale. Spent the other $400 on Thermoworks smoke, frog mats, claws, pellets, ss food service pans, tongs, injector, thermapen, ss basket, Meatheads book, pit subscription, foil, spices, fresh herbs, beer, grill brush, melting dome, rib rack, silicone bbq brush...........and a few butts!
I have a Camp Chef 36 LUX. I like the large grate. I also have the jerky racks which at least doubles the cooking area. If cooking ribs I have 4 levels to cook on. I bought it for the size and customer service. You might want to join a few FB groups and read issues pepple are having with the models you are looking at. I have had no problems with the LUX but I vacuum the dust about every 4 cooks and keep it clean of grease.
Then get in on a group buy for your favorite pellets to get the cost down. I bought 520 lbs and averaged $8.15 per 20 lb bag.
I have a Yoder YS 640, cooking area 36"x 20", i have had this smoker for about 6 Years, it"s made like a tank, unit Weight is 335 lb"s, solid steal. Smokes like a champion, holds heat well. I use this smoker at least once a week, Ribs, Chicken, and pork loins, pork butts (2, 8 ponders at the same time). No problems, the temp control holds within set time. A little costly as compared to most other smokers, worth every dollar. Cal 3379
I have an old Traeger Texas made in Oregon. It went out in the middle of the night soon after I bought it. Stupidly, next morning I turned it off and put it on smoke setting, whereupon it ignited all the pellets that had gathered throughout the night, and it fired up red hot. Called them. They sent me a couple cans of Traeger Black paint to repaint the now paintless body, and another fire pot that they said would keep it from happening again, no charge. It all worked.
A few few years later the auger got stuck and sheared the pin. They sent me a new auger and pin, no charge. And I banged into the sensor rod with a grill brush. They sent me a new sensor rod, again no charge.
Just today I did 6 racks of baby backs, and my very old Traeger performed flawlessly. Best $1100 I ever spent. Best customer service I’ve ever received. I don’t know how it is with the newer, made-in-China Traegers.
I have switched the the Campchef Woodwind for my only Grill now. Sold my Egg style grill and my MES electric. Do everything on the Woodwind and have come to love the fine art of "reverse sear" thanks to the attached sear station. Couldn't recommend this grill enough...Used pretty much daily too!
Thanks to everyone who took the time to share their advice and experience. Pulled the trigger this weekend and got the Yoder YS0640. Burned it in yesterday and cooking today. More than I wanted to spend but I think it was worth it. Enjoy the rest of the summer - only 47 days til football starts!
Found it by googling "yoder smokers - round rock, tx" and two popped up. I went with the small business owner. Chillin - N - Grillin in Granger, TX - about 30 mins north of Round Rock. Guys name is Terry and he is just awesome. Spent 2 hours with me answering questions and showing me the smoker. Let me know if you want his number. And thanks for all the congrats - this thing is awesome.
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