Pellet Smoker

[JMuseum]

Question - I have a WSM, and I love the thing, but I am thinking of getting a pellet smoker. I am the type to do a lot of research before I buy anything. My question is what are the downsides (besides buying pellets) to a pellet smoker over my trusty WSM. The interest is caulk full of reasons why a pellet smoker is better, but limited on the downsides compared to a charcoal smoker; there has to be some...right?

[SmokeyGator]

Less smoke flavor. A pellet grill won’t smoke like a charcoal cooker with wood chunks. This could be good, bad, or meh depending on your taste

i woukd disagree that pellet grills are "better". I would also disgree they aren’t. They have definite advantages, but just like everything else also disadvantages. But what I call an advantage or disadvantage may or may not be the same to you.

[Potkettleblack]

Need for electricity. Maybe a bit more maintenance with vacuuming ash every few cooks and cleaning the drip pan/deflector. Also a milder smoke. I’m not sure that my OG Grilla produces less good smoke flavor than chunks, but it is like pure sweet smoke.

Beyond that, there’s an ease of use to pelles that rivals gas or sous vide.

[Jerod Broussard]

I've smoked brisket for folks on an offset with wood, SnS with wood chunks, Pit Barrel Cooker, and now a Pellet Pooper.

The results are in.....it's all good!

[TripleB]

Pellet smokers are very convenient and easy to use. And they put out good Que. But I would never own one. Their just glorified convection ovens. I like managing the fire, even if it's a WSM. That's just me. Totally personal.

[Jon Liebers]

moisture in your pellet hopper is a nightmare.

[JMuseum]

Thanks everyone!

[Rod]

Yep, milder smoke flavor. Also obviously not as portable.

[Greasy]

I have a WSM and have a pellet smoker. I find that you have to use lower temps on the pellet smoker to get good smoke and then crank it up to finish the cook. With the WSM all I did was let her run at the temp it wanted and the wood chunks took care of the rest. It takes a while to figure out how to change the smoke profile on the pellet grill. When I first got it I always ran at 225 and would get a smoke ring but a faint smoke taste. Now I run lower for a while and get a stronger smoke taste, comparable to what I got with the WSM. I still haven't been able to over smoke my food on the pellet grill.

[jgreen]

Both great cooking units. Not sure I would replace one with the other. But if you ”need” multiple cookers.....

[Fire Art]

I use my pellet grill a lot. Its just another tool in my tool box

[Jetwrecker]

I have both and agree that the WSM puts out more smoke, but the pellet is my go to because of ease of use. It makes a 12 hour brisket cook much easier.