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**au4stree** · December 5, 2018, 08:00 AM

I owned a Traeger for 10 years. It was the Texas Elite (now called "Texas Elite 34"). I bought it knowing it was limited to just a bbq/smoker. It produced some of the best bbq meats, we even placed in some competitions with it. The chicken off of it was always great, chicken wings, thighs, etc. The only reason I don't own it or any other pellet grill is that they are mechanical and things begin to show age (and break). This is not to say that Traeger customer service is not good, because they are on par with Weber. They always helped me out and replaced things. I was just tired of having to replace things. So I went back to charcoal.

Now, I can say that my father still loves his pellet grills, he's owned Traeger, RecTec and Green Mountain(currently owns). My father loves the convenience of the pellet grill, quick start up, good temp control and perfect smoke flavor. He tells me all the time, that he will go back to Traeger when his budget allows. I often mention to him that Yoder Smokers makes a fantastic grill (based off reviews), but it exceeds his (and your's apparently) budgets, so there's that.....

If I were to buy one today, with your budget, i would not hesitate to buy a Traeger Texas Elite 34 (can cook lots of stuff), or if your just cooking for a family of 4-5, get the Pro Series 22....Good luck.

**Huskee** · December 5, 2018, 08:01 AM

I assume by you mentioning you've ready every review that you've done a search here at AmazingRibs.com of Max's & Meathead's reviews in the < $1000 category as well? If not, go here https://amazingribs.com/ratings-revi...-buying-guides and scroll a little ways down, and notice in the left tan sidebar the checkboxes. You can select Wood Pellets and check the boxes up to $999 and click Search.

Otherwise Grilla (Original round and the traditional shaped Silverbac) and various upper-end Traegers are ones I see mentioned often in that price range.

**panteracfh3** · December 5, 2018, 08:14 AM

I bought a Traeger Pellet Pro 34 in August and it has been a great addition. I've never had an issue with it...even in the extreme temperature changes of New England. I believe the retail is right at $1k but you may find it cheaper online as there's generally sales run during the holiday season.

Like you, mine is used exclusively as a smoker. I like the hopper cleanout to change pellets. It can go multiple cooks before having to clean out the ash from the firebox. I've done brisket, whole turkeys, whole chickens, hams, sausages, and they all came out fantastic.

**THE Humble Texan** · December 5, 2018, 08:47 AM

I recommend the largest GMG. Around Christmas they will have them on sale for close to $700. It's a great deal in my book.

**shush** · December 5, 2018, 09:31 AM

I have the RT-680 (since discontinued) and I must say, I am super happy with it. What I am sad about is the reviews of their new Bullseye being so poor. I know they just released the 700, and hopefully that will meet muster. When I purchased my RT, it was right around that $1k mark. Best of luck... stick with the reviews here and I am sure you'll be happy.

**jfmorris** · December 5, 2018, 10:04 AM

I've been researching and window shopping pellet smokers for a couple of years now, and the smoke profile is important to me, especially since I am used to wood burning and charcoal burning smokers. Once I get the next kid married off and the last kid out of college, right now my research is pointing to the Grilla - the Original Grilla or OG as some call it. I've even corresponded with customer service at Grilla, and they steered me towards the Grilla versus the Silverbac, indicating that it would have a better smoke profile. It's not the biggest smoker, but with the upper rack extension, will fit 6 racks of baby backs, and 5-6 butts, and 3-4 briskets or spatchcocked chickens, so I think it will do the job. I am after quality now, versus the largest pellet smoker I can buy.

It doesn't hurt that the OG just looks "cool" and has that glass window where you can see the flames (gotta keep the glass clean though!).

Like you, I don't need a pellet smoker to sear, as I have a good gas grill and charcoal grill for those jobs. I just want a dedicated hands-off smoker.

**MichaelF** · December 5, 2018, 10:58 AM

If you're a Costco member they're doing a deal on the Louisiana Grill LG900 with cold smoker box, cover and front shelf for $700. I just bought one and am very happy with it so far. I have no other connection with either Costco or LG!

**Rod** · December 5, 2018, 11:13 AM

I've had a Traeger Texas and now a Rec Tec RT-680. I've stated before that the Rec Tec may be $200 more, but it is 2-3 times the cooker than a Traeger. Again, Traeger is not bad, but you get more bang for the buck with a Rec Tec. Of course I can only speak to the RT-680 and I assume the new RT-700 is pretty much the same thing with some added improvements and a bit more room. Also Rec Tec has a 6yr warranty and their customer service is outstanding. I've had mine for just over 2 years with zero issues and I use it fairly frequently.

On a separate note, a kettle/Fireboard/fan combo beats any pellet grill (except for capacity) in my opinion. You don't even need an outlet if your Fireboard is charged. So you get even better temp control and smoke flavor plus mobility if you need it.

Pellet cookers also produce less smoke flavor if that is important to you. However, you can add smoke tubes to amp the smoke up.

**MBMorgan** · December 5, 2018, 11:51 AM

A couple of months ago I got into the pellet pooping business with an Original Grilla (OG) smoker from Grilla Grills and I couldn't be happier. I'm space-constrained on my deck and the OG, being more vertical (and round) than the "normal" pellet smoker, has about the smallest footprint out there ... and it still offers a total 630 sq. in. cooking area when you add the upper grill extension.

Their design details and build quality are excellent and their customer support is unbelievably awesome.

I'm not saying they are the the only excellent choice out there but I'm convinced that (for me at least) they offered the best bang for the buck.

On their website ( GrillaGrills.com ), there are some good videos explaining what they're all about. There is also a Facebook group (My Grilla Grill Smoker) with some additional good info ... if you're into Facebook.

If the OG seems too odd (I describe it as R2D2 wearing a Darth Vader costume), they've got a more conventional looking and cooking alternative called the Silverbac ... although they'll tell you that the OG has a heavier smoke profile than the average pellet smoker ... especially at lower temps (at or below 250). As Rod said, you can amp up the smoke with a smoke tube if you want (I've got one just in case but I've not felt the need to fire it up yet).

Here's a pic of the OG out on the rather small (12x12 ft.) deck that it shares with a Weber gasser:

**dsohmer** · December 5, 2018, 12:56 PM

I appreciate all the responses, please keep them coming. It's great information.

I made the mistake of going to a local outfitter and looking at Yoders YS480 at lunch. They also carry Traeger and GMG. The Yoder's are built like tanks. It's more than I wanted to spend but it's very doable. The only thing I don't like about them is there's no "drain" for the pellets so they would be a pain to get out of the hopper.

Thanks again.

Dave

**Ahumadora** · December 5, 2018, 01:18 PM

I am actually looking at buying the pellet controllers and adapting them to my pits. They pretty much don't exist here in Argentina.

**jghorton** · December 5, 2018, 02:07 PM

I'm another guy in the OG Grilla camp. I looked long and hard at Rec Tec before they discontinued the 680, and then I looked at the 700. The Grilla got my vote for a few reasons: 1. Better price point; 2. The compact size; 3. The cool factor - I love the shape and the window to see the flames; 4. The pellet dump; 5. The insulating jacket (it's not so much a jacket as it is another piece of metal on the interior to help manage temps in cooler weather). 6. Endorsement from actual Pit members.

I have used the Grilla several times now - brisket, ribs, mac & cheese, prime rib, beef back ribs. All of those turned out well. The smoke profile is good, but I find myself wanting more. I got the wheel upgrade which is wonderful, but the lever that "locks" the Grilla in place will interfere with the wheels and moving the unit if you upgrade. Grilla recommends bending the lever - I have no idea how you would do that without proper tools, so I just have a piece of fishing line to hold it up while moving. Every cook led to condensation in the pellet hopper which made my pellets fall apart and because the unit also experienced back burn, the fire pot would go out as the sawdust ignited and burned off too quick in the auger tube. Grilla recommended bending up the brackets inside of the OG to lift the drip pan up. This worked, but I think it also negatively impacted the level of smoke on the last cook - I will probably adjust them down slightly. Once when the fire pot burned out during a cook - for the reason listed above - I found a small nut in the fire pot. Could have been a result of just dropping one when the unit was built, I never found where it went, but it is slightly unsettling. I experienced tremendous temp swings on the first use - I found that after I went to BBQrs Delight pellets I no longer had such large temp swings.

I still like the Grilla and I'm happy with my choice, but I wanted to share some of my experience with it. Grilla customer support has been very friendly and helpful.

UPDATE: I forgot to add that another reason I purchased the Grilla is because it arrives assembled. I didn't feel like wrangling another cooker and putting it together. :-)

**jlazar** · December 5, 2018, 02:51 PM

Pictures of cooks on a Yoder 640.

**Mr. Bones** · December 5, 2018, 05:51 PM

I know, I know; yall never thought yall'd live so long as to see me postin these here words, but...

End of an Era? I prefer to think of it as th "Dawn of a New Era", in my cookin...

Anyhoo, I'm (semi) patiently awaitin th arrival of my very first pellet cooker, come this Friday...

(Already got me some 'fuel', last Friday...)

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Best pellet pooper under $1000.

Best pellet pooper under $1000.

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