Got a propane smoker and am considering a pellet. Got two questions for this knowledgeable group. 1) would I be losing smokiness going to a pellet smoker (I know compared to charcoal or wood sticks, it is less) and then 2) any thoughts on vertical pellet smokers? I like that the water pan is right below my meat and the smaller footprint. But if there’s even less smoke taste, not interested. Thoughts and opinions? (I guess that makes 3 questions!)
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Pellet vs gasser? Any thoughts
Collapse
X
-
Club Member
- Aug 2018
- 1094
- Heart of Dixie
-
Kamado Joe Big Joe III, Recteq 1250, PKGO, Jumbo Joe and PBC. Weber kettle @ the hunting camp.
Maybe I'm the outlier, but having owned a Traeger for almost 10 years, I never ate food thinking "man I wish it was smokier", I always felt like it had just the right amount. I'm the wrong guy to ask on a gasser, I just don't have the desire to add one to my arsenal. The reason I no longer own a Traeger is they are mechanical and it was becoming a bummer always fixing something on it.
I find the pellet cookers to be perfect blend of gasser convenience but with wood flavor. Good luck!Last edited by au4stree; March 24, 2020, 01:39 PM. Reason: Edit to add: I have no experience with vertical smokers.
- Likes 4
-
Founding Member
- Jul 2014
- 2572
- The Poconos, NEPA
-
Smoker:
Landmann Smoke Master Series Heavy Duty Barrel Smoker (COS) - With mods including 2 level rack system with pull-out grates
Masterbuilt 40.2" 1200W Electric Smoker
Masterbuilt ThermoTemp XL 40" Vertical Propane Smoker
Gas Grill:
BBQPro (cheap big box store model) Stainless steel 4 burnerswith aftermarket rotisserie.
Charcoal Grill:
Weber Smokey Joe Charcoal Grill 14"
Thermometer:​​​​​​
Fireboard 2 with Drive cable and 20 CFM fan and Competition Probe Package
Fireboard 1st Generation
ThermoWorks Mini Instant Read
Lavaworks Thermowand Instant Read
2 Maverick 733
ThermoWorks IR-GUN-S Industrial Infrared Thermometer
ThermoWorks ThermaPen Mk4 x 2
Govee Bluetooth Thermometer with 6 probes
Miscellaneous:
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - 1st generation
Anova Sous Vide Immersion Circulator - wifi/bluetooth connected
Favorite Beer:
Anything to the dark side and malty rather than hoppy. Currently liking Yuengling Porter and Newcastle Brown Ale. In a bar or pub I will often default to Guiness
Favorite Spirit:
Bourbon - Eagle Rare for "every day"; Angel's Envy for special occasions, Basil Hayden's, Larceny
Favorite Wine:
Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon Super Tuscan Sangiovese (Including Chianti Classico Riserva) Brunello di Montalcino
Favorite Meat(s):
Pork - especially the darker meat. I love spare ribs and anything made from shoulder/butt meat
Chicken - Mainly the dark meat and wings
Beef Ribeye steak
Favorite Cuisine to Cook:
Can't list just one: Indian, Chinese, Thai, West Indian/Carribean, Hispanic/Latin American, Ethiopian, Italian, BBQ
Favorite Cuisine to Eat:
Indian, followed closely by BBQ.
Disqus ID:
David E. Waterbury
I like the flavor from me gassers (old one and current one). Don't know anything about pellet poopers.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Started with an offset with wood or a charcoal/wood mixture, went to the PBC, eventually gas with wood in the offset (converted that dude), kettle with charcoal/wood mixture, pellet smoker......the 100's I've cooked for can't tell, I can't tell, other than I get more sleep with the pellet.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
Administrator
- May 2014
- 18992
- Clare, Michigan area
-
Follow me on Instagram, huskeesbarbecue
Smokers / Grills- Yoder loaded Wichita offset smoker
- PBC
- Grilla Silverbac pellet grill
- Slow 'N Sear Deluxe Kamado (SnSK)
- Masterbuilt Gravity 560
- Masterbuilt Digital Charcoal Cabinet
- Weber 22" Original Kettle Premium (copper)
- Weber 26" Original Kettle Premium (light blue)
- Weber Jumbo Joe Gold (18.5")
- Weber Smokey Joe Silver (14.5")
- Brinkmann cabinet charcoal smoker (repurposed)
Thermometers- SnS 500 4-probe wireless
- (3) Maverick XR-50 4-probe Wireless Thermometers
- A few straggler Maverick ET-732s
- Maverick ET-735 Bluetooth (in box)
- Smoke X4 by ThermoWorks
- Thermapen MkII, orange & purple
- ThermoPop, yellow, plus a few more in a drawer for gifts
- ThermoWorks ChefAlarm (wife's)
- Morpilot 6-probe wireless
- ThermoWorks Infrared IRK2
- ThermoWorks fridge & freezer therms as well
Accessories- Instant Pot 6qt
- Anova Bluetooth SV
- Kitchen Aide mixer & meat grinder attachment
- Kindling Cracker King (XL)
- a couple BBQ Dragons
- Weber full & half chimneys, Char-Broil Half Time chimney
- Weber grill topper
- Slow 'N Sear Original, XL, and SnS Charcoal Basket (for Jumbo Joe)
- Drip 'N Griddle Pans, 22' Easy Spin Grate, and Elevated Cooking grate, by SnSGrills
- Pittsburgh Digital Moisture Meter
Beverages- Favorite summer beers: Leinenkugels Summer & Grapefruit Shandy, Hamm's, Michelob Ultra Pure Gold
- Fav other beers: Zombie Dust (an IPA by 3 Floyd's Brewing), Austin Bros IPA, DAB, Sam Adams regular, Third Shift amber or Coors Batch 19, Stella Artois
- Fav cheap beers: Pabst, High Life, Hamm's & Stroh's
- Most favorite beer: The one in your fridge
- Wine: Red- big, bold, tannic & peppery- Petite Sirah, Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauv, Sangiovese, Syrah, etc
- Whiskey: Buffalo Trace, E.H. Taylor, Blanton's, Old Forester 1870, Elijah Craig Toasted, Basil Hayden's. Neat please.
- Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About me
Real name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan- near Clare. (dead center of lower peninsula)
Occupation:- Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
Depends what wood you use with your gasser. If you use hefty chunks, and especially if you add more t/o the cook, you may get more smoke with it. If you used chips and only toss one dose on, you may find more smoke with a pellet. Pellets are very delicate, but noticeable, since there's a little smoke the whole cook, but never a lot of smoke.
- Likes 1
Comment
-
Club Member
- Jul 2019
- 2108
- Central IA
-
MAK 2 Star General
KBQ C-60
Weber Summit Charcoal Grillw/ Big Joetisserie, SnS LP, and VortexWeber Genesis II - S-345
Weber Traveler
Fireboard 2 Drive
Anova Precision Sous Vide
All the (pellet) grills I’ve loved before:
Traeger Junior Elite^
GMG DB
Traeger Texas Elite
Memphis Pro§
Traeger Pro 575
CampChef SmokePro STX (ugly grills need love too)
Weber SmokeFire EX4§
Traeger Select
CampChef Woodwind WiFi w/SearBox^
Weber SmokeFire EX4§
^ = Favorites
§ = Love/Hate Relationships
IMO, a pellet grill’s benefit is solely convenience. I’m guessing you are talking about a vertical gas smoker? I’ve always been happy enough with the smoke from a pellet grill. I don’t have hands on with a vertical model, but know the pit boss are very susceptible to getting moisture in the pellet hopper, so if you are storing outdoors, keep that in mind. Camp chef makes one too with a hopper that appears to match their Woodwind grills.
I will say if you are willing to deal with the minor issues with the SmokeFire, it’s by far hard the most pronounced smoke profile of any pellet grill I’ve had.
Comment
-
Charter Member
- Oct 2014
- 2814
- Winnipeg Manitoba Canada
-
Cookers:
Broil King XL
Broil King Smoke
Weber Kettle 26
Grilla Pellet smoker
Capital 40 natural gas
Napoleon Pro 22 kettle
Thermometer:
Maverick 733
Thermapen (ok..4 thermapens)
Thermo works DOT (or two)
Fireboard (probably my favourite)
Thermworks Smoke (or two)
Accessories:
SnS (original, plus and XL)
DnG pans, 6 or 7 of these
Vortex
Grillgrates
and, maybe some other toys as well
-
Club Member
- Jul 2017
- 1408
- Southeast Illinois
-
Cookers I have:
Weber S-335 gas grill
Weber 26†kettle
Weber 22†kettle
Camp Chef XL Smoke Vault
Camp Chef 3 Burner cook top
Camp Chef Woodwind 36 Pellet grill with sidekick burner
PBC
Accessories:
SnS XL
SnS standard
Vortex
Weber Rotisserie for 22†Kettle
1st gen FireBoard
2nd gen FireBoard
Griddle for Camp Chef cooktop
Several Thermoworks items
Set of Grill Grates
Depends on what you are actually wanting. I have a vertical gas smoker and had a GMG pellet. I ended up getting rid of the pellet grill because it just didn’t perform like expected. I had auger issues and very uneven temps. Plus I already had a gas grill. I kept the vertical smoker because we use it as a second oven a lot, so it has a duel purpose. I bought a PBC and love it!!
Comment
-
Club Member
- Nov 2017
- 7090
- Huntsville, Alabama
-
Jim Morris
Cookers- Slow 'N Sear Deluxe Kamado (2021)
- Camp Chef FTG900 Flat Top Grill (2020)
- Weber Genesis II E-410 w/ GrillGrates (2019)
- Weber Performer Deluxe 22.5" w/ GrillGrates & Slow 'N Sear & Drip N Griddle & Vortex & Party Q & Rotisserie (2007)
- Custom Built Offset Smoker (304SS, 22"x34" grate, circa 1985)
- King Kooker 94/90TKD 105K/60K dual burner patio stove
- Lodge L8D03 5 quart dutch oven
- Lodge L10SK3 12" skillet
- Anova
- Thermoworks Smoke w/ Wifi Gateway
- Thermoworks Dot
- Thermoworks Thermapen Classic
- Thermoworks RT600C
- Weber Connect
- Whatever I brewed and have on tap!
I don’t have one, but have thought of getting a Campchef Smokevault 24, especially as I have a natural gas hookup I could use it with, if I move the wood pile and make a spot for it. There is also a Masterbuilt gas smoker with a thermostat I believe.
If I get a pellet smoker it is likely going to be a Grilla. Their original model is vertical and takes less patio space than most pellet smokers, with the extended upper rack you can fit a good bit of food on it.
- Likes 2
Comment
-
love my vertical gas smokers, I have two...love my vertical charcoal smokers, I have 4 (2 are trailer rigs), love my offset stick burners, I have 2 (both in the trailers). I do not like pellet poopers. I get better smoke in the Gasser, as easy temperature control and set and forget, and none of the problems. To each their own.
Comment
-
So texastweeter do you have the SmokeVault, and do you recommend it? If so, how many of the typical 8# boston butt do you think the SmokeVault 24 would hold?
-
jfmorris yes I have the 24. With the racks supplied you could probably do 12-18 butts. Yes I recommend it. I cook on it probably more often than any of my other smokers. Hot-spot is at the top as the heat "pools" there.
- 1 like
-
texastweeter wow - I never expected that it could hold 12 to 18 butts. I was thinking 6 to 9, with 2 or 3 per rack. If you can fit 4-5 per rack, that may make this my next MCS purchase.
- 1 like
-
-
There's a lot of good info here. I think I need a spreadsheet to sort it all out. But that's a good problem! The other day I read Max's review of the SmokeFire. Seemed like a pretty good unit. Maybe I'm reading too much into his review, but it seemed like there were issues he felt needed to be tweaked, like maybe it wasn't quite ready for prime time? I'll take another look at that one. And, I have to say, convenience is one of the main reasons I'm looking at the pellet smokers. If there was a little bit of smoke lost, I'm fine with that; a lot, no. And, Jerod, I like hearing that you haven't really noticed a difference. I did read about the Grilla, also. As reviews said, because of it's strange design, it puts out a lot of smoke, but still not up to charcoal or wood sticks if that's what you're looking for. So many smokers, so little time!
Comment
-
Club Member
- Jul 2019
- 2108
- Central IA
-
MAK 2 Star General
KBQ C-60
Weber Summit Charcoal Grillw/ Big Joetisserie, SnS LP, and VortexWeber Genesis II - S-345
Weber Traveler
Fireboard 2 Drive
Anova Precision Sous Vide
All the (pellet) grills I’ve loved before:
Traeger Junior Elite^
GMG DB
Traeger Texas Elite
Memphis Pro§
Traeger Pro 575
CampChef SmokePro STX (ugly grills need love too)
Weber SmokeFire EX4§
Traeger Select
CampChef Woodwind WiFi w/SearBox^
Weber SmokeFire EX4§
^ = Favorites
§ = Love/Hate Relationships
I would say regarding the SmokeFire that if you are willing to use drip pans, don’t mind scraping it out after every longer cook, use Weber’s pellets, and get the hopper insert from Weber, it will cook very well. They are releasing new firmware that has a relight function if you do bridge and flameout too. The cleaning was the biggest factor for me. They missed a few of their promises. However, you know what it is now from all the reviews before you would buy it, so these would be disappointing surprises like being one of the first to discover them. I’ve had a couple moments where I wish I would have kept it, but them look at my Summit charcoal and say, nah I can get hotter on that in maybe five minutes more. The SmokeFire really does grill well as well as smoke.
I’m using a Woodwind now and it’s got enough smoke for me, but less than the SmokeFire.
Comment
-
The Woodwind does look nice, no doubt.I'll have to read more about it.
So a question no one as yet addressed or maybe it's not a big issue. Early in looking at smokers in general, and Max Good commented on this in Meatheads, an advantage of vertical smokers (other than smaller footprint) is that the water pan is directly below your food and helps keep everything a little more moist. I do like that in my present Smoke Hollow. But is that a big issue or not? It seemed to make sense to me, but maybe it's not a big deal.
Comment
-
I don't think I've seen a single pellet grill that recommends a waterpan. The gas ones do because it's a dry heat. Pellets supposedly release moisture during the burn. Some folks will use a drip pan to reduce cleaning needs, but I have yet to meet a meat that needs a waterpan with my pellet cooker.
-
Actually, the SmokeFire manual recommends a water pan on long cooks. The first recommendation I’d seen (or actually paid enough attention to notice anyway) for one in the plethora of poopers I’ve owned. I used one cooking brisket on the SmokeFire and it was the best brisket I’ve ever made. A big problem is usually space for one in a pellet grill.Last edited by glitchy; March 25, 2020, 08:24 PM.
-
-
OK, that's good to know. I just assumed that all vertical pellet smokers were like all gas pellet smokers. (and we know what happens to people who assume--prime example right here). What you learn from people who know! Seems I should have figured that out awhile ago but didn't. Feeling pretty dumb right now 'cuz that was one of the reasons I was looking for a vertical PS; what a surprise I would have had. Opens the door up to other possibilities. Probably can't un-see my question, can you . . .
Comment
Announcement
Collapse
No announcement yet.
Comment