Like many, I am new to pellet world and having trouble making a final decision. Purchase time-frame is Spring 2021 so I've got some time and I'd love to hear the opinions from the club.
Initially, I was looking in the $2-3k range and had settled on either the Yoder YS640s or the Mak 2-star. I kept flip-flopping but was finally thinking Mak. The reason for that is just the overall positive mentions on the Mak. I literally have never seen a negative comment about them and the company seems first-class all the way. Downside to me is everything is an expensive add-on: $225 for a shelf, $400 for Wifi, $300 for BT, etc. I could easily end up well over $4000 when all is said and done. But when I priced out the Yoder and added in all their extras (ATBBQ Ultimate package, comp cart) it wasn't far off from the Mak with the front shelf and a cover (after you add in shipping for the Yoder). I also was hesistant b/c I couldn't find a lot on the new Yoder ACS system. Most of the negatives about Yoder concerned the older controller they had. The rust issues also concerned me as I live less than a mile from the ocean in the Northeast.
I was initially excited about the Weber Smokefire but got turned off by all the negative press and reviews when it was first released. But it seems like the latest updates have improved the product to the point where I am considering it again. With my 10% Home Depot discount I can get an EX6 for around $1000, versus about $3600 for the Yoder or Mak (after the add-ons). I am concerned over some of the bad customer service experiences I've seen posted as well as the fact that they are apparently still shipping older production units with the problematic hardware.
Other units I've examined at various times were the Recteq, Traeger Ironwood, Memphis.
As for intended use: I cook outside year-round unless it gets well down into the 20s/teens, which isn't often. I make ribs and pulled pork, smoke my own bacon. Love doing brisket but the time commitment means I don't do it often (one of the reasons I'm looking at pellet grills). It's usually just me, my wife and our toddler but I have small groups over several times a year, especially in summer. I might do five or six racks of ribs at one time plus burgers, dogs, that sort of thing. Most I've ever had to feed is about 15-20, more often it's 10-12.
My question for the group: If I'm primarily getting this for covenient low-and-slow cooks but like the idea of being able to grill and sear on the same unit, is the extra $2500 really worth it? Is it a question of 'really damn good to great' for $1000 vs. 'great to awesome' for $3500 or am I missing some other consideration? Two grand buys a lot of high quality meat. Or a Hasty Bake or M1 (that's 2022 knocking on my door). I know many will say the Mak (or your smoker of choice) is the best hands-down but is it sooooo much better (taste, convenience, features, extras) than the $1000 grills that it justifies paying three times the cost? I have the money to go high if need be, I just want to make sure it is money wisely spent.
To those who have spent the extra, what is it to you that justified that extra expense vs. a high-quality $1000 unit?
Initially, I was looking in the $2-3k range and had settled on either the Yoder YS640s or the Mak 2-star. I kept flip-flopping but was finally thinking Mak. The reason for that is just the overall positive mentions on the Mak. I literally have never seen a negative comment about them and the company seems first-class all the way. Downside to me is everything is an expensive add-on: $225 for a shelf, $400 for Wifi, $300 for BT, etc. I could easily end up well over $4000 when all is said and done. But when I priced out the Yoder and added in all their extras (ATBBQ Ultimate package, comp cart) it wasn't far off from the Mak with the front shelf and a cover (after you add in shipping for the Yoder). I also was hesistant b/c I couldn't find a lot on the new Yoder ACS system. Most of the negatives about Yoder concerned the older controller they had. The rust issues also concerned me as I live less than a mile from the ocean in the Northeast.
I was initially excited about the Weber Smokefire but got turned off by all the negative press and reviews when it was first released. But it seems like the latest updates have improved the product to the point where I am considering it again. With my 10% Home Depot discount I can get an EX6 for around $1000, versus about $3600 for the Yoder or Mak (after the add-ons). I am concerned over some of the bad customer service experiences I've seen posted as well as the fact that they are apparently still shipping older production units with the problematic hardware.
Other units I've examined at various times were the Recteq, Traeger Ironwood, Memphis.
As for intended use: I cook outside year-round unless it gets well down into the 20s/teens, which isn't often. I make ribs and pulled pork, smoke my own bacon. Love doing brisket but the time commitment means I don't do it often (one of the reasons I'm looking at pellet grills). It's usually just me, my wife and our toddler but I have small groups over several times a year, especially in summer. I might do five or six racks of ribs at one time plus burgers, dogs, that sort of thing. Most I've ever had to feed is about 15-20, more often it's 10-12.
My question for the group: If I'm primarily getting this for covenient low-and-slow cooks but like the idea of being able to grill and sear on the same unit, is the extra $2500 really worth it? Is it a question of 'really damn good to great' for $1000 vs. 'great to awesome' for $3500 or am I missing some other consideration? Two grand buys a lot of high quality meat. Or a Hasty Bake or M1 (that's 2022 knocking on my door). I know many will say the Mak (or your smoker of choice) is the best hands-down but is it sooooo much better (taste, convenience, features, extras) than the $1000 grills that it justifies paying three times the cost? I have the money to go high if need be, I just want to make sure it is money wisely spent.
To those who have spent the extra, what is it to you that justified that extra expense vs. a high-quality $1000 unit?
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