My wife wants me to get a new pellet grill

[Smoker_Boy]

First off, I didn't want to put this in the "Traeger" forum because we may talk about grills other than Traeger.
But whatever...

My old Z Grill has been giving me fits, even with the Smoke Daddy Pellet Pro controller.
The thing will not hold temp, although it did when I first got the thing.
I have followed their (poorly written) instructions and documentation for doing a complete reset and re-calibrate.

I have followed their suggestions concerning increasing the airflow through the grill.
I have moved the control probe around. (actually this shouldn't have that great of an effect. A setpopint is a setpoint)

I considered contacting Smoke Daddy, but I had to drill 4 mounting holes in the front cover to mount it.
I am not going to go through arguing that 4 freaking holes in a plastic cover has nothing to do with controller operation and did not void the warranty.
The thing is only about 6 weeks old.

My wife really likes how the Traeger Pro 22 looks, and HD has it on sale for $370 right now.
It's a small pellet grill, but it's plenty big enough for us.
It's not like I cook 15 racks a ribs at a time.

I think the smart thing to do is go with this grill, since my wife approves of it.
I'm totally fine with the Traeger brand since they have apparently fixed their controller issues.

Basically I only low and slow pork, and cook chicken, so I don't need a bunch of fancy things.

What are your thoughts??

[Jfrosty27]

Happy wife, happy life……

[TripleB]

+1

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

IMO in the price range of the cheaper Traeger models you're better off looking at Pit Boss, though at the current sale price that might not hold true.

Might be some sales next week as well. Grilla Silverbac might slip into your price point? The Chimp most certainly will and is roughly the size of the Traeger. Hold out even longer until fall and hope to snag a sub $500 Camp Chef Woodwind (though I've been seeing a lot of QC issues about CC lately?) or if you're super lucky a Weber.

[GolfGeezer]

Free Hall Pass, man! Go for it! They don’t have the acronym SWMBO for nothing.

[fzxdoc]

[STEbbq]

Traeger definitely does the job but it isn’t a great value compared to peers. The wife is very important though.

Since in-person is likely to be critical to closing the sale, does Home Depot, Lowes, Ace’s Hardware, Academy, or another local bbq store carry any other pellet brands near you? You could find a better deal perhaps since the wife has given you a $400 budget effectively.

[smokenoob]

Make sure you get one with a PID controller. My Camp Chef came with an analog controller and it was all over the map. It fortunately broke and they sent me a replacement controller that was PID, mucho betta!!! my $.02

[Panhead John]

I think you should get this one myself…

https://www.bbqguys.com/i/3052368/twin-eagles/36-inch-stainless-steel-pellet-grill-and-smoker-with-rotisserie-on-deluxe-cart?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid&utm_campaign=1558034804&utm_content=396774082973&utm_term=3052368&species=shopping-ad&campaignid=1558034804&adgroupid=83179605829&creative=396774082973&targetid=pla-1689830258599&network=g&device=c&adtype=pla&productchannel=online&productid=3052368&productpartitionid=1689830258599&gad_source=1

[captainlee]

Wife said he could get a new one, why not?

[TxF]

I didn’t think there was anything more expensive the Lone Star Grillz.

[klflowers]

jasonwilliams14 these are the type recommendations these guys usually give

[FireMan]

As my ma used to say, “whatta ya waitin for”?

[smokenoob]

as she smacked the back of your head as you headed out the door….

[Smoker_Boy]

Make sure you get one with a PID controller. My Camp Chef came with an analog controller and it was all over the map. It fortunately broke and they sent me a replacement controller that was PID, mucho betta!!! my $.02

The controller I saw in the pictures looked a lot like the digital controller that came stock on the Z Grill.

[Smoker_Boy]

Traeger definitely does the job but it isn’t a great value compared to peers. The wife is very important though.

Since in-person is likely to be critical to closing the sale, does Home Depot, Lowes, Ace’s Hardware, Academy, or another local bbq store carry any other pellet brands near you? You could find a better deal perhaps since the wife has given you a $400 budget effectively.

The Menards has a Pit Boss Navigator 550 w/ cover for $266 after rebate.
But I thought Pit Boss had problems with their controllers??

[STEbbq]

I would not recommend a “traditional” PB as it is not much better than a Z-Grill. Cabinet PBs seem much better. I’d stick with the Traeger in that case as you are right on the controller quality.

[smokenoob]

Digital is a loosely defined term. I don’t know exactly what they use, dig deeper. I googled the Traeger and could not tell if it is PID.

I did see there is a Pro 34 😁👻

[Mosca]

Sheesh. I’d be getting the one I had stashed under the deck, in a box.

[STEbbq]

Which one is that? The Kamado Kamado?

[CaptainMike]

Lone Star Grillz makes a pretty nice pellet pooper. Order now and you might get it in time to roast your Christmas goose!

[DavidNorcross]

https://www.grillagrills.com/product/4001294

If your wife approves, buy two and I will message you my address.

Good Luck!

[STEbbq]

The Grilla Chimp would be a great recommendation but it is probably out of budget plus the wife hasn’t seen it to approve of it. But maybe online pics are enough for a budget increase.

[Smoker_Boy]

Yeah, way over the budget and there's no way I could squat down to cook on that.

[Redwng]

Buy once, cry once.....LSG pellet for the win!

[Smoker_Boy]

Not near enough room on the patio!!