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BBQ advice

BangersBangers Posts: 825 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

I am looking for some opinions to help me make a decision. I was recently awarded at work and given a handful of options to "shop" from as a result. The two most valuable things on the list of options are a Peloton Bike and a Traeger Timberline 1850. The irony is that about 2 months ago I bought my wife a Peloton that she had been wanting for 6 months. And recently when she was asking me what I wanted for Father's Day, I suggested a new grill - but I am tired of buying the cheapos that I have to replace every 3-4 years. She guilted me into picking something less expensive (sounds fair right?) so I ordered myself a pair of Oakley sunglasses on ebay (probably knock-offs) to replace some I lost recently.

It all sounds like stars aligning I know, but I have been using propane for a long time and I had a Weber in mind. I have been looking at those with a burning desire for at least 12 years. So with that, finally to my ask for advice....

A key variable to consider is that I have a 4 year old, a 7 year old, and a wife that get hangery if they don't have food ready to eat by 6:15 most days, and I typically grill 3 times a week (often on week nights). I do not doubt you can cook far superior meals on the Traeger based on what I am seeing online, and I could see myself getting really into it all when I have the time (i.e. when the kids are older), but I am concerned even the "easy" stuff takes a lot longer on the pellet smokers.

Should I just pick this top of the line Traeger that I never would have spent that kind of money on and try pellet smoking or order the Peloton, sell it for $1500-$1600, buy the Weber of my hearts desire, and still have ~$700 to put in the bank?

All opinions welcome, but especially interested in those of you that grill with pellet smokers.

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Comments

  • Michael_ScarnMichael_Scarn Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I have a Kamado Joe and absolutely love it. I cooked steaks on it last weekend and added some nice Cherry wood chunks to the lump charcoal and the flavor was out of this world. These type of cooking units hold their heat for an extraordinary amount of time and require very little fuel to maintain a consistent temperature.

  • JRT812JRT812 Posts: 4,697 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate


    I second this game plan

    I have never used a pellet but I know some love it. I use a stick burner and a charcoal grill.

  • dragonslayerdragonslayer Posts: 697 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Get the Peloton, sell it, buy an Orion cooker for $125 on sale or less (try Cabela's or Bass Pro), and FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS. One bag of self light (the WHOLE bag) per cook. Great ribs, pork shoulders, small briskets, turkeys, etc. in less time than you can imagine, and PREDICTABLE! Buy a kamado for your slow weekend cooks at Costco at the end of summer for $499. Pocket the rest of the money, and thank me later.

  • PlayHurtPlayHurt Posts: 999 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I fussed at my wife for buying a Recteq, then we “cooked” on it. I tell you, it’s dummy proof. Smoked the best brisket I’ve ever had on it. Then preceded to smoke some of the best butts we’ve ever cooked. We’ve even done ribeyes on our’s and they were fantastic, too. Best money we’ve ever spent on an “appliance”. Plus, it smells great while out in the yard either working or just relaxing. Also, very easy to clean.

  • Dawg1419Dawg1419 Posts: 1,027 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Big green egg. You will never buy another grill/smoker. Had ours for 15yrs now.

  • DawgBonesDawgBones Posts: 2,189 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate
    edited June 2021

    I've found that Grills are like fishing boats. Want to fish skinny water you need a 17' flats boat. Rough weather with heavy chop, you need a 24' Bay boat. Want to get way offshore and fish some deep water, you need a Bigger boat.

    Want to throw some meat on the grill for a "quick" meal you need a gas grill. (DCS my go to) Got a turkey, butt or brisket you want to smoke, you need a smoker grill. (BGE my all time favorite but have to admit the Recteq RT 700 is a great alternative). Want to make a Grill statement that blows everyone away, check these out.

    https://www.grillworksusa.com/

    Pure Grill Porn

  • ghostghost Posts: 86 ✭✭✭ Junior

    You will be pleased with rec tec,awesome smoker. You can cook a quick meal on it also. The Rec Tec has a great customer service team also. Built like a tank.

  • BangersBangers Posts: 825 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Thanks for all of the opinions and helpful advice! The consensus seems to be get the Peloton and sell it and then buy both gas and a less expensive pellet smoker. I like this idea. I had not heard of the Rec Tec but that seems to be the overwhelming favorite here for value + quality. I just placed the order for the Peloton. I wont actually receive it until August. Hopefully it sells quickly - would love to try my hand at a smoked brisket on Sept 4th! That gives me a little time to decide what model to go with.

    Aside from the brand / model advice - any tips on use and maintenance for a newbie from you pellet smoking experts I should keep in mind?

  • TeddyTeddy Posts: 7,109 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Best advice I can give for a pellet grill is wrap the drip pan in heavy duty aluminum foil. That way when you clean it, you’ll only need to peel the aluminum foil off and replace with new foil. I also have a 5 gallon bucket with the vacuum attachment on top (about $25 at Lowes/Home Depot). Use this to vacuum the ash out of the bottom of grill. I generally try to clean the grill after every 40 lbs of pellets (1 big bag).

  • Michael_ScarnMichael_Scarn Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I looked at the BGE and the ceramic is thicker on the KJ, it also has a lid actuator allowing for better control and ease of use. The KJ comes with more standard features for less $ too.

  • RxDawgRxDawg Posts: 2,922 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Green Egg is a fine grill, but absurdly overpriced. I have an Akorn Chargriller that costs about 1/3rd of an Egg (last I checked). It's rock solid quality. Also the company is based out of Sea Island GA and very easy to deal with if you need to order a new part. Like the small inner circle cast iron grill that will fall out and shatter on the concrete.

    That's only if you really want to go the charcoal route. There are some really nice gas and pellet grills out there now. Honestly, if I was in the market I'd look at those pellet grills. Those are genius.

  • GradyDawg85GradyDawg85 Posts: 436 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Speaking of kamado grills made in GA...I don't own one of these, but if I did, being made of cast iron, it'd make an amazing heirloom to pass down through the next 5 to 10 generations! - https://www.goldenscastiron.com/kamado-grills/

  • DawgBiscuitDawgBiscuit Posts: 480 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate
    edited June 2021

    I second the Big Green Egg (BGE). I've had mine over a decade, and never looked back. It's a grill/smoker/oven all in one. FYI the Kamado is good too :)

    How it's made: How the Big Green Egg is Made - YouTube

    BGE Forum: https://eggheadforum.com/

  • dawgfantipdawgfantip Posts: 259 ✭✭✭✭ Senior

    +100

    I bought a rectec a year ago to replace my traeger after 1 year. Traeger was not a bad unit but oh my goodness the rec tec is a straight up Cadillac. As for cooking the easy stuff get a set of the grillgrates branded searing grates. I can make burgers steaks or whatever as quick as anyone. Rec Tec is where it's at a million percent.

  • Michael_ScarnMichael_Scarn Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I wonder how good it is at retaining heat over long periods of time. One of the beauties of ceramic is heat retention. I'm sure it will get hotter than a mother though. Looks pretty cool.

  • GradyDawg85GradyDawg85 Posts: 436 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    I hope to find out someday because I'm a big fan of iron for cooking! I use a lodge #10 iron skillet and/or griddle on the grill rather than grates for just about everything and can tell you they get hot, cook evenly, & stay hot a long time after the heat's removed. Same with a cast iron chimenea that we have; takes the heat, retains it much longer than the ceramic we had. Plus, I'm clumsy as hell so iron's gonna last longer than ceramic around me!

  • Michael_ScarnMichael_Scarn Posts: 1,388 ✭✭✭✭✭ Graduate

    Let us know if you pick one up. I'd be interested in your review.

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