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rblnr
Charter Member
- Apr 2015
- 4
#1
Pellet grill advice, coming from a heavy duty wood grill
Hi --
After 20 years of fantastic wood grilling and smoking on my beloved Englebrecht in NJ, moving to a place in CO where that grill won't be allowed because of wildfire concerns. Looking at pellet grills that allow for some direct searing as well. Thought I might go w/a Memphis built in, but the company seems in transition as are its products -- looking at MAK, LSG and Yoder (though lack of built in option may eliminate them) -- any advice appreciated. New to the pellet world -- thanks.
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- Likes1
RiverJeff
Club Member
- Jul 2021
- 718
- I live in North eastern Ne. In my cabin on the bank of the Missouri river.
#2
Welcome with your first post from Nebraska!
Look into Blaz'n Grill works out of Nebraska Lots of options. I have been happy with my Gridiron. Very dependable once adjusted with Brent heat will stay 5~8 degrees up or down.Comment
barelfly
Club Member
- Dec 2017
- 3967
- New Mexico
Smokin-It 3D
Weber Kettle with an SNS
Masterbuilt kettle that I call the $30 wonder grill
Bullet by Bull Grills gasser
Anova WiFi sous vide machine
Thermoworks Thermapen and Chef Alarm
#3
Welcome from south of you in the Land of Enchantment! Those LSG pellets look outstanding! But, I have no experience with them or the others.
here’s to finding what you want!
Comment
jfmorris
Club Member
- Nov 2017
- 7175
- Huntsville, Alabama
Jim MorrisCookers
- 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
Thermometers
- Thermoworks Smoke w/ Wifi Gateway
- Thermoworks Dot
- Thermoworks Thermapen Classic
- Thermoworks RT600C
- Weber Connect
- Whatever I brewed and have on tap!
#4
I can’t speak from experience but am paging glitchy as I know he has owned several of the grills you are talking about…
My personal advise would be to consider the pellet grill as a smoker and to pair it with a good gas grill for searing and other high heat grill duties. Most pellet grills that claim to sear have limited capability compared to a gas grill on high heat.
- Likes1
Comment
rblnr
Charter Member
- Apr 2015
- 4
#5
Hey, thanks all for the advice and info! Much appreciated, and thanks for pinging glitchy.
Will def check out Blaz'n.
Comment
RonB
Club Member
- Apr 2016
- 18177
- Near Richmond VA
Weber Performer Deluxe
SNS
Pizza insert
Rotisserie
Cookshack Smokette Elite
2 Thermapens
Chefalarm
Dot
lots of probes.
Fireboard
#6
Welcome to The Pit.
Sorry, but I can't help with pellet grills.Comment
STEbbq
Club Member
- Mar 2020
- 4367
- Near Chicago, IL
Current Portfolio:
Joule
PK300
Meathead’s Large Big Green Egg Loaded (see below)Old (sold) Loves:
PBC
Weber 22" Premium
Masterbuilt Gravity 560
Akorn KamadoThermometers:
Thermopro wired
Thermoworks POP
Combustion IncPreferred Charcoal:
Masterbuilt LumpFavorite Rubs:
Homemade (mainly MMD/Just Like Katz rub)Other Accessories:
Big Green Egg Slow & Sear
Tandoori Skewers System for BGE
Split ceramic plates BGE
Smoking plate BGE
Mercer brisket slicing knife
Rapala brisket trimming knife
SS BBQ trays
NoCry Cut Resistant Gloves
LEM # 8 Meat Grinder
Lodge 5-Quart Dutch Oven + Skillet
Meat Claws
Grill Rescue Brush
Meat Fridge for dry agingFavorite Whiskey/Beer:
Anything Peaty or anything from New Holland brewery
#7
The MAK, LSG, and Yoder options are really good ones to consider. I’d also consider the Grilla OG model, keep an eye on the upcoming Weber Searwood, and look at the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro with the new Smoke Box. It lets you add wood chunks. The Grilla OG has long been one of the “smokiest” pellet smokers and the Searwood is a new Weber offering and supposedly improves on the SmokeFire which offered outstanding searing capabilities.
- Likes2
Comment
#7.1
GolfGeezercommented
May 2, 2024, 10:28 AM
Editing a comment
+1 on these. I think you will not find many "built-in" options unless you go really high end. Twin Eagles and Coyote come to mind. I would avoid Memphis - they have really changed since moving production to China and new owners/management.
- 1 like
#7.2
Carolyncommented
May 2, 2024, 12:20 PM
Editing a comment
I am pretty sure I saw somebody asking about using the OG in an outdoor kitchen. Seems like there was a response that said the base can be removed, but the shape of the OG might look odd sitting in a built-in if it is even possible to do that.
rblnr
Charter Member
- Apr 2015
- 4
#8
Will check them all out, thanks. Trying to navigate a new landscape here w/no direct experience.
- Likes1
Comment
DavidNorcross
Club Member
- Nov 2017
- 5150
- Virginia
Grilla Silverbac
Grilla Primate
Weber Kettle
Camp Chef EscapeOld Hickory Knives
More Cast Iron than I care to admit
#9
You will get alot of options here and most are probably going to be very solid advice. Alot will depend on price point. For me, pound for pound considering, quality, service support and price, I choose Grilla Grills. I am a big fan.
- Likes3
Comment
tstalafuse
Club Member
- Mar 2018
- 825
- Florissant, Colorado
#10
I live in Colorado and pellet grills aren't anymore welcome than your wood burner will be when it comes to wildfire and burn bans. Yes, pellet grills are treated just like wood or charcoal cookers. We go in and out of burn bans all during the summer because of high winds, low humidity, and drought. During Red/Orange Flag/burn ban days the only outdoor cookers that are allowed are electric or propane. So, don't feel that you need to buy a pellet grill unless of course MCS has struck and you want one.
Otherwise, welcome to Colorado.
- Likes2
Comment
#10.2
jfmorriscommented
May 2, 2024, 12:25 PM
Editing a comment
What is crazy to me is that more fires seem to occur because of gas grills and grease fires, than are caused by charcoal grills or pellet grills.
#10.3
tstalafusecommented
May 2, 2024, 12:46 PM
Editing a comment
jfmorris According the national fire stats, 85% of all outdoor cooking fires are started by a grease fire. The difference is that grease fires spread by the fire actually catching some combustible by direct contact, which is why the allow them as long as there aren't any combustible materials within 10ft of the cooker. Whereas, wood/charcoal can send burning embers a long way from the cooker (mostly into the dry tender trees and underbrush).
#10.4
rblnrcommented
May 2, 2024, 03:44 PM
Editing a comment
Good information, thanks.
IdahoJim
Club Member
- May 2021
- 190
- Boise Idaho
Memphis Advantage pellet grill
Weber 26" Kettle
Weber Jumbo Joe
28" Blackstone
Thermoworks Smoke w/gateway
Thermopop
Thermoworks DOT
#11
I have a Memphis Advantage pellet grill. It is an older model and I think was still made in the USA. It has been a mixed bag. It is a beautiful piece of stainless steel. It is a pretty solid smoker but not so great as a grill, like most pellet grills. It can get up to 650 degrees on the controller, but it tends to overshoot high temperatures. The controller also overheats at times when running at high temps.
It has a direct flame insert for doing things like searing steaks. It works pretty well, but using it is a pain. It is also only a small portion of the grill. You need to get the grill up to temp (400 degrees) with the normal insert, then swap it out with the direct flame insert. That means moving a very hot piece of metal. Their Genie tool helps in the process. Also, if you've been smoking anything on it recently, you will get a bunch of smoke getting the temperature up that high. Not great for reverse searing a steak, tri-tip etc.
I tried one overnight smoke with it, and the pellets backed up on the shoot the feeds the firebox overnight. It still managed to hold the temperature fairly well, but I had to pull the food off in mid cook and deal with the backed-up pellets.
I now pretty much use it only as a smoker. I clean it before every cook, including clearing the ashes out of the firebox. It produces good food and holds temperature very well. I now have a few charcoal grills I use for high heat cooking.
Comment
ItsAllGoneToTheDogs
Club Member
- Jun 2018
- 3119
- Eastern NC
2021 SS MAK 2 Star
PKGO with FlipKit
#12
I haven't seen any reviews of the MAK built in unit, but if you go that route please share your experiences.
I really like how they redid the hopper, fan and controls for the built in, some companies dont change as much for their built in offerings and it leads to issues when designing the outdoor kitchen.
Last edited by ItsAllGoneToTheDogs; May 2, 2024, 01:41 PM.
Comment
Smoker_Boy
Club Member
- Oct 2023
- 451
- SW Ohio
Math is hard...
#13
Originally posted by tstalafuseView Post
I live in Colorado and pellet grills aren't anymore welcome than your wood burner will be when it comes to wildfire and burn bans. Yes, pellet grills are treated just like wood or charcoal cookers. We go in and out of burn bans all during the summer because of high winds, low humidity, and drought. During Red/Orange Flag/burn ban days the only outdoor cookers that are allowed are electric or propane. So, don't feel that you need to buy a pellet grill unless of course MCS has struck and you want one.
Otherwise, welcome to Colorado.
Are you permitted to use a smoking pellet tube inside a propane grill??
Comment
#13.1
tstalafusecommented
May 2, 2024, 12:52 PM
Editing a comment
Yes, because those (and chips) are smoldering and not actually on fire. If you take the heat shield off a pellet grill while it is running it has a really nice fan driven fire shooting off burning embers. I am not saying it necessarily makes sense especially since I have never seen a burning ember escape my pellet grill, but they are part of what is banned during fire season.
FWIW, I can't get a smoke tube to work at 9000ft, so there is that isn't an issue for me..
Last edited by tstalafuse; May 2, 2024, 01:08 PM.
Huskee
Administrator
- May 2014
- 19046
- 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.
#14
I do believe Grilla offers a built-in (cart-less). I have limited experience with brands other than Grilla myself but I feel they're great, especially if you're in a colder weather area.
- Likes1
Comment
jfmorris
Club Member
- Nov 2017
- 7175
- Huntsville, Alabama
Jim MorrisCookers
- 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
Thermometers
- Thermoworks Smoke w/ Wifi Gateway
- Thermoworks Dot
- Thermoworks Thermapen Classic
- Thermoworks RT600C
- Weber Connect
- Whatever I brewed and have on tap!
#15
Sounds like you may need to think hard about the pellet grill, if those are banned in CO a lot of the year as well... personally, I didn't think the burn bans would have covered pellet grills, but shows what I know.
I see a gas grill in your future, to get you through grilling during seasons you can't smoke anything because of burn bans.
Another option, I hate to say, is a less sophisticated electric or propane smoker, where you can add smoke using wood chips or chunks inside the cabinet. Wonder if those are also banned!
Comment
Look into Blaz'n Grill works out of Nebraska Lots of options. I have been happy with my Gridiron. Very dependable once adjusted with Brent heat will stay 5~8 degrees up or down.
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