Wood/charcoal or Traeger pellet smoker?

[icfishn]

Looking for some advice. I have an offset smoker that I love to smoke with but can't control the ups and downs of the temp(plus it's getting tender) my wife bought me a propane smoker. But the wood chips still doesn't cover the gas taste. I Had a long talk with a Traeger sales guy and he kinda sold me on a Traeger. But, just can't brin myself to buy 1. I like the way you basically set it and forget it. Just don't know if I would be happy with the taste of the pellets vs wood. Thanks for any advice

[zombini]

I have a GMG pellet grill/smoker. I love it and use it a lot but I'm not going to give up my UDS or Weber kettle for when I want more flavor or need a charcoal/ wood fix.
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[L20A]

I was in the same kind of dilemma a while back & I decided to build a UDS and I got a Temp. controller (IQue) and I love it. I can set the temp & it will run for up to 16 hours at 250*and I still get the great smoke flavor. My buddy has a Traeger & is not that happy as he doesn't get the smoke flavor unless he adds a smoke generator of some sort. Seems they "burn" rather than smolder the pellets. Good luck.

[barkonbutts]

Pellet smokers are great if you ask me! Love mine, I too have 2 kettles that I use for every day cooking. good luck!!

[Mark R]

There are some mods you can do to even out the temps, look here
http://www.smoked-meat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=287

I have a GMG pellet pooper (Treager clone) works aight but not the same as wood/charcoal. I prefer my offsets with the IQUE controller. Another option is a Weber Kettle if you aren't doing large cooks the work great, it's what I use most of the time.

I would mod the offset first, they really can work great!

[bwerth42]

I used a Traeger for many years and was very happy with it but the pellet burners in general will not give your food as much smoke flavor. They are, however, extremely convenient

[SMOKE FREAK]

Stick burner here...That's my vote...
If ya got the time and the patience its the only way to go...

[Courser]

Stick burner here...That's my vote...
If ya got the time and the patience its the only way to go...

I agree with Craig completely, IF YOU HAVE THE TIME AND PATIENCE. I also have a GMG DB and love it, but if you want to add a bit more smoke taste get the Amazen 6" tube smoker to add smoke. It's inexpensive and does a great job.

[Richtee]

If it matters... Treagers are made in China now.

If yer bent on the ease of a pellet pooper... http://www.yodersmokers.com/pellet-grills.html are a sweet unit. And good support.

That said... my kettle, 22 WSM and Lang are my weapons of choice. And the 22 DOES have a blower... SHhhh!

[bigmikey]

I've got a yoder and love it, also just got a kettle and love that too. My family prefers the smoke flavor that the yoder gives, I like them both equally. I also have the smoke tube but mainly just use it for cold smoking