Traeger grills
- Thread starter PSUinMICH
- Start date
I've had one for 10 years, love it. to be clear, it is not really a grill, (although the ads say you can) it is for low and slow cooking. so if you want to do pulled pork (via butts) , brisket, ribs the right way (no boiling here) chicken, and fish. it is wonderful.
Make sure you get one with a thermostat that you can set by the numbers not just a smoke medium high (that was their first version), I think they even have them with probes now.
I have set mine on 225 thrown a butt on before I go to bed, it will cook all night, in the morning
check the pellets and finish the cook!! simple and it tastes wonderful.
now that they sell the pellets in Krogers or wherever, much easier than ordering and having them shipped, the weight always ran up the cost.
Just got a Rec Tec from my wife for Christmas. Best grill I’ve ever owned and that includes my big green egg. Above poster is right. It’s not something you are gonna fire up and cook a steak on. I still use my Weber charcoal for that. But...it makes insane brisket, ribs, pork butt etc. I made smoked lobster Mac and cheese last weekend and it was insane. Did Swineapple for New Years (pineapple cored, stuffed with pork tenderloin, and then a basket weave of bacon). Smoked it for 4 hours and it was perfect. Best thing like the previous poster said, just set the temp and go to bed for long cooks. The rec Tec has a 40lb hopper on the back so it makes for longer cooks without refilling the pellets.
Pellet smokers are great. Rec Tec does offer a grill grate option for steaks and chicken but I’d rather not dump pellets to get the temp up that high when I can just use my charcoal grill. I have them side by side on the patio so in the event I need to reverse sear a meat (like the filet tenderloin I did over Christmas) it’s just a simple move from one to the other.
Check out the rec tecs if you get a chance. They just launched a new line. I have the 680 and it’s easily been the best thing my wife has ever bought me!
Enjoy!!
Pellet smokers are great. Rec Tec does offer a grill grate option for steaks and chicken but I’d rather not dump pellets to get the temp up that high when I can just use my charcoal grill. I have them side by side on the patio so in the event I need to reverse sear a meat (like the filet tenderloin I did over Christmas) it’s just a simple move from one to the other.
Check out the rec tecs if you get a chance. They just launched a new line. I have the 680 and it’s easily been the best thing my wife has ever bought me!
Enjoy!!
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Just got a Rec Tec from my wife for Christmas. Best grill I’ve ever owned and that includes my big green egg. Above poster is right. It’s not something you are gonna fire up and cook a steak on. I still use my Weber charcoal for that. But...it makes insane brisket, ribs, pork butt etc. I made smoked lobster Mac and cheese last weekend and it was insane. Did Swineapple for New Years (pineapple cored, stuffed with pork tenderloin, and then a basket weave of bacon). Smoked it for 4 hours and it was perfect. Best thing like the previous poster said, just set the temp and go to bed for long cooks. The rec Tec has a 40lb hopper on the back so it makes for longer cooks without refilling the pellets.
Pellet smokers are great. Rec Tec does offer a grill grate option for steaks and chicken but I’d rather not dump pellets to get the temp up that high when I can just use my charcoal grill. I have them side by side on the patio so in the event I need to reverse sear a meat (like the filet tenderloin I did over Christmas) it’s just a simple move from one to the other.
Check out the rec tecs if you get a chance. They just launched a new line. I have the 680 and it’s easily been the best thing my wife has ever bought me!
Enjoy!!
Outside of ‘ro’s pics, these are the most drool-worthy pics I’ve seen in a long time!
Now I gotta get up, showered and go find some lunch.....FAST!
About 5-6 years ago, Traeger shifted production to China and quality went down the shitter. They heard the complaints and supposedly took action to rectify, but I can't tell you if it's back to where it was. Have heard good things about Rec Tec.
Traegar is basically the volkswagon of pellet grills - inexpensive, readily available, fairly limited options...
I have had great luck with my MAK pellet smoker. Stainless steel construction, a very easy to use (and wifi enabled) pellet master temperature control unit, three temperature probe capability... I have had my MAK 2Star for eight years with not one issue.
http://makgrills.com
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Love my Rec-Tec..Had it about a year. Great quality...Fantastic smoker/grillJust got a Rec Tec from my wife for Christmas. Best grill I’ve ever owned and that includes my big green egg. Above poster is right. It’s not something you are gonna fire up and cook a steak on. I still use my Weber charcoal for that. But...it makes insane brisket, ribs, pork butt etc. I made smoked lobster Mac and cheese last weekend and it was insane. Did Swineapple for New Years (pineapple cored, stuffed with pork tenderloin, and then a basket weave of bacon). Smoked it for 4 hours and it was perfect. Best thing like the previous poster said, just set the temp and go to bed for long cooks. The rec Tec has a 40lb hopper on the back so it makes for longer cooks without refilling the pellets.
Pellet smokers are great. Rec Tec does offer a grill grate option for steaks and chicken but I’d rather not dump pellets to get the temp up that high when I can just use my charcoal grill. I have them side by side on the patio so in the event I need to reverse sear a meat (like the filet tenderloin I did over Christmas) it’s just a simple move from one to the other.
Check out the rec tecs if you get a chance. They just launched a new line. I have the 680 and it’s easily been the best thing my wife has ever bought me!
Enjoy!!
I just got a green egg last year, but have also though5 about a pellet smoker like the Traegger. The green egg is more versatile, but the pellet grill is a more foolproof fuel scenario. It would be great to have one of each... but not many of us are fortunate enough to not have to choose between the two. Maybe someone will invent a ceramic smoker/grill that will include a pellet feeding system.
If your looking for a pellet smoker that can smoke and grill check these out. Yoder makes great grills. It has an open smoker box that allows for searing and grilling.
https://www.yodersmokers.com/ys640-competition-cart.html
https://www.yodersmokers.com/ys640-competition-cart.html
Don't be so sure about "foolproof" when it comes to pellet smokers. One of the main complaints about Traeger is the augur getting clogged.
In ten years of using mine I have had one clog. Clogs ususlly concur because the pellets got wet or there is something in the pellets. Mine were wet, so now I make sure they are dry and have not had another problem. The good news is the little motor has a clutch so if there is a clog it won't burn itself out but rather shuts itself off
I have a large (not extra large) green egg and a flame boss temperature regulator, wifi enabled and have had great success with long slow cooks of pork butts and briskets. Like 16 hours no problem at 225 without running out of fuel. Can follow the cook on my iPhone and change temp parameters if I want.
All this food talk has me running out today to get a chicken for a smoked beer can chicken on the Rec Tec!
I bought a flame boss as a Christmas present to myself and haven’t used it yet... I’m looking forward to trying it out.
Have to second the RecTec grill is the best thing since sliced bread. Have had mine over 5 years an love it. Made everything from 28 pound beef clod to a plum tart. Reliable, great customer service. New ones are all stainless steel. Have a small gas grill to reverse sear, but do most everything on RecTec
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So I’ve had a simple charbroil (gas) that’s I’ve had for like 7 years. 150$ originally but I know that grill like the back of my hand. Know where the hot and cold spots are, how long it takes to get to perfect temps.... etc. that said, Wife let it slip the other day when I was looking at replacement grates that she’s gonna get me a new grill for my first fathers day this year. I do a lot more grilling than smoking or slow cooking, but I’ve been wanting to get into doing things like briskets and butts and ribs and whatnot. I’d love to get a grill that’ll sear up a ribeye as well as slow cook a butt. Looks like the treagers don’t grill well, but smoke great. Anyone know of a good combo grill that’ll do both?
A friend of mine from Austin is a real BBQ nut. We have both read the Franklin Book. ( a must for anybody into BBQ)
He recommended a REC TEC. I bought one. Best purchase ever.
I have recommended it to a half dozen friends. Everybody who buys one loves love. I have a green egg also. Both are great.
He recommended a REC TEC. I bought one. Best purchase ever.
I have recommended it to a half dozen friends. Everybody who buys one loves love. I have a green egg also. Both are great.
big green egg or similar
can set up for ultra high temp searing a la Lugers steak house (careful easy to blow off eye brows and bangs) mid temp grill, I do a spatchcock pressed chicken weekly or more often all summer long and with a flame boss or similar controller can run long slow BBQ type cooks, 225 for 12 -16 hours easily
the biggest problem with the smoker/grill combo is that when you slow cook things, the cooker gets coated with 'grease' from the long slow cooks. (watch a Dinners Drive in Dives show when they show a BBQ smoker and see all the 'stuff' hanging off it).
So now when you fire up the cooker to do a fast cook, you end up burning all of the grease off, and that is nasty, and depending on how much there is, it could take several hours. Your grill doesn't usually get this build up because when you cook 'hot' all of that stuff is burned off.
Point being, I get a smoker to smoke (long slow cooks) and a grill for grilling (hot and fast)
I am sure the Big Green egg guys will tell you they don't have this problem, but mostly because they hot cook enough to burn off all the stuff.
^ This....
I have this exact setup for this exact reason. I have a Weber charcoal performer (the Weber kettle with the table, charcoal bin, and small propane tank for lighting coals) and I have the Rec Tec for longer cooks or things I want to throw some smoke on. If you have the space it’s a better option. Plus a Weber kettle by itself is only around $150, peanuts for what we are talking about with a BGE or a pellet smoker.
I use the pellet grill to smoke the meat. You can do a steak or burgers in under an hour. Doesn’t need to be the hours long smoking like some cuts. Then sear in a cast iron pan on the stove. You can crank the grill up to 500° and sear, but honestly, it’s faster to get the sear on a stovetop. Some models also have sear boxes you can buy to attach for that purpose.
This is a VERY good point. I had not thought about this. Sounds like my best bet is to keep my current grill, get new parts for it, then get a smoker and keep them side-by-side
I bought an Oklahoma Joe's offset smoker grill combo. It's pretty well built and all heavy gauge metal including the wheels. I'm sure there are better smokers out there, but this does just fine for me. I mostly do grilling anyway.
As far as the "grease and stuff" I just scrape it down after long smokes with a putty knife and nylon brush as needed.
I built my own Ugly Drum Smoker out of a 55 gal drum. Works like a green egg only much, much cheaper! I love it!!!
https://www.fix.com/blog/building-an-ugly-drum-smoker/
https://www.fix.com/blog/building-an-ugly-drum-smoker/
Whether you choose Traeger or not get some kind of low slow cooker. There are many that look exactly like a treager- employees that struck out on their own? I don't know but I love the set it and forget for long slow cooks.
As mentioned I have had one for 10+ yrs and only have one clog. Pellets got wet. So I am happy
Thanks Sluggo, i really was on the path to buy one. I'm going to wait a while. The same happened with a anti-squirrel feeder I wanted to buy. My brother-in-law has the one i was looking for, and has performing well for twelve years. He told me his model is much better constructed than the ones being sold today from the Audubon Society. The feeders cost $80 each and i was going to buy two. I'm very disappointed that the feeders are having problems.
they look wonderful, care to share what you bought and how you did them?Pork Belly Burnt ends on the Rec Tec...
So easy it should be illegal. Basically pork candy that melts in your mouth.
These were gone in about 5 mins. Got a new game day snack on the menu.
Anyway all of this Treager talk got me inspired to buy the front shelf for my 10 yr old Treager. they dont really make one for that model, but they do for the updated model (Texas 075) so I bought that.
Well, it fits okay, but it is made to be retro fitted on the newer model, which of course I dont have. No worries, I bought a couple of bolts, washers and some nuts. Got out the drill, and started drilling where it looked like it should go. I got the brackets in place, seem very sturdy, attached the shelf and there you go!! A place to put stuff while cooking.
So now triple inspired I go to cook some stuff, put the shelf up, go to raise the lid to place the meat on the grill, and the lid wont open!!! WTF!!! the shelf is too tight to the lit, so when you try to open the lit it hits the shelf!! SOB if I had put the brackets 1/4" lower, all would be good. Now what? I dont want to drill anymore new holes in the legs/sides, so I am hoping to get longer bolts, place some washers as spacers behind the bracket enough to move it away from the grill so I can open the lid!!!! (BTW everything is fine with the shelf down, so I can still use it but...) I know you all will be waiting for an up date so I will as soon as I can find the hardware. BTW Home Depot stainless steel selection of screws etc sucks.
ya, post pics. Depending on how far out you are spacing, may need to put a washer on the inside as well (or maybe you already did) to spread out the load.
yes I figure I need to put the washer between the bracket and the grill to move the bracket away from the grill. I worry about the other bolt, which is at a right angle to the front, that when I move the front away, that will change the location of hole (to its right angle) but I will see. I think that side will need to have some washers as well to keep things aligned.
Pretty simple...I used the Malcom Reed recipe and it was easy and delicious.
1) Bought 2 1/2 lb pork belly (was feeding 8 people as an appetizer) skin off
2) Set Rec Tec at 275 and used Apple and Pecan for the smoke
3) Cut the pork belly into one inch cubes, rubbed with olive oil, and seasoned with a honey rib rub
4) Placed on the frog mat and let cook for 3 hours
5) Took them off the grill and put in a tin. Covered them with brown sugar, drizzled with honey, and sliced a stick of butter and put that in.
6) Mixed up a cup of BBQ sauce, 1/4 cup of Apple Juice, and a 1/4 cup of Apple jelly and let simmer until smooth. Poured it on the Pork belly and sealed up with tin foil.
7) Put back on the grill at 275 and let cook for hour and a half.
8) Pulled from grill and served them.
They literally melted in your mouth with great flavor.
Like I said, will probably become a new summer favorite and a game day treat without a doubt!
Interesting from the perspective of knowing what's out there, but anyone who spends that kind of money of a grill deserves to part from it.
