The discussion on Traeger/Big Green Egg was interesting. I am currently shopping for a new grill. Nothing crazy, looking at a budget max of $1,000. Currently I have an old gas Weber along with an electric Masterbilt smoker. The Weber is a good grill just rusting out. I am not terribly happy with the electric smoker (only works decently in cold weather) and I often use a smoke generator in it to supplement.
I grill a lot and all year round. I probably go through 4-5 20# tanks on my small Weber each year. I use the smoker less but still a decent bit in the winter.
I am have no issues with a good gas grill. I have looked at several new Weber models and like what I see. However, I am intrigued by pellet grills. A few I know have Traegers and love them. I like the simplicity of the cooking process. Set the temp and forget. I am really leaning towards a Green Mountain Grill or Camp Chef (or Cabelas) if I go that way. They seem to be the best reviewed grills in the less than crazy price range.
Here are my issues/concerns:
Pellet Consumption- With as much as I grill, will pellet consumption be similar to propane costs? Not that fuel costs are a major concern but if it is significant it may be a deterrent. I don't know of any pellet suppliers that are that close to buy in large bulk.
Reliability- Lots of moving parts. How much maintenance is involved. Gas grills have much less.
Year Round Cooking- With the pellet grill I am certainly going to need a blanket to cook in warm temps without have a pellet factory in the back yard.
High Temp Ability- I like to cook hot and fast , especially with steaks. Not because of time, I'm just comfortable cooking that way. I like nice grill marks on my food. Pellet grills don't provide this. I know you can get Grill Grates for searing/grill marks for the pellet grill.
I'm not lazy and love to cook. I am just trying to figure out what would be best for me. Any thoughts based on the above?
I grill a lot and all year round. I probably go through 4-5 20# tanks on my small Weber each year. I use the smoker less but still a decent bit in the winter.
I am have no issues with a good gas grill. I have looked at several new Weber models and like what I see. However, I am intrigued by pellet grills. A few I know have Traegers and love them. I like the simplicity of the cooking process. Set the temp and forget. I am really leaning towards a Green Mountain Grill or Camp Chef (or Cabelas) if I go that way. They seem to be the best reviewed grills in the less than crazy price range.
Here are my issues/concerns:
Pellet Consumption- With as much as I grill, will pellet consumption be similar to propane costs? Not that fuel costs are a major concern but if it is significant it may be a deterrent. I don't know of any pellet suppliers that are that close to buy in large bulk.
Reliability- Lots of moving parts. How much maintenance is involved. Gas grills have much less.
Year Round Cooking- With the pellet grill I am certainly going to need a blanket to cook in warm temps without have a pellet factory in the back yard.
High Temp Ability- I like to cook hot and fast , especially with steaks. Not because of time, I'm just comfortable cooking that way. I like nice grill marks on my food. Pellet grills don't provide this. I know you can get Grill Grates for searing/grill marks for the pellet grill.
I'm not lazy and love to cook. I am just trying to figure out what would be best for me. Any thoughts based on the above?
