Grill/smoker

[wslayer]

Trying to decide on a Traeger or Green Egg.
Pro's - con's of either ?

 

[raider]

i've been using a traeger for 3 years now... for flavor and smoking, it is awesome... for searing, not so much... replaced the controller last year, and it is starting to rust now...

just bought another walmart $100 gas grill for searing beef...

 

[NodakBuckeye]

I like the ceramics, I own neither but have used both. Eggs are more versatile

 

[jer79]

lump charcoal can be bought at menards for about 6 bucks a bag, pellets cost 20 bucks a bag. I can cook 5 nights out of the week on my kamodo joe for less than 6 bucks. it probably costs 5 bucks to cook just a beer-can chicken on my pellet grill ( Louisiana brand ). for low and slow... pork loin,ribs,brisket, pork shoulder,etc. the pellet grill is idiot proof. but , burgers, brats, steak are much better on a ceramic grill, or any other style . I have a kamodo joe, a weber gas, the Louisiana, and a weber kettle grill and a electric smoker, if I could only have one grill id have a ceramic... with practice you can smoke anything and grill anything on them.. you just have to babysit them a little bit, but that's a good reason to be near-by with a cold beer:;:cheers

 

[nxtgeneration]

If you're looking at a pellet grill I'd suggest the camp chef woodwind. Treager used to be top notch but in recent years it seems as the quality is starting to lack

 

[KDM]

Egg!! From what I've seen prepared on the Egg, IMO you have more versatility than a pellet smoker. Then there is the issues of durability (both in lifespan of the unit and the number of parts that can break). I know guys that got their Eggs when they first came out and they are still rolling along with no problems. Costs of operation. The egg uses cheaper fuels and less of them from what I've seen during normal use as I think the Egg holds heat much better and at a much more even level than the pellet grills. Ease and amount of use. From what I've seen, when guys get their Eggs, they use them for darn near everything from steaks and seafood to deserts and pastries. Pies on the Egg are drop dead good. I haven't seen quite the variability of dishes being prepared with a pellet grill. NOT that those pellet grills don't make some darn good food, because they do. Downside to the Egg IMO, is the smaller cooking area. As a general rule I think the pellet grills give you more surface area to cook on which makes entertaining family and friends a bit easier as well as smoking larger portions of whatever you want. With all that, it comes down to getting the MOST bang for your buck and IMO you get that with the Egg. Good Luck!!

 

[Browneye]

I used to listen to people go on and on about their traegers and always wondered what the hype was all about. Than after watching the food porn infomercial about traegers I decided I needed one. After doing a lot of research online I settled on the pit boss brand. I wouldn't say better than a traeger but just as good for half the price. I would have been content with paying $450 for it at runnings but the north Walmart had a smoking deal on it for $300. I love it so far and if it takes a dump on me in a couple years I'm only out $300 instead of $800. Buy yourself a good quality steak to cook up on there and it rivals anything you can get at a restaurant. I also prefer burgers on my gas grill but roasts, turkeys, chickens or pizzas are awesome on a pellet grill.

 

[LBrandt]

How deep is your pocket book?

 

[tman]

I would stay away from traeger I think there is better quality pellet grills out there for the same price range

 

[Whisky]

I would look at an XL BGE, Kamado Joe Big Joe, or Weber Summit Charcoal Grill.

All 3 are 24" cook grates, operate pretty similar and would make same quality food. The Egg is the cheapest of the 3. The Weber offers some nice things vs traditional ceramics, including a cart with a SS table, but costs $2k.

I have a pretty nice pellet smoker sitting in the garage that never gets used. Maybe someday I'll decide the convenience is worth more than the superior food that comes off the Egg.

If you're ever near Fargay, Scheels Home and Hardware has both the Weber and BGE in there. Along with Yoder and Trager pellet grills.

 

[johnr]

I use my Treager quite a bit, but have never used the big egg so I am of no help.
The treager is pretty awesome as far as I am concerned, 7 months into it, and a perfect flavored slab of flesh everytime.

 

[fullrut]

i've been using a traeger for 3 years now... for flavor and smoking, it is awesome... for searing, not so much... replaced the controller last year, and it is starting to rust now...

just bought another walmart $100 gas grill for searing beef...

Slip a cardboard tube over the temp probe. You can sear on a Traeger.