The Heat shield is Aluminized, the diffuser is Stainless Steel, the cookbox body is cast Aluminum the hood is Porcelain Enameled as is the grease and ash catch.

Are all of those internal guts stainless steel with the exception of the auger tube cover?

Sorry to read this on three fronts; your wife's illness, your risk and the Biggest Mac delay.  I'm hoping for your betterness (if that's a word).

No good deed goes unpunished. Last night I made the patties and cooked 5 pounds of bacon. Things were looking good.

Around 8 p.m. my wife said she had not been feeling well and we decided to go to the ER. They ran all kinds of tests, but they couldn't rule anything in or out. One of the the things that was in play can be kind of nasty and contagious. The tests won't be back for three days.

It's a long shot that she has it, and a longer shot that I might have it or could be contagious. However, as part of full disclosure, I told the leaders of the youth group what was going on. We decided it was best if I didn't show up.

I think I will freeze the patties and try to come up with a new plan. Father's Day might be an option.

Some temperature testing posted.  Will be cooking a 350° meatloaf tonight!

I feel this test was some what unfair to the unit in regards to its high end Temp.  My probes won't go that high, so I had no other way to show it.  I think you get the idea, this unit gets very hot and will have no issue grilling.

Pretty darn accurate and very little fluctuation.  Probe 1 is right, probe 2 center and 3 on left.  Temps were 180. 200. 300 & 400°.  It puts out good smoke at 180°.


The smoke output of the unit when set to 180°.

Are all of those internal guts stainless steel with the exception of the auger tube cover?

I have been told the section highlighted by the green arrow is a heat shield, keeping heat and embers from the grease and ash tray below.

For a first cook those burgers sure look good. Look forward to seeing more.

In my 14 years of Performance Testing pellet units I have never seen a unit get to grilling temperature so fast.  Will get the correct info and not subjective comments as we go, but it was fast.  It was gas grill fast!  I started it, set at 550°.  Went in, mix seasoning in meat, formed patties, put mayo and onion on bun.  Went out to Searwood, expecting to sit down and wait for it to reach temperature.  It was already at the temp you see in the photo.  It appears it will be an impressive high heat grill!