Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => FEC/Cookshack => Topic started by: rdsbucks on August 16, 2018, 03:06:01 AM

Title: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: rdsbucks on August 16, 2018, 03:06:01 AM
I will have a new PG500 arriving 8/23!!! I am thrilled!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: triplebq on August 16, 2018, 07:48:51 AM
Congrats , the PG500 is a killer unit.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: pmillen on August 16, 2018, 08:51:52 AM
Good for you!

Did you buy the front shelf?

Is the grate in zone 1 still cast iron?

Now that the wheel-set has changed from my 2013 unit, how easy is it to roll around?

The front will stain from smoke leakage.  I recently cleaned mine rather thoroughly and treated it with TopCoat F-11, an automobile paint treatment.  It makes it much easier to wipe clean.  If I bought a new stainless steel pit I'd give it two or three coats of F-11 before I fired it up for the first time.

I also wouldn't bother seasoning it.  My seasoning just builds up until it flakes off.  Seasoning doesn't stick to SS as well as it does to mild steel.  Just do a burn-in to remove manufacturing residue and start cooking.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Canadian John on August 16, 2018, 09:29:57 AM

 Enjoy that PG500!  :D
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Bar-B-Lew on August 16, 2018, 09:35:45 AM
Good for you!

Did you buy the front shelf?

Is the grate in zone 1 still cast iron?

Now that the wheel-set has changed from my 2013 unit, how easy is it to roll around?

The front will stain from smoke leakage.  I recently cleaned mine rather thoroughly and treated it with TopCoat F-11, an automobile paint treatment.  It makes it much easier to wipe clean.  If I bought a new stainless steel pit I'd give it two or three coats of F-11 before I fired it up for the first time.

I also wouldn't bother seasoning it.  My seasoning just builds up until it flakes off.  Seasoning doesn't stick to SS as well as it does to mild steel.  Just do a burn-in to remove manufacturing residue and start cooking.

Is F-11 what they use on DeLorean's ;D
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: pmillen on August 16, 2018, 10:53:29 AM
Is F-11 what they use on DeLorean's ;D

 :rotf:
No, DeLoreans get ceramic coatings, like Gyeon Pure.  It's so hard when cured that a ripple has to be ground down.  When done right it looks wet forever.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: rdsbucks on August 16, 2018, 02:35:58 PM
Thanks everyone for the kind words and advice. I did not order the front shelf as my wife ordered it as a surprise for my BD. But I will look into getting it. My first and only pellet smoker was a little Traeger Tailgater. It will be great to step up to something that is such a fine appliance.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: rdsbucks on August 23, 2018, 10:17:06 PM
All I can say is wow! What a great smoker!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: TravlinMan on August 23, 2018, 11:05:11 PM
All I can say is wow! What a great smoker!

Congratulations... :cool:

Let us know how you are enjoying your new smoker/grill, preferably with pictures attached.. :clap:

....... :bbq:
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Jstocks on August 24, 2018, 03:46:54 PM
I'm getting close to making this purchase also.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Bentley on August 24, 2018, 08:01:15 PM
You will enjoy it!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: The Big E on August 24, 2018, 11:59:39 PM
We are like twins.  Got mine yesterday too.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Jstocks on August 27, 2018, 04:01:33 PM
Is it accepted practice to ask whether you guys found the best deal direct from cookshack, or did you go with a supplier?
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: SmokinHandyman on August 27, 2018, 04:06:09 PM
My cousin has a PG500.
Very nice pit.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: rdsbucks on August 27, 2018, 04:42:19 PM
Is it accepted practice to ask whether you guys found the best deal direct from cookshack, or did you go with a supplier?

BBQ Guys for me.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Vincent on September 01, 2018, 02:52:56 PM
BBQ Island for me. Good guys. My PG500 should be arriving next week.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: demilleroh on September 25, 2018, 10:38:53 PM
Is it accepted practice to ask whether you guys found the best deal direct from cookshack, or did you go with a supplier?

When I priced from Cookshack in May they had a 10% off deal - BUT they wanted $300 to ship via FedX.  So the total cost with discount and shipping was still more than BBQ Guys.  All BBQ Guys did was have Cookshack drop-ship direct to me anyway.  But then BBQ Guys also gave me a 3% purchase credit - so I felt I had a much better deal.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Vincent on September 26, 2018, 04:19:01 PM
Good choice. I had a similar experience. Cook Shack will not price match with their dealers and will stick you with the shipping. Better deal with the dealer for sure.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: LowSlowJoe on October 03, 2018, 03:19:28 PM
IMHO, it's a good thing that Cookshack is doing... if they undercut their dealers, they would be doing a disservice to the dealers.

It is kinda funny that you can buy one from a dealer, it ships directly from Cookshack to your house... but anyway, I'm glad they keep their dealers  selling at a little better price...
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: rdsbucks on November 19, 2018, 09:37:34 AM
Well guys after 3 months I can safely say that the PG 500 is one of the best purchases I have made. I truly love it!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: sleebus.jones on November 19, 2018, 11:33:03 AM
Well guys after 3 months I can safely say that the PG 500 is one of the best purchases I have made. I truly love it!

They are amazing, aren't they?  I've been super happy with how mine has performed.  Really the best pellet cooker I've ever owned.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Yellow-03 on November 19, 2018, 11:44:04 AM
I can say I'm really liking mine as well.  I very much like how quickly it goes from smoking to grilling temps, with no need to open flame zones, etc.  You gotta watch things on the charbroiler side, though, as things can easily get away from you there if your focus goes elsewhere for a few minutes.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: sleebus.jones on November 19, 2018, 01:14:54 PM
Yeah, that charbroiler side is no joke.  First steaks were done at 600°; not gonna do that again!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: Bentley on November 19, 2018, 02:04:07 PM
600° on the controller?  If so, yeah, when I did the Performance Test at Pelletheads for the PG500, $JMoney asked that I grill some steaks at that setting.  My IR Gun pegged at 932°, and I know that Zone 1 was well over 1000°.  It was very difficult to work with, 400° would be the Max for me!

First steaks were done at 600°; not gonna do that again!
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: sleebus.jones on November 19, 2018, 04:39:15 PM
Yep, I now do my steaks at 400° and they come out great.  Really good quality even heat at that temp.  I agree with the 1000° temps, it was very, very, VERY hot and hard to work with for a steak.  I killed 2 steaks in like 3 minutes.  Now if there was something I'd want to sear for 30 seconds (like tuna), that would be the ticket.
Title: Re: After 3 yrs w/out a pellet smoker just using a PBC...
Post by: LowSlowJoe on December 04, 2018, 03:22:34 PM
Wife ordered it for your birthday? 

Wow, what a great wife.


Yeah, if you get the grill up to 600F internal, based on the thermocouple reading that's between zone 3 and zone 4, your direct grilling area zone 1 will be well over 1000F.    My IR Gun goes to 1040F, and I've seen it unable to read because it was hotter then the gun could read...     

  Generally any more, I rarely use my PG500 above about 400F.   I think at 400F, your direct grill side is probably around 700F, which is plenty hot enough.