Pellet Fan
Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => Which Pit Should I Choose? => Topic started by: 02ebz06 on July 29, 2022, 09:09:49 AM
-
Since I've sold my house, my Memphis Elite will stay here and I will be looking for a new grill in a month or so.
So I was wondering if anyone knows if there is another brand (USA Made) that uses the pellet feed mechanism like Memphis does.
The mechanism makes auger fires near impossible.
-
The Cookshack Fast Eddy series have a pellet drop system similar to Memphis'. Also, the fire pot isn't below the grease tray, dramatically reducing the possibility of a grease fire.
(https://chi01pap001files.storage.live.com/y4mJUAu1lUAUsQmZiUaeaQ0Wzi4ifIhEYJ2MNpdGpBEWNO6rjfaz1z7g9joTFklvppVJDkFog6azILvteGr0xKpwK16EYkuRss6-G0pjGB8IBwbGsqAfZTdx8JkckvC3lyVzSjpWOS8A8dbxN1emevareFB20auCwLpAnMccM6JnA5Y1mEgs6Sz7E4FH05hH5BP?width=1282&height=244&cropmode=none)
-
Thanks
Where did you find that picture ? I found very little info/pictures for the PG1000 on the Cookshack website. Even the spec sheet was limited.
Would like to see the inside. I'm concerned about the direct flame area.
I would not use the direct flame area, so would be a waste of space if it can't be used for regular BBQing.
-
Just as Paul stated.... Also & what you may mis is the easy cleaning the Memplis provides.. The PG series Cookshack appears to me to be an an easy clean. It would be @ the top of my buy listi if opting out of
a Memphis.
There used to be a lot of Cookshack posts here & on Pellet Heads. They are either are gone, trouble free with nothing to report or the few issues gotten used to.
Anyone with a PG Cookshack should comment on their experiences.
-
Thanks
Where did you find that picture ?
I'm concerned about the direct flame area.
I would not use the direct flame area, so would be a waste of space if it can't be used for regular BBQing.
Picture is several years old from the CS web site.
You are correct. The direct flame area is not suitable for smoking. It may be the original direct flame area for grilling.
The far right side is the commonly used smoking and roasting area as is the top rack. The rack above the far right side will be roughly 20% hotter. The left top area (I rarely use it) will be somewhat hotter—probably another 20% hotter.
Experienced users become adept at moving items around in the temperature zones when they're packing the pit full.
The direct flame area is perfect for reverse searing. A warming drawer keeps early finishers warm while the remainder cook and is useful for cold smoking.
-
Having said all of that, if I were looking for a new pit I'd seriously investigate the Cookshack FEC100.
-
It cant, that is where the combustion chamber is!
I would not use the direct flame area, so would be a waste of space if it can't be used for regular BBQing.
-
It cant, that is where the combustion chamber is!
I would not use the direct flame area, so would be a waste of space if it can't be used for regular BBQing.
Kinda what I figured. Was hoping they had a thick plate or something to go over it to reduce the heat.
==============================================================================
Having said all of that, if I were looking for a new pit I'd seriously investigate the Cookshack FEC100.
FEC100 is nice, but I think I need a grill format rather than a vertical smoker.
We make bread in the Memphis grill, not sure how well a vertical smoker would do that.
Now I have the CampChef vertical smoker and it is primarily for smoking cheese and jerky.
That will go with us.
-
When I was buying I really wanted a MAK 2 Star or a PG1000. But out of budget then and even more so currently. A local guy bought a 2 Star and I looked a it when I went to pick up pellets that I was hooked up with for an LJ group buy. It was a very nice cooker, and he said he loved it.
When I saw an FEC100 in person I really liked that, but for what I cook today would be way over kill.
There was a guy in Baltimore if I remember that was making a really good looking cooker Dreamwerks I think. That was a long time ago.
-
Since you specifically said USA made, you are aware Memphis is made in China as of a couple years ago?
Although auger fires are a lot more rare on newer pits and I love my MAK, but I’ll add that I believe Yoder and LSG both have drop feed fire pots. The LSG pellet smokers look very nice.
-
Since you specifically said USA made, you are aware Memphis is made in China as of a couple years ago?
Although auger fires are a lot more rare on newer pits and I love my MAK, but I’ll add that I believe Yoder and LSG both have drop feed fire pots. The LSG pellet smokers look very nice.
MAK2* must be good if you have kept it for as long as you have ;)
-
Since you specifically said USA made, you are aware Memphis is made in China as of a couple years ago?
Although auger fires are a lot more rare on newer pits and I love my MAK, but I’ll add that I believe Yoder and LSG both have drop feed fire pots. The LSG pellet smokers look very nice.
I had not know that Memphis had switched to Chinese made when I ordered it.
I was pi$$ed when it arrived and I saw Made in China on the box, and that's why I don't want to buy one again.
I buy USA Made whenever I can.
Thanks for the tip on Yoder and LSG. I will check them out.
-
I'm liking the Yoder a lot.
Only negatives, not stainless and high pellet consumption.
Would probably have to have a hopper extender made to add an extra 6 or 8 pounds.
Only gets 12 hours out of 20 pounds. Guess due to being single wall.
12 hours would be close for doing a brisket.
-
The Lone Star Grillz has a huge hopper if that’s a concern for you. Though you can fill them mid cook ;-)
-
Take a look at Pitts and Spitts also. It has a traditional auger but I've never had an issue. Mine is a pellet miser, but of course this heat we have been having helps some I'm guessing.
-
MAK2* must be good if you have kept it for as long as you have ;)
I think we’re getting close to being the longest tenured pellet grill to work for me ;D No plans yet to find a replacement.
-
The Lone Star Grillz has a huge hopper if that’s a concern for you. Though you can fill them mid cook ;-)
It looks like a nice grill. 40# hopper is massive.
-
I'm liking the Yoder a lot.
Only negatives, not stainless and high pellet consumption.
Would probably have to have a hopper extender made to add an extra 6 or 8 pounds.
Only gets 12 hours out of 20 pounds. Guess due to being single wall.
12 hours would be close for doing a brisket.
It's very heavy metal. The upsides are durability and the ability to rapidly recover from an open pit. The downside is that it takes a while (a lot of pellets) to heat up all of that mass.
EDIT: If you look at the costs on a per cook basis, compared to the prorated pit cost and the meat cost, the pellet cost is a bag of shells.
-
MAK2* must be good if you have kept it for as long as you have ;)
I think we’re getting close to being the longest tenured pellet grill to work for me ;D No plans yet to find a replacement.
Thanks for everything you have shared here about all of the grills that you gave a test run. I really wish that Weber one would have worked out as I like their gas grills.
-
MAK2* must be good if you have kept it for as long as you have ;)
I think we’re getting close to being the longest tenured pellet grill to work for me ;D No plans yet to find a replacement.
Thanks for everything you have shared here about all of the grills that you gave a test run. I really wish that Weber one would have worked out as I like their gas grills.
Now that you say that, the SmokeFire is assembled in the USA (from globally sourced parts) and has a drop feed system. All of my problems at the end were software related and following some others that still have SmokeFires, the issues do seem to be pretty much resolved. I kinda wish I would have kept the SmokeFire and still bought the MAK. After they fixed the software, I would have just used it for high temps instead of my gasser. The MAK will grill OK, but the SmokeFire was better at high temps and easier. It was just right in the middle of the pandemic and I was grilling 4-5 nights a week and needed more dependability than Weber’s software could deliver then.
The Weber isn’t of the same quality as MAK, Yoder, LSG, Pitts & Spits, etc. though. Thicker steel than Traeger and CampChef though on most parts.
-
Definitely not the Memphis Beale Street. Structurallly ok, but the control (my second one) not reliable to date. Customer service seems to be only by email, and slow over all. Those folks with the higher end Memphis grills seem to be very happy and loyal but the prices now are in the 5k to 8K range. Cookshack 500 has jumped from $1600 to $3400 in the past 1.5 years!! But it is a good product but no WiFi.
Personally, I will go back to the Recteq if I can't get satisfaction with the BS. And would be happy to own the 590 again or even the new 1070. No direct flame but with high temp range now up to 700* and using GrillGrates to sear, no direct flame is needed IMO. For me the service at RT has always been super with instant pick up and quick call backs. We have two 590's left in our family and have been free of any problems for 3 years now.
-
Greg was always good for service with Memphis. No experience with now guy. My Chinese made Elite came in DOA, needed a new heating rod, had controller replaced as well.
In the old controller I noticed that a capacitor was installed backwards.
No longer a fan of Memphis.
A Yoder YS640S is my frontrunner now. Still looking though...
-
A Yoder YS640S is my frontrunner now.
There's 1½ pages of posts in the PF Yoder section. I thumbed through them and there don't seem to be many complaints. Their web site, yodersmokers dot com, has a community forum specific to their brand. You may find material to your evaluation there.
Good luck in your search.
-
I had no idea the PG500 had gone to that price, that is to much even for the quality. If I ever need another pellet unit it will be a Woodwind with Sidekick I guess!
-
I didn't realize the huge price increase. Last time i looked they were 1900 I think. For the extra 1100 I would go for the PG1000 of I was looking in that direction.
-
I didn't realize the huge price increase. Last time i looked they were 1900 I think. For the extra 1100 I would go for the PG1000 of I was looking in that direction.
PG1000 is now $4500. Wow!
-
I didn't realize the huge price increase. Last time i looked they were 1900 I think. For the extra 1100 I would go for the PG1000 of I was looking in that direction.
PG1000 is now $4500. Wow!
But it is all good SS not xxxxxx stuff like a lot of companies push. If I was going to buy a Cookshack and was looking at the 500 I would have to go the extra.
-
I think the PG1000 is a much nicer looking grill too.
-
Funny, as I think the 1000 is butt ugly and the 500 more stream line!
-
Funny, as I think the 1000 is butt ugly and the 500 more stream line!
Hmmn. I think they are both butt ugly, but the 500 more convenient in shape. They both have the same cook chamber, and controls, so to me the 1000 just offers a large shelf to work on butt (pun intended) takes up too much space.
-
Funny, as I think the 1000 is butt ugly and the 500 more stream line!
Hmmn. I think they are both butt ugly, but the 500 more convenient in shape. They both have the same cook chamber, and controls, so to me the 1000 just offers a large shelf to work on butt (pun intended) takes up too much space.
The 1000 is double walled and insulated.
-
Forgot about the insulation. Nice but not a real issue in Oklahoma. Worth $1000 more than the 500? I watched them being built, and admire the effort and quality.
-
The P&S look awesome!
-
I'm very happy with mine. :cool:
-
O2ebzo6--So what have you decided to buy ?
-
O2ebzo6--So what have you decided to buy ?
Been away for about a month with all the headaches of moving.
Still thinking about the Yoder YS640S, but have not pulled the trigger on anything yet.
When the dust settles, I will have to decide.
-
O2ebzo6--So what have you decided to buy ?
Been away for about a month with all the headaches of moving.
Still thinking about the Yoder YS640S, but have not pulled the trigger on anything yet.
When the dust settles, I will have to decide.
I know your delema!
My final three choices were the YS640s, the LSG , and the Pitts & Spitts. I ended up ordering the P&S 1250, should ship any day now.
-
O2ebzo6--So what have you decided to buy ?
Been away for about a month with all the headaches of moving.
Still thinking about the Yoder YS640S, but have not pulled the trigger on anything yet.
When the dust settles, I will have to decide.
I know your delema!
My final three choices were the YS640s, the LSG , and the Pitts & Spitts. I ended up ordering the P&S 1250, should ship any day now.
Congrats!!! Show us some pics when you get it.