I look forward to this.  My 10 year old GMG just died.  After a couple times of taking it apart and trying to get everything well lubed, I have come to the conclusion that sooner or later fans and auger motors just wear out.  I will follow this performance test, maybe a Weber is in my future if it goes well!

 Happy Monday, April 8, 2024 to you all.

 There is a warning issued by NASA about using your phone's camera to capture the eclipse.."DON'T DO IT"..  Evidently doing so will damage the camera's light sensor.

Where in PA are you?  I'm on the Eastern side.  I leave my grills outside uncovered and it has finally bit me last year.  Both my Memphis (USA made) and my MAK 2 have pellet jams now.  The MAK is very versatile to use.  I enjoy the side cabinet that I bought for it to cold smoke cheese and jerky.

Best landmark for me is Longwood Gardens...about 10 minutes from there.    I've never tried to smoke cheese or jerky but would have to try it if I end up with one.     As for the augur jams, I had that post storm once with the GMG...it was solid...water really got in there but easy to pull it apart and fix it.   

Getting more and more swayed to the MAK.   

Where in PA are you?  I'm on the Eastern side.  I leave my grills outside uncovered and it has finally bit me last year.  Both my Memphis (USA made) and my MAK 2 have pellet jams now.  The MAK is very versatile to use.  I enjoy the side cabinet that I bought for it to cold smoke cheese and jerky.

Appreciate everyone's input so quickly.   The Mak-2 star was also on my list of ones to consider...no one every seems to complain about them.  I am in PA and would likely have this on my deck or perhaps under my deck.   The stainless steel does appeal to me.

It looks like it will put me right at the top of the number with the shelf and cabinet door.   


The China made products are out for me...I'm sure some of the manufacturing is great but I do not want to risk it for the dollars I am putting into this.

I was in the same position a few months ago and chose the MAK.  I used to tell people that the three best pits were Cookshack Fast Eddy, MAK and Memphis.

I had a Fast Eddy PG500 for 8 years and was satisfied with it but it blew ash and unburned pellet dust into the smoking area.  I sold it when I decided to quit eating that stuff.

I read that the Memphis quality dropped off when they moved production to China, so I ruled them out.

I bought a MAK 2-Star General.  I've only cooked on it a couple of times because of the weather and poor health, but I think I'll be pleased.

You may want to wait for Bentley's performance review of the new Weber offering.  I wish that his reviews hadn't dropped off.

I have had my MAK 2 Star for 8 to ten years and could not be happier.   I live in Maryland and have used it in all kinds of weather from down pours to snow, to freezing temps to high nineties.  I keep on my neck mostly covered however not always never empty the hopper and have never had an issue with wet pellets.  When I have had an issue I have called MAK and have found over the years their customer service to be absolutly the best.  I very strongly recommend their product and it is 100 percent American made. 

I loved my Pitts & Spitts Maverick 850 before it died a fiery death when my barn burned down.  Very stabe temps and great smoke flavor and it was very good on pellet consumption.  I posted some pics of it in the Other Manufacturers section.  I bought a Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 with the Sidekick and accessories to replace my griddle and pellet grill with one unit.  Plus I wanted the have the gas grill option for searing steaks and to cook stuff in a pot outside.  The Camp Chef isn't nearly as good of quality but cooks very well.  I need to do a review on it still but I've had other irons in the fire.  I can get a much thicker smoke ring on the CC because it has the ability to use charcoal and/or wood chunks also.  There's a video of a guy on YouTube doing side by side comparison cooks on both of them if you want to look for it.  I think they were the bigger 36 inch units.  Anyway,  I would recommend either one but it just depends on what your needs and desires are.  I had a GMG before the P&S and really liked it also.

I was going to buy a new pellet grill a few years ago but was waiting on my GMG to die.   It is still going strong but going to just pull the trigger and get something new.   This time around I have a much bigger budget but not entirely sure its worth spending. 

Yoder 640S comp was on my mind.   I'm not worried about a little rust (GMG also has a bit of rust after 10+ years).   What's important to me is have a decent smoke flavor, easy to use (no offsets), and good quality.   My only real complaint about the GMG was the lid never sealed right. 


Thanks for the input and comments in advance.

Our Daughter who lives in Scott Plains NJ also felt it.  She hah cups fall and there was a crack in her street They live about 26 miles from the epicenter.  She also thought it lasted about 15 seconds however others said it lasted almost 30 seconds. She was. Recently in one in OK and said thought this one was worse.  I am sure do to the ages of the buildings.

Where her husband works they had a big piece of equipment move 6 feet.

Later that night around 7 she called again and said there was a 4.1 after shock.

Iam glad all are safe