I am really close to purchasing one of the top premium pellet grills and this is something I can’t seem to get a really good answer on through research and info available. I know the Memphis is top 2 if not top dog in the grilling, high heat, searing category but I want to make sure the Memphis pro is a plenty capable smoker. I want good bark, smoke rings, and good smoke flavor when I cook low and slow.  Also, is the Memphis a pain to clean ash on? I would also love to see some pics of different types of food arranged on the Memphis so I can get an idea of how useful the space and configuration is. Thank you!

Thank you. I have spoken w/Bar-B-Lew and he has been very helpful. I am just so torn I need more input so I am completely satisfied with my choice. I would love if he continues to throw his input in these threads

Pulled pork


NY Strip at ~600° over open flame insert


Pulled beef from smoked chuck roasts


Baby back ribs (I don't sauce)




Smoked mac and cheese


Smoked sausage


Smoked turkey breasts and pork loin

I am just so torn I need more input so I am completely satisfied with my choice.

You're possibly torn because you're considering other pits.  If so, which one(s).  Members here are likely able to help you differentiate between them.

Pork shoulder put on grill frozen with no rub and cooked at 300°


Beef ribs


Chuck Roast Burnt Ends


Country Style Pork Ribs Burnt Ends


Beef Jerky

I know this doesn’t speak directly to your question, but will a new pellet cooker be used more for smoking or more for grilling... or evenly split?

Some good looking vittles right there!

X2! Dang Bar-B-Lew!!! I vote you to cater my next Weight Watchers meeting...lol!!! Fantastic looking food

 Re cleaning; You would be hard pressed to find anything easier. With the split grates that are just slid to the side to access the one piece, easy to lift out heat deflector, the burn pot is exposed..Fly ash is mostly contained under the heat shield.. As stated above, no drip bucket- a major plus... I replaced the disposable aluminum pans with permanent steel baking pans.  You'll find the fly ash mixes with the grease  in the pans forming an easy to remove paste.

I hope the pics help answer questions on different methods of cooking on a Memphis pellet grill.  Thanks for all the kind responses.  I thought pics would be better than my words in trying to explain whether it could smoke.  I will admit I only smoked on a gas grill with pellets or wood chips in a smoke box (Weber Summit had a built in box with separate burner).  I also had a vertical propane smoker and some other propane smokers for a bit too.  I never smoked on a stick burner or something with really heavy smoke so I don't miss a taste I never knew if you get what I mean.  I can't complain about anything that I have ever cooked on it.

I am just so torn I need more input so I am completely satisfied with my choice.

You're possibly torn because you're considering other pits.  If so, which one(s).  Members here are likely able to help you differentiate between them.

I don’t think they like you to compare another cooker in Said Manufacturers thread section. I posted about the other very recently.

I know this doesn’t speak directly to your question, but will a new pellet cooker be used more for smoking or more for grilling... or evenly split?

I am trying to have 1 device do both very well and my wife requires it to be push button and I need it to last a very long time. 

Re cleaning; You would be hard pressed to find anything easier. With the split grates that are just slid to the side to access the one piece, easy to lift out heat deflector, the burn pot is exposed..Fly ash is mostly contained under the heat shield.. As stated above, no drip bucket- a major plus... I replaced the disposable aluminum pans with permanent steel baking pans.  You'll find the fly ash mixes with the grease  in the pans forming an easy to remove paste.

Thank you, very helpful.

Thanks Bar-B-Lew....you’ve been extremely helpful and I think this thread will be a great addition to the websites content because of everyone’s help.

Depends on what elite is to you.

To me, an elite pellet cooker for smoking is the FEC 120. So, in that sense the answer would be no.

However, as you have seen in this thread ELITE food can be made on this level of cooker with little effort. And, IMO, all the cookers in its class can achieve the same with little differences here and there.

My advice is this. Get the cooker that you keep thinking about. There is no real WRONG or bad choice unless you want a unit that can make Napoli pizzas in 90 seconds. But, the one you keep thinking about WILL keep nagging at you if you don't buy it first even if the other unit does a fine job.

Depends on what elite is to you.

To me, an elite pellet cooker for smoking is the FEC 120. So, in that sense the answer would be no.

However, as you have seen in this thread ELITE food can be made on this level of cooker with little effort. And, IMO, all the cookers in its class can achieve the same with little differences here and there.

My advice is this. Get the cooker that you keep thinking about. There is no real WRONG or bad choice unless you want a unit that can make Napoli pizzas in 90 seconds. But, the one you keep thinking about WILL keep nagging at you if you don't buy it first even if the other unit does a fine job.

Probably why I have a patio full of grills.  I was not aware of this type of forum when I made my first purchase, and not sure some of the options I have were even around then.  Your advise is very sound IMO especially if there are financial, space, or other constraints when making the decision.