Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits > Which Pit Should I Choose?

Traeger 22 Replacement/Upgrade

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Blaze_Wyo:
Hi all, I just discovered this forum and have been reading everything I can find on here; but I still need some direct guidance.

I currently have a 6 year old Traeger 22 that is near end of life for me and my family. My initial plan was to replace it with a Traeger Ironwood 885; which my brother-in-law purchased last summer and has been very happy with. However, I have also been looking at others; GMG, Weber SmokeFire, and Pit Boss as those are what I can touch and feel at local stores. But, now that I have discovered this amazing community I have unearthed many new grills I am considering. General info about my use. I live in Northern Colorado and use my grill year around (even in the snow and sub 40 degree weather). We like to grill lots of different types of meats, vegetables, fruits, pizza, and dessert type items. Baking breads on the Traeger has probable been the most unexpected and rewarding.

So here it is; based on size, features, and cost the pellet grills I am considering. Being that I have a Traeger, it is my front runner, but I want to hear from this community. Thanks in advance!!

Traeger Grills Ironwood 885
Louisiana Grills LG 800 Elite Deluxe
Rec-Tec RT-700
Blaz'n Grill Grid Iron (with a few upgrade options)
Weber Smokefire Ex6 (2nd Gen)
Pitts & Smitts Maverick 850

glitchy:
I’ve had a few Traegers and they are fine grills. However, I’d probably never buy another because of their support and corporate practices. They botched the D2 rollout with a bad firmware issue on the Pro 585 & 8XX. Then they insulted the customers when they called in to report the issue. They later fixed in with firmware updates, but never really acknowledged it. Now they are suing GMG for things GMG created years before them.

The SmokeFires have a lot of potential, but are very moody. Weber is still learning software development and have put out many updates causing wonky behaviors. I really liked mine when it ran well, but got tired of drastic behavior changes every couple months and sometimes broken features for a couple months. Like right now Smoke Boost is Russian roulette on whether it will flame out or not. A few months back they broke app notifications for a couple months.

In your list, I’d look hardest at the Pitts & Spitts. I have no hands on cooking experience with one, but saw one in a store and thought it looked very well made.

You might also look at the MAK 1 Star. It comes with a FlameZone, pellet dump, and roaming RTD now and I think the 1 Stars also get the lifetime warranty. 100% American made, even the allen wrench set they include for assembly. Minimally more expensive than the BlazN or Maverick if you start including options like direct grilling and stainless grates that are already included on the MAK. They gladly welcome calls if you have any questions about their grills.

BigDave83:
Out of your list, my first look would be Blazin, I wish I had known of them before I made my first purchase. Next would be Pitts and Spitts. Everything I have read or watched on the Smokefire you either love it or you hate it. I like the potential of it but it would be nice to see more consistent cooks with out issues. Even some of the lovers seem to have theirs just mess up for no reason during a cook. There is a company called Grilla, they make a nice one that if I was looking to save a few bucks I would go with for sure, the lower part of the barrel is double walled has SS internals and the thing that seals it for me is their controller can be run as PID or Non PID. I am not sure if their WIFi controller is ready I think I read they are sill testing it, it was to be ready late last year.

A guy I got into a group buy on pellets with close to me has a MAK 2 star, I looked at it, it looks like it is well built I really liked it after looking a it. I would also toss Cookshack into your list to look at, I have one of their electric units that is 18ish years old, probably gets used as much or more than my pellet cookers and just keeps going. I have replaced the cooking grates because the chrome was wearing off.

 Now for the disclaimer I do not and have not owned any of the ones mentioned, I have owned a RECTEC, GMG an Pit Boss. Out of those 3 the GMG is the best hands down. It may not be built like a tank, but it just works well and produces a great product.

 Good luck on your search hope you find one that lives up to your needs.

pmillen:
I have an opinion (don't we all?).  I think the top three pellet pits are (in alphabetical order)–

* Cookshack PG500 or 1000
* MAK
* MemphisI wouldn't argue with anyone who rearranged that order by preference.

You may want to copy the list of questions in this thread, type in your answers and let the long-term pellet pit users here make recommendations.

Brushpopper:
Welcome to PF!  I really like my Maverick 850.  It holds temps very well and is frugal on pellet use.  I don't have to worry about cooking in snow (except for four days last month and we didn't have electricity anyway), but when it's cold here I throw the insulating blanket off of my GMG on it.  I liked my GMG when I had it and sometimes wish I didn't sell it.  The only reason I did was because I needed the room in my barn and couldn't justify two grills taking up space since our daughter is about to go off to college.  Good luck in your search.

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