Pellet Fan
All Things Considered => General Discussion--Non food Related => Topic started by: wilpark on January 30, 2018, 09:11:26 PM
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I know this varies depending on how much you spend. To get 5 years from a $5000.00 pit isnt going to make me happy but if I got 5 years from a sub$1000.00 pit I would be satisfied.
If my GMG lasted me 5 years at the rate Im smoking at I would be very happy even if I had to replace parts. I approximate my yearly usage to about 600 lbs of pellet.
How about you fine folks? What is your usage in pellets per year? And how long do you expect your grill to last?
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I expect my smoker to outlast me. Obvious point would be that some parts would need to be replaced as they age, but the stainless shell should be solid as I take care of it. My pellet usage varies quite a bit; I feel like I haven't reached equilibrium, yet. Last year, my first year with my MAK, I used about 300lbs.; I'm looking to burn about 500 lbs this year as I cook on it more and get better at it.
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That's what I am expecting!
I expect my smoker to outlast me.
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Like you said, price point makes a difference, but I would hope to get a minimum of 5 years out of any pellet grill. I'd hope more for 10 years and probably expect that as a minimum from a $1000+ unit.
That's a great thought provoking question.
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Interesting question. My Traeger 070 went through a control, heat rod and cabinet fan, all under warranty. Barrel was also replaced for excess smoke leakage. I thought it would be dumpster bait after warranty ended. To my surprise and somewhat disappointment, [killed upgrade plans] it has worked flawless, now approaching it's 10th birthday. Only $ I have spent was for an Ortech controller. Got my 400 degree back and gained the cool down cycle.
My expectations of a higher quality pit at this point would be meet or exceed what I have, with updated features.
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Assuming I don’t get the itch down the road for the latest and greatest, I don’t think it would be possible to wear out a MAK. IMO, it was a buy once, cry once purchase.
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Outlast me camp! Only change if must have bigger or latest update comes along
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Definitely not trying to shorten my time here, but I too, expect it to outlast me!
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I’m not sure I expect mine to outlast me, but As long as parts are available I would expect 20 years. I go through ~400 lbs per year.
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We got the Memphis Pro in early 2010 and it still works like a charm. It has been hauled to numerous competitions in a small trailer traveling from LA to KC (several times), California to Virginia, and Virginia to Indiana and Kentucky. I would say it has traveled tens of thousands of miles. It has cooked thousands of hours of cooks, everything from long low and slow cooks to high heat short cooks. It is a bit dirtier than when it was new, but that is on us. And the cooking is the same as 5 years ago. I think it will last forever!
I got my GMG Daniel Boone in 2011. Used frequently for the first two years in Vegas, traveled to some comps and traveled back to Virginia in the move. Since 2014 been in storage and only pulled out occasionally because we only keep one pit on the patio. But it has fired up with not much effort when needed, so has also been a fine pit that is lasting.
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I think I would expect 20 yrs from my Memphis Elite & Pro. I keep an extra controller,fan,auger motor, temp sensor & meat probe on hand but I think the main unit will last that long at least. There is probably still some original Treagers still kickin.
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I just bought my Memphis Elite in December and it should outlive me-to be fair, I am 67 so perhaps 20 years is realistic.
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My GMG's are all 9 years old and the Traeger is 10 (I think, bought it used) The Davey Crocket is about 4 months old.
Zero complaints here and I would have no bad feelings if they gave out but other than a few parts here and there they show no signs of giving up.
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Back in the day, when harvesting grain in the fall, your harvest window is about 5-6 weeks so you want to get the most out each day (we never harvested on Sunday just a bad omen and had bad luck when we did it once. We always made sure we greased, lubed, oiled, cleaned (especially air cleaners and air filters), tightened chains the equipment to ensure everything was running as well as it should. I still live by this motto today "you take care of it, it will take care of you". That's the same motto I use on my GMG DB. It sits outside under a cover, through rain, sun, sleet, snow. I'll use it around 3 times a week. Been through 3 controllers, a wiring harness, and two thermo couplers of which GMG has covered all parts on going on year #5.
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I expect I’ll get bored of my grand slam before my grand slam wears out.
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10 years or until I get bored and want to try something new.
DK
PS Friend had a 6 year old lil Tex. He says it died (without much of any troubleshooting). Went out and bought a new Texas knockoff. Gave the Tex away on Craigslist. Most likely a new Ortech controller and someone has a less than $100 investment in a pit that will last for years to come.
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These are some great replies. I, unfortunately, have a disposable mentality. I dont want a 10 year old computer, car, cellphone, etc. And i would like an excuse to upgrade from my GMG JB amd RecTec 680.
But I suppose my two pits will last many, many years. For the price paid and hours of service even a $5000.00 pit is a worth investment
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My Traeger Li'l Tex was 5 years old when the end of the auger tube eroded past the fire pot. Traeger won't sell the assembly for some reason. Luckily I was to acquire a like new replacement..Rust: chimney cap edges, lid and a few small spot in the body...Installed a stainless steel kit to compensate.. Ground and painted the few small rust pits. Kept it clean and polished . Two hot rods and one fire pot were replaced. Controller readout wouldn't fully display when cold ,at times.. Stored under cover, covered..Never covered if wet.. Yearly pellet consumption 400 lbs ish. Cooking temps mostly, smoke and 325º.
Now I have a Memphis Pro..It was hard for me to convince myself to spend all that $$$. With free shipping and discount for the non wifi model, I was convinced. I didn't wan't wifi anyway.
The only problem I expect to have is the igniter at some point..Now I go thru almost 80 lbs of pellets per month..Extrapolate to 800 lbs/yr. I slow down in winter..
Not only do I expect the Pro to outlive me. I find it so easy to maintain. It's 1/10th the work of the Traeger. No bucket or grease trough. It heats up quickly, maintains heat and can get far hotter.Direct flame cooking to boot... The long and short is, in the end it should end up costing less and consuming fewer pellets due to its efficiency.
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I would assume as long as im taking care of it the structural parts of my grill will last 20+ years. I do figure there will be component repair or replacement along the way but no different the long term ownership of my other toys.
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I'm in the Memphis camp, had my Pro for 5 years, just replaced the igniter, first and only issue. If I wanted to spend the time and effort I could make it look almost brand new. Seems with the rare and occasional fix this thing will outlast me easy (I'm 57)