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Author Topic: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use  (Read 3461 times)

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TravlinMan

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Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« on: July 06, 2021, 01:06:01 PM »
Bought at end of year Clearance from Menards - 2019 - Price after rebate $150

So far I like the little grill.  I set it up on a Harbor Freight tool cart with the top tray installed upside down to make an upper flat surface.

For a little grill, it seems to maintain the set temperatures really well and appears to cook fairly even across the entire cooking surface.

I noticed some smoke coming from the hopper lid while using it, as mentioned in earlier posts here.  Although I never experienced a hopper fire with this unit, the smoke gave me enough concern to try a ‘back yard fix’ by adding some more ventilation holes in the back of the cover along side of the factory ventilation holes.  This appears to have helped greatly on preventing the cooking side back pressure to migrate through the auger and into the pellet hopper. So far, the smoke from the hopper has diminished to a point I do not even notice it any more..

Overall, for the price, I have been very happy with this little smoker/grill… It has been ideal for just me and the wife for little quick cooks and is a lot thriftier on pellets for firing up for just a burger, a dog or two.. :bbq:

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Edited for missed words and to correct the auto correct.      :rotf:
« Last Edit: July 06, 2021, 01:37:56 PM by TravlinMan »
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Memphis Pro * Louisiana Grills LG-700 * Country Smoker Traveller * Traeger PTG

02ebz06

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #1 on: July 06, 2021, 01:37:52 PM »
Hard to pass up for that price. Nice score!
I like your hack. Cool idea.
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Bruce here - These are my cooking toys:
Lone Star Grillz 20x42 Pellet Grill (on order),   CampChef XXL Vertical Pellet Smoker,   Grilla Grills Primate (on order),   Pizza Party Emozione pizza oven

Canadian John

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #2 on: July 06, 2021, 03:18:12 PM »
 
  Always nice to read a good review that had had a true test of time especially when mods are involved.   Reducing the exhaust restriction aimed @ hopper smoke reduction/elimination is interesting. Has that

 affected cooking in any way at all?

  Good move on the inverted cart shelf!
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TravlinMan

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #3 on: July 07, 2021, 09:05:48 AM »
Quote from: Canadian John on July 06, 2021, 03:18:12 PM

  Always nice to read a good review that had had a true test of time especially when mods are involved.   Reducing the exhaust restriction aimed @ hopper smoke reduction/elimination is interesting. Has that

 affected cooking in any way at all?

  Good move on the inverted cart shelf!

The cooking hasn’t been affected in any way that I have noticed.

The Harbor Freight rolling tool cart was what I initially set up for the Traeger PTG and the GMG Davy Crockett years back when the ‘other site’ was active.

There was a lively discussion about what people were using for stands/carts for their portable grills.  This is what I ended up using, and have been very pleased with it also.  I also mounted a $5 clearance ‘char-griller’ propane side burner on the left side.  Which doubles nicely as a side shelf when not in use.
« Last Edit: July 07, 2021, 09:09:28 AM by TravlinMan »
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Memphis Pro * Louisiana Grills LG-700 * Country Smoker Traveller * Traeger PTG

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #4 on: July 07, 2021, 01:16:27 PM »
I have my Blackstone griddle on a cart like that.  Makes it easy to move it around.  Can you show a pic of the char-griller on the side?  I need a shelf on the side of mine and that might be just the ticket.
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And the party never ends!!" by Robert Earl Keen; Woodwind Pro 24 with Sidekick Sear and griddle top

okie smokie

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #5 on: July 07, 2021, 03:19:07 PM »
Bought one for my son to use with motor home trips. He loves it.  Two things:  Leave it open when grates are open for steaks and burgers. Clean out the grease after fatty cooks.  No mention of back burning or reverse smoke.  Also, the right edge of grates is hotter, so move the meat around or cook in the middle. 
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TravlinMan

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #6 on: July 07, 2021, 08:57:22 PM »
Quote from: Brushpopper on July 07, 2021, 01:16:27 PM
I have my Blackstone griddle on a cart like that.  Makes it easy to move it around.  Can you show a pic of the char-griller on the side?  I need a shelf on the side of mine and that might be just the ticket.

Here it is back in 2014 with the GMG Davy Crockett on the cart and the side burner in action.  The side burner is/was a Char-Griller side burner attachment.  I believe new list price was around $20, this one was on clearance at Meijer(local Michigan Store) for $5..   To mount the side burner - I ended up drilling new holes in the Side burner Assembly to mount it..  The cover/lid folds down to become a flat surface working area. It works well for what it is…

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« Last Edit: July 07, 2021, 08:59:32 PM by TravlinMan »
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Memphis Pro * Louisiana Grills LG-700 * Country Smoker Traveller * Traeger PTG

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2021, 12:53:45 PM »
Thanks!  I'll look for one
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And the party never ends!!" by Robert Earl Keen; Woodwind Pro 24 with Sidekick Sear and griddle top

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2021, 01:06:45 PM »
I want to find one on clearance too.  They are $60 on the website.
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And the party never ends!!" by Robert Earl Keen; Woodwind Pro 24 with Sidekick Sear and griddle top

TravlinMan

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2021, 05:48:29 PM »
My how times have changed.. ???

May try regular shelf brackets with wood or cabinet top second..

Garage sales, Craig’s list, or obscure clearance sections of big box store..? Doesn’t have to too pretty, just highly functional..

For the price of regular factory shelves, this is not really out of line, especially if free shipping(didn’t look) for the ‘dual purpose’ it serves..

Although you could use regular shelf and put a portable butane camping stove or similar on it when needed..

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« Last Edit: July 08, 2021, 05:57:04 PM by TravlinMan »
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Memphis Pro * Louisiana Grills LG-700 * Country Smoker Traveller * Traeger PTG

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Re: Country Smokers Traveler - After a year of use
« Reply #10 on: July 09, 2021, 08:56:30 AM »
That would work too.  H-E-B had a pit for sale with one on the side and I liked the way it looked.  I'll use my Cheap Screw powers to search for one.
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And the party never ends!!" by Robert Earl Keen; Woodwind Pro 24 with Sidekick Sear and griddle top
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