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[rdsbucks]

PG 500 has doors while the PG 1000 has a hood design. The PG1000 is insulated. There’s a bit more shelf space around the cooking area with the 1000. Cooking area is pretty much the same. What’s around it is quite different.

Ok that's what I was gathering I just wasn't sure if there was anything else I was missing.  I wish it also had a bigger cooking space along with all the other stuff.

I get the desire for more cooking space. I have had more cooking space...but I am yet to miss it with the PG500. And I wouldn't trade that amazing char broiler for more space. I just don't need it. That char broiler makes other pit comparisons almost unfair.

[jacksdad]

A few thoughts-
I wouldn’t spend 2-3k on a smoker that’s gonna have 3/4 of its use at 2hrs or less.  I also would not buy a smoker for 500+ degree grilling.  I most definitely would not buy a smoker that didn’t have a second shelf.

Well I did and I've never been happier.  Just because you think it wouldn't work for YOU doesn't mean it wouldn't work for someone else. 

Pretty sure OP was looking for opinions and experiences.  Would you prefer I didn’t share mine?

[texasbrew]

I have a PG500 that is coming up on 7 years old.  It is a great cooker and I love the fact that I can grill without have to move around grates or anything like that.  I also like the versatility of the zones in that I can cook steaks, baked potatoes, some sort of grilled vegetables, and warm a loaf of bread in the warming drawer all at the same time (also can warm a plate for the food on top of the grill on the flat surface).  I also like the ash dump drawer.  I have done 2 packers on the cooker (it takes a little bit of extra effort to rotate the briskets but not a big deal.  Lastly, I love the controller.  While wifi is nice for controlling some things I don't find it necessary for my cooker.  I prefer the ability to allow for bigger temp swings if I can get more smoke production.

As far as the OP goes, I would suggest that you list out your cooks that you typically do along with what you expect to do and see if one sort of cooker lends itself to those cooks.  Also, you might want to consider if others would be cooking on the cooker.  I know that my wife and daughter like the fact that they can turn on the cooker and not have to worry about moving around grates to grill some food.

Best of luck with your decision!

[Maynerd]

A few thoughts-
I wouldn’t spend 2-3k on a smoker that’s gonna have 3/4 of its use at 2hrs or less.  I also would not buy a smoker for 500+ degree grilling.  I most definitely would not buy a smoker that didn’t have a second shelf.

Well I did and I've never been happier.  Just because you think it wouldn't work for YOU doesn't mean it wouldn't work for someone else. 

Pretty sure OP was looking for opinions and experiences.  Would you prefer I didn’t share mine?

True and thanks for sharing everyone!

[Yellow-03]

Another PG500 owner here, and another very satisfied owner.  The charbroiler really does work exceptionally well.  Note I also have an FEC-100, so when I need more smoking space I have that covered... not everyone will have this option, though.

[Maynerd]

Another PG500 owner here, and another very satisfied owner.  The charbroiler really does work exceptionally well.  Note I also have an FEC-100, so when I need more smoking space I have that covered... not everyone will have this option, though.

Yeah the PG500 is certainly high on my list.  So many decisions.  I may just say screw it all and go cheap and put getting a high end grill/smoker on hold for a couple of years.

[glitchy]

I apologize if I missed it, but what is your current grill and why do you need to replace it? Maybe you could get a new controller or something to tide you over until you decide what you want for a high end. Maybe a set of GrillGrates is what you’re looking for? Or GMG’s pizza oven insert?

I’ve had 2 Traegers, a GMG, and now a Memphis and as far as food taste and appearance the only difference I’ve personally noticed the amount of ash different designs let fly around and potentially landi on you food. I can vouch that my Memphis produces the cleanest looking food that I’ve made. This was actually my biggest deciding factor in buying a high end grill. I looked at tons of other member’s finished food pics when I was deciding.

[Bar-B-Lew]

I apologize if I missed it, but what is your current grill and why do you need to replace it? Maybe you could get a new controller or something to tide you over until you decide what you want for a high end. Maybe a set of GrillGrates is what you’re looking for? Or GMG’s pizza oven insert?

I’ve had 2 Traegers, a GMG, and now a Memphis and as far as food taste and appearance the only difference I’ve personally noticed the amount of ash different designs let fly around and potentially landi on you food. I can vouch that my Memphis produces the cleanest looking food that I’ve made. This was actually my biggest deciding factor in buying a high end grill. I looked at tons of other member’s finished food pics when I was deciding.

I wonder if that is because there is very little room for ash to build up in the fire pot of the Memphis versus that of most of the other pellet grills on the market.

[sleebus.jones]

...the only difference I’ve personally noticed the amount of ash different designs let fly around and potentially landi on you food.

Well that's because you haven't used a PG500/1000   

[glitchy]

Well that's because you haven't used a PG500/1000   

It was number two on my list. I wanted more smoking space than it offered, especially since I had a Traeger Texas at that time. I’d love to have a Memphis and a PG500 though.

[sleebus.jones]

Well that's because you haven't used a PG500/1000   

It was number two on my list. I wanted more smoking space than it offered, especially since I had a Traeger Texas at that time. I’d love to have a Memphis and a PG500 though.

Yeah, the size puts people off, for sure. I've had good luck so far though.

If I had my druthers, I'd have a CB024 and a FEC-100.  Then I'd be set for anything.   

[rdsbucks]

Well that's because you haven't used a PG500/1000   

It was number two on my list. I wanted more smoking space than it offered, especially since I had a Traeger Texas at that time. I’d love to have a Memphis and a PG500 though.

Yeah, the size puts people off, for sure. I've had good luck so far though.

If I had my druthers, I'd have a CB024 and a FEC-100.  Then I'd be set for anything.   

This!

[Yellow-03]

I rather like my combo of a PG500 along with an FEC-100.  The reason is that I have found that I am also using the PG500 for many baking type applications at 350F or 400F where I would previously use the indoor oven.  It works great at these temps, and you can easily manipulate this a bit to gain a bit more heat without changing settings on the grill by taking advantage of the natural zones.  While the FEC-100 will go upwards of 400F, I tend to never go north of 300F, and then I don't have to worry about grease fires if I've recently done a big pork butt cook or something similar.

[KrautBurner]

Hey Maynerd !!

what did you decide?

Another PG500 owner here, and another very satisfied owner.  The charbroiler really does work exceptionally well.  Note I also have an FEC-100, so when I need more smoking space I have that covered... not everyone will have this option, though.

Yeah the PG500 is certainly high on my list.  So many decisions.  I may just say screw it all and go cheap and put getting a high end grill/smoker on hold for a couple of years.

looking at your list of requirements,  I think this sounds like the PG500 would be a great way to go
I'd love to get one for myself,   but I feel that I need the space to cook more/bigger food  (it's really nice to be able to cook 2 briskets (if not more)
I'm personally looking at a REC-TEC RT700 (with the competition cart and the cold smoke box) or the Yoder 680

[ZCZ]

You can PM Trooper if you have questions about the Memphis Advantage.  He also had a Mak at one time.
The Advantage is a nice pit.  I had one before upgrading to a Memohis Pro.

Al