Anyone use a pellet smoker? How do you like it and what do you cook in it?

[cantdrv55]

A neighbor is selling his Traeger Tailgater for $250. It’s in pretty good condition for its age and cleaned up too. A new, bigger model is $900 at Costco so I’m thinking this used one is a good deal. What do you cook in yours and is it easy to use and keep clean? Where did you get your recipes?

[KFC911]

I recall that Sidney, BarettaF and others have raved about theirs some years back ... mebbe do a search while we wait on Tabby ?

[lindbhr]

That's not much money to get in the game and try one out. Go to All Things BBQ (Atbbq) website and check chef Tom's recipes and videos. He uses primarily Yoder pellet smokers, but most of those recipes would work for you. Good Luck!

[E38Driver]

I have a Traeger and use it often. Did a brisket for father's day, baby back ribs last weekend, bacon wrapped meatloaf last night. Mine gets used a lot. Wife has even done an apple pie on it. Everything from steaks to desert. You can use it like an oven. I have a ton of cast iron pans and will put all types of veggies in a pan to cook while what ever meat is going.

Check out the Traeger web site for ideas and recipes.

Dave

[dad911]

Love ours. Ribs, brisket, etc. A friend said he smoked cheese, we haven't tried it yet.

[glewis80SC]

I have a Yoder and use it all the time...brisket, pulled pork, ribs, chicken, fish, meatloaf, pizza... I can even use it as a grill for steaks. Do it !

[matthewb0051]

To answer the question:

NO, I still have my man card.

[DerkPerk]

Love my ReqTeq. Use it for a ton of things. Duck, fish, pork, and venison. I don’t like using it to make things like burgers or steaks as it burns through a lot of pellets when set really hot. Set it and forget it!


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[glewis80SC]

Originally Posted by matthewb0051

To answer the question:

NO, I still have my man card.

This makes no sense.

[berettafan]

I have a Yoder pellet and love it. Much heavier construction BUT they all cook the same IME. I've done my ribs on pellet, kamado and weber smoky mountain and by far the most consistent results are on the pellet. My ribs bring a tear to my eye even after years of cooking them. Just so friggin good. I'm talkin' DAYUM these are good ribs.

Also enjoy various types of chicken and fish on it.

Potential negative is some folks want more smoke flavor on their meats. I'm pretty happy with less.

[berettafan]

Chicken from a couple weeks ago.



Duck/goose




Ribs




Salmon

[cantdrv55]

I’m getting hungry!

[craigster59]

I've got one of the larger Traegers with the Bluetooth app.

I also have a Weber Kettle, a Kamado (similar to BGE) and a Weber Genesis gas grill.

What I used to do on the Kamado I can do much easier on the Traeger. it really is "set it and forget it". I can work around the house, make a run to the hardware store etc. without messing with vents and wood chunks.

I've done a lot, but mostly ribs (6 hours) and wings (2 hours). Always a hit....

[berettafan]

Oh man those wings!!!

Been experimenting with honey/old bay lately. Haven’t nailed it, but will keep trying until I do.


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[E38Driver]

Made this the other day. Smoked cream cheese. 225 for an hour and put on a cracker.

Dave

[E38Driver]

This was the Wagyu brisket I did for Father's day. 11 hours

Dave

[cantdrv55]

I’m convinced! I’m buying the smoker tonight.

[Instrument 41]

I have 3 smokers. Pellet, Off set vertical and smaller water and charcoal smoker. each does different things. The BEST think about a pellet. ..its a set it and forget it smoker. No worries about maintaining correct fire. However the drawback is the surface area. In some pellet smokers you can be limited by the size of what your cooking. Other than that its a real easy way to get into cooking on a smoker.

[E38Driver]

Lowes has a good price on pellets. So does Sam's club.

Dave

[berettafan]

btw my first pellet grill was a GMG table top probably similar to the tailgater. it cooked insanely good ribs. something about that smaller space was just magic.