Looking for tips of a pellet smoker pitboss vs Traeger vs camp chef (or any others)

[JamesB]

Whatevs.......fwiw I do think the wifi technology is helpful......especially for long cooks.

Agreed! After using wifire, I wouldn’t buy one without it.
If I have to babysit something, I’ll just use my offset….Much better flavor than anything I can cook on a pellet grill.
I bought a pellet grill for convenience, and IMO it’s very good at that.

 

[coskunvid]

Where I am, only Traeger and Pitboss are available. Camp Chef has some awesome features but I have no idea what build quality is like. get-vidmate.com instagram saver

I went with Traeger over Pitboss because of the build quality. Traeger was built with better materials. A lot sturdier. Pitboss seemed flimsy to me.

 

[piggyfatboy]

I recently bought an Ironwood 885 (smoking deal price matching at the Depot) and went to season it and wouldn't let me set a temp above 260 (which sucks for a first impression) so I contacted Traeger help through the app and got someone very fast, did some troubleshooting and determined the controller was bad, so they are sending me a new one, also a Traeger hat for "compensation" (I know its nothing too crazy but I was looking at buying one anyhow) so hopefully in a few days when new controller arrives I can fire it up and give some feedback on how it works, very much excited to make some RIBS!!

 

[O C]

I sold my Pro575 to my brother after getting the CharGriller 980. The 980 is ok, but I regret selling the 575. I was trying to get back to using charcoal, I also have a kamado and wanted to have only one fuel to stock. The Pro575 was a great grill. No issues using the insulated cover. Great food and convenience.
The good news is my brother got a great deal on the 575, and handed down his old traeger to our nephew

 

[Treater Since 2008]

Starting my preliminary research into what I want. I have been arguing with my dad who says the Pitboss is better because it’s a much better value than the other two. I’m primarily interested in this Traeger but he wants the larger pit boss I think with 700 square inches (is that how they are measured? Idk) anyways. What should I be looking for and what are your takes on these? Do the more expensive ones have better warranty/ components?https://solitaire.onl/ 9apps.ooo/ https://bluestacks.vip/

I’m on my second Traeger. The first was great. The second, not so great. The temperature control is off (low) 20 degrees. I added an analog thermometer to watch the temp. Now that I confirmed it’s 20 deg off, I can manage by setting the temp 20 deg higher than I used to and use a pocket meat thermometer to check meat temps…not the probes that came with the grill.
Temperature control seems to be a common issue with Traeger. You’d think with all the complaints, they’d do something about it.
I suggest you do more research. Read testimonials about temperature on other brands.
I can only speak for myself, but unless the temp control issue is fixed by the time I buy my next grill, it won’t be a Traeger.

 

[M.Wong]

I have been pleasantly surprised that according to my Fireboard2, my Ironwood 885 purchased in November isn't as far off as I expected. It shows about 5 to 7 degrees F high when cooking at 225.

 

[miguelb]

I have been pleasantly surprised that according to my Fireboard2, my Ironwood 885 purchased in November isn't as far off as I expected. It shows about 5 to 7 degrees F high when cooking at 225.

Same here. Usually at much higher temp it's can be off but I don't cook at high temp as much. Having my temp constant at smoke level is great for me.

 

[davwhite]

I was going to buy the Traeger that was on QVC and seen it was made in China.Well looked at the pit Boss 1100 at Lowes(also made in China}It was the same price $500 but without the free Pellets and Cover.
Looked liked the Pit Boss was a more heavy steel (weighing 50lbs more}I am sure back in the day Traeger was KING.But seems everyone are making Smokers..I am very happy with my Pit Boss with their 5 year Warrenty,only thing I need to do is too learn to smoke lol...…...JT

Isn't Pit Boss made by the original Traeger Brothers? Made it similar to Traeger and ended up in court costing them heaps.

 

[RustyJake]

Isn't Pit Boss made by the original Traeger Brothers? Made it similar to Traeger and ended up in court costing them heaps.

Traeger Grills wins lawsuits against Pit Boss, founding family members

Traeger CEO says there are still outstanding legal issues on allegations competitor illegally copied pellet grill design elements

www.deseret.com

 

[BBQLUV]

My biggest thing with traeger is just the convenience. I literally feel like I’m cheating when I cook my food. The wifire capabilities and recipes on the app are stupid easy to use/follow. I started smoking meat about 2 years ago on a big green egg and was so frustrated with trying to control the temp. In just a few months with my traeger I am killing ribs, pork butt, and brisket. I would say if you are new to the smoker game traeger is the way to go. I live close to work and have the freedom of coming and going so when my traeger app alerts me that my internal temp of whatever I’m smoking is where I want it and I can run home and wrap it or even set it to warm from the app if I can’t get home makes things super easy. In reference to your question about traeger models I feel like the biggest difference I see in the timberline compared to the ironwoods and other models is the double insulated walls in the grill. For me that was huge because I live in Illinois and one day it can be -50 and the next day it can be 83. This grill holds temp like a beast in the winter no problem. Luckily for me my grill is inside on a screened in porch so it’s sort of protected from wind and weather but I truly believe I’d see more temp fluctuations if it wasn’t for the timberline design. Hope that helps.

Ditto on all counts.

 

[mikeytee]

The factory where they build the Yoder Smokers is about 30 miles from my house. I'd like to find an "in" with somebody who works there to see if they get a discount, don't know too many Mennonites. Around here they don't carry them in big box stores.

 

[Mimi]

I own a Traeger 780. Works great other than the temp probe. But honestly, I am not tasting all the rave about any smokers. I never seem to get that “smoke” favor at all.

 

[Lbeberdick]

Might want to take a look at Grilla.

I bought a Grilla it failed to light on second cook. i sent it back and bought a Traeger.

 

[Lbeberdick]

I own a Traeger 780. Works great other than the temp probe. But honestly, I am not tasting all the rave about any smokers. I never seem to get that “smoke” favor at all.

Yeah, learn to live with it. or buy some smoke tubes. Pellet grills (GRILLS) burn too clean to provide much smoke flavor, I really liked my Vertical electric smoke. great smoke flavor. good luck.

 

[Treater Since 2008]

Do some research and go with what you learn. I’m on my second traeger and honestly, it’ll be my last. after ruining 2 racks of ribs with the second Treager, I figured out it cooks 20 degrees cooled than the temp indicator showed. I installed an okd fashioned analog temp thermostat and all is well now. But for the money we all pay for what we expect to be accurate temp indicators, I think you might do better with another manufacturer. Good luck.