Vertical pellet smoker

[turd]

I'm kicking around the idea of getting a vertical pellet smoker. Looking at the 3 series copperhead from Pit Boss. Anyone have any experience with these? There are only two of us and we seldom smoke more than 2 racks of ribs or one ham or chuck roast at a time. Would like a blue tooth version so I can monitor it from inside. I do like the set and forget, but I do like to check it from time to time.

Comments? I've been using a Masterbuilt vertical propane smoker for years, but I hate having to sit with it to monitor the temp for the 3 - 5 hours it takes.

 

[gnappi]

Check out smoking meat forums at:

Welcome to SMF!

www.smokingmeatforums.com

 

[WAYNO]

Allow me to respond without exactly addressing your question...

Pellet grills/smokers are relatively new to me.

That said, I bought a Traeger grill a year and a half ago. It works well for foods that are expected to cook a long time. I use it often, and everything turns out good. I have been around a cousin's wifi/bluetooth pellet grill, and it is problematic and untrustable. Mine holds temperature well enough, for a long cook, wifi control is unnecessary to me.

There's more to smoking than just smoking. My neighbor is quite an artist on his grill/smoker, and his results are world class. He has a separate smoking box on his Traeger, creating cold smoke. I don't know all the differences or how it works, but his wonderful results, he claims, are a result of cold smoke.

I also don't believe one brand is better than another. Every one I looked at was made in China. They all have features different than the others, and you've just gotta decide which features suit you best,






.

 

[Kevin]

Why a vertical smoker? Do they have an advantage over say an offset smoker?


@WAYNO has written a lot about his pellet smoker. You might be able to search his past comments either here or on Google.

I've got a wood offset smoker Lone Star Grillz (and I hate they spelled it with a Z) They used to be in Willis Texas, not sure where they are now.

There is a smoker forum BBQ Brethren. I used to be a member there, but had to quit. They love to post pictures of half eaten meat. It's absolutely disgusting. But they want you to see what it looks like on the inside. Which is crazy.

But there is lots of good information there. Just don't look at the pictures!

 

[lowwall]

I don't know anything about the Pit Boss but I bought a New Weber 600 Searwood Pellet Smoker with Blue Tooth this year. It is the smaller version and it has been a very good smoker. Everything we have cooked on it has turned out very good.

 

[nrobe50]

I have a Pitt Boss coppertop series 7. I have used it quite a bit and it does a great job. There is a bit of a learning curve. I don't use the internal temp probes but instead use a ThermoPro TP20 from amazon. The only thing that I don't like about the vertical pellet grill is the control display is below the door and gets dirty and is hard to read especially in the sunlight. I have smoked mostly ribs and pork butts. They really don't work for cold smoking but I use a Pellet Smoker Tube, again from Amazon. Why in hell didn't I buy some Amazon stock years ago when I started using them

 

[gnappi]

Allow me to respond without exactly addressing your question...

Pellet grills/smokers are relatively new to me.

That said, I bought a Traeger grill a year and a half ago. It works well for foods that are expected to cook a long time. I use it often, and everything turns out good. I have been around a cousin's wifi/bluetooth pellet grill, and it is problematic and untrustable. Mine holds temperature well enough, for a long cook, wifi control is unnecessary to me.

There's more to smoking than just smoking. My neighbor is quite an artist on his grill/smoker, and his results are world class. He has a separate smoking box on the front of his Traeger, creating cold smoke. I don't know all the differences, but his wonderful results, he claims, are a result of cold smoke.

I also don't believe one brand is better than another. Every one I looked at was made in China. They all have features different than the others, and you've just gotta decide which features suit you best,

My stainless charcoal smoker was made by Meco and unless they've changed operations they were made in the U.S.

Smokers - Americana Grills

americanagrills.com

 

[WAYNO]

I know nothing about MECO charcoal grills. I am glad they are American made.

 

[Bullthrower338]

Love my vertical pit boss but only use it for large projects, 15-20 tri tips at a time or 4-6 briskets. Get a regular pellet grill for smaller jobs like you are doing. You will be happy with it. I have found the green mountain or Pitt boss gets hotter for searing. The Treager does a nice job but will not get as hot per my experience

 

[jav]

I have a Pitt boss like treager it works well I like it because it's not real big it's the Lexington if I am not mistaken it's perfect size for the two of us some guest . I would think one would want a vertical one if you want to smoke big stuff .

 

[turd]

Thanks for all the replies. As I said, I am not new to smoking meat. I've decided to stay with what I have. Just need to pick a day when I can watch temps, the smoker does well as is. I use wood chunks, not chips, so get good performance.