The official Traeger thread

[Jeff Lebowski]

I think I'm going to finally join the ranks of true barbequers.

The sales rep at Costco claims that grilling on this is a breeze.

Is that true?

My grill is just about shot and I'm more inclined to finally buy a smoker if it really does grill.

Is grilling a reasonable thing to do on this bad boy? Burgers, steaks, veggies, etc?

It is great for grilling chicken and salmon. I wouldn't do either any other way. I have also grilled veggies with success. That being said, I prefer to light up my charcoal grill for steaks and veggies. I don't have a gas grill because I prefer the flavor of a charcoal grill. I got a nice one with a good size grilling area and a easy-to-use bucket for the ashes for ~$50. For me, it is a perfect combination.

Sounds like the egg or the Memphis are more versatile than the Traeger. Knowing me, I am not the type to want to babysit a lot, so the egg seems to be out. I want the remote thermometers and digital do it yourself settings. I want to put the meat in, let it cook and have people (including myself) heap praise on the end product.

You should definitely go with a pellet grill.

But the price. Oh the price.

However, for a Traeger Texas and a new grill (which I need) I'm not going to be too much more getting a unit like yours.

I'm stumped.

I guess I'll hold off getting the Traeger on Monday and do some more research.

Don't feel pressured to make a quick decision. It is easy to find good deals on Traegers these days. Take your time and avoid buyer's remorse.

If i get one of these units, is there any type of add-on that would allow me to change the temp remotely so that I don't have to manually change the temps on the long cooks?

I don't think should worry about this. You only change the temps 2-3 times at most on a typical cook. Get off your lazy ass and walk outside. You are going to want to peak at the progress now and then anyway.

[CJF]

I agree with everything JL said. I do wish there was a remote temp control. I've had to get out of bed several times in the middle of the night to adjust the temp because of too high or too low movements during the cook. I'm much better now at what I'm doing so it isn't a big deal, but it sucked when it did need to be adjusted. I'm also a lazy ass.

I absolutely love my Memphis grill. It is so easy and does a great job. Works like a champion in the cold or rain. That said, I'm not sure it is worth the extra expense over a Traeger.

[Portland Ute]

How does the pellet consumption compare with the Traeger vs Memphis?

If the Memphis uses less, over the long haul, it might be less expensive, especially if it gets used a lot.

Like fly fishing before it, this is a lifestyle that I have long been to timid to adopt out of fear of the unknown and the seeming complexity.

I've taken up fly fishing and have found that while I'm not great, I find it to be very enjoyable and not nearly as difficult as I had imagined.

BBQ is the next step in becoming a renaissance man.

After that, I'll probably learn how to read or do algebra or something like that.

[CJF]

How does the pellet consumption compare with the Traeger vs Memphis?

If the Memphis uses less, over the long haul, it might be less expensive, especially if it gets used a lot.

Memphis probably uses less in cold weather but I would guess pretty similar in warm weather. A 20 pound bag will last a brisket and ribs easily, but I've never really measured it. I usually keep the hoppers full.

[FMCoug]

Anybody know where I can get fire brick in Utah? Still fighting temp swings ...

[TripletDaddy]

Anybody know where I can get fire brick in Utah? Still fighting temp swings ...

I bought mine at Buehner Block. 2800 S. West Temple. They have half size and full size. I think they cost around $1.50 each? Pretty cheap and you can walk right in and buy as many as you want, no minimum order.

http://www.buehnerblock.com/

[FMCoug]

I bought mine at Buehner Block. 2800 S. West Temple. They have half size and full size. I think they cost around $1.50 each? Pretty cheap and you can walk right in and buy as many as you want, no minimum order.

http://www.buehnerblock.com/

Cool. I'm downtown today so gonna head there now. Did you get full or halfsize for the Traeger?

[TripletDaddy]

Cool. I'm downtown today so gonna head there now. Did you get full or halfsize for the Traeger?

i bought some of each. I think I spent maybe $17 total and still have a few sitting in my garage. It is nice to have the half-sizes (they are half as thick) so that you can mess around with different configs.

[Art Vandelay]

I'm going to attempt the Triple Double Lundy tomorrow and smoke a brisket and pork butt at the same time- I'm in charge of the meat for a HP social. Pork is 15 pounds, and beef is 13. I'm wondering if I should allow for more cooking time with that much meat on the grill? I have an extreme cooler which will keep food steaming hot for hours (it promises ice won't melt for 5 days), and know I can FTC the pork for any length of time I want. The other thing I don't know, is there a maximum length of time I should avoid FTCing brisket?

[PaloAltoCougar]

Revenge is mine. After doing a little work this morning, I joined the missus and our daughter for an afternoon trip to Fashion Place. I grew bored while they flitted from store to store, like bees pollinating the various merchants but with money. So I found myself in front of a Traeger display and listened to the sales pitch. I left the guy to grab a late lunch at the food court, and reviewed this thread and some of the other smoker threads. After checking out Costco and Amazon for comps, I went back to the display and bought a Lil' Tex Elite that, along with pellets, cover, cookbooks, rubs, sauces and other freebies the guy threw in to sweeten the deal, will be delivered to my home next week when we're back.

I'm looking forward to trying some of the recipes and guidance provided on the board. In any case, this should put an end to my wife's dragging me to the mall.

[PaloAltoCougar]

I was pleasantly surprised to discover a nearby hardware store has an ample inventory of Traeger pellets, so I brought home a few bags, and set them on the patio next to the smoker. But M-PAC apparently thought that was a bit too slovenly, and I came home to this. She leaves the cooking to me but she's a nice assistant. The bins have a watertight seal.

[Donuthole]

Glued to the ceiling. What a cruel woman. Good luck getting those out neatly.

[PaloAltoCougar]

Glued to the ceiling. What a cruel woman. Good luck getting those out neatly.

WTF? I have no idea how that happened. I can't even delete the double image when I try to edit it. At least I have surpassed HFN in pic-posting creativity.

[TripletDaddy]

That is a high quality woman right there.

also, in case you don't speak female, she is saying, "get cooking, please."

[FMCoug]

That is a high quality woman right there.

also, in case you don't speak female, she is saying, "get cooking, please."

Also, " if we have to have this big ugly thing on the patio anyway ..."