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Traeger vs. Big Green Egg vs...?

MegaDaveMustang

MegaDaveMustang

Member
This is a question for the grill masters here, as I'm looking to upgrade in the next few months.

Currently I use a traditional gas grill and a 22" kettle charcoal for both grilling and smoking - I use a smoker grate on the kettle as my old offset simply wore out to the point of no return for me.

Of course I'd love a nice "all in one" but I am looking for input from those who have experience and I want to know what the guys and gals here enjoy grilling on to help with my research.

I've been looking specifically at the Traeger 885 and the XL Big Green Egg. As for the Traeger, I'm seeking opinions on both wood pellet quality (never used pellets) and the tech that comes with it - like using my phone to control heat and such. It's a pain in my ass to keep the heat under control on my Webber kettle.

I'm also intrigued by the BGE as I've heard a lot of positives about it. But I want to know what would be best for my needs - I want something I can quickly heat up for last minute meal ideas, large cooking space, quality long and shorter smoking times, just everything for overall convenience and quality.

It doesn't have to be these two products, these are just examples of what I'm looking at right now. Space is another thing too, as I'm wanting to purge and have more room for my other toys. Any input is greatly appreciated!
 
First of all,
Didn't read

Propane is for homosexuals and Democrats.

BGE is Excellent, especially with how stable it runs and how well insulated it is. Only problem is if it runs away and gets too hot, takes a good while for it to cool down.

I personally use a Weber smokey mountain and love it. A little learning curve to it, but it has produced many delicious smoked cuts
 
I got a traeger and love it, mine's an older model so it doesn't have Wi-Fi and phone controls. The thing I do like about it it's very versatile and I can set it and forget it. I smoked a brisket the other night I threw it on at 10:00 p.m. before I went to bed and it was ready the next day at around noon. I think with a Big Green egg I need to be awake to babysit it some more but I could be wrong. I'm looking at getting an offset at some point but I'm happy with the convenience of the traeger for now.
 
Generally, quick and charcoal don't go hand in hand. It takes a certain amount of time to start and achieve ideal temperature.

From what I have seen, the Traegers are a bit fickle, and not many competitive barbecuers run it. Not saying it isn't good, but I have seen enough about it to turn me off from that route.

You can get some cool devices that automatically play with the vents for both the BGE as well as the WSM
 
Thanks for the input. I'm not a fan of propane overall, that exists mostly for whoever else wants to grill.

I use a chimney starter for my charcoal, and for the "quick" meals, it doesn't take any longer than a gas grill to heat up, especially if I'm only filling it, say, a third full.

I've got a good while yet so I'm just going soak everything in and keep researching. It's great to get opinions here too and I'm confident I'll find what works for me. I'm also building a huge pit smoker but that will only be used on special occasions, whole hogs and very large get-togethers.
 
I love offset. You can't beat that flavor. But who the fuck has time for that. Lol. I haven't smoked anything this summer and I'm kinda ashamed to admit that. But is what it is with kids, wife in school, kids in school, and running a business.

A traeger is in my sights and has been. But you're not going to get the same smoke flavor as you would in an offset. But EXTREME convenience. A BGE is is next for flavor but again, requires attention and temp control, but not near as much as an offset. So there is give and take.

But the idea of throwing a brisket in a traeger and not having to worry about shit except maybe a stall sounds heavenly.
 
Heavy Iron said:
I love offset. You can't beat that flavor. But who the fuck has time for that. Lol. I haven't smoked anything this summer and I'm kinda ashamed to admit that. But is what it is with kids, wife in school, kids in school, and running a business.

A traeger is in my sights and has been. But you're not going to get the same smoke flavor as you would in an offset. But EXTREME convenience. A BGE is is next for flavor but again, requires attention and temp control, but not near as much as an offset. So there is give and take.

But the idea of throwing a brisket in a traeger and not having to worry about shit except maybe a stall sounds heavenly.
Click to expand...
Yeah I was actually looking at plain good 'ol offsets today, thinking just to go with what I know...but I'm still thinking about it.

And yes the thought of setting and forgetting for the most is great. But at the same time, part of the joy I get from smoking is the attention I put in to it. Hell, maybe I'll just get both and let my mood dictate what to use and when, I don't know.
 
MegaDaveMustang said:
Yeah I was actually looking at plain good 'ol offsets today, thinking just to go with what I know...but I'm still thinking about it.

And yes the thought of setting and forgetting for the most is great. But at the same time, part of the joy I get from smoking is the attention I put in to it. Hell, maybe I'll just get both and let my mood dictate what to use and when, I don't know.
Click to expand...
There's nothing more gratifying than sitting down with a meal you spent the whole day smoking. I really did wish I had more time cause I'd use the offset every weekend. And manning the pit is all part of the experience for sure. I'm sure there will be sales coming up now that summer is ending. Maybe find a floor model or something and get both
 
I have a Camp Chef pellet, I found it to have better specs than a Traeger.

Not sure if I'd get another one... it's good but I think you need to start spending $3k or more to get the really good ones. Nothing wrong with it though, it's awesome in general... I will always have one. I didn't want a traeger because they do not get hot enough to grill appropriately... camp chef gets hotter than any other grill on the market, at the time I bought it anyways, so I went that direction. Still doesn't get above 500 degrees but it grills... burner placement is all wrong, it's my biggest complaint but it functions.

As a grill fanatic, I recommend getting both... but, to fit your needs... go with a traeger or whatever pellet grill you think you'll like best. Pellet will fit what you're looking for more. I'd keep the gas grill for the quick dinners, pellet grills aren't going to be ready to grill anything for a while... put an adjustable regulator on your gas grill and it should be ready to sear in about 60 seconds.
 
MegaDaveMustang said:
This is a question for the grill masters here, as I'm looking to upgrade in the next few months.

Currently I use a traditional gas grill and a 22" kettle charcoal for both grilling and smoking - I use a smoker grate on the kettle as my old offset simply wore out to the point of no return for me.

Of course I'd love a nice "all in one" but I am looking for input from those who have experience and I want to know what the guys and gals here enjoy grilling on to help with my research.

I've been looking specifically at the Traeger 885 and the XL Big Green Egg. As for the Traeger, I'm seeking opinions on both wood pellet quality (never used pellets) and the tech that comes with it - like using my phone to control heat and such. It's a pain in my ass to keep the heat under control on my Webber kettle.

I'm also intrigued by the BGE as I've heard a lot of positives about it. But I want to know what would be best for my needs - I want something I can quickly heat up for last minute meal ideas, large cooking space, quality long and shorter smoking times, just everything for overall convenience and quality.

It doesn't have to be these two products, these are just examples of what I'm looking at right now. Space is another thing too, as I'm wanting to purge and have more room for my other toys. Any input is greatly appreciated!
Click to expand...
So I have a BGE, and while I love it, I've essentially used it as a smoker. Sadly, smoking anything takes quite a lot of setup and time, so I usually only crack it out on weekends when I have the time to dedicate to a slow-cooking meat. Unlike roasting or slow cooking, you also have to be physically present while smoking and cant really leave the house (whereas I've done roasts & braises on my stovetop/ oven or used my slow cooker and left the house). Also, cleanup is a bit of a bitch and something to consider. Hope that helps!
 
I have the Pit Boss Sportsman. Love the damn thing. Set and forget, can upgrade to the phone app if you want, price is perfect. I shopped around for quite a while before deciding in this one. Looked at the Treager, Green Mountain, and others.
 
Mister Piccolo said:
So I have a BGE, and while I love it, I've essentially used it as a smoker. Sadly, smoking anything takes quite a lot of setup and time, so I usually only crack it out on weekends when I have the time to dedicate to a slow-cooking meat. Unlike roasting or slow cooking, you also have to be physically present while smoking and cant really leave the house (whereas I've done roasts & braises on my stovetop/ oven or used my slow cooker and left the house). Also, cleanup is a bit of a bitch and something to consider. Hope that helps!
Click to expand...
Thanks for the info! Yeah, the feedback I've been getting so far is exactly what I'm looking for.

I'll probably find the very perfect grill/smoker this Winter. I just have to ponder it for a while and everyone who has expressed their own experiences and info is greatly appreciated.
 
Btcowboy said:
I have the Pit Boss Sportsman. Love the damn thing. Set and forget, can upgrade to the phone app if you want, price is perfect. I shopped around for quite a while before deciding in this one. Looked at the Treager, Green Mountain, and others.
Click to expand...
That sounds what I'm looking for. Just so many damn options. But that Pit Boss is looking really good to me.
 
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