Traeger Coolaid

[Cigalert]

I drank some and liked it.

I had a weber for when I wanted things done right and a propane box store grill for when I wanted things quick. One of my buddies kept blasting facebook with traeger crap (he now works for them) and I was getting a little tired of the hype. On the fourth he brought a traeger Junior over to a buddies house and threw 2 full chickens in. 45 minutes later I was sold.

I got the junior. It's usually just the wife, daughter and myself eating so the smaller size didn't bother me. It will easily feed 4-6 people depending on what you're cooking.

So far I've made jalapeno poppers, filet mignon, burgers, tri-tip and even baked some cookies. Not only does it simplify the grilling/smoking/cooking process (their recipe books are amazing and stupid simple) but things are moist and delicious. My wife calls it the crock pot of bbq's.

If anyone is interested in a grill let me know. My buddy works out 4 month (no credit check) payment plans and throws in pellets, rubs and covers. He will ship to your door in 3-5 business days.

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[Stainless]

I heard only good about Traegers. I might be able to sneak another BBQ onto the property, doubt wife would notice a 4th or 5th one. :D


CH3NO2

[riverrunner1984]

My boss has one and swears by them! He is Huge into BBQ/Smoking meats as well.....
From what I understand, they are a bit on the pricey side but well worth the $$$.
I think I have seen them once in a while at costco but a 4 month payment plan is alot better!

[314joey]

All looks yummy,........................ I'm three hours ahead of you guys, now I'm hungry, dinner time.

[riverrunner1984]

I heard only good about Traegers. I might be able to sneak another BBQ onto the property, doubt wife would notice a 4th or 5th one. :D
CH3NO2

I hear ya on that one. I have a BBQ I take camping, so what if its a full size propane BBQ, a smoker and a nice BBQ Galore built in.
If I come home with one of these, shit may hit the fan lol

[HB Vic]

Oh wow, food porn. Thanks for posting!!

[ChumpChange]

I just got back from lunch and now I'm hungry again.

[2manymustangs]

sighhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.... :thumb:

I may have to dump all of my old junk and step up to a Traeger... My old gas grill is on it's last leg and my Weber is 12 yrs old...

[HB Vic]

Oh man serious food porn. You guys are killing me :D

[314joey]

I think I gained a few lbs just looking at these pics.

[Cigalert]

I really thought my wife would not be happy with a 3rd BBQ. My buddy bought one and it sat in his garage unopened for a few weeks. I snuck into his garage and "put it together for him" while stored at my house. First meal my wife said "go ahead and order it".

Its a tough sale at first because I've had so many " you know what we need honey...." conversations but this one actually worked.

She likes the fact that the one we got is easy to light....its electric...just turn the knob to smoke for 5 minutes then the desired setting. Their rubs actually stick a little better than others. She likes the damn thing more than me cause she can cook/bake and it doesn't make the house hot. No more "what time are you going to be home....I want BBQ _____?" She starts and most times finishes cue'ing before I get home.

Some know I used to eat for a living. I'm seriously impressed by the ease of use and quality of product that comes out.

[riverrunner1984]

What's the big difference between the "tex" and the regular model? Looks like the tex is more of a smoker with the chimney thing???

[Cigalert]

What's the big difference between the "tex" and the regular model? Looks like the tex is more of a smoker with the chimney thing???

From my buddy Moody "Chimney is more look than anything. Junior vent out the back like our select and pig. Smoke needs to release and you need oxygen to keep the fire going."

As far as I know, they all smoke and they all "cook".

[Jefftowz]

I've had mine about a year, use it at least twice a week.....

[Boozer]

What's the big difference between the "tex" and the regular model? Looks like the tex is more of a smoker with the chimney thing???

Size is the difference.

I have a Jr. and Lil Tex Elite. The Lil Tex Elite is big enough to do a full size Turkey or several racks of ribs with the added cooking shelf. The Jr. Is big enough for most families but won't cut it if you're hosting a party and feeding more than a few people. With a smoking rack I've seen people stuff nearly 50 lbs of brisket in a Lil Tex.

[YoPengo]

Yum... I think I need one of these...

[riverrunner1984]

Size is the difference.
I have a Jr. and Lil Tex Elite. The Lil Tex Elite is big enough to do a full size Turkey or several racks of ribs with the added cooking shelf. The Jr. Is big enough for most families but won't cut it if you're hosting a party and feeding more than a few people. With a smoking rack I've seen people stuff nearly 50 lbs of brisket in a Lil Tex.

:thumbup: Good to know.
So from what I understand, you really don't have the watch it like you have to watch a BBQ while you are cooking? Like its idiot proof???

[Boozer]

It's pretty darn close to idiot proof. There's some initial tweaking that has to be done to get it dialed in but once that happens it's pretty much set it and forget it.

[Bobby V]

:thumbup: Good to know.
So from what I understand, you really don't have the watch it like you have to watch a BBQ while you are cooking? Like its idiot proof???

I am one of the worst BBQers. But now I have a Lil Tex and the portable smoker. I do much better. It is idiot proof. :action-smiley-035:

[2manymustangs]

so

a bag of wood pellets run about 25 bucks, how long will that bag of pellets last, lets say for cooking 3 hours at a time... OR how much do you need to cook a full size turkey or four whole chickens???

Any idea of how many hours per bag of pellets at a typical 275 degree cook temp???

Im trying to get a grasp of how much I will spend per year on pellets...

[riverrunner1984]

Good point. I have a Natural Gas build in BBQ and I love not having to worry about getting Propane or charcoal or anything in I want to use it.

[Bobby V]

so

a bag of wood pellets run about 25 bucks, how long will that bag of pellets last, lets say for cooking 3 hours at a time... OR how much do you need to cook a full size turkey or four whole chickens???

Any idea of how many hours per bag of pellets at a typical 275 degree cook temp???

Im trying to get a grasp of how much I will spend per year on pellets...

I have the Jr. So you won't fit 4 whole chickens anyway. I can get a bag of pellets for about $15-$20. My guess would be I get about 20 hrs worth of smoking and cooking per bag.

[Bobby V]

Good point. I have a Natural Gas build in BBQ and I love not having to worry about getting Propane or charcoal or anything in I want to use it.

Yea but can you smoke tri tip and ribs on your BBQ as easy has a Traeger. Doesn't hurt to have both.

[riverrunner1984]

Yea but can you smoke tri tip and ribs on your BBQ as easy has a Traeger. Doesn't hurt to have both.

Good point. I'm really considering it. Have only heard good things. Do you think the medium version is worth the extra 200?

[Cigalert]

I have the Jr. So you won't fit 4 whole chickens anyway. I can get a bag of pellets for about $15-$20. My guess would be I get about 20 hrs worth of smoking and cooking per bag.

That's about right but burn rate also depends on temp settings.

For propane users I'm thinking it's almost equal cost and usable fuel/total bbq's but I still have yet to burn a full bag of pellets to get an idea.

[Stainless]

I saw the pellets at Costco a week or so back. They were in stock, not part of a "Road Show". Didn't really pay attention to price or size of bag, do remember it was hickory. I'll check next time I'm there.


CH3NO2

[Bobby V]

Good point. I'm really considering it. Have only heard good things. Do you think the medium version is worth the extra 200?

The JR. is good for cooking for 2 or so people. Anymore then that you should go up a unit.

Also the bigger units come with more options to add to it.

[2manymustangs]

I will be building my own folks, and NOT using the smoke daddy pellet pro...

For the price of a JR, I think I will just build my own set up from scratch using the same controller that Traeger uses... I need more space than a JR has, MUCH more space I think...

BUT Not this much space... :)

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[riverrunner1984]

I will be building my own folks, and NOT using the smoke daddy pellet pro...

For the price of a JR, I think I will just build my own set up from scratch using the same controller that Traeger uses... I need more space than a JR has, MUCH more space I think...

BUT Not this much space... :)

45809

Do I see a smoker build thread in the near future?

[Tamalewagon]

My brother in law wholesales Traeger units. We just tried the Traeger pizza over this last weekend and the pizza's turned out awesome. PM me if you want his info. He sells them for less than you can get them at Costco. I compared the pricing.

[2manymustangs]

Do I see a smoker build thread in the near future?

:thumb: