Grilling/Smoking Options

NVGator

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Thought this could be a useful thread. Obviously we have some cooks on GC so I figured why not talk about what we have/had and allow for discussion if we are in the market for a new option.

I have a Weber 3 Burner Gas grill but it's getting up there in age. I also have a Traeger I use for my smoking.

Heard about a Rec Tec Grill on the radio the other day and so I checked out their website.

Pellet Grills & BBQ Smokers For Sale | Factory Direct | REC TEC Grills

Anyone have a Rec Tec or know of anyone who uses one? Looks like a newer type Traeger but dang, they are expensive.
 

Gatordiddy

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.
 

-THE DUDE-

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.

Personally I’m sticking with Weber for my gas grills. Got a 3 burner in 2008 and it’s still going strong. Had I been more diligent about keeping the cover on it in my younger years it would be in even better shape.

I have an electric smoker that is good to learn on but I need to step it up. I’ve been thinking Green Egg for years but I’ve heard great things about Treagors I may have go that route...decisions decisions
 

AuggieDosta

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.
Gatordiddy, move out of that neighborhood! That is not only a stupid rule to implement and enforce but it makes your food taste inferior to properly cooked food on charcoal.

I too am a fan of the Weber pot grill but I also have a plug in electric smokeless grill (with rotisserie) that does a fine job during inclement weather.

Another option is sous vide with a hand held burner to carmalize the outside.
 
Last edited:

bradgator2

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Got a Weber gas for quick and easy. The insides rust out in Florida but they are super easy to change out every couple of years.

Got a Bradley electric smoker that is freaking awesome. Especially for long brisket smokes of 14 hours. Just set the digital thermostat and show back up tomorrow.

Got a large Green Egg that is also awesome. The temperature control is amazing. Did grilled chicken and steaks on it on Saturday and smoked ribs on it on Sunday.
30B6D8E3-4C12-4A68-910B-03504297DEEE.jpeg F805CA13-C694-400A-9FED-F454DB4C76F1.jpeg
 

Gator By Marriage

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.
Gotta agree with @AuggieDosta , time to move! I too have a Weber three burner, but I mostly use my egg whenever possible. There is a huge flavor difference between gas and lump charcoal.
 

AugustaGator

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.
Move
 

cover2

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I don’t smoke meat as much as I used to, but the best one I had in terms of getting the job done right for me was an old round Brinkman. It would do a great smoked turkey on the top rack with a pan of water and Coca Cola with onions, celery, apples and carrots simmering under it. It was easy to control the heat and I used hickory that I soaked for the smoke. Only drawback was if you started after midnight to have it ready for Thanksgiving, you had to check it and feed it every hour till done. But it made a good moist bird. Beer can chicken was good on it as were Boston Butts and deer hams. You could do two of each, so volume wasn’t a strongpoint.

I’ve got an electric smoker that we use that is pretty handy. It’s kinda like the old Brinkman in that you have to tend the smoke tray right regular. I’ve heard great things about the Green Egg, but just haven’t been able to pull the trigger. I really believe a lot of the trick is how you season and/or marinate the meat and knowing whatever you smoke with well enough so that you pull the meat off at just the right moment. Whether you use a thermometer or have just done it long enough to know when, that is where the art is.

I’ll be interested to hear some feedback on the pellet smokers as I don’t know much about them. Sounds like they don’t require you to hover over them. Last two thingS... @Gatordiddy you don’t live in Ox’ HOA kingdom, do you?! And @bradgator2 Dangit boy!
 

NVGator

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No one has any knowledge of the Rec Tec?
 

crosscreekcooter

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I put both the old gas grill and the offset smoker out at the curb for the scrappers probably 5 years ago. Only thing I barbecue and/or smoke on outside is an old Weber 22 dome. I inherited this thing when I moved back to Florida 11 years ago and it was an antique then. The fire rack is so deformed from heat I had to turn it over, the fins in the lower vents are now gone so I have to use the upper vents solely to control the temp. The wood grips came off the handles when it blew out the back of Moochie's truck on I-10. That knocked the dome a little out of round and I have to place it just right to get it to fit tight on the kettle. I can only fit one big turkey on it with maybe some sausage on the side and if I lay out the charcoal just right I can get a good slow burn for about 5 hours before I have to add more for a long cook. I do need to break down and replace the old grill grate with a new hinged model to make it easier to add more charcoal or wood. She aint much to look at but she sure can cook. If I had to replace it I would prolly buy another one.
 

Gatordiddy

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We just bought our house a little over a year ago and are close to finishing a whole house restoration.
So if we decide to sell and move out of Denver, maybe a little further north, I'll check the future HOA rules on gas grills before picking a neighborhood...

Plus, we have limited space on the patio, so it's probably going to be a smaller footprint grill. We're empty nesters but will have family over occasionally, so we don't need a huge grill for the most part.

ast two thingS... @Gatordiddy you don’t live in Ox’ HOA kingdom, do you?!

Denver Technology Center area, just a little south of Denver proper.
We moved out here to get away from Ox...

Here's what we're looking at:

Grills & Outdoor Kitchens | The Fireplace Store Inc

Maybe the AOG Post Model Collection ... there are also the Napoleon and Jackson grills.

I got no clue...
 

G8trwood

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My brother has the medium sized RecTec for a few years. I have an old Traeger and smoke daddy. The Rec feels pretty heavy duty. Most all are old Traeger clones with small changes and better controllers. I think RT went to a US controller from whomever makes MAK’s. Now that is a pellet grill.

They are super handy and fast, but to me, stick burner flavor they are not. I keep trying.
 

cover2

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We just bought our house a little over a year ago and are close to finishing a whole house restoration.
So if we decide to sell and move out of Denver, maybe a little further north, I'll check the future HOA rules on gas grills before picking a neighborhood...

Plus, we have limited space on the patio, so it's probably going to be a smaller footprint grill. We're empty nesters but will have family over occasionally, so we don't need a huge grill for the most part.



Denver Technology Center area, just a little south of Denver proper.
We moved out here to get away from Ox...

Here's what we're looking at:

Grills & Outdoor Kitchens | The Fireplace Store Inc

Maybe the AOG Post Model Collection ... there are also the Napoleon and Jackson grills.

I got no clue...
As long as you’re in Denver, why not put on the dog with a good ol’ Southern barbecue and invite the HOA officers. After feeding and plying them with a bunch of liquor, you might can schmooze them into rethinking their socialist grilling/smoking policy. If it works, great. If they won’t go for it, make them fight their way out. As Van Zandt and company once penned “a Southern man don’t need (them) around anyhow.”

P/S “...to get away from Ox!” :lol:
 

Gatorbait25

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thanks for starting this NV...

Our HOA just instituted a rule that all BBQ grills have to be gas and have to be supplied by a house line instead of a propane tank.
We don't currently have a grill so I'd like to throw out a question on what gas grills would be good for medium to large sized cooking.
Also - we just bought a new fireplace from The Fireplace Store and they sell gas grills but I haven't really investigated how good/bad they are.


Wow. I thought my HOA were *******s . That’s insanity . I use a Weber on the weekends usually . And have a cocktail or a few beers while
Enjoying grilling or smoking meat . During the week or if I’m pressed for time I use the gas grill.
 

SeabeeGator

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I put both the old gas grill and the offset smoker out at the curb for the scrappers probably 5 years ago. Only thing I barbecue and/or smoke on outside is an old Weber 22 dome. I inherited this thing when I moved back to Florida 11 years ago and it was an antique then. The fire rack is so deformed from heat I had to turn it over, the fins in the lower vents are now gone so I have to use the upper vents solely to control the temp. The wood grips came off the handles when it blew out the back of Moochie's truck on I-10. That knocked the dome a little out of round and I have to place it just right to get it to fit tight on the kettle. I can only fit one big turkey on it with maybe some sausage on the side and if I lay out the charcoal just right I can get a good slow burn for about 5 hours before I have to add more for a long cook. I do need to break down and replace the old grill grate with a new hinged model to make it easier to add more charcoal or wood. She aint much to look at but she sure can cook. If I had to replace it I would prolly buy another one.
Same here. Weber “One Touch” 22 inch kettle. I bought a Slow n Sear for it a few years ago and routinely pump out perfect pulled pork. It’s amazing how well I can control the temp. Almost set it and forget it. Normally toss some new charcoal on every 6 hours or so. Just did a 8 lb shoulder Friday. Took 15 hours. Used a quarter bag of charcoal. Love that set up!
 

Frozen Gator

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I won a pelleted Traeger at an NWTF banquet but I gave to my daughter and son in law. I've used a Green Egg for years and still love it. From pulled pork, smoked turkey to a great steak it never fails me.
 

Zambo

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Made these on the Traeger last weekend. Google 3 2 1 Traeger ribs for the recipe. 6 hours total. Had this grill for at least 5 years now, maybe longer and still running strong. These were freaking delicious.
 

flg8rfan

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I’m a little surprised no one brought up griddles. I was shopping for a new grill years ago and got a blackstone griddle instead. I honestly don’t miss having a grill. Cleanup is easy and you can cook so much more on it. Fajitas, full breakfasts, I can sear steaks and chops on it, and smash burgers are easy do do. And I can cook 5 lbs of bacon at one time ;-). Both of my neighbors replaced their grills with griddles after seeing mine in action.

This is my new one, I wanted one with the drain in the rear (the older models were a bit messy). I had no problems finding a home for my old one, it worked fine, just wanted something new.

Of course once I build my cook shack I’ll probably get a BGE just to have that option, but I’ll still probably use the griddle most.
 

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