I want everyone's opinion. I want to get a smoker, and I hear raves about the BGE, but not much about the Traeger. My dad did ribs and pulled pork on his Traeger, and it was amazing. Any reasons to sway one way or another? Thanks
Traeger or BGE?
- Thread starter futurman
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I really like the convenience of the Traeger; turn a dial and it's cooking. It allows me to use it every other day, even things like breakfast bacon and potatoes that I don't want to take a lot of time preparing.
However, it's not as versatile as the BGE; you can't get to 500+++ hot sear temps that direct heat can provide you. For that reason, I also have a weber kettle grill.
So, I think it depends on what you want if for. If all you are going to do is indirect (mostly slow) cooking, I'd suggest the Traeger. But, if you want a grill that can do both indirect slow and direct blazing-hot, then I'd suggest the BGE.
However, it's not as versatile as the BGE; you can't get to 500+++ hot sear temps that direct heat can provide you. For that reason, I also have a weber kettle grill.
So, I think it depends on what you want if for. If all you are going to do is indirect (mostly slow) cooking, I'd suggest the Traeger. But, if you want a grill that can do both indirect slow and direct blazing-hot, then I'd suggest the BGE.
I own both a Traeger and a BGE. I have to second danek's advice. The BGE is far more versatile as you can slow cook ribs, brisket, pulled pork, etc. at low temps and sear a steak at a temp hotter than I can get any of my other grills. It also makes great pizza and bread with the pizza stone.
However, just for smoking the Traeger is super easy to use. Get the digital control and basically all you have to do is set the temp and forget about it. My ribs never fail when I use the Traeger. You can check them out at www.pelletgrilloutlet.com.
That being said, if I could only have one piece of equipment it would be the BGE. If you choose BGE and your budget allows, get the extra large. There isn't as much room as on the Traeger.
However, just for smoking the Traeger is super easy to use. Get the digital control and basically all you have to do is set the temp and forget about it. My ribs never fail when I use the Traeger. You can check them out at www.pelletgrilloutlet.com.
That being said, if I could only have one piece of equipment it would be the BGE. If you choose BGE and your budget allows, get the extra large. There isn't as much room as on the Traeger.
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- #4
How much do the large and extra large BGE's cost?
How much do those treager pellets cost everytime you want to use it. A buddy of mine has some kind of fancy smoker (not treager). There is no local place that sells the discs that it takes, so he has to order them all the time. I figured out once that the ribs we ate burned thru $15 in just in the wood discs his smoker takes.
That stuff adds up over time. Be sure to compare the cost of use not just the cost to buy. The BGE may be cheaper in the long run. Around here Hickory chips and chunks are pretty reasonable. I have to search a bit to find more exotic smoking woods, but they are avaliable.
That stuff adds up over time. Be sure to compare the cost of use not just the cost to buy. The BGE may be cheaper in the long run. Around here Hickory chips and chunks are pretty reasonable. I have to search a bit to find more exotic smoking woods, but they are avaliable.
It's been awhile since I was shopping for them, but I think a large is around $900 and an extra large is around $1,100. To be able to cook indirect you need to purchase a diffuser, which I vaguely remember running around $100.
I get Traeger pellets for around $20/bag. I usually do most of my cooking at 225 to 250 degrees. I haven't calculated it exactly, but I'd say I get at least 40 hours of cooking from one bag. Maybe more.
Pellets are around $12-$14 a bag close to me. One bag doesn't last me near as long as John, maybe 24 hours of cook time around 240 degrees.
I could be off on my time. I was trying to estimate it, but I haven't actually tracked it. And I do more cooking at the 225 setting than 250.
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- #10
Hmm maybe I will get both! Just kidding... I think I am leaning towards a large BGE. I can't decide!
If you go BGE, my only recommendation would be go with the Extra Large if you can swing the budget. I think it runs ~$200 more than the Large, but over the long period of time you'll own it, it will be worth it. I like to do several racks of ribs at once and sometimes a large turkey. My opinion is that the large is just a bit small.
I hate to admit this, but I have 6 smokers and grills. I'll never tell this to SWMBO, but I could actually pretty much do everything with just the BGE if I could only have one. You can't go wrong if that's what you choose.
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- #12
Sounds good to me. I think I can swing the extra large, I am not sure though. I will check all the local prices around here. Thanks everyone!
Anyone who is interested in a Traeger might take a look at www.pelletgrilloutlet.com. They switched to American made Royal pellet smokers. They look pretty nice and supposedly the switch was made because Traegers are now made in China and have been having quality issues.
I still vote for traegers. The quality is not as bad as you think.
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I have a Traeger and love how easy it is. There are other bands available you might want to look at because I feel the quality of the Traeger had suffered in recent years.
I have two BGEs and a Primo and I am a big fan of ceramic cookers, but I have heard great things about the Tragger. As folks have said, it probably depends on what you want to do with it.
I do not have a current cost for the BGEs, but if you are not in a hurry you can probably attend an Eggfest in your area and get a demo unit that is 20% off. Take a look at the banners at the top of the attached web page and see if there is one near you.
These things are sponsored by dealers and current owners come in and do all kinds of demo cooks. You can usually attend for about $25-$30/person and get all the food you can eat and beer/soda you can drink. It is great way to get a good price, learn about the grill and have some fun.
http://www.greeneggers.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=showcat&catid=1&Itemid=112
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