NFT: Propane vs Wood Pellet Grill/Smoker combo

With a smoker box. Not saying it’s the equal of a dedicated smoker, but I’ve had great results. And you still have the convenience of gas.

for the Weber Smokefire. I thought I might be able to consolidate my grill and smoker into one device, but unfortunately as you mention the review are so sketchy.

On my patio I have my Weber gas grill, my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker and my Blackstone griddle. Dudes come over and all they want to do is fire all of them up and use them together (something I rarely do), but my wife hates all the cooking devices.


Big Green Egg? I don't have one, but people like them.

And as Jim mentioned you can smoke on a gas grill, but not quite the same.

I have a weber genesis and a weber Smokey mountain. The SM can also double as a charcoal grill if you use the bottom. 3 different ways to grill.

IMO get a smoker and propane grill for convenience. If you don’t really care about the propane - get a charcoal grill / smoker combo and it will be great for you.

I’ve thought about the smoker box, but would want a more authentic taste, or getting a stand-alone smoker but trying to keep things consolidated and find something that can be an all in one.

good point about it. He doesn't like smokers that dont have an easy access opening to manipulate the temp. For all the great reviews the BGE get I wonder if people have issues controlling the temp.

In comment 14925602 robbieballs2003 said:

Quote:

good point about it. He doesn't like smokers that dont have an easy access opening to manipulate the temp. For all the great reviews the BGE get I wonder if people have issues controlling the temp.

My friends are able to dial the BGE in pretty well using the top and bottom vents but I don't have much experience besides being a part of a few smokes.

In comment 14925602 robbieballs2003 said:

Quote:

good point about it. He doesn't like smokers that dont have an easy access opening to manipulate the temp. For all the great reviews the BGE get I wonder if people have issues controlling the temp.

RObbie, I bought a Kamadoe Joe Classic II, it has very easy temperature control via a vent in the top, I've had no issue maintaining, lowering and raising temps at all.

If you want to smoke and get a consistent temperature, you won’t be disappointed. It’s awesome.

and absolutely love it. However, it is much different than a propane or charcoal grill. I actually kept my rusty propane around for slinging burgers and dogs and to get a decent steak sear. My pellet grill has a sear function but it’s not that useful. Long story short, if you want a pellet grill know that you’re buying more of a smoker/convection oven than an actual grill. It’s great for chicken quarters, thighs, roasts and also for typical smoking like pork butt and ribs. But it’s not the open flame summer grilling experience that is a lot of people’s primary purpose. I did burgers on there once and went back to the propane for more prototypical grilling. If I had to keep one, it would be the pellet grill by a long shot.

the pellet grill is a little more maintenance. I learned the hard way that if you don’t clean out the grease regularly you can get some nasty flare ups. Almost lost a whole leg of lamb. You also have to vacuum out the ashes from time to time. It’s not a deal breaker but it’s more than just running a grill brush over it before you cook.

They do it all, although weighted more towards conventional grilling. I don't do long smokes too often but you can.

You need a good kettle like a Weber or comparable to do long smokes well. Cheaper Kettles don't hold temp well enough. A good one will.

I use separate devices because I feel they each do their job a bit better. I have a Weber Genesis for daily grilling. Weber Kettle for indirect cooking and some smoke and a WSM for when I need to low and slow.

I don't have the space. I almost bought a flat top grill we were talking about here months ago. but didn't because of space.

In comment 14925593 pjcas18 said:

Quote:

for the Weber Smokefire. I thought I might be able to consolidate my grill and smoker into one device, but unfortunately as you mention the review are so sketchy. On my patio I have my Weber gas grill, my Weber Smokey Mountain smoker and my Blackstone griddle. Dudes come over and all they want to do is fire all of them up and use them together (something I rarely do), but my wife hates all the cooking devices. Big Green Egg? I don't have one, but people like them. And as Jim mentioned you can smoke on a gas grill, but not quite the same.

My patio must look like yours. LOL. I have a Weber genesis gas grill, traeger pellet smoker and black stone griddle.

And a Blackstone 22". The Blackstone is awesome. I'd rather cook a burger or a steak on the Blackstone than the grill.

If I could only have one device I'd get the Weber kettle, can grill, smoke, and roast, and also put a cast iron sheet and make a flat top.

Kamado cookers are super easy to control, the newer ones can be automated and you can control the temp with your phone.

is a little pricey - not quite Traeger level - but does everything well. Grill box accessory works as a (small) stand-alone propane or NG grill, will fire up to 700+ in no time for a quality sear. There is also a flat-top and pizza oven for the Sidekick. If you are entertaining, it’s not a replacement for a high capacity gas grill, but for personal, everyday use it’s a winner.

All in, for the smaller smoker, it will be over a grand, but it I am really happy with the purchase.

In comment 14925604 Existenz said:

Quote:

In comment 14925602 robbieballs2003 said: Quote: good point about it. He doesn't like smokers that dont have an easy access opening to manipulate the temp. For all the great reviews the BGE get I wonder if people have issues controlling the temp. My friends are able to dial the BGE in pretty well using the top and bottom vents but I don't have much experience besides being a part of a few smokes.

Yeah I own one and controlling the temp is easy as hell

In regards to keeping temp it is pretty easy and I went out and purchased a BBQ Guru for it for longer cooks. The Guru works amazing set the temp you want and it regulates it with the fan motor, it also reduces the amount of wood and charcoal I need for longer cooks.

Another great thing about the egg is the ability to make wood fired pizza with the stone accessory. You can get the temp up around 600 or 700 degrees and makes a really nice pie. The only thing I wish was that it was a little easier to add wood or charcoal during the cooking process. With the Egg you need to remove the inner ceramic plate to add more wood and that can be a pain in the ass when it’s hot so I just completely fill it and choke out the fire when done. I can generally get a few cooks with one load of charcoal. They are not all that cheap but I highly recommend it.