Hey, haven't been around much lately (missed you guys) due to health issues (mostly cleared up now )
Recently I was gifted a small portable pellet smoker from my son-in-law who went vegetarian, poor guy !!
anyway I have really been enjoying it, smoking just about everything from hard boiled eggs to meat loaf. I Haven't worked my way up to a brisket yet, also enjoy crafting my own rubs. its now turned in to a rewarding hobby and I think I have had some pretty damn good results so I'm ready to step up to a larger smoker, I want to
stick with a pellet smoker as I do not have the time or patience to tend a stick or draft smoker (I ain't no Myron Mixon) and I don't have the budget for a Yoda or a Bradly . I have it narrowed it down to a Camp Chef Windwood 24 or a Pit Boss Platinum 1250 (from Walmart) or the Pit Boss Pro series 1150 from Lowes. I am interested in the Wi-Fi versions. Having a mechanical back round I have noticed that the Pit Boss products seem to be pretty damn well built as far as the structures (heavier metal, sturdy hinges and frames ) what comes in to question is the reliability of the electronics. I know Traeger was once king of the hill but when comparing I fond them to be a bit flimsy and over priced. A lot of people also love their Camp Chefs.
I'm looking for some direction or opinions from some of you who own smokers I KNOW YOUR OUT THERE !!!! I cant be the only one in Oldsmobile land who has stumbled on to the smoker addiction !!! I'm in internet research overload and am hoping someone here can shed a little light on the subject.

 

I have a guy that I work with and he is a big Pit Boss fan. We have a draft style Cuisinart propane and wood chips. Works great but has to be kept an eye on it 3-5 hrs. Good success with ribs and spatchock Chicken.

Pat

 

I also have multiple coworkers that have a Pit Boss smoker.

 

I have a cheap one, uses wood chips. Works great. The only thing I looked for was price,and a adjustable temp switch, and easy to move around.

 

I am glad you are back, homeslice.

 

I am not familiar with some of the brands you mentioned, but I am familiar with Traeger. I will say that a Traeger is NOT a smoker, it is a wood pellet fired oven. It does not put out nearly the amount of smoke that a "real" smoker puts out - I have to use a smoke tube with my Traeger in order to get any reasonable smoke action. So with that said, I would recommend looking for an actual smoker and not a wood pellet grill if you are wanting to do "real" smoking.

 

The Camp Chef Woodwind 24 Pro series addresses the limited smoke output by using a built in smoke box it gives you the option of adding chunk wood, wood chips or charcoal to a box that slides in above the fire box, this is in addition to the 1-10 smoke settings on the PID controller. https://www.campchef.com/woodwind-pr...nd-Pro-24.html

 

I had a Cabela's branded Camp Chef (my first pellet grill), it worked well, electronic's were so-so. Even with that,I liked it. I have sense moved into a Yoder YS640s, yep a world of difference.

I would go with the CF Woodwind 24 Pro.

 

I have a Rectec Bull and Bullseye. They both work great and keep nice steady temperatures.