Ready to buy a traeger... Deluxe?

tradersmoe · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Tough to decide. I like the size of the Deluxe because I like the idea of a grill big enough to entertain, but wonder if it would be a pellet hog compared the the lil Tex. I also like the convenience of the storage area that the deluxe has over the other Traeger models, but wonder if the roll-up door will be a bother.

Any opinions? I am ready to pull the trigger... er Traeger!

mlebwill · Posted: Nov 12 2006 Post subject:

I have the Texas Style or Big Tex which is the same size as the deluxe - just in an offset style rather than a modern grill style. In my research I found out that the hopper system in the deluxe is a little different and not quite as good as the Texas style and that the roll top isn't that good due to multiple areas for draft and heat loss. Also - I hear the roll top can get stuck and is very noisy.

That is the primary reason I went with the Texas style over the deluxe (not to mention the $150 price difference).

Good luck on your choice - I would go big over small any day. I imagine that I will get the Executive or a commercial model down the line � so I�m glad I didn�t go too small right out of the gate.

Just spend some time getting the unit dialed in before you get frustrated like I did. I think I have her set now and it is off to the races.

Mike
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Traeger - Texas Style
WSM - Stoker
Weber Q 220

alages · Newbie Joined: 09 Nov 2005 Posts: 45 Location: W. PA

I've had a deluxe for over a year and have not had any problems. If I were to make a purchase decision today (and wanted to stay with pellets), I would buy a Cookshack FEC. More expensive, but better insulated and you could probably recover the difference in price in a few years from the savings on pellets. Also has a better electronic thermostat available. Just my opinion.

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

I have a treager but If I had it to do over (and wanted to stay with a pellet cooker) I believe I would buy a cookshack.

Dab
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Muscle Head BBQ · Posted: Nov 12 2006 Post subject:

I have a Traeger and I don't like the roll up door. I feel too much smoke and heat escapes through the gap.

flex...........
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Muscle Head BBQ
Stumps GF223 with Stoker
Lone Star by Bates offset
Hasty-Bake Legacy
Webber Kettle
Beverage-Air Kegerator

BBQMAN · Posted: Nov 12 2006 Post subject:

Tradersmoe, contact SmokinOkie, he knows the FEC line well! Very Happy

I dont own a pellet smoker, but I can definetly reccomend going bigger if you can. Quality also ALWAYS pays down the road...............
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BBQMAN
"I Turned A Hobby Into A Business".
Providing "IMHO" Since 2005.

buffquat · Posted: Nov 13 2006 Post subject:

Had a traeger 075, didn't like it and sold it. Took a loss of hunderds $$$ to do so. I think they are WAY over priced. They sell the "convenience factor"but it is a lie. Temps fluctuate, the electronic temp guage/control is not very acurate and the temps are always above 250 or below 200. Try and get a steady 220, ain't gonna happen. I truly believe that a WSM is more consistent and easier to maintain temps for $180.00. That's what I use now and couldn't be happier. Forget the Traeger...save your money, buy a WSM.
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tradersmoe · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

I pulled the Treager... er trigger and got a Treager Professional. I decided on the smaller unit after talking to a owner who has used several models. She told me she has entertained up to 12 people with it. Considering the small groups I tend to serve, smaller is probally better.

I also passed on the Deluxe because of the commments on the board as well as the owner who has used it. There is just less to go wrong with the Professional.

I also passed on the Cookshacks due to the high price. In addition, I thought the configuration of the Treager was more versatile and suited my requirements better. I think I can get around any temperature concerns with the digital controller and a few adjustments. I will let you know how I do.

I decided on a pellet burner because of its convenience and a wide choice of hardwoods for smoke. The flexiblity is enormous.

Thanks for your advice, all. It should get delivered tonight. This weekend - barbeque!

skybob · Posted: Nov 17 2006 Post subject:

I"m sure you'll enjoy your Treager, I love mine. It just takes a little experimenting to get the cooker dialed into your style of "Q". Kind of like dating a new woman, just takes a little time to find her sweet spot.
I"ve got the "Lil Tex", if you have any problems or just want some hints, don't hesitate to PM me. I've had mine for about 2 years now and have put out some really good "Q" in that time.

Ruiner · Joined: 09 Oct 2006 Posts: 15

I'm loving my Traeger.

It is convient, and the temp flux hasn't been a problem at all for me, everything I've cooked has came out great, and only having to check on the Traeger during a pork butt cook a few times is VERY nice.

SmokinOkie · BBQ Super Pro Joined: 16 Aug 2005 Posts: 2078

Seen a couple of the tragers with the 'front door' style and I'd stay away from them. They leak like a sive and if you're grillin' that's okay, but if you want to do more smokin' get the smoker style.

Also, consider the controller. There are 2. One has just a L/M/H setting and you really don't get very precise temp control BUT it's a really nice griller. The electronic control has a been/defined temp range.

Yup, I can talk all about the Cookshacks, so let me know if you have questions.

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

Congrats on your new purchase. I believe you will be happy with the smoker once you get the hang of cooking on a pellet pooper.

It seems that when it comes to a Treager you either love them or hate them. Temp control and variation seems to be the variable that some people can't get over.

We have two Treagers that we use in comps and we have done well on them in my opinion. In three contests we have a 4th in chicken and a 5th in brisket both smoked on a Treager.

Temp variation. Yes the temp in a our treager does cycle. Depending on the digitial setting it is on the temp may vary as much as 25 degrees. I see this as no big deal because it is the average temp that matters most over a long and slow cook.

The temp in a Treager varies because of the auger feeding pellets for a period and then resting while the loaded pellets burn up. This in my opinion is the same a loading sticks in to log burner and letting them burn down and then adding more sticks. The temp in a stick burner or most any kind of smoker will vary some I would think.

Temp difference from end to end was much more of a problem for us than is the temp varaition. End to end there was as much as 40 or 50 degrees differnce. We solved this problem by adding a simple heat deflector. Now our temps are within 2.5 degrees from end to end.

As far as cost. Yes they are expensive. But all smokers are expensive except for maybe an ECB. It a matter of what the person buying the smoker wants.

I do like my treager. Are there better smokers? You bet cha'. Are there worst smokers? You bet cha'.

But with all of this being said I am bound and determine to win a comp using our Treagers just to show it can be done.

Sorry for the rant. I usually keep my mouth shut (fingers still) but I felt compelled to get this off my chest.

IHS,
Dab
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tradersmoe · Joined: 12 Nov 2006 Posts: 6

Dab,

I'm very interested in the mods you made to even the Traeger's temps, can you descibe them or post a pic? What models have you made the mods, too?

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

We have two 075's. I will get some pics and post them tomorrow.

Dab
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mlebwill · Posted: Nov 20 2006 Post subject:

Dab - could you also point out the heat deflector? Has this also helped with excess heat over the fire port?

A few mods that I plan on doing soon...

1 - A fire blanket cover while the unit is low and slow over night - a skybob recomendation.

2 - I think I'll try to install a damper in the exhaust stack - I have read several recomendation which indicate the Traeger's stacks are larger than they need to be.

I was hoping the combination of the two mods would even out the side to side issue - but I'm all for the heat deflector also.
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Traeger - Texas Style
WSM - Stoker
Weber Q 220

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

We also use a fireproof blanket to cover our Treagers. This helps but I found that it really doesn't raise the temp very much.

Here are the pics of the mods we have done.

This is the simple heat deflector. It is 8" long x 4" wide. It has a 90 bent on one end to hang it on the heat shield with.

This shows the defelector hanging on the right hand side of the heat deflector.

Here is another pic with the heat deflector in place.

To combat the hot spot directly over the firepot we fabricated a second rack that is adjustable. When smoking briskets or butts we lower the top rack as low a possible and place a shallow pan underneath the meat. When smoking ribs we raise the top rack and we can smoke ribs on both racks.

Hope this helps.

IHS,
Dab
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mlebwill · Posted: Nov 23 2006 Post subject:

Dab - that is a great idea and I love the rack mod. I have been trying to figure out a good way to add a second rack - but your method looks good. Was that just threaded rod with nuts and washers or is it more complex?

So I�m most of the way done with the �smoker jacket� (the welding blanket that I�m going to line with Reflectix insulation � which is aluminum bubble wrap type insulation. I got the welding blanket from Harbor Freight for $17 and the Reflectix from HomeDept for $20. I cut 4 shaped panels, line them with the Reflectix, stitch them up and joined the Reflectix with aluminum tape.

This will really help me out with cold weather and high winds.
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Traeger - Texas Style
WSM - Stoker
Weber Q 220

dabaslab · BBQ Pro Joined: 06 Oct 2005 Posts: 515

Yes the second rack does help with space. I have done two briskets on bottom with two butts on top before with good success.

The Rack adjustments are actually 6" stainless steel carrage bolts with two stainless steel flat washers and nuts. The tops of the carrage bolts works well as "feet" for the top rack. I simply adjust the bottom nuts to the height I want and then tighten down on the top nuts.

Glad I could help. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours.

God Bless,
Dab
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