Any traeger people out there?

[donkiez]

Yeah I upgraded the thermostat

I'm going to try that!

one of my favorite things to do is smoke my burgers for an hour, pull them off the grill, heat it to max temp, then put them back on for 10 minutes to finish.

 

[magnifier661]

one of my favorite things to do is smoke my burgers for an hour, pull them off the grill, heat it to max temp, then put them back on for 10 minutes to finish.

The thing I hate with most smoker "red meat" cooks is how it makes them medium well.

 

[Denny Crane]

I wanted to add, the colder the temp you can smoke the better. Traegers dont operate well below 150degrees, as they can go out. Also if you get crazy with the smoke setting make sure to account for them in your cook times, because it is still starting the cooking process. Ive over done a few things by smoking to much then cooking to long afterwards. The wireless BBQ thermometer helps with that, and if you want a perfect roast without wrapping it, then its the only way to go.

http://idevicesinc.com/igrill/

 

[donkiez]

The thing I hate with most smoker "red meat" cooks is how it makes them medium well.

I like mine medium well and well smoked, so works great for me. Its a preference thing though, one kid in the house hates the "red meat" so I always have to do his different. Big 'ol fat homemade patties will help with that also.

 

[donkiez]

http://idevicesinc.com/igrill/

I like it! Ill get this one when my current one craps out.

 

[Denny Crane]

I like mine medium well and well smoked, so works great for me. Its a preference thing though, one kid in the house hates the "red meat" so I always have to do his different. Big 'ol fat homemade patties will help with that also.

You can pull the meat when the thermometer hits 135 for medium rare. That's for beef. Adjust accordingly

 

[magnifier661]

You can pull the meat when the thermometer hits 135 for medium rare. That's for beef. Adjust accordingly

I think I was talking more about the 11 hour smoke for the "medium rare" option. I've never seen it done. I could be wrong though.

 

[donkiez]

I think I was talking more about the 11 hour smoke for the "medium rare" option. I've never seen it done. I could be wrong though.

I think we are a little confused. I only smoke a big roast that long. My roast from last night got put on at 11pm so it smoked for 8 hours, but I will get a 20lb full packer brisket sometimes and smoke for 12+hrs. That will get the meat to around 140degrees internal temp, then you cook it up to 190-205 internal temp at a grill temp of 225-250. For a burger, chicken wiings, or something small I would either not smoke at all or smoke for an hour max, then finish on a grill setting.

 

[Denny Crane]

I think I was talking more about the 11 hour smoke for the "medium rare" option. I've never seen it done. I could be wrong though.

If you cook at 150 degrees (smoke), then 150 degrees is the maximum possible temperature of the meat... If you use a thermometer, you can take the meat off when the temperature is right.

You don't go by time anyway, you go by temperature on these smokers.

 

[donkiez]

If you cook at 150 degrees (smoke), then 150 degrees is the maximum possible temperature of the meat... If you use a thermometer, you can take the meat off when the temperature is right.

You don't go by time anyway, you go by temperature on these smokers.

some tings can time out well, like full chickens I just go for an hour and dont need to check temp, but the meat temp is pretty much the key for perfect juicy meat. If you take your brisket above 210 it gets dry fast. Alternative is to wrap your meat...... but no self respecting BBQer wraps their meat.

 

[Denny Crane]

some tings can time out well, like full chickens I just go for an hour and dont need to check temp, but the meat temp is pretty much the key for perfect juicy meat. If you take your brisket above 210 it gets dry fast. Alternative is to wrap your meat...... but no self respecting BBQer wraps their meat.

I notice most recipes on the WWW for traeger do not include cook times unless you're using it full blast like a traditional grill.

The typical pattern is smoke for a long time, then raise the temperature to 250+ and cook until temperature reaches the desired level.

Like your burgers.

 

[magnifier661]

If you cook at 150 degrees (smoke), then 150 degrees is the maximum possible temperature of the meat... If you use a thermometer, you can take the meat off when the temperature is right.

You don't go by time anyway, you go by temperature on these smokers.

Yeah I understand time isn't really what makes a good cook, but I was replying to the long smoke time only. So even at 150, it can still get medium if you smoke for 11 hours.

 

[donkiez]

Yeah I understand time isn't really what makes a good cook, but I was replying to the long smoke time only. So even at 150, it can still get medium if you smoke for 11 hours.

You will still need to finish at a higher temp to get the fat to cook right, otherwise it can be to rubbery or not melt into the meat well enough.

 

[magnifier661]

You will still need to finish at a higher temp to get the fat to cook right, otherwise it can be to rubbery or not melt into the meat well enough.

Yeah I get that. Maybe an 8 hour smoke, then grill that son of a bitch!

 

[donkiez]

Yeah I get that. Maybe an 8 hour smoke, then grill that son of a bitch!

that'll do it!

 

[MickZagger]

Stop, you guys are making me wet!

 

[MickZagger]

This looks delicious!

[video=youtube;EjEleOSCRjA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EjEleOSCRjA[/video]

 

[MickZagger]

Gosh, I'm such a traeger perv

[video=youtube;XAyWIm7kaUA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_592915&feature=iv&src_vid=6MaSZohjiO8&v=XAyWIm7kaUA[/video]

 

[donkiez]

Gosh, I'm such a traeger perv

[video=youtube;XAyWIm7kaUA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?annotation_id=annotation_592915&feature=iv&src_vid=6MaSZohjiO8&v=XAyWIm7kaUA[/video]

just hanging out on the internet checking out other peoples meat.

Did you buy one yet?

Chicken wings are one of latest favorites.

[video=youtube;5pab1OaQNN0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5pab1OaQNN0#t=89[/video]

 

[MickZagger]

I'm going to be on vacation in a week so I'm probably going to buy it then so I can experiment and set it up. Kinda wondering if I should wait and see if there's any deals on black friday?

Those chicken wings look good!

 

[donkiez]

I'm going to be on vacation in a week so I'm probably going to buy it then so I can experiment and set it up. Kinda wondering if I should wait and see if there's any deals on black friday?

Those chicken wings look good!

I researched a lot before I bought mine, best all around deal is from costco. They also do a traveling road show once every other month or so where they bring in all their models and offer good prices on them. Never saw any amazing black friday type deals on them though. I say dont wait if you can afford it now.

 

[Denny Crane]

It's electric so you'll need an outlet near where you intend to use it. Fyi

 

[MickZagger]

It's electric so you'll need an outlet near where you intend to use it. Fyi

Yeah, that's another qualm of mine. I don't know how suitable it is for my small balcony at the apartment I'm currently at. My lease is up in March though.

 

[Denny Crane]

Use an extension cord

 

[donkiez]

I know people that use them in apartments. The smoke off them isnt that bad but you might get in trouble depending on your neighbors and management company. Just cook extra brisket and offer them some.

 

[MickZagger]

I'm buying a traeger this weekend at Costco. I'm really nervous though, because I'm reading a lot of bad reviews about people having problems with them.

How hard is it going to be to assemble? Is it an all day task? Also, what kind of pellets do you get? The traeger brand or some other brand?

 

[Denny Crane]

I think mine took 1/2 hour to assemble. All you do is put the legs/wheels on, 2 screws to attach the handle, and the little hat on top of the smoke pipe.

What problems do people have with them? They're really automatic. All you really have to do is keep it clean so the ash from previous fires doesn't clog the works. Also make sure you keep the hopper full enough or the fire goes out.

 

[MickZagger]

I think mine took 1/2 hour to assemble. All you do is put the legs/wheels on, 2 screws to attach the handle, and the little hat on top of the smoke pipe.

What problems do people have with them? They're really automatic. All you really have to do is keep it clean so the ash from previous fires doesn't clog the works. Also make sure you keep the hopper full enough or the fire goes out.

Which size do you have?

I've heard of people having problems with the auger?

What kind of digital thermostat did you get? Also, I've been told to stay away from the traeger brand pellets and get pellets from Costco?

 

[Denny Crane]

Which size do you have?

I've heard of people having problems with the auger?

What kind of digital thermostat did you get? Also, I've been told to stay away from the traeger brand pellets and get pellets from Costco?

The thermostat came built in to mine. I think all the new models are that way.

The auger has never been an issue for me.

I use the Traeger pellets. I wait for them to offer buy 3 get 1 free, or buy 5 get 2 free sales. Maybe using non-Traeger pellets screws up the auger

Their chicken rub is tasty.

 

[donkiez]

Ive never heard of anyone having issues with the auger either, I know about 10 others who have one and they all love theirs and none of us have had any issues of any kind. Ive also heard though that traeger has great customer service and sends out replacement parts with no issue, if something does happen.

Traeger brand pellets are fine, they are expensive though unless you get them from costco. I recently switched to Bear Mountain pellets from cash and carry. They have a few different flavors and are a bit cheaper. From what I understand they are very similar to traeger pellets, some people even claim they are manufactured by the same company but I think thats true.

Chicken rub is tasty. My suggestion for your first meal is full chicken, its easy and turns out really good. Treager brags about their chicken challenge anyway, which is full chicken on high for 1hr 10mins I think, check out youtube for some good videos. Dont be nervous, I am very happy with my Traeger, it was the best BBQ purchase I have ever made.