I’m looking at the ironwood, deciding between 650 and 885.

I don’t think I’ll be cooking for big parties so 650 seems like it will be enough. Is this the right choice or should I look at a different smoker?

Bump

Professional BBQ brah checking in.

What's your budget ? Does it have to be a traeger ?

If not a traeger, and you can afford it, consider a Yoder smoker like this onehttps://www.yodersmokers.com/pellet/...s-pellet-grill

Rec teq also makes some good products and are a better value than traeger.

I run a stick burner but pellet smokers have a place too. Having a good thick cooking chamber and some type of fan/convection device is going to give you a superior cooking experience and make your food turn out better.

If you're serious and consider this an investment, I would strongly urge the colloquial "by once cry once" as advice.

Edit- sheet you're in Seattle, about 3 hours from me
Let's make some brisket brah.

I'm pretty casual, I started smoking meats in a weber kettle during the pandemic but would like to try out more things and get my hands on an actual smoker. Traegers are on sale this week and I'm going to be in portland tomorrow so I can pick one up for around $1100 with no sales tax and discounts. I think anything above this budget would be too much for now.


edit: after looking over that yoder, it looks pretty amazing
hmmmmm I guess I'll decide when I see the sizes in person

I bought a Char Griller 980 gravity feed, it's a really good compromise between a pellet and an offset. I used to strictly use a WSM, but wanted something I didn't have to tend as much, but still wanted a strong smoke flavor. I love it.

If I was going to get a pellet grill, I'd go Yoder or Mak.

Recteq RT700 is better than Traeger for about the same money. A step above that would be Yoder, but some ppl complain about the steel rusting on them (which isn’t actually a big deal, but you should know about it going in). Knowing nothing else, I’d recommend you get the RT700.

As for size, always get the bigger of the ones you’re considering. Pans of Mac and cheese or whatever else you might like can take a lot of room. If you’re smoking a whole packer and want room for other stuff, you’ll be happy you had the extra room.



ETA: if you’re in the PNW, the Yoder finish issues could be exacerbated by the climate there.

ETA2: Old Country has a gravity feed smoker that looks way good if you want to use charcoal instead of pellets. Much better quality than Masterbuilt (which ppl often land on when looking at gravity smokers because they’re cheap).

I have the 885, and love the size. Much more versatile than the 650 with the extra room. Makes meal prep, and entertaining easier.

I promise you that NO ONE goes from a 885 to a 650. For only $200 more, it’s the best move.

The thread was not for me since I had to search 'traeger' out of curiosity of not knowing. Was 50/50 that you were referring to a specific car brand lol

Traeger timberline 850 crew