Buying a Smoker- Traeger or Little Chief

[Theblindsquirrel]

I am considering buying a smoker. I was looking at Treggors and saw that they have the ability to easily switch from a BBQ to a smoker. Has anyone smoked with Treggor? How do you like it? I hear they are killer BBQ's.

[GarySt]

Originally Posted by Theblindsquirrel

I am considering buying a smoker. I was looking at Treggors and saw that they have the ability to easily switch from a BBQ to a smoker. Has anyone smoked with Treggor? How do you like it? I hear they are killer BBQ's.

There's been lots of comments on Treggor's on this site, you might want to do a search. It seems like it's the one to get if your serious about BBQ/Smoking and can spend the money. Someday I hope to have one, but for now the Big Chief does the job. If you're new to smoking, then you might want to start with the Chief, they are inexpensive at Bi-Mart type stores (I also see some at Garage Sales every now and then). Good luck, smoke 'em up.

[fishkid2]

Our Traeger is on of our greatest investments. I love it. I can smoke salmon perfectly one day and cook a mouth watering tri tip the next.

[Best Fishes]

I have had very good luck smoking salmon with my Traeger. My Big tex stays between 158 and 163 degress on smoke. I have found that pinks, coho and humpies take about 4 hours to smoke.
Get smoker going about 15 minutes before you put fish on so the temperature drops down to 160 and is steady. When you first get smoker going it goes up to about 275 degrees since there are more pellets in the system than is needed.

Best Fishes

[Hookachinook]

I have both a Traeger and a Big Chief smoker and have smoked lots of fish with each. I actuallly prefer the Big Chief for smoking and the Traeger for BBQing, etc. The reason for this is that, IMHO, the Traeger burns too hot, even on the lowest setting and has a tendency to dry out the fish too much and too fast. In addition, there more flavor from the smoke chips available for the Big Chief.There is a "learning" curve with the Traeger but is nice in other ways. Good luck!

[SlamminSalmon69]

Originally Posted by Theblindsquirrel

I am considering buying a smoker. I was looking at Treggors and saw that they have the ability to easily switch from a BBQ to a smoker. Has anyone smoked with Treggor? How do you like it? I hear they are killer BBQ's.

Traeger's are cerainly the cadillacs when it comes to grills/smokers, or at the very least, they are PRICED like cadillacs.

I will keep my commets limited to just the smoking aspect of things since that is specifically what you asked about. Additionally, I am not sure what your skill level/experience is with smoking things so I will assume since you are asking, you are relatively new to it.

Personally, from a cost/benefit standpoint I highly recommend the Masterbuilt 30" digital electric smoker. It makes smoking most anything about as easy and error free as can be. It is insulated (think small mini fridge) unlike the Big Chief/Little Chief so smoking in cold weather is not that big of a deal. I did some pork loins in mine this winter with the smoker sitting outside in a inch of snow and temps down around freezing. It hummed right along at 225 like nothing was wrong. You would play heck trying to keep a Lil chief up to temp in those conditions without making some sort of insulator or smoking indoors. (not recommended.)

I have smoked pork loins, ribs, turkeys, pork shoulders, bacon, and cheese all with no issues. now, to "cold smoke" things like bacon and cheese you will need to get an additional little deally to do that. There are a few self made and store bought options available and i tried a few home made ways before settling on a thing called an Amazing Smoker to use for cold smoking. it is basically just a little tray of expanded steel that you use wood dust in to produce smoke without raising the temp inside the smoker significantly.

Temperature is controlled via a digital thermostat. just set the temp and time and you're good to go. no constant monitoring/adjusting of temperatures needed. Also, it uses just straight up wood chips you can buy most anywhere for a few bucks a bag. no expensive pellets or pucks. One tray of chips gives me enough smoke to do just about anything I have wanted to do so far. Early on I used to add more and more chips...but pretty much just ended up wasting them and overloading the chip tray. lol.

I paid about $150.00 for mine..waaay less expensive than the similar Bradley Smoker with all the same features (minus using the expensive pucks)

Here is the downside....

I don't think you can get the same model i have anymore as it was discontinued in favor of a "new and improved" version. I got mine from Amazon and it took a few weeks to ship (free), but it was worth the wait.

I know plenty of people that run the "Chiefs" and turn out some really amazing smoked products. I know a few people that own tragers and rave about them like they are part of the family (which makes sense since the cost of ownership is similar to the cost of having a child..lol) I am all about Value and Ease of Use.

Also, search around for forums/communities that are centered around smoking. I belong to one, but don't think i can post it without calling down the wrath of the almighty MODS. I may suggest just putting this is your search... "Smoking Meat Forums" There are tons of posts from guys that live/eat/breath smoking/grilling regarding which smoker to use. The Master Built has quite a following among the simple users that don't run $10,000 custom/professional grade smokers. lol.

Good Luck!!!!!

[Amahnee]

Take a look at Green Mouontain Grills... That's the one I'm gonna get...

Better quality than the Traeger too!

[foxer]

I love my Traeger for everything but searing. It just doesnt really get hot enough.

[the flyman]

I've been using a Brinkman, charcoal with water pan for over 20 years. Smokes fish perfectly. Same cost as a Chief smoker and in my opinion better. If you need a brine recipe PM me.

If you must smoke: SMOKE SALMON!

[Bloom]

If you want to have a little fun, have the time and want to end up with a finer smoker, get a sheet of 1/2 or 3/4 " plywood, build a box and line it with thin sheet metal, add a $15.00 hot plate, 4 oven racks from the local thrift shop and you are good to go.

I recently found a stainless food service cart that i made into a smoker. Total cost: $15.00 for the hotplate, an old Penn reel that i traded for the cart and $12.00 for some wheels. I did buy some pipe and cut a hole in the side so i could do some cold smoking.

[Theblindsquirrel]

Thank you all for the insight!

[ajaxmoody]

I have both - in my experience the Traeger does a good job in smoking but lacks the deep smoke flavor I like that I get from the Little Chief. My suggestion is use the traeger if you are looking for a bit of smoke flavor but if you really want to taste smoke - use the Chief.


Have fun.

[cali boy]

don't buy the little chief. it's too small. buy the big one. learn from my mistake.

[Sndslgr]

Smoke Daddy added to a Traeger and you control how much smoke goes in. Plus you can do cheese, real jerky, bacon etc... In this video the Traeger is not even plugged in, smoke is all from the SD.

You Tube

You Tube

[Smoke It]

Originally Posted by Hookachinook

I have both a Traeger and a Big Chief smoker and have smoked lots of fish with each. I actuallly prefer the Big Chief for smoking and the Traeger for BBQing, etc. The reason for this is that, IMHO, the Traeger burns too hot, even on the lowest setting and has a tendency to dry out the fish too much and too fast. In addition, there more flavor from the smoke chips available for the Big Chief.There is a "learning" curve with the Traeger but is nice in other ways. Good luck!

Hookachinook, the temp is adjustable on a Traeger (if you have a digital)where as with the chief it a guessing game

[porscheguy]

Originally Posted by Bloom

If you want to have a little fun, have the time and want to end up with a finer smoker, get a sheet of 1/2 or 3/4 " plywood, build a box and line it with thin sheet metal, add a $15.00 hot plate, 4 oven racks from the local thrift shop and you are good to go.

I recently found a stainless food service cart that i made into a smoker. Total cost: $15.00 for the hotplate, an old Penn reel that i traded for the cart and $12.00 for some wheels. I did buy some pipe and cut a hole in the side so i could do some cold smoking.

The big box thing works great, just remember to always use stainless racks.

[MaribouBill]

I have both. Had the little chief first and traeger came later. I woulndn't give up the traeger, great food everytime. But to slow cook jerky and have more control on temp - I pull out the little chief

[MaribouBill]

Originally Posted by Smoke It

Hookachinook, the temp is adjustable on a Traeger (if you have a digital)where as with the chief it a guessing game

Adjustable, but not sensitive enough with my dial anyway. Sometimes sun will effect it enough that i wish i could dial in smaller increments. My brother put a kitchen range reostat in his brinkman and has very good control over these. could do that too with a little chief

[100% Siwash]

Traeger tip of the day for smoking fish.

Disconnect the internal temperature rod from the controll board and you will get a 510 error reading on your digital guage... the max temp your traeger will reach is 150 if you are lucky so it smokes fish SOOOO perfect 8-12 hours just like a big cheif..

dont forget to re connect when you cook food!

[Moe]

Originally Posted by Hookachinook

I have both a Traeger and a Big Chief smoker and have smoked lots of fish with each. I actually prefer the Big Chief for smoking and the Traeger for BBQing, etc. The reason for this is that, IMHO, the Traeger burns too hot, even on the lowest setting and has a tendency to dry out the fish too much and too fast. In addition, there more flavor from the smoke chips available for the Big Chief.There is a "learning" curve with the Traeger but is nice in other ways. Good luck!

I also have both and this pretty much sums up how I feel about it. I love both products and each does what they were intended to do best.

[Bill Rogue V.]

I'm down to just the Traeger now, and was a bit concerned about it cooking a little too hot and fast. (I don't have the digital control.) Wondering if adding foil under the fish a couple of hours in would help. Anyone have any experience with this?

[Captain Kirk]

Originally Posted by Bill Rogue V.

I'm down to just the Traeger now, and was a bit concerned about it cooking a little too hot and fast. (I don't have the digital control.) Wondering if adding foil under the fish a couple of hours in would help. Anyone have any experience with this?

Get the digital.... You can pick them up for less than $80 now. They should not even be selling them with the old analog controlers anymore.

[elkhunter338]

I like the big chief for smoking salmon.
I like my $99 smoke hollow #3 propane from Bi-mart for cooking chicken, ribs and such.
Big chief is not hot enough for cooking ribs especially when the weather is cold out side.
Never used a traeger, I bet it would cook nice ribs.

[Bill Rogue V.]

Captain Kirk: I have the Lil Tex with the analog temp controller and haven't felt too handicapped by it so far.

[bigjnemo]

Originally Posted by the flyman

I've been using a Brinkman, charcoal with water pan for over 20 years. Smokes fish perfectly. Same cost as a Chief smoker and in my opinion better. If you need a brine recipe PM me.

If you must smoke: SMOKE SALMON!

x 2 for the brinkman

[kristi]

Originally Posted by Hookachinook

I have both a Traeger and a Big Chief smoker and have smoked lots of fish with each. I actuallly prefer the Big Chief for smoking and the Traeger for BBQing, etc. The reason for this is that, IMHO, the Traeger burns too hot, even on the lowest setting and has a tendency to dry out the fish too much and too fast. In addition, there more flavor from the smoke chips available for the Big Chief.There is a "learning" curve with the Traeger but is nice in other ways. Good luck!

this has been my experience as well, if I am smoking fish it is in the Big Chief and if I am BBQing fish it is always on the Traeger

Originally Posted by Amahnee

Take a look at Green Mouontain Grills... That's the one I'm gonna get...

Better quality than the Traeger too!

they are the bomb for sure, Jason Green is a friend of mine and we have sampled his BBQ at a few local competitions and his fish off his Green Mountain is delicious!

Originally Posted by foxer

I love my Traeger for everything but searing. It just doesnt really get hot enough.

I agree, I love my Traeger and the ease of starting it up and always cook fish on it and sometimes chicken but when I have time I do most of my cooking on my Big Green Egg as it gets hotter and you have much more control over temperature and smoke and find it more stable.

Sometimes when it is cold out we will put a thick wool blanket (bought at Military Surplus store) over the Traeger to allow it to get up to temp in cold weather and to stabilize hot temps.

[Oregon Ed]

I used a Lil Chief for years and it worked great, BUT then I bought a Traeger and the heavens opened up.....

[Bill Rogue V.]

Ed: So you're smoking fish on your Traeger?

[fishnrandy]

still love my big cheif

[williesfish]

Can`t beat the Big Chief, love the result.

[frogwaterkid]

Originally Posted by ajaxmoody

I have both - in my experience the Traeger does a good job in smoking but lacks the deep smoke flavor I like that I get from the Little Chief. My suggestion is use the traeger if you are looking for a bit of smoke flavor but if you really want to taste smoke - use the Chief.


Have fun.

I agree 100% I have both, fish go in the big chief, traeger does the other meats.

[7mmstw]

also cosider a propane smoker w/wood chip box& burner
they come with a water tray that really puts the mosture/steam back in the meat while the smoke cooks it
bi mart 99.00 .... cant go wrong i love mine.

[Umpqua Hunter]

Originally Posted by Theblindsquirrel

I am considering buying a smoker. I was looking at Treggors and saw that they have the ability to easily switch from a BBQ to a smoker. Has anyone smoked with Treggor? How do you like it? I hear they are killer BBQ's.

When I decided to get a pellet grill I did a bunch of research. I got the Green Mountain grill about two years ago. We love it. It has a digital temperature controller and can be set in 5 degree increments from 150 F to 500F. One of the best purchases I have ever made.

[Stromith]

to get a traeger you need to have lots of time to get the best results. you need to always be monitering the temp. but it really pays off in the flavor. its not like a gas grill that just start and go

[elkhunter338]

I would buy a little cheif for smoking fish and a smoke hollow propane smoker (smaller one) from Bi-mart. they sell for $99 on sale for $79

I just got a smoke hollow from bi-mart, makes great ribs, chicken (whole and cut up) and turkey and such. Guy at work says also does great pork butts for pulled pork sandwich. My wife just got me about 10 pounds pork butts, going on the smoker saturday.

[chuck combs]

Originally Posted by SlamminSalmon69

Traeger's are cerainly the cadillacs when it comes to grills/smokers, or at the very least, they are PRICED like cadillacs.

I will keep my commets limited to just the smoking aspect of things since that is specifically what you asked about. Additionally, I am not sure what your skill level/experience is with smoking things so I will assume since you are asking, you are relatively new to it.

Personally, from a cost/benefit standpoint I highly recommend the Masterbuilt 30" digital electric smoker. It makes smoking most anything about as easy and error free as can be. It is insulated (think small mini fridge) unlike the Big Chief/Little Chief so smoking in cold weather is not that big of a deal. I did some pork loins in mine this winter with the smoker sitting outside in a inch of snow and temps down around freezing. It hummed right along at 225 like nothing was wrong. You would play heck trying to keep a Lil chief up to temp in those conditions without making some sort of insulator or smoking indoors. (not recommended.)

I have smoked pork loins, ribs, turkeys, pork shoulders, bacon, and cheese all with no issues. now, to "cold smoke" things like bacon and cheese you will need to get an additional little deally to do that. There are a few self made and store bought options available and i tried a few home made ways before settling on a thing called an Amazing Smoker to use for cold smoking. it is basically just a little tray of expanded steel that you use wood dust in to produce smoke without raising the temp inside the smoker significantly.

Temperature is controlled via a digital thermostat. just set the temp and time and you're good to go. no constant monitoring/adjusting of temperatures needed. Also, it uses just straight up wood chips you can buy most anywhere for a few bucks a bag. no expensive pellets or pucks. One tray of chips gives me enough smoke to do just about anything I have wanted to do so far. Early on I used to add more and more chips...but pretty much just ended up wasting them and overloading the chip tray. lol.

I paid about $150.00 for mine..waaay less expensive than the similar Bradley Smoker with all the same features (minus using the expensive pucks)

Here is the downside....

I don't think you can get the same model i have anymore as it was discontinued in favor of a "new and improved" version. I got mine from Amazon and it took a few weeks to ship (free), but it was worth the wait.

I know plenty of people that run the "Chiefs" and turn out some really amazing smoked products. I know a few people that own tragers and rave about them like they are part of the family (which makes sense since the cost of ownership is similar to the cost of having a child..lol) I am all about Value and Ease of Use.

Also, search around for forums/communities that are centered around smoking. I belong to one, but don't think i can post it without calling down the wrath of the almighty MODS. I may suggest just putting this is your search... "Smoking Meat Forums" There are tons of posts from guys that live/eat/breath smoking/grilling regarding which smoker to use. The Master Built has quite a following among the simple users that don't run $10,000 custom/professional grade smokers. lol.

Good Luck!!!!!

I love mine too

[salmon718]

Not much experience with the Traeger. Grown up using Little Chief and later the Big Chief. Both are great smokers and affordable. Last year went with the Masterbuilt 30 and love it.

[sadiesassy]

Why not just get an old used refrigerator - rip out the compressor and lines.
Replace the rubber molding with a higher temp build a fire in it to clean out things.

or BUilt a small plywood wlk in - add some racks and ad a small metal bucket for the smoking - forget the lining

Originally Posted by Bloom

If you want to have a little fun, have the time and want to end up with a finer smoker, get a sheet of 1/2 or 3/4 " plywood, build a box and line it with thin sheet metal, add a $15.00 hot plate, 4 oven racks from the local thrift shop and you are good to go.

I recently found a stainless food service cart that i made into a smoker. Total cost: $15.00 for the hotplate, an old Penn reel that i traded for the cart and $12.00 for some wheels. I did buy some pipe and cut a hole in the side so i could do some cold smoking.

[ricochet]

Love this thread as it clears up a lot. My Traeger works great for meats that you have alot of time - turkey, roasts etc. My wood box home made smoker (dry wood fire) is awesome for salmon etc. But when it comes to having a super grilled steak - My old beat up Webber beats everything out there. Some one mentioned BBQPitBoys.com - I went on and what a great site - answers alot of questions - boy do those boy's know how to eat!

[SLEDMONSTER]

Originally Posted by ricochet

Love this thread as it clears up a lot. My Traeger works great for meats that you have alot of time - turkey, roasts etc. My wood box home made smoker (dry wood fire) is awesome for salmon etc. But when it comes to having a super grilled steak - My old beat up Webber beats everything out there. Some one mentioned BBQPitBoys.com - I went on and what a great site - answers alot of questions - boy do those boy's know how to eat!

BBQPitBoys is a great site.

[wegotjs]

My Traeger does smoking great, smoked fall chinook last year on it. It will dry it out to much if you don't keep a eye on it, so i always add some fluid (like apple juice ) inside to keep it moist.

[dampainter]

neither!! i have two electric brinkmans that have been using for the last 12 years no complaints on my smoked fish, from anyone. not even as spendy as a traeger and ALOT faster than a chief....around $80.00 at home depot.

[boone08]

Buy a Bradley smoker! I love mine, and all my friends do to. It is by far the best smoker i have ever owned. It is a truled set it and forget it smoker. Salmon is amazing with it, jerky. you can cool full birds. It is a little pricy, but nothing like a traeger.

Oh by the way, i have owned a little chief, and a propane smoker.

[steelers]

Greem mountain, you can cook in 5 degree incerment's from 150 to 500 degree's. best all around!

[steelers]

Meant Green mountain, not Greem