Serious question, is a pellet grill really worth it for a pitmaster?

I dropped about $800 on a big name pellet grill last year, thinking it would make my life easier. The idea of set it and forget it was nice, but the smoke flavor just isn't there compared to my old offset. I've run through bags of different wood pellets, played with the smoke settings, and even tried a smoke tube. The ribs and chicken come out fine, but for a real brisket or pork shoulder, it lacks that deep, rich bark and smoke ring I get from real wood. It feels more like a fancy oven than a true smoker. For someone who cares about that classic barbecue taste, I feel like I paid a lot for convenience over quality. Has anyone else gone back to stick burning after trying pellets?

2 comments

2 Comments

ericfox1mo ago

Wait, you spent eight hundred bucks on that thing?! That's wild.

riverhill1mo agoMost Upvoted

Eh, I paid half that for a used one and it's been fine.