Swapped my pellet smoker for a stick burner after 3 years

I always thought pellets were the way to go for convenience, but a buddy let me try his brisket off a Lang smoker and the bark was unreal. Took the plunge last month on a used one for $400 and man, the flavor difference is huge even if I have to tend it every 45 minutes. Anyone else make the switch and feel like the extra work is worth it?

3 comments

3 Comments

linda_dixon491mo ago

I see what you mean about the bark, but I traded my stick burner for a pellet grill and never looked back, especially since I can set it and forget it while the family does other stuff. @uma_williams, the flavor difference isn't that huge once you get your rub game dialed in you know?

uma_williams1mo ago

Sold my Traeger last year, zero regrets-stick burner bark is unbeatable.

angela_harris1mo ago

Uma, 'stick burner bark is unbeatable' - my buddy Mike learned that the hard way last summer. He was showing off his new pellet grill at the family reunion, bragging about how easy it was. Well, we did a side by side with his old offset smoker and his brisket from the pellet grill came out with this sad, soft bark that just fell apart when he sliced it. Meanwhile that offset brisket had this deep, crunchy bark that everyone was fighting over. He ended up selling that pellet grill two months later and buying another stick burner. Some things just can't be replaced, I guess.