Interesting. The price isn’t crazy either.

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This is what men use.

I don't know what tier 1 operators use.

But I have been enjoying a Weber Genesis. Three burner plus sear was easily getting to 600 yesterday in 25 degree weather.

Chinese trash...

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Yep (although KamadoJoe/Primo) are acceptable as well.

Not sure what you currently have, but I really like my uds with a fan controller - just don't buy a pre-made UDS, that is just wrong.


I have an offset, BGE, Weber kettle, and several gas grills (that are currently in rotation).  I mostly grill on a Weber gas, unless I want to play - then will do the BGE or kettle.  If I want to smoke 20lbs or less, odds are I use the UDS (unless the controller is fucked, then use the BGE).  The UDS with a controller smokes vastly better than the BGE - the BGE does not tolerate large quantities of smoking wood and in general does not need as much of a fire (so makes less smoke out of the tiny amount of wood it uses).  If I need to smoke over 20lbs, I can always fire up the smokehouse (that uses the same controller).  It can hold several hundred lbs of meat and I have done 24hr smokes without refueling it (it fuels with essentially the same amount of wood as a regular UDS) - as it is essentially an very efficiently insulated UDS (the fan exhausts the the smokehouse from a gap near the roof, down hollow walls to vents under the smokehouse).  As such the interior walls of the smokehouse are probably close to the same temp as the inside of the smokehouse.

A 26" Weber Kettle will do anything you need unless you're feeding large groups (15 or more) regularly.  You can spend more for something else but you don't need to.

Just my $0.02.  Most $2K grill owners will say I'm wrong, and I'm cool with that, but I'm not.

Real Tier 1 operators make their own grills and smokers from 24 inch gas line.

I'll for sure be getting one. I have a Weber propane grill for anything the GMG doesn't do well.

Except last for any amount of time.

 I think I have about $800 in my smoker / grill  made from pipe, expanded metal and angle iron.

Kamado Joe Big Joe 3.  It's not the best smoker, not the beat pizza oven, and it's not the best rotisserie...but it does a damn good job at them all.  I smoked a brisket below freezing a couple weeks ago.

Someone posted these here.  Im looking at this in gas, i want it to last 20 yrs like my weber.

https://cajunfryer.com/shop/scg20-20-smokin-cajun-grill-gas/

I picked up an Akron Jr two weeks ago for $150, new. I've enjoyed it enough so far that in a year or so I'm going bigger and ceramic. I'm loving this thing and it uses so little charcoal it's crazy.

Came here to post Kalamazoo.  The Gaucho is a little out of my price range.

https://kalamazoogourmet.com/products/k750-freestanding-hybrid-fire-grill/

I would have to agree. I wanted an all in one after moving cross country and having to leave my performer and 4 WSM’s behind, so Weber Summit Kamado filled that spot. It also helped that I got 2 for the price of 1.

do you have a bigger picture of it?

The rotisserie attachment is Awesome. The pizza attachment is okay.

THIS, my Wilmington Grill was bought in 2001 and is as good as new.  We grill about 4 to 5 times a week and never had a problem.

Peice of hesco grate and camel pies

I have had three different Traeger grills and one Green Mountain.  

I started with a Traeger tailgater when it first came out because it was reasonably priced.  I used it at home and took it camping.  It worked great.  Did a few briskets, chickens, and pizzas on it.  Along with steaks, burgers and all the other grillable foods.  I did chocolate chip cookies one...unique.  Good texture, a smoke cookie is not something I would say I need to have.  The challenge came first with a turkey, but it fit.  It did not seem like much room for the smoke to roll around...great results.  The real challenge was the larger spiral ham...had to cut it down to fit.  Good otherwise.  Then came a few control panel issues and several parts to replace after 5 years.  

One time I needed a new control panel for the tailgater either at warranty or just after...since I could not verify it they sent me a "used" one from a returned grill at no charge...I went out and bought my second grill a Texan. Because of the customer service.

A few weeks went by after receiving the Texan and I needed to stop by my local grill shop (I did not buy my Texan there) to pick up some pellets and charcoal for my regular grill.  While there I was able to check out a Green Mountain Grill (GMG).  My, what a heavy build it was for the grill and grates.  Similar concept, but just seemed more rugged.  I replaced my Tailgater with the GMG Davey Crockett since I used it primarily for camping and other portable uses.  Rugged, but LOUD when the pellets were feeding.  I had an issue with it shutting down about a year after owning it.  I took it to the repair shop (my local dealer) and mentioned both issues.  They took care of me.  It works and sounds like my Traegers.  I like the wifi when sitting in the chair while camping...makes a long smoke so easy.

The Texan is big, plenty of room for the turkey and ham.  All sorts of room.  I lined the bottom with fire brick to help the heat retention in the winter (I have not problem stepping out to the grill for great food in the single digits or colder).  This grill worked great.  I had it in one location and it was moved by somebody....just a little bit...just enough for my awesome maligator to reach part of it...the wiring.  She pulled the grill over to her to get to the grease bucket.  She also cleaned up the outside of it pretty good.  The trouble...all the wiring was cut up.  The replacement parts added up to about $200 shy of a new one of similar size and build.  This one was about 4 years old and figured it would be best to look at a replacement.  

I looked around and was pretty set on another GMG because it was rugged...real nice build quality.  Then I was at a different dealer which carried both Traeger and GMG.  I stepped up to a Traeger Timberline 1300.  It has a double wall so using it in the winter would be easy...I have added a couple bricks and will add a few more when I have a chance.  I cook on it a lot and really like the 1300's features.  

I believe you would enjoy a pellet grill which can obtain a high heat to attempt to sear meat.  This is a challenge faced by all pellet grills.  My GMG and new Traeger do just fine in this area.  I think the newer grills made today recognize this and have tried to step to the plate.  

FYI I still use a charcoal grill and just started using a Blackstone.  I may give some consideration to a green egg when my charcoal is due to be replaced.  We'll see what everyone's prices are then.

Good luck,

Mike

After closing my dissertation I re-read your title...a Tier 1 Operator will likely be successful using any source of heat for grilling.  

We bought my son one during the Costco tour.  Good deal and came with extras.

See that big sumbitch on the right?

I am not the proud owner of the one on the left now that my buddy has upgraded to the one on the right.
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I needed a new hobby, and pork, chicken, and beef are cheaper than bullets.

Primo. Made in America.

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Anything more than this is a waste of money, unless grills are your hobby.
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