Just looking for an opinion

Edward176 · May 26, 2018, 10:21:29 PM

Hello All, I found this pellet Smoker/Grill from Black Earth and just want to get a few opinions and input from those who have an off set pellet smoker. Please check it out: http://blackearthgrills.com/ and let me know what you think.

Habanero Smoker · May 27, 2018, 02:44:06 AM

I do have a pellet grill. It's a Green Mt. Jim Bowie Wi-Fi. I'm not a fan of them when it comes to smoke flavor. I know others will highly disagree, but when I'm on pellet forums, and one talks about how great a smoke flavor they get, and in the picture that is posted they have a bottle of hickory flavored sauce. I've tried all the tricks to get a smoke flavor, such as beginning you cook at 140°F etc. As one person on another forum calls it; "Wood fired taste". Meaning a flavor similiar to what you would expect from a wood fired smoked pizzas. Having said that it is almost as convient as my gas grill, with larger capacity.

The Black Earth Grills site doesn't give much technical information, other than the short video. The concept is a great idea. You can cook with or without "smoke". It will probably heat up faster than a pellet grill. But will it provide any substantial smoke flavor. I would guess it depends on the temperature the pellets are burning at. If the pellets are smoldering, as they would when used in an A-Maze-N smoker, that will improve the flavor. But in the video it appears the pellets are fully burning. It's one of those grills you would need to see demonstrated, and taste the food. But I really don't see any benifiet this grill has over a gas grill with an A-Maze-N tube, or a V-Shape smoker box, other than the convience of how the pellets are loaded and started.

Edward176 · May 27, 2018, 05:25:49 PM

Well thank you very much Hab for your analysis and insight. I am looking at possibly getting another smoker and have looked at Black Earth, Traeger, Pit Boss, Green Mountain and Camp Chef. So far the Camp Chef with Propane and sear box seems to be the most versatile and practicable for my liking, but,,,, haven't decided as yet. Still love my Bradley and find that it fills all my needs so I haven't made up my mind to take the plunge or wait another year.
I asked about the Black Earth since they manufacture them 45 minutes from where I live and always "try" to support local whenever feasible. I guess I'll keep looking. Thanks again Hab :)
In the mean time I'll keep my Napoleon propane Grill, and A-Maze-N pellet smoker, and enjoy the summer.

Habanero Smoker · May 28, 2018, 02:28:41 AM

Green Mt. has great customer service, and they seem to be leading the way in Wi-Fi controllers.

If you haven't already looked at Louisiana Grills, you may want to take a look at them. I believe they are manufactured in Alberta.

Your Napoleon and A-Maze-N smoker, is a good combination. If it is smoke flavor you are looking for, any time you can get a chance, taste food cooked on a pellet grill; before you make the plug.

TMB · May 28, 2018, 05:10:24 AM

If you have the $$$$ MAK pellet grills are top self of the pellet world. I do not own one cause of the price but I have cooked on them and I must say they are worth the money.

I own a RecTec RT680 and love it but the MAK is the grill to get!!

As Habbs said not a lot of smoke flavor but adding an A-Maz'n tube really kicks up the smoke profile

Salmonsmoker · May 28, 2018, 07:30:41 AM

Quote from: TMB on May 28, 2018, 05:10:24 AM
If you have the $$$$ MAK pellet grills are top self of the pellet world. I do not own one cause of the price but I have cooked on them and I must say they are worth the money.

I own a RecTec RT680 and love it but the MAK is the grill to get!!

As Habbs said not a lot of smoke flavor but adding an A-Maz'n tube really kicks up the smoke profile

I agree with TBM re: MAK. I own the 2-star General and it is an awesome cooking machine. It has the best controller on the market and has a WiFi option. It's very well built, made in America, and top notch customer service. It is spendy, but I'll be passing it on to next of kin. Only cry once...... They have a new igniter called a Flashfire that'll get you thousands of lights. Two thumbs up from me!!

Gafala · May 28, 2018, 10:01:05 AM

I was going to log on MAK site but Norton came up with a warning, "Identity Threats" best not to go there. Its up to you if you do just saying.

KyNola · May 29, 2018, 07:15:34 AM

There is nothing wrong with the MAK website. I have been on it multiple times. I'm pretty much ready to dump Norton from my computer for numerous reasons.

https://www.makgrills.com

Salmonsmoker · May 29, 2018, 07:16:37 AM

Quote from: Gafala on May 28, 2018, 10:01:05 AM
I was going to log on MAK site but Norton came up with a warning, "Identity Threats" best not to go there. Its up to you if you do just saying.

I was just on their website and didn't get any warning.

TMB · May 29, 2018, 07:25:43 AM

Quote from: KyNola on May 29, 2018, 07:15:34 AM
There is nothing wrong with the MAK website. I have been on it multiple times. I'm pretty much ready to dump Norton from my computer for numerous reasons.

https://www.makgrills.com

I dumped them years ago after a co-worker was told by them they weren't going to help him with his virus issues and he been using them for years!

Edward176 · May 30, 2018, 12:16:23 PM

Hello Hab, what system do you feel has the best/most smoke flavour? I would suspect an off set real wood smoker would probably have the best smoke flavour, since that's whats used in BBQ competitions videos that I've seen. My uncle still uses the smoker he built from steel plates and a fire pit some 5 feet away in the ground where he burns apple and cheery wood. I admit the smoke flavour can be over powering sometimes. There's nothing like wiping down the sausage before eating it to get the smoke off, but it sure is good eats.

Anyway, thank you to all the suggestions from everyone, thanks

Habanero Smoker · May 30, 2018, 01:31:33 PM

I've only seen the LG-1100 in action, but didn't get a chance to taste any samples. I couldn't tell you if the food placed in the smoker attachment would have any improvement in flavor.

I was just on the website. It the past the smoker attachment could be purchased separately, and attached to the LG-1100; but since Costco sells models with the side smoker, and cabinet I don't see the smoker attachment as an option anymore for the other models. On another forum there was some discussion of the Louisiana Grills sold at Costco, and most reviewers where stating that the Costco models where made from a thinner sheet metal. Probably to keep the cost as low as possible.

As far as the LG-1100 goes, the demo I was looking at was sturdy. What impressed me most about these grills is that there is not smoke stack, and the heat and smoke flows out of vent in the rear of the smoker. Which seems to improve the temperature across the grill.

johninyeg · March 13, 2021, 08:14:07 PM

Quote from: Edward176 on May 26, 2018, 10:21:29 PM
Hello All, I found this pellet Smoker/Grill from Black Earth and just want to get a few opinions and input from those who have an off set pellet smoker. Please check it out: http://blackearthgrills.com/ and let me know what you think.

I'm not sure if you're still following this, or if you have (likely after 2 years) already bought a grill. But I own a Black Earth and I LOVE it. It's a terrific grill, for starters. Consistent heat from the gas, good distribution of heat, and it warms up very quickly. Construction quality is top notch; I've had it for 4 years and it's very solid. As a smoker, it's terrific. Really an amazing device.

No device is perfect, and neither is this one.

1. The paint rusted out pretty quick. I like a new looking grill, but the worn and rusted look has a certain charm to it. This spring I'll be sanding it down and repainting it with some high-temp paint. But the smoker traps the heat great, and it's still running well after 4 years.

2. It's hard to do an offset smoke, because the smoker box is right in the middle. There's slots you can close to push the smoke to the sides, but the heat from the smoker is still central. You get used to it, though it's not ideal.

If you get one, get the extra large hopper for your pellets. The ones that come with it are too small.

But it really shines with cold smoking. 120 degrees if the lowest I've gotten with it. You just disconnect the temperature probe, and it smoke very very low.

But ultimately, the service from the company is TOP NOTCH. I had a problem, and they got onto WhatsApp with me for over an hour, trouble shooting the issue. This was 4 years after I bought it. Now that is great service!

Edward176 · March 14, 2021, 10:40:05 AM

Firstly johninyep let me welcome you to the Forum!!!
I never purchased a pellet grill/smoker after all. I ended up purchasing a "Char-Broil Kamander". Its a charcoal Kamado style grill/smoker, and I love it. As a matter of fact I'm doing a 4.5 kg Pork Shoulder as we speak. Making pulled pork for family dinner, and its been on since 08:00 this morning. In an hour or so I'll be wrapping it in foil for the remainder of the cook, and then towel and into cooler till its time to shred it for dinner :)
Once again Welcome!!!!