Food Smokers and Smoking Tips/Tricks/Techniques

Close the lid!

 

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From my understanding though, you're supposed to get to 150* first with the lid open, then you can close and set temp, is this right?

 

Outside of the fact that it hasn’t exploded yet. What’s better about it? I’m going to be looking for a new one in the next year so may as well start my homework again. I like the Pitts & Spitts but one you add the $300 WiFi it’s going to cost me $3k.

 

I was reading! Instructions say nothing about having the lid open. It's not a Traeger!!!

 

I wifi search comes up empty? Reboot your phone. I'm certainly not a wifi expert.

 

Lid closed...let it finish startup and get to 150° before making temp adjustments. Follow the shutdown procedures too...

Happy Smoking! ...instead of exploding.

 

From my very little time with the Traeger and even shorter amount of time with this GMG here's my initial takeaways:

• Build quality: everything just seems more robust and built to last. Granted I haven't had experience with your model or higher end Traegers, but just compared to my 20 that I had, it's night and day.
• PID controller: just seems better quality. You can also adjust in increments of 5* which I like. Again, build quality of it seems nicer and more thought out. The LED is also nicer, I can read the temp it's displaying from my office upstairs which overlooks the patio.
• Included side table: to me it's just a nice touch to it. Easily removable but also seems quite sturdy. Has built in hooks to hang your utensils and what not.
• Wheels: again, havent seen the bigger models but the 20 only had 2. The GMG has 2 big rubber wheels and 2 "steering" wheels.

As you know I only did 3 smokes on the Traeger and I haven't even finished the burn in on this GMG. These are just my initial thoughts on it, but so far it just feels better.

 

If you had WiFi and could use the app, you can adjust in 1° increments.

 

Ah, will keep closed next time to start up!

I dunno, could just be that GMG took out the part on newer models when they figured out people were modding it to have wifi

As above, noted! I didn't adjust temp until it hit 150* and that's when I closed the lid and changed temp to 350*. I will be sure to leave the lid closed while heating to 150 next time though. And will do the shutdown procedures as instructed as well!

 

I forgot to hook up my TP for the burn in just to check the variance between the grill and the TP. BUT the GMG readout has stayed a constant 350 every time I've checked! Already a better track record!

 

The wire connects to the main board. I can't see them making 2 different boards, but could be. I'll send you a blurry pic if needed.

You don't need to hit 150f to set temp. As soon as the readout shows temp, you can set it.

 

You can still plug in the probe and stick it in the hole.

 

I’m already in shut down mode. I have faith it worked perfectly though!

 

Ya that’s kind of what I’m thinking. I will open up the board tonight and take a look and report back. If you could send a pic that would be great

 

When in shutdown mode - should I leave the lid closed? Opened? Does it matter?

 

Unplug power before pulling the controller.

The black wire is the antenna wire. You will see a itty bitty gold circle with a pin in the middle, that's where the wire connects.

 

Vacuum sealer is a must with a smoker at least here where I am basically the only one eating it most of the time. But bacon is seldom a problem Just need to find ways to cook more of it at once. May I recommend cast iron?

One in the kitchen. One by the sliding glass door going out to the deck where the smokers and grills are. And a garden hose run to the deck but doesn't do much good when it is frozen solid. After reading the saga of exploding poopers thinking I should invest in a fire blanket also even though I don't own a pooper. Wouldn't be a bad idea in all seriousness.

 

Thanks! Will pull it apart in a few hours

 

I don't think it matters, but I leave mine closed. But I have wifi.