there is less smoke flavor in my experience eating Q from a traeger pellet, its not a bad thing depending on how much smoke flavor you prefer but honestly the best Q ive had came off a stick burner, hard to pin down but I assume it's the all wood fire and air flow penetrating the meat slightly more?....To me the Q that comes off a WSM or similar smoker are right in the middle and can provide light or heavy smoke flavor with the least amount of effort compared to a stick burner