Pellet or WSM for composite deck?


 
T

Tom Bowen

TVWBB Member
Cookers:
  • 22" WSM, which I've had for over 15 years and love (recently fell in a windstorm and the lid bent)
  • Genesis 325 (replaced my 10-year old Genesis last fall)
  • Camp Chef Smoke Vault
I got a new composite deck late last summer. I haven't used my WSM since, fearing it might damage the deck.

I bought a Camp Chef gas smoker to replace the WSM, which I'm not happy with and will get rid of.

I considered building a cart for the WSM to get the firebox higher from the deck until the storm hit and bent the lid.

Now, I'm not sure what to do. Buy a new WSM or new lid and try a custom cart installation (still concerned about how to light without the chance of embers reaching the deck), or buy a Searwood or other pellet grill?

Any suggestions?
 
I am a no charcoal on a wood deck kind of guy. Some say I am nuts and others say I am spot on. Just too easy for wood fueled or coal fired to lose an ember and ruin a deck IMO. Worked too hard building my deck to change I have gas grill, pellet grill, and gas fireplace out there. I like the pellet grill and find it safe because all the fire is contained internally. No embers can get out
 
Tom Bowen said:
Thanks. I’m eyeing the new Searwood or Camp Chef Woodwind Pro.
Click to expand...
Both great choices. Take a look at some of the newer Traegers if you get a chance that don't have the stack. I really like the design of a rear vented grill. Cleaner and easier upkeep. Easier to cover uncover, also pay attention to cleanout chores
 
Can you straighten the lid on the WSM. You could put it on a cart, and/or add a metal pan underneath for ashes/embers.

Another option is a Weber Summit Kamado. It is a great smoker and a fantastic grill.

Fair warning, you might abandon your Genesis 325...
 
LMichaels said:
Both great choices. Take a look at some of the newer Traegers if you get a chance that don't have the stack. I really like the design of a rear vented grill. Cleaner and easier upkeep. Easier to cover uncover, also pay attention to cleanout chores
Click to expand...
I’ll check them out.

The primary concern I have with pellet grills are the electrical components and mechanical parts breaking down.

I’m not the handiest guy. Lol.
 
The biggest problem with composite is dropping a hot coal or pieces of coal which happens when moving a lit chimney.
You can put matts down but move them occasionally for fading and air flow. They trap moisture underneath.
I cleaned a relatively new deck and you could still see the outline of the grill matt and it was only down for a year.
 
I can see your dilemma; it makes me nervous just thinking about you using charcoal on a composite deck. I have an older SmokeFire and I have seen small embers, or sparks shoot out of the ash catcher when the fan is running at higher speeds.

Is it possible you have a feasible area off the deck for consideration? Possibly placing some landscape pavers for a cooking zone?

Good luck.
 
24 X 36 oil drip pan. Costs like $15 bucks.

They nest together, so you can get several. Easy to store flat for the 99.7% of the time when the cooker isn’t in use.

Done!

Or you can do the harbor freight cart diy. Which even I could do. Or both.

Zero worries on my trex deck.
 
Tom Bowen said:
I’ll check them out.

The primary concern I have with pellet grills are the electrical components and mechanical parts breaking down.

I’m not the handiest guy. Lol.
Click to expand...
They're really a lot more trouble free than you might think. Biggest thing is maintenance. You cannot ignore that. They need to be vacuumed out, at least every 3-4 cooks or less if the cooks are extended as I'll be doing tonight. Got a half pork butt and a brisket point thawing and waiting to get prepped to go on Big Z tonight between 2230-2300. Plan is to have them being pulled for resting sometime between 1100 and 1400 whenever they probe tender. Resting until 1700 and served
 
timothy said:
The biggest problem with composite is dropping a hot coal or pieces of coal which happens when moving a lit chimney.
You can put matts down but move them occasionally for fading and air flow. They trap moisture underneath.
I cleaned a relatively new deck and you could still see the outline of the grill matt and it was only down for a year.
Click to expand...
Thank you.
LMichaels said:
They're really a lot more trouble free than you might think. Biggest thing is maintenance. You cannot ignore that. They need to be vacuumed out, at least every 3-4 cooks or less if the cooks are extended as I'll be doing tonight. Got a half pork butt and a brisket point thawing and waiting to get prepped to go on Big Z tonight between 2230-2300. Plan is to have them being pulled for resting sometime between 1100 and 1400 whenever they probe tender. Resting until 1700 and served
Click to expand...
Didn’t think about cleaning. Thank you.

Good luck with your cook!
 
I have a wood deck. When I had my WSM, I used to put a metal water heater pan under it during use. Didn't leave it out there on the regular because I didn't want to trap moisture under it. But (knock on wood), I still have deck.
 
Putting things on the deck, taking them away, putting it back. Nah. Not my cup of tea. If/when I get my sheltered concrete or brick paver patio ever done, I may add to the fleet with a coal or stick burner. Until then no coal or stick burners on wood or composite.
I understand no appliance is 100% safe. But, I also don't need to "push" my luck.
I noted the SmokeFire emitting embers. That is pretty scary stuff to me. One of the things i appreciate on my pellet grills is even if I have the worst case scenarios (a burn back or burn through on the burn pot), the heavy gauge outer shell will keep a burn through intact and there is a lot of steel in the way if a burn back should take place and would be quite well contained
 
I used to put my 18.5" WSM in a 17 G tub on my old deck.
It was tall enough to shield the bottom vents on windy days and no stray embers could blow out.
1742847735394.png
Now I have a concrete patio and a 22.5" WSM on wheels
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

 

Back
Top