The Grill Coach’s 5 Favorite Grills and Smokers for 2021

Yoder YS640S

We at The Grill Coach are so passionate and enthusiastic about bbq and grilling we always have our eye on the “next” thing. If you love bbq and grilling you too probably are always looking at a new cooker, a new smoker or a new technique to try. This craft that we love has endless possibilities. Is there a best way? Probably not. Is there a better way? Of course! 

So how do you choose what technique or what cooker/smoker to buy? You really need to do some self discovery. Am I sounding like a counselor trying to help you with your bbq addiction? That’s why I write, that’s why we are here! To help you decide the direction you need to go. 

But first what type of cooking do you want to do? How much cooking do you want to do? These are key answers before you can start discussing the other big question. What's your budget? 

Here are some very basic and quick explanation of different types of cooking:

Grilling - Hot and fast, typically small single serve proteins, veggies and fruits. Requires constant attention during the cook as it is very active attention from the cook. Large gatherings will have a higher quantity of proteins. Food examples include steaks, hot dogs, hamburgers, squash, pineapples, chicken wings, etc. 

Smoking - Slow and low, long prep and cook times. Large proteins that can make multiple meals or feed a big crowd. Activity levels during the cook will vary depending on the smoker. Food examples include pork shoulder, brisket, whole chickens, cakes, breads, pies, etc

BBQ - This word is polysemantic! Meaning there are multiple definitions for what this could be. We will have to explore these many meanings in another article. 

In the meantime, let's give you what you came here for. The Grill Coach’s 5 recommended grills and smokers for 2021. Feel free to check out our conversation about this on https://www.thegrillcoach.com/podcast 

The BIG wish grill for Wes is the Yoder YS640S. What is a Yoder? Well see what they say about themselves on their website www.yodersmokers.com “Yoder Smokers are NOT the typical barbecue pit you buy down at the local department store. These American Made Barbecue Grills and Smokers are designed for use at the biggest BBQ competitions – and in your own backyard, where the competition can be just as stiff.” Bottom line this is not a cooker to play with. Serious buyers only. I have always known Yoder to have some of the best reputations and quality of just about any smoker that is built.

The YS640S is a pellet grill that comes with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, 2 food probes, ceramic ignition system and 10 gauge steel construction. (That’s heavy duty). This smoker appears to be extremely well-built and provides for all the versatility you would expect out of a top of the line pellet grill. This is a top notch quality cooker that comes with a hefty price of $2,229 plus shipping. 

Rectec Bullseye RT380

The more realistic choice for Wes is the Rectec Bullseye RT380. Another pellet selection for Wes. Weird, I know. I didn't expect that from him but considering his current stable of cookers, I can understand. I know that I’m not doing it justice when I say the RT380 is basically a Weber Kettle with a pellet hopper attached. Looking more closely, this cooker is so much more. It does use the Weber dome design but that is where the comparisons stop. This cooker has a stainless steel cooking chamber and the manufacturer calls this a weekday workhorse! I love that description. Coming in at a $399 price point this seems like a nice addition to anyone’s backyard. 

Traeger Ranger

Frankie only had one desired cooker this year. Probably because he is being realistic and he doesn't have much space in his backyard. Another point to consider when choosing a cooker. He is after the Traeger Ranger. I am a big Traeger Fan and owner of the best Traeger on the market, a model called Timberline 1300. So I like this choice already. This also gives Frankie his first pellet cooker. Every bbq enthusiast needs at least one pellet cooker. The Traeger Ranger emphasizes the portability of this cooker. It was about 60lbs and is 21”x20”x13” and folds up like luggage and you can smoke a rack of ribs or grill 6 burgers on it. Most importantly, I could put this in the trunk of my car, not bad for $399.

Time for my selections. My first selection is a dream selection just like Wes (why do I always copy this guy?). When I first started expanding my knowledge of bbq and grilling, I learned about a reverse flow smoker. A reverse flow smoker is a stick also known as an offset cooker. This looks like a traditional Texas style offset with the fire box off to the side. However, with the reverse flow all the heat and smoke will travel from the fire box to the opposite side of the cooker. This allows the heat to distribute evenly from your fire box. When the heat and smoke reaches the other side it is then turned around up and over the cooking surface so you can still have eat and smoke flavor gently kissing your proteins as it travels past. So the fire box and the exhaust duct are on the same side of the cooker. I want the Lang 48” Deluxe really, I would take any of the reverse flows. Cooking with only wood produces the best flavor of any bbq. The Lang cookers are extremely well built and very well insulated to help you keep even temperatures for a long time. This cooker takes an expert and patience to operate so it's not for the faint of heart and if you are going to pony up $3,295 plus shipping, you need to be ready to learn the craft in and out. 

Lang 48” Deluxe

Finally, my last selection is a Gas Grill. Yes it is recorded in the early Grill Coach podcast that I’m not a fan of gas grills. However, life is a heck of a teacher. I now see so many opportunities when I would love to fire up something quick outside. I have been Gas Grill curious for some time now. One of the caveats I have is adding a Gas grill to my arsenal, I need to make sure that it is quality. I expect thick steel with sturdy construction. Excellent burner control and searing options. Maybe even a rotisserie radiant option. I would need something like the Weber Genesis II coming in about $1,200. I have trusted Weber for so long with most of their products and their customer service has always been great.  

Well, I hope our loved ones have a better idea of what to buy us. Hopefully all the links will get them there. I’m waiting for the day my wife will order that Lang Deluxe for me even though I might be waiting a while. Truthfully, there are sooo many great cookers on the market and when you get bit by the bug like we had, you want to try cooking on everything. I will probably never stop buying smokers because it is so much fun learning how to cook on different cookers. This is the real value of this. You can cook great food on anything, the challenge is learning that cooker. If you need help learning a cooker send me an email jay@thegrillcoach.com. I can help! Listen to the podcast! We can help! The goal of The Grill Coach brand are to Learn, Teach and Share everything in the world of Grilling and BBQ. 

Get out there and grill!