Pellet Grilles - Coleman Cookout Pellet Grille vs ??

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Jul 5th, 2021 6:04 pm

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Jul 5th, 2021 10:03 am

Jmjs83 [OP]: Newbie; Jan 4, 2016; 6 posts; Wasaga Beach, On

Jul 5th, 2021 10:03 am

Pellet Grilles - Coleman Cookout Pellet Grille vs ??

I'm looking for my first pellet grille and I see the Canadian Tire has Coleman's new Cookout pellet grille on sale, $100 off for $699.

Can anyone offer some insight as to whether this is a good grille? The price seems right, the few reviews on CT's website are all great, 4.8 avg but only 5 reviews.

https://www.canadiantire.ca/en/pdp/cole ... p.html#srp

Ct's website has more info than Colemans, but they are claiming:

Coleman Cookout™ Pellet Grill features 1035 sq. in. (7.1 sq.ft) of total cooking surface
Fueled by 100% all-natural BBQ hardwood pellets
24 lbs (11 kg) hopper capacity
3-Tiered porcelain coated cooking grates
LED digital controller with 2 probe read-outs, timer, set temperature and adjustable temperature settings
Fully insulated lid and firebox
Space saving folable size shelf
Assembled Dimensions: 55.8" L x 28.7" W x 47.8" H (141.7 x 72.8 x 121.4 cm)

I haven't been able to find anything in a comparable price range that has the extra insulation, total cooking surface, and a shelf.

The big thing lacking is the WiFi. Is it a worth it? What is a comparable Traeger at around this price point?

I like coleman propane grills, Im currently using a compact condo sized BBQ for the last 10 yrs and only had to replace the burners, igniter button, and temp gauge. And they are a Canadian company which to me is a nice plus.

Thoughts?
Thanks,
Justin

6 replies

Jul 5th, 2021 12:11 pm

Kevin711: Sr. Member; Jan 7, 2006; 752 posts; 493 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 5th, 2021 12:11 pm

Are they calculating the cooking area's by multiplying it by the shelf space? The unit looks a bit small to be 1035 sq in.

But either way, I'd rather go with a known pellet grill like Pitboss. Walmart has the Austin XL (1000 sq in) for $699, was on clearance for $350 or so last year at end of season.
https://www.walmart.ca/en/ip/pit-boss-a ... 0198983246

I have the Princess Auto version of the Austin XL that was a deal last year, have not had any issues with it and have enjoyed using it. Wifi isn't a must but it does make things easier, people have retrofitted Rectec wifi PID controllers etc, but it costly to get the parts and the apps suck usually. You could just get a wireless thermometer like the iGrill from Weber or Inkbird setups to monitor remotely instead of running in and out. You cannot tweak the grill temperature remotely with the thermometers however.

+1

Jul 5th, 2021 2:28 pm

Jmjs83 [OP]: Newbie; Jan 4, 2016; 6 posts; Wasaga Beach, On

Jul 5th, 2021 2:28 pm

Yes, the 3 tiers of racks adds up to the claimed cooking surface, 416sq in, 355sq in, 264sq in. Specs are hard to find but that makes the largest grill ~24"x~17" (my guess). That also makes this unit taller than most others.

Good tip on the wireless thermometer! I hadn't thought of that.

I'm still leaning toward the Coleman for reasons I can't identify.

Jul 5th, 2021 2:37 pm

tim-x: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2005; 3416 posts; 3232 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 2:37 pm

Jmjs83 wrote: ↑ Yes, the 3 tiers of racks adds up to the claimed cooking surface, 416sq in, 355sq in, 264sq in. Specs are hard to find but that makes the largest grill ~24"x~17" (my guess). That also makes this unit taller than most others.

Good tip on the wireless thermometer! I hadn't thought of that.

I'm still leaning toward the Coleman for reasons I can't identify.

You kind of have two options- cheap or expensive.

Cheaper ones will cook a brisket as well as more expensive ones, you may just need to babysit them a little more and they won't come with bells and whistles.

If all you want is a cheap pellet grill for ease of use then a $500 Pit Boss on clearance is probably what you're looking for. Every year there's a Walmarr thread with the 700fb on clearance for like $299. At that price point it's ridiculous not to go that route.

More expensive options such as the Broil King Regal, Traeger Ironwood/Timberline, Grilla Grills etc. ($1200+) will come with wifi, easier temp control, insulated cookboxes, and updated apps. This may make long cooks easier for you and it will likely last longer, but with enough care and attention, the $300 Pit Boss will deliver the sake flavour. I would say anything in-between is a waste of money. Either go expensive, or go as cheap as possible.

Personally, I went with a BK Regal ($1500) because I wanted something really nice with great features. That's just what I decided to do. I dont doubt though that it won't produce better bbq than a cheap smoker from Walmart. I was just willing to spend the money on what I wanted.

+2

Jul 5th, 2021 4:32 pm

torontotim: Deal Fanatic; Nov 17, 2012; 5068 posts; 4617 upvotes; Toronto

Jul 5th, 2021 4:32 pm

I'd just go all in and get a Traegar. My friends in the southern US who smoke a lot swear by them. I don't have one yet myself - I use my Vision Kamodo grill I got cheap at Costco.

Jul 5th, 2021 4:36 pm

Jmjs83 [OP]: Newbie; Jan 4, 2016; 6 posts; Wasaga Beach, On

Jul 5th, 2021 4:36 pm

I had a moment and stopped by CT to see if they had one set up and they did.

Its main cooking grille is about what I estimated in size, the top rack only provides about 2.5-3 inches clearance, and the top of the grill chamber actually completely covers the top rack with the way the lid is hinged . I am 6'3 and I had to duck to see whole top rack. That right there makes it a hard no for me.

Otherwise build quality seemed decent, and the lid was insulated with gasket.

I'll check out your suggestions. Thanks for the tips.

Jul 5th, 2021 6:04 pm

tim-x: Deal Addict; Nov 8, 2005; 3416 posts; 3232 upvotes

Jul 5th, 2021 6:04 pm

torontotim wrote: ↑ I'd just go all in and get a Traegar. My friends in the southern US who smoke a lot swear by them. I don't have one yet myself - I use my Vision Kamodo grill I got cheap at Costco.

There are varying models of Traegers. The Ironwood line is the lowest model I would go with. Anything less and I would just get the cheapest pellet grill available.

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