Trager or Pitboss

If your going sub 1k, get a Pittboss. If your willing to spend, then get the high end Traeger.

My recommendation though would be to get a Camp Chef Woodwind. I have had both a Recteq and Woodwind for a few years now and their performance is very similar, but the Woodwind has some creature comforts that make it more enjoyable to use amd maintain.

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Recteq

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These are great.

He should buy one of Aaron Franklin’s pits

This board talked me into buying a recteq a few years ago. No regrets. I believe I have the 590. It’s normally $899 but they run sales around Father’s Day. You can get it for around $200 off

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I did notice this am that Tractor Supply has a good sized Pit Boss 8-in-1 on sale for $449…

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I had this one before I got my Recteq Bullseye. It worked well, just took up too much space for me. Also burns a lot of pellets if you're just wanting to grill something for dinner. I gave it to a friend and he's still using the hell out of it 4 years later

I recently bought a Pitboss vertical smoker and love it. If you keep them covered they'll last a long time.

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A kamado smokes much better than a pellet, and only requires a little extra work while smoking meat.

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I disagree. I've had a large BGE for probably 15 years and just got a Traeger a few years ago(it was free).

I can have a butt on a Traeger in ~15 or so minutes. To get a ceramic dialed in for a long cook takes probably at least an hour if not more, depending on how accurate you want the temp to be.

The drawback to the Traeger is it's really not great for high heat and nearly impossible to get anything on it seared, so steaks, etc are a no go, unless you want to do a reverse sear and finish it in a cast iron. I'll cook a steak on the egg at 600 and it's delicious.

The thing I like about the Traeger is that if I want something with some smoke flavor on it on a weeknight, it's very easy and quick. And for something like a brisket, which may take 12+ hours, you know the temp is going to be right on target, whereas there have been several times my fire just died due to all the charcoal burning up in my egg over that long period of time and I'll have to finish it in the oven.

Each has its own drawbacks, but I think the biggest for the Traeger is that you just can't replicate cooking over an open charcoal flame or at high heat.

Bought a used Pitboss about 3 1/2 years ago almost brand new.. Just wanted to try a pellet grill. Damn it is awesome. Use it 2 or 3 times a week. Only repair I have made is I replaced the igniter once. Replaced the bottom damper and firebox at the same time as theyy were rusted badly. Other than those things it has been damn good.

Probably not the quality of Rectec and I get that. If I try to move it around the porch it seems a little iffy... unstable. Came with a smoke tube. Came with a cover that I never use. Mine is on the back porch covered by upstairs tiled deck so it stays dry. Been good. Spent $300 and I think new it was in the high $500s without a cover or smoke tube.

Happy with it. Haven't fired up my big pit but maybe 3 - 4 times since I got my Pit Boss. Probably replace it with a Rectec at some point. Been a great pellet grill "Starter" for me.