Excellent review. You are spot on with everything you covered about the OG. I bought mine way before the company was sold. Like you, I upgraded the wheels and purchased the top rack extension and a cover. I had a few issues early on but Grilla customer service was fa nominal and I haven't had any issues since. My Alpha connect board was replaced as well as the inside temp probe. The external meat probe leaves a lot to be desired and I see they go sour quickly. I never used it. I have a Fireboard that I use. The wifi connection is glitchy at times and my router is near, so much for that. As far as moisture in the hopper is concerned, I also experienced that. I found that propping the lid open about one inch when in use and leaving the door cracked open about 1/2 to 1 inch takes care of that issue. All in all it's a nice unit that turns out good food. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy it. Right now I'm eyeballing their new vertical smoker. Maybe one day in the future if it's any good. Looks like another space saver.
Glad you enjoyed it. And I agree, the new grilla vertical, the mammoth, looks super interesting. I haven’t ever owned a vertical smoker, but I would seriously consider that one.
Great review. I’ve had mine for four years. I have the alpha no Wi-Fi. Never had an issue at all. I also have the Kong and a Weber kettle. But I use this smoker a lot. Pro cart wheels are awesome and I have the rack extension too. I would definitely purchase again. Keep your videos coming. 🤘🏻🍺
I have had mine for over a year now and my assessment is pretty much on par with yours. I upgraded the wheels and the rack extension like you. I have been very pleased with it. It is an absolute tank with the build quality and I believe it is better than anything you are going to get at a big box store for the money. My biggest complaint with it, is that you really need to clean the burn pot after every cook because if not, it does not do well at all when it gets dirty. I have had it not be able to stay hot in the middle of cooks because there is too much ash in the burn pot. I also own the Primate. This too is a very well made machine.
Glad yours is still going strong! I have noticed that some pellets burn less efficiently than others and produce more ash. The lumberjack ones are usually a little less ashy and require me to vac it out less often. I invested in a battery powered shop vac and just keep my burn pot pretty empty!
I’ve had my OG for over 7 years and use it at least once a week, I purchased the upgraded temp control board but have not yet installed it as my unit works as well today as when I first received it. I have no issues with the burn pot, clean it after about 20 hours of smoking, it’s really well built, I also have the griddle/BBQ and 7 Grilla kitchen pieces, I wish the would build a Santa Maria grill.
Well done review! I’m a 3 years owner and cook for 5 successfully so my jenga skills must be decent. I never upgraded the wheels or the upper rack. The double wall is a big plus as is build quality. Not a perfect machine but I believe better than most at this price point and great customer service at least before they sold
I 100% agree with your final thoughts. I think it outclasses its price point. I do highly recommend the upper rack extension. I just bought a replacement and I think it was 40$. Absolutely worth it for surface area! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
Trying to decide between chimp and OG. Small family, 2-3x cooks a week in summer 1-2 in winter. Live in COLD North America Thoughts??? Space is a bit limited
The only issue with the OG is that the round shape is a bit “weird”. As far as quality of machine and quality of food output, the OG of superior. And I have cooked extensively in both. I’m in New England so our winters can be pretty chilly, and the OG works great even sub freezing. I would definitely recommend it over the chimp if cost isn’t a problem, unless you plan to travel. Chimp is a lot easier to move. Space will not be an issue for either for a small family
I have some mild surface rust/discoloration around the hopper but nothing significant or I think out of the ordinary. I have run the thing in some heavy rain before so that’s on me
the sides are definitely warmer than the middle on my bottom rack, but its not too significant. is your deflector plate in correctly? Sometimes it can sit a little weird and might be causing more heat to come up on one side
I almost bought this one about two years ago because the way it looks. I ended up going a different route but Grilla Grills have some really nice grills. Good informative video for those in the market.
I looked at a ton before I bought this one, but we decided the footprint was right gif where we are right now. I can’t complain, it’s been basically flawless! Cooking on it right now 👽
I wish you showed how the grease management works. Any chance of flare ups? Comparing this to the recteq bullseye, grease management is a concern. Would like to see how this one handles it. It sounds like this one has a grease catch?
So this one has a big plate between cooking area and the burn pot. It’s on an angle so it channels any grease drippings. They all get channeled out the back into a catcher. I haven’t had any sort of flare ups on mine and I’m not the best with cleaning off that diffuser plate. The angle seems aggressive enough to really funnel everything into the catcher. Thanks for the feedback, maybe I should do a 1 year in review and include grease management specifically.
@@UFOBBQ awesome thanks for the reply that definitely gives me a better idea how it works. Does it come with a catch can? What do you use? It looks like they sell one but I would think it strange that you would have to buy one separately. The other question I have on this grill is the access to the auger. If it were to get jammed is there easy access to it? It says something about an “maintenance panel” on the site. That was another issue I’ve heard about with the bullseye getting jammed and there is no way to easily get access to manually turn it.
It comes with a little holder for you to put empty soup or soda can size containers in it. You can upgrade to one that is much larger - pail sized. I opted for that because I’m really bad at remembering to empty it.
I have had nothing but issues with mine. Flames out every single time, even with cleaning the ash pot after every attempt. Wish I had went with the Silverback.
@@UFOBBQ I exchanged quite a few emails with them that were just them sending me troubleshooting videos. Good tips but none worked. Got on the phone with them last week and they are sending a new board. Hopefully that fixes the issue. I love the look and features, but that only counts if the smoker actually works. Their customer service has been very good so kudos to them.
I really wouldn’t. I doubt the auger could handle wood chips. You could potentially put wood chips on the plate under the grate, but you are better off asking the folks at grilla for specifics.
Excellent review. You are spot on with everything you covered about the OG. I bought mine way before the company was sold. Like you, I upgraded the wheels and purchased the top rack extension and a cover. I had a few issues early on but Grilla customer service was fa nominal and I haven't had any issues since. My Alpha connect board was replaced as well as the inside temp probe. The external meat probe leaves a lot to be desired and I see they go sour quickly. I never used it. I have a Fireboard that I use. The wifi connection is glitchy at times and my router is near, so much for that. As far as moisture in the hopper is concerned, I also experienced that. I found that propping the lid open about one inch when in use and leaving the door cracked open about 1/2 to 1 inch takes care of that issue. All in all it's a nice unit that turns out good food. If I had to do it all over again, I'd still buy it. Right now I'm eyeballing their new vertical smoker. Maybe one day in the future if it's any good. Looks like another space saver.
Glad you enjoyed it. And I agree, the new grilla vertical, the mammoth, looks super interesting. I haven’t ever owned a vertical smoker, but I would seriously consider that one.
Great review. I’ve had mine for four years. I have the alpha no Wi-Fi. Never had an issue at all. I also have the Kong and a Weber kettle. But I use this smoker a lot. Pro cart wheels are awesome and I have the rack extension too. I would definitely purchase again. Keep your videos coming. 🤘🏻🍺
Awesome to hear yours is still going strong! I do like the look of that Kong, might add one once we make some more space. Thanks for watching!
I have had mine for over a year now and my assessment is pretty much on par with yours. I upgraded the wheels and the rack extension like you. I have been very pleased with it. It is an absolute tank with the build quality and I believe it is better than anything you are going to get at a big box store for the money. My biggest complaint with it, is that you really need to clean the burn pot after every cook because if not, it does not do well at all when it gets dirty. I have had it not be able to stay hot in the middle of cooks because there is too much ash in the burn pot. I also own the Primate. This too is a very well made machine.
Glad yours is still going strong! I have noticed that some pellets burn less efficiently than others and produce more ash. The lumberjack ones are usually a little less ashy and require me to vac it out less often.
I invested in a battery powered shop vac and just keep my burn pot pretty empty!
I’ve had my OG for over 7 years and use it at least once a week, I purchased the upgraded temp control board but have not yet installed it as my unit works as well today as when I first received it. I have no issues with the burn pot, clean it after about 20 hours of smoking, it’s really well built, I also have the griddle/BBQ and 7 Grilla kitchen pieces, I wish the would build a Santa Maria grill.
Well done review! I’m a 3 years owner and cook for 5 successfully so my jenga skills must be decent. I never upgraded the wheels or the upper rack. The double wall is a big plus as is build quality. Not a perfect machine but I believe better than most at this price point and great customer service at least before they sold
I 100% agree with your final thoughts. I think it outclasses its price point. I do highly recommend the upper rack extension. I just bought a replacement and I think it was 40$. Absolutely worth it for surface area! Thanks for watching, glad you enjoyed it!
Trying to decide between chimp and OG. Small family, 2-3x cooks a week in summer 1-2 in winter. Live in COLD North America
Thoughts???
Space is a bit limited
The only issue with the OG is that the round shape is a bit “weird”. As far as quality of machine and quality of food output, the OG of superior. And I have cooked extensively in both. I’m in New England so our winters can be pretty chilly, and the OG works great even sub freezing.
I would definitely recommend it over the chimp if cost isn’t a problem, unless you plan to travel. Chimp is a lot easier to move.
Space will not be an issue for either for a small family
Thanks man!
@@UFOBBQ thoughts on cleaning after having for a year? Any rust issues from water?
I have some mild surface rust/discoloration around the hopper but nothing significant or I think out of the ordinary. I have run the thing in some heavy rain before so that’s on me
good review, any issues withe the edges burning on the main crate. I smoke on second shelf becuase of it.
the sides are definitely warmer than the middle on my bottom rack, but its not too significant. is your deflector plate in correctly? Sometimes it can sit a little weird and might be causing more heat to come up on one side
I almost bought this one about two years ago because the way it looks. I ended up going a different route but Grilla Grills have some really nice grills. Good informative video for those in the market.
I looked at a ton before I bought this one, but we decided the footprint was right gif where we are right now. I can’t complain, it’s been basically flawless! Cooking on it right now 👽
I sent this back and got the silver back. I didn’t like the way that it opened up and closed.
It’s definitely different, but you get used to it pretty quickly. The silverback is a really nice machine as well!
I wish you showed how the grease management works. Any chance of flare ups? Comparing this to the recteq bullseye, grease management is a concern. Would like to see how this one handles it. It sounds like this one has a grease catch?
So this one has a big plate between cooking area and the burn pot. It’s on an angle so it channels any grease drippings. They all get channeled out the back into a catcher.
I haven’t had any sort of flare ups on mine and I’m not the best with cleaning off that diffuser plate. The angle seems aggressive enough to really funnel everything into the catcher.
Thanks for the feedback, maybe I should do a 1 year in review and include grease management specifically.
@@UFOBBQ awesome thanks for the reply that definitely gives me a better idea how it works. Does it come with a catch can? What do you use? It looks like they sell one but I would think it strange that you would have to buy one separately.
The other question I have on this grill is the access to the auger. If it were to get jammed is there easy access to it? It says something about an “maintenance panel” on the site. That was another issue I’ve heard about with the bullseye getting jammed and there is no way to easily get access to manually turn it.
It comes with a little holder for you to put empty soup or soda can size containers in it. You can upgrade to one that is much larger - pail sized. I opted for that because I’m really bad at remembering to empty it.
I have had nothing but issues with mine. Flames out every single time, even with cleaning the ash pot after every attempt. Wish I had went with the Silverback.
That really really sucks. Did you contact grilla? Maybe you have a defective board or auger or something.
@@UFOBBQ I exchanged quite a few emails with them that were just them sending me troubleshooting videos. Good tips but none worked. Got on the phone with them last week and they are sending a new board. Hopefully that fixes the issue. I love the look and features, but that only counts if the smoker actually works. Their customer service has been very good so kudos to them.
I am thinking of buying one of these. Can I add a mix of wood chips and pellets in the hopper?
I really wouldn’t. I doubt the auger could handle wood chips. You could potentially put wood chips on the plate under the grate, but you are better off asking the folks at grilla for specifics.
No sir
Where did you get the wheels, have a link?
I got then directory from Grilla
www.grillagrills.com/product/4000021
I have fit 2 15-16 lb briskets with another rack
Nice! Two on the top rack or one top one bottom?
@@UFOBBQ 1 on top and 1 on the bottom , I will send you a pic.
Link for the rack?
www.grillagrills.com/product/4000022