Char-Griller 980 vs Green Mountain Grill 4-meat showdown with 6-person taste test. Who won?

[@chuckbcool]

Nice comparison! Did a lot of research on this grill and the MB 800. Although the CG 980 has a slightly better build quality, I chose to get the MB 800 due to its form factor, versatility and most importantly holding temp accurately.

[@crashcopter6000]

From what I've seen, MB has really made improvements. That 800 is pretty sweet. I ike their look, and the height of the cooking surface. I've wondered about the griddle. Don't you just get buried in smoke trying to use it?

[@Tukwilapilot]

I have a Traeger for 10 years. Bought a 980 Spring of last year. Hate the controller Wi-Fi issues and the lousy iOS app. Love the food that it makes.

[@crashcopter6000]

Agreed. Check out my other video's. I just uploaded a vid showing how I installed dual thermoworks billows fans. Works perfectly now. Goodbye fan and connectivity issues!

[@Brodiesix]

Most LCD screens will flicker on camera due to the different in frames per second and refresh rate of the camera vs the LCD.

[@crashcopter6000]

That explains it. Thanks!

[@lamartrotter]

Too bad that your 980 fan/controller has issues. I've been using the snot out of mine for seven months with no issues. But I have to agree about the results you can get out of the 980.

[@crashcopter6000]

To be honest, I think some of the problems may have been self induced... I've been shaking the charcoal grate to clean out the ash when re-lighting. I may have knocked some small charcoal pieces into the fan. Not every time, but a few times... The LSS mod (and being more careful) should help with that.

[@mrcooper53]

Where did you get the bellows and signal thing

[@crashcopter6000]

www.thermoworks.com/

[@CoolJay77]

Did you have wood chunks in the 980? When you say you prefer the food from 980, is that based on the smoke flavor? GMG Prime series are supposed to be one of the better pellet grills for smoke flavor. This is a great comparison.

[@crashcopter6000]

Great questions! I had post oak wood chunks layered in the 980 hopper. My GMG has been totally bulletproof and I've loved it. It sat outdoors (covered) and I hadn't touched it since January. Mid April I pulled the cover off, plugged it in and hit the power button. 5 mins later it was rolling smoke. I couldn't believe it. The flavor. It's hard to describe. It wasn't just the smoke. It's more like how somebody would describe a good wine vs a great wine, and I'm not a wine guy... To me it's a little smokier in a good way, it's more aeromatic, the rub seem to come through stronger - in a good way, the flavor is smoother. I just like it so much better. Maybe like a cup of Folgers, which is good - versus a cup of Black Rifle Dark Roast, which is amazing. I think I'll go back to college and take an anology and adjective class :-)

[@CoolJay77]

@@crashcopter6000 This is very helpful. Thank you.

[@sfiv1987]

​@CoolJay77 all pellet smokers create the same amount of smoke taste no matter if it's a 200 or 3k pellet smoker. The fuel is what providing the smoke flavor to the meats and unfortunately pellet fuel sucks.

[@CoolJay77]

@@sfiv1987 GMG Prime series grills make use of the DC motor of the auger to control the temperature. It is designed to have a considerable temperature swing, which turns out that it helps smoke flavor. Older models, including many new model pellet grills keep a more linear temperature which is not as good for flavor.

[@crashcopter6000]

@@sfiv1987 Hi CooJay. I just saw this comment. For what it's worth, I disagree with you. I've cooked on and eaten off many different pellet smokers. If you cooked off a pit boss next to a Lone Star Grillz pellet smoker, with the same fuel, I think you might be surprised. I'm not saying a pellet grill can match a gravity fed, but the Lone Star closest I've ever seen. I'm also not saying a gravity fed can match an offset, but it's close. Happy cookin to ya!