GMG Davey Crocket worth it ??

KEliasz · 05-13-2021, 08:09 AM

So I have a full size RecTeq bull at home for my smoking endeavors but wife has been asking for a small smoker to bring camping with us. Was looking into the Green Mountain Grills Trek/Davey Crocket. Some online reviews are pretty good and some are kinda poor. I'm wondering if any one has some real world experience on these little smokers.

FrankH35 · 05-13-2021, 08:22 AM

I am going to give you my honest review so you can ask me any follow up questions if you like.

Overall, I do not recommend it. First of all, I have a larger version at home called the Daniel Boone and I love it. This one has let me down in almost every way.
1. It is heavy and difficult to move around--probably close to 75 pounds with pellets in the hopper.
2. The grease shield and grates both rusted out and warped quickly and GMG sent replacements.
3. You have to clean it out after just about every cook or it won't come to temperature. I've also had two grease fires with it.
4. I've replaced the control panel, updated software numerous times and still have problems with it coming up to temperature on occasion. Gives a fail message.
5. The meat probe never has worked.
6. The wifi never has worked properly.
7. One of the spring loaded legs fell off. I put it back on, but it now leaks grease out of the bottom of it. This seems to be remedied by the brand new version of this grill called "TREK" which appears to have much sturdier legs.
8. When it lights and cooks the way it should it produces great food. It has just been way too much of a hassle for me.

I recently purchase the Pit Boss tabletop pellet grill from walmart.com for 197 plus tax and it has been improved although I did suffer from smoke coming from the pellet hopper last night. Thinking I had the cover open too often and took it down from 400 to smoke mode too quickly. I'm getting used to it, but overall would recommend it over the Davy Crockett from GMG.

Chris Pastuzyn · 05-13-2021, 05:25 PM

I concur with Frank ,The Davy Crocket isn't worth it, Also have the Daniel Boone and it's awesome, I think most of the problem with it that it is 12v and the glow stick is weak,Mine has failed numerous times. Went with the little Trager.

NECamper · 05-13-2021, 06:42 PM

I’ve had my GMG DC for about a year now and love it. I use it both at home and when camping. Living in New England and having a wife from Texas, it’s mandatory that I feed her BBQ and the Davy Crockett does great.

Yes, you need to clean it often but I don’t mind the effort if it produces brisket, ribs, pulled pork, etc. that makes us happy.

I highly recommend the insulating blanket which helps stabilize the temp. Firebox placement is also key but once it’s dialed in, it’s easy and gives great results.

Made a bacon wrapped pork tenderloin last night that was lights out.

**Herk7769** · 05-14-2021, 01:06 PM

I really love mine.

It can handle a 4 rib Beef Roast, 2 nice sized beer-can chickens, 2 pork shoulders, or 4 slabs of ribs (using a vertical rib rack) with no trouble. The hopper is just big enough for overnight cooks.

It fits against the cab of my short bed (6'6") pickup with plenty of room for the 5th wheel hitch. It's also light enough for me alone to lift it out over the hitch at the campground to set it up.

Once it gets going, make sure you have plenty of liquid refreshments on hand because it always draws a crowd.

Ditto on the blanket. In the winter it is a "required option".

muddyrode · 05-14-2021, 01:24 PM

well that cleared things right up
two thumbs up and two down

**Herk7769** · 05-14-2021, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by muddyrode

well that cleared things right up
two thumbs up and two down

Yea, I noticed that too

terry.e · 05-14-2021, 02:09 PM

Hi All,

I have a Daniel Boone at home and like it very much. I bought a Crocket for the trailer about 3 years ago. I don't use it every time, but it has always worked when ever I drag it out with great results.

satdog01 · 05-14-2021, 02:39 PM

The smaller pellet grills suffer in much less performance than the the larger ones. Know folks that have gotten rid of Davy to go to other units. I thought the legs and support were a bit flimsy and it tends to overheat from set temp causing flare ups. I have a large Targer which I Truely love. The smaller Trager I have for the rv does not perform as well, and have had a flare up smoking burgers. Just watch it closely and I get good results. Smoke brisket mainly and it does fine.

Brendon37 · 05-14-2021, 03:15 PM

I've had the Davy Crockett smoker for about 6 months now. I absolutely love mine. It has never given me any problems. Cooks ribs and chicken perfectly. Perfect size it fits in the storage doors of my fifth wheel and I can take it out and put it in by myself. If you're looking for a portable pellet smoker this is it!

colemole · 05-14-2021, 05:32 PM

I have 2,one in Texas and one in Saskatchewan. I find it is big enough for our needs to smoke 2 Pork shoulders or beef blade roasts and feed the crew. Originally was going to transport one back and forth but the boss informed me smelling the smoker for 3 days in the van was a little over top. We have been happy with both units and any issues I had were promptly dealt with by GMG. I had a bit of an issue with the circuit board on the second one but they replaced it. A happy GMG fan here.

High Country Duramax · 05-14-2021, 05:49 PM

I’ve had one for a few years. I transport it in the back of the truck. You need to empty the hopper or it will pack the pellets in while driving and clog the auger. Heat is pretty uneven, adding a top shelf and cooking on that works better. The legs are cumbersome and take two people to fold up or down. It’s good for low temperature smoking, I don’t like it for grilling. I love bringing it along cooking on it all day. Not many options for a light weight pellet grill, I also keep the blanket on it.

Gumpster808 · 05-14-2021, 06:07 PM

We have had one for a few years.

Fits in one of the storage compartments quite nicely.

Have never had a problem with fires, overheating, etc as others have noted.

One thing I did do was spend some time checking the temp on both sides to make them match - need to adjust the box on the bottom to get it aligned for even temps.

Cooks everything we throw at it quite nicely.

We liked it so much we bought the next size up for the house.

High Country Duramax · 05-14-2021, 06:27 PM

What’s the best box placement? I think directions say 1/4” from end? Mine gets very hot on the smoke stack end.

Gumpster808 · 05-14-2021, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by High Country Duramax

What’s the best box placement? I think directions say 1/4” from end? Mine gets very hot on the smoke stack end.

Mine end up all the way to the right - which makes it easier when it bounces around in the RV. No tape measure needed to set once we pull it out.

Looked at their website for which way to move depending on where the hotter side was and had a thermometer on each end inside. Heated it up checked then cooled down and adjusted. Repeated until they matched.

High Country Duramax · 05-14-2021, 06:49 PM

Thanks for that. I’ll try moving it all the way out towards smoke stack.

NECamper · 05-15-2021, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gumpster808

Mine end up all the way to the right - which makes it easier when it bounces around in the RV. No tape measure needed to set once we pull it out.

Looked at their website for which way to move depending on where the hotter side was and had a thermometer on each end inside. Heated it up checked then cooled down and adjusted. Repeated until they matched.

Same with mine. All the way to the right evens things out.

Csbadvisor · 05-15-2021, 08:53 AM

Use Dave’s Crockett at home find it too bulky to take on the road. Purchased a portable Country Smoker for camping. Much lighter in weight sits on picnic table and works great.

Kaboom · 05-15-2021, 03:46 PM

I have used a Traeger PTG for years. Not much cooking surface but it worked ok. Numerous flare ups and heat did not remain consistent. Twice it just took off basically catching on fire not a normal flare up. I had to clean the ashes after every use. With that said it did produce good food and we enjoyed the aroma.

About two months ago I purchased the GMG Davey Crockett. We use it at least two times a week. So far I really like it. It heats evenly and holds the temp within a degree or two. I don't need to clean it nearly as much. It is heavy 75 lbs and a little awkward to lift and unfold the legs. Its also not tall enough for me sitting on the fold down legs. The fact it runs on 12v is nice. At this point I would purchase another.

dankirk · 05-15-2021, 04:08 PM

We love ours. Bought a Daniel Boone for home in 2012, and it has been great. Got the Davy Crockett for the trailer about 3 years ago, and have not had any issues with it. I do empty the pellet hopper when I pack it up at the end of the trip. I got the carry bag, and put it in the back of my truck. I did remove the fold down legs, and got a cheap folding work table at Harbor Freight for $20. Works great and gets the grill up to a comfortable height. I smoke, grill, and bake on it, and it always works great.

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