I've been smoking Backyard Texas BBQ for a decade now, on a stick burner... I always resisted pellet smokers. I finally decided to give them a try and my Traeger makes smoking and cooking too easy. I am hooked. I am also finding myself cooking on the Traeger 3-6 times a week (that would have never happened with the stick burner). Im putting out the same quality food but I have all my time back!