Looking to get a new pellet grill. Was thinking about getting a Lone Star Grill, but came across Kando Gear when searching for feedback on reddit. It looks like the new Troopee grill from Kando matches the Lone Star with many of the features. Base prices are really close ($100 more for the Lone Star), but when you add stainless grates and front table, the Lone Star Grill skyrockets in price to $3800 vs $3000 for the Trooper with the same upgrades. Trooper is also a little bigger and has 2" more internal height (10"vs12"). Trooper does use slightly thinner steel .135" vs .187". Trooper is also on backorder, but lead time is significantly better than the Lone Star. Was curious what people thought about the Trooper's features and if anything stood out as a good/bad idea.
https://www.kandogear.com/collections/kando-gear-pellet-grills/products/trooper
https://youtu.be/KJrSBA9rjsU?si=V7blY9cxIpDHn4r4
by lancer360
6 Comments
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I’d probably take the LSG because they are more wide known. I have never seen a lot about Kando
Kando appears to be a small shop, saw the grills around three to four years ago online, looks like a quality product. I would have some questions that the link and video do not answer.
The grill uses a non standard pellet pot design, which is interesting, not sure how effective it is. The deflector looks to be pretty flimsy in the video, hard to say for sure.
The ability to easily clean the cook chamber would be a nice feature.
Warranty is 3 years, which is lacking for the price compared to the partial lifetime warranty on the LSG, a MAK or other brand in the comparable price range.
The retractable diffuser is cool but The thing I didn’t like about the kando was how far away the firepot is from the grates. I think it sits was too low to be used to grill. That retractable top shelf is a cool idea but didn’t look like it operated that smooth brand new. I feel like it would get worse once it gets some soot buildup.
Also hard to see in the video but that grease trap looks like it would be the main culprit of a grease fire.
One thing I love about the LSG is the simplicity of design. That, and it just works well.
The Kando auger design and swing door access is amazing. I’ve never heard of them before though. I’m really interested now