*Update 2022*
GMG has been phasing out the choice range. So the Davy Crockett, Daniel Bonne and Jim Bowie have been replaced by the GMG Trek, Ledge, Peak.
The Prime range has also been rebranded to Prime Plus. So I will add the Prime Plus differences below.
I decided to keep this post up for those who are purchasing or looking are pellet grill smokers, possibly 2nd hand, but also include differences of prime plus.
One thing to note that can be a little bit confusing is that both the choice and the prime range have the Wi-Fi option (which gives you remote access via an app to your pellet grill).
So you can get a good all-around PID controller pellet grill in the choice range with Wi-Fi if you want. You don’t have to upgrade to the prime to get this.
There are a bunch of “cosmetic” changes that I’ve noticed, but the prime range also has some bells and whistles that change how the grill functions and there are some improvements that can definitely add to the convenience level.
What the Green Mountain Grill marketing team has said is that they have taken on a fair bit of customer feedback so we should be getting what has been asked for, and I feel this is certain areas.
So here is a summary of the actual differences.
Then I want to give you my opinion and deep dive into each of these features and look at really how useful they are or are not.
Green Mountain Grill Difference Between Choice, Prime & Prime Plus Models
| Choice | Prime | Prime Plus | |
| Fire Pot Clean Out Hole | No | Yes | Yes |
| Dual Meat Probes (Ledge, Peak models) | No | Yes | Yes |
| 12 Volt Adaptor, Alligator Clips, Mains Power Plug | No | Yes | Yes |
| Front Folding Shelf (Ledge, Peak models) | No | No | Yes |
| Adjustable Heat Shield | No | Yes | Yes |
| Window in Hopper & Lid (Ledge, Peak models) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Chrome Handle on Side Shelf with Hooks (Ledge, Peak models) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Power Switch | No | No | Yes |
| Bottom Storage Shelf (Ledge, Peak models) | No | Yes | Yes |
| Bottle Opener On Hopper (Ledge, Peak models) | No | Yes | Yes |
So as you can see it’s not just one or two things they have amped up, but there’s quite a lot going on when you consider that it’s around a hundred dollars difference.
There is definitely some value when you take a first glance, let’s get into a bit more detail.
Now just remember that Green Mountain Grills been around since 2008 I think. So it’s quite big news when they bring out this new range.
Green Mountain Grill – Prime Plus Differences
I’ll get to the bottle opener at the end, it’s a basic upgrade but it’s really something to love!
Fire Pot Clean Out Hole
This is actually something that I’ve thought about quite a fair bit when it comes to pellet grills over the years. After a good barbecue smoking session, you have to take out the grill, grease tray and heat shield to get to the firepot.
While in the early days I didn’t even bother and learned the hard way that you have to keep up with some pretty basic maintenance if you want a pellet grill last.
Now with the prime plus range, there is a fire pot connection to a vacuum port on the outside of the frame, on the right underneath the shelf. This goes all the way through, giving you direct access to sucking out all the stuff after a cook.
Using a shop vac does an awesome job of getting out all the spent wood pellets and ash.
When you try and use a normal vacuum or hoover cleaner and just put it over the outside of the hole, it doesn’t do a great job compared to getting a pip into the hole. You can play around with covering the firepot a bit to get a little more suction too.
It’s also has a seal on the inside of the cleaning port door, so there isn’t any oxygen affecting the firepot combustion during standard operation.
Dual Meat Probes
I see a lot of BBQ smoker guys using additional gear when it comes to measuring the internal temperature of the meat. Regardless of the pellet grill brand, I like to keep things simple so duel temperature probes work for me.
Unless you’re spending some serious dollars investing into wireless meat probes that aren’t able to connect to your home network. You will only be able to monitor the meat temperatures when you go have a look at the read.
The GMG Prim Plus meat probe setup is true wireless connected to your phone, you really see what’s going on all the time from anywhere.
You can definitely get away with one temperature probe (like with the GMG Trek), but having the two especially when you’re doing two different types of meat really does help (oh yeah and you need the wifi pellet grill option too of course).
Even if you’re doing a super thick reverse sear steak since the meat isn’t identical in muscle structure and fat. I find that sometimes it takes an extra three or four minutes for one steak to get to my desired rare liking.
Having two meat probes one for each brontosaurus steak means you really know exactly what’s going on (yes I do use grill grates for the searing part so you get heat retention – article I wrote all about this).
12V Adaptor for Car Battery
Now, of course, you’ve got the Trek, Ledge, and Peak.
The Trek is always kind of been the tailgating or camping portable type of pellet grill. Now I can’t imagine you’d be taking a Ledge or Peak tailgating very often since it’s a pretty solid large piece of kit.
The GMG Trek is still a decent backyard smoker, it’s just compact. With the new cart system you can make it a standalone next to the gas grill too. Here is a post I wrote specifically comparing Trek vs Ledge. Since this is the toss-up decision most guys make around GMG smokers.
But to have the ability to run a pellet grill off a cigarette lighter or you can even just use a car battery. It just gives you a little bit more flexibility, you don’t have to be running long extension cords from the house.
So on the prime plus range, all models have a 12V adapter female connection on the back of the Hopper. As well as, 3 forms of power supply, house plug, alligator clips and cigarette 12V adaptor for car/truck/spaceship.
Front Shelf for Food Transfer
Here’s a quick look at the front shelf:
Personally, I find this really useful, choice/prim was fixed. Prime Plus is drop down foldable and removable. But in terms of transferring meat from the front shelf to the smoking area, this is as close as you can get minimizing the chance of some spillage.
Most of the time of the pellet grill the lid is down when your low and slow cooking. If you have a prime plus Ledge model, you also have the window and can keep an eye on things. Eventually, the residue will building up and you won’t be seeing through the window though.
Adjustable Heat Shield
So this is another design difference, you can actually slide the heat shield left and right changing the flow of heat externally. You don’t end up tweaking it much, but if you do get hot spots or want to customize you can.
There is like an adjustment rod which has integers on it of measurement, you screw it in and it will alter the position of the heat shield therefore where the heat flow happens.
When you have hotspots in certain parts of the grill, they are most easily found with an infrared temperature device, like one of that point and shoot ones. (OTT)
In terms of innovation, this is quite an interesting design upgrade to Green Mountain Grill and definitely is beyond cosmetic.
A change to the heat shield too, there is a wraparound piece of metal on the heat shield like kind of a lip on one side (compared to the choice range), which I presume is used to trap more heat inside the heat shield.
The heat shield of the GMGs I have found it a heavier grade and much more sturdy in Traeger.
Check out this little 30-second video to get an idea of what it looks like for prime and prime plus (all models).
Windows in Hopper & Hood
I’ve actually had a window on my five-burner gas grill, that I’ve had for over 13 years now. And I have made some delicious BBQ using pellet tube smokers or smoke generators, which have turned it into a gas smoker for low and slow sessions.
And to be honest, whether it’s day or night the window in the hood has been really useful. You do have to give it a wipe before it builds up with crude of course. Though it doesn’t get covered in smokey residues.
Especially when doing things like pizzas at nighttime, I like to use a head torch so I can see what’s going on.
Here is a 30-sec GMG Ledge and Peak have it, just to see what it looks like.
Chrome Handle on Side Shelf with Hooks
Cosmetic and a little bit practical having something to put the hooks on makes a lot of sense when you need somewhere for a wire brush, spatula, extra-long tongs.
Just keep an eye on that dog of yours he will give your tools a little licking if you’re not careful.
For GMG Ledge and Peak. (Cart on Trek can get some accessories if you want to hang some tools).
Upgrade Cart Structure
Wheels
The way Green Mountain Grill designed these new wheels is that they are quote-unquote “all-terrain wheels”. Now I wouldn’t go that far because it definitely doesn’t go the same places my Land Cruiser can.
But they are a serious upgrade and they do seem like a solid wheel you could push through gravel if you want to.
Locking casters are much wider which you can definitely notice in terms of stability, all jokes aside.
Legs
Huge upgrades from the choice range, Not that you’ll be jumping on top of your pellet grill anytime soon.
But the legs are thicker and stronger for sure.
Frame
Overall the frame seems to be buffed up and next level compared to the choice model. You can definitely see some investment in materials a bit more here.
Bottom Storage Shelf
Useful to have this bottom shelf for throwing on a bag of spare pellets or something it’s pretty solid too.
USB Port
So this is a charging port, you can use it to charge a device for it becomes quite useful as a plug for a USB light if you’re doing some nighttime barbecue smoking. It’s not something that controls or upgrades the pellet grill.
Be aware that it will not charge USB-C devices as of writing this.
Bottle Opener on Hopper
I know this is just pretty minor, considering you can open a bottle of beer on just about anything. But I still think this is worth mentioning any good barbecue smoker should have a bottle opener in my opinion in case you are in the desert with no rocks, woods, or teeth.
Is the Prime Plus Worth it?
You are getting a lot of features on the Ledge and Peak.
All prime plus models have wifi as standard which is very useful.
The functional and cosmetic upgrades offer a significant difference between the choice and now prime/prime plus models.
Well, that’s what I reckon.
They also say that the algorithms and the actual computer have been redesigned to be more efficient.
They mention in the marketing spiel fewer pellets will be used and heating up will be quicker. I’m pretty sure this is rolled out on both the prime and the choice range I’m guessing (the don’t quote me on that). But upgrades like this are always welcome.
You are getting a PID-controlled thermostat for all GMG pellet grill smokers now. It means holding temperature slightly more accurately. (Here is a post I wrote about PID’s and their deal).
As I have said before, pellet grills are closer to a kitchen oven than any other smoker on the market.
But there’s is so much more you can do with the pellet grill compared to an oven and whether you take the optional wifi or not. Being able to keep an eye on the temperature and adjusted on-the-fly is definitely something my kitchen oven can’t do.
I reckon BBQ Galore offers excellent service and pretty much always has the best deals on GMGs and price match guarantee.
0% Finance as well.
