The difference between Green Mountain Grills Trek and Ledge pellet grills smokers is subtle if you ignore the size difference.
I’ve been lucky enough to review and see these products in detail with the old and new versions and the variations between the GMG choice and prime. I am talking specifically about the PRIME ver.
Having unboxed put them together, and savored a whole bunch of different cooking smoking sessions on these pellet grills, hopefully, I can give you some serious insight. I have been curing and smoking my meats for about 20 years with passion!
For most guys out there, Green Mountain Grill will probably be the go-to brand and the choice between these two is probably to seal the deal on getting a pellet smoker.
I’ve talked to say many people that also have smoked upon the GMG pellet grills, and they are definitely getting the money’s worth too.
Now just to be clear there was some name model name changing so:
GMG Ledge WAS GMG Daniel Boone
GMG Trek WAS GMG Davy Crockett
Differences GMG Trek vs Davy Crockett:
- Not a folding leg system, short legs added
- Adjustable heatshield externally – (same as Ledge/Peak)
- Handle under the chimney for easier moving
- Heavier grill grates
Detailed Comparison GMG Trek vs Ledge
Apart from the grilling space, there are not many differences between these the Green Mountain Grill Trek & Ledge options. Design exterior structure is different, the actual features of each pellet grill smoker are very similar like heat, controller, wifi, and adjustable heat deflector.
Primarily the GMG Ledge is for a backyard, whilst the GMG Trek could be for camping and a backyard dedicated pellet grill smoker.
However, initially the GMG Trek was designed for ‘tailgate’ or portable gatherings, their latest offering is more focussed on being a backyard option because it is compact! Either 1 beef brisket or say 2 pork butt/shoulders is about the space available on the Trek.
| Model | GMG Trek | GMG Ledge |
| Color | Stainless | Black or Stainless |
| Main Grilling Area | 219 sq in | 458 sq in |
| Total Grilling Area (with racks) | 364 sq in | 634 sq in |
| Grill Viewing Window | No | Yes |
| Internal Grill Light | No | Yes |
| Number of racks | 1 | 1 |
| Meat Probes Included | 1 | 3 |
| Meat Probe Capacity | 1 | 2 |
| Rotisserie | No | Accessory |
| Pizza Oven | Accessory | Accessory |
| Temperature Range | 150-550 | 150-550 |
| Temperature Incremental Precision | 5 degrees | 5 degrees |
| Heat Deflector | Adjustable | Adjustable |
| Quick Heating Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Variable Fan Speed | Yes | Yes |
| Keep Warm Mode | Yes | Yes |
| Ash Exhaust Fan – Post Cook | Yes | Yes |
| Front Shelf | Accessory | Yes |
| Side Shelf | Accessory | Yes |
| Bottom Shelf | Accessory | Yes |
| Hopper Capacity | 9 pounds | 18 pounds |
| Hopper Clean Out | Yes | Yes |
| Hopper Viewing Window | No | Yes |
| Low Pellet Alarm | Yes | Yes |
| Grill Grids Construction | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Drip Tray Construction | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Heat Deflector Construction | Stainless Steel | Stainless Steel |
| Insulation | Yes | Yes |
| Thermal Blanket | Accessory | Accessory |
| WiFi Control | Yes | Yes |
| Bluetooth Control | Yes | Yes |
| Remote Control | Yes | Yes |
| iOS App | Yes | Yes |
| Android App | Yes | Yes |
| Probe Alerts | Yes | Yes |
| Cooking Profiles | Yes | Yes |
| Number of wheels | 0 | 4 |
| Easy Power Source | Car Battery/ Cigarette Plug or Mains | Car Battery/ Cigarette Plug or Mains |
(Stainless Steel above is 12-14 Gauge above depending on the component.)
Comparing Specifications GMG Trek vs Ledge
If you took the time to go through the table above, you can see that both of the Green Mountain Grill options are packed with features.
Size is nearly the only real difference between these two pellet grills, and I have known many folks who have used the GMG Trek as a very decent backyard pellet grill smoker.
So I guess what I’m trying to say is don’t assume just because of the small size it might not be good for you. If you have a small household it could work out just fine, and its price and features are definitely a market leader in my opinion.
Same Features for GMG Trek & Ledge
If you look at the brains behind these pellet grill smokers, the little computer that does the temperature monitoring controls auger and feeding the wood pellets into the firebox or heat pot, whatever you want to call it.
Basically, the Trek and the Ledge have the same components.
They operate at the same temperatures, they can both take the awesome pizza oven accessory from GMG.
Both these pellet smokers have adjustable shield deflectors that can be changed from the outside.
This is quite a cool little feature if you are getting localized heat in one area you have the slidable adjustment on the right side of the pellet smoker. 4-4.5″ is the optimal distance from the left edge from memory, but it can be tweaked.
So in a large way, you’re actually getting a very similar product, it’s just grill space.
Wifi and App Control
Both the GMG trick and ledge are equipped with the same capabilities for control, which I find very impressive.
But the best thing is when you want to cruise out to the shops to get some more brewskis, once you have it set up on your home Wi-Fi router you can monitor the pellet grills temperature as well as the internal temperature via the GMG app.
Starting up or turning off the grill can be done remotely too.
Not everyone will need this tech since really a pellet griller smoke is a thermostat controlled outdoor oven, that has smoke for heat and flavor. So you can just turn it on and dial in whatever temperature you’re cooking at.
Different Features for GMG Trek & Ledge
GMG Ledge has a rotisserie accessory hole for mounting, larger grilling space, 2 temperature probe ports, larger wood pellet hopper shelfs front/side, internal light and viewing window. GMG Trek is more compact with the same computer and temperatures.
Nearly everything is the same for both these models, but you do get the ability to rotisserie on the GMG Ledge. Not sure how many people will see that as a crucial enough reason to be going for the GMG Ledge.
Some of the more cosmetic aspects of having an internal light under the hood for the grill viewing window might not be that important GMG Ledge has these, Trek doesn’t.
The ledge has 2 probe ports, Trek has 1.
Standard the Ledge has shelf space front and side, Trek has none (accessory cart for shelving space).
The Ledge has a bottle opener, Trek has none!
And to be honest, the window will probably be covered and smoke resin/creosote after 2 or 3 sessions. Unless you keep up your window cleaning regime.
The GMG Ledge standard has also got decent wheels with locks on them so you can push around on your deck or the backyard.
The GMG Trek has to have a cart accessory if you want to have a wheel system. As an accessory, there are two options either longer than standard fixed legs with no wheels or the cartwheel system.
The standard setup for the older GMG Davy Crockett was a fold-down type of leg setup. If you were to be using the GMG Trek at a holiday home then transporting it is rather straightforward since the legs folded down and up.
I think there were issues with the steadiness/sturdiness and that could possibly be why they removed it from the latest reiteration, the GMG Trek.
The GMG Trek has short fixed legs as standard, which means that you would need to place it on an above-ground surface ideally, though you could put it on the ground too.
Unique Aspects of the GMG Trek
It really does relate to what I just said, because of the different configurations potentially you can have for the legs of this model, it allows you to more easily move or transport, and if you want to run it off your car or four-wheel-drive truck when you’re out camping.
Compact but a lot to offer in a small package (kind of like my Mrs).
If you don’t subscribe to the bigger is better philosophy, you could have an excellent pellet grill that you can tuck away easily on the patio.
Why Choose the GMG Trek
If you aren’t going to be cooking for more than 3 or 5 peeps, I think you can get away with the GMG Trek and it still does exactly the same excellent smoke – pure wood-fired goodness.
Indirect Hot Smoking and Baking on GMG Trek
Over the years of writing and reviewing many different types of smokers, and comparing charcoal and pellet smokers.
I’ve come to realize that this pure woodfired thermostat-controlled smoking is probably also better for your health then consuming charcoal which potentially may have more unwanted aspects from the charcoal compounds. (my opinion only!)
Also as a first pellet grill smoker, the GMG Trek will do an excellent job. There isn’t a searing grill unless you have heat retention, like a cast-iron frying pan or some type of aftermarket heat retention grill grates. (more about those ninja tips for searing here.)
Although these days I definitely prefer to just have a woodfired steak, inside a nicely compiled set of fire bricks. Basic, but does the job and I like building fires.
Why Choose the GMG Ledge
Probably I would say this is the all rounder that most midsized families or people that want to have enough space to do the big cook for a party, if you end up getting the accessory of another rack on top, it’s incredible the amount of space that you to have on a GMG ledge.
Also since the height of the hood and shape has a straight edge Wold and rounded of the top. This makes it ideal for a large turkey for instance.
You literally can’t really get a sear on as mentioned, just like with the GMG Trek and the GMG ledge would need some sort of heat retention if you are trying to do some searing on it.
Easy as heck is of course a cast-iron frying pan.
Indirect Hot Smoking & Cooking on GMG Ledge
Searing on a GMG Ledge
If you use heat retention, you can achieve good results using a pellet grill smoker, any type or brand including GMG Ledge.
How Long do Pellet Last in a GMG Trek & Ledge
Well, of course it depends on temperature. I would say 1-2 pounds an hour on average I find.
It also depends on what type of wood pellet you are burning, if you have ever had a fireplace or log burner at home. You know about different woods burning faster or slower. Also, the heat temperature that different wood put out varies also!
Food-grade and Non-food-grade wood pellets are just wood pellets pressed and binded naturally with their own resin.
Summary
So there you have it, seriously though either one of these is a beast of a pellet grill smoker. I’ve seen alot of the years, no regrets with these set and forget winners!
Best Service by Far and Deals – Check out BBQ Galore for GMG Trek
and for GMG Ledge Click Here.