Halffastford
Web Wheeler
Skip the expensive “easy button” pellet and get you a 22” or 26” weber premium deluxe with gas starter.
I run coals plus wood and much deeper smoke taste than pellets; if you like smoke flavor 1/2” plus in the meat. Hell, reheating leftovers at work still smells it up.
Add the BBQ guru fan, fireboard controller, smoke and sear, and vortex accessories. I can control the temps like an oven...from my phone....anywhere I have wifi.
Only place to go after a weber is a straight offset or reverse flow stick burner.
A side from the original topic. I was in your shoes. Charcoal was great. Ended up with a fantastic stick burner. After many years of stick burner, I got a Pit Boss. The stick burner is sitting by the curb waiting for the scrap guy or a neighbor to pick it up. I can start a brisket at midnight and go to bed, no babysitting. Pit Boss pellets are 10 bucks a bag at Lowes as a plus and I didn't have to add anything to it to make it do what I need it to do.
In a nutshell, they're all pretty much the same, just pay what you want. I burn most of my grills out in a few years. My stick burner has been welded back up several times and is getting to be junk now. I can't justify paying the higher prices for something I know I'll replace in three or four years.