Pellet grill vs. everything else

[SamSpade]

I've been considering replacing my gas grill with a pellet grill. I only ever "graduated" to gas about twenty years ago, having only ever used charcoal for the previous 25+ years. Mostly using wood chips over coals, to get the desired flavor.

I've been looking at all of the different kinds - wondering what people like best.

I *have* a pellet smoker - and while I love it - I don't use it often, because of the work involved - if I'm smoking food, it's going to be a LOT.
How easy is a pellet GRILL to use?

 

[Bare-ya-cuda]

I've been considering replacing my gas grill with a pellet grill. I only ever "graduated" to gas about twenty years ago, having only ever used charcoal for the previous 25+ years. Mostly using wood chips over coals, to get the desired flavor.

I've been looking at all of the different kinds - wondering what people like best.

I *have* a pellet smoker - and while I love it - I don't use it often, because of the work involved - if I'm smoking food, it's going to be a LOT.
How easy is a pellet GRILL to use?

Easy to use.

 

[SamSpade]

Easy to use.

Why might you favor something else? The reason I use my gas grill is mostly, if it's steaks or burgers or dogs - I want them fast.
I use my smoker when I am not in a hurry. And the deep fryer for both. (That iis, I can deep fry a turkey much faster than I can smoke it, and I can't cook one on the grill at all).

Can you cook burgers fast on a pellet grill? Or is it the wrong choice?

 

[Sneakers]

I know people will disagree with me, but I don't care for pellet cooking. When the pellets are lit, all I can smell is burning paper. Even after it gets hot, some of that smell/taste has to be getting into the food.

I've done whole turkey on the grill. Trick is to spatchcock it first, then set it up for indirect cooking. Cooks very quickly that way.

 

[SamSpade]

I know people will disagree with me, but I don't care for pellet cooking. When the pellets are lit, all I can smell is burning paper. Even after it gets hot, some of that smell/taste has to be getting into the food.

I've done whole turkey on the grill. Trick is to spatchcock it first, then set it up for indirect cooking. Cooks very quickly that way.

Ok, ya got me. WTH is spatchcock? Admittedly, every meat I deep fry I marinate heavily, and every one in the smoker gets a thorough rub.
I suppose I agree with the pellet smell, but usually the meat smell is stronger.

 

[Sneakers]

Ok, ya got me. WTH is spatchcock?

Remove the backbone, and press down until the breastbone cracks and the bird lays flat. I do that now with game hens, whole chickens.... cooks faster, tastes better because it grills from inside and outside, not just the outside.

 

[Bare-ya-cuda]

Why might you favor something else? The reason I use my gas grill is mostly, if it's steaks or burgers or dogs - I want them fast.
I use my smoker when I am not in a hurry. And the deep fryer for both. (That iis, I can deep fry a turkey much faster than I can smoke it, and I can't cook one on the grill at all).

Can you cook burgers fast on a pellet grill? Or is it the wrong choice?

I went from charcoal to pellet for convenience. Before charcoal I strictly used gas grills.
And yes you can remove the grease shield and grill burgers just about as fast as you can with gas. Some pellet grills have a removable panel over the firebox for direct grilling. A pellet grill is essentially an oven, smoker and grill all in one.

 

[Kinnakeet]

Pellet smoker set it on the smoke position get out your chair and beer and wait enjoy the buzz and 3-6 hours later bingo smoked what ever
and a good buzz eat food go to bed thats why I like mine.
Best thing to smoke in my opinion is chicken,beef and ribs I put the meat in a pan of apple juice for the last 1-1.5 hours yummy

 

[kom526]

I know people will disagree with me, but I don't care for pellet cooking. When the pellets are lit, all I can smell is burning paper. Even after it gets hot, some of that smell/taste has to be getting into the food.

I've done whole turkey on the grill. Trick is to spatchcock it first, then set it up for indirect cooking. Cooks very quickly that way.

Ok, ya got me. WTH is spatchcock? Admittedly, every meat I deep fry I marinate heavily, and every one in the smoker gets a thorough rub.
I suppose I agree with the pellet smell, but usually the meat smell is stronger.

This my go to marinade when I'm smoking a spatchcock chicken.

• 1 gallon water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 cup kosher salt

I let the bird soak overnight in a covered container.

This website is very informative and hunger inducing.

Whole Smoked Chicken with a Smoked Chicken Brine - Hey Grill, Hey

This smoked chicken is incredibly juicy thanks to the homemade Smoked Chicken Brine. Plan on making extra on the weekend to enjoy great food all week long!

heygrillhey.com

 

[SamSpade]

This my go to marinade when I'm smoking a spatchcock chicken.

• 1 gallon water
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Tabasco sauce
• 1/2 cup kosher salt

I let the bird soak overnight in a covered container.

This website is very informative and hunger inducing.

Whole Smoked Chicken with a Smoked Chicken Brine - Hey Grill, Hey

This smoked chicken is incredibly juicy thanks to the homemade Smoked Chicken Brine. Plan on making extra on the weekend to enjoy great food all week long!

heygrillhey.com

Amazing. My wife uses a marinade just like that for turkey and sometimes chicken - minus the tabasco, and with Splenda brown sugar.

 

[kom526]

The tabasco leaves just a hint taste after the 12 hour marinade, but your choice of rub will be the real flavor maker.

 

[Sneakers]

I know people will disagree with me, but I don't care for pellet cooking. When the pellets are lit, all I can smell is burning paper. Even after it gets hot, some of that smell/taste has to be getting into the food.

AAAAaaannnnnddddd.....

call me a hypocrite. Saw this at WallyMart, going to give it a try. I couldn't justify a huge smoker, but this one I can put in the deck locker when not being used.

 

[Bird Dog]

Pellet grills came out 30 years ago by Traeger.
I have owned 3 during that time. No better way to roast and smoke.
Do not use heating pellets to cook with . You don’t know what’s in them. I only use Traeger pellets. A little more expensive but damn well worth it. My brother would put a $50.00 roast in his and use cheap ass pellets.
i have loved my Traeger grills for 30 years. Buy only the best.

Traeger Grills® - The Original Wood Pellet Grill

Traeger is the original wood pellet grill. Our grills, pellets, ingredients, and accessories are the pinnacle of outdoor cooking. Join the Traegerhood.

www.traeger.com

 

[Sneakers]

Do not use heating pellets to cook with . You don’t know what’s in them.

Agreed. My neighbor pellet smokes and recommended an online outfit, CookShack. He likes them better than Traeger, looks expensive tho. I've got some research to do.

 

[Sneakers]

Ok, did a small rack of ribs. Flavor was excellent, but dried out on top. The 'smoke' setting is supposed to be less than 200*, but I saw it closer to 300*, too hot. There is a 180* setting, so maybe that next time with a shorter time.

Used a cherry mix pellet, thought that would be good on pork.

 

[Grumpy]

Pellet grills came out 30 years ago by Traeger.
I have owned 3 during that time. No better way to roast and smoke.
Do not use heating pellets to cook with . You don’t know what’s in them. I only use Traeger pellets. A little more expensive but damn well worth it. My brother would put a $50.00 roast in his and use cheap ass pellets.
i have loved my Traeger grills for 30 years. Buy only the best.

Traeger Grills® - The Original Wood Pellet Grill

Traeger is the original wood pellet grill. Our grills, pellets, ingredients, and accessories are the pinnacle of outdoor cooking. Join the Traegerhood.

www.traeger.com

I got a Traeger last Friday, put it together and burnt it in on Saturday, cooked on it Saturday night and Sunday(babybacks)..Couldn't be happier, I have an Egg that drives me bonkers dealing with temps but always happy with the result but 'set it and forget it' is the way to go.

 

[Bird Dog]

I got a Traeger last Friday, put it together and burnt it in on Saturday, cooked on it Saturday night and Sunday(babybacks)..Couldn't be happier, I have an Egg that drives me bonkers dealing with temps but always happy with the result but 'set it and forget it' is the way to go.

Congratulations…..I hope I get my commission

I have a friend who has a restaurant in OC.
He has a sign when you walk in…

Cheap food is not good
Good food is not cheap.

If you want cheap fast food, go to Mc Donald’s.
If you want fast food that doesn’t taste good, get a gas grill.

Great grilled steaks…charcoal only.
Great smoked and roasted meat, a premium pellet grill, with premium pellets.