Pellet grills

[kerstingm]

I just picked up a Traeger pellet grill last night. Anyone have pros or cons on the pellet style grills? I have read some good things about them

 

[seenred]

Congrats on that new Traeger! I love my pellet cooker. Here's plenty of good reading about a range of pellet grill topics:


http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/f/3141/pellet-smokers

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/groups/show/33/pellet-smokers-group

If you have specific questions you can't answer by reading these threads, just ask and we'll get you the help you need.

Good luck and happy smoking! Thumbs Up

Red

 

[kerstingm]

Sounds like I made the right choice, I was looking at REC TEC grills, but could not pass up the deal I got on this Traeger TX grill and 60 lbs of pellets. .. let's face it we all know you cannot get a top of line grill on the cheap unless you build yourself (which I am looking at for a trailer mounted style)
anyway will definitely read the links and post pics of some awesome pulled pork and other dishes as I learn to use it.

 

[kerstingm]

So I am cooking my first chicken tonight, 8 leg quarters and so far the grill Temps are staying with in a few degrees of set 350. Chicken is smelling and looking awesome. Will post final results after I devour it. Beyond starving at this point. Lol

 

[kerstingm]

FB_IMG_1411350528913.jpg

• kerstingm
• Sep 21, 2014

Came out perfect!!!!!!!
Pork shoulder/butt coming SOON!!!!!!

 

[seenred]

FB_IMG_1411350528913.jpg

• kerstingm
• Sep 21, 2014

Came out perfect!!!!!!!
Pork shoulder/butt coming SOON!!!!!!

Those quarters looks great!  Glad to hear you're liking the new rig!  

Red

 

[kerstingm]

I still have lots to learn, but will definitely enjoy getting there.

 

[kerstingm]

So I grilled some burgers and scalloped taters the the other night. Tater recipe called for 350 1hr covered another 30 min uncovered. Burgers cook on high (@400) 10 min per  side.

Issue I had, mid to low 50's outside, grill never got over 344 even set at 400.... Burgers came out awesome, a bit on the pink side, but defiantly done. Just a little surprised the grill could not hit 400 degrees. Is this something that is common with the pellet grills? I got this mainly to smoke on and or low and slow grilling, but at the same time if I want to throw some quick steaks on I would think I should be able to use this for them also?  

 

[wolfman1955]

So I grilled some burgers and scalloped taters the the other night. Tater recipe called for 350 1hr covered another 30 min uncovered. Burgers cook on high (@400) 10 min per  side.



Issue I had, mid to low 50's outside, grill never got over 344 even set at 400.... Burgers came out awesome, a bit on the pink side, but defiantly done. Just a little surprised the grill could not hit 400 degrees. Is this something that is common with the pellet grills? I got this mainly to smoke on and or low and slow grilling, but at the same time if I want to throw some quick steaks on I would think I should be able to use this for them also?  

I would think that at low 50's outside you should easily be able to reach whatever set point you have put into your controller. If I were you I would check the pit temp with a reliable therm. one that you can do a boil test on to insure it is correct. It could be that your temp. probe for your controller is off.

 

[chef willie]

I run a pellet smoker as well as other gear and IMO they are not designed to be great for grilling. Some are....high end units like the Yoder or Mak pobably do a better job than the less expensive models. I'm thinking of investing in some grill grates to use for searing steaks/burgers/chicken on. maybe, maybe not...we'll see....Willie

 

[kerstingm]

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• kerstingm
• Oct 4, 2014

Two shoulders on @8am let's see how the new grill does

 

[goliath]

took me awhile to get used to the pellet grill. i love the idea of set the temp, use a maverick and go in the house. NO OPEN FLAME so no flair up on my chicken and pork. because of the convection action there was a learning curve and still is. the reverse sear on steaks is awesome. i have been doing them in a large pan, some on the grill but for the amount of pellets to get up to temp i just sear in the house. they are by far the best way i have found to do a FATTY ..

i like to use an AMNTS for some added smoke.

GOOD LUCK

Goliath

 

[kerstingm]

Definitely learning that the grill uses a ton of pellets on high, so what temp are you doing your steaks on if you're searing inside?

 

[goliath]

it seems that alot of grills come up to a set temp before you can turn them back down. mine is a Louisiana Grill. set temp is 450, then i walk it back down to 200 - 225 for an hour and smoke the steaks. REMEMBER before you sear that these steaks have had heat to them for an hour so a minimal amount of time on the sear. AGAIN a learning curve and i found it best to be consistent with the thickness every time so it was easier to get it right all the time. my grill gives a decent smoke at that temp but i still use the AMNTS.

Goliath

 

[kerstingm]

13 hours and awesome pulled pork. ..

20141004_220107.jpg

• kerstingm
• Oct 4, 2014

 

[kerstingm]

20141004_211504.jpg

• kerstingm
• Oct 4, 2014

 

[wolfman1955]

Kerstingm, Very good looking pork!! Looks like you got a nice bark on them!! What pellets did you use? How was the taste?

 

[kerstingm]

Used hickory and apple, bark was good, not as good as vertical smoker (my opinion)
Taste was awesome, temp control we okay, had to run at 225 to allow for 250 over runs...

 

[geerock]

Kerstingm,
that traeger can use a few mods to get you to higher temps and to help stabilize temp swings. Run a high temp gasket seal around the lid and place some firebrick splits around the firepot and on the base of the cook chamber. This will get you another 20 degrees closer to 400 and will definitely moderate the swings. I also added a butterfly damper to the exhaust to get a bit higher temp, but even with the mods the Traeger has a notoriety for really not being great for searing because of limited ability to reach high temp. And if you're not getting enough smoke flavor the Amazn Smoke tube works great in pellet munchers.

 

[kerstingm]

So back to flavor, eating leftovers now. OMG (NO I AM NOT A YUPPIE) Damn it is awesome.
Thanks for the upgrade/mod. info, do you have any links or more info on how to do them or where to get parts from? I know I can find the fire bricks pretty easy (what thickness on them)