Pellet grills are very popular among the public nowadays because of the fact that they are very easy to use and even beginners can use it. Pellet grills are rising in the ranks and we are here for it. It is interesting to note that pellet grills are actually working like smokers more than grills. We are going to discuss about it. There has been some confusion over this. So without any further ado let's get right to it.
Should I Buy a Pellet Grill? — Pros and Cons
This guide is going to help you look at pellet grills from both sides. You can look at it from the pros as well as the cons side. It is better to know everything about the grill before you go ahead and buy it. There is not much familiarity in the grilling community with the pellet grills as people are still stuck to gas and charcoal grills. We can't deny the fact that pellet grills are very costly too. If you want a good pellet grill then you need to let the purse strings go.
What is a Pellet Smoker?
The pellet smoker is also known as the pellet grill. There is not much of a difference between the two. It is kind of an outdoor cooker that runs on electricity and pellets. They are easy to use and when you are cooking on a pellet smoker then you do not need to stand beside it and keep an eye on it. They use radiant and controlled heat to cook the good food.
Why are They Called Both Pellet Grills or Pellet Smokers? Which is it?
These two names are used interchangeably in the context of the same thing. However, there is a confusion among the people who are not that well versed in the concept of grilling. The answer is that they are both correct. It works as a grill and as a smoker. If you look at it then you might think that it is an offset smoker. There are many functions that you can perform with the pellet grills. This has caused them to get different names.
The fact is that they are more like a conventional oven rather than a grill. Some people have even gone ahead and called it an outdoor oven. The cooking on the pellet grills are done evenly but that does not mean that they are able to sear like the other grills. The temperature can not go that high in most of the pellet grills. Some do have designated areas for searing food.
What Flavor Profile do They Produce?
You get a lot of options with the flavor profile because the wood pellets comes in a lot of flavor. Different woods are used for the making of the pellets and they can affect the flavor of the grilled good food a lot. However, you have to be aware that the intensity of the flavor is not going to be as much as you get with the charcoal grill. The flavor is kind of subtle and suits the taste of a lot of people. Some people can not deal with strong hints of flavor so this is the best way to do this. The smoke that is produced by the pellets is clean and good. The subtle touch of smoke that it infuses in the food is something to die for.
We appreciate a subtle flavor but if you are one of those people who would like to have a good flavor then you are going to go for a different option. However, this is still a good option from the electric grills that provide no smoke at all. It's not that we are not in favor of the electric grills, there are many good options out there and they can come to be very handy.
Can You Sear on a Pellet Grill?
The answer is no. You can't generally sear the food on a pellet grill because they are not made for searing. You do not have the direct access to the heat in the pellet grills. This is a fact that is overlooked by a lot of people. Even if you can get the temperature to be very high, you are going to need to have direct access to the flames for searing which is not generally present in a pellet grill.
There are a few pellet grills that have taken the pains of the customers into account and they have included a side sear burner for this purpose. Remember that this is not usually an authentic part of the pellet grill but it is just an addition that has been specifically added to make the customers happy.
How Portable are They?
The pellet grills are not portable. They are around a hundred pounds and you will not be able to carry them around. They are meant to be set in one place. You will also need to carry the pellets so that you can start the device. There is the need for electricity too because the grill needs energy to start and burn the pellets. This is not going to be something that is meant to be taken out on hiking and strolls. Pellet grills should be used at home.
I have seen a few small models in the market but even they weigh over 50 pounds so you are going to need to have considerable strength to move it around on your own. Unless you are superman who can lunge around a grill along with the electric generator then you are not meant to take the pellet grill on a ride.
What Foods Can You Cook on a Pellet Smoker?
You can smoke, roast, grill and bake on a pellet grill. The pellet grill is very versatile so you can go ahead to cook the food that you want in your grill. The grill is perfect for cooking large cuts of beef, lamb, or pork, or whole poultry. If you are feeling like cooking something smaller then you can go for steaks and burgers, sausages and wings.
The convection-style of cooking makes everything better. You are not going to get the sear from the grill but the good food is going to be cooked evenly and properly. Now you can also make conventional oven dishes like pizza, cornbread, or even cookies and brownies in the pellet grill. No we are not kidding!
How Easy to Operate Compared to Other Grill Types?
A pellet grill is very easy to use. It might look very imposing at first but when you use it you will understand that it is a piece of cake to use this grill. In the grill you do not have to do anything. Just put the pellets in the box and set the time. The grill is going to do the job by itself. The smoker knows when to add more fuel. The internal thermometer can detect the temperature of the grill and if the temperature starts to fall from the preset temperature then it will just add more pellets to the grill so that it can regain the heat and temperature.
You do not need to worry about anything with these grills. We know that charcoal grills are infamous for the work that you need to do with it. However, pellet grills are going to provide you with all the easy needs. Gas grills are said to be easier to use than charcoal grills and pellet grills are even easier to use than gas grills.
So you can imagine the amount of ease that you can get from these grills. It is a set it and forget it kind of grill. There are no chances of getting any flare ups either. There is no open flame in a pellet grill. You will not accidentally singe your arm hair and you are not going to get any burnt edges either. This is the magic of the pellet grill.
How Much Cleaning and Maintenance is Required?
If you have a grill then you need to clean it at a certain point of time. The pellet grills are the same. The pellets itself burn down to nothing. There is little ash accumulation in the grill and you need to empty it periodically to make sure that it does not get in the way of cooking. We know that flare ups do not happen in pellet grills. However, the dripping grease from the good food has to go somewhere. The only place it can go is the grease bucket. You need to clean this periodically too. You need to wipe the deflector to make sure that there is no build up.
One of the most important part of the pellet grill is the temperature probe. If it is not working properly then everything can be thrown off. You have to gently wipe and clean the probe after each session to make sure that it is ready to go for the next grilling session. You should also keep the cooking grate clean. If you are a regular smoker then you need to clean it often. Keep them in good condition.
Are They Expensive?
Yes, they are expensive in the general sense of the term. It depends on what you are comparing it with. It is much more expensive than a basic charcoal grill but it is less expensive than a ceramic kamado grill. You need to have a good budget if you want to buy a good pellet grill so that you can have the best experience. There are also additional costs that you need to account for when you are buying a pellet grill. In case of any damage, they are pretty costly to fix. If you want to avoid extra charges then you have to buy from a good manufacturing company who gives you proper warranty on the grill.
Final View: Are Pellet Grills Worth it? Should You Buy One?
You should be able to decide that for yourself. We are just here to give you all the facts about the grill and then you need to make the final decision. Look at the pros and cons and think whether the grill is perfect for your needs. They are good with infusing low’ n’ slow with real smoke flavor. You can cook almost anything on the pellet grill so that is an advantage.
You have to make sure that you have the budget to buy the grill. Do some research on the brands and the models. If you have decided to buy one then we always suggest looking at your options properly before making a decision. So what did you decide? Do you have the answer to your question? We hope you do.
