What are the Benefits of Pellet Grills & Smokers?

We’ve gone from charcoal briquettes to propane for grilling, and now it seems that pellet grills are becoming more and more popular. There are new models being introduced all the time, and although they are far from inexpensive, most people who have them say they don’t know how they lived without a pellet grill for so long.

Just like with any big-ticket purchase, it is important that you learn as much as possible about pellet grills. You should also shop around before you end up spending a lot of money on a grill that isn’t what you hoped it would be. Today we are going to take a look at some of the many benefits of using a pellet grill and smoker. Let’s get started.

Pellet Grill & Smoker Benefits

One of the biggest reasons why so many people love pellet grills is that they are so convenient to use. In fact, they tend to be much easier to use than other types of outdoor grills, and they always offer consistency, which is important when you are using a grill regularly and/or cooking for a crowd.

Let’s take a look at some of the best benefits of using a pellet grill and smoker.

1) Set it and Forget It

One of the biggest advantages to using a pellet grill is the fact that you can set the temperature and then walk away. You rarely, if ever, have to worry about temperature fluctuations. This is great if you are planning on smoking large pieces of meat that will take a long time to cook.

Also, once you put the meat in the smoker, there is little, if anything that you have to do afterwards.

2) Temperature Control

It can be tricky getting just the right temperature with a charcoal or gas grill. This is not an issue with a pellet grill. All you have to do is set the temperature you want, and you’re done. The pellet grill will automatically control how much fuel is needed in the fire box in order to maintain a stable temperature.

3) Incredible Flavor

Have you ever noticed when you cook with a gas grill that you can really taste the gas? This is one reason why a lot of people prefer charcoal grills. Now, many people are switching to pellet grills, because they offer much better flavor. In fact, you get that char-broiled taste without the mess of charcoal.

You also get great consistency. Something you cook today will taste exactly the same as something you cooked last week when you are using a pellet grill.

How You Can Use Your Pellet Grill

Not only are there several benefits to using a pellet grill for cooking, there are also many different ways that you can use your grill. This is one versatile cooking machine that lets you prepare foods in a multitude of ways. Let’s take a look at some of the ways you can use your pellet grill and smoker.

1) Smoked Meats

If you love smoked meats, you are going to love them when they are done on a pellet grill and smoker. You can smoke both meat and vegetables with this device. Because it is so easy to control the temperature, it is not a problem to set the grill to smoke at temperatures below 250 degrees.

The most difficult part of the whole thing is waiting for the delicious food to be ready to eat. The only type of grill that will give you consistency at lower temperatures is a charcoal grill, which is best for fish or cheese. Otherwise, the pellet grill is definitely the way to go.

2) Grilling

If you love food on the grill, you will really love using a pellet grill. It works just as well as charcoal and gas, but the flavor is so much better than when you are cooking with gas. Many people do not realize that the pellet grill can heat to a temperature of up to 500 degrees, so there is very little you couldn’t grill on one of these. It is also a lot more convenient to use a pellet grill.

3) Barbecuing

Who doesn’t love a barbecue on a nice sunny day? Barbecuing just happens to be one of the most popular cooking methods in the US. What is the difference between barbecuing and grilling? Grilling uses direct heat, while barbecuing uses dry heat that is indirect. Barbecuing takes a lot longer to cook foods than grilling.

4) Searing

Searing a steak really helps to seal in the juices. One of the great things about a pellet grill is that it is ideal for searing steaks and other cuts of beef and other meats. All you have to do is make sure that the temperature is as hot as you can possibly get it.

Then, put the meat over the direct flame for a few minutes, and you will get those lovely char lines. The exterior will be a bit crunchy, and the interior will be perfectly cooked and juicy. The flavor will be much better than what you get from a gas grill, and the pellet grill is easier to use than a charcoal grill.

5) Roasting

When most of us think of roasting meats, we think of cooking them in the oven. Did you know that you can roast meat on a pellet grill? It’s easy, and the result is absolutely delicious. When you roast meat, you are able to caramelize the meat without losing any of the tasty juices. It is a lot easier to roast meat on a pellet grill than with a charcoal or gas grill.

6) Baking

Okay, so you may be thinking that a grill is just for cooking. But, you can also use a pellet grill to bake any number of tasty goodies, including cakes and pies. You can even bake bread with a pellet grill. It is best to use pellets that have a light flavor that will not affect the flavor of what you are baking.

That way, you don’t get as much of that smoky flavor. The next time you dig out the pellet grill, try baking a pie or a cake and see just how delicious it is (not to mention fun to use).

7) Braising

If you have a tough cut of meat, one of the best ways to cook it so it is nice and tender is to braise it. This two-step process can easily be done with a pellet grill. First, sear the meat, and then place it into a pot with broth. Then, all you have to do is sit back and wait until it is finished cooking.

Due to the fact that it is not a problem to go from a high heat for searing to a lower heat for roasting, the pellet grill is an ideal tool for braising meat.

8) Blackening

Blackening is a lot like searing, but with one huge difference: you use a delicious spice rub before cooking. This is a great cooking method for fish and chicken, since both cook quite quickly. You can blacken meat as easily on a pellet grill as you can on a gas or charcoal grill, or even your own stove at home.

Conclusion

As you can see, there is pretty much nothing you can’t cook with a pellet grill. It is a lot less messy than a charcoal grill, and of course, there is the amazing flavor you just can’t get when using a gas grill. Now that you know about the benefits of a pellet grill, it is time to start shopping around for the one that best suits your needs.