For a solid 10 years, I was loyal to my gas grill. After such a long time, I decided to go for a wood pellet grill maker, and it has turned my world around, for the better. The reading that youโre about to embark on about my switch from gas to wood will be a good start for you to make the right decision if you want to move to a smart, Wi-Fi-enabled grill, which smokes as wood would.
Through the whole process, the experience with the food, setup, maintenance, fuel costs, and even the flavor of my new wood pellet grill when compared to the first gas grill, hereโs what I am sharing with you.
Considering changing to a Wi-Fi smart grill run on wood?
Here’s all you need to know from my leap from a gas grill to a wood pellet grill.
From coal to gas to wood pellets
I first became a fan of charcoal grills. But I have had a gas grill for the past fifteen years. About 2009, I moved up to a Weber Genesis. It was simple to operate and consistent. Then I had the opportunity to test the Traeger Ironwood 650, a smart wood pellet grill.
Months later, I have much knowledge. Though I’m not a pitmaster yet, I am growing more adventurous and self-assured. This guide will help you decide whether you want to switch to a wood pellet grill.
The Growth of Wood Pellet Grills
Gas vs charcoal vs pellet grills is always a topic of discussion. Others never give up their favorites. For instance, my stepson-in-law stayed faithful to charcoal. But these days, pellet grills are rather trendy.
Still, a top brand is Traeger, which developed the wood pellet grill in 1987. These days, even Weber sells pellet grills along with Camp Chef and Pit Boss.ย They even provide Wi-Fi-enabled Weber pellet grills.
Is it then time to change?
Using my experience, let’s dissect the advantages and drawbacks.
Setup: simpler than one would have expected
The simplicity of setting up the Traeger Ironwood 650 surprised me. It arrived in a huge box. Attaching the legs proved to be the toughest of all. From unpacking to ready-to-eat, it took me roughly one hour.
The directions were precise. Traeger also boasts useful YouTube videos. I needed assistance only at the end to get it upright. This process was smoother than my previous Weber grill.
Pro-tip:
- If you are building a big model, get help.
Essential Power Source
Every Wood Pellet Grill requires electricity. This is quite unlike gas grills. My old gas grill did not require a plug-in. Just open the propane tank, strike the igniter, and start grilling.
The internal fan and auger system in the Traeger pellet grill requires a power source. Use the app and get updates, thus you also need Wi-Fi. About 6.5 feet long is the included power cord.
Notably:
- Pellet grills run on electricity. Check that there is a power outlet close by.
Beginning the Grille
You’re ready in minutes using a gas grill.
You flick the power button. It then takes roughly ten to fifteen minutes to get your intended temperature. Thin blue smoke will first be visible. That points to clean burning.
There is not much delay here. Still, start early if you have hungry children waiting.
Cooking experience
Wood pellets have a great flavor. You get that traditional wood-fired taste in all you prepare. The smoky taste distinguishes chicken, ribs, and vegetables.
You have baking, grilling, smoking, and roasting. It’s rather flexible.
Clever characteristics:
- The Traeger Ironwood 650 hooks up with a smartphone app.
- The grill is under your remote monitoring and control.
- Long cooks like brisket or pork shoulder will find it ideal.
Fuel: pellets made of wood
You will want to always have wood pellets on hand. Compressed hardwood sawdust is used to make these. There are several kinds:
- Pellet stove wood pellets
- Pellets of wood for heating
- Cooking wood pellets
Home heaters run on wood pellet fuel. For grilling, be sure to use cooking-grade wood pellets. Traeger markets pellets of its own. Weber, Pit Boss, and Camp Chef also present choices.
Notably:
- Your grill should not run on heating pellets. They could include chemicals dangerous for cooking.
Ad benefits of a Wood Pellet Grill
- Perfect taste from actual wood smoke
- Exact temperature control
- Intelligent elements with app connectivity
- Versatility: grill, smoke, roast, bake
- Once set up, easy to operate
Drawbacks of a Wood Pellet Grill
- Requires Wi-Fi occasionally and electricity
- Startup time exceeds gasoline’s half-life
- Wood pellets cost more than natural gas
FAQs: All About Pellet Grills
A wood pellet grill has what shortcomings?
They cost more, demand more power, and heat up more slowly.
Compared to gas, are wood pellet grills better?
Regarding taste, indeed.
Why are pellet grills costing so much?
Inside the technology, there is a cost involved. Furthermore, important are smart features and build quality.
How different is a pellet grill from a smoker?
Pellet grills serve both purposes. They smoke at low temperatures and grill at high heat.
Do pellet smokers require power?
Sure, for the control system, auger, and fan.
Are pellet grills heavy in smoke?
They generate not heavy clouds but a light blue smoke.
Safe to cook with?
Indeed, but only use pellets of cooking quality.
Which of charcoal or pellet grills is better?
Control is more possible with pellets. Charcoal tastes traditionally like this.
Could you use an inside pellet smoker?
- Use outdoors in a well-ventilated area always.
Can a charcoal grill hold wood pellets?
Not specifically. They ignite differently.
A smoker uses how many pellets?
Based on the temperature, roughly one to three pounds per hour.
Can a pellet smoker burn wood?
No, only use wood pellets made for grills.
Do smokers run a lot of electrical equipment?
Not many. Still, they require constant power.
What are pellet grills’ shortcomings?
They cost more, start slower, and need power.
Is the daily consumption of smoked meat unhealthy?
Moderation is vital. Too much smoked meat could pose health hazards.
Do pellet smokers smell?
They give a faint scent of wood.
Sanitation and Maintenance
The performance and lifetime of your wood pellet grill depend on its cleanliness. Pellet grills have more components than gas grills, which require consistent maintenance.
After several cooks, empty the ash drawer. Ash accumulation may obstruct airflow. To prevent grease fires, wash the grill grates and drip tray. The wood pellet hopper you keep should remain dry. Damp pellets won’t burn particularly well.
Look also at the auger system for pellet jams. Maintaining the cleanliness of these components ensures flawless operation of your grill.
Traeger wood pellet grills and other brands have thorough cleaning instructions. Many consumers advise grills should be cleaned every 20 to 30 hours of operation.
Fuel Economy and Pellet Consumption
One smoker uses how many wood pellets? The answer relies on your cooking time and temperature. Pellet grills run between one to three pounds of pellets an hour on average.
Furthermore, influencing fuel efficiency is the choice of pellets. Hardwood premium pellets have better taste and burn times. Among the often-used pellets are:
- Hickory
- Apple
- Cherry
- Mesquite
Purchasing pellets in bulk will help you save money if you grill often. Just keep them dry and cool.
Wood pellet grills and adaptability
The adaptability of a wood pellet grill is one major factor motivating a change to it. Pellet grills let you smoke, roast, bake, and grill all in one tool, unlike gas grills.
You could easily bake pizza or roast vegetables, for instance. Perfect for slow cooking or baking, pellet grills yield even heat.
Grills with smart controls like the Traeger Ironwood 650 let you set precise temperatures. You therefore always get perfect results.
Examining Pellet Grills against Other Grill Styles
Though quick and easy, gas grills lack the smoky taste of wood pellets. Great taste is added by charcoal grills, but they also demand more effort and cleanup.
Convenience, taste, and clever features all balance in pellet grills. Though they cost more than gas grills, many argue the taste and control are well worth it.
Look for characteristics like these if you want the best pellet smoker:
- Wi-Fi access
- Temperatures probes
- Big pellet holler
- Reliable construction quality
Clever Features of Contemporary Pellet Grills
Smart technology is increasingly included in many wood pellet grills. This covers apps and Wi-Fi as well.
You can check the temperature of your grill from your phone from far away. Certain apps allow you to create alerts, set cooking timers, and even dynamically change settings.
Smart choices abound from brands including:
- Traeger wood pellet grills
- Weber pellet grills
- Camp Chef pellet grills
These characteristics simplify and increase the accuracy of pellet grilling.
Safety Advice Using a Pellet Grill
- Grill outside in a well-ventilated area always. Pellet grills create smoke; thus, stay away from closed environments.
- To avoid electrical hazards, make sure your grill is hooked up to a suitable outdoor outlet.
- Use only food-grade wood pellets. Steer clear of burning pellets meant for heating stoves since these might contain dangerous additives.
Pellet Grills’ Cost and Value
Many wonders: Why do pellet grills cost so much?
Modern electronics, motors, and sensors abound in pellet grills. These raise the expense. Moreover, wood pellets by themselves cost more than propane gas.
You do, however, get smart features, great flavor, and precision cooking.
Look for objective pellet grill reviews when evaluating models to identify the best fit for your needs.
Examining Typical Pellet Grill Problems
- See the power supply and pellet level if your grill won’t start.
- Damp or low-quality pellets can cause pellet jams. Fix this by cleaning the auger and running fresh pellets.
- If your grill smokes excessively, examine the pellet type and temperature controls. Clean burning is indicated by light blue smoke; thick smoke indicates a problem.
Environmental Effects of Wood Pellet Grills
Compressed sawdust-made wood pellets help to lower waste. Unlike propane or charcoal, this fuel is renewable.
Less damaging emissions are generated by pellet grills than by charcoal grills. They also run electricity, but generally, many find pellet grilling to be a more environmentally friendly choice.
Are pellet grills good for you?
Many wonder if pellet smokers are healthy. If you use the correct pellets, cooking with wood smoke brings taste without many negative effects.
Steer clear of daily smoked meat, but grilling with pellets is usually safe and delicious.
In conclusion, is a pellet grill suitable for you?
I still enjoy cooking over grills. For me, though, moving to a wood pellet grill changed the game. Worth it are taste, control, and clever features. It’s not like a gas grill, but in a positive sense.
If you want smart features, enjoy wood-smoke flavor, and have access to electricity, a pellet grill is a fantastic upgrade.
Companies to Investigate:
- Grills made of Traeger wood pellets
- Weber grate grills
- Pit Boss pellet barbecue grill
- Pellet grill for the campsite chef
Before you buy, be sure to review objective pellet grills.
