Pellet Grills?

[Horton]

I do not want to spend a million dollars and I intend to use it like I would use a gas grill most of the time. What I mean by that is I will want to fire it up for 2 steaks and get it done ASAP. I will slow cook a pork shoulder maybe once a month but I can do that in the oven.

 

Ideas?

[Ajskier]

Not a pellet grill, but I have heard really good things about the Eggs, but again very pricey. I have been looking at the Char-Griller Akron as an alternative. From what I have read and been told, you can have that style of grill up to temp in under 10 minutes and they hold heat really well. Plus is gives you the versatility to use is as a smoker, oven or a grill.

[DonT]

Been using a traeger for a couple years - once you cook a pork butt in the traeger, there's no going back to an oven. I used it for steaks, just remember that it takes a bit longer than the typical gas grill to get to the hot temp you would want for a steak. Camp Chef is touting a pellet grill that also has a high temp propane searing station - you might want to check that as well

 

[Keith_Menard]

For what you are talking about...a good old fashioned Weber set up properly will do the trick..

 

Or you can build a smoker out of a 55 gallon drum like I did :)

[Keith_Menard]

 

 

[Horton]

@"Keith Menard"

No No No. I need to be able to knock out dinner in a normal amount of time. I am afraid the pellet grills might be too much of a project so I sure as hell am not building some home made contraption.

[Horton]

@DonT camp chef SMOKEPRO STX PELLET GRILL looks interesting

[One_Ski]

I looked at and considered buying a pellet grill. The sales pitch sounded great, then I talked to a trusted friend who owns one. He said he loves his and uses it almost every week, but he warned me to make no mistake - the pellet grill does not really cook like a grill; it cooks like an oven. He said you might be able to get some slightly darker lines from the grates on your steaks, but that's about it. It will cook your steaks just fine, but it will cook them evenly - like an oven. For me, I like to sear my steaks on both sides first, then finish cooking them at a lower temp. You can't do this on a pellet grill, so I decided to stick with my Weber.

[thager]

@Horton I have a Weber Spirit 310E gas grill that I use year round in MN. Runs very hot for searing meats. I turn it down to finish. Very well built. Best grill I have ever owned. Runs almost as hot as my charcoal grill without the hassle.

[swaterca]

Treager Grill...I have two of them and use them at least once a week. Brisket, pulled pork, turkey, steaks...it is all great:)

[Keith_Menard]

@Horton http://amazingribs.com/tips_and_technique/charcoal_grill_setup.html

[dvskier]

I recommend the Weber Genesis gas grill. Gets to 750f in 10 minutes. Also can use indirect heat for baby back ribs using only a single burner. I had a Weber Spirit for 16 years then upgraded to the Genesis. Well worth the price.

[Horton]

@"Keith Menard" charcoal? No.

[RAWSki]

I love my Weber charcoal for steaks, burgers, pork and lamb. Have a gas grill for we use for chicken fish and veggies. Most summer weekends both grills are going and we never use the inside kitchen.

[vtmecheng]

Looks like some serious smokers here. I've gotten into meat smoking a number of years back and really researched hard. I get what you want, easy and quick. The first you can get but the second really doesn't work. Smoking is all about low and slow, time with the smoker and a beer. A pork shoulder takes 12+ hours, brisket maybe 9 hours, pork ribs take 4-6 hours. If you just want to add a little smoke to a steak just add some chips in a foil pouch near the fire.

 

Now if you want to get into smoking, we can get you going right and it doesn't have to be hard. A lower cost option is a gas fired cabinet smoker, like one from Landmann. They aren't the best but they work and are easy to use. I've had one for maybe 7 years and made lots of great meat. Feel free to message me any questions you may have, I love talking smoked meat.

[ScottScott]

NO, don't cook your pork shoulder in the oven.....

 

I like a good gas grill. Can get nice and hot for quick meals and direct cooking, Or cook off the heat for slower cooking in a good size 4 burner grill. I pretty much always use wood chips in a wood chip smoker box and get some good smoke going.

[Horton]

@vtmecheng truth is my crappy gas grill needs to go. I was cheap and it sucks. I can just go get another at Lowes but wonder if I am short changing myself. In the last month I have moved to the lake and may use the grill 4 or more nights a week year round. Reading about the Pellet Grills it sort of sounds like I could just replace the gas with the Pellets and get some smoke as a bonus.

 

And Charcoal is a NO.

[gregy]

I have a little convection oven that sets on the counter. Looks like a large glass bowl. I use that more than anything now. I only fire up the gas grill for friends or family.

[baja]

+1 for a Weber gas grill. Fast uniform heat, great for searing, then lower temp and your steaks are killer. Ribs... some spicy rub then indirect heat low and slow at less than 225F with smoker box in action and 5 hours later your baby back ribs are falling off the bone pretty much unattended except maybe to add more wood chunks.

[RAWSki]

Horton is charcoal a NO because of California regulations, or do you just think it's an old-slow-low tech approach to cooking?

[LanceHCook]

Weber Genesis. I use it weekly year round for everything. Even figured out how to bake cookies when the power was out for 5 days. Gets hot enough to do a great job on pizzas too. Super versatile, low frills.

[Keith_Menard]

@Horton I am seeing a new sponsorship opportunity here!

[Horton]

@RAWSki charcoal is a no because I have too much to do every day to mess with it. I need easy.

[swc5150]

Has anyone tried an infrared grill? Curious if the additional and high heat they generate would produce better results for steaks and burgers.

[BraceMaker]

A good charcoal chimney with lump charcoal should have you ready to grill very quickly, the biggest benefit to something like a big green egg is that they choke out the charcoal very quickly, I'm not nervous about the heat of the grill burning people on the patio or watching the grill after I'm done cooking.

[Rivvy]

Easy question. This would be the last grill you will need. Totally awesome. Truly set and forget smoking yet sear steaks if you like. Memphis. Not free but well built and can make any schmuck look like an all star chef. WiFi so you can monitor and adjust from far. Set internal temp and unit shuts down when achieved.

 

https://memphisgrills.com/

 

Last Friday’s 3 hr prime rib...

 

Low ‘n slow

 

 

[Horton]

@Rivvy holy crap I would have to start a GoFundMe to get one of those! I was on board until I saw the price.

[Horton]

Any opinions on this thing from Camp Chef?

[bananaron]

@Horton Weber genesis or treager pellet.Buy one or better yet both and you will be able to do it all.

[Rivvy]

@Horton . Agreed tough pill to swallow but as good as they get. If we only bought cheapest equipment, we’d be skiing on plastic skis behind a 12’ Lund...

[Wayne]

I inherited a natural gas Arkla with the house we bought. It needed a little care and a new burner but I will never use anything else now. For me it’s the instant heat version of a Weber kettle charcoal grill. Simple and no frills but can do a lot. If you have natural gas, it’s nice never having to worry about a fuel supply for your grill.

 

It’s not quite a build project but it takes some searching to find one used. Rebuilding one is easy and parts are easy to get.

[dvskier]

I pay $8.50 at Tractor Supply for a propane refill, keep a spare tank on hand. Never any issues.

[Ed_Johnson]

This one does everything. Best bang for the buck. Especially like the easy clean out feature.

Currently on Amazon for $899 with free shipping.

 

[vtmecheng]

Get a Weber, don't think twice about the extra cost. I still have a 3 burner Weber that's from the late 90s. Thing still works great and I can get parts when a consumable part fails. They simply work well. If you want smoke in a pinch just add a foil pack of chips under the grate, right on the flavor bars. Doing something quick like a steak, you don't need to replace the chips in that short time.

[Skoot1123]

@"Keith Menard" that is the best looking pork butt I have seen. Nice bark on that one. I love my Weber setup and used it to smoke our Turkey for Thanksgiving last year.

 

@Horton you can use a “normal” grill to smoke meat, just have to get a little creative.

[Horton]

Leaning Weber

[AndersonSkiTeam]

I hate to say this but what you are asking for I don't think they really make. A pellet cooker is meant for slow cooking and takes time, a gas or propane cooks quick. This is like trying to buy a crossover boat hoping it will do both well but doesn't really do either well. Buy a pellet grill for smoking and a propane gas grill for your burgers and quick cooking.

[JonB]

You can't go wrong with a propane Weber...but be sure to get a minimum of 3 burners so you can cook indirect on a good portion of the grill surface. If you are interested in smoke and low & slow cooking, you can pick up a small Acorn or Kamado Joe Jr. at a decent price. Lump charcoal is a different animal than the standard Kingsford charcoal and much easier to use in a kamado style grill.

[ALPJr]

We have basic Weber Spirit. Going into it's 4th year and winter, uncovered on our deck. Still looks and works as new.

[JonB]

@Horton - Just received this from one of my BBQ sites.........a water skiing Big Green Egg. There is your answer John...........................

[6balls]

Weber Genesis. I grill at least 3 nights/week year round. Quick n reliable. My dad bought a really fancy one from Frontgate once...it was no better and didn't last as long, was just fancier.

[bdougherty]

Kamado grill (big green egg, primo etc.) in my opionion is the most versatile. Pretty much maintaince free, smokes, sears, cooks pizza etc. I use mine 3-4 times a week year round. My Weber hasn’t been uncovered in a couple of years. There is a little learning curb with lump charcoal but the versatility and the taste of the food prepared makes it worth while.

 

My Primo sits uncovered outdoors year round holds up well to the elements. Will never go back to gas at other fuel.

[baja]

Grill Porn. 4 years old, used 2-4 times weekly year round. 6 main burners plus sear plus smoker plus infrared. Ready to cook for 2-20 people in less than 10 minutes with ease and confident predictable results. I use propane so I can keep cooking after the big earthquake or the zombie apocalypse.

[yardsale]

Horton, a Memphis Grill would suit your needs. Best thing I ever bought. Burns pellets, has a temp range of 180 to 700F. Can be a grill, can be a smoker, oven...the taste is so much better cooking with this thing. Best move I made. My weber gas is collecting dust.

[yardsale]

https://memphisgrills.com

 

is connected to wifi, has a probe. all controlled electronically. couldn't be any easier and zero maint to use. the smell is amazing. neighbors start wandering over b/c they know what you're up to.

 

I looked at every other option out there from eggs, to traegers, webers; I'm so happy I ended up with this one.

[ForrestGump]

Pellet grills are the bomb. I love my Traeger. Although I'd probably do a Green Mountain next time. Steaks are so easy. Put it on smoke setting and put 1" steak on for 20 minutes. Pull steak off, crank to high(450 or so), let come to temp, then throw back on grill 3 1/2 minutes per side for medium rare. I'll do 1 1/2" thick filets about 4 min per side.

 

I kept a gas and charcoal grills for about a year. But when I hadn't used them in that entire time, I got rid of them. Pellet only now for the last 3 years.

[Shark]

@horton. I started with Traeger lil tex 15 yrs ago. Still have it after many replacement parts. Upgraded to the Green Mountain Daniel Boone 6 years ago. I use it 3-4 times a week. Great grill, easy, fast. Can't understand why you want your steaks to taste like charcoal?? Green Mountain leaves 1/4" smoke ring with killer flavor! 35 minutes total time!

[Bulldog]

Webber is an amazing grill. Worth every penny. It’s like buying a proper ski boat after using your unkles outboard....

[Keith_Menard]

@Skoot1123 Thank you! I am a disciple of Texas bbq. low, slow, salt, pepper, and mesquite.

[gt2003]

Do you want to use a wakeboard and Pro Model Vapor for the same thing? OF COURSE NOT! Buy a Weber for the easy propane grilling. I've owned a half dozen gas grills and for a reasonable price, Weber is the way to go. Then, go with either an electric or propane Masterbuilt cabinet smoker for the rest. My smokers are wood or charcoal fired but you can turn out a really good product with a masterbuilt or similar. Easy too! Good luck with your search.