Are Pellet Grills Worth The Money And What Are They
Americans love eating BBQ!
Memorial is the official kickoff to backyard grilling season, and at least 75% of adults in the United States own a grill or a smoker. With 63% of grill owners using their grill year-round. Youre probably asking yourself whats all the craze and are pellet grills worth it?
When I was in the market for a grill, I had no clue what a pellet smoker was and how it differed from a smoker grill. Ive decided to share what Ive learned.
All The Extra Convenience:
While all those were great to have, this Pellet Grill had more to offer!
Auto Cool Down Mode:
This feature is great for when you want your grill to cool down before taking out the food. It also works best when you just wanna shove the grill away right after grilling!
Probe hole:
Known as someone whos never careful around hot surfaces, this one was a savior! All I had to do was open the door to the hole and shove the probe inside without getting my hands burnt.
Heat vents:
You might be wondering Does the heat damage any part of my grill?
It would have if it wasnt for the heat vents that keep the sensitive parts safe! Consequently, my maintenance costs are also reduced to a great extent. Even the heat vents have rubber grommets to protect them. Talk about high security!
Cover:
Grilling is my favorite thing to do but doing it every week is definitely not my thing! To keep the grill safe and sound, while its not in use, it comes with a Rec Tec grill cover along with it. Place the veil over it and keep it secured from rusting away!
Six-year warranty:
The cherry on top of this amazing grill is the warranty of six years that comes with it! Not that we need it, given how durable this is, but its good to know Rec Tec stands behind its products.
Pellet Grills Are Hot Here’s Why
These outdoor cookers blend the best parts of cooking with gas and charcoal. What to consider when buying a pellet grill.
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Gas and charcoal grills have dominated the U.S. market for more than half a century. Gas delivers convenience because it starts instantly and lets you control the heat by turning dials. Charcoal gives you more control because you can build and shape any size fire to direct the heat, and charcoal imparts a smoky flavor.
What if there was a grill that proved to be even easier to use than gasand also imparted a distinctly smoky flavor, reminiscent of foods painstakingly cooked for hours over stoked coals? Thats the promise of pellet grills.
Pellet grills have been around for more than 30 years, but you could only get them at specialty retailers, and youd pay top dollar, says Mark Allwood, CRs market analyst for all the grills we test. But theyve made the shift from niche to mainstream, in part because grilling has surged in popularity in recent years.
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Best Wifi Pellet Grills For The Money
As technology advances, the prices of newer pellet grills are rising as some pellet grills can even reach $1,000+ but usually, these are larger pellet grills with all the bells and whistles.
However, if you want to enjoy all the benefits that a Wi-Fi pellet grill provides but do not want to spend too much money then check out the following WiFi pellet grills.
- Temperature range up to 650 F
- Easy cleaning of the firepot with the Ash-Cleanout System
- Large cooking area
Cons:
- Small hopper capacity
What makes this pellet grill different from others is its Slide and Grill technology. Most pellet grills have a temperature range between 200°F and 500°F, which makes it difficult to sear food. However, Camp Chefs Slide and Grill technology for direct flame cooking will allow you to reach temperatures up to 650°F.
Another great feature that sets Camp Chefs products apart is their Ash-Cleanout System. Removing all the ash that has accumulated in the firepot during the cook is as easy as pulling a knob.
This grill comes with four meat probes, thanks to which you can check on up to four cuts of food without opening the lid.
501 square inches of cooking space will allow you to prepare lots of food. The 10 lbs hopper is on the smaller side, so if you plan on having longer cooks , you will have to refill the hopper at some point.
Overall the Camp Chef Woodwind Wi-Fi 20 is a very capable WiFi grill that has all the bells and whistles that make for a great pellet grill.
Cons:
Weber Original Kettle Premium Charcoal Grill:
Would you rather stick to the traditional way of grilling? Given the flavor those provide, I wouldnt wanna argue!
For the best results, check out the Weber Premium charcoal Grill that isnt only super cute to look at but also delivers exceptional performance.
With a 363 square inches of grilling area, it utilizes the power of a charcoal burner with the dampers to give your food a controlled amount of heat. You cannot sit back and relax with this like you can with the RT-700, although traditional grilling is not about relaxing! Nevertheless, the one feature thats easy with this one is the one-touch cleaning system.
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Can You Sear On Pellet Grills
Food is seared when it is exposed to direct intense heatthink of the sizzle a burger makes when it hits a hot frying pan or grill grate positioned over a charcoal or wood fire. There is no sudden, violent encounter with heat. Higher-end manufacturers have responded to customers suggestions by producing grills capable of higher temperatures that allow searing directly over the burn pot on a perforated plate.
Alternatively, you can preheat a cast iron skillet, griddle, or plancha directly on the grill grate and sear on them. GrillGrates or Stevens cast-iron Tuscan grill grate can also deliver killer grill marks when laid on top of the pellet grill grate.
What Is A Pellet Grill
A pellet grill is a type of grill designed to work with wood pellets. It has both a firebox and a hopper, which is the container that holds the wood pellets. As the grill cools down, it sends a signal that drops the pellets into the firebox and burns them to create heat and smoke.
With a pellet grill, you can set the temperature, close the lid and walk away. The lid will keep the heat from escaping and trap the smoke inside. Not only does the heat cook the outside of the food, but the smoke will penetrate the food and leave a smoke ring around the inside. Most of these grills also have an ash box or pail that collects the ash as it leaves the grill.
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Propane Vs Pellet Grill
Now lets compare the pros and cons of propane versus pellet grills.
A propane grill is one of the most common and convenient forms of grilling. Usually, propane grills are in the backyard with a large propane tank that fuels the fire to the grill.
Although convenient, propane grills typically lack a lot of the unique flavor that barbeque and grilling have to offer.
However, starting and heating up a propane grill is one of the most beginner-friendly ways to get into BBQ.
What Temperature Do You Cook A Ribeye On A Pellet Grill
To grill a ribeye steak, trim the fat and rub with a neutral oil and seasoning. You can go with simple salt and pepper. Let your Traeger get to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and place your steaks directly on the grill grate, flipping every 6 minutes. Cook until steaks reach an internal temperature of 132 degrees and enjoy.
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Rec Tec Trailblazer Rt
CHECK PRICE ON RECTECH
For a precise and enjoyable cooking experience, look no further than the Rec Tec Trailblazer RT-340 Wood Pellet Grill. Its a powerful grill despite the fact its not huge. You can cook your meat from pretty much anywhere because it is more portable.
The grill weighs only 80 pounds with a 15 pound hopper. It also comes along with 2 bags of pellet for you already! It has a 511 square inch cooking space which means you should be able to feed your immediate family fairly easily.
The grill is very easy to put together, and comes with a protective cover no need to spend extra money on it! It incorporates WiFi technology that means you are able to control the grill from your phone.
The grill features a PID controller which means that you can maintain the cooking temperature for a long time without worrying about getting up and down to control it.
Pros
- Can be used with the lid open
Cons
- Not ideal for large groups of people
CHECK PRICE ON RECTEC
Pellet Grill Operating Cost:
Power of almost 200-300 watts is needed to start up the operation of the pellet grill. Once fully ignited, 50-70 watts needed to keep the auger and fans in working position. Pellets may cost nearly a dollar 1 per pound. A pellet grill uses 1 to 3 pounds of pellets as fuel per hour. Thus the operating cost of a pellet grill may range from dollar 70 to dollar hundred per hour.
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How Do Pellet Grills Work
The hopper holds the all-natural wood pellets. The auger system then feeds the wood pellet grills into the cooking chamber, that eventually make their way to the firepot.
Once in the fire pot, the pellets are ignited by a hot rod, the combustion fan then stokes the fire creating a convection like heating method to cook your food evenly throughout.
Best Pellet Grills From Cr’s Tests
Paul Hope
As a classically trained chef and an enthusiastic DIYer, I’ve always valued having the best tool for a jobwhether the task at hand is dicing onions for mirepoix or hanging drywall. When I’m not writing about home products, I can be found putting them to the test, often with help from my two young children, in the 1860s townhouse I’m restoring in my free time.
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The Only Traeger Grill That Is Worth The Money
The new Traeger grills really are nice and the only real issue that I have with them is the value proposition.
There is one Traeger that has all of the advanced technology featured in the new grills and comes with a price tag that I can support. This grill is theTraeger Silverton 620 which is exclusive to Costco.
The Silverton 620 has almost as much cooking space as the Ironwood 650, has almost all of the same features and costs about 40% less. If you really want to get a Traeger but dont want to overpay then head down to your local Costco and take a look at the Silverton.
Here is the link to my full overview of the Traeger Silverton 620.
Pros Of Pellet Grills
- Easy to Maintain Very little mess left behind. All you need to do is clean the grill surfaces and youre done. Once in a while, however, you may need to clean the fire pot, but this is a straightforward process.
- Versatile You have more options for cooking, such as grilling, baking, and smoking.
- Convenient You dont need to flip your meat. You just set and forget until your timer goes off.
- Fuel-Efficient The pellets heat up within 15 minutes and the fan does the rest of the work. This means you use less energy and fuel.
- Smoky Flavor Cooking at low temperatures with wood pellets gives your food a deliciously smoky flavor. You can even vary the flavor profile by using different wood types.
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Best Rec Tec Grills Comparison Table
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When you buy a bunch of yummy, expensive meats, you dont want to waste them on a mediocre grill. Honestly, that isnt a worry that you even need to have with the Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700. Its perfect for feeding a whole family or even a massive group of people.
Of course, if youre interested in grilling as a whole, then youll know that it can be difficult to get truly precise cooking. This is not an issue with the Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700, where you will be able to cook at and maintain the temperature that you need.
Theres no need to worry about the issues that come with propane tanks and gasses either because this is a wood pellet grill. Sure its a little bit heavy but its still portable. The grill is made out of a stainless steel material that is very durable. It weighs 200 pounds but it does take a little while to assemble it.
The grill has a 40 pound hopper capacity which means that you dont need to keep adding more pellets, and it comes with a PID controller positioned on top of the touchpad. All you will need to do is set the grill to the temperature you require. The controller will do all of the work for you from there.
The grill has a bunch of different cooking options, from baking to smoking, to roasting, grilling and searing. Its incredibly reliable, and it even comes with two meat probes.
Pros
- Large cooking and hopper capacity
- 6 year warranty
Propane Vs Pellet Grill Flavor
Personally, propane grills have the least flavor when it comes to BBQ or grilling food.
Although propane grills are the most convenient and easy to get going, the cost is that there is no wood or charcoal flavor added to the food.
Pellet grills add a ton of complex smoky flavor depending on which type of wood pellets are used. Smoking food for hours using wood pellets will not only create a smoke ring, but also an incredible taste and texture to the food after it is done smoking.
Pellet grills produce a superior flavor compared to propane grills.
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Is Pellet Grill Worth It
So, is pellet grill worth it? Pellet grill is a great option for the people who are looking for high quality and versatile cooking appliance. It is a gas or electric grill that works on pellets of wood, pellets are usually made from sawdust or corn. Pellet grills are one of the best options because they can be used to cook anything.
This type of grill is very convenient, because you dont need to bother with wood chips, charcoal and coals, you can use it to cook anything and everything . Also, pellet grills have the advantage of being extremely easy to clean. You just need to take them apart and clean each part separately. They are also very durable and long-lasting.
Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Wood Pellet Grill
If you dont want to splash out on a Traeger grill and youre looking for a sensible alternative, the Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Wood Pellet Grill is perfect. This well-design grill shouldnt be seen as a budget option though. Just because its not a Traeger, doesnt mean its not a really high-quality pellet grill. You can tell immediately that this steel-constructed grill is built to last a lifetime. It has a large grill with space for cooking large racks of ribs, briskets, and more.
One of the most impressive features of this grill is the Sense-Mate thermal sensor. It constantly monitors the internal temperature of the grill. This information is then sent to the smartphone app, allowing you to keep a constant eye on the food without having to open the lid. It also has a peaked lid for rib racks, making them much easier to cook. Oh, and on top of that, it folds down to fit into any trunk, making it perfect for tailgating parties.
Dimensions -29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inches
Sense-Mate thermal sensor
110V or 12V with adapters for 3 power options
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Are Pellet Grills Cheaper To Operate Than Offset Smokers
Once again, you will spend more money to buy your pellet grill than you will an offset smoker. The convenience of a pellet grill requires more moving parts, therefore, more upfront cost to operate. But would you rather check on your grill temperature every 30 minutes or every few hours?
Depending on where you live, all of the different hardwood types may be available to you at varying prices. However, you most likely will find pellets much easier and for a cost very close to whatever wood you are looking for.
Pro: More Environmentally Friendly
You may wonder, are pellet grills healthier than gas or charcoal? When it comes to sustainable living, they absolutely are. Pellets come from renewable resources, so their production has a low impact on the environment. They often contain waste wood to repurpose materials. When burned, the pellets give off fewer emissions than charcoal and create less harmful smoke. Additionally, pellet grills and their fuel come with United States Environmental Protection Agency approval as one of the most environmentally friendly types of grill on the market.
Figuring out if this sort of grill is right for you and what is the best pellet grill to buy takes plenty of research. Pellet grills have pros and cons because of their unique features. They take little effort to work, offer environmental friendliness and have unique flavors, but the lack of portability and higher price point might be potential detractors. Consider your specific grilling style, then browse accessories, pellets and grills to ultimately come to an informed decision.
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