Lynx Sonoma Smart Smoker
The Lynx Sonoma Smart Smoker is a unique, modern alternative to pellet-powered grills, bringing the same level of performance and convenience to the table while replacing the solid wood fuel source with gas. Pretty much every element on this grill screams top-shelf, with hand-tooled, welded, and polished construction, an integrated full-color LCD touchscreen, and a bevy of sensors and Wifi-connectivity that relay real-time info to the Lynx exclusive MyChef mobile app. Adjusted via LED backlit control knobs, this smart grill offers a temperature range between 160 and 350-degrees, while a generously-sized wood chip drawer houses enough fuel to smoke food for up to eight hours without needing a refill, and a whopping 1,000 square inches of cooking space that provides enough room to accommodate half-a-dozen baby back ribs.
Fuel Source: Propane
Fast Eddys Cookshack Pellet Smoker Review
I can think of few things that will give you a solid idea of what Fast Eddys Pellet Cookers are capable of than a testimonial by Todd Johns of Plowboys Barbecue Team, Grand Champion of the 2009 American Royal Invitational. Todd cooked on a Fast Eddys Pellet Smoker and youll see first hand from this video what he thinks of the brand.
As you can see, for Plowboys Barbecue, as with most other winning teams out there, competition BBQ success is all about mastering a process that you can duplicate. Not having to sweat the fire management side of things is what Todd Johns loves most about his Fast Eddys Pellet Smoker.
For a more official overview of the Fast Eddys Pellet Smoker, heres an introduction of the Fast Eddys PG500 Pellet Smoker.
Another video I thought itd be cool to show you guys is one that features BBQ Diva as she shares her thoughts about how Fast Eddys Pellet smokers work with BBQ Ribs. Youve likely read the Diva Q DIY BBQ Sauce post we highlighted here. And no doubt you know about Danielles work with the now famous BBQ Crawl television series. Without question, shes one of BBQs greatest treasures. Check out what she says here about Fast Eddys. The video starts out with Ed Maurin showing you the recipe he used for the World BBQ Championship Perfect Score Ribs in 2000 using both baby backs and spares. Diva chimes in near the end with her take on how these ribs taste.
Heres a close up view of the Memphis Pro temperature control.
Where to Buy:
Pellet Grill Vs Propane Grills
Both gas grills and pellet grills offer convenience to the consumer. And when Pit Boss® bursted onto the scene a few years ago, they both offered affordability as well. However, there are some major differences between the two types of grills.
Gas grills are great for cooking at mid to high to high temperatures. However, due to poor insulation,;gas grills typically dont perform well at low temperatures. Gas grills need proper ventilation and because of this they dont typically perform well as smokers.
Pellet grills also offer more flavor options due to gas itself being flavorless. The wood pellets, on the other hand, can come in a variety of natural flavors that help enhance the food.
It is also a little easier to control temperature on a pellet grill. Each gas grill has a dialing in process with the user but a pellet grill can be set to the temperature you desire within a 15°F variance.
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How Does A Pellet Grill Work
The heat is generated from wood pellets that are placed in a chamber called a “pellet hopper.” Those pellets move through an auger to a fire pot, which heats the entire cooking chamber of the grill. Through a fan system, heat and smoke are dispensed throughout the grill, providing a naturally rich and woody flavor from the pellets. Though pellet grills certainly share some characteristics of your traditional grills, there are a couple of major differences that set pellet grills apart: most notably, the combination of deep flavor, versatility and efficiency.
What Is A Pellet Grill And How Do They Work A Quick Overview
In this article, I break down what a pellet smoker is and how they work. looking at the hopper, auger, fire pot, and digital controller, and how they work together.
In this article, were going to answer the questions: What is a pellet grill? And how do pellet grills work?
Not everybody knows what they are, and thats likely how you found yourself here after searching for the answers.
Now, theres a very graphic phrase that says, Theres more than one way to skin a cat. The meaning is that there are usually multiple ways to complete any task.
And, that completely applies to barbecue.
Most people get their start with barbecue on a basic charcoal or gas grill. But, theres a host of other ways to get the job done, including pellet grills.
But not everybody knows about these relative newcomers to the barbecue world.
Today were going in-depth to teach you what a pellet grill is and how they function. Well cover some pros and cons of pellet grills, too.
In the end, youll have a better idea of whether this type of grilling is for you.
Contents
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The Original Wood Pellet Grill
Traeger Invented the Original Wood-Fired Grill over 30 years ago in Mt. Angel, Oregon. We continue to lead the industry as the worlds #1 selling wood-fired grill, perfected by decades of mastering the craft of wood-fired cooking. A Traeger grill will transform the way you cook because it creates consistent results, every single time. Fuel your hunger for wood-fired flavor with Traeger.
Best Portable Pellet Grills To Help You Smoke Turkey Or Grill Steaks For Your Friends
While grilling over a fire, gas, or charcoal are the most common methods of barbecuing some delicious food, portable pellet grills have recently started gaining popularity. If youre looking to purchase a portable pellet grill, youd want to look for one thats able to add a unique and subtle smoke flavor. The right portable pellet grill will also add a delicious crusty texture to your meals.
There is a plethora of benefits that you can reap from purchasing a portable pellet grill. Not only is it a healthier option as excess fat drips off, but its also easier to use than a gas or charcoal grill as youre able to control the temperature of your grill. Best of all, these grills can be easily transported and taken anywhere from a camping site to a picnic. Youre also able to grill and smoke a wide range of ingredients to suit different palates.
To help you get started in using a portable pellet grill, weve rounded up 5 of the best portable pellet grills. All of these portable pellet grills are from BBQGuys a popular online leader in outdoor living.
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Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker 18 Charcoal Smoker
For those looking to dip their toes into the smoking realm, an old-school charcoal unit can be a fantastic way of learning the fundamentals, and Webers Smokey Mountain Cooker is a minimalistic yet well-built grill thats beginner-friendly, while still offering plenty of room for growthas well as room to smoke a full-sized turkey. Built around premium-grade steel bowl, lid, center section, and water pan that are porcelain enamel-coated inside and out, the 18 model packs dual plated steel cooking grates with a collective 481-square-inches of cooking space,glass-reinforced nylon handles, rust-resistant aluminum heat shield and fuel door, and is also sold with an included cover to protect it from the elements when not in use.
Fuel Source: Charcoal
Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 Built
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Looking for a grill that can easily prepare a feast for the next family BBQ and smoke your wild game after that big hunt? Then look at the Napoleon Prestige Pro 665 Grill. This grill runs on natural gas and has the configuration needed for temperature, cooking times, and more built completely in the device!
With five stainless steel burners which include a rear infrared rotisserie burner; there is nothing that this grill cant do and everything it can when it comes to grilling, and smoking, any chosen meat. Poultry, beef, pork, or even fish this is the grill to use.
Pros:
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V To 110v Inverters & 12v Leisure Batteries
The third option is to take power from a 12V battery in a car/truck and use a 12V to 110V inverter to provide power for the pellet grill/smoker. As referenced above, Traeger sells their own 12V to 110V inverter with a 400W continuous output and 800W peak output to provide enough power for those initial minutes during start-up when the hot rod igniter is running. Though really, there is nothing special about it, its just a standard 400W inverter with a Traeger badge on it. Before purchasing an inverter though as stated above, check the manual of the pellet grill/smoker to find out what its peak power draw is and purchase a suitably rated inverter.
While the Traeger branded 12V DV to 110V AC power inverter is one option you could consider, its by no means the only inverter that can do the job: Image Traegergrills.com
So what about run time? Well, first the scenario of the running from the 12V battery in your car/truck. So lets say you have a large car/pick-up with a starter battery that holds 100 Ah of energy. We need to know how many Watt-hours of energy that is which is simply 100 Ah multiplied by the voltage which is 12V with a result of 1200 Watt-hours, hence a similar amount of energy to the large Jackery Explorer portable power stations above.
A typical example of 12V deep cycle battery with a 110 Ah / 1,320 Wh of energy capacity: Image
Pellet Smokers And Indirect Heat Delivery
With almost all Pellet smokers, the heat is indirect, allowing you to cook larger cuts of meat or larger quantities of meat for long cook times at lower temperatures.
Pellet smokers normally have a drip plate under the main cooking surface that allows fat drippings to flow into a catch vessel normally a pail of some sort. Because the heat and air flow is so well-regulated in Pellet smokers, you can pack it with meat and literally walk away being assured of steady temps and very predictable outcomes.
Backyard at home BBQ smokers appreciate this feature when cooking things like chicken, which normally isnt trimmed down as much as competition cooks might leave it.
Speaking of competition cooks, youll find that many competition BBQ pitmasters who use Pellet grills as their primary means of cooking are among the more well rested come Saturday. The next step well cover in this selection of Pellet Grill Reviews is getting your pellet grill / smoker up and running. Again, what you may not see in may Pellet Grill Reviews is repeated mention that youre not going to get that deep smoke flavor profile using a pellet smoker. Though, this can be achieved by using something like the Amazen Pellet Tube Smoker 12.
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Pellet Grill Vs Charcoal Grill
Although charcoal grills are certainly known for smoky flavor, theres one major difference that sets pellet grills apart from their charcoal counterpart: temperature regulation. Whatever temperature you decide to set your pellet grill to, you can be certain that it will maintain it. One of the biggest downfalls of a charcoal grill is that although it can achieve high temperatures, its difficult to maintain high temperatures. Weve all been there; youve heated your coals to the perfect temperature and before you know it, theyre cooling off again! Pellet grills allow you to set a specific cooking temperature , so you can check on the doneness of your meat from the comfort of your couch. This system makes for a much more predictable, manageable and convenient grilling experience.”The pellet grill has become my go-to for easy weeknight dinners,” says Ginevra. “My kids are particularly excited for chicken wings on the grill, and I love it because I can set it and forget it.
How Effective Is A Pellet Grill Smoker At Smoking
Big Question.
As people start learning about these smokers, one big difference with how effective the outcomes are is that with a temp prob stuck in and a relatively consistent temperature. Its pretty hard to stuff it up.
The classic mistake you see often is pulling out the meat too early, and if folks are using a temperature probe, this just shouldnt happen.
So in terms of effectiveness at smoking meats, double thumbs up.
The reasons why? pellet grills keep the smoking temperature range in the right spot and sense the probe is always reading what is going on its all on cruise control.
Some people always talk of how many hours it takes etc.. But the meat will always vary in time a bit generally. Low & Slow is very forgiving unless you take it to the extreme and go many hours under or over when you know its done.
Anyway, having the pellet grill adjust the temperatures and continually read with probes I find makes the process smooth sailing.
The effectiveness of pellet grills for smoking meat has put them in some dispute at times, for certain BBQ competitions. They have actually been forbidden, some say this is because the results they produce make this too much of a short cut for the enthusiasts!
Some guys have had a hard time finding a plug for there pellet grills at competitions. But there are several ways you can run it anyway since the electrical draw is also quite minimal.
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Tips For Pellet Grilling
Pellet grills are wood-fired grills and so choosing the right wood for the foods youre cooking is vital.
Research the suggested pairings of wood types with certain foods. For example, Hickory is a good option for Pork and chicken, but not recommended for seafood.
Hot TipResearch your wood choices!
Since the wood pellets are susceptible to the elements storage is key. Storing wood pellets in a dry place is vital to keeping them fresh and usable.
If storing inside keep pellets elevated off the ground and store in a dry location. Try to store in an airtight container!
If inside storage is not an option dont freak out! Outside storage is possible too. Like before, keeping pellets off the ground. Use a tarp to cover the pellets and use weights to hold the tarp down. Place an object at the top of the pellets under the tarp so that the top of the tarp is not flat. A flat tarp collects rainwater, whereas a slanted top lets rainwater slide off.
Most importantly check on your pellets!
The hopper is not a long-term storage option. Yes, you can keep pellets in there for a day or two, but any longer than that you should empty the pellets out and store them properly.
Research what your grill can do! Some of the higher end models offer some cool perks such as cold smoking, perfect for that lox style salmon! Pellet grills are super versatile dont hold yourself back.
Why Do Pellet Grills Explode
Youve set the steaks on the grill and insert the probe then head back inside to finish watching your favorite movie with the family. All of a sudden you hear a boom that sounds like a car backfiring outside only to realize that your grill exploded. It scared the crap out of you and now youre wondering why do pellet grills explode so it wont happen again.
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Pellet Grill Vs Gas Grill
The biggest difference between a pellet grill and a gas grill: the flavor! Pellet grills are powered by hardwood pellets and thus impart a naturally sweet, spicy, smoky flavor to everything you cook; a flavor that is unmatched by cooking on gas or charcoal grills. The team at Traeger says: “The smoke acts as a wholly separate seasoning, adding a deeper and more robust flavor to whatever you decide to cook.”
Ginevra agrees, and says that the flavor of cooking with wood pellets doesnt even compare to the flavor of cooking on a gas grill. Sure, you can argue that cooking over an open flame like you would on a gas grill gives off flavor, but what if you could get that meaty, smoky flavor without the inevitable ashy, burnt and blackened taste? Thats where your pellet grill comes in. Heat is generated through combustion, by igniting wood pellets and circulating heat through a fan system. Much like a convection oven, this allows us to set and maintain a specific temperature without worrying about the unpredictability of open fire flare-ups.
How Much Power Does A Pellet Grill/smoker Need
Ok, so this is question is as general as how long is a piece of string, the answer of how much power a pellet grill/smoker is going to consume depends on the specific model. However, as a general rule, typically a pellet grill/smoker is going to be pulling around 300 Watts of power for around 4 minutes while the hot rod igniter is getting the fire going. Once the fire is established and the hot rod igniter is turned off, the control panel, auger and induction fan together are going to be pulling around 50 Watts of power continuously.
Again, the above 300 Watt then 50 Watt power consumption figures are very general, and I would encourage you to do a deep dive into the manual of your respective pellet grill/smoker to find the exact figures before purchasing a portable power station etc. Obviously, the auger motor doesnt run continuously, there will be spikes in power consumption when the auger motor turns on. Different pellet grills have different powered auger motors. For instance, I would expect the older auger motor fitted to Traeger grills to pull less power than a grill fitted with the latest D2 Direct Drive motors.
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