How Long To Cook A Hamburger On A Grill
To discover how long to cook a hamburger on grill, you first need to ignore the myths about grilling hamburgers. Most people suggest its only a matter of 3 to 4 minutes per side to cook the hamburgers perfectly. However, that is not true. Using handmade patties will take extra time to grill adequately, more than 3 to 4 minutes per side. Also, the time duration depends on the thickness of the patty accordingly.
The fact is burgers quickly take 10 to 15 minutes to cook properly. The time duration relies on the three main factors. One is a pan or grill in which you tend to cook the hamburgers. Secondly, the thickness of the burger can minimize and maximize the cooking time effectively. Lastly, the time depends on whether you require rare, medium rare, medium well, medium, or well done.
Similarly, the thicker your burger and patty are, the more time it will take in cooking. Grilling means cooking the food at high or medium temperatures its not about cooking at slow temperatures. Cooking at a lower temperature dries out the crust of the burger and reduces flavors. Additionally, grilling the hamburger at a low temperature will make your grilling process extensive and take your long hours in cooking. Therefore, cooking at high temperatures reduces cooking time and serves one the juicy, tasty burgers. Hence, flipping is required when you realize the side is cooked correctly. Therefore, turn off the flame and serve with beer and fries.
If You’re Looking For A New Smoker Pick Up A Traeger
Smoking on a Traeger grill is a revelation. The entire process from adding fuel to the finished flavor is simply excellent. If you’re thinking about buying a new smoker you should check out the range of models from Traeger. A new smoker from Traeger will give you the best results you’ve ever had without the frustration and hassle.
What Is A Traeger Grill
A Traeger is a wood pellet grill.Pellets are stored inside a side-mounted hopper and are drawn into its central burn chamber by an auger before being ignited by a hot metal rod.
Traegers run on electricity, so before you invest, be sure you have access to an outdoor outlet or extension cord. Because the grill requires electricity, it makes for precise grilling: the digital temperature control is combined with the meat thermometers for the most accurate heat readings possible, guaranteeing tender, juicy results.
Once youve assembled the grill, operating a Traeger is very simple, which is why theyre so popular. Simply fill the side-mounted hopper with pellets, turn it on, and set the temperature to your desired heat. Traeger grills can range froma smoke setting to 450°F for quick sears.
You May Like: Char Broil Infrared Cleaning
How To Start A Traeger Grill For The First Time Or One That Is Empty
Starting up an empty Traeger grill is slightly different than starting up one that is already full of pellets.
If your Traeger pellet grill is truly BRAND new, you should go through the full process of seasoningit before cooking on it for the first time.
Otherwise follow these steps as follows:
Why use Bristle Free Grill Brushes?
Basic Rules Of Cooking Meat
The first and foremost rule to cook meat is setting the right temperature for different meat.
It is important because it imparts a distinct flavor to the meat and ensures that it has reached a safe internal temperature. It should be hot enough to kill potentially harmful organisms that cause food poisoning.
Heres a quick rundown of the ideal internal temperatures for various meat types and cuts, with more detailed information to follow.
Ideal Internal Temperatures for various Meat Types and Cuts
Heres a quick rundown of the ideal internal temperatures for various meat types and cuts, with more detailed information to follow.
1) Chicken
- Parts: 12 minutes per side on HIGH
- Whole: 1.5 2 hours on MEDIUM 275-300°F
2) Pork Chops
- 1 inch thick 8-10 minutes per side on High 400°F
- 1.5 thick 10-12 minutes per side on High 400°F
- 2 inch thick 12-15 minutes per side on High 400°F
3) Roasts Rare 140°F, Medium 150°F, Well 160°F
- Beef: cook on Medium 275-300°F until it reaches 150°F internal temperature. Approximately 40 minutes per pound.
- Pork: cook on Medium 275-300°F until it reaches 165°F internal temperature. About 40 minutes per lb.
- Lamb: cook on Medium 275-300°F until it reaches 150°F internal temperature. About 40 minutes per pound.
4) Steaks Always cook at HIGH 400°F. For 1-1.5 thick steak
- Rare: 140°F cook 8 minutes per side
- Medium: cook 10-12 minutes per side at 150°F
- Well: 15 minutes per side at 160°F
5) Turkey
6) Lamb
You May Like: What Temperature To Grill Pork Chops
Maintenance Tips For Your Traeger
Besides cleaning your grill after each use, and spring cleaning it every grilling season, you also need to focus on maintaining it. This will prevent serious issues from taking over your Traeger and even slow down rusting, corrosion, and exposure.
- Invest in a grill cover, and use it to cover the Traeger whenever it isnt in use.
- Keep your grill grates clean by removing grease and debris after each use. Once in a while, fire up the grill and keep it going on high for 10 to 15 minutes, burning out any bits of food and debris. Once it has cooled down again, vacuum the ash out from the grill.
- Store your grill in a cool and dry place during the winter. Make sure it isnt kept in humidity or damp conditions.
- Use a grill mat to minimize mess and simplify cleanup.
- Periodically get rid of old foil lining the drip trays and other components.
- To keep your grill looking new and shiny wipe down the exterior of your grill after each cooking session.
- Make sure the wiring isnt frayed and that the plug has all the screws attached. Replace worn-out wiring as soon as possible.
- Avoid using bleach, steel wool, wire brushes, and other harsh and abrasive materials when cleaning your Traeger.
Regularly Check For Blockages
Blockages in the auger and firepot often result in your Traeger operating at below optimal temperatures. After your grill has cooled, following a grill session, remove any ashes and check the firepot for remaining pellets. Remove the pellets and dust out the chamber, so it is ready for your next outdoor cookout.
Pellet dust can build up on the internal components and make combustion less effective. Always ensure that you buy high-quality wood pellets with a firm, compact structure to avoid blockages.
Recommended Reading: How To Dispose Of A Gas Grill
Traeger Smoke Setting Vs 225f
The smoke setting of a traeger is used to ignite the pellets and fire up the pellet grill.
The traeger will not monitor the temperature and will feed in pellets for 15 seconds and wait 65 seconds before repeating the cycle. This is problematic since food cooked on a Traeger on the smoke setting on a cold day will cook differently than on a hot day.
When the traeger is set to 225°F, the traeger will make sure that the cooking temperature stays around 225°F +/- 25°F.
So if its a cold day and the traeger needs to feed in more pellets to keep the grill warm, then it will feed in more pellets which will create more smoke and heat. If its a hot day then the traeger will feed in pellets at a slower rate.
The reason why using a temperature setting such as 225°F is better than the smoke setting is it allows you to plan how long the food needs to cook. The smoke setting can have a wide range of cooking temperatures based on the outside air.
Traeger Grills Pro Series 22
The last on our list is the Pro series 22 model from Traeger that features a total grilling space of 572 sq inches. The hoppers capacity of 18 pounds coupled with a reliable cooking mechanism makes it one of the best Traeger grills available on the market.
572 square inches
The Pro Series 22 features a total cooking space of 572 sq inches, which means you can now cook up to 4 pork butts without involving any hassle. It can hold up to 4 to 5 medium chickens or 18 to 20 burgers at a time.
All-in-One Package
The Traeger Pro Series 22 grill has made grilling easy and convenient for everyone. With its high-tech features like the auto-start system, digital temperature controls, and real-time meat probe thermometer, you will enjoy your outdoor cooking experience more than ever before.
Pros
You May Like: How To Clean Stainless Steel Barbecue Grates
Takes Too Much To Cook
The user complained about this model that it takes too much time to cook. It happens for lots of problems.
Solution
This problem is related to temperature swings and fire going out. When the fire is going out in the middle of cooking, then temperature swings, and then it takes too much time to cook.
Final Thoughts On The Traeger Grill
If youre still on the fence about buying the Traeger grill, its time to make that leap! Its a fantastic cooking machine that belongs to any serious cook, meat lover or BBQ Dads in America.
For choosing which product line is best for your needs, check out our product reviews which goes in great detail about the different types of Traeger grills that are available for sale.
Also, check out our informative section for Traeger recipes and general how-to guides on cleaning your Traeger grill and of course, how to start one.
The Traeger grill is easy to setup, and thats why most people order online. It comes it a nice package and can be assembled easily, using the manual or by looking at the numerous unboxing videos on Youtube.
Indeed, the Traeger grilling machine will look great in any backyard. Choose the wood pellet of your choice. Follow the steps in this guide on how to start a Traeger grill. Then youll off and grilling like champion BBQ pitmaster.
Remember, safety is always first when it comes to grilling. Enjoy the barbecues!
Don’t Miss: How Long Do I Cook Pork Tenderloin On The Grill
Traeger Grills Models And Cost
Aside from older Traeger models, smaller units, like the Ranger or Tailgater, and store-exclusive grills, like the Century, Texas Elite or Silverton, sold at retailers like Costco, Traeger Grills come in 3 main lines: the Pro Series, the Ironwood Series and the Timberline Series. Each of these series has two grill sizes: a smaller one and a larger one. The smaller grills in each line are always less expensive than the bigger ones, as can be expected. More on the specific comparisons below.
Its important to know that each Traeger basically works the same. They use electricity to burn 100% all-natural, food-grade wood pellets. There is no propane, natural gas or charcoal involved. All you need is access to an electrical outlet and Traeger-brand wood pellets.
The Pro Series grills are the most affordable, theTimberline is the most expensive and theIronwood is somewhere in between.
Buying a Traeger Grill is kind of like buying a car. You can buy the baseline model that comes with standard features, the midline model that comes with a sunroof and leather seats, or the fully-loaded edition that comes with all of the above, plus a 21-speaker sound system, 20 chrome rims, and a bigger engine. Of course, each upgrade comes with a price.
Traeger Grill Considerations When Buying
Before we do a deep dive into the different models, lets cover some general considerations:
Budget
Obviously, this one goes without saying, but how much do you have to spend? When buying a Traeger Grill, a big part of your decision is going to depend on your budget and what you can afford. Just keep in mind that depending on how often you use your Traeger, youll also need to allocate a few hundred dollars a year, or more, for wood pellets to operate your grill.
Size of Your Family and Circle of Friends
How many people do you expect to cook for? The amount of people will determine how big of a grill you buy. For a family of 2 adults and 2 children, or less, I think you can manage with any of the smaller sized grills. For larger families or families with older children that eat more, the bigger grill sizes are probably a better fit because you can handle more food at once.
Also consider where you plan on putting your grill. You might be lucky enough to have a condo that allows grills on balconies, but your balcony might only have enough space to accommodate a smaller sized grill.
To give you an idea of how big the Ironwood 880is, its enough for 10 chickens or 7 racks of ribs or 9 pork butts, according to the Traeger website.
Buying a Traeger Grill Based on What You Want To Cook
Do You Want Bells and Whistles? Buy Accordingly
Grill Design and Aesthetics
You May Like: What Temperature To Grill Pork Chops
Is It Easy To Ignite A Traeger Grill
Even though the Traeger grill model varies, they are all easy to ignite. Whether you are a beginner in the grill and barbeque niche or an advanced chef, the ignition process of a Traeger grill is simple. Just follow the instructional sheet to set them at the appropriate temperature for preheating and you are good to go.
The closed lid startup and open lid start-up are relatively simple to ignite.
Although, it is important to take note of the fan sound, so you can distinguish between the flame and other operational sounds to enable you to know if your grill is functioning properly. Adjusting temperatures before ignition is also a straightforward process, as the automated built of the grill performs adequately at stabilizing the temperature.
With these features, there is no need for an expert operator to ignite your grill.
The electronic-powered nature of the Traeger grill is easy for both newbies and advanced users to get a hang of. The operational process is easy, as the automation system performs adequately. Most of the grills come with a power switch to get ignited, less manual effort is involved.
Generally, it is a simple process, just plug it into a regular electrical outlet, and power it on.
Make Your First Smoke On A Traeger A Success
Pellets must be kept dry at all times. You can’t use pellets that get wet, even after they dry. Keep your pellet hopper dry at all times or you’ll run the risk of creating a big mess. Fill your hopper with pellets.
How Much Pellets to Use at Once
Higher temperatures burn pellets faster and you can anticipate between one and three pounds of pellets per hour. A 20-lb bag of pellets will last anywhere from six to 20 hours. Smoking smaller items like pork chops or chicken quarters will take between two and five hours.
Larger pieces of meat like pork butt roast or brisket can take nine hours or more. Always have extra pellets on hand. There is nothing worse than your hopper running out of fuel using your Traeger an hour before you’re done.
The First Time Smoking with a Traeger Pellet Grill
The Traeger Grill will need to be plugged in. You can use the thermometer control on the pellet hopper to set the desired temperature. Let the grill preheat completely. If this is the first time you are lighting a brand-new Traeger, you’ll want to burn-in the grill grates.
How to Burn-in Your Grill
Burning-in is a simple process that cleans the porcelain grates of manufacturing oils and other contaminants. All you will do is bring the smoker up to 350 degrees and hold for one hour, then increase to 450 degrees for 30 minutes to ensure a clean, seasoned grill grate.
Recommended Reading: What Temp To Grill Steaks On Traeger
How Long Should A Traeger Grill Take To Ignite
Two to five minutes should be ideal, but with internal and external factors that come into play for some Traeger grill models, it should not exceed 15 to 20 minutes.
Do note that for some models, it takes time for the auger to push the pellets while the fan circulates, this can extend the time of fire ignition in some cases.
Although for some models, even with a properly primed auger, it takes up to 15 minutes for the grill to ignite. One can also try testing another method by setting the temperature low, this enables the grill to startup gradually .
If the weather is extremely cold, and the grill is utilized outdoors, the cold temperature can cause the grill to ignite after a long time or overshoot upon ignition. To achieve a stable time frame during grill ignition, try setting it on an average temperature following your instructional sheet that came with the grill.
Also, if you just got a new Traeger grill, it should take 6 to 10 minutes for it to ignite, this is due to the electrical automated framework it operates with.
