How Do Pellet Grills Compare to Charcoal or Propane Grills?

[@DeadBrokeBBQ]

Nice explanation Dash! I have had a propane grill for 3 years now and never even added a tank to it. The other half has a nice charcoal grill that I use for cooking corn on it. Got it because I thought it would be convenient, what a waste! Ha ha

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... No grill around my place goes to waste. The propane grill we have is my wife's and she uses it from time to time... but since I do the majority of the cooking I tend to use my grills more so than hers.

[@oldManLoo]

Thank you for breaking it down. I've been looking for this info.

[@SDSBBQs]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hereticxxx9317]

Is there a pellet grill that has a propane option? Id like to not have 2 grills raking up space.

[@SDSBBQs]

No... you kinda have one or the other. If I were choosing pellet or propane I'd go Pellet hands down.

[@hereticxxx9317]

Can you get a good sear on meat with a pellet grill?

[@SDSBBQs]

Yes... there are a few out there that will allow you to get a great sear.

[@hereticxxx9317]

Awesome, which ones would those be? Sorry for the questions but I'm not familiar with pellet style cooking. Thanks for the fast responses.

[@SDSBBQs]

Camp Chef pellet smokers get pretty hot, Oklahoma Joe's Rider DLX is a newer one that also has a "sear" function. Here is a video done by a friend of mine about it. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5XJg6OZgth5fqc

[@GrandpaBill]

On my pellet grill: 2 Briskets/ 6 racks of ribs/ beef ribs/ 2 very large chuck roasts/ 25 lb. beef clod/ hamburgers/ brats/ pork chops/ and yes some chicken.

[@SDSBBQs]

All right now? Man... I'm envious!

[@GrandpaBill]

@@SDSBBQs OH! I forgot 2 pork shoulders as well.... hehehehehe

[@SDSBBQs]

@@GrandpaBill wait no Partridges? Lmao

[@victorbenner539]

Dash I think you gave some good analogies. I do look at pellet grills a somewhat differently way. I ask people often what do they think a Traeger or similar cooker truly are. Most reply they are smokers. I then tell them they are not true smokers, and that's alright. They are pellet grills. But really the best description of what they are is a wood products "Convection Oven ". This is a better description because it helps to explain what is happening in the food chamber. Because of the extra air movement it speeds up the cooking process just like a convection oven. That means you need to adjust cooking time and temperatures accordingly. It's one reason people new to pellet grills tend to have slightly dryer food then they were expecting. I highly recommend pellet grills for foods like turkey and prime rib. Foods that can be cooked in a few hours. But the longer the cook the more problems can occur. That doesn't mean you can't cook a great brisket, I'm just saying that a pellet grill wouldn't be my go to device. This is why so many of us have multiple outdoor cooking devices. Different types of cooking equipment for different foods and techniques. Understandably some of us can't afford or have the space for multiple devices. That's why I normally advise first timers or folks wth limited cash or space to get a Webber 22 kettle. It will do everything and give the person a chance to find out what they like to do the most and eventually get a cooker that search their specialty. Well as always I've chatted a bit much. Sorry everyone.

[@SDSBBQs]

Very well said... I totally agree. I too recommend a kettle or an inexpensive offset that one can learn the basics on.

[@victorbenner539]

@@SDSBBQs thank you for your kind words. I really have been trying to shorten my comments because I do know they get a bit long. Thank you. 😁

[@mikehott8611]

Have you seen the dyna glo offset vertical smoker? Any thought on it and if it would be a decent smoker to start with?

[@SDSBBQs]

I have... I think it is a entry level smoker. Could be a good place to start. I'd recommend the bigger one amzn.to/2Ytp74y It will give you more flexibility to move things around to account for hot spots and also a bigger cooking capacity. There are some other vertical smokers out there that are sub $400 and I'd look there the quality and build quality is vastly different.

[@goldgulfcoastdesignericsho8628]

Your daughter is so precious. Thanks for the video!

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks! I'll let her know.

[@vibetimedaily6594]

great break down

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks!

[@robertcampbell5183]

I love your analogy. I'm really thinking over what kind to get. I think I'll go with the quad cab dually haha

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... I too would love a quad cab dually!

[@lordsigurdthorolf1202]

Thank you, I love my Camp Chef Pellet Grill. It cost less and has more patented features than all the other Pellet grills and it's propane accessories are all convertible to Natural Gas. There is no water pan you need for true smoking to hold the temp down and keep things moist. To get more smoke you have to use an extra container to add EXTRA smoke. I have been using mine for wood plank grilling and smoking tilapia fillets ( I use 7" x 15" Maple or 5" x 11" Alder planks) As you said "Pellet Grilling is a different type of Grilling!" and depending on your temperature you can easily go through 8 pounds of pellets in 2 to 3 hours so KEEP AN EYE ON YOUR PELLET BIN! I hope this helps you answer some of your viewers ongoing Pellet Grill questions. ;

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks for adding those nuggets of info!

[@why6212]

I like the automotive analogy! But I don't like the idea of a garage full of grill options 😅

[@SDSBBQs]

Meh... I have a garage full of options and it's not bad at all, lol.

[@doccooks2807]

I'm going to hve to pick your brain! For the family and friends, using the pellet smoker seems like it would get the job done...but for starting up with catering locally or selling locally, I may have to invest in a charcoal smoker. But thanks for posting this!

[@SDSBBQs]

The only thing about the pellet to me seems to be the capacity getting started in catering you'd want to buy the biggest thing you can afford because you'll outgrow it if your food is good enough. A decent charcoal grill that will be rather easy to maintain is def the way to go!

[@coreypowell7194]

Very good job on this video dash I was really against a pellet grill till I was on vacation need a grill and got a portable pellet cooker so impressed I got a bigger one

[@SDSBBQs]

I've been saying this same thing... don't knock it until you try it... and once you do try it you'll get it.

[@LouisatRshackBBQ]

Great analogy on the differences and uses. Totally agree with you even saying the Kamado is the sports car - seems to only have 2 gears...you need to do a long cook on the Treager- I have never been disappointed with the pellet grill.

[@SDSBBQs]

After digging this one back up from the archives... I may have to do a brisket on the Traeger (again) to test theories and changes I have don't to see if it in fact better then I previously thought.

[@darianwj]

OK...So I misspelled "Cool". Why won't KZbin let me edit it :-(

[@SDSBBQs]

I know right, if you use your phone you can edit your comments. But If you are using the web no editing for you!

[@BigLewBBQ]

As a self proclaimed charcoal snob, I clicked on this video title solely out of morbid curiosity. I suppose the vehicle analogy was a good one. They actually have pick-ups and other vehicles that use propane as well as natural gas as fuel. There aren’t any that run on pellets or charcoal. Early steam engines used wood or charcoal, I think but soon they used real natural coal from mines. So maybe a gas grill is like a pick-up truck, a pellet is like a hybrid car using electricity and fuel, (think Prius). And a charcoal grill is like a 19th century steam locomotive. 🚂 Thanks Dash!

[@SDSBBQs]

WOW... way to take my analogy to the next level! I am cracking up... that is great!

[@BigLewBBQ]

@@SDSBBQs glad you got a giggle out of it.

[@SDSBBQs]

I sure did! Thanks again for watching and commenting.

[@tecunumantonatiu4484]

Now I know what to buy. Thanks to your video. God Bless!👍👍👍👍👍

[@SDSBBQs]

Glad to help!

[@universaldonor3100]

Should I get an extended cab or crew cab?🤣

[@SDSBBQs]

Extended Crew cab! Best of both worlds. 😆 thanks for watching and commenting.

[@ants8632]

I would like to get some type of charcoal cooker this year but i love my pellet and propane grills. I prefer certain things better on each. I MUST HAVE THEM ALL!!!

[@SDSBBQs]

I totally agree! They each have their way of doing something better than the other!

[@thewiskeywolf7155]

Thanks bro .. went to buy a grill and left with a Silverado 🤣🤣🤣

[@SDSBBQs]

Nice!!

[@smboyle05]

Looks like a nice family

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks!

[@edddiej8320]

Ive never grill but those analogies made perfect sense.

[@SDSBBQs]

Well glad to hear that they made sense! I came up with them on the fly and right off the top of my head.

[@bigmike5402]

Good way to explain it Brotha . 👍🏽

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks!

[@tomc8273]

Hi Dash: I would have been better with big block Chevys, GTO's and Plymouth straight 6 analogy. I get it. Do you remember Sunoco 105 octane? Have a good weekend.

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... I remember a few Sunoco stations around Philadelphia that had some very high octane stations. Random fact one of my aunts used to work for Sunoco.

[@Refry17]

For some reason...I trust this guy.

[@SDSBBQs]

Well thanks man!

[@Nawlinsfanforlife]

I have never been a fan of a pellet or propane grills. I prefer keeping it basic with an offset smoker using charcoal to start the fire and finish firewood for the heat.

[@SDSBBQs]

That's all good and well until you have something else to do and can't multitask because you are too busy throwing sticks at the fire. LOL

[@Nawlinsfanforlife]

@@SDSBBQs I'm good with that. LOL

[@greenhatparts6552]

When ask me my opinion the pellat stove sits between propone and wood/chocoal, faster to light then chocoal slower then propone, better flavor then propone. No matter how you compare a pallet sits in the middle, but no matter what I still prefer a open pit wood fire to cook, smoker what ever

[@SDSBBQs]

Solid. Thank you Sir for watching and commenting.

[@samhippey4406]

Wood fire is still the best.... By far.

[@SDSBBQs]

Can't disagree but there are times when that isn't an option.

[@chris5942]

Agreed. Can't be beat. I will work with charcoal/wood every single time. If you want to play with fire use the offset. If you want the easy thing then buy a barrel cooker. I have a Barrel House 14D that is a dream. that thing will run 6 plus hours on half a bag of charcoal and one fist sized piece of wood with no input from me. Coal is just as flexible as gas if you use the right container for how you want to cook. My next container, arriving tomorrow, will be a ChickenMaster Lunchbox rotisserie that uses charcoal.

[@richdiscoveries]

Huh, that mean perfect sense thank you

[@SDSBBQs]

Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@richdiscoveries]

@@SDSBBQs I'm still behind like two or three episodes. Hoping to catch up tonight. While I obviously cannot retain everything you do, I have learned a lot from watching

[@SDSBBQs]

Well good thing they are not going anywhere... feel free to go back and start over LOL

[@richdiscoveries]

@@SDSBBQs also I fell asleep at some point during the live stream last night LOL I'm getting old man, the minute I sit down to do something at night I'm out cold.

[@SDSBBQs]

I already know... I can't tell you the last time I was able to sit through a movie in one sitting.

[@darianwj]

Must be coo to have all of those "Vehicles" to drive!

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... Yeah that is until you have to pay for the registration and insurance on all of them. Not to mention the maintenance!

[@taylorb1356]

Nice video. Great analogies to explain the differences in grills! Its hard getting into smoking without knowing what you're getting into. There are so many choices even among difference styles. Pellet smokers look appealing for the speed and steadiness of temps, but you can achieve the same thing on a kamado or insulated smoker. Like you said depends on the needs of the cook.

[@SDSBBQs]

Definitely depends on how you will use it and what you are looking to do. Thanks for watching and commenting!

[@natedubbeld2470]

A pellet grill is a crocpot with smoke set it and forget it.

[@SDSBBQs]

I wouldn't go that far now LOL

[@timeshiftts6459]

Obrigada você também 👋🏻👋🏻👋🏻👍🏻

[@patriciamattie4732]

I have 3 GMG Jim Bowies and each one is different , I love them all . Don't believe all the hype on the flavored pellets . I do not buy any BBQ pellets , I refuse to pay their extreme prices , I've been using the same hardwood pellets for 9 yrs at $7.99 for 40 lbs . For doing overnight cooks pellet smokers are great , mine are set it and forget and I can get some sleep , but now I'm wanting a stick burner

[@SDSBBQs]

You use regular heating pellets? I thought I read that they weren't good for grills. That's news to me, thanks.

[@patriciamattie4732]

@@SDSBBQs I called some pellet companies and the one I use strictly uses hard pressed Oak to make there pellets , 'the BBQ pellet companies will tell you differently , and why would they do that ?? ..$$ GMG charges like $28 for a 25lb bag ... How do I make any money paying that for pellets . Like I said ive been doing pellet smoking for almost 10 yrs and I have no side effects from these pellets I use

[@patriciamattie4732]

Gotta make sure they HARDWOOD pellets , some of the pellets out there are softwood from Pine

[@SDSBBQs]

@@patriciamattie4732 Well thanks again I definitely picked up on you pointed out that they were hardwood pellets in your first comment. Thanks I'll be looking for some soon. Lastly thoughts on the GMGs???

[@patriciamattie4732]

@@SDSBBQs Best tech and customer service around if anything goes wrong they usually send the parts out for free . They're experimenting on new models so the new Prime models are having some Auger issues , I'm an old school model girl My older models are still working great so maybe I'll upgrade when I have to but I want to try wood burning smokers next

[@DewanFrazier]

Its an Oven with light smoke!

[@SDSBBQs]

You forgot to mention it's outdoors.

[@Jonb173]

I wish you were my dad

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... well if I can claim you on my taxes from a distance you can be my son!

[@kirkatkins6154]

Who would be the Prius 😂

[@SDSBBQs]

You ever seen that solar grill that cooks by radiant heat?

[@chris5942]

Gimme charcoal/wood or gimme death.

[@SDSBBQs]

LOL... don't knock it till you tried it.

[@chris5942]

@@SDSBBQs I have tried gas. Yuck. Everything I cooked on that thing tasted like burnt hair. I sold it the first summer I had it.

[@SDSBBQs]

@@chris5942 Have you tried a pellet grill?

[@chris5942]

@@SDSBBQs I have not. My co-workers love theirs. I always laundry list my pros and cons before I commit to something. I have limited storage space that the LoneStarGrillz now occupies. Probably the biggest turn off to me is that I can't get past the ones I have seen in flames on KZbin. If I can't choke off the air to something, no matter the fuel, I won't buy it. Electronics fail. Add heat and they will fail faster. I also don't have a sheltered place to run one with electricity. The pellets seem vulnerable to moisture. I live NW of IA and get ALL of their humidity in the summer. Humidity is awful all summer. Frequently in the 90 percent range like it is this morning. Letting the pellet thingy light my fire takes all of the fun away from me playing with fire. I have to tell you I am getting rather addicted to running the big LSG at night. the fire is so beautiful. Even the barrel house cooker has the appeal of looking to the heart of the coal pile working it's magic. And they are expensive for what you get with the limited lifetime of electronic dependence. The only pro I see is the set it and let it work. I would never trust it like I do my barrel and offset. I know the fire I light in the bottom is the only fire they will have. There is my long story of why Pellet grills will never grace my patio.

[@SDSBBQs]

Well you at least seem to have valid reasons and points... unlike most who swear them off just because they are different. Thanks and I know oh too well all about mesmerizing fires. They are the best!

[@timeshiftts6459]

Bom dia 👋👋👋👋👍

[@SDSBBQs]

Tenha um ótimo fim de semana