Pellet Grills 101: A Beginner's Guide To Pellet Grills & Smokers

[@jrjacobs7357]

On my RecTec I'll use a basic oak pellet in the hopper and use a specific pellet flavor (apple, hickory, etc) in a smoke tube. I do this on every cook. I usually get a nice smoke ring. That is just the process I've come up with for my cooks. I enjoy your videos. Keep up the good work!

[@stevenbrooklyn4825]

Aside from having great recipes, your tutorials are phenomenal and greatly appreciated. So thank you for them. I’m on my third pellet smoker. It’s a camp chef. Does what I need and their customer service has been great

[@the_bearded_jay]

This is a great video! Fortunately because I had a friend who taught me a lot when I was getting into this to help, but not everyone has that friend. Thank you for making this! I would say that while the app/connectivity shouldn't be a priority, I wouldn't discount it's value, especially for someone new to the smoking scene. Camp Chef, in particular, has done a great job continually developing and improving their app. When a firmware update is requested, it takes 15 seconds (not 2 hours) to do the update and then you are ready to go. As you highlighted, It's a great assist for people who are beginners to the space - If a smoke is cooking faster than expected, or the temp drops unexpectedly (or the fire goes out), it will notify you of these things which you wouldn't know unless you are out there with the smoker. It's also a free app, no subscription service.

[@bbqguy777]

Great video as always! Love my Recteq RT-700, I’ve had it for 5 yrs without any problems.

[@almunaco901]

I have owned many smokers through the years, but my favorite one hands down is the one I have now the Yoder 640 Ys it is all American made and it's built like a tank

[@HimselfCDN]

I use a pit boss model FB700 . LOVE IT, well made and very versatile. can move the heat deflector plate back and us it as a grill. It has a "P" setting that controls the pellet feed so you can get that ultra-low heat smoke, built in end baffles that causes an awesome convection very nice smoker for a lower end priced unit under 700 CDN ( at Canadian tire store near you )

[@dgraves856]

Getting my first Pellet Grill delivered tomorrow. Very helpful. Thanks

[@Wattsonthegrill]

We bought a Broil king pellet smoker 5 years ago and love it. Cheers!!!

[@benhaze1010]

Hey great informative video. I have been considering getting a pellet grill and watching reviews but this is the 1st time I get some good basic information needed to make a decision. Thanks!

[@djbone604]

My pro tip for anyone considering a pellet smoker purchase….buy the “next size up” model if your budget allows. You will too soon wish you had more grilling space after spending your money on a too small unit. 🤙 🇨🇦

[@gregbrown357]

Only because you asked at ending about favorite: Grilla OG. Saw at Memphis in May 2016, met engineer, and visited booth each day. I have three varying models/manufacturers, an offset stick burner (my fav for larger cooks) but Grilla OG I use most

[@brentmiller73]

I picked up a Camp Chef, Woodwind Pro at the end of Oct (24). Cooked my first Thanksgiving turkey on it and lots of positive feedback from my guests. (Keep in mind, It was °15-degs that morning in Colorado . Brrrrr) I might also add one of it's pro's is its ability to cold smoke. I just recently cold smoked different cheeses. I was amazed at how something so easily and simple could taste so good. In my book, the CC pro. Is a great investment.

[@brentmiller73]

P.s. according to Google's a.i. pellets smokers use 10 to 20 watts versus a conventional over that ca use 2,000 to 5,000 watts of electricity.

[@scottweidner1613]

For longer cooks i ad a smoke tube for extra smoke. My green mountain has a hot start up if for some reason your fire goes out. It wont add more pellets to the pot just reheat the rod an start the fan.

[@Sean-xg3wv]

During my last 6 years of using my pellet smoker, I’ve literally gone through all of these scenarios..😉 Great info for the beginning pellet grill operator!!👍🏻 DO NOT BUY CHEAP PELLETS!!! They’ll lock up your auger,lots of powder…etc!

[@guybowers9094]

Since I don't really care for the heavy wood smoke flavor, a pellet grill is what works for me. You are so right about a Papa Murphys pizza, so good

[@murgel2006]

I like the channel very much, the tips and tricks as well as the recipes. A problem with pellet grills/smokers is that while the community is more or less global, the brands are not. Any brand popular in the US like Traeger, Yoder or Recteq will be much more expensive here in Germany if available. A 1,000$ smoker can easily become a 3,500€ (3900$) smoker over here. Anyway, one of my favourite Pellet smokers is the Burnhard Flint, it is a smoker in the about 1000$ prize range (949€ in Germany) and it can go as low as 60°C (140°F) which is useful. I do however not own one, sadly.

[@tblosser]

Customer service is second to none with RecTeq. I had a question about smoking a turkey on thanksgiving, I left a voicemail and they called me back! On thanksgiving!

[@steveerickson2485]

I have owned many smokers over my smoking journey. 4 different models of traegers but by far my favorite and current smoker is my lone star grills. It made in Texas and built with a list of add ons you choose from so there is a wait, about 3 months. I love how it has more of the smoke flavor than any other pellet smoker I have seen. I personally have never had one of mine detonate but have heard of it but more so years ago. I have cooked with and without an app but the FireBoard app on my lone star is nice because I can add pics and notes for future cooks. I use it to monitor longer cooks if I am away say at church. I can adjust temps on the fly through it and it will notify me of preset temps. I know most of that is ok if you tend your cook but it really helps the set and forget when you are heading out. Great job

[@paulgee2344]

I use a Z-Grill and love it. Also the octagonal smoker tubes help add more smoke flavor

[@Sean-xg3wv]

Every time I fire up my smoker, The neighbors know I’m making something great!!! Ive actually gotten 3 of my neighbors into smoking protein/veggies,bread etc!!they smell it, I share..now it’s like a small community of “Whatcha got goin on the smoker tonight? I’m literally making more than I can eat so I can share it with them.😊 A bunch of them are your recipes!👍🏻💪🏻😎

[@mikeobrien2582]

I have a Blaz'n Grill that I've had since 2014. It gets a lot of use, we cook outside year around. It's "Made in USA" in Beatrice NE. It was double the cost of a Treager but I believe well worth the investment.

[@mikecharger1680]

I have a Smokin Brothers...love it, well made

[@michaeldiaz7403]

Pitts and spitts handmade in Houston, Texas. I Highly recommend.

[@jrmotorsports55]

Thanks for sharing this.

[@kennybaumann2117]

Not to nit pick but the industry term for the combustion area is a "burn pot" not a "fire box" as Todd referered to it.🤗🤗 I think a couple of things can be added to part 2 is the pellets used can make a huge difference in flavor profile and what makes some pellets better than others. Todd mentioned not to use heating pellets but I think explaining the difference in why some pellets are better than others could be very informative to your viewing family. I spent 6 months doing my own research and found some interesting things about each companies method of production and why one bag of pellets costs $20 a bag is far inferior to another brands $9 a bag. What brand of pellets are you currently using and why? You guys know this is my favorite KZbin channel and since you guys have started to do the collaboration it just keeps getting better!!!

[@theilliniguy]

So what's the $9 winner?

[@kennybaumann2117]

@@theilliniguy Lumberjack

[@bamalaam]

Green Mountain Grills (pellet smokers) are actually DC powered, so with a car battery they can be off grid :)

[@jenjonnybravo]

Might also want to mention you need to clean/vacuum it after every use. There's a really good Rigid shop vac at home depot that's super awesome for it. And a quick tip for fast "ignition" is putting a few pellets in where the flame shoots out. It'll start smoking in less than a minute on my Traeger.

[@Klevjer]

Would love to have you review the Grilla Grills Mammoth.

[@mikehaendiges2149]

I have a Pitt boss xl love it

[@denniskuhlman8828]

Excellent video

[@jeffandsherriefranzwa8970]

Do you have an opinion on Traeger?

[@Heygrillhey]

Yes. I think they’re extremely overpriced for what they are and I’m not a fan of how the company behaves in the industry. I can’t speak for Susie, but there’s a reason there aren’t any on the channel. -Brandon

[@donf1526]

Have you looked at the Grilla Grills? Made in Michigan, it's what I have and they are awesome. Something for people to lookup cuz it is an awesome product. Heavy gauge metals used.... nice stuff.

[@jeremycall4250]

Pit boss pro smoker I love it

[@12ozbuds]

I have a Camp Chef and I really like it. But one problem I found was controlling temperature. I never trusted the built in probe. I went and bought a bbq thermometer installed it in the lid of the smoker and now I have a temperature I can trust. First cook I served the best baby backs, perfect texture and a slight bite off the bone.

[@lancedean5987]

I haven’t gotten into the pellet grill market yet, I’m still using a propane grill, but I’ve been thinking of going pellet

[@isaiasdocable]

Same. Since labor day is coming there's some deals, I've been trying to choose which one.

[@emann76]

Do anyone have a preferred type of pellet to use in your smoker?

[@bdstewie]

I just bought the Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Onyx, I love how Pit Boss lets you upgrade. If I want WIFI I can buy a WIFI controller from another model and install.

[@waynec3121]

Well done guys

[@WhiskeyDale]

excellent episode

[@13Photodog]

I love my Rec Teq. My only dislike is something you mentioned. I purchased the small (now discontinued) one. I occasionally wish it was larger.

[@robertcrouch801]

I really enjoy my Recteq, made in Georgia, nicely built, great customer service and accessories online. Also, the app is free and convenient while doing a long smoke and monitoring from work, or gone from the house. The Recteq ultimate blend pellets seem to be best I've tried so far too.

[@richardg4817]

I have a Recteq as well. They are mfg in China and assembled in GA. I like mine too.

[@robertcrouch801]

@richardg4817 Ahh..thanks for the insight!

[@DanR-p3y]

Noticed you have a smokin brothers. Have you done any reviews or cooks on it. Your thoughts. Looking at purchasing first pellet grill. I have gas, a couple of smoky mountains and kettles. Looking to venture onto wood pellets. Thanks

[@JeffryK13]

Agree…pellet smokers are a great tool to have in the arsenal, but shouldn’t be the only tool. I like my Lons Star pellet grill. My wife really enjoys her Blazn Grill Works.

[@wambamit344]

I bought an Emerson For 199 From tractor supply and it’s crazy good. Fantastic seal no leak smoke My only problem is staying awake Lol

[@martindeanculp4493]

Try a Kando pellet smoker or the tmg hybrid , pellet smoker when you want or offset smoker when you want

[@justinnelson1483]

My biggest "gripe" about my pellet smoker Pit Boss Lockhart and everyone I've saw in stores is the location of the fire pot. Maybe I'm wrong but if it could be moved to one side of the cook chamber closer to the auger instead of right in the middle I think more smoke would get into the meat. Maybe I'm wrong, but I would like to try it.

[@jerrybeckmann5624]

Have u heard of the charcoal pellet grill new thing

[@AZEljefe]

I usually clean out the firebox, and wipe down the excess grease in my Treager. I have never had a fire or pop problem.

[@reedembley2851]

I have had a Camp Chef for years. I love the grill but a few years back I upgraded it with the digital controller. I do like that feature a lot but . . . it is REALLY hard for me to read out on my patio. I am seriously considering a newer Camp Chef that has the color display. I really think being able to easily read that display is paramount.

[@pewpro941]

my favorite pellet smoker is my sleeper pit boss. looks like a pit boss but every part has been swapped out to smoke daddy inc.

[@jb2u19]

I’ve been using a Traeger ironwood 650 for the last 3 years and love it. Experimented with different brand pellets to find the ones that produce great smoke. What brand of pellets are your go to? Would have been nice if it was included in this pellet 101. Keep up the great work.

[@lynwessel2471]

What brand works for you? I cant get much smoke from mine at lower temps. I aways have a smoke tube full of pellets burning to help out.

[@jb2u19]

@@lynwessel2471 I’ve been enjoying bear mountain gourmet blend. I do have a bag of hickory from pit boss I’ve never tried out yet.

[@Heygrillhey]

We use whatever we can get at the store. Usually just the Kirkland pellets from Costco.

[@billsbbq3221]

Good video! Have you done a review on the Smokin Brothers pellet grill?

[@Heygrillhey]

Not yet! I’m not sure there’s enough interest.

[@dingo5208]

I had a pit boss (and many other styles) and it was alright. After it caught on fire and exploded, I bought a louisiana grills black. What I did not realize was they are the same company. Regardless, this more expensive smoker spews ash all over the place and i get less smoke than the old pit boss and the hopper won't fit a bag of pellets which it burns really quickly. I might start adding in a couple smoke tubes, but I'm afraid if I do another brisket It'll blow up as the controls are basically the same. The old smoker had just been cleaned but I was smoking a big brisket, I saved the brisket but the smoker went up.

[@jeremycall4250]

I just wanna say I'm very appreciate you. When I first got my Smoker a couple years ago I didn't know what to do I love your recipes and you have givenly great advice and because of you. I have made fantasti food Specially the ribs

[@theilliniguy]

LIke to know more about the "P" setting thing! Thx for great video.

[@kennybaumann2117]

@@theilliniguy The "P" setting is for "pause" it lets you adjust the "pause" time between each pellet drop to dial in your smoker depending on conditions. It can only be adjusted while in the "smoke" setting and allows you to fine tune your temperature and the amount of smoke you get at lower temperatures. If your smoker will maintain 180° on the "smoke" setting "P4" then you can change the "P" setting to "P5" and it will take longer in between pellet dump so you will get more smoke and a lower 160° temperature. If you were to change the "P" setting to "P3" you would get pellet dumps more often so you would get less smoke and maintain a higher 190° temperature.

[@theilliniguy]

@@kennybaumann2117 So its like a "tweak" for pits that allow finer adjustments than the temp knob control can provide?

[@kennybaumann2117]

@@theilliniguy Correct and once you have it dialed in for conditions it will make your temp settings more accurate. If you set your grill to "smoke" on P4 and it's 95° outside your grill may settle in at 200° so when you turn the temp knob to 200° it may settle in at 220°. So you can leave it on "smoke" if you want 200° or you can adjust to "P5 or "P6" and bring the grill down to 180° on the "smoke" setting then the other temp settings will be more accurate. The key is to have the grill maintain 180° on the "smoke" setting for your current conditions and then all of the other temp settings will be accurate. I do a lot of beef jerky so I use it to get the most smoke and lowest temperature I can get so I will set mine to "smoke" "P7" and my smoker runs around 150° with lots of smoke for hours on end.

[@theilliniguy]

@@kennybaumann2117 I'm a noob and all that hurts my brain at this point but now I know a fellow "griller" that I can rely on for help! Thanks.

[@Jeremiah-TwistedTrucker]

What are the best pellets to use?

[@danjanellepeterson3178]

Jeremiah, try bbqers delight. We have had great results with them.

[@curtelverd4008]

I love my Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24!

[@michaelbutler6711]

Todd said something about cooking a Papa Murphy pizza on a pellet grill. Do you put it on a pizza stone or just as it comes from Papa Murphy’s?

[@Heygrillhey]

Right on the grates!

[@slideoff1]

Lol, I live 1 mile from a Papa Murphy's... we love their Pizza!

[@pacman_17]

I don't think we got a review of the Smokin Brothers smoker. It just appeared on the channel and took over the Campchef.

[@Heygrillhey]

We thought about it, but after looking at numbers we decided there’s not enough interest in it to make it a viable video. I’ll put it back on the list to look at again though.

[@pacman_17]

@@Heygrillhey But if you do decide to review the smoker, I'd like to see insides of the smoker. I think it's helpful for some people to see how the firebox works, materials used in the cook chamber, and ease of cleaning.

[@ronaldforsythe1248]

I really like my ninja woodsmoke grill

[@mer2705]

I am patiently waiting for you to buy a ceramic grill and have a tutorial on it😬

[@Heygrillhey]

We have a kamado joe we’ve done a few videos with!

[@mer2705]

@@Heygrillhey I’ll look em up. Thank you

[@hanktrantham2641]

When I got into pellet smokers I looked a at least a dozen. Narrowed it down to 2 , Treager ironwood and a Yoder. After going to the Treager dealer(that lives next door) and tearing into guts of the inside and fire box, I bought a Yoder S430. There was no comparison in the build quality. Never been sorry for spending a few more bucks for heavy steel versus thin tin. Just don’t have the time to play with it.

[@markwindholz816]

One item you didn't cover. The difference in pellets. What brand is the best brand of pellets to use. Cheap ones burn fast and don't hold temperature as well. Some are harder and last longer with better temperature control. Using the right pellet is very important when smoking briskets and Dino ribs or pork butt's. As for the pellet grills? I have the Pit Boss Titan. And I love this thing. It takes three people to load and unload. It's not made of cheap metal. It's solid. Cost me 1500. It took three to help put it together. Assembly sucks. But, that's what makes it the best in the industry. And its low setting is 150. So you can use ot to rest your briskets for hours. The burner plate has louvers. Open them, and you can reach 500° to 600° for searing steaks. Very versatile. The rack system is the best. They are three piece racks per row. Slide in and out almost like they have bearings. Very easy to clean. I've used Traegers. And this thing blows the Traeger out of the water. Lol..

[@Heygrillhey]

We didn’t cover the pellets because they’re all really similar. I’ve only had an issue with one brand so we avoid that one, but otherwise we just buy what’s available. Usually it’s the Kirkland brand bag from Costco.

[@kenmcavoy4353]

Maybe camp chef can send you a new handle for the fire box.

[@Heygrillhey]

Yeah we've replaced it since then!

[@pacman_17]

Best practice is to vacuum out the firebox before every cook.

[@IamReallySanta]

I don't look down on pellet grills, I just prefer the crippling anxiety and fear of failing I get from tending charcoal.

[@1848revolt]

Pellet grills make great tasting food. I will tell you you must empty the hopper completely every time. Condensation will swell the pellets if you leave them in the hopper and destroy the hopper. Also the digital models are garbage. Again condensation will kill digital ones. Analog is the only way to go.

[@landonhowington9114]

Did think of this but makes very good sense I’ve never owned a pellet grill but thinking strongly bout getting one don’t no what they are called but they stand up like a small refrigerator lol I seen them at refrigerator Lowe’s are they worth the money $400

[@Heygrillhey]

The pellets thing really depends on where you live and how humid it is. We’re in Utah and I’ve never emptied any of the hoppers on any pellet grill we’ve had and haven’t had an issue.

[@Chyort2]

I've had two pellet smokers and love them, I will disagree slightly with you about the apps, they come in handy say if you do an overnight cook, or have to be away from the house and leave your pellet smoker running, you can monitor temps, turn it up or down or even off if need be. The apps have uses in those regards, wake up and check phone, see what's happening at a glance, I do agree you need to verify visually when you can, but in those instances where you can't, they come in handy. Secondly always check your hopper levels, another way for an explosion is if you run out and then put in pellets without opening the smoker thinking it's still hot/warm, open the smoker just like you do with a fresh startup! I mase the mistake once, luckily the gases built up and a small pop blew the door open but it continued to work fine after, but I got lucky!

[@JohnDavis-vq1yj]

I'm gonna echo the fact that pellet smokers do not produce the same outcome as a stick-burner. I've used an offset for years, bought a pellet smoker last year, and have used it a few times. Even with using a smoke tube, I personally don't like the final product from the pellet smoker as well as I do the offset.

[@Heygrillhey]

Nope, but the Woodwind Pro gets really close though. There’s a ton of people out there that prefer the more mild flavor from the pellet grill. All types of smokers are welcome here!

[@markplacek6657]

I start my pellet grill with the door open

[@frankkottke8737]

I love my Pitt boss pellet grill I have watched my temp not staying set at 225 degrees what can I do.