Went to the dark side, bought a pellet grill

[gsganzer]

I had a bunch of credit card points, so I decided to use them to buy a Traeger 650 pellet smoker. I'm a barbeque and grilling purist at heart and I think half the fun is the care and attention to grill or smoke the perfect meal.

With that being said, I've been totally corrupted now. This pellet grill is pretty cool. It's so simple, even a caveman could do it. It even connects to my phone, so I can check on it while I'm doing other things. You just set a temp and walk away. I'm still learning, but I looks like I can also set some pre-programmed recipes that will auto-shift the temperature at pre-programmed points.

I've only smoked a brisket and ribs and they both came out great. Not as good as my traditional way, but I've already figured out my improvements for the next try.

Chicken is next on my list.

 

[kozal01]

Ive had one for several years now, I was skeptical at first as well but I love it. Its a much cleaner smoke flavor and I love actually getting sleep during overnight cooks now. Only thing it wont do well is sear steaks and I dont like burgers on it, but that is why I still have my Weber Kettle, a Blackstone and my Weber gasser for. I think I have a problem. lol

 

[nbking]

Bought my traeger 15 years ago, at Costco $749. We love and use it often. From 11hr brisket smokes, to 18 minute Papa Murphy's pizza's. My brother has a Rec tec loves it, and it can sear. I even hear the pit boss is good.

 

[kozal01]

A lot of pellet grill mfgs claim their grills can sear and I know some are better than others but for a real direct high heat sear I’ve not seen one yet that can match the 1000°+ sear like I can get with my Weber charcoal grill or even a gas grill or flat top. For almost everything else a pellet grill is awesome. I’ve burned thousands of pounds of pellets and fed hundreds of people with mine, it’s literally a cooking machine.


This was my latest for a VFW fundraising event, 80 pounds of pork butts. Borrowed a buddies for this one.

 

[gsganzer]

I agree. Searing a steak is not a pellet grills strength. I still grill a steak using oak and mesquite on my ceramic grill.

 

[kozal01]

They cook more like a convection oven than a typical grill so almost anything you can cook in your oven you can cook on a pellet grill. Pizzas, pizza rolls (a fan favorite at the campground), cookies, pies, meatloaf, casseroles ect. Pretty useful tool, you will love it.

 

[HawkinsHollow]

Yep!! I love my pellet grill as well, so convenient! I have 2; a full sized one and a smaller "tailgater" size one. I have been too busy to use it a lot this summer but I have some ribs I am going to smoke next week when my brother comes to town. Looking forward to it!