Top Pellet Smoker

best pellet grills reviews

How To Use Wood Pellets In Charcoal Grill

September 1, 2021 by Tim Leave a Comment

There are various ways for you to grill your food and bring out its best flavor. Two main types of grills you usually meet in daily life are charcoal and gas. Nonetheless, electric and wood pellets grills are becoming common now in many BBQ parties.

However, why do many people keep asking the question, “How to use wood pellets in charcoal grill”. Here’s our answer!

Perfect Combination of Wood Pellets and Charcoal Grill

how to use wood pellets on charcoal grill

Have you ever thought that charcoal and wood pellets would be the best perfect duo for grilling? 

Let’s thank God for this discovery first! Some experts in the grilling field have found out that charcoal is the king of outdoor cooking because of its easy accessibility, and wood pellets are the best fuel to add an extra smoky flavor to your tasty and juicy steak!

Nowadays, people commonly follow the weird trend in this modern era called the nostalgic vibe. For that reason, they start to reject their habits of cooking by electric and gas grills. Instead of that, they find interest in grilling outside with their pals. Two main fuels they usually use are charcoal and wood pellets for the following reasons: 

  • Evoke a sense of nostalgia
  • Bring out a unique smoky flavor even in the first bite. With the long-lasting burn, hot temperature, and even smoke level, wood pellets will help you perfectly grill your meat with a delicious flavor.
  • Easy to purchase and affordable.

Combine all of these reasons above; there is nothing to prevent us from creating the most delicious and flavorful dishes using charcoal and wood pellets as fuels. We guarantee you won’t regret it.

Here’s our step-by-step guide to clarify how to use wood pellets in charcoal grills and tips on buying and using it. What are you waiting for? Let’s check it out!

How To Use Wood Pellets In Charcoal Grill

The steps below are easy-peasy to follow. Glue your eyes on this post, and we will show you the best step-by-step guide to use wood pellets in a charcoal grill.

Step 1: 

This step is A MUST when you choose charcoal as the fuel for grilling.

Remember to heat charcoal before using it. Firing charcoal will take you some time. A nice medium flame will be the best condition to heat the charcoal. 

You have to wait until the charcoal gets shaded and ashy. Don’t hurry to put food on the grate too soon. Because the heat isn’t in the best status, your fresh meats will meet the most annoying problem: stuck on the grates.

After the charcoal reaches the light gray color, we will jump into the next part.

Step 2:

can you use wood pellets in a charcoal grill

You will start to spread a thin layer of wood pellets evenly on the charcoal surface. Due to the various sizes of grills, you should find the precise amount of the wood pellets needed. 

Step 3:

Let’s wait for the wood pellets to light up. This will also be a signal for you to know that there’s only one step left before tasting your delicious dishes. It’s time to put your food on the grates and start to cook it. 

Step 4

Close the grill’s lid to create the best space for your foods to absorb the unique smoky flavor. This action also keeps the ideal heat for cooking your meat and vegetables. 

Tips On Using Wood Pellets In Charcoal Grill

can u use wood pellets in charcoal grill

With this grilling method, it would be best if you purchased good wood pellets, as the cheap and low-quality products will strongly affect your lungs because of its toxic smoke.

While scattering wood pellets on the charcoal, pay attention during the whole process because you may get burnt from the high heat charcoal that we have fired before. 

While cooking, you will want to set fresh meats in the center of the grate and vegetables along the edge because meats usually take time to be cooked.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Pellet Grills? – 5 Best Pellet Grills In 2020

The Last Word

We hope after reading our post, you will be clear on how to use wood pellets in charcoal grill, and some useful tips when you apply this method at your BBQ party. With this wood-pellets-in-a-nutshell guidance, we desire to give you the best solution for your BBQ party. 

If you have any questions, please leave a comment below. Your contribution will be the brick to build a strong knowledge of our community.

Filed Under: Grill

Buying Guide: Best Pellet Tube Smoker You Need

September 1, 2021 by Tim Leave a Comment

If you want to infuse delicious smoky flavor to your dishes during a BBQ party, you need the best pellet tube smoker. This simple device can allow you to add a delicious smoky flavor to your grilling, and you can also use it for cold smoking nuts, cheese, and other foods.

What to Consider While Buying The Best Pellet Tube Smoker

best pellet smoking tube

Size, shape, and material

You have spent hours researching and reading other previous users’ reviews about the excellent pellet tube smoker and decided to bring one home. But wait! Before you jump into any decision, let’s read through our detailed buying guide for a deeper insight!

A pellet tube comes in various designs: round, square, strangle, and hexagon shapes. The unique hexagon shape and perforated design of the tube smoker enable the unit to stay lit and burn well for a long time. 

We’ve listed some factors you need to consider when buying:

  • Size of tube: it will determine how far the smoke can reach within your grill, normally 12 inches.
  • Shape: The pellet tube smokers have a variety of shapes you can choose. The tube’s shape is important for the smoke distribution and the stability to stay at a position.
  • Material: Stainless steel is the best choice. The material not only enhances your tube smoker’s longevity but also limits smoke dissipation.

The pellet tube smoker works well with many types of wood pellets, such as mesquite, pecan, hickory, cherry, and wood chips for better flavor and taste.  Your ideal pellet tube smoker should perform both cold and hot smoking and create an additional flavor to the foods through the use of wood pellets.

How Does A Pellet Grill Work – Best Way To Save Your Time Grilling

Quality

The most important factor when shopping for a pellet tube smoker is its quality. Nowadays, people tend to shop online as it is convenient and time-saving. However, online shopping makes it harder for buyers to have control over the product’s quality.

In that case, it’s advisable to read through the reviews of previous buyers to have an overview of that product. Besides, it would be best to ask your friends, family, or anyone who has experience in buying smokers to go with you.

Is the best pellet tube smoker worth buying?

best pellet smoking tube

The popularity of pellet tube smokers is the amazing smoky flavor that it brings to the food. Keep in mind that this device doesn’t help much with the heat or cooking process.

You should know that when you burn pellets in the smoker tube, it doesn’t affect the cooking time or the cooking method. Thus, you really can’t compare smoke-free grilled meat with pellet smoked foods.  

As with the best pellet tube smoker, your foods smell and look delicious with a moderate smoky flavor.

Tips to Buy The Best Pellet Tube Smoker

Let’s scroll down for many useful tips when buying and caring for the best pellet tube smoker!

Easy to clean up

Cleaning is the boring part after a party, no doubt! Depending on the model of your pellet smoker, the method for cleaning your device may differ slightly. Thus, avoid angle-shaped smokers as this device’s shape will give you a painful time cleaning up after use!

It would be best if you went for the shape that is easy to clean and straightforward to use. 

Keep an eye on promotions of major brands

best smoke tube for pellet smoker

Without a doubt, online shopping gives you an endless list of options when purchasing a pellet tube smoker. 

If you are on a budget, watch out for major brands’ promotions and sale programs to bring home a cheaper yet still high-quality product. Don’t forget to do some research, compare the cost among different brands, go through users’ comments, etc., to make the right buying decision.

Conclusion

As we mentioned earlier, the best pellet tube smoker should come with a suitable shape, size, and durable material. After reading our buying guide, we hope you are now able to settle on a smoker for your next BBQ parties with friends and family.

Besides, consider your budget and the taste of foods you wish when shopping for this device as these two factors will also have a direct effect on your decision. 

Thank you for reading, and see you on our next sharings!

Filed Under: Smoke

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Pellet Grills? – 5 Best Pellet Grills In 2020

September 1, 2021 by Tim Leave a Comment

Using pellet grills nowadays is becoming more and more popular. This is an improved device instead of using a grill that pollutes the environment.

Everything has two sides, and so does the pellet grill. Let us help you know the pros and cons of pellet grills and find out the 5 best products on the market nowadays.

What are you waiting for?

Scroll down to discover it now!

What Are the Pros and Cons of Pellet Grills?

pros and cons of wood pellet grill

So let’s see what the pros and cons of pellet grills are. Then, you can know if you should buy it or not. 

Pros

Ease of use

The greatest thing about a pellet grill is easy to use. Whether you are old or young, you can activate the grill as easy as pie. 

Please follow these steps:

  • Make sure your grill is filled with wood pellets
  • Remember to plug in the power plug before starting (use an extension cord if the power outlet is too far away)
  • Start the pellet grill and set the temperature accordingly
  • Wait for another 15 to 30 minutes for the grill to reach the desired temperature
  • Add the food to the grill.

It is simple, right? Just by following these steps, you can start your BBQparty to the fullest.

Consistent temperatures

Different from a conventional grill, the pellet grill gives you a stable temperature, which is the same as an indoor oven. You can also set the grilling mode to the actual temperature. 

For example, if you want to bake at 200 degrees, the pellet grill will maintain this temperature for many hours. In addition, the electronic auger system can automatically feed pellets into the firepot when the temperature starts to drop.

Versatility

Pellet grill is quite versatile, and you can use them for many different baking styles. Normally, the temperature range of the grill is from 170 degrees to 450 degrees. 

It can smoke slowly but cook at high heat. With the convection cooking design and the mentioned temperature stability above, you can also add some amazing flavors to different baking or roasting applications, such as biscuits, casseroles, or vegetables.

Clean

pros and cons of pit boss pellet grill

If using a gas grill makes the smoke scatter, the pellet grill is really clean and does not affect the environment. 

As you know, wood pellets are very efficient-fuel because they only produce a small amount of ash after grilling. A 40lb tablet will yield only half a cup of ash.

In addition, the cleaning is also much simpler and easier than other ash removal systems. It only takes you a few minutes to remove them.

High popularity 

Pellet grill gradually gained popularity and replaced conventional grills. And you can find pellet grills everywhere, from local stores to online shopping. 

According to many resources such as the Internet, Youtube, and so on, you can find a variety of recipes or technical problem-solving tutorials online. Namely the social network Facebook or Youtube website, you will find those useful results.

Because pellet grill is super popular in the recent market, many manufacturers and companies focus on producing it. That is why whenever an issue appears in this grill, it can be fixed after a short period of time. This is definitely a big plus for those who like to own a durable product.

Cons

Lack of portability

With the high weight of the pellet grill, it is difficult to move as often as you want. Therefore, when deciding to purchase a pellet grill, please specify location and place them near electrical outlets.

Less Than Ideal Searing Temps

 pros and cons of pellet grills

There are some dishes that require a high amount of heat, especially beef steak. Many chefs believe that making a perfect steak requires temperatures up to 750º Fahrenheit. 

However, the maximum temperature of the pellet grill is 450 – 500 degrees. Therefore, with a pellet grill, you need to have the right food choice.

5 Best Pellet Grills in 2020

There are top 5 products that you can refer to in the following list:

#1. Z Grills ZPG-7002E 2020

#2. Camp Chef SmokePro

#3. Z GRILLS 2020 Upgrate Wood Pellets Grill

#4. Traeger Pro Series 575

#5. Camp Chef PG24XT Smoke Pro Pellet

Conclusion 

In conclusion, everything has two sides. You should choose the one which meets your needs first. 

Hope that with those pros and cons of pellet grills, you will have more knowledge about this item and can choose the best pellet grill for yourself. 

Filed Under: Grill

How Do You Cook Ribs In A Pellet Smoker? – The Secret To Perfect Ribs

September 1, 2021 by Tim Leave a Comment

Similar to a hamburger or steak, pork ribs will become chewy, dry, and possibly foul if they are not processed and smoked properly. However, unlike steak, ribs will take more time and meticulous work. If your home has a smoker, do you know “how do you cook ribs in a pellet smoker?”. 

Do not worry, and let us help you! Our article will guide you on cooking the best ribs according to recipe 3-2-1 in a pellet smoker.

Check it out now! 

How Do You Cook Ribs In A Pellet Smoker?

how to cook ribs in a pellet smoker

Ingredients

  • Pork Ribs: 2-3 racks
  • Yellow mustard: ½ cup 
  • Traeger rubs: ½ cup
  • Honey or Maple syrup: ¼ cup
  • Apple juice: 1 cup
  • Traeger-Que Sauce or different sauces: ¾ cup

Preliminary Preparations

First, you rinse and remove the rib’s membranes before smoking because these membranes will turn papery during cooking and are difficult to eat. You may use a tiny knife or ask the butcher to take them out for you.  

The next step is to season the ribs; you sweep the mustard, and Traeger rubs on the rib’s sides and let the spices absorb for a while. 

Speaking of the sauce, because there are so many sauces on the market and each has a different taste, you can choose which sauce you like. In our article, we use Traeger-Que – a combination of a sour taste of vinegar and a sweet taste of molasses.  

The 3-2-1 Method

how to cook ribs in a traeger smoker

Period Of One Hour

The first step is to set up your smoker temperature of 180 degrees to 200 degrees and wait until the grill is hot.

Then, smoke your ribs for three hours and make sure that the temperature inside the ribs is around 130 degrees after completing this stage.

After the first three hours, you take the ribs out of the smoker and get ready for the next phase. 

Period Of Two Hours

After taking the ribs out of the smoker, you set the temperature to 225 degrees and lay a double layer of aluminum foil on each rack. Next, place the ribs on the aluminum foil and sweep 1/8 of a cup of honey or maple syrup over each side of the ribs.

Now, you add the apple juice and fold up the aluminum foil’s sides to prevent the liquid from spilling out. Then, coat the racks with apple juice again, and cover them with another foil so that the foil completely covers the rack.

Last, place the ribs back on the smoker, cook for two hours, and make sure that the temperature inside the ribs is around 165 degrees after completing this step.

Last 1 hour

how to cook ribs in a traeger grill

After cooking for two hours, each rack is removed from the aluminum foil and disposed of the liquid. 

The next step is to brush the ribs with the sauce you like, place them back in the pellet smoker and continue to cook for about one hour until the temperature inside the ribs is about 180 to 200 degrees. 

You can adjust the temperature to 250 degrees if you do not feel the ribs’ temperature is enough.

Time remaining

After cooking the ribs for six hours, you take the racks out of the smoker and let them cool for about 15-20 minutes, and you can prepare side dishes at this time like salad, cornbread, or crispy onion.

Everything is ready; let’s enjoy the meal together!

Cooking Hamburgers On A Pellet Grill – Have You Experienced?

Tips For Cooking Ribs In A Pellet Smoker

  • You can change the sauce to suit your taste, and use cornflakes, coleslaw, extra crispy, or potato salad to serve with your smoked ribs. These recipes are very simple to make, and you can refer to them in our upcoming posts.
  • Before smoking, you can spread seasoning on the rib racks and leave them for 1-2 days for the best flavor.
  • You can use whatever model or brand of smoker you have, as long as you can maintain and control the cooking temperature.
  • In case you do not have a smoker, you can smoke your ribs in the oven. Just follow the same instructions as cooking in a pellet smoker – then place your ribs in the oven and adjust the temperature to about 300 degrees.

Conclusion

We believe our article “How do you cook ribs in a pellet smoker” will help you have soft, moist, naturally sweet, and deeply flavored ribs.

Let’s try this smoked pork if you are searching for a new taste from familiar ingredients like pork ribs. Hopefully, with this wonderful dish, you and your family will have comfortable and fun moments together.

Good appetite to you and your loved ones!

Filed Under: Smoke

How Does A Pellet Grill Work – Best Way To Save Your Time Grilling

September 1, 2021 by Tim Leave a Comment

A pellet grill is what you need to bring out the flavors of your dishes. But how does a pellet grill work? There are more than enough complicated guides out there showing you how it works.

If you want something short and sweet, a straight-to-the-point instruction, this is it.

How Does A Pellet Grill Work – A Detailed Instruction

how does a wood pellet grill work

Pellet Hopper – Store The Pellets Used

The pellet hopper is where you store the pellets to retain their dryness. Before using the grill, you need to fill the hopper with these pellets. 

There are various types of wood pellets for multiple purposes on the market, among which wood pellets are the most common type. These pellets are made of compact sawdust and other industrial waste from wood milling, wood product manufacturing, furniture, and construction.

Besides, other sources such as palm kernel bark, coir, and tree branches are also popular wood pellets. People prefer using these natural ingredients due to their unique flavors and better fire control abilities.

Depending on certain types of grills, the hopper will have different sizes. A large hopper will accommodate more pellets, leading to a longer runtime.

Auger And Fire Pot – Light The Fire

When you start baking, the auger moves the wood pellets from the hopper to the firepot. As the pellets create a fire inside the grill, the burning wood produces heat and smoke.

When the pellets and the air meets, the firepot starts generating enough heat for the wood to burn and creating fire. 

When the pellet oven starts, the drill engine will load quite a few pellets into the burner to allow the fire to continue. However, when the flame has reached the desired temperature (measured with the thermostat inside the oven), the digital controller will quickly tell the auger to slow or stop the pellet feeding.

Digital Controller – Control The Temperature

how does a pellet grill controller work

Every pellet grill has a digital controller (control panel). It is located outside the pellet grill and allows you to monitor the cooking temperature and the hot ball grill temperature.

You can set it low and slow to help keep the meat moist and juicy. If you’re in a hurry, it’s okay to increase the heat and reduce the cooking time.

The digital controller, which controls the auger, firepot, and induction fan, uses the cooking temperature and time you have specified to determine the required number of pellets and how quickly those balls move through the grill.

This controller then sends the information to the auger, which is what drives the pellets.

Induction Fan – Push The Smoke And Spread The Heat

The induction fan plays an important role in supporting a pellet grill’s cooking and smoking performance, providing sufficient air for the baking process.

It keeps the flame continuing and circulates heat and smoke throughout the grill and into your food. The induction fan under digital control will be adjusted to suit the ongoing baking.

Drip Tray – Collect Grease And Food Dripping

When food is being baked in the grill, grease and food drippings are inevitable. If the tray is not present, these items will fall into the fire and make the fire even larger, affecting food taste.

Therefore, the pellet grill also comes with a drip tray located between the cooking grate and the grill’s heat-generating parts.

Tips For Making A Pellet Grill Work Best

how does a pellet grill smoker work

The first tip is to use quality wood pellets. The pellets’ quality is also one factor that helps the grill function well and makes the taste of the food even better. 

Wood pellets produce a natural smoky flavor; they must be tested and subjected to a special process to ensure the high quality.

To prevent food from burning when you cannot keep an eye on the grill, you should use automatic temperature control. This mode is one of the very useful points of the pellet grill digital control system; it saves you time and worries about the grills getting burned or overcooked dishes.

Please pay attention to the wood pellet hopper and fill them up so that the baking process is continuous and uninterrupted. It is also important to regularly clean the grill as this will ensure the device’s best performance. 

You have to clean all the parts of your grill before and after using, especially the cooking grates, as they come into direct contact with food. The drip tray must also be cleaned regularly to prevent grease from falling into the fire and affecting other grill operations.

Cooking Hamburgers On A Pellet Grill – Have You Experienced?

Conclusion

The pellet grill is the ideal cooking gadget for people who want versatility, convenience, and delicious smoky dishes.

How does a pellet grill work? – We hope you’ve found out the answer you’re looking for in our post!

Let’s start cooking and treating your friends and family with delicious BBQ parties!

Filed Under: Grill

  • 1
  • 2
  • Next Page »

Recent Posts

  • How To Use Wood Pellets In Charcoal Grill
  • Buying Guide: Best Pellet Tube Smoker You Need
  • What Are The Pros And Cons Of Pellet Grills? – 5 Best Pellet Grills In 2020
  • How Do You Cook Ribs In A Pellet Smoker? – The Secret To Perfect Ribs
  • How Does A Pellet Grill Work – Best Way To Save Your Time Grilling

Categories

  • Grill
  • Smoke

Recent Comments

    Copyright © 2025 · Top Pellet Smoker