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

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:

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

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.

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?

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

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

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. 

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

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

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

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!

Have you ever tried cooking hamburgers on a pellet grill? This is the first time, isn’t it? Or you have attempted grilling many times, but the burgers didn’t taste as good as you expected?

Don’t worry; we will help you find several useful methods to prepare nice grilled hamburgers. Let’s dive right into this post now!

Cooking Hamburgers On A Pellet Grill – Preparation

Now, let’s get started with the main ingredient of your burgers – the meat. When you choose meat, we recommend using beef or pork from the local stores to ensure its origin and freshness.

The next step will be the food seasoning.

Remember not to overdo your seasoning since many spices will make the meat scorch easily when grilled on a pellet grill. Not to mention the meat is likely to fall apart when you flip it.

Thus, seasoning with only salt and pepper is enough to bring out the flavor.

Some Important Tips For Grilling Burgers

Let’s The Grill Reach Its Desired Temperature

One mistake that first-time grill users often make is that they usually rush into grilling the burgers right away and ignoring the temperature. Keeping a hot grill is a crucial factor which will decide the deliciousness of your food. Thus, keep patience and wait until your grill reaches its temperature.

When the temperature inside the grill reaches about 400-450°F, you can start to cook.

How Long For Cooking Is Enough?

The cooking time is also another must-not-ignore factor when you first grill your hamburgers. Especially, if beef is included in your recipe, the more time you cook, the tougher and chewier the meat becomes! So, timing is king during this step.

However, how long is enough?

The time for grilling one side of the meat piece is about 2-5 minutes, and the cooking time should depend on the thickness and type of meat.

One small piece of advice is you should only flip burgers once during the cooking time, and try to limit flipping many times because this act will make the meat fall apart into small pieces.

Then, you will find it difficult to add the beef between flatbread to make perfect burgers.

Use A Meat Thermometer

How could we know the inside temperature? Or how do you know your meat is well-done or not?

Most of us usually cut the meat to see the inside. However, when you cut, the meat will not be in a full piece, making it difficult to position them inside the bread.

On the other hand, cutting to see inside the meat is not a good idea. Your hands may touch the grill if you’re careless. Besides, cutting will make the juiciness of the meat leak out, making the final product dry.

To avoid all the risks above, we recommend using a meat thermometer. The ideal temperature to have the well-done meat is about 160°F.

How to Choose Best Pellets For Pellet Grill For The Best BBQ Parties?

Different Levels For The Meat

How would you like your meat? If you want to try different levels, you can refer to the temperatures of each type below.

• Rare – 125°F 
• Medium Rare – 135°F 
• Medium – 145°F or under is the perfect burger temperature
• Medium Well – 155°F 
• Well Done – 160°F

You will have different tastes with different temperature ranges. For an overall experience, try out various flavors to decide which is your favorite, and then you can show off your cooking skills with your friends and family.

We are sure they will be pleasantly surprised by this sweet and delicious treat.

Best Pellet Grill For Cooking Hamburgers

You can look for some product models for reference. They will be useful for your choice.

1. Pro 575 Pellet Grill – Bronze
2. Traeger Ironwood 650 Pellet Grill
3. Traeger Timberline 850 Pellet Grill
4. Traeger Pro 780 Pellet Grill – Black
5. Pro 780 Pellet Grill – Bronze

Have You Got The Tips?

Have you noted down these tips for cooking hamburgers on a pellet grill? After reading our post, we hope you can apply the tips successfully to cook grilled hamburgers for outdoor BBQ parties at weekends with your friends and family.

Have a wonderful time, and enjoy tasty hamburgers!

Over the last few decades, pellet grills have grown in popularity and become more readily available.

Besides the main function of fueling pellet grills, the pellets are also great for cold smoking, turning gas grills into smokers, and incorporating wood-fired flavor to charcoal grills.

In this post, we’ll cover everything you need to know about the best pellets for a pellet grill. You will know what they are, how they are made and used, and what you might expect when cooking with these devices.

Now, let’s get started!

Characteristics Of Pellets And How To Use Them

Pellets, which are capsule sized, are simply compact pellets of hardwood sawdust. They have a fascinating place in the history of warming and cooking outdoors.

Distinguish different types of pellets

With such a wide range of uses, these pellets are produced for different purposes and qualities.

Different kinds of wood pellets work with various wood pellet stoves, impacting both the heating device’s performance and running costs.

The three major types of wood pellets:

• Premium wood pellets – Containing less than 0.5 percent organic ash content and no bark in general. They are mostly made from species of oak or maple wood.

• Standard wood pellets – are commonly manufactured from industrial forestry waste and include organic ash at rates above 0.5 percent.

• Food-grade wood pellets – No contaminants or binding agents are included throughout the processing phase. Either premium or regular wood pellets may be classified as food-grade.

All these types of pellets have the same required diameter and length. Many pellet stoves can only use the Premium grade, whereas some are branded with the Standard one. Standard wood pellets are cheaper, but you may have to clean out the ash draw more often.

How to use the wood pellets

Pellet grills cook food by feeding these wood pellets from a hopper, down through an auger, then into a firepot that ignites the pellets. Then a fan distributes the heat and smoke from the burned wood pellets throughout the cooking chamber.

They are an excellent choice for cold smoking and turning gas grills into smokers because wood pellets are slow burners with mild to high smoke levels.

A pellet tube smoker makes all of these uses feasible for wood pellets. In essence, you fill a tube with wood pellets, spark one end, and for 3 to 5 hours.

For cold smoking, wood pellets paired with a pellet tube are suitable since you can move and position the tube conveniently away from your main cooking chamber to help keep the temperature down.

Pit Boss Pellet Grill Reviews- What You Should Know?

How To Choose Best Pellets For Pellet Grill

Now you are faced with choosing the best pellets for pellet grills. There are lots of brands and each claim to be the best. Moreover, there are hundreds of flavors and blends.

So, where do you start when determining which best pellets to get for your cooking needs?

We are here to lend the new users a hand. When trying to decide on the right pellets for your food, there are a lot of choices. To be honest, we encourage you to try out several types to determine what works best.

We will provide you with some guide tips to choose pellets below:

Edible ash content

With suitable and high-quality wood pellets, your wood pellet grill can work at maximum speeds. Shop for the pellet type with an edible ash content of less than 1 percent.

Oak pellets naturally have a lower ash content than maple pellets, which, on average, makes them a safer option.

Moisture level

Moisture quality also creates a difference in the efficiency of wood pellet stoves. Note that in the same period of time, dry pellets produce more heat. To reach optimum productivity levels and the most comfortable level of heat, opt for lower moisture levels.

Good quality wood pellets contain less than 5 percent moisture, including some normal grade and most premium-grade pellets. Opt for a commodity with a moisture level of no more than 8 percent and pay more if appropriate.

More heat from each pellet will crank out your wood pellet stove, saving you large sums of money over a long time.

Conclusion

We hope the article about the best pellets for the pellet grill above has been useful to you! In a nutshell, each kind of pellet for grills serves a purpose, particularly in the world of outdoor cooking.

All of this depends on what type of grill or smoker you have, which foods you cook, and what your favorite flavors are!

Do you have any more questions about this topic? We would love to help. Contact us in the comments section below with anything wondering you’d like for us to respond.