Learn all about pellet grills, from how to use one to which pellets will add the most flavour to your meats, fish and veggies. Become a grill master and discover all the delicious possibilities pellet grills have to offer, making your next barbecue the best one yet!
What is a Pellet Grill?
A pellet grill combines elements of charcoal and gas grills, smokers, and kitchen ovens. The grill is fueled by flavoured wood pellets and is fed through the unit with the help of an electric control panel, which operates using a digital controller. The electric panel also regulates the temperature, allowing for a consistent cook.
How Pellet Grills Work
Hopper: Pile the flavoured hardwood pellets into the hopper. The amount varies depending on how long the cook time is.
Digital Controller: Turn on the grill and adjust the temperature just as you would your kitchen oven.
Auger: As the motor turns, the auger pushes the wood pellets from the hopper to the firepot, fueling the grill. You can adjust the speed in which the wood pellets burn via the digital controller.
Firepot: The firepot burns when a hotrod ignites, keeping the fire going, so you can set it and let the pellet grill do its work.
Fan: A fan stokes the flames, creating convection heat, which gives the wood pellet grill its consistent temperatures.
Types of Pellet Grills
Traditional
Versatile and easy to use, traditional pellet grills can grill, bake, braise, and smoke. Heated with precision, the temperature is controlled by the digital control panel, and ignited with a press of a button.
Smoker
A hybrid of everyone’s favourite outdoor grills, the pellet smoker combines the technology of pellet grills with smokers. They feature multiple cooking racks and offer a large window, so you can check up on your smoked meats without having to worry about escaped heat.
Benefits of Wood Pellet Grills
Some of the benefits of wood pellet grills include:
Bold Flavour: The depth and quality of flavour achieved through the hardwood pellets is unique to pellet grill cooking. You can vary the flavours depending on which wood pellets you choose, and you can also mix and match to create the perfect flavour.
Versatility: From a full brisket to apple pie, wood pellet grills can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue anything.
Consistency: Wood pellet grills offer consistent temperatures that allow you to master your grilling and get perfect results every time.
Ease: The electric control panel allow for ease of use. The digital controlled settings mean you don’t have to tend live fires for hours.
How to Choose Wood Pellets
Apple: Best with chicken, pork, and vegetables
Hickory: Best with beef, chicken, pork, and vegetables
Mesquite: Best with beef, chicken, and seafood
Maple: Best with beef, pork, lamb, and vegetables
Pecan: Best with beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and vegetables
Oak: Best with beef and seafood