Over the past couple of years, the pellet grill has become a favorite in the barbecuing community – so it should come as no surprise to hear that there are more and more people opting to swap out their regular grills for a pellet model.
The only question is, what is a pellet grill, exactly?
Sure, while we’re sure that you’re already well-versed in what a charcoal grill is and that you’re a whiz with a traditional gas grill – BBQing with a pellet grill is a little different.
So, if you’re currently asking yourself this question, then rest assured that you have clicked on the right article.
To ensure that you are able to confidently navigate your way around a pellet grill and make the most out of each grilling session, in this article we are going to be talking you through everything you need to know about pellet grilling.
So, whenever you’re ready, let’s jump right in!
What Is A Pellet Grill?
A pellet grill, which is sometimes also called a pellet smoker, is a type of grill that is specifically designed for outdoor cooking and grilling purposes.
In order to offer the user plenty of convenience and ease of use, pellet smokers are typically designed to blend the best features of a regular kitchen oven, gas grill and charcoal grill.
So it should come as no surprise to hear that they can be used for a variety of different cooking purposes!
From baking to searing, smoking to roasting – a pellet grill is super versatile and the perfect option for all types of grilling enthusiasts.
How Does A Pellet Grill Work?
So, now that you know what a pellet grill is, you might now be asking yourself how pellet grills are able to work.
To cut a long story short, a pellet grill essentially works by burning pellets specially designed for cooking purposes (hence the name of this type of grill) and these pellets are then able to create heat and enough smoke to begin grilling a range of different foods.
To be more specific, as soon as you fire up your pellet grill, the pellets that you have added will begin to travel along the auger area of your pellet grill, gradually being rotated so that they are able to evenly heat up.
After the pellets have traveled along the auger area, the pellets will then be dropped into the burning pot (located in the center of your pellet grill) where the pellets will start to turn to fire. Once a fire has been created, your pellet grill’s fan will automatically begin to kick in so that the fire can be both intensified and maintained for the duration of your cooking.
The heat and smoke created by your pellet grill will then begin to travel upwards so that you will be able to evenly cook your meat and other foods that you would like to grill.
As a side note, it’s important to remember that the main heat source of a pellet grill is taken from the pellet chips.
For this reason, even though a pellet grill is typically designed with some electronic components, they are only there to help maintain and intensify the fire as it has been created from the wood chips used as the primary heat source.
This brings us to our next point.
Are Wood Pellets Used To Flavor The Food Alongside Heating?
As you will have seen from the point that we briefly touched upon above, unlike other types of BBQ grills on the market that utilize the assistance of gas or a different heat source – pellet grills are unique because they specifically use wood pellets as its primary (and only) source of heat, smoke and fire.
However, even though this might very well be the case, it is also worth noting that, alongside being the primary source of heat, the wood pellets used in a pellet grill also contribute to the overall flavor of the grilled food.
For this reason, it means that pellet grills are one of the best grills to cook outdoors, as the smoke from the wood will be able to give the meat (and any other food that you cook on it) an authentic smoky BBQ flavor.
Top Tip:
If you are planning to purchase a pellet grill, or you already have one, then alongside your grill you should also make sure that you are taking into consideration the type of wood pellets that you are using, too.
Ideally, we recommend that you opt for wood pellet chips that are relatively large in size, as besides helping to fire up your pellet grill more effectively, the larger pellets will be able to also ensure that you end up with that delicious smoky flavor unique to outdoor grilling!
Are Pellet Grills Easy To Maintain?
Yes, pellet grills are very easy to maintain. In order to make sure that your pellet grill remains in tip-top, pristine condition for longer, you are going to want to make sure that you are cleaning your pellet grill of ash after each use.
To do this, make sure that you are thoroughly cleaning the ashtray after each use with warm water and dish detergent – as this will help to make sure that your pellet grill is offering an optimal performance – time and time again.
Final Thoughts
So, now you finally know what a pellet grill is! Opting to use a pellet grill is one of the easiest and most convenient ways to enjoy delicious, grilled food from the comfort of your very own backyard.
They’re one of the most affordable types of grills on the market, can be easily cleaned, and are even designed to be compatible with both sear and smoke cooking!
Thanks to this, opting for a pellet grill will not only ensure that you are able to enjoy a variety of different cooking options, but you will also be ensuring that you are getting excellent value for money, too!
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