In the barbecuing community, there are all sorts of love for the different grills and competition between them about which is better. Charcoal and gas grills are some of the most well-known types of grills available on the market, they’re typically the most sought after. However, pellet grills are another type that, thanks to its ease of use and smoky flavour, are becoming even more popular among barbecue lovers and experts.
Due to that popularity, many more people are considering purchasing a pellet grill for their own backyard kitchen. Though, before you make a big choice and invest in the grill and all the accessories that are needed for said grill, there are a few things you need to consider and learn first. While pellet grills can be considered a mix of a gas and a charcoal grill in some ways, they have their own unique feature that you need to know to use the grill to its max efficiency.
Once you’ve read through this article and are still sure you want to get your own pellet grill for your outdoor kitchen, visit Dickson Barbecue Centre, a BBQ Store in Toronto, to get your pellet grill and the pellets you’ll need to enjoy grilling. You can also visit the store online to get whatever rubs, sauces, and coolers you might need for your next barbecue party.
What Is A Pellet Grill?
If this is your first exploration into the different kinds of grills and all the accessories and fuel sources that come with them, or you are simply considering the types of grills that aren’t the simple charcoal or gas ones, pellet grills are exactly what the tin says. Like charcoal and gas grills, pellet grills use small wood pellets to start the flames and grilling process. The pellets are fed into a hopper, which then are heated and burned as fuel. This allows pellet grills to act as both a normal grill and as a smoker and gives your barbecued food a delicious wood-fired grill taste.
What The Burn-In Process Is, And How To Do It
When you buy a new grill, there’s a high chance that your grill will come with layers of contaminants and toxic varnishes that might be on the grill from the start of manufacturing to reaching your home. These contaminants will likely be all over your pellet grill and inside the hopper. The burn-in process is what removes the contaminants and primes the grill for future uses.
In order to start the burn in process, you need to start by filling the hopper until a few pellets start falling into the firepot. Then, turn the pellet grill to the smoke setting – or on low heat – until smoke starts to rise from the grill. Wait for 10 minutes, then increase the heat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and let it burn at that temperature for 40 minutes. After the time is up, turn the smoker off and let it completely cool off before you clean the ash out.
The Appropriate Way To Turn It On And Off
When properly turning the pellet grill off, some people might find that it’s still running even though the switch has been turned off. Since pellet grills typically use electricity to work, people might unplug their grill to stop it. However, this is the last thing you should do.
Unplugging the pellet grill before it’s gone through its proper shutdown cycle can increase the risk and cause seized augers, back burns, and many other issues. The sound that tells you that your grill’s still running is typically the fan. The pellet grill’s fan will continue to run for anywhere between eight to ten minutes in an effort to cool the grill. This allows the flames inside to extinguish properly and naturally.
How Many Pellets You’re Going To Use
One of the things you need to factor in about the pellet grill you want to buy is how many pellets you go through with that grill. In order to grill properly at 225 degrees Fahrenheit, a medium-sized grill will go through roughly one and a half pounds of pellets in an hour. Depending on what it is your cooking and how long it needs, that amount of pellets can increase or decrease. Larger grills, at that same temperature, may need around two to two and a half pounds of pellets per hour.
This all can also change depending on the grill’s make and model. A good rough estimate for how many pellets your grill will go through in an hour is one to three pounds. If you buy a 20 pound bag, it would last you about six to twenty hours before you need to get a new bag. Much like charcoal grills, the need for a new bag of pellets and how much your grill will use needs to be factored in before purchase.
Your Pellet Grill Needs Level Ground
Possibly one of the most important things you need to consider when getting a pellet grill is where you plan to place it. The location is highly important because if you aren’t careful, the risk for fire spreading and causing accidents can grow. Instead, aim to place your pellet grill on level ground. Pellet grills frequently have grease traps or buckets that are lower than where the flames tend to be and if grease does drip from the meat, it won’t cause flare ups. If you don’t have any level land or can’t create a level area for the grill, make sure that the grease trap is lower or downhill from the fire.
Takeaway
Once you’re sure of what brand, size and model pellet grill you want, make sure you know how you plan to get the grill home, if you aren’t getting it delivered. Before you use the grill, read through the user manual and look up any terms that don’t make sense. It’s always a good idea to properly understand how your grill and all of its parts function before, so that when you use it, you do so effectively to create delicious meals. Then, once you’ve finished barbecuing, simply clean the grill and cover it to ensure that it last til the end of its lifespan.
