Best Pellet Smoker
We all love smoked meats, but there are some issues for the regular joe.
Don’t get me wrong, smoked brisket is a thing of wonder. And for the uninitiated smoked ribs can be heavenly. But it does take time and resources.
With traditional wood-fired or charcoal smokers, you can find yourself slaving over the grill. And honestly, even if you take the time, it takes some real skill to get the temperature and process to give the perfect smoke.
But, that is why you are here. You want better options to get more carefree smoke.
Pellet smokers can give you the smoke you want and control you need.
How do Pellet Smokers work?
Pellet smokers are not the mystery you think they are. While we will focus on pellet smokers there are also pellet grills. They both are very similar to the coal-fired and gas-fired grills.
When we talk about grills, pellet smokers have not been out that long. One of the first was put on the market in the 1980s. People have been cooking over wood since recorded history. So this is a really new concept.
In many ways, a pellet smoker is just a wood smoker. The pellets are compressed sawdust. Due to the compression, it makes them dense. And that density allows each pellet to hold more energy. This makes pellets more efficient than regular wood.
When you use pellets not many changes in the grill itself. The biggest change is a hopper attached to the side. The core apparatus looks similar if not identical to a standard gas grill.
The Benefits of Smoking with Pellets
So why would you use a pellet smoker? The benefits are pretty cool. These are really easy to use. You don’t have to try to control the temp with a big block of wood. If you have ever smoked before every time you add wood you will see a spike in temp.
That can ruin your 8-hour brisket.
Not to mention you have to be there. Being consistent with the heat can be tricky. Using pellets can give you consistent heat for many hours.
Again, you can do the same thing with other grills. But it will take so much more skill to do so. This is why you want to look at a pellet smoker.
Choose the Best Pellet Smoker
You will see a lot of different shapes and sizes. They all work basically the same way. At the different, price points you will get different bells and whistles. This would include things like digital readouts.
Built-in Thermostat
In order to slow cook with pellets, you will need a thermostat. The thermostat triggers the feed to put more pellets in the grill.
You won’t see a pellet smoker get higher than 400 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. If you want to get a sear, make sure your grill has that ability.
Smoker Pellets
All pellets are not made the same. Make sure you read the instructions to make sure you get the right ones. That said some brands recommend only using their pellets.
When you go to buy the pellets you can see the size. So may not have to get the same brand every time. Test and see, not all pellets perform the same.
Other Features
Speaking of searing, find a grill with a searing compartment. If you are looking for portability some grills have folded up legs that are great for camping.
By using a full-electric model you can get the greatest control smoking your meats.
One last thing. A grill won’t make your meats taste great. The grill master does. Here, buy this book to help: Wood Pellet Cookbook
So, I am going to give you options for the best pellet smokers. Let’s take a closer look at these top pellet smokers on the market.
Twin Eagles 36-Inch Built-in Stainless Steel BBQ Pellet Smoker And Grill
- All 304 stainless steel, seamless heli-arc welded construction and signature hi-polished accents
- 3-Tiered cooking racks (racks included)
- Internal halogen lights for nighttime cooking
- Temperature range of 140 – 725 degrees Fahrenheit
- Wi-Fi Enabled
Memphis Grills Elite Wood Fire Pellet Smoker Grill Wi-Fi (VGB0002S)
- Built-in wood pellet smoker grill
- 304 stainless steel construction
- 24-pound capacity hopper offers up to 62 hours of cook time; Temperature range between 180 and 700 degrees Fahrenheit
- Can be controlled via Wi-Fi controller (iOS or Android app)
- Overall size: 46 x 32 x 28 inches (W x D x H); Cutout: 42.625 x 24.5 x 16.75 inches (W x D x H); Cooking Grid: 37.375 x 17.625 inches (W x D)