What’s the point of a pellet smoker

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WildmanWilson

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I’ve been knocking around the idea of a pellet smoker but after seeing how many people add a smoker generator or tube to get smoke flavor I’m wondering why get one? Seems an electric smoker with the same smoke tube would be the same result. So what do the pellet smokers offer ?
 
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Good question. I look forward to the answers.

Maybe someone who has both pellet and electric can come in
 
Pellet grills burn all wood but it's a clean burn. Much like cooking with wood embers or a super clean stick burner. These all produce a light clean tasting smoke that is a backdrop to bbq not the main component
 
smoke ninja said:
Pellet grills burn all wood but it's a clean burn. Much like cooking with wood embers or a super clean stick burner. These all produce a light clean tasting smoke that is a backdrop to bbq not the main component
Click to expand...

Yep. In contrast, an electric smoker uses a heating element as a heat source and burns either chips, small chunks or pucks for smoke flavor. The wood typically smolder more than burns, so the smoke isn’t as clean, and a little goes a long way. In my Cookshack electric a gold ball sized chunk is more than enough.
 
Ron_L said:
Yep. In contrast, an electric smoker uses a heating element as a heat source and burns either chips, small chunks or pucks for smoke flavor. The wood typically smolder more than burns, so the smoke isn’t as clean, and a little goes a long way. In my Cookshack electric a gold ball sized chunk is more than enough.
Click to expand...

Where do I obtain these gold balls of which you speak?
 
I’ve always been interested, several of my friends are pellitized. Some have two, one has three. I’m interested but I want a smaller high quality cheap cooker on closeout. Then, I’ll buy one and either fall in love, get it out of my system or be satisfied. I will someday, just because I need to know for myself. My friends are all quite happy with theirs
 
I was a long term holdout on getting a pellet grill, but imagine having a perfectly burning 100 percent wood fire. No smoldering, no worrying if the wood is too green, 225 plus or minus the entire time.

I really think people playing up concerns about not enough smoke taste are overblown. Typically when you are cooking your sense of smell is overwhelmed so that day you don’t taste as much. I’ve never got a smoking tube and have no problem tasting the smoke and I notice it’s remarkablely more Smokey the next day for leftovers.
 
I have an original Traeger my dad gave me but I really only use it for doing my Yellowtail and Tuna I catch here. Since it's the original model with the old style controller, it's failed on me numerous times so I can't trust it for much else. Just the right amount of smoke for fish. YMMV
 
1) Set it and forget it (PID controllers etc)
2) Consistency (no wondering how your splits or lump is going to burn)
3) Convenience (add some pellets to the hopper and flip a switch)
4) Subtle yet very present smoke flavor (real wood is burning)
5) Easy clean-up (no charcoal or wood ash to speak of. Use a shop vac now and again to vac out the firebox)
6) Versatility (buy the right pellet cooker and cook at 600+ degrees direct heat or smoke at 225* for hours)

That's off the top of my head. I could probably create a much more in-depth response, but having used multiple fuel sources and styles of cookers I am a proud pellethead.
 
If you are used to the flavor of fat burning on charcoal, pellet grills have very weak smoke flavor, but it is a cleaner flavor that lets you taste the difference between different woods. Adding a tube or tray lets you increase the intensity while still avoiding the burnt fat flavors but isn’t mandatory by any means.

The biggest draw is of course the set it and forget it part. You can’t always be feeding a stick burner unless you have employees.
 
Used to have a Cookshack electric. It made great que. Like Ron said, one or two small chunks of wood was all you needed. But the smoke never really penetrated deep into the meat. To me it seemed it was on the surface only. Switched to a Cookshack FEC100 pellet smoker, still easy to use, but it seems like the que it produces is so much better. I usually use a smoke tube only for cold smoking, if I want extra smoke, I'll run it at a lower temp for the first few hours. Normally for long cooking meats only.

I've used all sorts of cookers over the years, but now that I'm a lazy old fart that likes his sleep. I use a pellet cooker for long/overnite cooks.
 
We use our GMG pellet cooker a lot from smoking oysters at 150° to pizza at 500°

I prefer steaks over coals but the pooper does a great job on butts, ribs, and briskets.

It is nice to put a brisket on just before going to bed and getting a full nights sleep.
 
End of season close out might tip me over the edge to get one. I'm sorta like 16Adams, I want to see what all the fuss is about. Love it or hate it- either is fine- just don't want to spend a small fortune to find out.

The "set it and forget it" facet is not super important to me- I have drums- I basically have that ability now. Just in it for the search of something different.
 
WildmanWilson said:
I’ve been knocking around the idea of a pellet smoker but after seeing how many people add a smoker generator or tube to get smoke flavor I’m wondering why get one? Seems an electric smoker with the same smoke tube would be the same result. So what do the pellet smokers offer ?
Click to expand...


Do you already have an electric smoker?

Ive never used one but apparently they can hold their own

https://youtu.be/yQ38bBi-9o0
 
In my personal experiance pellet cookers put out great smoked foods, simular to a stick fired cooker.

I have noticed thet cheaper low end electric smokers are lacking a bit in flavor.
I have noticed in my circle everyone raves about tne food cooked in pellet cookers.
It's really personal preference but the amazin tube is a good tool to have with cheap electric or a pellet or a gas grill.
 
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Having cooked on many different cookers over the years, including some pretty nice stick and charcoal burners, I became a pellet head a couple of years ago when I bought a buddies old MAK 1 Star. Since that, I have sold the 1 Star and bought a new 2 Star last year. I love stick and charcoal cookers... but I LOVE everything about pellet cooking. With a large busy family, the convenance can’t be beat. In addition, I have gotten more compliments on my pellet cooks than on any other type of cooker I have owned in the past... and I have a few brutally honest family members...lol. And yes, I know how to run a clean burning stick/lump fire... ;)
 
I just bought a 2 Star General. The goal is good consistent food and if a pellet can do that, I am on it! I do love charcoal flavor, but in my house my family prefers food off the pellet. I have never personally used a stick burner, but at some point I am going to get one. Cooking on the pellet grill has really peaked my interested on other grills. I still love the flavor of hanging ribs on the Pit Barrel, but I love the convenience of cooking on the pellet and almost getting a guaranteed great finished product.

I researched the MAK 2 Star General for quite sometime, 6 months to be exact and this video helped me finalize my decision!!


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-88rTFaynAQ


--
 
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I've had a Cookskack electric, Cookshack FEC-100 and now own a Cookshack pg-1000.


The choice of the PG-1000 was simple as it will go from 180 degrees to 700 degrees.


It has four different temperature zones for cooking multiple dishes.


So smoke or grill, it does it all for me!
 
Smokers are just an oven that produces smoke. Fuel source obviously impacts flavor. All wood (sticks or pellets) and lump with chunks produce a the best flavor. My taste buds prefer sticks or lump with wood chucks. I can’t really tell the difference between the two.

Find which fuel source makes your taste buds happy then pick the smoker that fits your lifestyle (set and forget it or tending to the fire or something in between). I have both a stickburner and a lump burning kamado that runs on a guru so if I feel like tending to the fire I can or if I want to set and forget I can too.
 
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