Pellet Grills

[clarionite]

What grill are you using? You should have a steel heat deflector/diffuser over the firepot already. You can double up on the sheet metal ones and it helps spread it out more evenly.

As for wrapping a brisket- there are a number of other reasons to do it. It does break a stall faster but also keeps from over smoking if you use harsher woods, keeps them more moist in finishing, adds some predictability to the finish time (great if you are serving a party tonight) and allows you to keep a couple cups of au jus. (assuming you de-fat it before serving)

Thanks a lot... now I'm starving and it's an hour until lunch time!

I bought the Pit Boss Austin XL. It's a very nice grill.

It does have a slide over the firepot. Which keeps the flames from kissing the meat. But it doesn't diffuse the heat very well at all. I think it's going to take some experimentation to diffuse it just right. I don't want to create a cooler spot either. I just want to even out the temp across the entire grate.

[03Lightningrocks]

Reading this is as bad as watching food TV. I am hungry now.

[flechero]

I bought the Pit Boss Austin XL. It's a very nice grill.

It does have a slide over the firepot. Which keeps the flames from kissing the meat. But it doesn't diffuse the heat very well at all. I think it's going to take some experimentation to diffuse it just right. I don't want to create a cooler spot either. I just want to even out the temp across the entire grate.

Looks like a nice one. THe only goofy thing I saw was the cuts in the heat shield right over the fire pot... seems like you could cover those to diffuse the heat better and if needed drill some holes or cut slots to address any cool spots you might discover later.

[clarionite]

I bought the Pit Boss Austin XL. It's a very nice grill.

It does have a slide over the firepot. Which keeps the flames from kissing the meat. But it doesn't diffuse the heat very well at all. I think it's going to take some experimentation to diffuse it just right. I don't want to create a cooler spot either. I just want to even out the temp across the entire grate.

Looks like a nice one. THe only goofy thing I saw was the cuts in the heat shield right over the fire pot... seems like you could cover those to diffuse the heat better and if needed drill some holes or cut slots to address any cool spots you might discover later.

There's a shield that you can slide to open those cuts, or close to cover them. I keep it closed. But the shield isn't thick enough to diffuse the heat.

[03Lightningrocks]

I am sorry if it has been asked already but this thread is lengthy. It is like reading War and Peace.

Are the pellets expensive when accounting for the cooking times?

[clarionite]

I am sorry if it has been asked already but this thread is lengthy. It is like reading War and Peace.

Are the pellets expensive when accounting for the cooking times?

I don't think so. It would cost me more to drive to my hunting lease and cut mesquite. I can find 40lb bags at Walmart for $15.

The competition blend is pretty good. Although I'm partial to Mesquite.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Pit-Boss-Com ... 26&veh=sem

[carlson1]

They cost less than propane.

[clarionite]

A 40lb bag lets me do at least 3 long smokes, if not 4 or 5. I haven't paid a lot of attention to it. I've played around a bit with smoking time vs cook time which has thrown the feed rate off for each one. But I've pretty much figured out how I want to do it now, so I can get a better gauge of how much is used.

[flechero]

I am sorry if it has been asked already but this thread is lengthy. It is like reading War and Peace.

Are the pellets expensive when accounting for the cooking times?

Expensive is relative- I don't think so when you consider the alternatives and convenience. Pellet cost varies depending on how you buy them... a bag at the local store is usually $14/20 lbs (Academy) although the above mentioned deal at walmart is great! I group buy a pallet at a time with 4-5 other family members in bulk. Our last order came to $0.34/Lb delivered.

For me that works out to $1-$4 per cooking day, depending on cooking times and temps. I spend WAY more in beer than pellets, in the course of a cooking day!!

[03Lightningrocks]

Thanks everyone.

[mojo84]

I looked at pellet grills and have decided the 22" Weber Smokey Mountain is the best option for me. It's near a set and forget it smoker while still using charcoal and real wood chunks. Besides, I already have an electric smoker and I feel the need for something a little more manly. Maybe some day I'll graduate to a real man's smoker and get me an off set stick burner.

[03Lightningrocks]

I looked at pellet grills and have decided the 22" Weber Smokey Mountain is the best option for me. It's near a set and forget it smoker while still using charcoal and real wood chunks. Besides, I already have an electric smoker and I feel the need for something a little more manly. Maybe some day I'll graduate to a real man's smoker and get me an off set stick burner.

I was the proud owner of a real mans smoker. To be honest it bacame such a pain in the rear I ended up rarely using it. Gave it to my son in Houston. Last month I was at his place and smoker was not in sight. He laughed and ask if I wanted it back. He thought the same as I after using it a few times. Too much effort.

You want it next?

[flechero]

Big stick burners are great in Texas... in February & November

Mostly kidding- I love my brother's trailer unit! Although I only use it in November, for Thanksgiving and our family vacation.

[RPBrown]

The only pellets my grill takes are about 14" long and 4" diameter. Either mesquite, hickory, or apple

[clarionite]

I looked at pellet grills and have decided the 22" Weber Smokey Mountain is the best option for me. It's near a set and forget it smoker while still using charcoal and real wood chunks. Besides, I already have an electric smoker and I feel the need for something a little more manly. Maybe some day I'll graduate to a real man's smoker and get me an off set stick burner.

I have three grills in my back yard.

A gas grill for quick and dirty.

A very nice offset smoker, that I still love but use very little because it's a real ordeal to fire up and tend to.
My GF likes cooking on charcoal, she's started using this more than I do because of that.

A pellet grill. It's as easy as the gas grill, but I use it for longer cooking time and smoking.

I look at the grills like other kitchen appliances/utensils each has it's place/purpose.