How Do Pellet Grills Work?
What Is a Pellet Grill?
A wood pellet grill — also known as a wood pellet smoker — is a special type of grill that uses indirect, pellet-generated heat and smoke to cook food in several different ways. With a pellet grill, you can enjoy traditionally grilled favorites or leave the meat to cook slowly on low smoke throughout the day. You can also use a pellet grill like a type of outdoor oven.
Like other grills, a pellet smoker makes an excellent addition to a campout, tailgating party and your own backyard.
How Do Wood Pellet Grills Work?
Because pellet grills can perform so many cooking functions and require little to no monitoring, you might expect them to operate using complicated technology. In reality, wood pellet smokers are simple, straightforward cooking tools that are easy and safe to operate.
The following parts of a pellet grill work together to help you achieve a delicious, evenly cooked meal:
- Wood Pellets: Pellets are small cylindrical food-grade wood that act as fuel for a pellet grill. Some wood pellets come from flavored woods, like apple or hickory, which add layers of flavor to food.
- Hopper: The hopper is the vessel that holds the pellets, keeping them dry until they are ready for use.
- Auger: Once you start the grill, the auger moves wood pellets from the hopper onto the firepot.
- Firepot: The firepot is exactly what you expect — the place where the fire ignites, using the wood pellets for fuel.
- Induction fan: The induction fan keeps the fire going and circulates the heat and smoke throughout your pellet grill and into your food.
- Controller: The controller is on the outside of the pellet grill, and it is where you set and monitor the cooking temperature and pellet grill heating. Every smoker is different, so keep in mind some models may offer more precise control than others.
- Drip tray: You’ll find the drip tray between the cooking grates and the grill’s inner workings. This tray collects any grease or food drippings, so they don’t fall into the fire, and keeps food safe from direct heat.
To use a pellet grill, you fill the hopper with wood pellets marked safe for pellet grills. Follow manufacturer guidelines and be careful not to overfill or underfill your smoker. Once the pellets are in the hopper, use the digital controller to set your desired temperature. The induction fan will keep the fire going while your pellets move through the auger into the firepot. As the wood pellets ignite, the hot smoke circulates back through the grill to create a flavorful cooking chamber.
Advantages of Pellet Grills
In addition to providing a unique, wood-fire infused flavor, pellet grills are very versatile and simple to use. Here are a few reasons you’ll love using a pellet grill:
- Ease of use: Unlike some cooking systems, pellet grills are easy to use, and there is no learning curve involved. Thanks to special control systems and a controlled heating environment, all you have to worry about is what food you want to cook first. Many grills are also easy to transport, making them ideal for at-home and on-the-go cooking.
- Set it and forget it: With a pellet smoker, you no longer have to worry about standing guard over your grill to make sure your food doesn’t burn or gets cooked through. Instead, pellet grills let you set it and forget it with automatic temperature regulation.
- Fuel-efficiency: Compared to other types of cooking fuel, wood pellets are a very affordable and environmentally sound investment. A high-quality bag of pellets can also last you a long time if you store them properly.
- No flare-ups: Because wood pellets use indirect heat, there won’t be any hazardous fire flare-ups that can scorch your food.
- Versatility: Whether you’re looking for those iconic grill sear marks or trying your hand at tender, low-and-slow smoking, a pellet grill can help you achieve both.
How Are Grilling Pellets Made?
One reason why pellet smokers are so popular among outdoor cooks is because wood pellets infuse foods with a natural wood-smoke flavor. However, these are no ordinary wood pellets. To be considered food-grade and safe for consumption, pellets undergo a particular process that ensures high quality.
For example, here’s how we make Energex Ol’ Hick Cooking Pellets:
- Manufacturers source different types of quality wood from sawmills and other places. We source Ol’ Hick wood pellets from 100% hickory, apple or oak wood. We only accept healthy, virgin wood that meets or exceeds industry standards for ash and moisture content.
- Experts perform regular quality tests on the wood before moving them through the pellet creation process, as well as throughout processing, packaging and shipping procedures.
- We turn this quality wood into small, uniform pellets. Uniformity is important for an even and thorough cook.
Cooking pellet quality depends on several factors, including how much moisture the wood contains, the level of ash in the bag and where the wood is sourced. For the best cooking experience, look for wood pellet bags marked with the Pellet Fuels Institute (PFI) Quality Mark, a type of strict third-party accreditation.
Smoke and Grill Mouthwatering Favorites With Ol’ Hick Cooking Pellets
Pellet grills are the ideal cooking solution for anyone who wants versatility, convenience and delicious food. At Ol’ Hick, you can choose from three types of smoking pellets — bold and flavorful hickory, light and fruity apple or Jim Beam whiskey-flavored, bourbon barrel oak pellets. Mix-and-match your favorite flavors to create unique, wood-fire recipes for you and your loved ones to enjoy.
Visit Energex online to learn more about our quality standards, or contact us today to find an Ol’ Hick Cooking Pellet dealer near you.
