- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
Ceramic or wood pellets
Posted on 3/22/20 at 3:44 pm
Posted on 3/22/20 at 3:44 pm
I'm going to make the jump on one or the other.
I really am leaning towards a large Pit Boss because they have a slide that opens the heat shield to allow direct flame to hit your food. My BIL has a Traeger and it's like cooing in your oven.
Something like Big Green Egg or the Red Kamado seems to be the most versatile but it seems like you have a longer learning curve and a longer process if I just want to throw 2 steaks on the grill.
What's your opinion?
I really am leaning towards a large Pit Boss because they have a slide that opens the heat shield to allow direct flame to hit your food. My BIL has a Traeger and it's like cooing in your oven.
Something like Big Green Egg or the Red Kamado seems to be the most versatile but it seems like you have a longer learning curve and a longer process if I just want to throw 2 steaks on the grill.
What's your opinion?
9
Posted on 3/22/20 at 3:50 pm to kanibal
Ceramic
The learning curve isn't steep. Just don't get too ambitious on getting it up to temp or you'll have a hard time getting it back down.
The learning curve isn't steep. Just don't get too ambitious on getting it up to temp or you'll have a hard time getting it back down.
Posted on 3/22/20 at 3:53 pm to Louie T
Pellet grill is stupid easy to maintain temp while using wood. It’s insane ...
Posted on 3/22/20 at 4:11 pm to kanibal
I have a BGE, don’t regret is one bit, I have the CyberQ controller also. My only question with these pellet smokers is the longevity of them. They don’t seem like there are built to last for very long
Posted on 3/22/20 at 7:40 pm to Boston911
Yeah. I agree about the longevity. If you cook on any gas grill, BBQ any length of time they always seem to rust out.
Posted on 3/22/20 at 9:17 pm to kanibal
Ceramics will get you the good Q of a stick burner without the constant babysitting. Pellets are inconsistent from brand to brand and don't produce near enough smoke flavor from what I've tried.
People talk about having to spend top coin for "good" pellet grills but even a cheap ceramic (Pit Boss/Louisiana Costco all-in one) will do the exact same Q as a BGE or Kamado.
People talk about having to spend top coin for "good" pellet grills but even a cheap ceramic (Pit Boss/Louisiana Costco all-in one) will do the exact same Q as a BGE or Kamado.
This post was edited on 3/22/20 at 9:18 pm
Posted on 3/22/20 at 9:50 pm to List Eater
The only other factor I would add is price vs real estate. Biggest drawbacks of the kamados are the dome shape. I sold both my BGE and Kamado Joe. I have been enjoying my 26" Weber and only $300. If I want to smoke something I'll use the stick burner.
Posted on 3/22/20 at 10:11 pm to ruger35
i own pellet and used ceramic many a time. there are pros and cons to both. you don't get as much of a smokey flavor using pellet but it's SO fricking easy to cook with. ceramic gets you what you want but it's a little more of a hassle.
knowing what i know now and with where i am in life(2 little kids that don't give me 2 minutes to take a shite), i'd go pellet again. 5 year downs the road when i want a more flavor and have a little bit more time to tinker with what i'm cooking, i'll go offset smoker or ceramic.
knowing what i know now and with where i am in life(2 little kids that don't give me 2 minutes to take a shite), i'd go pellet again. 5 year downs the road when i want a more flavor and have a little bit more time to tinker with what i'm cooking, i'll go offset smoker or ceramic.
Posted on 3/22/20 at 10:32 pm to TexasTiger34
I had a ceramic that got plowed over and had significant damage. Ended up w/ a pellet grill and when this thing breaks I am getting another one.
The smoke mode creates a pretty good amount of smoke but I don’t need it. Just the regular setting is solid and even creates a smoke ring.
Pulled a chuck roast off the other day that fantastic.
The smoke mode creates a pretty good amount of smoke but I don’t need it. Just the regular setting is solid and even creates a smoke ring.
Pulled a chuck roast off the other day that fantastic.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 12:30 am to kanibal
I know lots of folks who swapped from ceramic to pellet, I know no one who has done the opposite.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 7:55 am to kanibal
quote:
I just want to throw 2 steaks on the grill.
I wouldn't recommend a pellet grill for this. I have the Pit Boss with the slide for direct flame and it is just OK for steaks. Unless I'm in a hurry, I always break out the Weber Kettle to sear my steaks.
However, the Pit Boss does a great job for everything else I've tried on it.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 8:34 am to Jblac15
I guess I like my steaks differently because I've never had a problem on my pit boss. I don't even open up the little grates that cover the burn chamber for that charred flavor. I usually start at 400 and let the grill heat up good and drop the steaks on the hot grill and turn down to 300. Then after like 3 min, I'll flip and seal the other side and let it just cook. I don't get the whole 'it's an oven' deal. My bbq/grilled meat always comes out looking and tasting like the real deal. Always a nice mild smoke taste to it.
Anytime I turn the grill up over 350, there is plenty of sizzle on the meat. I mean it's not black like you'd get from a charcoal grill, but I prefer to not burn my meat. I could probably leave it on and burn the crap out of it also, but that's not my game.
Of course you have to keep grill closed. That's understood I'm sure.
Anytime I turn the grill up over 350, there is plenty of sizzle on the meat. I mean it's not black like you'd get from a charcoal grill, but I prefer to not burn my meat. I could probably leave it on and burn the crap out of it also, but that's not my game.
Of course you have to keep grill closed. That's understood I'm sure.
This post was edited on 3/23/20 at 8:36 am
Posted on 3/23/20 at 9:39 am to drdoct
quote:OP can go ahead and ignore this dude.
Anytime I turn the grill up over 350, there is plenty of sizzle on the meat. I mean it's not black like you'd get from a charcoal grill, but I prefer to not burn my meat. I could probably leave it on and burn the crap out of it also, but that's not my game.
"I'm not a big believer in that newfangled Maillard reaction scientific bullshite."
Posted on 3/23/20 at 9:58 am to Louie T
quote:
Maillard reaction
400 on a pellet grill exceeds the lower end of that requirement.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 10:13 am to t00f
I understand that. It'll also happen much more slowly, so you'll either end up with a far worse sear or an overcooked steak.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 10:17 am to Louie T
I've had good luck with steaks around 400 but certainly not as good as direct flame at 600 like i use to do on the ceramic.
anyway, don't sear THAT much so not a big deal. I have also thrown a pan on the grill to sear.
anyway, don't sear THAT much so not a big deal. I have also thrown a pan on the grill to sear.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 10:26 am to t00f
The two styles of grills each have benefits & drawbacks. Searing is definitely one that falls under the ceramic benefits.
Posted on 3/23/20 at 10:54 am to kanibal
I have both. I almost never fire up my Green Egg now. The ease of the pellet and much larger real estate are the drivers. I have a Grilla Grills Silverbac and love it.
Posted on 3/24/20 at 6:51 am to Jblac15
quote:
I wouldn't recommend a pellet grill for this. I have the Pit Boss with the slide for direct flame and it is just OK for steaks.
Have you tried to reverse sear them?
That is the way to cook steaks on a pellet grill, start them out around º200-º225 till they get just shy of the internal you desire then crank it up and open the grate to sear, it is a game changer.
Posted on 3/24/20 at 9:17 am to cave canem
quote:
I know lots of folks who swapped from ceramic to pellet, I know no one who has done the opposite.
thats like swapping out your bmw for a civic. 
Page 1 of 2
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News