If you are new to the world of outdoor grilling, you may wonder about pellet smoker parts. Some of the best grills, after all, use wood pellets to smoke ingredients. These appliances offer a complex answer to the question of “what is a grill,” as they use compressed pellets of wood to cook ingredients. This allows them fantastic temperature control, which is why they excel as smokers. Pellet smoker grills can be used with higher heat for searing and for cooking meats the old-fashioned way.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- Pellet grills, or pellet smokers, are outdoor cooking appliances that use wood pellets as the primary fuel source, operating differently from gas grills.
- These pellet grills are great for smoking, due to increased temperature control, a powerful auger motor, and an easy ignition process via drive motors.
- Wood pellets are also great for braising, roasting, searing, and nearly any other outdoor cooking task.
What is Pellet Smoker?
If you are learning how to do barbecue, you’ll likely come across a pellet smoker.
Pellet grills are becoming increasingly popular among home cooks and BBQ enthusiasts alike. With a variety of brands on the market, such as Pit Boss, Louisiana, and the 700E pellet grill, it’s important to do research and choose the right pellet grill for your needs.
It’s also important to have a basic understanding of pellet grill replacement parts, so that you can maintain and repair your grill as needed. Whether you’re new to smoking meat or consider yourself an expert, a pellet grill is a great addition to any outdoor kitchen.
Insider Tip
Make sure to clean your cooking surface after each use, particularly when cooking fatty cuts of meat.
Pellet Grill Parts
Each pellet grill is different, with a unique design, but they tend to share some commonalities when it comes to interior components. Many of these same components are included with charcoal grills if you wonder how to use a charcoal grill as a smoker.
However, when it comes to upgrading and replacing certain parts, pellet grills have their own specific set of replacement parts that cater to their unique designs. For instance, a pellet grill upgrade may include replacing the grill burner tubes, grill heat plate, or pellet grill igniter replacement. These parts ensure that your pellet grill is operating at its optimal performance.
Wood Pellets
The primary fuel source for these grills is wood pellets, which are compressed batches of wood and wood fiber. Wood pellets are known for imparting a delicious smoky flavor after long cooks, which is one of the reasons these grills have become so popular for smoking. Additionally, wood pellets tend to boast even heat, leading to increased temperature control and fewer chances of a dangerous flare-up. These wood pellets are placed in a dedicated chamber called a pellet hopper.
Cooking Area or Grates
While each model differs slightly with regard to size and type of cooking area, most boast enough room for cooking large ingredients, such as cuts of brisket and the like. After all, smoked meats tend to be on the larger side. Another benefit of using wood pellets as a fuel source is that they ignite easily and stay hot, making for extremely easy ignitions and, as such, an easier-than-average operation. This makes pellet grills a great first choice for newbies.
Fan System
One thing most pellet grills share in common is a robust fan system that circulates heated air throughout the grill. These fans, along with a heat-transferring auger, are a primary reason why smoking works so well with pellet grills. The fans help regulate temperature, allowing for easy and precise controls which are perfect for smoking.
STAT: Wood pellets were invented in the United States in the late 1970s; they are small eraser-sized capsules made of compressed sawdust. (source)
F.A.Q.S
Need to find a part?
Many manufacturers stock grill-specific parts. For instance, if you use a Traeger pellet grill, you should be able to pick up a Traeger metal grill induction fan from them directly.
How to choose a pellet smoker?
You may want to stick to a known brand, as Traeger wood pellet grills are known for their quality, but so do companies such as Camp Chef. When choosing a grill replacement, pick based on personal preference, such as if you desire grill covers.
Do pellet smokers require maintenance?
Your average pellet grill does require regular cleaning and maintenance, but nothing that should stress your grilling skills too much. Traeger grills, including the Traeger pellet grills, are known for being easy to clean and maintain.
