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Pellet or ceramic grill?

waskawood
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waskawood Proficient

waskawood

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I would love to hear from those that have either a pellet grill or a ceramic grill. I am in a quandary on which direction to go. I would love to have a electronic controlled pellet smoker/grill but I am not sure I want to give up the ability to have a great hot seared steak! Lately the ceramic Primo has caught my eye as it is a grill that could be used as a slow smoker or cranked up for a quick sear if I want a juicy steak.

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mwal Experienced

mwal

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I have a Memphis pellet grill their new design this year allows you to open a plate and grill directly over the flames if you wish. I love mine and use it for quick grilling as well as smoking briskets and ribs. The electronic pellet feeding and temp control has worked great. I am one my 3 rd season and now there are 3 more in my family after they have eaten and used mine.

Mwal

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picksbigwagon Grand Master

picksbigwagon

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Year two of my Green Mountain pellet grill.....I can crank it up to 500* for a sear on my steaks, is it the same as my old gas grill? no, but do I get a sear on my Medium rare steaks, yes I do....the thing to remember about pellet grills is that things take a little bit longer, there is an adjustment to that grilling process....

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hockeybc69 Veteran

hockeybc69

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I have a Memphis pellet grill. I don't foresee ever going away from it as my primary grill ever.

I smoke ribs, butts, brisket, and whatever else in it. It does a very good job, but the only downside I see with it is that it doesn't produce a lot of smoke. I like deep smoke flavor, however many people don't like it.

Its not a problem for me at all to use it as is.

I love it.

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picksbigwagon Grand Master

picksbigwagon

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Hockey, get an Amaze-n-smoker tube smoker. look it up, they are out of burnsville and the 12" tube will roll out more smoke than you would ever think is possible for 4-5 hours. I used to use their pellet tray, but now I use their tube....

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fishfinder72 Enthusiast

fishfinder72

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I was trying to make the same decision since last fall. I decided on a Large Big Green Egg in March and have no regrets. I looked at the Primo grills but the vast accessories available for the BGE won me over. I try to cook on it at least 3 times a week and have yet to have a bad cook. I ordered a cast iron grate and use it more than my stainless. The sear on the steaks is perfect and the flavor from the lump coal is awesome.

I decided against a pellet grill for several reasons.

1. The pellet grill relies on electronic components which will have a life span and break down. Working with pellet stove heaters and seeing the costs of replacement parts I would not want to have to replace them in the future. The ceramic grills may require a new gasket every few years which will be minimal cost.

2. The ability of the ceramic grill to cook low and slow or heat up to 700°+ makes it possible to do a wide range of cooks.

3. I have been told several times if pellets are not emptied out the humid weather can cause them to swell and plug up the components. I have yet to hear of damp charcoal causing any issues in the BGE.

4. I have always been a fan of charcoal flavor. After having several cooks on a friends pellet grill I wasn't overly sold on the flavor. I had another friend cook some food on his ceramic and it was more what I was looking for.

My biggest advice if you have the possibility is to try food from both types of grills and see which you like more. There is definitely a variation in flavors and both grills will require a learning curve from traditional charcoal or gas grills.

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brakedancer Contributor

brakedancer

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I agree about the funky flavor from pellets...sounds great feeding pellets but the taste isn't right...

go with charcoal...

check out weber smokey mountains.easy to control heat..priced right for a smoker but not really right for a seared steak

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hockeybc69 Veteran

hockeybc69

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that's my excited reply Picks... LOLLL.

Never once had anyone tell me the pellets caused a funky flavor.

Whats the difference burning pellets or whole wood? it all burns and creates smoke.

Pellets vs charcoal. Different flavor. Whatever you prefer, but both work.

I can walk away from my pellet grill/smoker for hours on end and it will keep the temp exactly as programmed. Charcoal is nice if you have all day to babysit it.

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pike79 Collaborator

pike79

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For 99 bucks buy a weber one touch for steaks, burgers, and many other things. Then buy a smoker for smoking. Smoky Mountain, Masterbilt, whatever.

That is my system.

Best advise, Weber one touch can do it all and for 99 dollars you can buy a freezer full of prime cuts with the money you save!
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mnviking28 Collaborator

mnviking28

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I have had my XL BGE for a year now. I will never have anything else. I was not convinced that I could justify the cost, so I waited an extra year to buy it. Once I did, I wondered why I waited so long. I love the flavor. Maintaining the temp isn't as tough as one might think. The ceramic really helps retain the heat and reduce variances. I bought a wireless thermometer from one of the on line shopping sites. It allows me to do whatever I want around the house while I am cooking. It measures up to 300 feet away. But, that being said, I have reached a comfort level with it that I can set it and walk away for several hours at a time. The last turkey and last couple batches of ribs I cooked, I left for several hours. When I came back, it had maybe changed 5-10 degrees. I know there are a lot of guys that like the pellets, but I don't know anyone with a BGE that is sorry they bought it.

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chaffmj Grand Master

chaffmj

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At work we have two pellet grills and two webers. Most of the people at work can't tell the difference between them when I cook on all of them at once and I have cooked just about everything on them from brats, burgers, steaks, chicken, ribs, turkeys, ham, beef tenderloin, pork loins, salmon etc...

I do know with the Louisiana pellet grill you will have no problem putting a sear job on a medium rare steak. They can get really hot.

All the posts above make good points and in the end I don't think you can go wrong with either. I feel it is just a matter of personal preference and what you feel comfortable with.

I use a Weber at home and I use it for smoking and grilling but I have been doing it for 40 years.

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delcecchi Grand Master

delcecchi

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.... A $99 weber doesn't cut it for this guy....

Been there done that years ago when I was a youngster just out on my own.

Don't get me wrong, they have their place. But I am well past that place... smile

Yeah, that's why I have a Smoky Mountain next to it.

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wormdunker Community Regular

wormdunker

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that's my excited reply Picks... LOLLL.

I can walk away from my pellet grill/smoker for hours on end and it will keep the temp exactly as programmed. Charcoal is nice if you have all day to babysit it.

You obviously have not cooked on a Big green Egg or the like. I can load mine up with a bag of lump, light it, stabilize at 250 and cook a pork butt for 18 hours with little to no adjustments. In fact I have gone that long without ever having to open the grill. When done I still had enough lump remaining to cook up 2 more meals during the week.

I can sear steaks, slow cook, roast the most amazing whole chicken or turkey, Create UNREAL wood fired pizzas, bake bread, smoke cheese. Oh and cook up the BEST burgers one can cook. I have done burgers side by side egg to weber. Cooked to the same temps, the Egg burgers explode with Juice the Webers are much drier.

The flexibility of a Ceramic cannot be compared too. Can you smoke a better butt on a TRUE competition style smoker? yes but not on any pellet. I have owned both. Ceramic for me all day long. Oh and regarding the price? I saved enough the first year by not going out to dinner to pay off the egg and then some.

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delcecchi Grand Master

delcecchi

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Oh and regarding the price? I saved enough the first year by not going out to dinner to pay off the egg and then some.

Are you married? Going out to dinner has nothing to do with food.

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