Since pellet grills are quite different from other smokers, I get asked a fair bit about how they work and if they need electricity to operate.
Compared to pretty much every other smoker, they are unique in how they operate and perform. The closest smoker technology is an electric smoker, but it is a very basic unit compared to a pellet grill smoker. Since it uses an electric element for heating like an oven, whilst a pellet grill is heated through feeding pellets into a burning area.
When I first started looking at them years ago, there wasn’t much info about the pellet grill and still, people struggle it seems, so hence why I started this site, for my love of pellet burning!
First the short answer, and then I thought it would help to include some other common questions that people ask about the mighty pellet grill smoker. These are questions I have got a lot when comparing the pellet grill to other types of smokers people are looking at investing in.
Does a Pellet Grill Smoker Need Electricity? Yes, Pellet Grill Smokers use and need electricity to operate. The amount of electricity is minimal, it is mainly used to feed the pellets through an auger system and operate the thermostat control.
As long as you can run a cable to the pellet grill, you can have a simple set & forget setup. It’s a cliche term, but that is what it does! What I love about the pellet grill is that it’s the most convenient and low maintenance method I have to create delicious low & slow food.meat.
When I compare the pellet grill to all the other smokers like charcoal, electric, propane & ceramic eggs smokers. It’s funny how I end up mostly going back to the pellet grill.
The main reason is, consistent results, the pellet grill smoker will always give you more free time. Since you can set the thermostat and its done.
Quite recently I did a kettle grill charcoal 7 & a half hour pork rib session. With quality charcoal briquettes, I still ended up doing the classic micro-management that is needed for the method, it was using a newish Weber kettle at my brother’s place.
Don’t get me wrong, I still do it now and then but predominately the time and attention factors mean the pellet grill smoker is the way I go. It gives me more playtime.
And nowadays, everyone seems time-poor.
Pellet Grill – Effectiveness Vs Other Smokers
The closest thing to a pellet grill smoker is a electric smoker, however, they don’t have the automation of feeding the smoker or grilling capabilities.
Apart from one brand Bradley do, they do have this automatic function.
But what puts me off the Bradley smokers is that they force you to by the Bradley branded and shaped ‘biscuits’ that gravity feed the smoker. Being locked into overpriced smoking wood biscuits just isn’t for me.
With a pellet grill, there is a huge variety and it’s easy to mix the wood types of pellets. I have also found some charcoal pellets that can add a whole level of flavor just like a traditional charcoal smoker. (Not too pricey, check them out on Amazon here).
If you are new to the world of pellet grill smoking, here are some other interesting points.
How Effective is a Pellet Grill Smoker at Smoking?
Big Question.
As people start learning about these smokers, one big difference with how effective the outcomes are is that with a temp prob stuck in and a relatively consistent temperature. It’s pretty hard to stuff it up.
The classic mistake you see often is pulling out the meat too early, and if folks are using a temperature probe, this just shouldn’t happen.
So in terms of effectiveness at smoking meats, double thumbs up.
The reasons why? pellet grills keep the smoking temperature range in the right spot and sense the probe is always reading what is going on – it’s all on cruise control.
Some people always talk of how many hours it takes etc.. But the meat will always vary in time a bit generally. Low & Slow is very forgiving unless you take it to the extreme and go many hours under or over when you know its done.
Anyway, having the pellet grill adjust the temperatures and continually read with probes I find makes the process smooth sailing.
The effectiveness of pellet grills for smoking meat has put them in some dispute at times, for certain BBQ competitions. They have actually been forbidden, some say this is because the results they produce make this too much of a short cut for the enthusiasts!
Some guys have had a hard time finding a plug for there pellet grills at competitions. But there are several ways you can run it anyway since the electrical draw is also quite minimal.
How Effective is a Pellet Grill at Grilling & Searing
Ok this is always going to open up a can of worms.
Any decent pellet grill goes to 450°F / 230°C, if you use standard grill plates, you can do some grilling, but you are always better off using some form of heat retention.
This can be done many ways, but cast iron pans and searing heat grates designed for the job work amazing. If you want to check out how effective these are, I wrote a post comparing a few here.
What Does a Pellet Grill Smoker Use Electricity For?
3 Things basically:
- Control Box – thermostat control and temperature probe
- Auger – for feeding the pellets int the ‘firebox’
- Combustion Fan – airflow control which regulates temperature as well
- (probably a whole lot more, but that is my basic understanding)
Basics of How a Pellet Grill Uses Electricity
Will do another full post on the details with schematics, but here is a quick break down.
There is more draw or air needed to get things happening with the heating rod in the firepot starting it up, then the controller takes over and adjusts the combustion fan and rotates the screw auger based on what the temperature probe is feeding back.
So just like an oven you there a thermostat controlling, and then sending that information through to make the adjustments to keep the temperature consistent.
Basically a few fans and a feeder with a computer figuring out how to do it.
Batteries for Pellet Grill Smokers
Most people including myself haven’t had a need to take the pellet grill smoker on a camping trip or somewhere that doesn’t have electricity.
But this is a question that comes up a bit for some reason.
Tailgating is also sometimes a reason for this kind of setup and there is a pellet grill smoker that is designed for portability. The legs are easily detachable and it can be run off a car battery or generator.
It’s in the entry-level price range (with wifi), you can read more about it here.
So instead of having a dedicated battery, there is an ‘official’ Traeger inverter, but to be honest, most inverters that are 400W continuous and 800W Peak/Surge power will do the job (don’t quote me, but thats I have seen over and over again).
If you don’t mind generic, here is a cost-effective inverter with same specs, here is the Amazon link.
Generators for Pellet Grill Smokers
So the other option, if you are going camping is the generator.
You may already have a generator, so this could just a small amount of draw to it.
1000W generator will easily cover the pellet grill.
Something like this, link to Amazon to give you an idea. Cheap and cheerful.
