This Type Of Grill Lets Beginners Get Smoked Meat Flavor Without A Smoker

Smoking a big beef brisket or juicy pork butt can be some of the most delicious backyard projects, but traditional smokers have a reputation for demanding saint-level patience, attention, and a good amount of fire management. For beginners who want to try smoking meat but don't want to fret over a smoker for 12 hours, we turned to an expert in all things meat. Matt Abdoo is the executive chef and co-founder of Pig Beach BBQ, boasting locations in New York, Boston, and Florida, and he offers some fine recommendations.

"Pellet grills are an excellent option for cooking barbecue at home because they deliver incredible smoky flavor with the convenience of thermostat-controlled cooking," Abdoo advises. Though pellet grills were invented back in the '80s, they've exploded in popularity over the years. These grills combine the experience of outdoor grilling with an automated method of cooking that produces genuine smoked meat flavor. "It's truly a 'set it and forget it' experience," Abdoo adds. "There's no need to constantly tend the fire or adjust air vents to maintain the perfect temperature." The result is a much more beginner-friendly, "hands-off" form of smoking than using a traditional smoker.

Pellet grills produce heat by burning small, compressed wood pellets made from hardwood sawdust — and there's a variety of pellets you can choose from. "For the best combination of charcoal and wood-fired flavor, I recommend using Royal Oak Charcoal and Wood Pellet Blend," Abdoo recommends. Sourcing top-quality wood pellets is also one of our top tips for grilling with wood pellets.

Read more: 13 Hands-Down Best Tips For Cooking Ribeye

The biggest selling point for beginners is the pellet grills' temperature control

As Abdoo explains, "The pellets burn hot, are water-resistant, and are available in apple, hickory, and mesquite varieties, allowing you to choose a mild, medium, or bold smoke flavor depending on what you're cooking." Indeed, you can mix and match pellets to get your smoked meat tasting exactly how you want it. Pellet grills generally produce lighter, cleaner smoke, which can be an advantage for beginners and more delicate proteins like chicken and salmon.

Another benefit to pellet grills is the ability for exact temperature control. Unlike gas or charcoal grills, a pellet grill uses an electric-powered auger to feed the pellets into a small firepot. A digital controller regulates the temperature by adjusting how frequently those pellets are tossed in. Some models even connect to Wi-Fi, allowing amateur pitmasters to truly "set it and forget it" while they watch the game inside. If you love the idea of low-and-slow cooking without hovering over a live fire all day, this just might be the grill for you.

If you want to experiment with smoking without committing to the learning curve of offset smokers, a pellet grill can be a versatile and worthwhile investment. There is one drawback, though. "The only downside to pellet grills is that they can't fully replicate the authentic flavor of cooking over burning logs," Abdoo explains. "That said, it's a small tradeoff for the convenience, consistency, and ease of use they provide for everyday backyard barbecue."

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Read the original article on Tasting Table.