Food and Drink Just got my first pellet smoker. Any tips?

**jjchieffan** · 05-09-2021, 08:10 PM

Honestly, I wasn't even looking for one, but I was at Sam's Club on Saturday and their demo company was selling the Z-grill700-2F. The guy pitched it to me and I was sold. The fact that he had one left in the box, and 2 already built displays left, one which I was able to buy, closed the deal. The price was great too. It was only $399. They have the same model on the company website, on sale, for $529.
Anyway. I brought it home and immediately burned it in and grilled some steaks and pork chops on it, which turned out great. I plan to smoke a brisket or rubs on it this weekend. I watched some videos on YouTube. One guy smoked his ribs using the 4--1-1 method. Smoke 4 hours at 225, wrap in foil and add water. Cook for another hour, remove the foil, add BBQ sauce and smoke for another hour. I've never tried that method. Sounds like a short cut to get them tender in half the time. Do any of you like that method?
I know that you guys are the kings of all things BBQ, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. It sounds like this is going to make smoking a breeze. Fill the hopper, set the PID, and go. Is it really that easy with pellet smokers?

scho63 · 05-09-2021, 08:12 PM

Don't burn the house down.

That's all I got.

TLO · 05-09-2021, 08:12 PM

Should have picked up an Air Fryer while you were at it.

Woogieman · 05-09-2021, 08:14 PM

For practice, smoke a shit load of Chex Party mix, add some nuts, you can even add peanut M&Ms. After eating several pounds of that in a few days, you are ready for steak. Thick cuts work best...it will be the most tender, flavorful steak you've ever had.

Jewish Rabbi · 05-09-2021, 08:17 PM

I normally use Bar S hot dogs on my pellet smoker, although my co-worker swears by Oscar Mayer.

**Buehler445** · 05-09-2021, 08:45 PM

They’re pretty easy. Just make sure the pellets don’t get wet and if there is a shutdown procedure follow it.

Chief Pagan · 05-09-2021, 09:02 PM

Don't tell the purists, but if you add enough liquid smoke to your BBQ sauce nobody knows whether you smoked your ribs or only grilled them.

Unless you are the one doing the grilling and since I don't have a pellet smoker, I mess around with smoker boxes...

Abba-Dabba · 05-09-2021, 09:13 PM

Not into the pellet smokers. Prefer and use stick burners.

Not understanding how a 4-1-1 method cut the time in half. It's 6 hrs either way. Just like a 3-2-1. Maybe I just don't get it.

Abba-Dabba · 05-09-2021, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chief Pagan

Don't tell the purists, but if you add enough liquid smoke to your BBQ sauce nobody knows whether you smoked your ribs or only grilled them.

Unless you are the one doing the grilling and since I don't have a pellet smoker, I mess around with smoker boxes...

Sounds like what a cafeteria's like Furr's would do. I'll have to just trust you on it.

Still any Furr's around?

Coogs · 05-10-2021, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Buehler445

They’re pretty easy. Just make sure the pellets don’t get wet and if there is a shutdown procedure follow it.

This is sound advice. I left pellets in the auger once over the off-season. Bad mistake. The pellets absorbed moisture from the air, and set up like concrete.

MTG#10 · 05-09-2021, 08:51 PM

cooper will be along shortly to criticize your purchase.

cooper barrett · 05-09-2021, 09:38 PM

Just your childish post.

Glad to see you're posting like the Bar S "Weiner" you really are.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MTG#10

cooper will be along shortly to criticize your purchase.

MTG#10 · 05-10-2021, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cooper barrett

Just your childish post.

Glad to see you're posting like the Bar S "Weiner" you really are.

And then you did exactly what I said you would.

Abba-Dabba · 05-10-2021, 08:28 AM

Should have never said any thing about a stick burner. Just not into pellet.

For those those that like their pellet smokers. I have no issue there. You do you, boo boo.

But a traeger box store knockoff isn't going to perform as well like a yoder.

What did the yoder run, $2500 without the competition cart? Big difference in the $300-500 smokers in the OP than the professional 2+ thousand dollar Yoder smokers.

**Bwana** · 05-10-2021, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RubberSponge

Should have never said any thing about a stick burner. Just not into pellet.

For those those that like their pellet smokers. I have no issue there. You do you, boo boo.

But a traeger box store knockoff isn't going to perform as well like a yoder.

What did the yoder run, $2500 without the competition cart? Big difference in the $300-500 smokers in the OP than the professional 2+ thousand dollar Yoder smokers.

https://www.yodersmokers.com/pellet/...-pellet-grill/

05-09-2021, 08:10 PM	Topic Starter
jjchieffan Supporter Join Date: Dec 2005 Location: Highlandville, MO Casino cash: $62248	Just got my first pellet smoker. Any tips? Honestly, I wasn't even looking for one, but I was at Sam's Club on Saturday and their demo company was selling the Z-grill700-2F. The guy pitched it to me and I was sold. The fact that he had one left in the box, and 2 already built displays left, one which I was able to buy, closed the deal. The price was great too. It was only $399. They have the same model on the company website, on sale, for $529. Anyway. I brought it home and immediately burned it in and grilled some steaks and pork chops on it, which turned out great. I plan to smoke a brisket or rubs on it this weekend. I watched some videos on YouTube. One guy smoked his ribs using the 4--1-1 method. Smoke 4 hours at 225, wrap in foil and add water. Cook for another hour, remove the foil, add BBQ sauce and smoke for another hour. I've never tried that method. Sounds like a short cut to get them tender in half the time. Do any of you like that method? I know that you guys are the kings of all things BBQ, so any pointers would be greatly appreciated. It sounds like this is going to make smoking a breeze. Fill the hopper, set the PID, and go. Is it really that easy with pellet smokers?
Posts: 13,324

05-09-2021, 08:12 PM	#2
scho63 Politically Incorrect Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Scottsdale, AZ Casino cash: $-750000	Don't burn the house down. That's all I got. __________________ *"The only difference between sex for free and sex for money is that sex for free costs you a WHOLE LOT more!"* ~Redd Foxx~ ~~2018 2019 2020 20212022 2023~~ 2024 Adopt a Chief - Clark Hunt and Brett Veach "The men who drafted Patrick Mahomes"
Posts: 54,945	6 0

05-09-2021, 08:12 PM	#3
TLO Life is changing.. Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: NW Missouri Casino cash: $-2400000	Should have picked up an Air Fryer while you were at it.
Posts: 43,045	2 0

05-09-2021, 08:14 PM	#4
Woogieman Veteran Join Date: Mar 2021 Casino cash: $1600400	For practice, smoke a shit load of Chex Party mix, add some nuts, you can even add peanut M&Ms. After eating several pounds of that in a few days, you are ready for steak. Thick cuts work best...it will be the most tender, flavorful steak you've ever had.
Posts: 1,173

05-09-2021, 08:17 PM	#5
Jewish Rabbi What's up braj? Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Placencia, Belize Casino cash: $-1606750	I normally use Bar S hot dogs on my pellet smoker, although my co-worker swears by Oscar Mayer.
Posts: 16,917	3 0

05-09-2021, 08:45 PM	#6
Buehler445 Supporter Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Scott City KS Casino cash: $-1405266	They’re pretty easy. Just make sure the pellets don’t get wet and if there is a shutdown procedure follow it.
Posts: 59,935

05-09-2021, 09:02 PM	#7
Chief Pagan Sometimes it's black and white Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: California Casino cash: $1304900	Don't tell the purists, but if you add enough liquid smoke to your BBQ sauce nobody knows whether you smoked your ribs or only grilled them. Unless you are the one doing the grilling and since I don't have a pellet smoker, I mess around with smoker boxes... __________________ Sometimes.
Posts: 6,754

05-09-2021, 09:13 PM	#8
Abba-Dabba MVP Join Date: May 2001 Casino cash: $3582970	Not into the pellet smokers. Prefer and use stick burners. Not understanding how a 4-1-1 method cut the time in half. It's 6 hrs either way. Just like a 3-2-1. Maybe I just don't get it.
Posts: 18,278

05-09-2021, 08:51 PM	#11
MTG#10 Mammoth penis Join Date: May 2006 Location: Springfield Casino cash: $7014386	cooper will be along shortly to criticize your purchase.
Posts: 11,437	4 0

05-10-2021, 08:28 AM	#14
Abba-Dabba MVP Join Date: May 2001 Casino cash: $3582970	Should have never said any thing about a stick burner. Just not into pellet. For those those that like their pellet smokers. I have no issue there. You do you, boo boo. But a traeger box store knockoff isn't going to perform as well like a yoder. What did the yoder run, $2500 without the competition cart? Big difference in the $300-500 smokers in the OP than the professional 2+ thousand dollar Yoder smokers.
Posts: 18,278	1 0