With pellet grills increasingly becoming an industry trend (more than 20 brands of these grills are now available in North America alone), anyone who loves grilling must at least consider having one.
These trusty convection cookers make for good cooking through an almost even distribution of air and heat in their cooking chambers. It gives modern smokers an edge and provides ease for barbecuers. Can’t decide which pellet grill to get? Feel free to check out our other posts on choosing the best wood pellet grill.
Are Pellet Grills Good for Steaks?
Yes, you can use a pellet grill for cooking steak. Aside from the fact that the new slide and grill technology gives more grilling space, there are many reasons that make pellet grills good for cooking steaks.
1. Pellet grills help cook steaks evenly.
The thermostat technology with most pellet grills helps cooks set the grill to their desired temperature. It’s something you can’t do when using propane- or charcoal-based grills. Plus, these grills are known for unpredictable, uneven heat, leading to either a barely cooked or overdone steak.
Pellet grill technology prevents this from happening, thanks to its accurate temperature control. In fact, those who love pellet grills testify that the device rarely has cold or hot spots. Food cooked in pellet grills also cannot be over-smoked. It is because of these features that HuffPost deems it one of the easiest grills to use.
2. Pellet grills help draw out other flavors.
Using a pellet grill means you can choose from a variety of wood to use. Your options include apple, oak, hickory, cherry, mesquite, and peach. Having these choices help give your culinary creations a more profound taste. Just steer clear from those known for their toxicity, such as pine and conifer.
Because of its features, steaks cooked in pellet grills retain a smokey flavor considered delicate and more subtle than the aggressive tastes found through charcoal. This is because of the pellet grill’s heat diffuser plates. These allow the proper positioning of hardwood chunks or soaked wood chips to achieve your desired flavor and quality.
3. Pellet grills allow reverse searing.
Lastly, pellet grills make good steaks because it allows reverse-searing. This is a process in which you smoke the steak at a lower temperature. Not only is it guaranteed that the steak is cooked evenly, but it also picks up a more delicious smokey flavor from the ignited wood pellets.
Those who love having their steak on pellet grills confirm that it’s akin to having the best of both worlds in grilling. The traditional searing method is combined with a new, more complex flavor achieved only through reverse-searing, even if this method does take more time.
Tips for Cooking Steaks with Pellet Grills
Other than knowing what makes pellet grills good for steaks, here are other tips to consider.
1. Have the right tools.
Before trying your hand at cooking steak in pellet grills, make sure you have a meat thermometer. This tool helps ensure accuracy when checking the internal temperature of the meat.
Researching various recipes for cooking steaks will also come in handy. One useful reference is Buzzfeed’s product recommendations for having an awesome family staycation. And, yes, just in case you’re wondering, a pellet grill is one of them.
2. Choose the right meat.
The quality of the steak is not solely dependent on the type of grill you use. Definitely, meat quality is a major factor in ensuring proper grilling. While there are eight beef prime cut options, the best cut (at least for us) is still rib eye. Other decent options include prime rib, T-bone, sirloin steak, and strip steak.
3. Experiment with seasoning and preparation methods.
Grilling doesn’t have to be boring. There’s no rule that you should only stick to using salt and pepper all the time. Kosher salt, for one, is a good choice. Others combine it not only with freshly cracked black pepper but also a few teaspoons of granulated garlic and ground dark roast coffee for that delectable steak rub.
Pellets, of course, are also part of the choices. For a good steak, we advise using stronger-flavored pellets like oak, mesquite, and hickory. Also, you’ll want to remove excess moisture after seasoning the steak using paper towels. Doing this helps prepare the meat for better searing.
A word to the wise: It is still best not to go overboard on the seasonings. The dominant flavor profile should still come from the juices of your steak.
Enjoy Your Steak, the Pellet Grill Way
Whether you’re still a fan of the traditional grilling or you’re up for new things like reverse-searing, there is no doubt that pellet grills make for good steaks. We recommend getting more familiar with the technology that it employs, though. Keeping the tips we have shared with you in mind will help enhance the quality of your steaks. Happy grilling!
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