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Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: zueth on April 07, 2018, 09:03:10 PM

Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: zueth on April 07, 2018, 09:03:10 PM
I have read numerous posts where people have said they did the cook on upper grate on pellet grill. What is the reason for this? Because smoke and heat rise?


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Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: teesquare on April 07, 2018, 09:08:35 PM
Yes......also when your are cooking something like a pork butt ....you dont need or want the direct heat on the bottom of the butt that you would get if cooking on the grate. So you get more even cooking for low and slow items on the top grate.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Michigan0626 on April 07, 2018, 09:29:03 PM
I haven't started smoking yet, but I plan on doing it especially,for pulled pork with a tray underneath. Collect the drippings. And after you pull it, use a grease seperator and pour all the juices back on and mix it.
Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: rwalters on April 07, 2018, 09:33:53 PM
Unless I am cooking a bunch of food, I always go with the top grate for low n slow cooks for the very reasons already given.
Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Pappymn on April 07, 2018, 09:40:17 PM
I haven't started smoking yet, but I plan on doing it especially,for pulled pork with a tray underneath. Collect the drippings. And after you pull it, use a grease seperator and pour all the juices back on and mix it.
Skip the separation. Embrace the pork fat. :)

I cook on the upper shelf too


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Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Tailgating is my game on April 07, 2018, 09:45:50 PM
I haven't started smoking yet, but I plan on doing it especially,for pulled pork with a tray underneath. Collect the drippings. And after you pull it, use a grease seperator and pour all the juices back on and mix it.
Skip the separation. Embrace the pork fat. :)

I cook on the upper shelf too


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I have been drinking from the top shelf too ??? ??? ???

Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: zueth on April 07, 2018, 09:48:00 PM
What’s everybody’s recommendation for a rack of ribs?


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Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: rwalters on April 07, 2018, 09:49:33 PM
What’s everybody’s recommendation for a rack of ribs?


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As in top grate vs bottom?  If that’s what you are asking, always the top, room permitting.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: sparky on April 07, 2018, 09:54:52 PM
I usually cook on the top shelf 95% of the time.  My bottom racks are spotless.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: teesquare on April 07, 2018, 10:04:35 PM
I haven't started smoking yet, but I plan on doing it especially,for pulled pork with a tray underneath. Collect the drippings. And after you pull it, use a grease seperator and pour all the juices back on and mix it.
Skip the separation. Embrace the pork fat. :)

I cook on the upper shelf too


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I have been drinking from the top shelf too ??? ??? ???

Man! YOU must have some awful burn scars..... ::) 8) ;D :D ;)
Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: zueth on April 07, 2018, 10:12:09 PM
What’s everybody’s recommendation for a rack of ribs?


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As in top grate vs bottom?  If that’s what you are asking, always the top room permitting.
Yep that is what I was asking, thanks


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Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: TentHunteR on April 08, 2018, 08:57:04 AM
I'm going to go against what most are saying because I've cooked I can't tell you how many shoulders on both the top and bottom grates. 

The only real difference I see is being closer to the heat source actually allows the bark to form a little bit better on the bottom sides.  Otherwise I honestly don't know if there's really much of a difference. 

Smoke penetration; I can't tell any difference, but then again, the MAK has a good downdraft baffle system.  If your pellet grill doesn't, then cooking on the top may make more of a difference.


Now if I want to catch the juices of something, then yes the top shelf with a pan underneath is the way to go.




Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on April 08, 2018, 09:08:34 AM
What’s everybody’s recommendation for a rack of ribs?


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Top rack my friend. If it can fit on the top rack, always put em there. Foil pan below. Super easy cleanup and your food is so much better.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: TentHunteR on April 08, 2018, 11:33:40 AM
What’s everybody’s recommendation for a rack of ribs?

Again, I go on the bottom rack.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Tailgating is my game on April 08, 2018, 11:35:54 AM
I haven't started smoking yet, but I plan on doing it especially,for pulled pork with a tray underneath. Collect the drippings. And after you pull it, use a grease seperator and pour all the juices back on and mix it.
Skip the separation. Embrace the pork fat. :)

I cook on the upper shelf too


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

I have been drinking from the top shelf too ??? ??? ???

Man! YOU must have some awful burn scars..... ::) 8) ;D :D ;)


after the 5th you don't feel a thing ;) ;) ;) hot rum punch
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: KJRsmoker on April 08, 2018, 02:40:33 PM
I always use the top shelf.
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Dave R. on April 11, 2018, 08:28:02 AM
One thing I love about this site is we clearly have a bunch of top shelf people.  ;)
Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: rwalters on April 11, 2018, 10:11:42 AM
One thing I love about this site is we clearly have a bunch of top shelf people.  ;)
Boy, we’ve got you fooled ;)
Title: Re: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: TMB on April 11, 2018, 10:34:54 AM
I ani't got a top shelf yet  :(  But I will I hope soon to join the rest of you guys!
Title: Cooking on upper grate on pellet grill
Post by: Gtsum2 on April 11, 2018, 08:10:07 PM
Upper shelf here whenever smoking...unless I need the room and the main grate and upper shelf is full.


Memphis Elite

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