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Outdoor Cooking Equipment => Grills & Smokers => Pellet Grills and Smokers => Topic started by: zueth on January 18, 2018, 01:34:30 PM

Title: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: zueth on January 18, 2018, 01:34:30 PM
I know that there are other people out there that started with a Bradley and eventually moved on to a pellet grill, which i plan to do in the near future.

So I was curious as to how you have modified your cooks now that they are done on the pellet grill.  I know that the cooks won't take as long since the temp is more finely regulated and heat recovery is way better.   For example, when I do 4 pork butts it takes 24-30 hours, I know that it won't take that long on a pellet grill, but not sure what to expect. 

Anything else besides timing that I need to change?

Thanks.
Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: teesquare on January 18, 2018, 01:54:48 PM
You are going to find the improvement...uh change ;D is easier than you planned. Similar to your Bradley ( if digital ) pellet grills are typically operated by a digital controller and thermostat. Yes you have a broader range of temp control - and because the pellet grill is more like a convection oven than Bradley - the air thru put will help speed up the cook times as well as higher temps available to you.
Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: TentHunteR on January 18, 2018, 02:03:35 PM
One of the first things I changed when switching to pellet cooking was unless I'm grilling, I do NOT preheat the grill.  I leave it off until the food is on. This helps the smoke profile in two ways; it takes advantage of the extra smoke during startup, and it delays the outside of the meat reaching 140 degrees, thereby extending smoke absorption. The smoke is always clean on a pellet grill, even during  startup.

I know this flies in the face of conventional wisdom, but most grills/smokers are preheated to get temps settled in. This is not necessary with a pellet cooker, since it's thermostatically regulated.
Title: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: Pappymn on January 18, 2018, 06:30:45 PM
One of the first things I changed when switching to pellet cooking was unless I'm grilling, I do NOT preheat the grill.  I leave it off until the food is on. This helps the smoke profile in two ways; it takes advantage of the extra smoke during startup, and it delays the outside of the meat reaching 140 degrees, thereby extending smoke absorption. The smoke is always clean on a pellet grill, even during  startup.

I know this flies in the face of conventional wisdom, but most grills/smokers are preheated to get temps settled in. This is not necessary with a pellet cooker, since it's thermostatically regulated.
Great tip
Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: GusRobin on January 18, 2018, 06:53:28 PM
I went from a Bradley to a pellet grill with no change in timing of cooks, or not one that was noticeable. But then after I did the first burn in of the Bradley, I did the dual element mod and added a PID. So it always had the ability for higher, more consistent temps with quick recovery.
Title: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: zueth on January 20, 2018, 05:11:09 PM
Thanks I still have just the 500 watt element and no PID, was going to add those but thought I would save the money and apply to a new pellet grill.


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Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: GusRobin on January 20, 2018, 08:44:08 PM
I'd go with the pellet grill.
Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: smokeasaurus on January 21, 2018, 08:41:25 AM
I'd go with the pellet grill.

agreed.
Title: Re: Converting from Bradley to Pellet Grill
Post by: Roget on January 21, 2018, 09:47:47 AM
I'd go with the pellet grill.

agreed.

I love my Bradley.
(But I'm beginning to love my pellet grill also) :D