Coal and gas grills/smokers have ruled the grilling world for decades. However, there is something to give them a run for their money; Pellet Smokers. Pellet smokers have been around for quite some time. However, they gained a lot of popularity in recent times. Many companies manufacture pellets smokers, but Camp Chef provides you with one of the best pellet smokers in the market.
If you plan to buy a pellet smoker and want to know whether it is the right grill for you or not, or you are simply interested in knowing how a Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Smoker works, you are at the right place.
How does a Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Smoker Work?
What is a Pellet Smoker/Grill?
Just like a standard coal or gas grill, a pellet smoker is used for cooking meat using a different type of fuel; it burns hardwood pellets to heat up the things. It also uses electricity to power the pellet feeding mechanism.
The Camp Chef pellet grills come with a digital controller that monitors the grill’s temperature and allows or restricts the entry of wood pellets into the burning area to maintain the preset temperature.
One of the advantages of a pellet smoker is that you get an authentic wood smoker without any worries of maintaining a constant temperature, adding wood chips again and again, or setting up your smokers/grills for indirect cooking.
How does it Work?
Its working is so simple that even a beginner will be able to grill and smoke tasty meat. All you have to do is add some wood pellets of your choice, plug the smoker, set the temperature and place the meat on the grill and leave the rest to the smoker.
The smoker will automatically feed the wood pellets to the burning cup to control the temperature. Inside the burning cup, a hot rod has been installed. Its purpose is to heat the pellets, so they start to smolder and smoke. Right above the burn cup, there is a heat diffuser.
It has been installed to disperse the heat evenly to the meat being cooked. This plate protects the food from burning. To keep the machine clean from drippings, a greased pan has been installed right above the heat diffuser. To distribute the smoke and heat from the burn cup, a blower fan has been installed. It makes use of the convention technique and ensures proper cooking.
The Difference between a Pellet Smoker and a Conventional Coal and Gas Smoker
A pellet smoker/grill differs in 4 main aspects from a conventional gas/coal smoker. These are
Fuel Source: A pellet smoker burns wood as the only fuel source, whereas a conventional gas/coal smoker uses wood chips for smoking and adding flavor to the meat being cooked. This means that you get a lot more flavors on a Camp Chef Woodwind pellet smoker.
Versatility: Pellet smokers offer versatility compared to conventional smokers. You have the freedom to select a temperature between 175°F and 500°F. You can cook any meat and follow a large variety of recipes in this temperature range. You can smoke a brisket, turkey, whole chicken at low temperatures, and increase the heat for stakes, burgers, and pies.
All you have to do is adjust the temperature. You don’t need any thermometers to check the temperature, and you don’t need to add or remove coal or turn off burners.
Convenience: Another benefit of a pellet smoker is that it offers convenience. You don’t need to sort out your coals or arrange a gas cylinder before grilling. Just add wood and plug in your smoker. You don’t need to burn coals, ash them over or refresh them. A pellet smoker will make things easy for you in many ways.
Consistency: The last and one of the most important aspects is a consistent flavor. Pellet smoker keeps the temperature constant and ensures that you get a uniform taste every time you grill something. This is a rarity while grilling on coal or propane smokers as maintaining temperature is a big hurdle there. You will need a lot of practice, and still, things will be different every time.
Limitations of Pellet Smoker
- A pellet smoker requires electricity to operate. Without power, you will have to revert to the traditional way of smoking.
- Using pellet smokers for a long time will increase your electricity bill.
- Most of the models are large and difficult to move around.
- Pellet smokers have more moving parts than a conventional grill. It is more likely to break down.
- The repairs are way too costly than propane or gas smokers.
Is Camp Chef Pellet Smoker the right choice for me?
If you want convenience while grilling, if you are looking for a consistent flavor, if you want to spend time with your family and friends while the meat is being cooked, then a pellet smoker is best for you.
If you don’t like messing with propane or coals and want tasty food rather than messing with a grill all the time and still end up with half-cooked or uncooked food, the Camp Chef pellet smoker is perfect for you. If you cannot maintain temperature on gas or coal grills, a pellet smoker is your best bet.
However, if you like to do things the old way and work hard for your food, pellet smokers are not your thing. For people who like to cook and learn something new every time, conventional grills are better.
Final Words
We can safely say that a pellet smoker brings the best of both worlds. It gives flavor, taste, and a perfect cook. We agree that food cooked in pellet smokers lacks the traditional touch of charcoal, but it has all the flavor of your favorite wood chips.
