Ah, so this is MCS. Interesting. 
Let me start by stating what I have now: a PBC and Weber Kettle (with SnS). I use both cookers frequently. The Weber is used whenever I want to do direct grilling or need to do something that combines indirect grilling and a sear at the end (or beginning). My PBC is used for all things smoking, smoke-roasting, or anything that does not need high temps. I use KBB exclusively.
So why am I looking at a pellet grill?
I’d like to do more grilling on weeknights. Also, charcoal does have some significant setup time and can be a bit messy, especially for a weeknight for me. Moreover, I’ve really been wanting to do more seafood on the grill and for as fast as fish cooks, the ease of setup and shutdown of a pellet grill is alluring.
(I’ve been toying with adding a portable gas grill, but I just don’t really want to deal with gas. Also, there’s no smoke, unless a smoker tube is used.)
Now, I understand, at least academically the disadvantages to pellet grills. They max out at 450-500 and sometimes can’t go below 250 reliably. And of course the smoke profile is mild/delicate due to how hot and efficient pellets burn. In some sense, they are convection ovens powered by a very clean burning wood fuel.
Still, I am thinking that some smoke on food is better than no smoke on food on a weeknight. And if I need to sear something, I’d be using the Weber with charcoal anyway.
I do have some questions that are about setting my expectations (i.e. talk me out of this).
First, what is the between-cooks cleaning process typically like (besides the cleaning of the grill grates)? Do you just turn it off and walk away? I notice many cover their drip pans with foil, which I am sure speeds cleanup.
Also, I live in a swamp.
How does humidity affect the storage of unused pellets in the hopper (or in the rest of the system)?
My top contender right now is the Grilla Chimp. Its size is perfect for what I would cook on it and it fits my budget.
Also, is there anything that you wish you had thought about before going down the pellet grill road....anything that did not meet your expectations...or "wow, I really wish I had known that...."?

Let me start by stating what I have now: a PBC and Weber Kettle (with SnS). I use both cookers frequently. The Weber is used whenever I want to do direct grilling or need to do something that combines indirect grilling and a sear at the end (or beginning). My PBC is used for all things smoking, smoke-roasting, or anything that does not need high temps. I use KBB exclusively.
So why am I looking at a pellet grill?
I’d like to do more grilling on weeknights. Also, charcoal does have some significant setup time and can be a bit messy, especially for a weeknight for me. Moreover, I’ve really been wanting to do more seafood on the grill and for as fast as fish cooks, the ease of setup and shutdown of a pellet grill is alluring.
(I’ve been toying with adding a portable gas grill, but I just don’t really want to deal with gas. Also, there’s no smoke, unless a smoker tube is used.)
Now, I understand, at least academically the disadvantages to pellet grills. They max out at 450-500 and sometimes can’t go below 250 reliably. And of course the smoke profile is mild/delicate due to how hot and efficient pellets burn. In some sense, they are convection ovens powered by a very clean burning wood fuel.
Still, I am thinking that some smoke on food is better than no smoke on food on a weeknight. And if I need to sear something, I’d be using the Weber with charcoal anyway.
I do have some questions that are about setting my expectations (i.e. talk me out of this).

First, what is the between-cooks cleaning process typically like (besides the cleaning of the grill grates)? Do you just turn it off and walk away? I notice many cover their drip pans with foil, which I am sure speeds cleanup.
Also, I live in a swamp.

My top contender right now is the Grilla Chimp. Its size is perfect for what I would cook on it and it fits my budget.
Also, is there anything that you wish you had thought about before going down the pellet grill road....anything that did not meet your expectations...or "wow, I really wish I had known that...."?
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