How can you realise grill marks in a pellet smoker?

[PuraLena]

Hi,

I like to smoke wings with apple wood. And sear them for presentation.

Now I was looking at a pellet smoker for convenience but wondered if I would still be able to get nice grill marks for presentation.

Added some pictures of what I'd like to achieve.

Done on a 22"kettle with charcoal baskets.
Buffalo wing marinade, charcoal and cherry wood chunk.

Very juicy, tangy, gall of the bone with a nice crispy dry skin and no additional sauce.

Who could show me how to do it on a PS?

[Huskee]

Your pellet grill doesn't get hot enough I take it? If you've never tried, just crank the temp either shortly before they're done and move them over to a clean hot section, or remove them when done, crank it up and place them back on to get the marks. If you just want the grill marks you just need hot grates, not like if you're trying to sear a steak. If you pellet grill doesn't have wire grates, just toss your kettle grate in there and heat it up good. Or you could just light up some charcoal in your kettle and mark them in that real quick after they're finished.

[Troutman]

I know that certain pellet smoker (Pellet Pro, Yoder, Rec Tec, and I'm sure others) have an option for open grilling. Essentially on mine it's a small door on the grease drain cover that provides direct access to the burn pot. That then provides a higher heat in which to sear and provide those proverbial grill marks, if so desired.

Or, as Huskee suggests, just sear them on a kettle or other cooker when they are finished on the pellet cooker, although that's somewhat of a redundant hassle imo.

BTW, those wings look pretty spectacular to me !!!

[Sweaty Paul]

Huskee has good ideas. If you want a pellet grill that can sear you could look at the YS-640. I have one and the direct grilling feature is a nice tool for sure.

[CaptainMike]

I have never tried to do that with the Traeger. I would do something like Huskee suggests and cook them first, pull and crank up the heat, then toss them on the hot grates. However, I lean towards simply going with what already works and use the kettle.

[kenrobin]

Would Grill Grates get the job done on a pellet smoker?

[SMOG MAN]

Yes, Grill Grates with my Rec Tec with the temperature up works well for getting grill marks, give the grill and the grates some time to get hot.

[Greasy]

Grill grates on my Traeger work as well.

[JakeT]

I smoke everything on my rectec then just get some coals at warp 10 for the sear in my kamado or weber 22

[DWCowles]

That is what I do too.

[PuraLena]

I haven't got a pellet smoker as I am still very happy in controlling my charcoal options manually.
But might be buying one in the future.
​​​​​When I need the convenience. And when I understand more of these features as mentioned in my question. And understanding how to nicely grill vegetables and other food.
I now grill a very, very large range of products. Fruits, seafood, salad, snails, stingray, piglets, nuts, pasta, whatever I can find, I'll do it
I(or better said my wife) am just not fond of having multiple grills in the patio.
And normally use(and justify) different grills for different dishes.

So trying to find the best suitable options for future grills.

And I see many stuff on Internet. But for pellet smokers usually only ribs, butts and brisket.

I don't want to trade in versatility for convenience.

Thx for all the responses. I will now focus on the mentioned smokers with sear stations.

[Huskee]

Ahhh, OK. Most modern pellet grills will get hot enough for grill marks, you should be OK, but I'd of course research the models available in your area or that could be shipped to you to see their max temp.

[JakeT]

Totally understand that, I've got 4 grills on my patio right now, my wife won't allow me to get a KBQ until I get rid of one of them

[sparetime]

I have an LG smoker that also has the door over the burn pot for searing...Not sure if all the LG's have it but I know there are a lot of other brands that also have a sear option.

[CandySueQ]

[CaptainMike]

That'll do it! Is this a Traeger grill?

[Troutman]

That's a good idea but to get to MY burn pot you have to remove about 50# of iron, not very convenient for me !!! That's why I have....ta tada daaaaa ... MCS !!!

[CandySueQ]

No, this is my Yoder Cimarron trailer pit. I pulled out both deflector plates, because I want to cook hotter. I use the Grill Grates to sear and to keep the ash from pellet burn knocked down. It works GRATE!

[jgreen]

Grill grates or a cast iron grill pan helps a lot. Crank the pellet smoker up and let the temps rise. You won’t get much smoke a higher temps but can still get enough heat for a good sear.

[Cheef]

I use the outside perimeter on the Memphis Pro. Take the wings off when they are ready--crank it up as high as it will go--give it 5 minutes and lay them along the outside edges of the grates. Crisps them up and gives them the grill marks.
CandySueQ has me beat though--I'm going to be trying out her method.