Grilla grease management question

[jfmorris]

I’m sort of window shopping now for what might replace my 2002 Genesis if I give it to my son in November when he moves out. I’ve got a Weber Performer Deluxe and a 748 sq inch offset so have charcoal smoking and grilling covered, and searing is easy on the Performer with the SNS. I’ve really been intrigued by the original Grilla lately after Potkettleblack and a few others got them.

The one thing that concerns me a little on all Grilla models is that little soup can hanger for catching grease. I actually put a bucket under my offset to catch grease, and the DNG pan in the kettle can catch a lot of grease if smoking 2 Boston butts. Is the can you put in the Grilla holder really big enough to catch all the grease from a long cook on the Grilla or Silverbac? Being able to toss the can sounds nice, but I also wouldn’t want to deal with a grease overflow staining my patio... if I get a Grilla I would probably load it up with 3-4 butts at a time quite often.

[jghorton]

I did the first cook on my Grilla this weekend with a 14lb packer brisket. The can worked just fine and it only filled up about 1/3 of the soup can with grease; however, there was a drip issue. Two issues caused this and both were my fault. First, I thought I had the Grilla level, but it wasn't. Two, I wrapped the deflector plate with aluminum foil and the way I tucked/folded it toward the run off spout there was a ridge and caused the grease to pool and overflow in a different direction. This led to grease running down the side of the Grilla and on to the wheel cover. Surprisingly, none went on the ground. Luckily, I was able to wipe the the Grilla with ease. Lessons learned - make sure the Grilla is level and be sure I have the foil laid out appropriately for the run off spout.

Just estimating, jfmorris, but even if all of the grease went into the soup can it wouldn't have been over half full. I did take pictures from that issue and I'm happy to share them if you are interested. Gonna make a full post about the cook later!

[jghorton]

Forgot to add that Grilla does sell a grease bucket on their website that you can "upgrade" to.

[jgreen]

There is also enough room under the grate to set an aluminum pan or the drip and griddle pan on the heat deflector if you prefer to catch the grease inside the unit.

[jghorton]

There is also enough room under the grate to set an aluminum pan or the drip and griddle pan on the heat deflector if you prefer to catch the grease inside the unit.

Good point!

[bten]

Home Depot and Lowe's sell drip buckets at a reasonable price.

[Potkettleblack]

I haven't done a 3-4 butt cook, but I have only dumped one can all summer, and am halfway through my second. Not being a big canned goods user, I am tempted to get the bucket. I find a lot of grease kind of hangs out on the deflector, and I do a monthly clean of that. Take it down to the dumpster, and scrape it into a bag by the dumpster.

I haven't foil covered my deflector, because I'm concerned about blocking the airflow. Come next month, I'm gonna steam clean the deflector, the grill grates, the temp probe, and whatever else I can think of. More because I have the steam cleaner than out of any actual need.

[Thom Emery]

It’s fine
we started pan cooking on the pellet cookers with a mesh grid in the pan to lift out of the grease
easy clean up

[jfmorris]

Ok good feedback guys, and also good to know you can hang a drip bucket in place of the can holder. I'm with Potkettleblack in that I don't open a lot of cans that would fit the holder, other than an occasional soup can or baked beans can.

I am finding the Grilla more attractive as I really don't need a huge pellet smoker, as I still have an offset if I just gotta smoke more than the Grilla can hold. I find the small footprint of the original Grilla as well as its design attractive. And it seems I've read somewhere on here that the original Grilla may put more smoke out than the average pellet burner.

I've just got decide if I buy another gas grill when I let the son take the trusty Genesis Silver A as promised, or get myself the Grilla, leaving me with the Weber for searing. Or I buy him a Weber Spirit for $399 and keep the 16 year old Genesis...

[bten]

buy a Weber Silver B off craigslist and rebuild it with parts from amazon, I did that for may son, and he loves it.