Pellet Grills vs Stick Burners

[bbqLuv]

pellet grill or stick burner, or easy bake oven vs hard bake oven, ArnieTex does it right, yea, no, or maybe?
What is your opinion?

Pellet Grills vs Stick Burners: This Brisket Test SHOCKED Me - YouTube

[TripleB]

Pellet grills are not my thing. Kudos and accolades to those who use them and love them. I like to manage the fire.

[jfmorris]

I'm with TripleB on this one. I personally like to play with fire!

[mrteddyprincess]

Thanks for sharing this! Good video. I fall in the I cook with a stick burner and I will have a pellet grill at some point in the future because I am jealous of the convenience category!

[holehogg]

I'll stick this one out on the sidelines and see what materialises.

[Finster]

I've not used either, but I can see where both have their place. My 2 current cookers are about as close to set it and forget it as I'd like to get, so I'd probably lean toward a stick burner.

[Bogy]

He mentioned if you have a pellet smoker you need power, or it's not going to cook. Yes, it can happen, but really, in the U.S., how often do you actually lose power. Most times, if we do, we've got bigger problems to worry about. OTOH, if you are using a stick burner, and get called away for an emergency, and you aren't there to babysit the fire and keep feeding it sticks, you are also not going to have dinner.

Would it be cool to have a stick burner and try that. Sure, although the closest I am likely to get is the PBC I just got, or the Bronco Pro that's on it's way. I can feed sticks on top of the coals on either of those.

When I have a long cook, I'm probably still going to use one of the pellet burners most of the time, just because they don't need the supervision. Unless I want an excuse to go sit outside.

[Bogy]

As long as I still have gas in at least one of my propane tanks, and I don't run out of charcoal (or wood), I should be OK.
When I move into our retirement house permanently, and the solar panels are installed, I won't need to worry if the electricity goes out. (I don't want to do it yet, I want 2 more years of technological advancement before I'm using it enough to make a difference.)

[Murdy]

The ability to cook during a blackout would certainly be a good thing. However, that's a better point of comparison between a charcoal grill and a pellet grill. During a blackout, most aren't going to spend all day smoking a brisket. The useful thing would to be able to grill some burgers or pork chops or such.

[jfmorris]

We went 4-5 days without power here when the 2011 tornados tore out the entire power grid in N. Alabama. Thankfully it was April, and mild, so no heat or AC needed. I had a generator so we had enough power for lights, a TV and the fridge and freezer. We cook on gas, so it was fairly uneventful, aside from having to drive 50 miles to find a gas station with power and pumps that worked so that I could fill gas cans for generators the first day. We just had to use a lighter to light the stove.

[Joey877]

I actually like the babysitting. Cooking outside is a huge de-stresser for me, so anything that is a "set it and forget it" is not my preferred method. Give me a stickburner all day long. I highly doubt I'll ever own a pellet burner.

[Bogy]

I like babysitting my pellet burners even better. They obviously need much attention to make sure they don't run out of pellets, so I am required to sit outside in view of the tv playing the ball game, with something cold to drink. While I get up to add pellets every 10 or 12 hours.

[Jerod Broussard]

I like the fire tending; I like sleeping more and making money at work more.

I do plan to get a stick burner, however, a high quality number of my preferred liking that might hold 3 briskets runs $5000.

[CaptainMike]

I got both, but the Santa Maria still puts out the best food. Well, other than those large clods which is why I have the others.

[Troutman]

To a degree I agree with you. But you can't do a brisket on one like you can the others. But for grilling, yea give me live fire.

[captainlee]

I would love to have a Santa Maria grill, just not practical here. That would be my next purchase if possible.

[Jfrosty27]

I’m too lazy for a stick burner. That’s the end of that story. But I have nine cookers to keep the variety fresh. Pellet, charcoal, gas, and electric heat sources. Plenty to choose from.

[Troutman]

Stick burner food is superior to me due to the true blue smoke and all that imparts. Pellets are way more convenient and consistent but lack that deep smokey profile. Regardless of superior smoke or darn right convenience I agree that the difference is not day and night. So I guess seeing as how I sold my Klose stick burner a couple of years ago and bought a high end pellet, I'll lean toward the pellet. I'm also not cooking multiple briskets or large amount of pork butts, if so it might be different.

[Spinaker]

Stick burners every time. More fun, more of an art and more of a challenge. IMHO, that is where the real art in BBQ is. Plus, having another reason to play with fire is always a plus.

[Draznnl]

When the hurricane hits, I won't have to go around to all the neighbors and apologize for my ogs getting blown into their yards. The pellets I use will simply return to their natural state as sawdust.

Until then, I am free to sit outside and babysit my cook, go inside and watch the Cubs, or get some sleep while my brisket cooks through the night. It is all my choice.

If only I oculd get that nice smoky flavor a stick burner provides...

[Attjack]

I like to burn sticks. I have no desire to play with pellets.