Fill the hopper

Before pouring in your pellets, make sure the hopper is clear of debris. Next, fill your hopper to the desired level prior to starting the grill. Our rule of thumb is about 1 lb per hour for low heat and about 2 lb per hour for high heat.

Light the grill

Most grills ignite at the press of a button (check your grill instructions).

Set the temperature

Check your recipe for the recommended temperature. We suggest between 225°F and 275°F for smoking. For searing, it’s best to cook with the hottest temperature you can get, which is between 450°F and 500°F for most grills.

Wait for the grill to achieve desired temperature

We know it’s tempting, but keep the lid closed to allow your pellet grill to heat up as quickly as possible.

While things heat up, season your food before throwing it on the grill. If the grill isn’t up to temp after you finish seasoning, use the remaining time to kick back and relax with a cold beverage and good company.

Grill

Keep the grill closed to capture the full flavor. For more smoke flavor, cook longer at a lower temperature. For less flavor, cook shorter at a higher temperature. If you’re doing a multi-hour cook on your pellet grill, check the hopper occasionally to ensure the pellets are feeding in correctly.