I do also like the built-in surrounding work surface, which could be very handy for food prep and the sear zone is a good feature to have. The missing PID functionality of the Cuisinart Clermont I do think is not great on a cuisinart griddler elite pellet grill/smoker for this price. From this point forward, I pretty much think any pellet grill/smoker over $500 should feature a PID control panel. The Cuisinart Woodcreek & Twin Oaks only feature Bluetooth and not WiFi.
After a period of storage, inspect the grill for abrasion, wear, cuts, or damage to the temperature controller and power cord. Do not attempt to touch cooking surfaces or other hot surfaces. The pullout bin for storing charcoal is a model of grill engineering. All in all, this is a fine pellet grill, but we preferred other grills at the same price point. For the price, we were fine with these discrepancies, but it’s an indicator that you get what you pay for. The build materials also feel and look cheaper than other grills we tested, so we’re not convinced this grill will last as long as some of the others in the test group.
The electric pellet smoker and the gas grill have independent controls, their own insulated lid, a viewing window, and two ten-watt halogen lights. The twin oak has a total of 900 square inches of cooking surface, heavy duty cast-iron grates and two flip-up stainless-steel warming racks. From the originators of the pellet grill, the Traeger Pro cuisinart pots and pans set 575 is a solid performer. In our testing, it produced plenty of smoke at consistent temperatures for our brisket, which we cooked overnight. And Traeger’s app delivers all the info we needed so we didn’t have to step outside to check on the grill. The white bread test revealed remarkably even heat—among the best of the pellet grills we tested.
When the ashes are disposed by burial in soil or otherwise locally dispersed, they should be retained in the closed container until all cinders have thoroughly cooled. The selected temperature will be in the bottom left hand corner of the digital display. The charcoal insert can be stored on the left side of the cart.
Plus, you can experiment with different types of wood pellets to produce unique flavors. The Clermont is a behemoth, at nearly 65 inches wide and with 1,400 square inches of space. Think of it as a multipurpose outdoor cooker, with sealed glass doors, two oven racks above the grill surface, internal lighting, and a wraparound workspace. When smoking brisket, we placed it on the middle rack in the center of the grill, where temperatures were more stable. We grilled burgers, chicken, and vegetables on the main cooking grates without issue.
When ignited, this creosote makes an extremely hot fi re. We also liked that the digital control panel used temperature increments of five degrees, allowing us to create more precise temperatures. The grill also allows for an extra smoke mode, with settings that range from 1 to 10. The WiFi- and Bluetooth-connected app was great for changing and monitoring both grill temperature and the four thermometer ports, too.
We also didn’t love the touch-sensitive buttons on the digital control panel. They were difficult to push, so we used the Bluetooth-enabled app to adjust the grill whenever possible. Finally, the pellets ran down the auger unevenly, causing us to get a low-pellet alert when the hopper was more than half full.
From the app, you can monitor and control the grill, but it’ll also let you schedule an automatic shut off when your meat is done cooking. Despite the SmokePro’s smaller size, it packs a serious punch in terms of power and technology. With a very impressive temperature range of 160 to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, the grill is quite powerful. Add a large 22-pound hopper and you’re ready to smoke, grill or bake for more than 10 hours.
If you are transporting your grill in a vehicle after cooking on it, make sure the fi re is completely out and the grill is cold before placing it in any vehicle. This grill is HOT while in use and will remain HOT for a period of time afterwards. • Pellet grills do not provide smoke 100% of the time. Even though you don’t see smoke you are still getting smoke flavor. Always allow the auger tube to fully load with pellets to ensure proper lighting of the grill. Always use a meat thermometer to ensure food is cooked to a safe temperature.