Heard a guy at the Kansas City Royal say you need a pellet smoker to be consistent

I've used my offset stick burner for eight years and my temps are rock solid. It just takes practice, not a computer. Anyone else think we give tech too much credit over skill?

3 comments

3 Comments

the_elliot5d ago

What makes you think a machine is the only way to get steady heat? My old Weber kettle holds temp just fine once you learn the fire. Feels like some folks just want to skip the learning part. Getting good with charcoal or wood is a skill, not a bug.

anderson.piper5d ago

Oh man, I totally get this. I learned on a beat up old kettle too and it forced me to actually pay attention to the fire. It's like driving stick shift versus automatic. Sure, the machine is easier, but you never really learn how the engine works. Once you get the feel for managing the vents and your coal bed, it becomes second nature. That control is part of the fun for me.

vera_robinson365d ago

Oh man, this reminds me of my buddy's first brisket attempt. He borrowed his dad's old offset smoker and was so proud of keeping a steady temp for hours just by watching the fire and adjusting the logs... said it was the most focused he'd been in years. Then his wife bought him a fancy pellet grill for his birthday. He uses it sometimes for convenience, but he still says the meat from that first long, hands-on cook was his best ever. There's just something about putting in the work that makes the result better.