Are you unable to get the smoky spike in your grilled good over a pellet grill? Don’t worry. It’s a common observation that barbecued food on a pellet grill doesn’t taste as smoky as one grilled over a charcoal or gas grill. We are here to solve your problem with one simple solution.
Using a smoke tube while barbecuing food in a pellet grill gives your food the desired smoky flavor. Now you enjoy the convenience of a pellet grill without compromising the flavors. And that too without spending a lot. The smoke tube doesn’t even require refueling again and again as the perforated metal chamber is filled with wood chips that give long-lasting fuel. Sounds interesting, right?
Using a smoke tube may sound intimidating. If you are new to using it, this article will thoroughly explain how to use a smoke tube. To get more smoke from your pellet grill read the article.
How to Use Smoke Tube in a Pellet Grill
Take a clean and dry smoke tube and fill it with the wood pellets. Place it horizontally on the grill and allow it to burn for 15-20 minutes. Keep changing the sides in between. Once the wood pellet burns completely, blow away the fire. The wood pellets produce continuous smoke. Place it alongside your food on the grill to obtain a smoky flavor.
A step-by-step guide to using a Smoke Tube
Using a smoke tube is easy and simple. You can prepare it side by side while preheating your grill. It doesn’t require any fancy equipment and you can ignite it on the side burners of your pellet grill station. Following the steps will assist you in using a smoke tube on a pellet grill.
- Clean any residuals and dry the smoke tube.
- Fill the smoke tube with the wood pellets of your choice.
- Ignite the wood pellets. The best practice is to place the smoke tube on the grill grates and burn the wood pellets from one side. Do it on a medium-high flame for 9-10 minutes with the lid closed until the wood pellets start giving a good smoke. Roll over the side using a tong and let it burn for another 5-7 minutes to burn the wood pellets uniformly.
- The other method is to put the smoke tube on the grill and fan it so the wood pellets get uniform combustion.
- Once your wood pellets catch fire, let them burn for 15 minutes to ensure they stay lit while grilling food.
- After 15 minutes, blow away the flames. Smoke will start coming out of the smoke tube and fill the grilling chamber.
- Place the food alongside the smoke tube on the grill to boost the smoky flavor in your food on the pellet grill.
The Dos and Don’ts of Using Smoke Tube in a Pellet Grill
Now that you know how to use a smoke tube in a pellet grill, it’s compulsory to learn the basic dos and don’ts. These basic precautions will let you have perfectly smoked grilled food without causing damage to the smoke tube or your pellet grill.
- Always clean away the wood pellets or charcoal pellets from the smoke tube after use.
- Wash the smoke tube and dry it.
- Maintain adequate airflow in the grilling chamber while burning the wood pellets.
- Always maintain the airflow through the smoke tube while grilling to ensure you get constant cold smoke.
- After grilling, leave the smoke tube to cool down entirely before emptying and cleaning.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use a smoke tube on a pellet grill, and it should be placed vertically or horizontally?
Yes. You should use a smoke tube on a pellet grill to give a smoky boost to your food. It should always be placed horizontally. It increases the surface area, and more wood pellets are exposed to the fire. It speeds up the lighting process.
Why are my pellets not smoking?
Pellets require a continuous air flow for smoking efficiently. If your pellets aren’t smoking properly clean up your pellet grill.
What is the best temperature to smoke on a pellet grill?
230-250 degrees Fahrenheit is the best temperature to get the most smoke from the pellet grill.
Are wood pellets worth it?
Yes. They are absolutely worth using. Wood pellets are cheap and build dense smoke. Flavored wood pellets add a distinct flavorful aroma to your grilled food.
What are the best flavors of wood pellets for pellet grills?
The best flavors of pellets include apple and hickory. These are classic BBQ woods and go nicely with every type of meat. These wood pellets also give the most smoke flavor. Other choices include maple and cherry.
Conclusion
A smoke tube is a convenient and cheap accessory to elevate the smokiness of your grilled food in a pellet grill. It is effortless to use and does not consume much of your time. You can use the smoke tube on a pellet grill by filling it with wood pellets, burning them for about 20 minutes, blowing away the fire, and then using the smoke to add flavor. It is crucial to maintain airflow on the grill to obtain good smoke. Wood pellets are worth a try as they give excellent smoke, come in various flavors, and add special aroma and flavor to the food.