Re:Has ArsTechnica and TechCrunch lost its way
by giardini on Thursday March 20, 2025 @11:44AM
(#43424837)
Let's have it then: what is great about your "pellet grill"?
Re:Has ArsTechnica and TechCrunch lost its way
by iwanttocomment on Friday March 21, 2025 @10:36AM
(#43436249)
The computer-controlled pellet loading mechanism provides great smokey, BBQ flavor without the need to continually monitor temperature in person. This allows for long cooks - say, 14 hours with a brisket - without the need to continually check in or be present at the grill. It also provides wifi notifications when the grill is up to temp and when the meat is up to temp. Delicious results with substantially less work than conventional grills.
Re:Has ArsTechnica and TechCrunch lost its way
by giardini on Friday March 21, 2025 @11:02AM
(#43436528)
Thank you, your report is eye-opening, for I have never cooked anything requiring more than 3 hours (other than yogurt - boiled milk, cooled, yogurt added and then left in the oven overnight).
How about safety? grilling/smoking usually requires someone be nearby in case something goes wrong.
For a hot tasty brisket that was cooked 14 hours I go to a BBQ joint. Perhaps the BBQ joint uses a pellet grill (or will soon)!
Re:Has ArsTechnica and TechCrunch lost its way
by iwanttocomment on Saturday March 22, 2025 @02:47PM
(#43447710)
They're generally considered to be safe unattended for 3-6 hours for a low-heat (ie, 200-250F) cook if they're clean, well-maintained and away from other flammable things, in the same way that a Crock Pot or low-temp oven cook might also be left alone for extended periods. For a high-heat "grill" (375-550F), I would absolutely remain present to prevent burning or a grease fire. They can be used both ways.
A high quality BBQ joint may have trained staff feeding their BBQs post-oak and checking in throughout the day for top-notch BBQ - and you'll pay for that attention. But can you get an A-/B+ brisket out of a pellet smoker in your back yard? Absolutely.
Honestly, the most important new practical technological development of the past 5 years has been my damn pellet grill.