Do Traeger Pellet Grills Use Propane Or Gas?

Do Traeger Pellet Grills Use Propane Or Gas

Traegers manufacture pellet grills that turn ordinary food into heavenly smoked goodness.

Simply put some food on the smoker, close the lid, and wait a few hours before enjoying fall off the bone smoked meat.

But this made me wonder, how do Traeger pellet grills work? Do Traegers use propane or gas?

Traeger pellet grills do not use propane or gas. Instead, pellet grills use wood pellets and electricity to create heat and smoke in order to cook and smoke food. Traeger pellet grills are powered with electricity so that the auger can feed pellets into the fire which is started by an electric hot rod.

Let’s go over how a pellet grill works so we can understand why they do not use propane or gas.

How Pellet Grills Work

Traegers are a brand of pellet grill so they use pellets instead of propane or gas to generate heat and smoke.

In fact, all pellet grills use wood pellets as the fuel that get slowly fed into the fire pot. In the firepot, the pellets get burned which creates both heat and smoke.

The consistent heat and smoke is what makes pellet grills so special since you can set a temperature, such as 225°F, without having to maintain the fire. Here is an image of how the Traeger pellet grill works:

source

Read this article to learn more about how pellet grills work and how to get the most out of your pellet grill.

How To Use Pellet Grills

Pellet grills are as simple to use as cooking on a regular propane grill. Unlike charcoal or wood fire smokers, close maintenance is not needed to keep the fire and smoke going.

Here’s how to use a Traeger pellet grill:

  1. Plug the Traeger into an electrical outlet
  2. Fill the hopper with wood pellets
  3. Turn the Traeger onto the “smoke” setting which will ignite pellets in the fire pot
  4. Wait until the Traeger produces smoke and starts rising in temperature
  5. Set the Traeger to the desired cooking temperature
  6. Place food onto grill
  7. Sit back and enjoy
Smoking Chuck Roast In Traeger On Covered Porch

Traeger pellet grills make smoking as easy as cooking something on a propane grill. The only difference is that smoking takes a few hours instead of a few minutes.

However, smoking can transform a thick cut of meat into a juicy, fall of the bone cut that has a crispy bark on the outside. It really does take all of the hard work out of smoking.

Do Pellet Grills Use Propane?

Pellet grills require electricity and wood pellets in order to create heat and smoke. So pellet grills do not require or use propane in order to cook food.

A pellet grill needs electricity in order to turn on the auger that feeds wood pellets into the firepot. The firepot is started by an electrical heating rod that ignites the pellets. So without electricity, a pellet grill would be unable to ignite the wood pellets or feed them into the firepot. Moreover, pellet grills use an induction fan to blow the heat and smoke throughout the cooking chamber.

Can Traeger Pellet Grills Be Used In The Rain?

A common question that gets asks about pellet grills is if they can be used in the rain. After all, pellet grills need electricity to run so that means it is a little trickier to use in the rain versus charcoal or propane.

So can electrical pellet grills be used in the rain?

Most pellet grills, including Traegers, can be used in the rain. However, the pellets, electrical connection, and any electrical controllers should be covered as much as possible. Rain can cause damage to exposed electrical connections or circuits so it is not recommended to use a pellet grill in heavy rain. Keep in mind any rain or water will cause rust to accelerate so any exposed, unpainted metal will be at risk for rust.

Read this guide for more information and tips on how to safely use a pellet grill in the rain.

Can Traegers Be Used Under Covered Porches Or Decks?

Another common question with smokers is if they can be used underneath a covered porch or deck. After all, people can use regular grills underneath covered porches and decks as long as there is good air circulation.

o can pellet grills be used under covered porches, patios, or decks?

Pellet grills and smokers can be used under covered porches, patios, or decks. However, there needs to be sufficient air flow to blow the smoke out of the covered enclosure. For example, a covered porch or patio should have windows or gaps that allow the smoke to blow out. Pellet grills, smokers, or any grills should not be used in enclosed spaces or areas with poor air flow.

Read this guide for more information and tips on how to safely use a pellet grill underneath a covered porch, patio, or deck.

Final Thoughts

Traeger pellet grills do not need gas or propane but do need wood pellets to work. Thankfully wood pellets can be found at most grocery stores and supermarkets.

Most 20 lb bags of wood pellets will last anywhere from 8 to 24 hours of smoking depending on how fast the pellet grill consumes the pellets.

Traeger pellet grills are a convenient way to smoke meat with little fuss so get out there and start smoking some delicious food!

Steven

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