Pellet Grills: Sophisticated, Energy-Efficient, and Easy to UseBy JHCadmin, June 28, 2010 You’ve heard of charcoal and gas grills – but how about pellet grills? Pellet grills from Traeger have garnered a cult following because they’re so easy to cook on and they use energy-efficient food-grade wood pellets.How Traeger Grills WorkTraeger grills use small, food-grade pellets made from 100% hardwood sawdust (these are NOT the same kind of pellets used in a stove that heats your home). Pellets come in flavors such as hickory, cherry, and mesquite. You simply load the pellets into the pellet hopper, select the desired temperature and turn on the grill. The grill ignites with a standard 110 VAC household electric current. The igniter rod (a small heating element) activates and the auger (a corkscrew-like rod) feeds pellets into the firepot. [When the igniter rod is active, during the first four minutes, the grill operates on 300 watts. After that, it drops down to 50 watts per hour, less than a standard light bulb.]Traeger grills are unique in that once they’re heated up, you place your food in and let the grill do the work – you don’t have to babysit your grill. No flare-ups, no hot spots, and no unevenly cooked foods.That’s because these grills are manufactured with sophisticated microprocessor circuitry that regulates the heat and smoke by stopping and starting the auger motor. The auger precisely controls the dispense rate for the pellets, keeping the temperature just right.A fan evenly distributes the heat and the smoke. As the hot, smoky air circulates around the cooking chamber, it surrounds your food with heat, cooking it evenly on all sides, both top and bottom. In most cases, you don't even need to turn food unless you are cooking at a high temperature or want grill marks on both sides of the meat.Grill, Smoke, or Bake This heat distribution system makes for a versatile grill that allows you to do everything from smoking ribs or a brisket to grilling burgers and salmon. It also functions as a wood-fired convection oven – you can bake pizza, breads, biscuits and cookies – right on the grill.Stop by one of Rich’s five Puget Sound showrooms – in Silverdale, Tacoma, Southcenter, Bellevue, or Lynnwood – to see our line of Traeger Grills. Be sure to ask about the most popular model, the Lil’ Tex BBQ070 (pictured at top).Recent Articles See All Fire Dining Tables: Warmth and Ambiance Year-Round Decorating Your Outdoor RoomFire PitsOutdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:November 1, 2023 It’s a great time of year to enjoy a delicious meal al fresco around a fire dining table. These tables feature a built-in fire pit in the center, which provides both warmth and ambiance. Read More 5 Advantages of Kamado Joe Grills Grills Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:October 1, 2023 5 advantages kamado-style grills have over conventional charcoal grills, PLUS two of our favorites from Kamado Joe: Classic Joe III and Big Joe III. Read More Infrared Saunas: Relax at Home from the Inside Out Saunas Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:September 1, 2023 Eight benefits of relaxing in an infrared sauna, plus our favorite saunas by Health Mate: the Enrich, Inspire, and Essential series. Read More Outdoor Lanterns Add Dramatic Elegance: Tempest Torch and Tempest Lantern Tempest Torch Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:August 1, 2023 Gas lamps dramatic elegance to outdoor spaces. Learn about Tempest Torches and Tempest Lanterns. Read More 5 Trends in Luxury Outdoor Furnishings for 2023 Outdoor Furniture Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:July 1, 2023 Create a stylish, comfortable, multi-functional outdoor oasis that you’ll love spending time in. Read More Complete Fire Pits by Fire Garden: Big, Bold, Beautiful Flames Fire Pits Author:Rich's For The Home Posted:June 1, 2023 Dreaming of a fully-assembled, weatherproof fire pit that provides cozy warmth year-round? Check out Complete Fire Pits, a new line of fire pits manufactured locally by our friends at Travis Industries. Read More