Best Pellet Smoker for Grilling Steaks

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Sometime around 2014, I wanted to improve my smoking and grilling skills and particularly grilling steaks. At that time I owned a basic propane grill and a slightly damaged electric smoker. What I needed was some BBQ training so I searched around online and discovered a half-day Grilling School in Phoenix not too far away. Not only did I learn some great smoking and grilling techniques, but I was also introduced to wood pellet smokers. I’d never heard of them before. Today, I own a pellet grill and a vertical smoker and use them for all kinds of meats. I’ve cooked steaks in both and really enjoy the results. But I will say this: the pellet grill is only part of the equation. There’s a lot more that goes into making great steaks than what grill you use.

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In my opinion, there is no universally “best” pellet smoker for grilling steaks or any meat for that matter. There are lots of really good makes and models out there with various bells, whistles, and blinking lights that will do a great job for any backyard BBQ fan. As far as the smoker grill itself, do your research, read reviews, ask questions, and pick out the unit with the right features at a price you’re comfortable with. There are new models rolling out all the time. The only thing I’ll add to that is to not let $20-$50 keep you from getting the pellet grill you really want. Think of this as an investment in your quality of life.

How To Grill Great Steaks

  • Be picky about what cut of meat you grill. My favorite is ribeye and t-bone, but I’ve grilled up some very tasty chuck eye steaks as well. Get well-marbled quality meat to start with and you’re halfway to an amazing steak experience.
  • Be deliberate about what seasonings and rubs you use. Don’t just pick them out because of the label. Use the seasonings you like and experiment to find new ones.
  • Allow your pellet grill to get to the desired temperature and let it stay there for a few minutes. Don’t get impatient like I have and end up undercooking the meat because the grill wasn’t ready.
  • You may need to experiment with the timing and temperature of your specific grill because they’re all a little different. For me and my Pit Boss Austin XL, I set the temperature to 450, let it get there and hold steady, then I put my seasoned steaks (about 1 inch thick) on the center of the grill, close the lid, and let it go 4-5 minutes per side. I keep the slider plate closed – no direct flame. This will yield a medium-rare to medium steak.
  • When the steaks come off the grill, let them rest for at least 3-5 minutes to let the meat relax before cutting into them. If you don’t, the juices will flow out, leaving the steak dry.
  • More recently, I’ve experimented with seasoned garlic butter. Add a little of that to the top of your steak while it’s resting. Yum!

Traeger Timberline 1300 Wi-Fi Controlled Wood Pellet Grill – TFB01WLE

Can You Sear A Steak on a Pellet Grill?

The short answer here is yes you can. Some will do it with a cast iron skillet and others will use a pellet grill with a sear box or a slider plate to allow for direct flame cooking. My Pit Boss Austin XL has this feature. Get your grill up to high temps and grill away, just don’t overcook your meat.

What Temperature Do You Cook A Steak on a Pellet Grill?

Every pellet grill is different, but I’ve had great success grilling at 450 on my Austin XL, with Pit Boss Competition Blend wood pellets, for about 4-5 minutes per side. Again, I recommend that you practice with your grill. You’ll go through some meat doing it, but you need to learn the nuances of your grill and the wood pellets use. Some pellets burn hotter than others.

Pit Boss Pellet Grill Steaks

My first pellet smoker grill was a Traeger Lil’ Tex Elite. It was a great unit for me to start with. After about 4 years with it, I upgraded to a Pit Boss Austin XL. It was quite a step up, but the operation was pretty much the same. Today it’s my grill of choice and where I grill my steaks. Check out my steps to grilling a great steak above and you’ll see my personal magic formula.

Grilling steaks on a pellet smoker is part science, part art, and part preference. Be willing to experiment. Don’t expect a cheap cut of lean meat to be as tasty as a thick well-marbled ribeye because it won’t be, no matter how much you spent on your grill. But cheap cuts like chuck eye steaks are great to practice with. You can fine-tune your time and temperature formulas that way. Practice and learn how your grill cooks. Find any hot and cold spots on your grill. Try different pellets because some are smokier than others. Some burn hotter than others. Some are real hardwoods and some are fillers and artificially flavored with oils.

With practice and patience, you’ll develop a good working relationship with your pellet grill. Let that partnership make you the dynamic grilling duo people request for their BBQ!

Looking for more helpful grilling and meat smoking info? Follow the links below:

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