Can You Cook Burgers on a Pellet Grill?

Since 1986, and most often in recent years, the pellet grill has become more and more popular. People love the easiness of grilling up a burger that doesn’t require quite the hassle of a regular grill—which makes grilling hamburgers on a pellet grill so great.

Pellet grills can be used to cook hamburgers, hotdogs, salmon, pork, and almost anything in between. Pellet grills cook food evenly and thoroughly without the use of much smoke. Pellet grills function similar to convection ovens and can be used to cook any family dinner.

Now that you know for sure that you can grill up a good burger using your pellet grill, try out this recipe from Traeger for CHORIZO CHEESE STUFFED BURGERS

Next, let’s go over how this kind of grilling is possible and the kinds of foods we can grill.

How a Pellet Grill Works

A pellet grill is actually not very confusing in its function. It burns wooden pellets that can be bought at any farm or feed store, or even the local grocery store. These pellets are put into a container within the grill, called the hopper. Inside, an auger rotates similarly to a large screw and pushes the wood pellets into the electricity-powered firepot. There, the pellets are burned to produce heat and minimal smoke. In the firepot is a rod that is heated and used to ignite the wood pellets.

Learn more: How Do Pellet Grills Work? And The Benefits Of Using One

The amount of pellets burned helps to control the temperature at all times, keeping it constant and capable of cooking very evenly. Pellet grills are also great because the heat is dispersed throughout the entire grill, which allows the food to be cooked evenly. (Source)

A pellet grill will use about half a pound of pellets—if you have it on a lower setting or on a smoke setting—in about 30 minutes. At higher temperatures, this will obviously increase, using closer to 2 to 2.5 pounds when cooking on high for an hour.

Another great thing about pellet grills is their ability to use different types of wood pellets for different flavors. Here is a list of different wood pellets that create great smoking and specialty flavors for your meat:

• Applewood Wood Pellets
• Cherry Wood Pellets
• Hickory Wood Pellets
• Maple Wood Pellets
• Mesquite Wood Pellets
• Oak Wood Pellets
• Alder Wood Pellets
• Pecan Wood Pellets
• Apriocot Wood Pellets
• Ash Wood Pellets
• Chesnut Wood Pellets
• Grapevine Wood Pellets
• Mulberry Wood Pellets
• Walnut Wood Pellets
• Cedar Wood Pellets

Plus so, so many more! You can also find different pellets that are blends of many flavors. Trying different ones will allow you to slightly change the taste of your meat. Some of the most popular wood pellet flavors are mesquite, hickory, and apple. Now, not only are you cooking burgers, but you are cooking burgers that have a new and tasty flavor to them.

Recipes for Great Grilling

You have the garden-fresh lettuce and tomatoes sliced and ready to go. With your ketchup and mustard in hand, you lather the sesame seed bun and get it ready for the thick, juicy, and flavorful burger topped with pepper jack cheese and a healthy dose of salt and pepper. That is grilling at its prime! The meat is cooked just the way you like it, in just the time you predicted.

So, how do you grill up the perfect burger?

• Preheat the grill to 400°F.
• Place your burger patties on the grill while it is preheating to warm them up.
• Once the meat is warm, season it to your liking, and then add an indent into the center of the patty. (This will help it cook evenly.)
• Oil the grill grate to prevent sticking.
• Once the grill is heated up to 400°F, add the patties and cook for 2-5 minutes, flipping over halfway through.
• Take the patty off of the grill and place it onto a prepared bun.
• Add cheese (if you’d like) and enjoy!
• Source

Grilling up hamburger patties on a pellet grill will be a great experience every time. No matter which wood pellet you choose, your burgers will be unique and perfectly cooked.

Watch the video below to see how Smoker Grill Girl uses her Pit Boss wood pellet smoker to grill up some tasty burgers.

Related: Pellet Grill vs. Gas Grill – How To Pick Which One You Should Get?

Just like we talked about above, there are so many things you can cook on the grill. Any meat you could imagine will cook almost perfectly on a pellet grill. There are recipes beyond imagining. So yes, cook your burgers on the pellet grill, but also cook your fish and your vegetables and everything in between.

Another great way to add phenomenal taste to your meat is to marinate it before it even hits the grill. Typically, the night before is when you should begin marinating your meat. This will allow for the evenly cooked pellet grilled meat to be soft and tender, as well as flavorful. There are great marinade recipes, like Chili Lime, or Smoked Paprika. Each of which will add lots of value and flavor to your meal.

Here is a list of great things you can grill on a pellet grill, but really the possibilities are endless!

• Hamburgers (of course!)
• Beef
• Ribs
• BBQ Brisket
• Tri-Tip
• Strip or Flank Steak
• Poultry
• Chicken Legs
• A Whole Thanksgiving Turkey!
• Chicken Wings
• Salmon
• Grilled Veggie Kabobs

You can also add a cast-iron pan right on top of your grill so you can sear with your pellet grill as well! Maybe you want that smoking taste that you just can’t find on the stovetop or in the oven. Well, the pellet grill is the place for you to find it and to cook like you never have before.

In the end, you will find that your grill can be used for all the cooking needs you may have. Because of how a pellet grill operates, you will find that almost anything can be cooked perfectly because of its even temperature and added flavor through pellets. Pellet grills are a great combination of ovens and grills, making them perfect for all food.