Pellet grills have become a much more popular option for outdoor cooking than gas grills, and there are many reasons for that. One main reason has to do with temperature control, a key factor for cooking perfect meals.
If you’re looking into owning a pellet grill, you may be wondering a few things about it, like how long it takes to heat up and how it even works. The answers are simple, and we’re here to go over everything you need to know.
How It Works
Pellet grills work by electricity, which makes them better to control compared to gas grills. Pellets are offered for each specific grill brand and come in various flavors to choose from.
To heat a pellet grill, pellets are poured into a storage container, also known as a hopper. These pellets are slowly fed from the hopper into the cooking chamber, igniting and creating the smoke and heat necessary for cooking.
Pellet grills work by convection heating, where heat is indirectly cooking your food. To cook with a pellet grill, the heat must be trapped within the cooking chamber. This is why pellet grills must be closed during the entire cooking process.
Preheating Your Pellet Grill
So, how long does it take for pellet grills to heat up?
This answer varies slightly on the brand, the grill’s size, and the designated cooking temperature; however, it generally takes about 10-15 minutes on average.Â
Pellet grills are fairly quick when it comes to preheating. In fact, pellet grills take about the same amount of time it takes to preheat a regular gas grill. Most pellet grills come with a way to regulate the designated heating temperature, giving you a better idea of how long it takes to preheat.
If you’re preheating your pellet grill to cook your food at a higher temperature, it will naturally take a bit longer than if you were to set it for a lower or more average temperature. Even when you preheat a pellet grill to temperatures above 400 degrees, it will only add a few minutes to the average preheating time.
The grill size is another important factor when it comes to how long it takes to preheat a pellet grill. Larger grills are going to take longer to preheat than smaller grills. Pellet grills hold in heat very well, so as long as you keep the cooking chamber closed, they will always work efficiently.
If you’re looking for a pellet grill that heats up a bit faster than the average heating time, a smaller grill may be a better choice for you.
If you tend to cook for only a few people at a time, owning a smaller pellet grill will be more convenient. Since the entire cooking chamber needs to reach the designated temperature for you to begin cooking, you won’t want to waste any pellets or time heating larger areas that aren’t going to be used.
Knowing the brand of the grill is also important for understanding the preheat time. Certain brands may put more or less into their materials, and the overall grill functions, changing the rates significantly. Good pellet grills consist of metals that hold heat very well, and other cheaper grills may not do this as efficiently.
Regardless of what pellet grill you buy, the time it takes to preheat your grill will usually always be within the same average time span.
Further Reading: How Many Pellets Do Pellet Grills Use?
This Pellet Grill Gets HOT!
- Pit Boss 440 Deluxe Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
- Premium Gauge Stainless Steel Construction
- Removable Side Shelf/Serving Tray
- Two large Wheels
- Digital Control Board w/ LED Readout
- Fan Forced Convection Cooking
- Direct and Indirect Heat
- Porcelain Coated Cooking Grates
- Hopper capacity: 5 LBS
- Cooking surface:  465 square inches
Tips And Tricks
If you want your pellet grill to preheat just as good as when you first buy it, there are a couple of things you will want to know.
The metals used in most grills are made for cooking and heat, not for prolonged exposure to outdoor weather. After you are finished using your pellet grill, you should always store it away from these elements to prevent damage to the grill. A damaged grill will not work and a grill that is properly cared for.
Another thing to note is that you should always let your pellet grill go through its specific cool down process after each use. These simple acts will help extend your pellet grill’s longevity and make preheating and cooking just as efficient as the first time.
Overall, when it comes to pellet grills, preheating is quick, easy, and reliable.
Further Reading: Camp Chef Pellets Review
Video: Preheating Your Pellet Grill
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