A pellet grill is a type of electric grill that uses small, compressed wood pellets as fuel. Pellet grills are known for their ability to produce high-quality food and cook it evenly, which makes them ideal for cooking steaks.
Pellets are made from compressed sawdust or other materials such as corn cobs and peanut shells.
These fuels burn very hot and cleanly, producing little ash or soot which means less cleanup time after you’re done grilling! They also provide long-lasting heat without any flare-ups (which can happen with charcoal).
Cooking Steak on a Pellet Grill
You’ll want to choose a steak that is at least 1 inch thick, but no more than 2 inches thick. This will ensure that it cooks evenly and quickly on the grill, while still retaining its flavor and moisture.
If you have never cooked steak on a pellet grill before, there are some important things to keep in mind:
- Steak should be seasoned with salt and pepper before grilling. You can also add other seasonings if desired (such as garlic powder or onion powder). It’s best not to marinate your meat because this can make them tough when cooked over high heat for long periods of time.
- It’s important not to overcook your steak! The USDA recommends cooking steaks until they reach 145 degrees Fahrenheit internally; however I recommend taking them off at 130 degrees since they will continue cooking while resting off of the heat source.
- When removing from the grill always use tongs instead of knives so as not damage any part of it during handling
Grilling Times for Steak
- Rare: 1 to 2 minutes per side.
- Medium-Rare: 2 to 3 minutes per side.
- Medium: 3 to 4 minutes per side.
- Medium-Well: 4 to 5 minutes per side, depending on thickness and how you like your steak cooked (you can always cook it longer).
- Well Done: 5+ minutes per side, depending on thickness and how you like your steak cooked (you can always cook it longer).
Tips for Grilling Steak on a Pellet Grill
- Rest the steak. You should always let your steak rest before cutting it open to serve. This allows the juices to redistribute throughout the meat, making it more tender and flavorful.
- Cut against the grain of your meat. Most cuts of beef have a grain running through them that you can see if you look closely enough at its cross section; if you cut along this line when cooking, it will make for chewier results than cutting across it (which is called slicing).
- Add flavor before grilling by marinating or seasoning with salt and pepper or both!
Temperature Settings
There are three temperature settings on a pellet grill: low, medium and high.
The low setting is ideal for cooking meats that require long periods of time at low temperatures (like ribs or brisket).
The medium setting is perfect for steaks, burgers and other quick-cooking foods.
The high setting should be used only when you’re grilling something like a steak or chicken breast that needs to be cooked quickly over high heat before it dries out.
Choosing the Right Cut of Steak
There are many cuts of steak to choose from, but you should be aware that not all steaks are created equal.
The most tender and flavorful cuts come from the loin or rib section of the cow. If you’re looking for something less expensive, flank steak is also a great option.
If you want your steak cooked quickly and evenly, tenderloin is your best bet it has very little fat content and cooks quickly without drying out or burning on the grill.
Ribeye is another popular choice because it’s juicy with lots of flavor; however, this cut does require more time for cooking than others due to its thickness (about 1 inch).
Finally, strip steak has less fat than other cuts but still retains its tenderness after grilling a good balance between flavor and texture!
Preparing the Steak
- Seasoning
- Marinating
- Brining
Cooking the Steak
You can cook your steak on a pellet grill in two ways:
- Direct heat. This is the most common way to cook steaks on a pellet grill, and it’s also the easiest. You’ll want to use this method if you’re cooking a thick cut of meat or one that has been marinated for some time. Simply set up your grill for direct heat (see below), place your steak over the fire grate and close the lid. You’ll know when it’s ready when you see that beautiful charred crust form on top of each side of your steak!
- Indirect heat. This method involves placing your meat on an upper rack away from direct flames so that it cooks slowly without burning anything off its surface but don’t worry about losing any flavor because smoke still gets into those pores during this process! Just follow these steps: First off all preheat both burners at high temperature until they glow orange red then turn off one side completely while leaving other side on low setting; next place wood chips directly onto glowing coals before putting them into smoker box; finally take out grates completely so nothing gets stuck inside while cooking.
Serving the Steak
Once you’ve got your steak cooked to perfection, it’s time to serve. There are a few ways you can slice the meat:
- Slicing across the grain. This will create thin strips of beef that are easier to chew and digest than thick cuts.
- Cutting against the grain. This method produces thicker pieces of beef with less chewiness but more flavor because of their marbled fat content. It also makes for better presentation when serving at parties or family gatherings!
Conclusion
Pellet grills are a great option for those who want to cook a variety of foods, but don’t want to deal with the hassle of charcoal or propane.
They’re also easy to use and clean up after, making them perfect for beginners who are just getting started in the world of outdoor cooking.
