Anybody smokin' today???

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dennishoddy

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Doing it on a pellet grill?
Reason I ask is that we just bought a pellet grill, and I'm learning how to cook on it. Tried steaks tonight for the first time. Wife likes hers well done and mine medium rare.
It was a challenge getting the timing right to get both finished at the same time.
 

dennishoddy

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traeger here as well. You have me on the Savanna Stoker PID. What's that? We have noticed we don't get much smoke when trying to smoke something. It comes out roasted basically.
 

vooduchikn

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traeger here as well. You have me on the Savanna Stoker PID. What's that? We have noticed we don't get much smoke when trying to smoke something. It comes out roasted basically.

Savanna Stoker replaces your stock temperature controller. The stock unit uses a time algorithm hoping to hit the temps you want. The Stoker unit uses a PID and makes adjustments as necessary. You can also set the actual desired temp.

I like to make beef jerky. Couldn't do it on stock controller. Savanna holds my target of 176 degrees all day for that.

https://www.savannahstoker.com/products/savannah-stoker-pellet-grill-control-system


Easy install too!


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dennishoddy

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Savanna Stoker replaces your stock temperature controller. The stock unit uses a time algorithm hoping to hit the temps you want. The Stoker unit uses a PID and makes adjustments as necessary. You can also set the actual desired temp.

I like to make beef jerky. Couldn't do it on stock controller. Savanna holds my target of 176 degrees all day for that.

https://www.savannahstoker.com/products/savannah-stoker-pellet-grill-control-system


Easy install too!


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I'll check that out. The PID makes sense now. I spent my time in the workforce using PID in temp controllers and other types of control. Tried Jerky once, and it didn't do well even though our unit has a 160 degree setting.
There is a cheap fix for the Traeger temperature swings that folks complain about. Its an empty toilet paper roll. Put it between the thermocouple and the wall where it sits next to, and the temp swings almost go away. Provides a little insulation buffer. Goes from 30 degree swings to 10 degree.
 

vooduchikn

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I'll check that out. The PID makes sense now. I spent my time in the workforce using PID in temp controllers and other types of control. Tried Jerky once, and it didn't do well even though our unit has a 160 degree setting.
There is a cheap fix for the Traeger temperature swings that folks complain about. Its an empty toilet paper roll. Put it between the thermocouple and the wall where it sits next to, and the temp swings almost go away. Provides a little insulation buffer. Goes from 30 degree swings to 10 degree.

Get a Savannah and they are at 5 and your temp is selectable by the degree.

It seems to use less pellets as well which is a plus. Wind really plays on a pellet grill too as well as cold. They make a traeger blanket as well.

I was about to sell mine and then I went this route and love it now.


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dennishoddy

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Get a Savannah and they are at 5 and your temp is selectable by the degree.

It seems to use less pellets as well which is a plus. Wind really plays on a pellet grill too as well as cold. They make a traeger blanket as well.

I was about to sell mine and then I went this route and love it now.


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Yes, my Kenmore stainless propane has a double wall which really holds temps, but sadly, its burned out. The cost to replace the infra red grill, burners and grill plates is more than a new one. Single wall Traegers do get affected by wind, and cold. The toilet paper tube is a great cheap help, but not a solution.
 

vooduchikn

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Yes, my Kenmore stainless propane has a double wall which really holds temps, but sadly, its burned out. The cost to replace the infra red grill, burners and grill plates is more than a new one. Single wall Traegers do get affected by wind, and cold. The toilet paper tube is a great cheap help, but not a solution.

I dumped my gas grill and propane smoker after the savanna mod.


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donner

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Doing it on a pellet grill?
Reason I ask is that we just bought a pellet grill, and I'm learning how to cook on it. Tried steaks tonight for the first time. Wife likes hers well done and mine medium rare.
It was a challenge getting the timing right to get both finished at the same time.

how are you cooking them (high heat, indirect, etc)?

One thing i've found with the reverse sear (my preferred method) is that you can bring both up to 'temp' and then sear to desired doneness.

I believe it was meadhead from amazing ribs that said searing adds ~20°, so if you give your wife's a head start you should be able to time it such that each end up ~20° away from being your desired amount of 'done' at the same time. Then just sear them together over high high heat and you're good to go.
 

CHenry

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There is a cheap fix for the Traeger temperature swings that folks complain about. Its an empty toilet paper roll. Put it between the thermocouple and the wall where it sits next to, and the temp swings almost go away. Provides a little insulation buffer. Goes from 30 degree swings to 10 degree.
That's an interesting trick I hadn't heard of. I will try it. Also I added some 1" flat stove gasket material to the lid of my Treager to close off the air gap. I had to add a weight to the lid handle to pull it closed tight so I got a gal vinegar bottle and filled it with water and made a wire to hang it from the handle. Kinda redneck but it works lol.
 

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