Pellet Management

zhuskers1

Member
Messages
6
I am strongly considering ordering a new 700. My last concern prior to ordering is pellet management. I like to change my wood/pellet based on what I am cooking. Change the type of wood based on then entree I am preparing. The 700 has no easy way to drain out the residual pellet supply from the Hopper.

I am sure that I am not the first with this concern. Would love to hear from veteran owners on how they manage this situation.

Thank in advance!
 
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Only put In what you think you need per cook plus 10% so you don't run out during the cook. I use a large sour cream container to scoop the remaining pellets out as necessary if I changing them which I found really don't make much of a difference in smoke flavor. The large sour cream containers also make great drip bucket liners.
 
Only put In what you think you need per cook plus 10% so you don't run out during the cook. I use a large sour cream container to scoop the remaining pellets out as necessary if I changing them which I found really don't make much of a difference in smoke flavor. The large sour cream containers also make great drip bucket liners.
This is excellent advice. This way is darn simple and minimal effort. My version has been a big plastic cup, slightly different tool with the same result.
 
I just put in about what I would use plus a little bit extra. I just use my hand to grab handfuls out down to the auger when I want to change out pellets. I’m not concerned about the pellets in the auger. I dump the pellets I want for the cook on top. It takes me about 2 minutes to change it out. I change it out all the time. Just make sure the 700 is not on or plugged in.
 
I agree with the no difference thinking. I just use a competition blend for everything.
For the longest time I thought there was something wrong with my ability, or lack thereof, to differentiate between different pellet woods. I have no problem detecting the smoke flavor, and I appreciate the difference in color of food that woods like cherry adds, but that’s about it for me.
 
I don't know that I can tell the difference in the pellets used. Just me. Others may be able. I started buying all hickory and haven't looked back. Too much trouble for me to worry about changing pellets
 
I don't know that I can tell the difference in the pellets used. Just me. Others may be able. I started buying all hickory and haven't looked back. Too much trouble for me to worry about changing pellets
You're not alone, I can't tell a difference either.
 
Take whomever you care for the most when it comes to the flavor of the finished dish. In my case its the wife, now cook something with different wood and see is they can tell or cares about the difference. If so continue down this road, if not think about something else to chase as this one is closed. And for the record my wife can deconstruct most things she eats and tell you all the spices that were used to make it. She has a fit if the smoke is to heavy (i love heavy smoke personally). Outside of that she doesnt care, so light smoke it is. The only time i change pellets is when im trying a new brand.
 
I bought a DeWalt battery powered shop vac specifically to suck the ashes out of the fire pot. It’s very convenient. I empty the ashes and use it to pull unused pellets out of the hopper if need be, like if I plan to be away for a while and don’t want the pellets to absorb moisture from the air. Dump the pellets back into the pellet bag/bucket. For those keeping score, I only used comp blend pellets in the hopper. I’ll put pecan in the smoke tube for color.
 
If I want a specific flavored pellet, I put them in a smoke tube.
We us Alder 100% of the time and add Flavor(s) with the Smoke Tube

5 gallon bucket from HD. Works great. I cut the label off of each variety I use and tape it on the bucket so I remember what is in there.
5 gal Buckets with different color (thread-on) Lids to ID the Pellets
 
This is an area Rec Teq may need to consider upping their game. A number of the newer designs have not only a dump for pellets but an easy way to clean the fire pot and a way to really sear meats. They are more money than the Rec Teq 700 but a lot heavier gauge metal too. Decisions decisions.....
 
I have been through the varieties and blends searching for my favorites. At the end of the day, pellet grilling is so light in smoke flavor I find it makes little difference. Hickory is bold enough to come through on most meats, so that's all I buy. Swapping pellets and storing a bunch of different blends just isn't what I am interested in.
Nailing time, temps, and measured practice makes a much bigger difference in quality of your food.
 
After much trial and error, I settled on standardizing my pellets to Lumber Jack 100% hickory. I have found that the different flavors really did not make much of a difference. It was so much easier just sticking with Hickory which goes with everything
 
Anyone have a good method to reduce the amount of pellet dust that goes into the hopper as you get to the bottom of the bag? Or should I not be too worried?
 

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