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Can a pellet grill sear a steak?
Updated
Some can. Most pellet grills cook with the fire hidden under a heat baffle and top out around 450 to 500°F. That is great for smoking and roasting, and weak for a crust. The picks that sear well either open the baffle for direct flame or run much hotter.
Temperature range by model
| Grill | Range, per the maker or listing | Direct flame? |
|---|---|---|
| recteq Bullseye RT-B380 | 200 to 749°F | Yes. recteq calls it open-flame grilling |
| Green Mountain Trek Prime 2.0 | 150 to 550°F | Not mentioned on the listing |
| Pit Boss 700FB2 | 180 to 500°F on the dial | Yes. The Flame Broiler lever slides open, and Pit Boss claims up to 1,000°F |
| Traeger Woodridge | 180 to 500°F | Not mentioned |
| Traeger Pro 22 | 180 to 450°F | No |
| Z Grills 7002C | 180 to 450°F | Not mentioned on the listing |
- recteq Bullseye749 °F
- Green Mountain Trek Prime 2.0550 °F
- Pit Boss 700FB2 (dial)500 °F
- Traeger Woodridge500 °F
- Traeger Pro 22450 °F
- Z Grills 7002C450 °F
The 1,000°F figure for the Pit Boss is a maker claim for the flame zone, not a dial setting, so it is left off the chart.
The two that sear
- Pit Boss 700FB2. Smoke low with the plate closed, then slide the Flame Broiler open for direct flame. The caveat: hot cooking empties a hopper fast, and some owners already call the 21 lb hopper small.
- recteq Bullseye RT-B380. Built for high heat, with a range up to 749°F per recteq. One owner reports about 750 degrees. The caveat: the review summary is split, with reports of 100 degree temperature swings and fire burning back up the auger.
Searing on a 450 to 500°F grill
- Reverse sear. Smoke the steak low until it is close to done, then finish it on a very hot pan or burner.
- Cast iron on the grate. Preheat a cast iron pan or griddle on the grill at the top setting. The metal gives a better crust than the grate alone.
- Let it heat up. Give the grill a full preheat with the lid closed before you put the food on.
Hot cooking burns pellets fast, about 2.2 lb an hour by Z Grills' figures, so check the hopper first. See the hopper page.
Food safety still applies
USDA lists 145°F with a 3 minute rest for beef, pork, veal and lamb steaks, chops and roasts, and 160°F for ground meat. A burger needs a thermometer, not just a good crust. Full list on the temperature page.
Check your own grill and food with the what fits calculator, or see all six picks on the best pellet grills page.
Before you light it
- Outdoors only. NFPA says to place the grill well away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Kid-free zone. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the grill.
- Stay with it. NFPA says never leave a grill unattended while it is in use. An app is not a substitute for being nearby.
- Clean out grease. Remove grease and fat buildup from the grates and the trays below.
- Use a food thermometer. Cook to USDA safe minimum internal temperatures. See the temperature page.