Help! Am I a Dumb ass?

[vegasandre]

Hi .
ultra Newbie here. Just bought a 780 at HD this weekend
this is my first smoker/pellet grill.
Here is what went down tonight on my first use:
I followed the seasoning instructions yesterday .
Today I decided to go easy and just put on a Costco pre seasoned Santa Maria tri tip for my first try just to get the kinks worked out
Used the Traegar signature pellets.
Followed cooking instruction from the Traegar site for "smokey Tri Tip" 230 ish degrees wait till it 130-140 inside then turn to 500 and sear each side for several minutes etc...

I like stuff ultra smoky - I like to smell smoke 2 blocks away- if you know what I mean...
so anyway it seemed like it was cooking fine. my wifi was going in and out but-- I need a wifi extender..no big deal.
I was out back anyway watching it. and first thing I noticed is :
where is the smoke?
I was expecting smoky smell to be oozing all over the street but I couldn't really smell much at all till I got right next to it and then it was still faint.

No wuhan here either...so the nose is smelling fine..

-so I am like OK..maybe all the smoke is in the grill.. lets check this end result. The temp sensor was working well.

the end result: I made one on the stove top grill last week for Mom in law and that one came out better than this one..

I probably screwed up something.. or I am retarded?
Also wife like stuff medium whatever and I like it burnt- so that is a problem in itself.
take it out- cut it in half and then put my side back on for another hour while her side is cold AF?
I have no clue

any help would be appreciated
thanks.

 

[Timmy]

First off here is some light reading, you might get some insight here.
Thread 'READ FIRST ►TRAEGER FAQs & TECH INFO' https://www.traegerforum.com/threads/read-first-►traeger-faqs-tech-info.2145/

Secondly, use a 3rd party themometer to verify that the grill temp is correct. My 780 runs about 15 degrees low of set temp.

There is a learning curve to Traegers, when you get it figured out, you will be fixin all kinds of great delish foods.

This is my 780 in action.

 

[RemE]

Welcome aboard! There are some tricks to learn.

1 Smoke, the secret is for max smoke, cook below 225, I like 190F until the desired internal temp. You can add more smoke with a cheap smoke tube. Also, Mesquite, Oak, or Hickory pellets may smoke more.

2 Reverse Sear, many of us added 3rd party "GrillGrate" panels which give great grill marks on these lower temp pellet grills. Or use a gasser grill for this bit if you have one.

3 Temperature, unfortunately Traeger's are weak in this area. Most of us use 3rd party units like Fireboard to monitor the grill and the meat as the Traeger can be way off, resulting in undercooked food.

Like anything, there is a learning curve, but these do make great food!

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

Welcome aboard! There are some tricks to learn.

1 Smoke, the secret is for max smoke, cook below 225, I like 190F until the desired internal temp. You can add more smoke with a cheap smoke tube. Also, Mesquite, Oak, or Hickory pellets may smoke more.

2 Reverse Sear, many of us added 3rd party "GrillGrate" panels which give great grill marks on these lower temp pellet grills. Or use a gasser grill for this bit if you have one.

3 Temperature, unfortunately Traeger's are weak in this area. Most of us use 3rd party units like Fireboard to monitor the grill and the meat as the Traeger can be way off, resulting in undercooked food.

Like anything, there is a learning curve, but these do make great food!

100% on all points - I love the GrillGrate for searing and I use a smoke tube to add smoke, especially since SuperSmoke only works up to 225F. And at the higher temps it's a nice add-on to keep the smoking processing going.

Enjoy and good luck!

 

[vegasandre]

thank you for your replies. can someone point me in the right direction for a smoker tube and grill grate on amazon or similar. thanks

 

[GrillMeister]

thank you for your replies. can someone point me in the right direction for a smoker tube and grill grate on amazon or similar. thanks

https://www.amazon.com/Pellet-Smoker-Tube-Stainless-Generator/dp/B07JGVBKN3

BBQ Grill Grates - Replacement Grill Grates | GrillGrate

Replace your grill grates or simply add grill accessory to level up your skills. GrillGrates will make your grill better. Shop now.

www.grillgrate.com

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

This what I use...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZRR7XD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[John S.]

This what I use...

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B06ZZRR7XD/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I also use the Lizza, you can also add wood chips to the tube for that extra smoke flavor...

 

[vegasandre]

https://www.amazon.com/Pellet-Smoker-Tube-Stainless-Generator/dp/B07JGVBKN3

BBQ Grill Grates - Replacement Grill Grates | GrillGrate

Replace your grill grates or simply add grill accessory to level up your skills. GrillGrates will make your grill better. Shop now.

www.grillgrate.com

thank you.. seems easy enough on the smoking tube. What is the easiest way to light the tube- do you need a torch?

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

thank you.. seems easy enough on the smoking tube. What is the easiest way to light the tube- do you need a torch?

Yep - I picked up a set at Lowe's with a trigger pull. Once lit, I let it go for 5-10 minutes and then put it horizontally on the grill. I didn't even bother trying the little candle lighters as they don't have enough to get the pellets going.

 

[GrillMeister]

thank you.. seems easy enough on the smoking tube. What is the easiest way to light the tube- do you need a torch?

I use my MAPP torch. Works great.

 

[RemE]

thank you.. seems easy enough on the smoking tube. What is the easiest way to light the tube- do you need a torch?

Torch is easiest, even a small one.

 

[vegasandre]

thanks guys. Just ordered the smoking tube and torch from amazon (I hate Bezos but what are you going to do ?)
going to get a grill grate shortly. Will attempt my first brisket next week.. should be interesting

 

[RemE]

thanks guys. Just ordered the smoking tube and torch from amazon (I hate Bezos but what are you going to do ?)
going to get a grill grate shortly. Will attempt my first brisket next week.. should be interesting

Use the Matt Pitman "Weekday Brisket" method, it's forgiving (in terms of getting it done on time) and comes out awesome. The critical thing is accurate internal temp monitoring!

 

[vegasandre]

Use the Matt Pitman "Weekday Brisket" method, it's forgiving (in terms of getting it done on time) and comes out awesome. The critical thing is accurate internal temp monitoring!

thanks, I keep hearing about the inaccurate temp gauge incl. add 10-20 degrees.. Will try that method first, I was watching that exact you tube last night as I was in Traeger purgatory.