Pellet Smokers & Grills

What Is a Pellet Smoker? 

A pellet smoker is an outdoor cooking appliance that uses compressed wood pellets to both cook and flavour food. Often also called a pellet grill, standard models can smoke low and slow, while many can also roast, bake and grill. Their automated features and easy controls make them very popular with beginners.

Benefits of a Pellet Smoker

Experienced smoker or a beginner, the set-and-forget convenience of cooking with a pellet smoker in Australia is all thanks to:

• Automatic pellet feeding to keep the fire supplied.
• Digital temperature controls maintain steady heat throughout the cook.
• A much gentler learning curve for beginners.

Choosing the Right Pellet Smoker 

Space & Portability 

The best pellet smoker in Australia for you isn’t always the biggest. Compact models still give smaller households around 4.5 to 9 kg of cooking capacity, while 14 kg or more leaves room for several cuts at once.

Budget Tiers

While premium pellet smokers have top-tier heat retention and rack space, they’re not essential. Entry-level smokers give you all the basics, while a mid-range model steps it up with more cooking room, Wi-Fi controls, probes and a sturdier frame.

Hopper Size & Pellet Consumption 

The bigger the hopper size, the fewer refills. Burning through around 0.45 to 1.5 kg of pellets per hour, a 4 kg hopper will be plenty for shorter sessions, while an 8 kg hopper means fewer refills for briskets or overnight cooks.

Pellet Selection & Storage

Different smoker pellets will give you both different flavours and cooking experiences. For example, 100% hardwood pellets have a more distinct wood profile, while blends offer a more balanced, consistent burn.

Whichever pellets you choose, just keep them dry. Always store opened bags in an airtight container away from rain, humidity and bare concrete. This avoids any issues with crumbling, swelling or blocked feed systems.

Other Smoker Types to Explore

There are so many types of smokers to choose from. Speak with our team at The BBQ Store for help finding your match.

Charcoal Smokers 

For a traditional flavour and more hands-on cooking experience, charcoal smokers fit the bill. 

Electric Smokers 

An electric smoker gives you simple controls and set-and-forget convenience with a different smoke profile.

Gas Smokers 

Get faster heat with easy temperature changes with a gas smoker. 

Offset Smokers 

Offset smokers may deliver more authentic smoke flavour, but do need more fire management.

Cold Smokers 

Use a cold smoker to give cheese, fish and other foods a smoky flavour.

Shop Pellet Smokers Online Today 

Get all the help you need shopping for a pellet smoker with The BBQ Store. Our team can help you compare models, choose wood flavours, learn the basics and get the essential smoker accessories you can’t do without. Explore our pellet grills online or contact us for helpful expert advice on getting set up for your first cook.

FAQ's

Are pellet smokers hard to use?

Not at all. Digital controls on pellet smokers automatically manage the temperature, making them great for beginners, so you can just load the hopper, set the temperature and start cooking.

How long does a bag of pellets last?

A standard 9 kg bag of pellets lasts around 9 to 20 hours, depending on the smoker, cooking temperature and weather. You’ll go through around one full bag for an eight-hour low-and-slow cook.

Can you use pellet smokers in winter?

Yes, pellet smokers can be used in cold weather, although they may burn more pellets to maintain the temperature. Using an approved insulated blanket can help retain heat.

What's the difference between a pellet smoker and a pellet grill?

There’s actually little difference. Pellet grills are preferred for higher-temperature grilling, while pellet models focus on low-and-slow, but many models do both.

Do I need electricity?

Yes, pellet smokers rely on a power outlet to run the pellet auger, automatic igniter, digital controller and internal fan.

How do I clean a pellet smoker?

Once the smoker is cold and unplugged, empty the ash from the firepot, clean the grates and empty grease from the drip system.