Searing Meat -Traeger Tips and Tricks

Searing Meat -Traeger Tips and Tricks

Sear Steaks Grill Marks

I have gotten really nice grill Marks on my steak from my Traeger directly from my grill grates.  If you want a good sear on your steaks to lock in those juices then you should be doing the reverse sear method.  When I first got my grill I saw a recipe that talked about searing in a cast Iron pan.  I went out and purchased a reversible cast Iron Griddle/Grill.  I wish I had not been so fast to pull the trigger on that purchase because I soon found out about GrillGrates.  They are way better for the Grill then Cast Iron,  They have holes in them so you can get that grill flavor.  

GrillGrates

Will my grill run hotter with GrillGrates?
Yes. GrillGrates cook via all methods of cooking: conduction, convection and infrared. GrillGrates with their extra mass and surface area literally radiate heat and provide more direct food contact than conventional grills. In addition they convect heat between the rails. Aluminum is a superb conductor of heat smoothing out hot spots and cold spots and focusing the heat of the grill to the raised rails. Adjust grill temps downward and enjoy gas savings or use less fuel. Keep in mind that most grills typically run 100-150F degrees hotter at the cooking surface than the air in the hood anyway and GrillGrates will be hotter still. Kamado grills run 200-300F hotter at the surface, gas grills 100-200F hotter and pellet grills you can expect to see about 100F hotter. --- Directly from GrillGrate Webpage, Notice the very end expect to see Pellet grills run 100 degrees hotter.  Click here for Grill Grate website.

There are five elements to the the Science of GrillGrate

1. Amplifies the Heat of any Grill

GrillGrates act like a lens on top of any heat source. They magnify and focus the grill's heat converting it to infrared heat.

2. Flare-Up Protection from the Bottom Plate

The underside and hole pattern of GrillGrates blocks flare-ups from engulfing food preventing charring and drying out.   --- No Flare ups on Traeger anyway.  Ive heard of people removing drip pan and  using grillgrates on top of firebox either with or without the Grills Grate on

3. Conducts Heat More Efficiently

GrillGrates are made from hard anodized aluminum, which conducts heat more efficiently than cast iron or stainless steel.

4. The Valleys Vaporize Drippings

Juices and drippings fall into the hot valleys where they sizzle and vaporize into flavor and retained moisture. The valleys of GrillGrates are a flavor enhancing system.

5. Perfect Sear Marks

GrillGrates conduct and focus heat up the raised rails for steakhouse quality searing. Sear marks can be controlled from golden brown to dark, crispy and flavorful.

Above taken from GrillGrate website Science of Grill Grates 

Here is a review about different kind of Grates including GrillGrates Click Here

In the above review of different type of Grill Grates from amazing ribs they do rate GrillGrates very highly and state you can add Pellets or chips in the Valleys of the Grates for extra flavor.  I will be trying this out ths weekend.

Click Here for Tri-Tip using GrillGrates

Reverse Sear Video below
Here is the Link just in case https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GZ4xl7XJM08

Tongs a Review - Grilling Tools

Tongs a Review - Grilling Tools

OXO 16 inch Spring Loaded Tongs

Tongs are the tool I use the most when I BBQ.  I rarely use a Spatula or Fork.  It  is important to get good quality tongs that you are comfortable with.  I really enjoy My Oxo Good Grips 18 inch tongs.

They have a silicon grip so they do not get too hot,  They are Spring loaded so they are easy to use even with my mild arthritis in my hands.  I did recently acquire the below Bobby Flay Tongs on sale for about $6 originally 14.99.  They seem well made with wood grips and are about 16 inches long.  Sometimes you need 2 pair to avoid cross contamination of foods.  I like my 2 pair to look very different and while My U shapped tongs work the spring loaded ones seem to be much better for me.

Bobby Flay BBQ Locking Tongs

U shape Tongs Guy Fieri ones in the Middle

Above are some u shaped Tongs the ones in the Middle are Guy Fieri, I purchased these in a pinch at Walgreens.  They don't lock but they do have a clasp that holds them closed, of the 3 U shaped Tongs I own I like the Guy Fieri best.  They are much closer together then the other 2 pairs and don't require as much strength to hold closed.  They also seem to align better.  I don't personally see a reason to buy non spring loaded tongs ever again.  The other 2 pair were parts of sets and as the below review of grill tools states it is almost always better to buy each tool separately  then to purchase a set.

Comprehensive Review of BBQ Tongs

How To Clean Your Traeger or Most any Other Grill

How To Clean Your Traeger or Most any Other Grill

How To Clean Your Traeger or Most any Other Grill

When It comes to cleaning my Traeger I am not the best at cleaning the grill and making it all shiny and bright.  I do vacuum out the fire-pot and change the foil on the drip pan often.  Usually every 3 to 4 cooks unless I do a long smoke like Pulled Pork, 3-2-1 ribs etc then I usually do drip pan and firebox Maintenance and clean my grill before and after those cooks.  I also clean my grill Grates before and after every cook.  Below is a compilation of Videos I found on Youtube.  They include 3 different ways to clean your grill grates naturally without harsh chemicals or wire brush.

The Following 3 Videos are different Methods to clean your Grill Grates.  Followed by a short video on your Drip pan and Fire-Pot Maintenance,

Cleaning your grill  grates with Aluminum Foil

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4WG_vwxhOQ

How to clean your Grill Grates with an Onion and a Fork

https://youtu.be/NNyqECZSQeY?t=14

How to clean your grill with a potato

https://youtu.be/l8TlSyJQRIQ

A real short Video of drip pan and Fire Pot Maintenance 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ihKS3wF23LY

Deep Cleaning Your Traeger

Not something I do often but at least you know how,

How to clean your Traeger akk you need is water a wire brush and a Puddy Knife
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0NG1YWbZSew

A while back I stumbled across some videos when I was surfing the Web.  It is put out by Weber but talks about cleaning the outside of your grill and Grease Buildup Inside your grill.
For the Weber Spring Cleaning your grill Video on how to do a deep grill cleaning Click Here

Chicken Quarters From Traeger - Recipe

Chicken Quarters from Traeger

Chicken Quarters on The Traeger

At our local supermarket they have a smoker in there parking lot.  They sell things like smoked ribs, chicken legs, chicken quarters and salmon. They call it Bob's BBQ.  Before I bought my Traeger I would from buy my BBQ there and it tasted pretty good

  

Recently they started selling uncooked Bob's BBQ  Seasoned food in there meat Dept. We scored 2 2 packages of Bobs Seasoned  chicken Quarters at 79 cents a Pound.  I will use the procedure from the Traeger website to cook them. Except I won't prep them since they are already prepped. Traeger on.

 

Chicken Quarters with Bobs BBQ Seasoning

Chicken Quarters Recipe:

Start Traeger on smoke for 10 minutes with lid open'

Preheat lid closed to temperature of 350

Cook for about 40  minutes until internal temperature at 165

or chicken golden brown and juices run clear

rest for 10 minutes

For recipe from Traeger Click Here

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

BBQ Pit Boys Guru of the Grill

BBQ Pit Boys Guru of the Grill

When it comes to Grilling no one does it better then the BBQ Pit Boys.  They tend to cook everything on a Weber charcoal  grill.  If you can cook it on a Weber you can cook it on a Traeger.  I really enjoy watching the weekly Videos that the BBQ Pit Boys create,  Here are just a few of my favorite ones.
Ckick here for the website of the BBQ PIT Boys

Beer Can Burgers Recipe

Beer Can  Burgers URL https://youtu.be/Hq2kmbI_1EA

No Boloney Bologna Burgers by the BBQ Pit Boys Recipe

No Boloney Bologna Burgers  https://youtu.be/jI9cRANq21o

No Boloney Bologna Burgers  https://youtu.be/jI9cRANq21o

Steak Stuffed Potatoes

Steak Stuffed Potatoes https://youtu.be/S0WRGhjAGmc

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes. Enjoy my Traeger Recipe Page

Bacon Wrapped Deer Back Strap Traeger Recipe

Deer Back Strap Traeger Recipe

Deer Back Strap Traeger Recipe

Its great to have a hunting buddy.  One day last winter he came over to my house with some bacon wrapped deer back-strap.  He stated it needed to be cooked today.  So I fired up the Traeger and off I went to yum heaven.

Deer Back Strap Traeger Recipe

Start Traeger on smoke for 10 minutes with lid open'

Preheat lid closed to temperature of  350

Cook Deer Back Strap about 15 minutes on each side until bacon is crisp.

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Grilled Vegetables - Traeger Recipe

Grilled Vegetables - Traeger Recipe

Grilled Vegetables on the upper and Lower Racks

I am not a huge Vegetable eater,  I am a steak and Potatoes kind of a guy.  From time to time I do Grill Vegetables for other people and I'll eat some too.  I grill Peppers, Zucchinis, Onions and whatever else they had to me in the Marinade bag.

Grilled Vegetables in Marinade Bag

Grilled Vegetable Traeger Recipe

I Just throw the Vegetables on the grill and cook them on both sides turning occasionally.   

When I am cooking only vegetables I cook them at 375 and get a nice char on both sides.  I just wing it and check them every 10 minutes or so and turn as needed.  When cooking with something else like burgers or chops I just cook them at temperature of main entree and still check and turn from time to time,  I pull them off when they have a nice Char

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes. 

Peaches and Pineapples - Traeger Recipe

Peaches and Pineapples - Traeger Recipe

Peaches and Pineapples on The Traeger

I love Grilling fruit on my Traeger.  I dont follow any recipes I usally just throw it on and see what happens,  This Batch of peaches and Pineapples were smoked at about 225 for roughly an hour,  They came out pretty good.  I have also grilled them at 375 for about 30 minutes flipping once to get a nice char on each side. Sometimes I google Traeger blank, or smoke blank, or even BBQ Blank too get more ideas Traeger on and enjoy.

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Grilled Iowa Pork Chops aka Iowa Chops - Traeger Recipe

Grilled Iowa Chops - Traeger Recipe

Iowa Chops on the Traeger

My wife is from Iowa and whenever she visits home she brings back a batch of Iowa chops.  I used to like pork chops and I still do but these Iowa chops have me spoiled.  They cut them thick with the bone in of course,  I can never seem to get enough of them.  Often I cook the chops with pineapple and Sweet Potato on the Traeger.

Iowa Chops Traeger Recipe

follow normal Traeger startup procedure

then heat Traeger Lid closed to 375

Dry Rub with your favorite pork rub

lately I have been using Trader Joe's Garlic and Coffee Rub

sometimes we marinade in Italian dressing 

I cook my Iowa pork chops to an Internal Temperature of 145

I then rest tenting with foil for about 5 to 10 minutes (this is the hardest part you will want to dig in right away)

Trader Joe's Coffee Rub

For My BBQ Smoked Pineapple Ideas click Here

My Sweet Potato recipe can be found by clicking here then scroll to bottom

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Smoked Bone In Turkey Breast and Chuck Roast - Combination - Traeger Recipe

Bone In Turkey Breast and Chuck Roast cooking low and Slow

Smoked Bone In Turkey Breast and Chuck Roast - Combination

When I cook on my Traeger especially if I am going to do a long cook, I like to use as much real estate as possible.  I often cook multiplies of the same item and eat leftover all week or freeze for leftovers.  Sometimes you just hit upon combinations that just work well together.  In this cook I smoked a Bone in Turkey Breast and Chuck roast at the same time. They both came out really well.

Bone in Turkey Breast Traeger Recipe

Brine over night
Smoke at 225 until an Internal Temperature of 165

Chuck Roast Traeger Recipe

place in pan in Braising liquid
recipe below or use your favorite
cook to  Internal Temperature of 130-135 Medium
135-140 medium
140-150 Medium

Basic Brine Recipe

1cup water, 
1tbs salt (kosher salt preferred , 
1tbs sugar

Marinade Recipe

recipe below or use your favorite
1/2 cup orange jucie
3 TBS Soy sauce 
3 TBS Brown Sugar
1 tsp Worcestershire sauce

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.
 

BBQ Pellets Traeger Smoker

Pellet Storage

BBQ Pellets Traeger Smoker

Pellet Grills a Brief History Lesson

Traeger would use the sawdust and scrape wood from the Lumber industry and create Pellet stoves used for heating.  At some point they got the idea why not make Pellet Grills.  If you go to a hardware store you may notice Pellets used for heating much cheaper then food grade pellets.  No matter which brand of Pellets you buy make sure they are always food grade.  The heating pellets have ugly chemicals in them I'm told.

Pellet Type

Some people are very passionate about there pellets.  If you go to the Traeger User groups on Facebook you will notice some people only use Traeger Pellets, others use Lumberjack.  There are many other brands like Pit Boss, B and B and Cooking Pellets to name a few.

Another huge debate is weather or not  non Traeger brand pellets void the warranty.  The consensus seems to be it does not.  Ill let you decide which pellets might be right for you.

Pellet Flavor

I find that Pellet Flavor doesn't  matter but then again I may not have the most sensitive pallet.
Here is a chart from the Traeger website which talks about which pellets to use with meat fish etc.

Recommended pellet usage

above chart from traeger 

Pellet Storage

Pellet Storage is also very important after I open My pellets I store them in a 5 gallon bucket with a lid.  I also store the unopened pellets off the floor on a shelf in the Garage.  I use a colander to sift the pellets before I use them to remove the dust.

Pellet Sifter

Pellet Storage Shelf

Pellet Storage

Pork Loin Traeger Recipe

Two Pork Loins roasted low and slow with a smoke tube

Pork Loin Traeger Recipe

Pork is one of my Favorite things to cook on the Traeger.  I've cooked Pulled Pork, Pork Chops, Pork Ribs and Pork Tenderloin.  I do Like Pork Loins because I enjoy a roast pork sandwich on garlic bread. I do cook the Garlic bread on the Traeger.  I have also found that center cut pork loin is the best cut to use.   You may notice I use a smoke tube, for some extra smoke. Click Here for blog post about smoke tube

The Butcher cut the pork loin into steaks or Chops but I prefer to cook it whole and slice it myself.

I dry rub the Pork loin.  I place it on the Traeger at 225.  I spray with apple juice every 30 minutes or so.  I pull at an Internal temperature of 140 to 145 and let it rest tented in foil for 15 minutes or so. Then just slice and enjoy.  It goes great on Garlic bread with a slice of grill pineapple

2 pork loins good enouh to eat

2 pork loins good enouh to eat

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipes would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Baby Back Ribs Traeger Recipe

Baby Back Ribs Almost ready to eat

Baby back ribs on  the Traeger.  

Nothing beats Baby back ribs in my humble opinion except for maybe Baby back ribs on  the Traeger.  There are lots of methods for cooking baby back ribs.  I never boil them first.  I never start or finish in the oven.  I always use a Dry Rub because I am not big on sauces.  People can always sauce them at the end.  I always use the 3-2-1 method cause if it isn't broke don't fix it.

Click here for the Link to Traeger 3-2-1 ribs

Another Rib Recipe

If you Google "Traeger baby back ribs" you will find a bunch more

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Pizza - Baking on The Traeger Recipe

Pizza and Dogs on the Traeger

As the saying goes if you can cook it in an oven you can cook it on the Traeger.  The Traeger is a convection oven.  I have done Pizza on the Traeger more then once.  It always comes out good.  I cook it based on the package recipe directions.  I do turn it 1/4 turn every 5 minutes to account for Temp swings.  As you can see I am cooking my pizza on the Junior Rack with hotdogs below.  There are also many Traeger Pizza Recipes online using naan bread, boboli, and english muffins etc.  You can of course make your own dough.

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Lobster and Bacon Wrapped Filets - Combinations that Work

Lobster and Bacon Wrapped Filets on the Traeger

Bacon Wrapped Filets and Lobster Tail

Traeger Recipe

Some combinations just work well on the Traeger.  When I think of combinations I think of surf and Turf (Steak and Lobster)  My favorite steak hppens to be Bacon Wrapped Fillets.  I have cooked Lobster Tails and Bacon Wrapped Filets 2 different times on the Traeger. The thing that was nice about this combination they went on the Traeger  and came off the Traeger  at virtually the same time. I go through the normal start up procedure Lid up on smoke for 10 Minutes, then close lid and pre Heat to a temperature of 225.  I then place the Lobster and Filet on the Grill and cook for about 45 Minutes.  I cook to temperature and not time.  I pull the Lobsters and bacon wrapped filets at an internal temperature of 135 to 140.

It Looks Like I had room for Pineapple as well, Ill keep that in mind for next time.

The Actual Recipes:

BBQ Lobster 

Cut shell with Scissor
Pull the meat out above the shell but leave attached at tail
Brushed with melted butter
Smoke at 225 for abt 45 minutes Internal Temp should be 135-140

My Lobster Recipe was adapted from this one

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Filets

Rubbed with Trader Joe's Coffee rub
you can use your own favorite Dry Rub
Smoke at 225 for abott 45 minutes to an Internal Temperature of 135-140

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

My Favorite Traeger Day

My Favorite Traeger Day

Brats and taters 

Steak and Lobster

My Favorite Traeger Day

Traeger Recipe
One could argue that any day I cook on my Traeger Junior aka Tjr is my favorite Traeger day.  With my schedule its not often I get to cook twice on Tjr in the same day.  Yesterday was such a day.

My morning errands included stops at Paul's Market, where I purchased bacon wrapped Fillets and Apple Brats.  I then stopped at the supermarket and purchased sweet potatoes and Brioche hot dog buns.

I fired up TJr and made the apple Brats and sweet potatoes for lunch.  Then a few hours later I fired up the T again and cooked the Filllets and Lobster for diner. 

The diner was special because my mom was in town and my wife picked up our 6 year old grandson from school.  My grandson only ate the fillets but every one else had filet and Lobster.  It was the first time I cooked for mom, she finally was able to visit.

The Technical details:

BBQ Lobster

BBQ Lobster

Cut shell with Scissor

Brushed with melted butter
Smoke at 225 for abt 45 minutes Internal Temp should be 135-140

BBQ Bacon Wrapped Filets

Bacon Wrapped Fiilets

Rubbed with Trader Joe's Coffee rub
Smoke at 225 for abott 45 minutes to an Internal Temperature of 135-140

The Rub

Apple Brats

Cooked Apple Brats at 375 about 30 minutes flipping once.  Got a nice char both sides

apple brats

Sweet potatoes

Sweet potatoes

Wash Sweet potatoes
Cut Sweet potatoes in half
Wrap Sweet potatoes in foil
Cook Sweet potatoes at 375 for about an hour till soft like butter

please note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

Tools for a Successful cook

My BBQ Tool Kit

Here are a few tools I need for a stress free cooking experience on my Traeger.  I know people cook amazing food with just tongs but I need a bit more.

Leave In Thermometer

I Griil 2 by Weber

A leave in Thermometer because as they say if you are looking you are not cooking.  I currently useI Grill II  by Weber.  It works well for me and tells me the temperature of my grill as well as what I am cooking.  I do have all 4 probes.  I have used 3 probes for food and one for the Traeger. The Igrill sends the results directly to my android smartphone via Bluetooth.  They also have an App that works with the Iphone.  I was extremely impressed with Weber's customer service, they sent me a replacement probe at no cost when mine broke.


Another great feature of the Igrill is that it creates Graphs so you can see your Temperature swings

I also have a Maverick ET-732 remote BBQ Thermometer which I was not impresed with.

Some people seem to like the Tapeccue Wifi Thermometer.  There are a few other wi fi thermometers including 1 by thermoworks.

Instant read Thermometer 

Thermapen and Thermopop by thermoworks

When it comes to an Instant read Thermometers  nothing beats thermaworks.  I have a Thernapen and Thermopop they both work well the Thermapen is more accurate and faster, The thermopop is slower and a lttle less accurate.  Buy the best one you can afford between these 2.  Last time I looked there were multiple versions of the Thermapen the classic and the MK4. are the same when it comes to accuracy and speed the MK4 has more features.  Buy the best one you can afford between these 3.  

It looks like the newer Thermopops are even faster.  If you already have a Thermometer and just want an upgrade if you sign up for the Thermoworks newsletter they have sales often.  Sometimes they sell open box stuff at a discount but you get the same warranty ason a brand new one.

Thermoworks has great customer service.  For most things on the Traeger I agree its a matter of personnel test, but when it comes to an instant read thermometer I say get a thermoworks you will be happy you did.

                             

Tongs

Tongs, I have multiple sets of Tongs but my go to set is my 18 inch OXO.  Sometimes you need to use 1 set for raw chicken and another for cooked food.

Oxo Tongs

My Toolbox 

My Toolbox, Yes I actually have a toolbox which holds most of my grilling tools and supplies.  It is a Stanley flat max waterproof toolbox.  I have My Tongs, Spatulas, Grilling Gloves, Thermometers, Hand sanitizer, bleach wipes and even spices in my Fat Max.  It makes it easy to have everything all in one place.

I no longer store my spices in my toolbox they cake up.

Toolbox

Toolbox

Grill Tools

Some of My Spices and Rubs

Wet Dry Shop Vac

A wet Dry Shop vac is a must have tool to clean out your Firebox of excess ash.  I usually clean the Firebox when I replace the Foil on the Drip pan every 4 to 6 cooks.  Unless I do long cooks like Pork Shoulder then sometimes before and after the cook.  The brand doesn't seem to matter as long as it has enough HP to do the Job.

wet dry shop vac



Here are more posts about Tools I use
http://traegerrecipesbymike.blogspot.com/search/label/Grilling%20Tools?m=0

Apple Brats and Sweet Potatoes on The Traeger

Apple Brats

Apple Brats and Sweet Potatoes

Traeger Recipe 

Whats for Lunch.  Apple Bratwurst fresh made from a local butcher and Sweet Potatoes.  The Brats had a really nice Char and the Sweet Potatoes were amazing soft and sweet

Apple Brats Recipe

Follow normal Traeger Start up procedure

Then Close lid and preheat to about 375

cook about 30 minutes turning once.  

When you have a Nice char on them they are done

Brats ready to eat

s

Sweet Potatoes Recipe

Rinse Potatoes

cut in half 

wrap in tin foil

cook for about 60 minutes or until soft like butter

dont burn your fingers unwrapping foil

Enjoy

Click Here for another sweet Potato recipe from Traeger

Please Note:

Any recipe I make is just a guideline.  I am not a big fan of gooey sauces so almost everything is I cook would be a dry rub.  You of course should experiment and see what works best for you.  I don't often recommend a rub because it is a matter of personnel taste.  These recipe would also work well on most other pellet grills or charcoal and gas grill using indirect heat for the low temperature recipes.

A-Maze-N Products 12 inch Tube Smoker - Helpful Traeger Modifications

A-Maze-N Products 12 inch Smoke Tube

I

I have the A-Maze-N Products 12 inch Smoke Tube. I sometimes use it to add extra smoke during a cook.  It worked real well when I made, ribs, Pulled pork, corn beef, Pork Loin and Pineapple.  I have never used it for cold smoking but some people have.  The first few times I used the Tube smoker it was hit or miss if would stay lit.  I have found by placing the opening towards the front of the grill once it was smoking I could push the pellets in with a metal poker and keep it burning (smoking).

I received the A-Maze-N Products 12 inch Tube Smoker as a present.  It seems to be the most popular one used on the Traeger Facebook user group pages.  Other people have talked about a Char Broil Tube smoker at target for 1/2 the price.

I use an inexpensive heat gun that I purchased at harbor freight to light my tube smoker.  I found this YouTube video very helpful when learning to light my smoker, 

How to Light your Tube Smoker

 

Front Shelf - Helpful Traeger Modifications

Fold Down Front Shelf

The front shelf by Traeger was the very first mod I did.  No real explanation needed I find it comes in real handy.  I wish this version had a bottom shelf and side shelf option but you make do with what you have,