Pellet Grills vs Stick Burners: This Brisket Test SHOCKED Me

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Can a Pellet Grill smoke a brisket as good as a Stick Burner? Welcome to BBQs biggest war.

In this video I share the results of my latest experiment where I cooked two briskets side-by-side against each other, at the same temperature, seasoned the same, and for the same amount of time to determine if a Pellet Grill can go toe-to-toe with a Stick Burner. Now…which smoker do you have your money on?

[davehoward]

I’m a Alabama boy and being military have lived all over the country and tried all different kinds of BBQ, and I can say with no doubt you Texas boys have brisket down to an art form. Best in the country, IMO. While I feel differently about bbq spare ribs, pulled pork, baby backs, chicken, etc. (I think we do all those better down South) there is no question in my mind that Texas brisket is the best on the planet. Thanks for an excellent video, y’all keep on keepin’ on. 👍

[hgarza]

I've used stick burners for over 20 years, nobody was more against pellet smokers than I was up until about a year ago when my cousin bought a portable one for one of our cabin trips. I was really impressed with how it cooked, but more so that I didn't have to get out of the river early to get the pit started up. Since then I've bought a pitboss Lexington model for the backyard patio, plus a tabletop portable one for the cabin. With a wife and kids, plus working about
50-55 hours a week it's harder these days to consistently use the old pit (Sandy is her name). Plus the prices for a bag of pellets are very cheap. I'm a stick burner at heart and still like to fire it up every now and then. Especially in the winter time. But I've found there is a place in the BBQ world for pellet smokers. Times are changing and it's adapt or die (maybe a little overboard with that saying). Anyways, keep up the good work and making these awesome videos. I've just recently come across them but you've got a new subscriber with this fellow Texan. Prosit!

[mathewramage]

Awesome video. When it comes to smoking I'm a rookie. I bought my first pellet grill last spring and man I was amazed at how well everything turned out. For me the reason I the pellet grill was because I don't have any experience with stick burners nor do I have access to the proper wood. The pellet grill has given me a new hobby so much that I just recently bought bigger pellet grill. Everything tastes so much better

[antoniorafaelroman]

You are like the uncle every family needs 😎

[robbmartinez]

Stick Burners 4 Life! IF IT DON'T BURN WOOD, IT AINT NO GOOD! Thanks for the video Arnie keep them coming! shout out from Baytown Texas.

[ryb]

The wood way is the authentic way. That’s the beauty of smoking your brisket/ribs … it’s an art to be enjoyed by mastering the temp of the wood..

[t-mac]

I have a stick burner but after 12 to 14 hours I’m so drunk I can’t even eat lol. I have been thinking about a pellet

[ChefsBackyard]

Great video! There is nothing like the art of a long smoke on a stick burner. I have an electric smoker that I use. But I use it for convenience. I’ll set it up to smoke overnight, then baby it in the morning for the second half of the cook. Texas here, and true, we do have the BEST bbq. Thanks for all of your hard work on this video.

[Mox]

I use both and decide how to cook depending on the situation. The pellet is much easier, no doubt but the stick burner does have more smoke flavor. They're both quite good though! Great video!

[firstjohn]

Started on charcoal, moved to gas (with a smoke wood chip box), then to a RecTec. Having cut WAY too much wood growing up (think several 5 ton dump trucks a year), I like the pellet grills. It's a nice blend of convenience & results. I even rotisserie chickens on it. Hope to hear your thoughts on the gravity feed charcoal grills sometime.

[teddymartinii]

Thanks for that fair and balanced comparison. It was very informative, and very helpful.

[briansupermag]

Great video. Its personal as you stated and what you prefer. I just got my first pit and chose a pellet grill but i got arguably the best pellet grill out there to get as close to a stick burner as possible. Got a lone star grillz and its beyond phenomenal. Can't believe how good the meat comes out and both my wife and daughter absolutely love it. They get excited when i do a cook.
Someday i may get a stick burner just to have and try. I feel its using the best pellet grills with premium pellets that get you as close to a stick burner as possible. Me i love putting a brisket on at 10pm get to bed and and wake up refreshed and carry on. And have a great brisket for dinner that evening. Just what i prefer at this time. Great video

[garyeverts]

great video Arnie, great context. Everybody needs to keep in mind that todays "stick burners" are the "pellet smokers" of their day. Tank smokers are not the original too were developed for their convenience. live and let live boys and girls....we all love bbq.

[Celoth]

Cheers from Oklahoma! Great video, very informative. I bought a pellet grill to pair with my stick burner after watching this. Not a bad video, for a Texan :D

[johnnyhoover]

Knottywood pellets do a great job for creating bark. I know you Texans like oak but where I live we use almond since it's plentiful. Mad scientist did a good video on it. Telling our best kept California bbq secrets. Great video, I learn a lot watching your channel.

[charles]

Thanks for all the great cooking lessons Arnie. I am learning.

[henryklassen]

I like my pallet grill for most of my cooking, I use a Weber when cooking steak, I use propane when I have everything wrapped in foil.

[GOOSE-]

This is seriously the best video I have ever seen of the side by side comparison. I used stick burners for 10 plus years until 2 years ago and got a pellet. The first few cooks I hated the product off the pellet it's not even close with the flavor. As time went on and the ease of use and the steady Temps with the set it and forget it ability it wins esp in the south during the summer when it's 98° with the humidity and feels like 109° and you are producing more sweat than smoke. But still to this day, even though I use the pellet at least 3 times a week and have grown accustomed to what it can do. The stick burner will always be king. At the end of the day, if you and your family like the food, that's all that matters. I don't get the stick vs. pellet like I will never understand the bow hunters vs the gun hunters it's pretty much the same.

[cjr]

I have a stick burner and just don't have the time to use it very often. I got a pellet grill and use it more than the oven in the house. It is a tool and works great for a lot of things. The only thing it can't do worth a flip is boston butt steaks. You still need a direct heat charcoal for that. I am a heavy smoke guy and prefer the stick burner. The guys not really into BBQ and woman seem to rather the pellet smoker. I use a smoke tube on mine just about every cook. Seems to help a lot.

[BrisketMedic]

Arnie always dropping great info and videos. Very good points on the variables that come into play from cook to cook.