If you are a barbecue enthusiast, you know that a pellet smoker is a fantastic tool for slow cooking and imparting that classic smoky flavor to your meats. Maximize your grilling skills and the quality of your meals with handy accessories. From grilling tools to temperature controls, this article takes a look at the best accessories you can get for your pellet smoker.
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Wireless digital meat thermometer
Monitoring the temperature of your meat is crucial when smoking. A wireless digital meat thermometer can keep you updated on the internal temperature of your food, even when you’re not standing next to the grill. This smoker and grill tool sends real-time updates to your smartphone, ensuring your meat is always perfectly cooked and safe to eat. Any wireless digital meat thermometer or probe is essential for long smokes so you can keep an eye on your meat without being glued to the smoker.
Smoker tube
Although pellet smokers inherently provide a strong smoky flavor, sometimes you may crave an even stronger smokiness. A smoker tube can deliver this. These tubes hold additional pellets or wood chips and produce smoke for several hours. I love my smoker tube for cold-smoking salmon, cheese, and more. I just use the smoker tube in my smoker without any additional heat or smoke, and the flavor is always terrific. It’s a great accessory when you want to give your meats an extra touch of smoke.
Insulated blanket
An insulated blanket is essential if you plan on smoking year-round or in colder temperatures. Smokers will churn through too many pellets in order to maintain the internal temperature, but a blanket will help the smoker maintain consistent temperatures inside the smoker. This helps maintain optimal temperature and makes your smoking more cost effective. You can use a form-fitting blanket designed for your specific smoker or a more affordable welding blanket. I love my welding blanket, and while it may not be as pretty or fit as well as one designed specifically for my smoker, it is affordable and does the job.
Pellet storage containers
Proper storage of your pellets is essential because moisture can ruin expensive pellets, rendering them useless. Airtight, waterproof containers ensure your pellets stay dry and are ready to use for dishes like smoked meatloaf. Consider containers with easy-pour spouts for convenience.
Magnetic hooks
You may not have thought much about storage, but magnetic hooks are ideal for hanging brushes, flippers, tongs and more. Magnetic hooks can be attached to the side of your pellet smoker, providing an ideal place to hang all your grilling tools. This accessory ensures your utensils are always within reach and your workspace remains uncluttered. They’ve come in so handy so many times, and these particular hooks are good for indoor and outdoor use.
Grill lights
These are especially useful for grilling at night during outdoor parties or in low-light conditions. The best grill lights are LED and weather-resistant, providing bright and clear illumination for your grilling surface. I love gooseneck grill lights because I can bend them to put the light right where I need it.
Grill brushes
Unless you’re cranking the heat up super high in your pellet smoker, chances are your grill grates will look pretty gunky after a smoking session. Keeping the grates clean is important for food safety and to preserve the longevity of your grates, so invest in good brushes. I love stainless steel brushes because they’re so heavy duty. Opt for a bristle-free brush to avoid the hazard of wayward bristles.
Rotisserie kit
Get more use out of your pellet grill and smoker with a rotisserie kit. A universal rotisserie kit allows you to slow-cook whole chickens, roasts and more, and as they cook, the juices stay locked inside. Infusing amazing smoking flavor into every bite, you can use the leftovers in myriad recipes like rotisserie chicken pasta salad.
Other fun accessories
If you really want to up your outdoor cooking game, these additional products will help you master even more flavor and other delicious recipes.
Meat injector — Infuse marinades directly into big cuts of meat to help tenderize them and add even more flavor to your smoked meats. These make a great gift for the foodie in your life.
Rib rack — Master the art of slow-smoked ribs with a rib rack. Designed to allow maximum smoke exposure on your ribs, these racks mean you can really load up your smoker with ribs.
Beer can chicken holder — Smoked beer can chicken is smoking 101, and once you get a bite of this beer-infused and super-moist chicken, you won’t want it any other way. Get a beer can chicken holder with a solid plate under it so you can baste the chicken with all the juices.
Pizza stone — Ever had smoked pizza? You do have to crank the heat a bit to get the
The final word
The right accessories can significantly enhance your pellet smoking experience. By investing in these accessories, you can elevate your grilling, ensure your meals are cooked perfectly, and extend the lifespan of your pellet smoker. Remember, the best accessories for your pellet smoker will depend on your personal needs, your budget and the specific model of your smoker. However, having a wide range of tools and accessories at your disposal will undoubtedly enhance your grilling experience and results.
Jenn Allen is a retired chef turned cookbook author, blogger, and traveler. She lives at home with her family and the cats that rule them all. Sign up for all her best recipes at Cook What You Love.