Are Pellet Grills Good for Burgers? Tips and Tricks

Pellet grills are known for their amazing ability to introduce delicious smoked flavors into a whole variety of meats. But what about those days when you just want a burger?

Pellet grills are the BEST for burgers! Grilling your burger on a pellet grill infuses a delicious smoky flavor into your burger, which will accent the flavors which are already there. Cooking your burgers on the pellet grill is the fastest way to upgrade your burger game without much effort.

Want to learn more about cooking burgers on a pellet grill? Read on!

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Can You Cook Burgers on a Pellet Grill?

You can cook burgers on a pellet grill, after all, it’s still a grill! Many people have even come to find out they prefer to cook their burgers on a pellet grill because it gives them a tasty, smoky flavor that upgrades the natural taste of the meat.

Just know that cooking burgers on a pellet grill is slightly different than cooking them on a normal grill. This is because the way the grill works is different. Mostly, you won’t need to flip the burgers more than once, and you may need to cook them slightly longer than you would on another type of grill.

Do You Have to Flip Burgers on a Pellet Grill?

When cooking on a pellet grill, you want to do everything in your power to keep the lid closed for the majority of the cook time. This means that you won’t be flipping your burger multiple times.

We recommend planning to flip your burger just once, about in the middle of the cooking process. You’ll want to set a timer to remind you to do so, then flip the burgers as quickly as possible and close the lid.

How Long Do I Cook Burgers on a Pellet Grill?

Not sure how long to cook your burgers? Well, it will depend on how well done you would like your burgers to be and the temperature your grill is set to.

When set at 450°F, it should take just under 20 minutes to cook a medium-well burger. We recommend starting with 8 minutes on each side, then checking on your burgers with a temperature probe after 16 minutes.

You can always cook your burgers longer or shorter, depending on how you like your hamburger meat. We find that the flavors infused by using a pellet grill come out best when your burger is at least cooked to medium or 150°F.

Editor’s Note: If you really want a full-flavor experience, you can also cook your burgers low and slow on your grill for up to an hour, but if you plan to do this, you’ll want to choose a higher-fat content burger (such as 30/70) and skip adding seasonings before you form the patty (as salt can cause the burgers to dry out!)

Tips For Cooking Burgers on a Pellet Grill

Choose ground beef with 10-20% fat content to ensure you get juicy burgers
Make each patty into a uniform size, i.e., ¼ pound to ensure all your burgers will be done cooking at the same time.
Season your beef with at least salt, pepper, and garlic before forming it into patties
When you set your pellet grill to 400°F+ you are basically just searing them as you would a normal grill, they don’t need much extra time!
Fresh patties work best on a pellet grill
Keep the lid of your pellet grill closed as much as possible!

What Are the Best Wood Pellets for Smoking Burgers?

The best wood pellets for smoking your burgers on your pellet grill will depend on your personal tastes as well as the seasonings you have mixed in with the burger. For a basic burger with just salt and pepper, we recommend using mesquite wood to get a nice smoky flavor in your burgers.

If you’ve got a burger with a more complex seasoning mixture, then cherry or apple wood is a milder option which will compliment the flavor of your seasonings nicely.

What Temperature is Best for Grilling Burgers on a Pellet Grill?

When you are grilling burgers on your pellet grill, we recommend using the higher temperatures, especially when you only want your burger to take just a little longer than cooking on a charcoal or gas grill. Plan to start at 450°F if your pellet grill has that option, otherwise, 400°F will work as well!