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Today, we will look at the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker, one of the most robust and durable smokers offered on the market.
In this review, we’ll focus specifically on the Louisiana Grills 7-Series Vertical Pellet Smoker, one of the most popular smokers from the Louisiana range. We’ll be covering some of the core features, its pros and cons, as well as mention some alternatives, in case the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker isn’t what you are looking for.
Finding the right smoker can be a challenging task because of all the different options available on the market. If you’re interested in learning more, feel free to check our guide to finding the best smoker.
First, let’s take a look at its main specs:
Key specifications of the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker
| Type of Smoker | Pellet Smoker |
| Dimensions/weight | 29 x 28 x 58 inches, 143 lbs |
| Power Source | Wood Pellets |
| Cooking Area | 2,059 square inches |
| Ignitor | 300 Watt |
| Control | Digital |
| Temperature | 150°F to 450°F |
| Price | Click here for the latest price |
Core features of the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker
The Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker is a large and reliable machine. Let’s take a closer look at the main features it includes:
Construction and design
The Louisiana Grill smoker is large, measuring 29 x 28 x 58 inches. With a weight of 143 pounds, it also happens to be relatively heavy. However, it includes heavy-duty caster wheels and a convenient handlebar at the back, so it can be easily moved around.
This device has been designed to be robust and sturdy. The smoker is made of porcelain-coated steel. This material is very durable and protects the smoker from weather elements. It also has a nice-looking finish to it.
The Louisiana Grill smoker includes six cooking grates that are stacked up vertically inside the smoker. It has an impressive cooking surface of 2059 square inches. The cooking grates are powder-coated, which makes them non-stick and easy to clean.
This smoker can provide a wide cooking temperature, ranging between 150 ˚F and 450˚F. In addition, the Louisiana Grill smoker has a double wall insulation feature and includes airtight seals around the door, which helps avoid heat loss and maintains a constant temperature during cooking.
Constructed vertically with the burner located in the bottom of the unit, the pellets are burned in the lower part of the smoker, and the smoke is evenly distributed through the device until it reaches the top. This creates fan-assisted convection cooking, which ensures a uniform temperature and favorable meat consistency.
One of the most attractive features of this smoker is its large pellet hopper. According to the manufacturer, the hopper can store around 27 kilograms of wood pellets, which should last around 35 hours of smoking. The pellet hopper itself has a window that lets you check the pellet level during the cooking.
This unit comes with a digital control board. The control board is quite simple and easy to use. On it, you will find the power button and the prime button. The board can control and adjust the temperature and let you switch between degrees Celsius and degrees Fahrenheit.
The first level of the smoker includes a water pan. You must place water in this pan every time you use the smoker. Make sure to fill it to a maximum level of three-quarters full. This must be done to ensure the right humidity level inside the smoker. Don’t fill the water pan too much, or it will overflow during use.
This unit also comes with a hole through which the grease can be easily drained, so you don’t need to worry about grease accumulating on the bottom. The grease is deposited in a removable grease tray that can be pulled out for cleaning.
The Louisiana Grills smoker has a glass door that allows you to see your food as you cook it. The door includes a double-lock secure locking system that keeps the door tightly closed while operating the smoker. This lock also helps maintain a constant temperature and prevents heat loss. The lock is adjustable, and you can regulate the tension as you see fit.
The smoker also includes two meat probes that can be used to measure the internal temperature of the meat. It also comes with a protection cover.
Smoked fish can be a delightful meal to prepare. If you want information on how to prepare smoked halibut, check out our smoked cod guide.
Functions and controls
Despite its size, this smoker is relatively simple to put together and use. Start by assembling the smoker according to the instructions on the manual. Then follow these steps to operate the smoker:
To operate the Louisiana Grills smoker, follow these steps:
- First, add wood pellets into the pellet hopper. You can use a backdoor to release all the pellets in the case that you want to change the flavor.
- Fill the water pan with water to three-quarters full. Avoid filling it completely.
- Open the door of the smoker. Remove the cooking grates and adjust them to the fitting height for the food that you are preparing.
- Place the food in the cooking grates. Don’t forget to leave room between food items. This allows the smoke to circulate properly.
- Close the door and plug in your smoker in the electric outlet.
- Turn ON the smoker by using the ON/OFF button in the control panel.
- Use the PRIME button in the control panel to start the pellet-burning process.
- Use the knob in the control panel to set the desired temperature. A good temperature range for smoking is between 220°F and 250°F.
- Allow food to cook for approximately three hours. Check the water level regularly and add water if necessary.
- Once you are finished smoking, turn off the unit and unplug it. Next, remove the food from the smoker and allow it to cool.
Safety
Here are a few things that you should keep in mind to remain safe while using this smoker:
Do not touch hot surfaces with your bare hands. Use protective gloves or cooking tools to handle the smoker during cooking. All the surfaces of the smoker are hot while the smoker is ON, and they remain hot shortly after use. Be careful when adding or removing food from the device.
This unit is intended to be used outdoors. Avoid using it in a closed space. You should operate the smoker on a hard, flat surface and keep it from combustible materials. Maintain the smoker at a safe distance from open windows to prevent smoke from entering your house.
You should not plug in the smoker until it has been completely assembled and is ready for use. Failure to do this may cause electrical damage.
Reliability
Louisiana Grills is a reputable manufacturer known for its highly durable and reliable products. This is a robust model that will cook meat for many years after you buy it. The porcelain-coated steel used on this smoker will extend its durability and prevent rusting. Don’t forget to place the cover on it if you leave it outside for a few days since it will protect it from weather influences.
Price
For a smoker, this unit is on the higher end of the pricing. For the latest price, click here.
Pros of the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker
Let’s summarize the main assets of this smoker:
Plenty of cooking space
This is a large smoker with a large cooking surface. You can easily cook for a large gathering of friends and family on it.
Large Pellet Hopper
This smoker includes a large pellet hopper with space for 27 kilograms of pellets. This will last you for over thirty hours of cooking, so you can cook as slow as you want. It also has a small door at the back of the hopper, making it easier to clean and refill.
Wide Temperature Range
The unit comes with an advanced digital control panel and a temperature regulating knob. This smoker offers a wide temperature range, going from 150°F to 450°F, which lets you smoke as slow or as fast as you want.
Digital Control Panel
The unit comes with an advanced digital control panel and a temperature regulating knob. The panel includes the ON/OFF button and the PRIME button to burn the pellets.
Glass door
The glass door allows you to easily check on the cooking process without opening the door.
Ease of use
This smoker is simple and relatively easy to assemble, operate and maintain. In addition, the pellet hopper is easy to load and renew.
Cons of the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker
Heavy
This smoker weighs 143 pounds, so it can be hard to lift if you put it in your car or carry it downstairs.
Expensive
This smoker is a relatively expensive unit, which means it may not be for you if you are on a tight budget.
Are there any alternatives?
If the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker is not what you are looking for, here are some alternatives that you might want to consider
Green Mountain Davey Crockett Pellet Smoker
This is a great option for those of you who like a mobile smoker. The Green mountain Davey Crockett Smoker is a great smoker for camping or cooking on a field trip. This device comes with foldable legs, making it very portable and easy to fit in your car.
It measures 29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inches. It features an integrated thermometer and a digital Wi-Fi controller, accessed through an Android application. It is very convenient to be able to monitor your food from your smartphone.
Smoke Hollow 44-Inch Vertical Gas Smoker
The Smoke Hollow vertical smoker is a gas smoker. It includes two stainless steel burners that operate independently. This ensures great performance and temperature control. The smoker comes with 5 removable racks, so you can accommodate plenty of food on it. It gives you a total of 7 cubic feet of smoking area.
Frequently Asked Questions
Check out these common questions and answers for more information on the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker:
Question: What kind of wood can I use for the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker?
Answer: Some good wood types for smoking are Hickory, White Oak, Apple, or Alder. Always use wood pellets with this smoker.
Question: Where can I buy the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker?
Answer: The Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker can be bought from Amazon. It can also be acquired from several online resellers and stores across the United States.
Question: What kind of food can I put in the smoker?
Answer: In addition to meat, the smoker can prepare a wide variety of foods, such as pizza and vegetables. You can even use it for baking cookies and pies.
Question: How do I use the meat probe?
Answer: Place the meat inside the smoker and insert the probe in the meat. The internal temperature of the meat will be displayed in the panel.
Question: How do you control the amount of smoke in the unit?
Answer: The smoker has a “Prime” button that you can use to regulate the pellets’ burning process and the amount of smoke produced. The more you hold the “Prime” button, the more pellets are burned, so you get a thicker smoke.
Question: How do I clean the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker?
Answer: Start by removing each cooking grate for cleaning. Make sure to always clean dirt and dust off all surfaces before you begin cooking. Next, I recommend that you clean the smoker with a soft cloth and hot soapy water. To prevent grease from accumulating in your smoker, don’t forget to empty the greased pan at the bottom.
Final thoughts: This smoker is great for the serious cooker
If you are looking for a large and robust smoker to use during your family gatherings, the Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker is among the best options you can find. It offers plenty of cooking space for your food. In addition, the pellet hopper can fit a high amount of wood pellets, which will let you cook for 35 hours without having to reload. It also comes with various attractive features, such as a glass door and a digital control panel.
We hope that this Louisiana Grills Pellet Smoker review has provided you with all the information you need to decide if this smoker is the right option for you. For guides on smoked food, feel free to take a look at our smoked chuck guide and smoked halibut guide.