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Pellet smoker season is here, and whether you're new to the grill or years in, there are fundamentals most people skip. Ted Reader has been cooking over live fire his whole life. He's got the tips that change everything.

The smoke mistake almost everyone makes: too much wood, too long. Reader says all your flavour penetration happens in the first 45 minutes. After that, you're just making it bitter. One good piece of wood to start is enough. Fruit woods, hardwoods, and nutwoods work. Birch does not.

The other two tips land on health and accuracy. A clean grill is a hotter grill, Reader says, and cleaning it right after cooking while it's still warm is the move. A thermometer is non-negotiable: 160 for burgers, 195 to 203 for brisket.

Topics: pellet smoker tips, BBQ grilling tips, barbecue wood selection, grill thermometer, Ted Reader

GUEST: Ted Reader | http://tedreader.com | @‌godfatherofthegrill

Originally aired on 2026-05-14