So you’ve got a pellet grill and you’re wondering if you can place aluminum foil in the pellet grill.
After all, aluminum foil is cheap and is commonly used to steam food such as potatoes.
So can aluminum foil be used in pellet grills?
Aluminum foil can be safely used in pellet grills for wrapping food and providing an easy way to clean up grease. Some foods, such as potatoes and ribs, benefit from being wrapped to cook through. Another use for aluminum foil is to line the drip tray and grease bucket for easy cleanup.
Now let’s cover how to use aluminum foil in pellet grills so you can get the most out of your pellet smoker.
Quick And Easy Grease Removal On Pellet Grills
The best way to use aluminum foil in a pellet grill is to line the drip tray and grease bucket.
Brands such as Traeger do sell drip tray liners and grease bucket liners but these can get quite pricey over time.
A cheaper alternative is to use heavy-duty aluminum foil to line the drip tray and grease bucket.
Lining Drip Tray With Aluminum Foil
Lining the drip tray is simple to use and will save you lots of time from having to chisel off any baked-on grease.
Simply place aluminum foil over the drip tray lengthways so that the drip tray is completely covered end to end. Use two strips of aluminum foil if your drip tray is wider than one strip of aluminum foil.
A pro tip is to use multiple layers of aluminum foil on the drip tray.
For example, if the drip tray is wrapped 5 times with aluminum foil then you can simply peel off the top layer to remove all the grease. You will be left with a sparkly clean drip tray that is already wrapped with aluminum foil and ready to go.
Lining Grease Bucket With Aluminum Foil
Lining the grease bucket is a great way to save time from having to scoop grease out of the bucket with a spoon or purchasing a new grease bucket.
Grab a large piece of aluminum foil and then start to create a cave in the aluminum foil.
Personally, I create a fist and then slowly push it into the aluminum foil until it starts to fit into the bucket. Once inside, start pressing the foil against the bucket edges so it’s all sealed.
The same pro tip for drip trays of using multiple layers of aluminum foil also works for grease buckets.
If you layer the aluminum foil multiple times then you’ll be able to remove the top layer to remove all the grease. Then the grease bucket will be all set and ready to go.
Wrapping Food With Aluminum Foil On Pellet Grills
Another common use for aluminum foil on pellet grills is to cook and steam food.
Some recipes such as baked potatoes and 3-2-1 ribs will often call for the food to be wrapped in aluminum foil.
Although wrapping food in aluminum foil will prevent the food from getting as much smoky flavor, there are ways to ensure that the food gets a smoky flavor before being wrapped.
Cook Food Low And Slow Unwrapped
In order to ensure that food absorbs a smoky flavor, first smoke food on the pellet grill unwrapped for 30 minutes to an hour.
Generally, I recommend using 225°F to slowly cook the food on the pellet grill which will allow the smoky flavor to penetrate the food.
After 30 minutes or 1 hour, I pull the food off the grill and wrap it before placing it back on the grill.
This method will work for any recipe that calls for the food to be wrapped such as fish, potatoes, and ribs.
Final Thoughts
Aluminum foil is a versatile cooking tool that can be used on pellet grills.
Similar to how food is often wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on a propane or charcoal grill, food can also be wrapped in aluminum foil and placed on a pellet grill.
So when people ask if aluminum foil can be used on a pellet grill, remember the following:
Aluminum foil can be used on a pellet grill for cooking food and lining the drip tray and grease bucket for easy cleanup.
Now let’s cover some frequently asked questions when it comes to using aluminum foil in pellet grills.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can I use aluminum foil in my Traeger?
A: Aluminum foil can be used in a Traeger pellet grill for wrapping and cooking food. Moreover, aluminum foil can be used to line the drip tray and grease bucket to easily remove the grease.
Q: Can you put aluminum pan in Traeger?
A: Aluminum pans can be used in a Traeger pellet grill for cooking food. An aluminum pan can also be placed on top of the drip tray to catch the grease from the food for easy cleanup.
