The question is; does it really hold its temperature in the cold? I tested the Clermont with some massive beef shanks on a cold and windy day (-20°C / -4°F). In order to achieve a perfect fall-off-the-bone result, I had to keep the smoker temperature cuisinart clermont pellet grill & smoker cover at 275°F for 10 consecutive hours, aiming an internal temperature of 203°F to 205°F. Throughout the cooking process, the Clermont maintained a temperature between 255°F and 285°F, which is much better than I expected in such poor weather conditions.
Right, I don’t think its a ‘bad’ product, I just don’t think its worth just under $800. At that price, as an overall package, the Pit Boss Lockhart offers pretty much the same package and more for under $750. Once the Clermont is on sale for below the price of the Lockhart, that could make it more appealing as direct competition. I was browsing the big box store websites as I do to find new pellet grill/smoker models and on Lowes.com I came across a couple of new Oklahoma Joe’s pellet grills.
Below are a few things to consider while shopping for the best pellet grills. I had no clue what I was buying, I thought it was a BBQ and it totally fit out on our new patio along with it being on clearance, win win to me. Get this monster home, read the paperwork, this does so much stuff. It is like having an extra oven, I always had my husband cook outside, me not wanting to mess with charcoal or whatever.
If the grill is stored outside during the rainy season, care should be taken to ensure that water does not get into the pellet hopper. Wood pellets, when wet, expand greatly and will jam your auger. Wash cooking grates and heat distribution plate with hot, soapy water, rinse well and dry.
Well, now the Clermont comes with a 40lb pellet hopper with a pellet sensor to boot. A 30lb hopper is well above the industry average, but a 40lb hopper is really far larger than you actually need. You can use a damp cloth to wipe the grill’s interior, but never put water directly into the cuisinart clermont cover burn pot. Use caution not to damage the electric elements and allow the grill to dry completely before use. Once your burn pot is clean, replace the heat deflector, drip tray and grates. Using a wet cloth, wipe down the grill’s surface to remove all remaining cleaner or soap residue.
Most pellet grills contain a deflector plate that runs under the grill racks. Some contain a sliding sear plate that creates a section of the grill that has access to the flames in the fire pot. The SmokeFire looks like any other Weber grill, though, with an open design and a heat deflector plate that only covers an eight-inch area over the fire pot.
As with all Cuisinart’s grilling products we strive to be user friendly, easy clean, interactive, and visually pleasing. When it comes to the joy of outdoor cooking, you obviously want a grill that perfectly suits your needs, but there is also a budget matter. Fortunately, the Clermont has one of the best price-to-performance ratios among comparable pellet smokers. It’s actually one of the most affordable pellet grill on the market, available at Walmart for just under $700.