Have you wondered if you can put a cast iron skillet into a smoker grill? Some people claim steaks should be cooked on a flat top or in a cast iron skillet for the best results. I usually grill steaks directly on my pellet smoker grill, but I decided to get a cast iron skillet to give this method a try. Watch the video below if you’d like to see how everything went – the good, the bad and the ugly.
According to the Lodge Manufacturing Company, makers of cast iron skillets and much more, cast iron can be used on all stovetops, from induction to electric to gas, and even on the grill! It also works great on glass top stoves and campfires. Microwave oven use, however, is highly discouraged.
If you love steaks like I do or meat in general, then you probably want to know all your cooking options. From there you can decide which way you like best and keep on eating like a meat-loving king!
Picking Out Steaks for The Cast Iron Skillet
For my first trial run, I wanted to use a cheaper cut of meat in case things didn’t go well. Ribeye is my favorite but I’ll save that for another time. I found a couple of well-marbled chuck steaks at a nearby Walmart that would do the job. I seasoned them both with some Durango Hickory Smoked Sea Salt and pepper and put them in the fridge overnight. Saltworks makes several flavored salts that are terrific. See them here.
I also bought a new Lodge cast iron skillet to be used exclusively on my grill. I didn’t want to use the one in our kitchen because it will collect a lot of soot from the grill that my wife won’t appreciate. Find reasonably priced cast iron cooking gear here.
Using a Lodge Cast Iron Skillet
The Lodge cast iron skillet doesn’t have any chemical coatings to worry about and was already seasoned and ready to use. I just gave it a quick rinse and wiped it dry with a paper towel.
According to my research, cast iron seems to perform best when it’s heated and cooled gradually. I put the skillet on the smoker grill while it was pre-heating so it would be ready when the grill was and I wouldn’t waste more pellets waiting for it to get hot. Getting to my target temperature of 450 degrees takes about 8 minutes after the start up process
I used a pair of leather work gloves to avoid burning my hands which wasn’t the best idea. The leather is thin and heated up quickly. Why I didn’t just grab an oven mitt is beyond me. Next time!
Preparing The Garlic Steak Butter
I’m fairly new to steak butter, but I have to say, it’s tasty! I use about 2-3 tablespoons of salted butter, a fresh clove or two of chopped garlic, and a pinch of each of the following:
- Onion powder
- Garlic salt
- Cayenne pepper
- Rosemary
- Thyme
I put all this into a small metal cup or container then I set it on top of the hot smoke stack while the grill is heating up and cooking. Then I added the melted mixture to the pan just before adding the steaks.
Cooking the Chuck Steaks in the Cast Iron Skillet
Once the pellet grill was up to my intended temperature of 450 degrees, I raised the lid and used a metal spatula to evenly distribute the oil and steak butter in the skillet. Then I added the steaks. They immediately started sizzling. I closed the lid and I started my timer.
I planned to cook them about 2-3 minutes per side and maybe 15 seconds on the inch thick edges. After that I basted the meat with the sizzling garlic butter.
After both sides cooked, I checked the temperature of the steaks with a digital thermometer. I was hoping for about 130 degrees or so but the readout was around 160. Yikes! They felt tender in my tongs, but that temperature was much higher than I wanted so I quickly pulled them off to rest.
Because the cool down process takes a while with a pellet smoker grill, I turned the dial all the way down after I pulled the steaks off. I leave the lid up while the fire burns out. After about 5-10 minutes the fan will stop.
Taste Testing the Chuck Steak
I nuked some green beans with bacon my wife made the other day and toasted a slice of multigrain sourdough bread while the chuck steaks rested. The 5 minute resting period ensures that the juices stay in the meat rather than quickly draining out if you cut into it right away. I prefer a juicy steak so resting works for me.
To my relief, the steak was medium rare and juicy. Just the way I like it! Again, it wasn’t a ribeye or a t-bone, but for a chuck steak, it was very good! It had a “different” flavor to it that I attribute to the olive oil and maybe the cast iron skillet. Not a “bad” flavor, just not what I’m used to by cooking on a pellet grill. I also didn’t get as much flavor from my garlic steak butter this time. I’ll practice more with that too.
What Did I Like Best About The Cast Iron Skillet Method?
I would have to say the steak was more evenly seared in the skillet than on the grill. Other than that… I don’t know. I’ll have to practice a few more times with it to really form an opinion about using a cast iron skillet to cook steaks.
What Are The Downsides to Using a Skillet For Steaks?
Using a cast iron skillet adds a few more steps to the process. The skillet needs to be heated, oil added, garlic butter added, basting, cooling, cleaning, and storing. Is that a big deal? Only if the meat isn’t any better tasting then cooking directly on the grill.
Smoking The Meat Before Grilling It
Something I tried recently proved to be very tasty. I smoked a couple of steaks in my Vertical Smoker for about 90 minutes before grilling them on my Austin XL. They were terrific! The smoke had a chance to penetrate and flavor the steaks with a rich, smokey goodness. The extra steps involved to get that result was well worth it.
Yes, You Can Put A Cast Iron Skillet in a Pellet Smoker Grill
As stated earlier, you can put a cast iron skillet almost anywhere but a microwave oven. They’re one of the most durable and versatile cooking tools available. If you take care of them, they will serve you and your family well not just for years, but for decades.
How to Clean a Cast Iron Skillet
- Dishwasher cleaning is NOT recommended.
- Use a pan scraper to remove sticky foods and wash with water by hand. Nylon bristle scrub brushes can also be used. Avoid using metal scouring pads as they can harm the seasoning.
- Dry the skillet quickly with a paper towel or lint-free cloth
- While the skillet is still warm, rub a very light layer of cooking oil or seasoning spray on it.
- Store in a dry place.
More About Lodge Manufacturing Company
Lodge Manufacturing Company is an American manufacturer of cast iron cookware based in South Pittsburg, Tennessee. Their products range from cast iron griddles, skillets and covers, camp ovens, stoneware, enamel dutch ovens and bakeware, and carbon steel.
Joseph Lodge founded Lodge Manufacturing in 1896 and it is one of America’s oldest cookware companies in continuous operation. The company has survived multiple wars, the Great Depression, boom and bust economies and it is still owned and managed by the descendants of the Lodge family.
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