D LX P ELLET G RIL L Grilling Guide
Championship BBQ in your own B A C K YA R D Congratulations and welcome to ownership of your new Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX Pellet Grill. Get ready to experience the easiest way to create delicious piles of smoked food for the whole family (and maybe neighborhood!) to enjoy. But before you get to cooking, we suggest you take a few moments to read this product guide to get familiar with all the parts and features we packed into your Rider DLX and exactly how it all works together.
TABL E O F C O N T E NTS: Know Your Grill How it works.............................................................................2 Product features.......................................................................4 Control panel............................................................................8 Display screen details..............................................................9 Fire Focus................................................................................10 Adjustable Baffle...
KNOW YOUR JOE How it works … We designed the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX Pellet Grill to effortlessly deliver delicious wood-fired smoke flavor in an incredibly versatile outdoor cooking platform. But before you start making great meals, we want to lay out the details of how your new grill works, how to operate it and how to maintain it properly so it provides years of great meals.
1. Hopper - Holds up to 20lbs of your favorite flavor wood pellets providing fuel for hours of cooking. 2. Auger - Delivers pellets from the hopper to the fire pot. 3. Blower Fan - This fan blows fresh air onto the fire to stoke the flames. 4. Pit Control - The Pit Control system uses smart algorithms to control the auger and fan to achieve and maintain your set cooking temperatures. 5. Fire Pot - This is where those hardwood pellets are burned to create delicious wood-fired smoke and heat. 6.
PRODUCT FEATURES Exterior Features 1. Pit Control 2.0 - This is the brain of your Rider DLX Pellet Grill. After you set the desired cooking temp, Pit Control takes care of the rest. It is also equipped with 2 guidance features to organize your cook: • Timers - Can be set to show cook duration or cook time elapsed. • Meat Probes - Indicates when internal temp of your food has reached a set target. 2.
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Interior Features 7. Flex Grates - Three porcelain-coated cast-iron grates provide 578 Sq. In of cooking space, with extra thick construction that provides excellent heat retention for grilling. The porcelain coating resists rust and makes them easier to clean. 8. Flex Rack - Each porcelain-coated steel wire upper cooking rack provides an additional 328 Sq. In of cooking capacity. 9.
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PIT CONTROL PANEL 2 1 3 5 4 6 1 2 1 2 3 4 1. Control Knob - Set your desired cooking temperature, set timers and meat probes using the control knob. Pushing down on the knob will confirm selections. 2. Power Button - Press button to turn the grill on. Hold for 2 seconds to power the grill off. NOTE: Shutdown burn should ALWAYS be run to completion before switching the grill power off. 3. SHUTDOWN Button - Hold for 2 seconds to initiate the shutdown process.
DISPLAY SCREEN DETAILS 1 3 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6 Primary Fire Focus Selection (Pg 10) Secondary Fire Focus Selection (Pg 10) 5 Primary Temp Readout Secondary Temp Readout 7 2 4 Temp Readout Status • ACT – Indicates the temp readout is currently showing actual temp readings in the cook chamber. • SET – Indicates the temp readout is currently showing the target temp being set by the user. Once a target temp is selected, this readout will revert to ACT. 6.
FIRE FOCUS Fire Focus lets you take full advantage of the dual temperature sensors in the Rider DLX cook chamber for incredibly accurate temp control, tailored to your cooking needs By measuring the air temperature and grate temperature with separate sensors, the Rider DLX can match the set temperature more precisely by where you are cooking. 1. Air Temp Focus - Use this mode when utilizing the entire volume of the cook chamber for smoking or baking.
ADJUSTABLE HEAT BAFFLE Allows you to switch between even temp performance throughout the chamber when desired and focused, direct heat performance at the grate level when grilling, all in real time, just by flipping a lever. This system consists of 3 components : Selector The selector allows you to shift the baffle from SEAR MODE to SMOKE MODE on the fly. Flex Grate The round, central grate provides a visual indicator to the high heat area when grilling.
QUICKDRAW HOPPER The QuickDraw Hopper makes draining unused pellets from the hopper a simple task. This allows you to empty the hopper after use and/or swap pellet flavors quickly and easily. Here’s how it works: 1. Slide Pellet Storage Bucket into the rails underneath the hopper. 2. Pull and hold the handle to drain. 3. Remove bucket and seal with lid for storage. We recommend you drain the hopper after cooking each time to ensure that your pellets avoid moisture.
FLEX GRATE Our modular cooking grate and rack system interface with a selection of accessories, allowing custom configurations for a ton of unique cooking setups and amazing versatility. The accessories are sold separately and allow you to build out your perfect cooking setup. To use the Flex Grate accessories, simply remove the central section of the grate and replace with your selected accessory. The accessories can also be used on top of the grates if desired.
FLEX RACKS The Flex Racks use a vertical support system on the back wall of your Rider DLX to support the upper cooking racks. To use accessory racks, simply lift the upper cooking rack out and use your accessory rack in any configuration you like. Multi-Purpose Flex Rack An all-purpose rack that lets you take advantage of every last cubic inch in the cook chamber. Drumstick & Pepper Flex Rack Specifically designed to wrangle those awkward shaped foods.
FIRST TIME START UP & USE Follow these instructions for setup and proper use of your Rider Pellet Grill. 1. INSPECTION – This is a quick check to make sure your grill’s components are working properly… be sure to observe only and not touch the auger, ignitor or fans. 1. Remove center grate and baffles. 2. Plug the grill into a GFCI protected outlet and power the grill on using the power switch on the Pit Control panel. 3. Look in the hopper to ensure that the auger is clear. 4.
3. SHUTDOWN - Use this technique to properly shutdown your grill after each use. 1. After cooking, press and hold the Shutdown Button for 2 seconds to initiate the shutdown process. After 2 seconds, the Shutdown process will start by flashing the message “DRN HOP” on the Pit Control screen, indicating that it’s time to drain the remaining pellets in the QuickDraw hopper into your pellet storage bucket. 2.
USING PIT CONTROL Setting and controlling temperatures on your new Rider DLX pellet grill is made simple with Pit Control. It uses dual temperature sensors in the cook chamber, along with intelligent algorithms, to maintain smoke and cooking temps throughout your cooking sessions. Rotate the control knob to cycle through set cooking temps and push knob to confirm setting.
GUIDANCE FEATURES Pit Control comes equipped with 2 guidance features to help you keep track of cooking times and meat temperatures. Timer - set a countdown timer to monitor cook times. Upon completion, an audible “beep” will sound and the display screen will flash indicating your timer goal has been reached. To set the timer: 1. Push and HOLD the Timer Button to enter “set mode”. 2. Rotate the knob to choose which timer you want to set. The highlighted timer will flash, press the Control Knob to confirm.
to cancel. Next press the Control Knob once again (without rotating the knob) to cancel the timer setting and exit Set Mode. Meat Probes - Use up to 4 integrated meat probes simultaneously (2 included) to monitor internal meat temps. There are two ways to use the meat probes:: • Set a target internal temp for your food - When target temp is reached, audible “beeps” will sound and the display screen will flash, letting you know your food is done.
COOKING TIPS Even though the Rider has lots of features to help optimize the cooking experience, it still has its own unique performance aspects that will take a couple of uses to get just right. At the end of the day, you will learn to use the Rider like you would any other grill or smoker – through practice! (At least in this case, practice involves cooking delicious meals.
Grilling Sear mode vs smoke mode - Sear mode is a powerful feature on the Rider DLX which will let you grill over red hot temperatures that you would normally get over a charcoal fire. Having said that, it may take a little practice to master using those super high temps. Experiment with different grilling temperature settings and heat baffle positions to get the perfect grilling set up for you.
PELLET GRILL MAINTENANCE There’s just a few things to remember to keep your pellet grill functioning at peak performance. Keep up with the maintenance in this guide and your grill will help you create delicious food for years to come. Clean Up Every good pitmaster knows that clean up is an important part of maintaining tip-top smoker or grill performance.
Empty Pellets Removing excess pellets from the hopper when your pellet grill is not in use will help them stay dry and prevents them from breaking down in your pellet grill and causing jams. If you are running the Shutdown Process explained on pg 16, you will already be doing this, so consider this a reminder. Follow the steps on page 12 to drain and store your pellets. Note: Always store pellets in your Pellet Storage Bucket and keep in a dry place.
Clean the cook chamber After several cooks, the interior walls of the grill can develop a greasy build-up which can affect performance of the grill and even the flavor of your food. 1. Unplug the grill. 2. Make sure pellet grill is completely cool before cleaning. 3. Remove all interior components. 4. Thoroughly rinse interior walls with water. A food safe cleaning solution can be used for deeper cleaning. 5. Wipe out the interior of the unit with a cloth or paper towels. 6.
CLEAN INTERIOR COMPONENTS Keeping interior components clean is essential to maintaining the performance and safety of your pellet grill. Heat baffles will collect a significant amount of grease build up which can influence your cooking results and potentially lead to grease fires. In addition to running Burn Offs frequently, a periodic, extensive cleaning is recommend. Cleaning the main grates and upper racks • Components should not be cleaned while hot.
3. Remove Sear Zone chamber. 3 1 2 3 4. With the baffle removed, the grill interior can be thoroughly cleaned. 5. To reassemble, follow steps 1-4 in reverse order. Note: Be sure to line up the arrows in the baffle chamber to ensure correct alignment when reassembling.
EXTENDED CARE Grill Interior Over time rust can appear on the interior of your smoker… it’s the result of it being subjected to some pretty harsh conditions between cooking and the elements. Maintaining a light coat of vegetable oil on interior surfaces will aid in the protection of your unit. NOTE: Never paint the interior of your grill. Paint on the interior of the grill would not be food safe.
CUSTOMIZE Rider DLX Pellet Grills have a collection of accessories available to allow you to customize your smoking experience exactly the way you want it. Check out OklahomaJoes.com for more info on these items. F L E X G RATE Oklahoma Joe’s® Deep Dish Pan The Oklahoma Joe’s® Deep Dish Pan is a lightweight carbon steel pan that’s easy to maneuver and heats quickly and evenly. It’s deep enough to cook foods like gumbo, paella and cobbler on your smoker or grill.
Oklahoma Joe’s® Multipurpose Flex Rack This versatile rack can be used to warm buns, cook vegetables or keep desserts up and away from hot grill grates. It easily locks into the double-slotted brackets on the back wall of the cooking chamber on the Rider DLX Pellet Grills. Model # 4418428P06 Oklahoma Joe’s® Rib Flex Rack Maximize your cooking capacity by buying multiples of the Rib Flex Rack. This rack holds up to 4 racks of ribs in upright position for even cooking.
FUEL UP Infuse your pork, beef, chicken, vegetables and cheese with the strong, sweet and smoky taste of Oklahoma Joe’s® Wood Pellets. These ultra-premium pellets are 100% natural, hardwood, food-grade pellets. They’re clean burning with low ash for easy clean-up and available in 20-pound bags.
3 PC Pellet Bucket Kit Use this kit to keep pellets fresh and dry. Kit includes a bonus pellet filter and a scoop for dust-free pellets to get a more efficient cleaner burn. Model # 5159038R04 Oklahoma Joe’s® Rider DLX Pellet Grill Cover Protect your Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX 900 or 1200 Pellet Grill from the elements with a custom-fit cover. Made from fade and water-resistant material, this heavy-duty cover keeps your pellet grill clean and dry. Plus, built-in hook and loop straps ensure a secure fit.
WOOD FLAVORS Apple wood has a mild, sweet, fruity flavor. Use this wood for smoking poultry, beef, pork (especially ham), game birds, lamb, and some seafood. Because of it’s light character, it will take more time to get the flavor you want. Cherry wood has a sweet mild, fruity flavor that is a good match for all meats. And it’s one of the most popular woods for smoking. It makes great smoke rings and can be used in combination with other woods to produce more complex flavors.
SMOKING WOOD FLAVOR CHART Poultry Seafood Lamb Pork Beef Veggies Cheese Alder Apple Cherry Hickory Maple Mesquite Mulberry Oak Olive Peach Pear Pecan Walnut Please refer to the SMOKING WOOD FLAVOR CHART for an idea on what wood flavors may work best when smoking certain foods. These are just guidelines, you will learn what you like to use as you gain experience using different flavors on different foods.
FOOD SAFETY Food safety is a very important part of enjoying the outdoor cooking experience. To keep food safe from harmful bacteria, follow these four basic steps: Clean: Wash hands, utensils, and surfaces with hot soapy water before and after handling raw meat. Separate: Separate raw meats from ready-to-eat foods to avoid cross contamination. Use a clean platter and utensils when removing cooked foods. Cook: Cook meat and poultry thoroughly to kill bacteria.
Internal Meat Temperatures Meat cooked on a smoker/grill often browns very fast on the outside. Therefore, use a meat thermometer to ensure it has reached safe internal temperatures.
TIPS FROM THE PIT Let it Rest When you’re smoking larger cuts of meat it’s always a good idea to let your product rest after pulling it off the smoker. This will help reabsorb the moisture back into the meat, and allows some time for the product to come down a few degrees to aid in slicing. A good rule of thumb is to wait about an hour on pork and brisket before slicing, and you can always hold the meat in a dry cooler to help maintain a good internal temperature.
Take Notes As if there isn’t enough to do when smoking your favorite cut of meat, it pays to take a few notes of your process so you can go back and remember what you did. It can take 12+ hours sometimes when smoking low and slow, and you don’t want to forget your steps so you can repeat your process in the future. Remembering the good steps, and the bad ones, can help you improve your chances for recreating that great product and making your BBQ the most coveted of the neighborhood.
TROUBLESHOOTING Reference this guide if you are experiencing issues when using your Rider Pellet Grill. You may encounter a “CHK HOP” message on your Pit Control screen in some circumstances. Please know that if this message appears, the grill is functioning normally and will continue to do so. If the grill has not reached preset temp, the “CHK HOP” message will appear on the control panel.
1. Check and empty ash cup. With ash cup removed, tap ash chute (stainless steel tube protruding from bottom of grill) with screwdriver or similar tool to shake firepot clean. 3. CHECK FOR AUGER JAM - If your firepot is clean, next you’ll need to check for an auger jam. These can be caused by a number of factors such as using damp or crumbling pellets, leaving pellets in the system between uses or not properly running the shutdown process: a.
may need to be replaced. Please call Oklahoma Joe’s customer service for assistance (see page 42). 5. CHECK GRILLING TEMPERATURE PROBE - If auger is turning properly, check to see if the temperature probe is malfunctioning: a. Empty Quickdraw hopper and remove center grate. b. Turn the grill on and set to “HI”. c. Allow the Preheat cycle to complete (you will see an actual temperature reading on the Pit Control screen instead of “PRE”) . d.
further assistance (see page 42). CLEARING AN AUGER JAM Jams can be caused by a number of factors such as using damp/crumbling pellets, leaving pellets in the system for extended periods of time or not properly running the shutdown process. In some cases, a jam may be accompanied by an ER5 message on the Pit Control screen but ultimately, an auger jam will prevent the auger from feeding pellets into the firepot, thus causing a flameout. Visit our FAQ on Oklahoma Joe’s.
ERROR CODES In the event that you do experience a malfunction, you may see an error code read out on the Pit Control display screen. Consult the table below to find the source of the error, and reference the Instruction Manual for more details. Also visit OklahomaJoes.com for more details on troubleshooting the specific issue you are having. Or, if you prefer, please feel free to contact Oklahoma Joe’s customer service at 800-318-7744.
