Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Pellet Grill Review

Anyone who has spent much time with me knows I sing the praises of pellet grills and smokers. While I’m a huge fan of my Traeger Ironwood 885, the Brisk It Origin 580 pellet grill captured my attention recently. There are some features to consider and the addition of AI to automate parts of the cooking process. Of course, the proof is in the cooking results, and I put it to the test.

Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Pellet Grill Basics

Capacity

As the smaller of the two grills in the line, this model has 580 square inches of cooking space on two levels. Obviously, that’s quite a bit less than the 885 on my Traeger and the even greater area of the Brisk It 940, but that was also part of the appeal to me. The lower volume means greater efficiency in the use of pellets and it’s a better size for everyday cooking.

I usually cook for 2 – 4 people on a daily basis, and the 580 is a great size for that. Whether it’s burgers, steaks, or ribs, you’re not heating a massive drum to hold the temperature. At the same time, you can still fit a whole turkey, full packer brisket, 4 – 5 whole chickens, 5 racks of baby back ribs, or 4 pork butts. On faster cooks, you’re looking at room for a dozen burgers, 6 – 8 steaks, or 20 brats. Realistically, there’s space to cook for 2 – 10 people.

Temperature Control

The Brisk It Origin 580’s temperature range is 165° —500° F. Similar to Traeger, the system uses a PID algorithm to control the temperature predictively. The system works impressively well, and my cooking temperatures have stabilized with only 4 degrees of variation on either side of my target. In cold or windy conditions, there can be greater variance, but that’s normal for even the best pellet grills.

Pro Tip: PID stands for Proportional Integral Derivative and relates to the controller. The formula is unpleasant, so we’ll thank the engineers for doing the hard work for us and get to talking about food.

The hopper holds an impressive 22 pounds of pellets. When you’re cooking at 225° F or lower, that can be more than 24 hours’ worth of cooking time. Of course, your pellet consumption goes up as you cook at higher temperatures.

When you’re cooking low and slow, you can kick on the PowerSmoke feature to get a smoker flavor (similar to Traeger’s Super Smoke mode). Your pellet consumption goes up a little bit in this mode, so keep an eye on your hopper levels on long brisket smokes.

The one feature I miss having is the pellet level sensor. It’s handy to check on your phone at 6:00 am without having to crawl out of bed. However, if you start with a full hopper before you call it a night, you shouldn’t run into any issues.

Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Pellet Grill Upgrade Features

Oil and Ash Trays

Keeping your pellet grill operating at its peak requires regular cleaning, especially emptying the oil and clearing out the ash buildup. Brisk It makes things a bit easier with trays mounted for both underneath.

The oil pan volume isn’t as generous as on other grills I’ve used, so you’ll need to empty it more often. On the other hand, it’s out of sight, so you don’t have to stare at all that collected oil on the side of your grill.

The ash collection is definitely helpful in extending your time between deeper cleanings. A simple pull of the spring-loaded knob on the side helps empty the ash into the tray.

Don’t assume that you never have to clean the grill, though. In addition to the ash around the barrel, you can also get caking in the firebox that can lead to longer or failed ignition.

I recommend getting inside the barrel every three to four months for a good cleanout if you’re a regular user. For those of you who store your grill for the winter, be sure to clear things out before putting the cover on for the season.

Control Panel

The control panel contains everything you need to operate the grill. You don’t even have to download the app if you really don’t want to (spoiler—you’re missing half the convenience if you don’t use the app).

I found the color screen and menu easy to navigate without referencing the manual. In addition to the basic temperature and operation controls, you can set timers, temperature probe targets, kick on PowerSmoke mode, and more.

App-Based Controls

The grill’s controller is wi-fi enabled, so you can use the app from anywhere you have a cell signal once you connect to your home’s wi-fi.

All the app-based controls I’m used to are included, with one notable addition—the ability to turn on the grill. Many manufacturers have stayed away from this, but I’m grateful to have it. I often do my food prep the night before, so when I’m ready to leave the office, I can turn the Brisk It Origin 580 on, and it’s ready to go when I arrive at the house.

There’s a risk to weigh, though. When you’re using this feature, make sure the grill is in a safe location to operate and that it’s in good working order (AKA clean).

Here are the most of the other key features (we’re saving one major for its own section):

• Temperature control
• PowerSmoke mode
• Dual timers
• Dual probe target temperatures
• Grill shut down

InnoGrill AI Automated Cooking

One massive upgrade compared to other pellet grills is InnoGrill AI automated cooking. The concept is brilliant. Here’s what it entails:

• Select a recipe in the app
• Follow the step-by-step recipe prep
• Get the grill going
• Insert the temperature probe
• Let AI adjust everything throughout the entire cook and notify you when it’s done.

There are programmable cooks you can do with other grills, but those are generally time-based. Brisk It’s AI can adjust to the temperature it’s reading from the probe, simplifying your cook and taking the guesswork out. In combination with the recipes in the app, even the newest cook can create outstanding results.

Vera AI

At the time I’m writing, Brisk It is also preparing for the release of generative AI controls that make your cooking even easier. Called Vera AI, you can ask it to make any recipe you want, and the app will generate it for you, including prep and seasoning. Once you’re ready, you can send it to the grill just like the other recipes built into the app.

Pro Tip: AI can make mistakes, so be sure to look over the recipes it generates to make sure there are no red flags.

I was able to test a pre-launch version, and it’s a legit game-changer. I asked it for smoked meatloaf, spicy chicken wings, and even cheese pizza and got results. However, I strayed too far when I asked for chocolate cake. Even though you can bake one on your Brisk It, Vera AI suggested I use a conventional oven instead.

Also, it doesn’t always give you the amount of seasoning you need at this stage (remember, it’s in pre-release right now), but I expect that will improve as it rolls out.

Once you have the recipe, you can like it, dislike it, save it to your favorites, or copy it to the clipboard.

Additional Features

• High temp powder coating
• Rolled and stainless steel construction
• Easy rolling combination of all-terrain and castor wheels
• Side tray with hanging pegs

Brisk It Origin 580 Smart Pellet Grill Price

The Origin 580 is $949, and the app is free to use—you just need to sign up for a free account once you’re set up and ready to start cooking. If the larger model is more appealing, it runs $1199.99.

You’ll need some consumables for the best experience, and you get everything you need to get started with your grill. You may want to go ahead and order some extras when you get your grill, so you have them when you need them. Be sure to grab some pellets, too. They’re 100% oak hardwood and competitively priced.

• Ashtray liner: $5.99 (5-pacK)
• Oil tray liner: $4.99 (5-pack)
• Drip pan liner: $14.99 (5-pack)
• Oak pellets: $37.99 (40 pounds)

I also recommend a couple of accessories. The folding front tray ($69.99) is a huge benefit for putting food on and taking it off. There’s no point in risking your Christmas beef tenderloin by having to lift it over to the side tray.

If you’re storing your grill outside or on the porch, grab a cover to protect it from the elements. It’s a $69.99 insurance policy to keep your grill in service for a longer time.

Everything is available directly from Brisk It’s website. They also have an Amazon storefront and are available at Home Depot and Lowe’s along with other retailers.

The Bottom Line

The Brisk It Origin 580 pellet grill has the smarts to flatten the learning curve for people who have always wanted to grill and smoke but have been intimidated. Even seasoned pitmasters can appreciate the quality of the results you can achieve with a much higher level of convenience than traditional smokers and grills. With its quality build and several useful upgrades over the competition, Brisk It deserves a place on your list if you’re considering purchasing a premium pellet grill.