Take the NY Strip steaks out of the fridge and let them sit at room temperature for 30 mins before cooking. This ensures even cooking throughout the meat.

In the meantime, mix the kosher salt, black pepper, garlic powder, and cayenne pepper in a small bowl to create the flavorful rub.

Pat the steaks dry with a paper towel, and then generously rub the seasoning mix on both sides of each steak. Make sure to coat them thoroughly, allowing the flavors to penetrate the meat. Give 'em a little love!

While the steaks are getting cozy with their seasoning, it's time to prepare the pellet grill. Set the temperature to 225°F (yeah, that's Fahrenheit!) and let the grill heat up. It's like giving it a warm-up exercise before the real grilling action.

Take the soaked wood chips and drain off any excess water. Now, scatter them directly onto the grill grates or place them in a smoker box if your grill has one. This step adds that irresistible smoky goodness to your steaks. Yum!

Once the grill reaches a steady 225°F, it's showtime! Gently place the seasoned NY Strip steaks directly on the grates. Close the lid and let the magic happen for about 1 to 1.5 hours. This slow and low cooking will infuse the steaks with that tantalizing smoky flavor.

Keep an eye on the grill temperature during the smoking process and adjust the heat if necessary to maintain that 225°F sweet spot.

After the steaks have soaked up all that smoky love, it's time for the grand finale! Crank up the heat on your pellet grill to around 450°F (yep, it's time to turn up the heat!).

Carefully remove the steaks from the grill and let them rest for a few minutes while the grill gets nice and hot.

Once the grill is sizzlin', place the steaks back on the grates and sear each side for about 1 to 2 minutes. The high heat will give your steaks that crispy, caramelized crust, while keeping the inside tender and juicy. Perfection!

Check the internal temperature of the steaks with a meat thermometer. For a perfect medium-rare, aim for around 130°F. Adjust the cooking time accordingly if you prefer a different doneness level.

Once your steaks have reached the desired temperature, take them off the grill and let them rest for a few more minutes. This resting period allows the juices to redistribute, making your steaks even juicier.

Finally, slice those glorious smoked NY Strip steaks and serve 'em up with your favorite sides. Pair them with loaded mashed potatoes, grilled asparagus, or a refreshing salad.