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Walmart

The Weber Spirit is a two burner propane gas grill with enough cooking space for a small family or couple. This grill is very easy to use and gets the job done without any gadgetry to get in the way.

This propane gas grill is very easy to use. Turn on the burners using a push-start piezo igniter and set the burners to low, medium, or high heat, or until the built-in lid thermometer shows the desired temperature.

Weber grills are good quality, and most of us started our BBQ journey using one. This grill has a fuel gauge to let you know the fuel level in the propane tank, flavorizer bars, and two cooking grates. It is a simple grill, but that’s what makes it so good.

This Weber is one of the best beginner grills because of its simplicity but it also includes all the aids ad feature you need for grilling great food.

What we like:

It’s simple to use and get started.
Two burners can get the grill to a high enough temperature to get grill marks on steaks.
of grilling space for a small family or entertaining a small group.
The cooking area is split between a main cooking grate and a warming rack, which comes in handy to keep food warm.
The flavorizer bars help with flare ups.
Stainless steel burners should last a long time.

What to consider

Propane grills do yield real BBQ flavor since fuels like natural gas and propane don’t have flavor. ( like charcoal or wood pellets )
If you want a “smoky flavor” you will need to use a smoker box with wood chips.

3. The Z Grills 7004DE – Good Choice

Z Grills 7004De width — Z Grills 7004DE width

Available at:

Z Grills HQ

This Z Grills is a larger, more refined version of the 450B we mentioned above, and it is also larger. This means that the Z Grills 4004DE shares the same easy to use controls and includes many of the same features, but it is larger.

This grill can double as a smoker, so if you are wanting to start your grilling career and are also interested in learning how to smoke meats, the 700D4E is a great grill smoker combo grill.

This grill offers you a large cooking space, the well-liked automation of a digital temperature controller, meat probes, and two cooking racks. This is a grill that you can easily learn to use and grow with. It is very easy to use and versatile. Its temperature range is from 180 to 450 degrees, so you can cook a variety of foods, smoke meats, and grill.

This is the best grill for those who are looking for good wood-fired flavor and have the space and budget for a slightly larger grill than the top two on this list. If you budget allows it I would recommend this 700 over the 450B since you get a lot more space and a nice storage cabinet for not that much more.

Read our full review of the Z Grills at 7004DE with all the details.

What we like

Larger grill with plenty of space to cook large meat cuts.
Very easy to use, digital temperature controller and two meat probes to monitor the food.
It has a large store space with doors to store tools and pellets.
Great outdoor grill only needs a power source and pellets.
Only maintenance routine includes emptying the grease collector and grease tray cleaning.
Large LCD display
Affordable

What to consider

Is a larger grill so be sure you have the space.

4. The Weber Kettle Premium Premium Charcoal Grill : Best beginners charcoal grill

Available at:

Walmart

BBQ Guys

The Weber Kettle is not only easy to use and simple, it is a classic. The shape of this grill is Weber, which is the most recognizable shape in the BBQ world. This BBQ grill is fueled by charcoal but is designed with simplicity in mind.

Charcoal grills give you total control over the cooking process and can be easily adapted to work as pizza ovens, charcoal smokers, and, of course, grills.

However, many people get intimidated by the idea of having to deal with charcoal or grab a bottle of lighter fluid to light charcoal. This is all eliminated by using a chimney starter, some good quality lump charcoal, and you are ready to go. There are different methods of lighting charcoal without using chemicals or lighter fluid.

What we like:

Easy to use grill for beginners wanting to start on a charcoal grill.
Simple airflow controls to manage the fire and temperature.
Easy to arrange lump charcoal for indirect heat cooking when smoking meats.
Portable since no power is needed, just coal.
Very little maintenance, just empty the charcoal ash and clean the grates with a good brush.
Works well for both high heat grilling and low and slow cooking.

What to consider:

The grill can get hot to the touch.
It takes a little while to find a good air vent setup for optimal airflow and heat control.

Helpful: How to light charcoal using a chimney starter

5. The Ninja Foodie Smart XL – Best Electric Grill for Beginners

Available at:

The Ninja Foodie Smart is a different type of grill, and it is electric. This grill is considered more of an indoor electric grill than an outdoor one, but for some who live in apartments. This can be a good start.

The Ninja has two heating plates, so it cooks food evenly. It also has a smart digital temperature controller that handles all aspects of temperature control.

What we like:

As easy as it gets- press a button and start cooking.
Can be used indoors
Small and compact, fits in many places.

What to consider:

Limited cooking surface.
No smoky flavor.

6. The Joe Classic Kamado Charcoal Grill

The Joe Kamado is a premium charcoal grill. It can be your first grill and your last. The reason I say this is because kamados are incredibly durable and versatile. You can cook virtually anything with them, and because they are ceramic, they will not rust. However, these grills are on expensive side.

Things to consider As a beginner when selecting a grill

Have you ever been to a golf course where a beginner claims his golf clubs are terrible and that is why he curved the ball? Then a more experienced golfer grabs the same set of clubs and hits a straight 200 yard drive. Well, the same can be said about BBQ grills. Your skills will play a major role in how good or bad your food tastes. Nevertheless, when looking for the best grill for beginners, our test and research teams look for the following attributes, and so should you.

The flavor of the food will be affected by factors such as the type of fuel used, the type of grill, and, of course, your grilling skills.

But to help you navigate the world of grills, here are a few things you should consider when purchasing your first grill or if you are a beginner.

Price of the Grill

If this is going to be your first grill, you might want to start with something inexpensive and budget friendly. There are budget smokers on the market that will cook just fine, and great gas grills under 500 dollars that will also do a fine job.

The point here is that you do not need to overspend to get a good grill, especially if this is your first grill.

If you are sure you are in the BBQ game for the long haul and want to spend on a good grill now so you don’t have to buy another grill later, then there are good American made grills that will outlast most budget options.

Grill Quality

You should look for quality characteristics in any item you purchase, but especially in grills. These are poor quality grills which succumb to the abuse of high temperatures, moisture, grease, and eventually rust.

Good quality grills will also include a good warranty and great support.

Good quality characteristics include the use of high-quality materials to construct the grill, such as stainless steel and heavy-duty steel. Also, cast iron grates, stainless steel grates, and stainless steel components are often found in good quality grills.

The Grill Fuel Type

There are grills powered by a variety of fuel types. I will elaborate on this later in the article, but it’s important to note this now. Each fuel type has its own list of advantages and disadvantages, but in summary, charcoal grills are very versatile and, in some cases, inexpensive, but require more effort and expertise to manage. A charcoal grill is a good grill to learn on if you want to learn how to cook authentic BBQ and delicious food.

The common fuel types are gas or propane, charcoal, pellets, and electricity. Think about what type of cooking you will be doing , what fuel you feel comfortable using, and what type of flavor profile you are after.

Your Cooking Style

If you want to learn how to grill simple dishes like hot dogs and burgers, it’s one thing, but if you want to learn how to cook real BBQ, it’s another. For grilling a few hot dogs now and then, any grill can do, but to cook real BBQ and get lots of flavor, a charcoal grill / charcoal smoker, or pellet grill should be on the short list of options.

Common Types of grills

This is very important and here is why. There are quite different types of grills and all have their own pros and cons, which I dive more into detail in my grill and smoker types guide.

However, here is a quick list of grill type available on the market.

Gas Grills ( propane or natural gas )

Charcoal

Electric

Pellet

Wood

BBQ Grill Smokers

The first thing you need to know is that when it comes to grilling and BBQ, there are two main and more common types of “cookers,” namely, smokers and grills.

Smokers are traditionally larger grills designed to cook meat for a longer period of time and cook at lower temperatures. When you go to a restaurant, you see on the menu “smoked ribs” or “smoked pulled pork”, those dishes were prepared in a smoker.

With a smoker, you can cook food low and slow and infuse meats with extra smoke to achieve that authentic BBQ flavor.

Smokers are available in different shapes and fuel types, and if smoking meat is more of what you want to learn and cook, be sure to read our smokers guide to learn all about the different types of smokers.

Smokers’ operating temperatures range anywhere from 160 degrees to about 450 degrees. Smoking cooking temperatures are usually in the ballpark of 190 to 275 degrees.

BBQ Grills

Grills are more common and traditionally what people start with. In retrospect, some grills can work as smokers, but few smokers can get to high enough temperatures to grill. So keep that in mind.

Grills can operate at low temperatures but also reach high temperatures in the range of 600 to 900 degrees, which is enough to sear steaks and bake pizzas. There are a variety of fuels available for grills, and each has advantages and disadvantages that relate primarily to the skills required to operate the grill and to its flavor.

Let’s take a look at the different types of grill fuel.

Ease of Use by Grill Fuel Type

Grills come in all shapes and sizes, but the primary difference is the type of fuel. Below are the most popular grill fuel types, ranked by ease of use.

Electric grills – Easiest

Electric grills are extremely user-friendly, making them ideal for beginners and novices. An electric grill doesn’t burn any fuel. Instead, a heating element or resistance heats up cooking grates or a metal plate of some sort to evenly distribute heat and cook the food.

Electric grills are great for cooking indoors or for those wanting something small, maybe a portable grill or just the simplest grill to operate. Electric grills are also great for those who live in apartments or have little to no space for a grill.

These grills are often called “ smokeless grills,” which makes them great for cooking indoors.

You can read more about these grills in our indoor grills guide.

The biggest and most significant drawback of an electric grill is that it yields no flavor. Since you are not burning wood, wood pellets, or charcoal, the only taste comes from the seasoning. Quite frankly, this is my least favorite type of grill, although it has its purpose.

Gas Grill or propane – Easier

Gas grills are the second-easiest to operate, primarily because most of us are familiar with the primary components of a gas grill, namely the gas burners. Many of us already have gas stoves in our homes, and just like a gas stove, a gas grill has one or more burners to heat up the cooking space.

A gas grill, just like an electric grill, does not yield flavor since you are burning gas from a propane tank. The main difference between your gas stove and a gas grill is that the grill has grates to cook the food on.

The food will be cooked on some sort of grate, be it cast iron, porcelain coated steel, or stainless steel. This creates a different cooking effect than boiling or braising the meat in a pan, as melted fat, grease, and oils drain and escape from the bottom of the grill.

Some gas grills have what are called “flavorizing bars,” or shields, above the burners and below the grill grates, and as fat hits those flavorizer bars, the “fat steam” can add flavor to the food. Nothing live changing but it does add some “grill flavor” to foods.

Nerve the less you can use smoker boxes in your gas grill and add more smokey flavor to your food. It will not be as much as a charcoal or pellet grill, but it will add more flavor than grilling on an electric grill.

Gas grills are simple because all that you have to do to operate one is turn the burner control knob and decrease or increase the flame to decrease or increase the temperature. That’s it.

Pellet grill – Easier

I own a pellet grill and I absolutely love it. Pellet BBQ grills are not necessarily harder to use than electric grills, but because there are a few more steps involved, I rank them below gas or propane grills.

Now, don’t think these pellet cookers are hard to use; they are not at all, but because high-end pellet smokers and grills have WIFI, temperature probes, and other components, it might take a minute or two to become familiar with the tech, not the grill.

As far as the grills go, they are as easy to use as a propane or electric grill. In fact, one would say that a pellet grill is the combination of the ease of use of an electric grill with some of the flavor of a charcoal grill.

These grills are my favorite types to use because they are simple to use and you get an amazing smoky flavor from burning wood pellets.

The only steps required to operate a pellet grill are to add pellets to a hopper, turn on the grill, and set the temperature. The grill does everything for you, including feeding pellets to maintain the temperature setting.

Charcoal grills – Harder

Charcoal grills are the most difficult to learn to use, but they are also the most versatile and rewarding. Charcoal grilling can be a lot of fun and opens the door to a wide range of culinary options because you are in control. Fire, heat, flavor, you control it all.

I own a kamado grill, and it is by far one of the best grills I own, but even for me, with years of experience, it took me a while to master that grill.

The point here is that a charcoal grill will beat all other grills on this list, but it does take longer to learn and some people simply do not like to deal with charcoal.

If you intend to be in the BBQ game for the long haul, I strongly recommend starting with a charcoal grill. The results will be very rewarding and you will learn skills you can later apply when using other grills or any cooking style.

Conclusion

We go over a lot in this article, but to summarize, the best grill for beginners should be simple to use, and I recommend something affordable. You should also consider the type of fuel you want to use, as this can affect the flavor.

I hope you found this guide to be helpful. Grill on!

BBQ Grill Academy
Z grills 450B Pellet Grill review 2023 10 June 2022 at 19:50

Z grills 450B Pellet Grill review 2023

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

10 June 2022 at 19:50

One of Z Grills’ best-selling models is the 450 model. Recently, the 450 was updated and improved and is now known as the Z Grills 450B. In our Z Grills 450B review, we take a brand new Z Grills 450B and put it through a series of tests to see how well this new model does.

In this BBQGrillAcademy.com article we will cover:

What’s New in the Z Grills 450B
Unboxing of the 450B
An in-depth review of the 450B
Our thoughts on this new model

So let’s get into it!

What’s New on the Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Grill

Pellet grills are constantly evolving and improving. Years ago, a pellet grill was just a regular grill with a hopper, auger, and an ignitor controlled by a cyclic controller. It fed pallets, lit them on fire with an ignitor, and a fan kept the flame going.

Today, the story is much different. Today’s pellet grills are equipped with wireless technology, smart digital controllers, and some manufacturers are even incorporating touch screen technology into their controller displays.

So it makes sense that Z Grills took the time to update their most popular model to 450. The 450 is a small and compact pellet smoker and grill that is considered a budget option and a great entry model for most backyard warriors.

The 450 models are not jam-packed with technology and features, but still, Z Grills made changes to improve the 2450 B and kept it reasonably priced.

A New Digital PID Controller

The first and most noticeable improvement is the new digital PID controller. Out is the old cyclic controller and the new digital controllers found in other popular models, such as the 700D4E.

PID Temperature controller — Z Grills 450B PID Digital Controller

The new digital PID controller reads both the internal temperature of the grill and the temperature you want to cook at. It then uses its own algorithm to control the pellet feeding, fan speeds, and igniter to get the most accurate cooking temperature and keep it there.

Old cycle controllers basically turned the auger and igniter on and off in cycles to reach whatever target temperature was set. This created temperature fluctuations, and often the target temperature was exceeded. By using a mini computer brain to control how often pallets are fed and how often pellets are lit, the 450B can keep a more precise and controlled temperature.

New Features of the Z Grills 450B Controller

As I said before, this grill does not include WIFI, but the new controller does include a manual feed feature, two integrated meat meat probe ports, and a large digital LCD display. The meat probes are included.

piD feed button — 450B manual feed button

In addition, this model features a pellet level window, which is a small cutout on the hopper that allows you to monitor pellet consumption. It’s not all that useful; it only gives you an estimated overview of how many pallets are left inside the hopper, but it is nice to have an idea of when your pellets are running down.

Temperature Range

The temperature range for the 450B remains the same. The grill can operate anywhere from 180 degrees to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This means that this grill can work well as a smoker and operate comfortably at temperatures of 200 to 275 degrees. It can also comfortably grill decent-sized cuts of meat at a temperature of 300 to 350 degrees.

Although this grill is rated for a maximum temperature of 450 degrees Fahrenheit, during our tests we discovered that it took some time to reach that temperature. The 450-degree temperature is great for cooking quickly and at a high temperature, but this temperature is not high enough to sear large steaks, such as Tomahawk steaks. However, this temperature range is great for those wanting to grill hot dogs, burgers, chicken, small stakes, and other foods.

A Pellet Cleanout door

This is a feature that numerous Z Grills customers requested. Old grill models did not feature a pellet clean-out door, meaning that if you had pellets left in your hopper or wanted to switch out the pellet flavors, you had to “scoop out” the pellets.

Scooping pellets is not a big deal for some users, but having a pellet clean-out door does add convenience and makes the grill more enjoyable. Especially if you want to change pellet flavors, you are talking a few minutes of scooping pellets versus a few seconds when using the back pellet door on the hopper.

Having owned a few pellet smokers, I can tell you that leaving unused pellets in humid climates like in my home state of Florida is not a good idea. The clean-out door allows you to quickly swap out pellets or empty old pallets for dry storage in a good pellet bin.

Accessories included in the Z Grills 450B

Z Grills is a brand known for its affordability and great bundles. The pellet grill market is very competitive, so it makes sense to include a few accessories with most pellet grill models.

The 450b does include a few accessories in certain bundles. You can get a grill cover, two meat probes, and, depending on the bundle, two bags of pallets.

Notably, when you open the box of your brand-new Z grills 450, you will find a complete set of tools to assemble the grill, as well as a pair of gloves for assembly. Sure, these are not accessories, but it is nice to have the tools to assemble the grill included.

Z Grills 450B Unboxing, Overview & First Impressions

Z Grills Brand Overview

Z Grills is a brand best known for making affordable pellet grills for the masses. However, what a lot of people do know is that Z Grills has been manufacturing grills for over 30 years for other popular brands, including Traeger. That’s right, this company built some of the older Traeger models we are all familiar with.

In 2016, Z Grills decided to make their own grills and start selling them under their own brand and logo, keeping their promise to make affordable pellet grills with good build quality and good features to cook good barbecue. We will talk more about the two brands in an in-depth article comparing both Z Grills and Treager grills.

Is it a smoker or a grill?

Pellet grills are frequently referred to as pellet smokers because they can operate at low and slow smoking temperatures, and because they burn wood pellets, they produce an authentic wood-smoked barbecue flavor. So, in short, this grill can also work as a smoker and as a grill at temperatures of up to 450 degrees.

Build quality

The 450B’s construction quality is comparable to that of the majority of market-leading pellet grills. Z Grills uses powder-coated heavy-duty steel to construct the main cooking chamber’s side walls and most of the grill. There are better-finished and more refined grills, but few of them will be priced in the same range as this grill. If properly maintained, this grill should last a long time. There are other brands that use thicker steel, stainless steel, and strong hinges, but those grills tend to be more expensive.

Packaging and assembly

Inside the thick cardboard box, a shield made of Styrofoam was made to fit the Z Grill 450B and protect the main cooking chamber. Several of the pieces were wrapped individually in plastic to prevent scratching and damage. There are tools available for assembling it. The instructions are clear and no parts were missing or mislabeled. This grill was simple to put together, and assembly took around an hour.

Unboxing and setup

The 450B was predominantly packaged as a single unit. The hopper, auger, and fire pot are all in one piece and come assembled from the factory. All that remains is to connect the legs to the main chamber and the controller unit to the grill. You will also need to make sure you connect the internal cooking chamber temperature sensors to the PID controller. Many people forget to do this and end up calling support because their brand new grill is displaying errors.

Some screws were in tight spaces and were difficult to get to. Overall, assembly was very easy, and after about an hour, I was ready for the burn off.

Warranty

Each Z Grill is backed by a 3-year warranty, which is fairly standard in the pellet grill market.

In-depth review of the Z Grills 450B

After assembling the Z Grills 450B, we conducted the recommended burn off, which consists of running the grill at varying temperatures and stages without any food inside. Burning of any manufacturing contaminants, plastics, oils, you get the idea. The burn off is how you clean your grill using heat before it is first used to cook food.

Grilling Performance

So we wanted to see how the Z Grills 450B performed cooking at high temperatures. We know it is easy for a pellet grill to cook low and slow, but we wanted to see how capable this grill was of heating up the cooking chamber to 450°.

So we grabbed some pork belly, some chorizo, and small pieces of steak for our first grilling test. We found that the grill was able to reach 450 degrees without a problem and stay there while producing enough heat to slightly sear thin fat caps, and yes, it did produce amazing flavor.

However, when we slowed down the grill to 350 degrees and then wanted more heat to sear crisp the outside of the meat, it did take a little bit of time for the grill to get back up to 450 degrees. So the point here is that although the grill is capable of reaching 450°, it does take time and work for the grill to get there.

Also, when you open the lid, the grill does lose some heat and it does take a few minutes for the grill to get back to temperature. We experienced this more while cooking at high temperatures but not as much when cooking low and slow in our test below.

Low and slow smoking

We also wanted to do a test cooking low and slow, meaning smoking meat. For this test, we picked a rack of ribs and did the 321 method, which is a lengthy and long technique for smoking ribs, achieving amazing texture and flavor.

For this test, we set the grill at 250 degrees, and it stayed there throughout the cook. The total time of the cook was about 6 hours, during which we saw very little temperature fluctuations, and it was amazing to see how well the grill did at cooking low and slow.

The grill maintained the set temperature; there were no mishaps; the pellet hopper held sufficient pellets for the entire cook; and the test was a success overall.

We also notice that when 450B is cooking at a low temperature, the fan goes to a lower speed, which is good because it is amazingly quiet and the grill also consumes fewer wood pallets.

I have tested many pellet grills and smokers, including Traegers and Camp Chef, and one feature that I miss and wish I had in the 450B but I do have in those for the grills is a Smoke Mode, or a way of controlling the amount of smoke the grill produces when cooking.

The amount of smoke you get in the 450B is pretty much determined by the programming of the PID controller, and there’s very little you can do about it. I like having control. Maybe it’s just me, maybe I’m just a controlling person, but I like having the feature. And I must remind you again, this is an economical grill, and it did very well at keeping the temperature steady, and yes, the ribs came out amazing.

Capacity

To Z Grills 450B it’s a small grill great for small families or for those wanting a grill big enough to cook real meals, but small and light enough to take on the back of your pickup truck to the beach or camping site.

This grill features 459 square inches of cooking space split between the main cooking grate and a smaller top warming rack. Capacity is good enough to throw a couple racks of ribs with some veggies, bread, and a little cup of smoked mac and cheese on the grill.

Don’t expect 459 square inches of space to be enough to feed a large group. If you are a person who enjoys entertaining, I would recommend a pellet grill in the range of about 700 square inches.

However, if you’re looking for a small grill because you don’t have a lot of space on your patio and are looking for something affordable but that can cook and not consume a lot of pellets because its cooking chamber is small, the Z Grills 450b checks all those boxes.

What we liked:

Quiet and great performance when cooking low and slow. The fan speeds up when the cooking temperature is set above 275 degrees.
It’s easy to assemble and put together, although you might need some help moving the shipping box around.
Easy and simple to use. ( very easy )
The grease bucket is easy to empty out.
The large wheels help move the grill around with ease.
The caster wheels lock the grill in place nice and tight.
Small footprint, easy to store in a small garage space or corner.

What we didn’t like:

The grill lid gets very hot when cooking at high temperatures. But well, it is a grill.
No WIFI

Optional Extras

Two things can be found in your car besides your 450 B. No meat probe for sale. You could also get one. They are essential in smokers, as they tell you the exact temperature of your meat, which will help you reduce the chances of undercooking or overcrowding your meat without opening the lid. Z Grills has six pieces available for the price of 450 B. Please read our guide to wireless meat thermometers for further information. The only optional extra you can get is a thermal cover. 420B

Specs for the Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Smoker

Model:	450B
Dimensions in inches:	43 Long × 24 Wide × 47 Height
Pellet Hopper capacity:	15 pounds
Cook Area Main Rack:	331 square inches
Cooking Area Warming Rack:	128 square inches
Weight:	75 pounds
Shipping Weight:	95 pounds

Grill grates

The grill cooking grates are porcelain coated steel, which makes for a great nonstick cooking surface, but if the grates are dropped or the wrong cleaning tools are used, the coating can be damaged or chipped.

Testing and benchmarks

While testing the Z grills 450 B we used a few testing benchmarks but overall we took into account how long it took for the grill to reach certain and most commonly used temperatures those are 250 degrees 275 degrees and 350 degrees. We also looked at how well the grillat maintained the set temperature and we also watched for any fluctuations during the cook.

Temperature variances and accuracy

The temperature sensor in the 450B is mounted inside the cooking chamber on the left side wall. The grill did a great job at reading out the accurate temperature and when comparing temperatures between the LCD temperature display and my heat gun temperature readouts, never exceeded a 5 degree difference. Overall, the temperature readings in this unit were very accurate. The center of the grill does get hotter faster than the sides of the grill, and that is because the fire-pot, although covered with a heat buffer and above it is the grease pan, is located directly in the center of this grill.

Time notes: getting to testing temperatures

We mainly used three temperature settings during our tests: 250, 275, and 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

How does the Z Grills 450B compare to the competition?

The 450B is an entry-level, economical small pellet grill, and comparable brands are Traeger, Camp Chef, and Pit Boss. Comparing any Z Grills to Traggers is a bit difficult since Traeger’s line up starts a step above the 450B with the Pro Series which is a larger, more expensive grill.

Then there is Camp Chef, which in comparison sits closer to Z Grills in terms of grill sizes, pricing, and quality, but is still priced higher than most Z Grills. Then we have Pit Boss. Pit Boss is the closest brand to Z Grill in terms of price and offers similar size and price models.

So how do these three popular brands compare? Well, Traeger leaves Z Grill in the dust when it comes to technology. Not necessarily quality, but technology. Arguably, there isn’t another brand putting out the tech that Traeger is. Pit Boss is comparable in terms of pricing, but Z Grills is giving you more for less.

Lastly, Camp Chef. Camp Chef quality is comparable to Z Grills, but they give you good tech for your money but not necessarily better quality. Camp Check is a good middle ground between Z Grills and Pit Boss, but a step below Traeger.

Bottom Line

We enjoyed testing and cooking in the 450B to write this review. This grill is a great pellet grill and a good fit for those looking for something economical that won’t break the bank but will allow you to enjoy good wood-fired flavor.

This grill is great for grilling burgers, hot dogs, chicken, and smaller cuts of meat. This grill excelled in its capacity to smoke low and slow. We definitely recommend this grill and our overall score for this grill is an 8 out of 10.

Build quality and smart or advanced features like Wi-Fi are areas where this grill lacks compared to others. But what we will appreciate the most is its simplicity, which we believe will attract many buyers to this model.

BBQ Grill Academy
Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX Reviewed: The Good and the Bad 12 May 2022 at 13:56

Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX Reviewed: The Good and the Bad

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

12 May 2022 at 13:56

As a BBQ enthusiast, the name Oklahoma Joe brings to mind images of “rugged”, charcoal-burning smokers. That’s because Oklahoma Joe has been making rustic-looking charcoal grills and offset smokers for a long time now. The classic, solid wagon wheels are a recognizable and signature feature of Oklahoma Joe’s smokers.

However, times change and every company in the barbecue and grilling game is seeing the rise of the pellet grill. Sure, people love the smell and taste of charcoal grilling, but not everyone wants to deal with charcoal, manage temperatures during a long cook, or even deal with lighting up charcoal. Well, it wasn’t long before Oklahoma Joe jumped in and created the Oklahoma Joe Rider lineup.

In this article, we look at Joe’s Rider DLX pellet grills, their features, Pros and Cons, and how they stack up against other brands.

Oklahoma Joe Pellet grills

The Oklahoma Joe pellet grill lineup is comprised of two models: the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider pellet grill and the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX. Models with the DLX designation are the higher-tier models with the latest features and technology. The Oklahoma Joe’s Rider models are available in two sizes, the Rider 600 and the Rider 900.

The new and improved series in the Rider DLX pellet grill lineup. This grill features a new temperature controller called the Pit Control System Cook 2.0, a removable ash cup, a base for an Oklahoma Joe’s pellet bucket container, and a larger LCD screen. Also, the DLX models feature rubber all-terrain wheels, and out are the classic steel wagon wheels.

However, during my tests and research, the most useful new feature in the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX is “SEAR MODE”. That’s right! The Rider DLX pellet grill has a dedicated “searing” area easily recognized by the center diamond-shaped grate. Right below the searing grates sits the fire pot; its heat shields can be opened using a lever to expose meat to direct heat and fire. This innovative flex grate and high searing temperatures set this grill apart from other pellet grill brands. Most pellet grills can heat up to 500 degrees.

With a broad temperature range of 200 to 650 degrees Fahrenheit, this grill can handle low and slow smoking but can also sear a nice tomahawk steak.

Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX Review

The Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX shares a lot of the traits of its less sophisticated relative, the Rider. Oklahoma Joe makes amazing offset smokers and what makes those grills great makes it to the DLX models.

However, unlike simpler and old-school offset models, the Rider DLX pellet grill is packed with modern features. First and foremost, Riders are pellet grills, so you get features like the Pit Control System Cook controller, four meat probe connections, two meat probes included, and even a timer button.

Unique to Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX is the innovative “flex grate”. There is a lever clearly marked for sear mode. Slide the level to one side to smoke meats and to the other to grill and sear.

You also get a removable ash cup, which is very convenient when it is time to get some of those pellet ashes out. You also get other convenient features like hooks to place your grates and barbecue tool hooks.

The cooking space is split between three cooking grates: two side grates and the center grate ( or searing grate). The center grate can be set up for normal cooking and grilling and flipped around for searing when the grill is set in sear mode.

By the way, I like the grate tool included with this Joe’s Rider DLX pellet grill. It makes removing these grates easier.

Oklahoma Joe’s Rider DLX Features

Let me go over some of the features you get from the Oklahoma Rider DLX. I have tested and reviewed many grills and smokers and can tell you that a PID controller can make or break a grill. The quality of the cooker can be the best, but if the software and controls are not up to par, the cooking experience will suffer.

The Pit Control System 2.0 / Dual Temp probe cooking modes

The Pit Control System offers you many of the same features found in other grills. However, what makes this PID controller different is that, unlike most grills and smokers, this controller uses two different cooking chamber probes to monitor temperature more precisely. One temperature sensor is configured and set for smoking and the other for grilling and cooking at high temperatures.

This controller also offers nice features like a timer mode, temp probe mode, and multiple setup options.

QuickDraw Hopper & Pellet Bucket Mount

Many pellet smokers and grills include a pellet cleaning system of some sort. Most commonly, a clean out door is installed in the hopper that lets users “dump” wood pellets out of their hopper In the DLX a trap door is opened by lifting the spring-loaded grips under the floor. Pellets drop into the bucket below within seconds.

This system is pretty clever, if you have a few pellet containers laying around you can have different flavors stored in the buckets, grab the bucket flavor you want, dump some pellets in the hopper, put the bucket underneath the cleanout doors, and when you are done dop the remaining pellets back in the bucket. Nice!

This system will help you keep pellets always in a container, dry and safe.

I enjoy using different pellets to produce different foods. Cherry, hickory, and oak are wonderful with meat, and hickory pecan and apple are fantastic with pork.

Ryder DLX Flex Grate & Flex Rack System

I have already talked a few times about the Flex grate but let me tell you about the entire flex rack system.

The center grate can be substituted with Oklahoma Joe’s accessory parts like the griddle and deep dish pan. Also, instead of two longer racks, you can use a smaller Multipurpose Flex Rack or Ribflex Racks. This level of versatility and flexibility is really available and gives this Rider an extra edge over other brands.

A Removable ash cup

Ashes are a “thing” in any grill that burns wood pellets or charcoal. In the DLX you get a removable ash cup. When you are done cooking, pull out the removable ash cup and empty the ashes. In other grills, you need to use a shop vac to clean out the ashes.

Meat Probes

The Joe’s Rider DLX pellet grill supports up to four probes for different temp probe cooking modes. Joe’s Rider DLX pellet grill includes two meat probes but you can purchase two more and monitor four different cuts of meat.

Using meat probes helps you nail the ideal internal temperature during those long cooking sessions.

Specifications

The Rider DLX is available in two sizes, the 1200 and the 900, and the model numbers are indicative of the total cooking space of each model.

Specifications of the Rider DLX 1200

Model Number: 22202150

Assembled Dimensions	32 x 53.6 x 58 inches
Assembled Width	58.2 inches
Assembled Height	53.6 inches
Assembled Depth	32 inches
Primary Cooking Area	578 square inches
Secondary Cooking Area	656 square inches
Grates	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
Weight	255 pounds
Warranty	2 years

Specifications of the Rider DLX 900

Assembled Dimensions	32 x 48.5 x 58 inches
Assembled Width	58.2 inches
Assembled Height	48.5 inches
Assembled Depth	32 inches
Primary Cooking Area	578 square inches
Secondary Cooking Area	328 square inches
Grates	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron
Weight	236 pounds
Warranty	2 years

Our impressions

I like cooking with pellet smokers and grills. You set the desired temp, hook up a couple of probes, let the grill feed pellets, and enjoy a beer. The flavor is always great if you pair the right pellets for smoking meats. There is always a place for charcoal and a charcoal smoker in the hands of a pro will always yield amazing results.

When you open the box, the Rider DLX looks like an iron block. Built out of heavy gauge steel construction, this grill is heavy and feels solid. You will need some help getting this big boy out of its box.

The Joe’s Rider DLX pellet grill does have a tall body smoke chamber which adds to the size of this cooker.

Assembly is pretty straightforward. The tall body smoke chamber is one piece and only the legs and controller need to be attached to the grill. I do recommend you get some help as you will need to turn the Rider upside down to attach the legs and the controller/hopper assembly is a bit heavy.

After putting the grill together its size is unmistakable.

Cooking with the Rider

Cooking with the Rider is easy and I like the broad temperature range. I own a Z Grills 7004DE and I love that grill. Is simple to use, has ample storage, great cooking space, and the price is outstanding. My only complaint about my 700 is that it only reaches 450 degrees and I like to sear steaks. Nevertheless, it does a great job at keeping target internal temp so it is my go-to and daily cooker.

The Rider, just like other pellet grills, is easy to power on, set temp, and start cooking. What I find most useful when comparing this grill to other pellet grills is its flex racks systems combined with its hi temp searing features.

There isn’t anything jaw-dropping about the controller, it does mostly the same other grills do. Power on the grill, turn a wheel, to set the temperature, and cook.

Pros

The Rider DLX lets cook at fire red hot temps in sear mode. Hi temp searing is not always easy with pellet grills but the Rider DLX makes it possible.
Expansive temperature range.
The removable ash cup is great for quick cleanup.
The Flex racks system is genius and allows for greater flexibility.
The Pit Control System is easy to use and supports four probes.
The Sear Mode!
The build quality has classic, strong, and rustic Oklahoma Joe’s traits.

Cons

No Wifi. This is a big letdown. Most grills at this price range feature Wifi. Sure, my 700 doesn’t have a lot of features but it cost half of what this Rider DLX does.
Less expensive grills like my 7004DE include a 3-year warranty.

How Is the Rider DLX Pellet Grill Different than the rest?

Instead of having a metal diffuser plate running the whole length of the grill, it has a round heating baffle covering the fire pot. The baffle shields have holes and when you move the lever from smoke to grill/sear it rotates the baffles to line up the holes and expose the food to open fire.

The shields are stacked on top of each other allowing for easy access and cleaning.

center sear "Flex Grate" — Center sear “Flex Grate”

How does it rank among the rest?

The Rider DLX is a good grill but when comparing this grill to other models in this price category, well, I wished Oklahoma had added some features. People spending this kind of money on a grill are looking for a premium pellet grilling experience. This means WIFI, BlueTooth, cooking apps, and automation.

However, this grill offers unmatched versatility, a good tall body design, side shelves for food prep, and plenty of hooks for your BBQ tools.

I give Oklahoma Joe’s a lot of credit. This company is known for making good offset smokers and jumping into the pellet/smoker race is not easy. They have managed to build something good using their expertise in offsets and likely will become better.

At this price point, there are other brands with more grill models that are ahead of the curve. Brands like Traeger, Z Grills, and Camp Chef have many years of experience building grills and offer incredible features.

Who should consider the Rider DLX? Those who want a large pellet grill that can sear right on pellet fire at red hot temps. Also if you like the brand’s looks and build.

The BBQ Grill Academy Score

Now is time to give the Rider DLX pellet grill a BBQ Grill Academy Score. We have been researching and testing grills for a long time and I have to say I do like the Rider DLX. It has so many traits of its predecessors and Joe’s signature is still there.

Still, when talking about pellet smokers or grills, well, it is a different ball game. There are a lot of pellet brands making amazing grills, and the competition is fearless. Let’s go over the score results.

We use a five-point rating and rank the grill’s build quality, features cooking experience, technology, and price.

Build Quality – 4 out of 5

This build quality is similar to most grills but at this price range, there are brands offering just a “bit” more.

Features – 4 out 5

The Rider offers you good features including meat probes, side tables, and storage. The only reason we give this grill a score of three is that it is missing WIFI. most grills at this price offer WIFI or Bluetooth connectivity.

Cooking Experience 5 out of 5

Cooking on the Joe is amazing. It does everything well but it adds that searing mode.

Technology – 3 out of 5

When discussing pellet cookers, technology contributes to their strength or weakness. Compared to charcoal grills, pellet cookers are purchased in part due to their technology. Consequently, the absence of WiFi connectivity on this grill places it below other brands that offer WiFi at this price point.

Final Word

In short, I think Oklahoma Joe’s has done a great job with the Rider lineup. They have managed to improve their grills and offer something that many pellet cookers can’t, a good working sear mode.

BBQ Grill Academy
Z Grills 700D4E Review – New, Improved and Better 27 April 2022 at 16:33

Z Grills 700D4E Review – New, Improved and Better

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

27 April 2022 at 16:33

If you’re in the market for a new grill, Z Grills has just released a new and advanced model, the Z Grills 700D4E. This grill is brimming with features and conveniences that are designed to enhance your cooking experience.

In this article, we’ll review the 700D4E but also go over all its features and take a look at some of the highlights of this new grill. We also tested this grill and will share the results of our first cook with you. So if you’re ready to upgrade your outdoor cooking game, read on!

A little Background on Z Grills Pellet Grills

You have likely heard of Z Grills before, as they are one of the most popular pellet grill brands on the market for years now. Z Grills launched in 2016 and has since become a leader in the pellet grill industry thanks to its advanced grilling technology, innovative designs, and price.

Their grills are known for being some of the most durable and easy-to-use wood pellet grills on the market.

Many people are unaware that Z Grills is a major pellet grill manufacturer. That’s right; if you own a pellet smoker from another brand or are familiar with pellet grills, you might spot some similarities. That’s because Z Grills likely had something to do with the manufacturing of those pellet grills. Before starting their own brand, they made grills for most of the grill brands you are familiar with.

Z Grills directly competes with brands like Traeger, Pit Boss, and Camp Chef, with the Z Grills 700 series being the strongest rival. The 700 series has been a long-time bestseller and popular grill. Z Grills took their 700 lineup and spiced it up with even more features found in more expensive pellet grills.

The 700 Grills Lineup:

The 700 models come in a variety of configurations, but they all offer the same 697 square inches of cooking space, hence the 700 designation in the model names.

Z Grills 700 Series — Image Credit: Z Grills

The Z Grill 700 series all have similar designs. The main differences between the models is the main frame or cabinet, features like wheels, meat probes, a storage area with an enclosed cabinet and doors, and the type of PID controller. We’ll get more into these features later.

Models including the letter “D” in their names will feature a closed storage area with two doors and four caster wheels.

Models marked with the letter “C” will not include a storage area, but you will get the same type of cooking chamber, four legs and four wheels, two casters, and two plastic all-terrain wheels.

Lastly, models marled with the letter “B” are also 4-leg freestanding grills with two all-terrain wheels. In short, the B series is the hardest to move around.

Add the letter “E” to any of the models mentioned above, and you get a stainless steel lid.

The most noteworthy difference between all these models is the type of temperature control system. Some grills feature an older controller type with a digital board. This is a more cyclic controller system where the grill turns its internals “on and off” to reach the set temperature, whereas the newest models, like the Z Grills 700D4E, feature a fully smart and digital PID temperature controller.

A digital PID temperature controller does better at keeping steady temperatures because, instead of operating on “on and off” cycles, it uses a little computer brain to tell the grill when to start and stop feeding pellets for better temperature control and to keep a consistent temperature with fewer temperature spikes.

This is all because the digital controller can manage and change things like fan speed and stop exactly when it needs to stop, unlike other cyclic controllers where even if the grill has reached the desired temperature, the system still needs to finish its cycles, which equals to more temperature variance.

Also, new PID controllers can work with and communicate with two temperature probes.

The Z Grills 700D4E Pellet Grill

The Z Grills 700D4E is a new model from Z Grills. It’s a pellet grill that comes packed with features that will make your grilling experience better. The 700D4E operates at a temperature range of 180 to a maximum temperature of 450 degrees.

It has a digital controller and stainless steel components such as a cooking chamber lid for better heat retention and even comes with a grill cover.

This grill also includes two temperature probes to monitor the cooking process and display the meat’s internal temperature right on the controller LCD display.

The Z Grills 700D4E is also a great pellet smoker for those wanting to cook low and slow. First, you get two porcelain-coated cooking grates and plenty of cooking space.

Porcelain-coated grates are ideal for smoking meats because they provide the meal with a nonstick surface. Therefore, if you cook for a long period of time, the food is less likely to stick to the grates and crumple when you move the meat or take it from the grill.

Second, because you are burning wood pellets, you get an amazing smoke flavor similar to that of a charcoal grill or smoker.

Lastly, the hopper capacity in the grill is 20 pounds; that’s plenty of wood pellets for an entire day of smoking meats. At smoking temperatures, this grill will burn approximately 1 pound of pellets per hour. So a 20-pound pellet hopper should be able to keep your Z Grills grill running for about 20 hours, or long enough to smoke a large brisket or pork shoulder.

What’s New on the Z Grills 700D4E

A lot is new. The Z Grills 700D Pellet Grill is the predecessor of the Z Grills 700D4E, and a lot has changed. The grilling space remains the same, but the biggest change is the controller. Z Grills has listened to what people want and has made some much-needed improvements that are clearly noticeable on the 700D4E.

First, this Z Grills model includes an excellent digital PID controller, which wowed us throughout our tests with how simple it was to operate and how efficiently it controlled temperature.

You can see the digital controller in action during startup and how simple it is to get this grill started in this video.

The controller has a big LCD control panel that is backlit. The LCD display shows both the programmed temperature and the “actual” temperature of the cooking area at all times.

Second, the hopper capacity remains the same, but the hopper now has a hopper cleanout door, which is perfect for emptying wood pellets or changing pellet flavors.

Lastly, if you want to use this grill as a pellet smoker, the meat probes will help you keep an eye on food temperature and monitor the cooking process.

Also new in the 700D4E is the new design of the smokestack cap. Before, you had a bell-shaped cap. Now there is a new cap design that helps keep grease and juices from flowing out of the smokestack, eliminating the possibility of making a mess on your floor.

Z Grills 700D4E Pellet Grill Review

The first thing you will notice about Z Grills is how affordable their pellet smokers and grills are. The build quality is comparable to or higher than that of other pellet grills in this price range. The grill is constructed of durable, heavy duty steel and is powder-coated.

The second thing you’ll quickly notice is that this is a good-looking grill. We love the look of the stainless steel lid and handle, and the closed cabinet makes this grill look good.

Assembling this wood pellet grill only took about an hour, and Z Grills includes all the tools you need for the assembling process, including gloves. All the parts are clearly marked with numbered stickers, so you don’t have to guess what parts to grab based on images.

Simply follow the instructions and grab the part numbers referenced in the manual.

We also enjoyed how well this grill came packed and protected from the factory. All the pieces were accounted for, and nothing was damaged.

The Exterior

The grill fully assembled measures 47 inches long and stands 52 inches tall from the wheels to the end of the smokestack cap.

With the cabinet doors open, the opening of the storage area is 24 inches wide, 15 inches high, and 15 inches deep, with 16 inches to the door lips. The storage area is also ventilated. There are small openings on the storage area back wall. This is plenty of space for a few bags of pellets, grilling tools, and cleaning gear.

To finish with the exterior, the grill is neatly put together. The stainless steel hopper lid is great for placing plates and even tools on. On the side of the controller, there is a sturdy handle to help move this hundred-plus pound grill around.

The cooking chamber ( the main barrel ) is 20 inches tall and 28.5 inches wide.

The Interior and Cooking Area

The cooking area in this grill is split between two cooking grates. The main cooking grate measures 26 inches long by 19.6 inches wide for a total of 504 square inches of cooking space, and the top or warming rack measures 26 inches long by 7 inches wide, or 193 square inches of cooking space.

The total cooking capacity of this grill is 697 square inches.

Remove the main grates, and you have access to the grease plan and baffle plate.

The grease pan is made out of thin steel and just sits on top of the baffle plate. To remove it, simply pick it up and move it out of the way. I highly recommend placing aluminum foil on your grease plan to avoid having to clean it later.

Next, you will see the baffle or firepot cover, which is locked in place by a set of grooves.

Staring, Cooking, and Using the Z Grills 700D4E

Staring the 700D4E is as easy as turning on your kitchen oven, press the power button, set the grill to the “smoke” setting, and wait for for the flame to come on and the grill’s temperature to rise. Once the grill is up to temperature, set the desired cooking temperature and smoke or grill your heart out.

If you are using the 700D4E as a smoker, the smoke setting will help you infuse as much smoky flavor as possible during the initial period of the cook, but then you want to set the temperature to something like 225 or 250 degrees. Unlike a charcoal grill, where you’ll need to pay close attention to the fire and consistently manage the fire, the grill will do all the work.

To shut off the grill, simply turn the temperature knob to the “off” setting. You will hear the fan come on, and it will keep running for about 10 minutes to burn off any leftover pellets in the firepot.

Cooking on this grill has been an absolute delight. Not only is easy to get this grill on and going, but there aren’t any distractions, no fuss, or gadgetry to get in the way of a good cooking session.

Our first Cooking Test for this Z Grills 700d4e Review

As you can see in the pictures in this article, we put some hours on this grill and have done plenty of testing to find the good and the bad.

For our first test, we smoked a rack of ribs, which we cooked all the way until done at 250 degrees. We started the cooking process by placing the ribs on the grill, setting the temperature, and inserting one of the meat probes, then walked away.

During our first cook, we wanted to test two things: how consistent was the PID controller at controlling and providing a constant temperature, how accurate were the meat probes; and, of course, smoke flavor.

Heat retention in this grill is good, although if you open the front lid too often for too long, the temperature inside the cooking chamber will drop quickly. Grills with thick double wall insulation or at least side wall insulation might retain heat better, and double walled construction does help improve efficiency, but if you leave the lid open on any pellet smoker, you will quickly lose heat.

However, leaving the lid open during our test led to great discoveries. First, the grill does get back up to temperature quickly and soon after sensing a temperature drop.

Second, unlike other grills, the 700D4E, gets back to temperature without overshooting the set temperature. In only a few instances, we noticed the grill overshot the set temperature, but it was by only a few degrees.

We also noticed the fan changed speeds based on the set temperature, helping keep a healthy flame and a consistent temperature.

Lastly, this grill is quiet. When set to smoking temperatures of around 225 to 250, you can barely hear the auger and the fan running. Once the grill is cooking, besides a bit of smoke coming out of the smokestack, it is hard to tell the grill is even on. We have owned and tested many pellet grills, and let me tell you, some pellet grills can be annoyingly loud.

At times, I wish I had a way of adding more smoke, although the ribs turned out great and the smokey flavor was there.

The shape of the grill and multiple layers of metal between the flame and the food create a conventional indirect heat cooking environment, great for smoking meats and not burning thin cuts of fat and meat.

Features

The digital PID temperature controller does improve fuel efficiency, and this Z grill reaches its target temperature quickly and keeps a steady temperature through the cook. The LCD temperature display is easy to read and shows you all the information you need.

Stainless steel pellet hopper lid
Two meat probes (temperature probes)
Grease bucket
Grease tray
Pellet hopper clean-out door. This is to empty unused pellets or swap pellet flavors.
The storage area is great for storing grilling tools and pellet storage buckets.

Specifications

Main grate: 504 sq. in.
Warming Rack: 193 sq. in.
Total: 697 sq. in.
Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs
Height of Cooking Surface to Lid: 9 in.
Temperature Range: 180-450 °F (indirect heat)
Grill Grate Material: Porcelain-coated steel
Dimensions (in.) 48 L × 22 W × 51 H
Weight: 132 pounds

Warranty

Z Grills offers a great warranty. The Z Grills 700D4E pellet grill comes with a three-year warranty.

Pros

The digital PID controller does an excellent job at temperature control.

Included temperature probes: very nice to have them included for free.

The pellet hopper clean-out door is easy to use.

Cons

No wifi connectivity.

Conclusion

The Z Grills 700D4E is a high-quality pellet grill that offers great features at an affordable price. The pellet grill market is flooded with options, but few can make good, affordable pellet smokers.

This grill is easy to use and produces excellent results, making it great for backyard warriors and experienced grillers alike. The digital PID controller ensures accurate temperature control, while the two meat probes help you monitor your food as it cooks.

We have logged many hours using this grill and, overall, have been very pleased, especially when you look at its price.

Starting the Z Grills 700D4E — This is the correct procedure to start your Z Grills Pellet Grill. Steps:1) open the lid2) press the power button to turn the grill on3) turn the temperature...

BBQ Grill Academy
The New Traeger Grills Timberline XL – Review and What’s New 8 April 2022 at 23:08

The New Traeger Grills Timberline XL – Review and What’s New

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

8 April 2022 at 23:08

Traeger Timberline XL Review: New Features, Pricing, and Our Thoughts

Traeger has just released their latest pellet grill, the Timberline XL. This model is an upgrade to the popular Timberline 850 and 1300 models. It features several new improvements, including a Wi-Fi-enabled controller, an upgraded auger system, and a redesigned hopper lid. The Timberline XL is also more expensive than its predecessors, so potential buyers will want to weigh the pros and cons before making a purchase decision. In this article, we will take a closer look at the new Timberline XL and discuss what’s under the hood, its features, pricing, and our thoughts on it.

Traeger Grills unveils its Fully Reimagined Timberline Grill – High Tech Advanced Outdoor Cooking

The Timberline XL has finally been released, and man, is it a beauty! This new smoker and grill takes wood-fired cooking to a new level and has some amazing features that have never been featured before on a Traeger grill.

We’ll go over all of the new features in this article, as well as what the pricing looks like and our thoughts after using it. Stay tuned, because this grill is definitely going to shake up the pellet grill industry!

An instant classic

Traeger is a pioneer in pellet grilling technology, having introduced Timberline in 2017. This version introduced WIFI technology that allows for controlling cooking with the Traeger app on your mobile device.

A D2 drive system was also introduced, which features a variable speed auger and a fan motor for precise temperature control. The D2 system lets you set the temperature and walk away, letting the grill decide how many pellets your fire needs to reach optimum temperatures with precise control and deliver a consistent temperature.

A look at the Old Timberline Line

The old Timberline models offered a few different options, but the most popular was the Timberline 1300. This model had a Wi-Fi-enabled controller, an automatic auger system, and a hopper that could hold up to 22 pounds of pellets. It also had a built-in meat probe thermometer and an easy-to-use ash cleanout system.

The Old Timberline was an amazing grill and offered the best features and technology among pellet grills at this price range.

Trager used their D2 digital temperature controller with WIFI, a fully insulated cooking chamber, and many comfort features like side and front shelves. The old Timberline series was already a good and impressive grill, but Traeger managed to improve an already amazing grill.

A Look at the NEW Timberline Line: What’s New

The Timberline XL – What’s New? Well, a lot has changed. It is impressive to see the level of innovation this company has delivered to enhance your cooking experience. The Timberline models were already the pinnacle of pellet grills and offered a lot at their price range.

Exterior

The first and most noticeable change is the grill’s look. Out are the less expensive-looking grill legs and wheels, and in with a new cabinet frame. A full-frame cabinet with storage is always welcome, particularly when you are talking about grills in this price range.

The new cabinet frame design offers plenty of storage and builds a solid foundation for such a large grill. Sure, this means you will have to find space for “more grill,” but you get plenty of storage and a large grilling area.

The second thing you’ll notice is the more “integrated” and built-in design of this grill. Whereas in the old Timberline series, the grill looked as if it was standing on four legs, the new Timberline looks as if it is part of a full outdoor kitchen cabinet, or as Traeger calls it, dream deck ready.

The frame is a full cabinet with side shelves that look more like built-in kitchen countertops, and besides the commonly found double storage doors, you also get a side storage area with shelves and magnetic bamboo boards, perfect for storing things you use often and need to grab quickly, like tools and even seasonings.

The looks of the new Timberline models are the most stand-out difference. The grills have a longer lid handle and the lid has been redesigned and now has better lines and looks shorter and more pleasing.

Another noticeable change is the addition of the new hanging rail system called the P.A.L system, or Pop A Lock. Previews of Timberline models feature front shelves, whereas the new Timberline series features a “number” like rail system for hanging hooks and other accessories that latch on to the rail system.

The rail system wraps around the entire grill, allowing you to place hooks, accessories, and tools anywhere you want around the grill.

Finally, finishing with the exterior changes, common in Trager grills and many pellet grills, is a grease catch bucket. Grease catch buckets are not all that nice to look at, but that is another feature that was not left untouched in the new Timberline series. Trager uses a new clamp on grease and ash catch system called the EZ Clean grease and ash keg system.

This is an amazing design that Traeger has come up with. The XL can now be the centerpiece of your backyard kitchen. With all of its new features, it’s perfect for anyone who wants to cook like a pro and is looking to build an amazing outdoor cooking area.

What’s New in The Inside

A lot has changed inside the New Timberline. Open the lid and the first thing you’ll notice is the weight of the heavy-duty steel lid. Compared to the older Timberline series, this new lid design exposes more of the cooking chamber and completely moves out of the way giving you better access to the cooking surface but especially the two top cooking and warming racks.

In the old Timberline series, the lid was only part of the front of the main cooking compartment, meaning the sidewall of the grill was static and did not move. In the new Timberline models, the lid is practically the top half of the grill, including the side walls.

Timberline XL storage — Timberline XL Storage

When you open this lid, the entire top half of the grill is exposed, making it easier to work around the cooking grates and giving you full access to the cooking space. The lid is also completed with a heat gasket to create a good seal when cooking and smoking foods.

The second thing you’ll notice is a fully redesigned and rearranged cooking chamber. The main cooking grate is made up of three different grates, adding flexibility and versatility. You can use two grates in conjunction with a griddle grate or other types of cooking surfaces. The raised side walls hold two warming and cooking racks, which can be stacked at different levels.

The cooking chamber offers full stainless steel insulation for maximum heat retention, which helps cook more efficiently and use less fuel.

The New Timberline Controller

TRAEGER Timberline Touchscreen Controller

One of the biggest changes, and certainly the most impressive, is the new redesigned digital controller. The new controller takes precision temperature control to a whole new level. The all-new Timberline inherits some of the same D2 controller features found in older Traeger models but improves on auger control, variable fan speeds, and temp monitoring of the grilling area to even control flare-ups. In short, this grill is very smart.

The controller supports Traeger’s proven WiFire technology and, new to the Traeger XL, WIFI thermometers. You also get dual meat probes with this new grill.

The new touch-display

The all-new Timberline grill is controlled by a touchscreen display much like your iPad, which helps users navigate menus and set cooking temperatures with ease. The touch screen controls the grill’s smart combustion system using several sensors throughout the grill.

On the display, a user has access to lots of information, including cooking temperatures and foods’ internal meat temp. The touchscreen also offers a guided onboarding program to help users set up and understand their new grill, plus maintenance and troubleshooting tips.

It is my opinion that the digital pro controller is the most impressive and innovative controller in any grill. This touchscreen controller is something that rivals the controls on top-notch appliances from brands like Wolf and Sub-Zero. Simply impressive.

The touchscreen grill means you can navigate the menus and settings just like you do on your iPhone, and unlike older Timberline models, the new LCD screen on this controller is full color. This is a big improvement over last year’s model.

New for this year is the integration of Meater Wireless thermometers, which work with Traeger’s new “Smart Combustion System” for more precise temperature control. The grill is smart enough to sense temperature spikes and spring into action, adjusting pellet feeding and fan speed to maintain a consistent temperature, which is key if you are smoking meats.

All this technology can be managed right from your phone using the Traeger grills WiFIRE app, which now offers an Apple Watch app as well. The grill cooks almost as if in cruise control. All this space and technology allows you to cook a whole meal by simply pressing a few buttons.

Something that many don’t know is that the Traeger app has various recipes from many of your favorite pitmasters. You can actually load the recipes and send them to your Traeger grill, and the grill will automatically set the temperatures and times as called for by the recipe.

You might be worried that all this high-tech might get you in trouble, but Trager integrated a “self-” maintenance program into the controller so the grill can auto diagnose itself and provide you with information on how to correct any issues. The grill also has built-in grill maintenance checks to keep this machine running.

New MEATER Meat Thermometers Integration

If you are not familiar with MEATER, they are a company that makes some of the best wireless meat thermometers on the market. The new Timberline comes with two MEATER probes that can talk to the controller for easy monitoring of your food’s temperature.

The smart wireless technology allows you to set alerts so you will know when your food has reached the perfect doneness temperature.

You can still use regular wire probes if you choose, but I really like the idea of using the MEATER probes.

New and Unique Features of the Timberline XL

Besides all the technology included in this grill, you also get the innovative P.A.L system. The system is sure to enhance your outdoor cooking experience. The P.A.L system reminds me of when I first got my new Harley Davidson. I bought the bike and liked it the way it was, but one trip to the parts department made me realize there were hundreds of bolt-on parts to make the bike my own and unique.

Well, the same can be done with the XL. The Traeger Timberline P.A.L. ( Pop A Lock ) system consists of an accessories rail system that wraps around the grill and can securely hold different accessories, including a roll rack for paper towels or butcher paper, storage bins, BBQ tool hooks, and even a front folding shelf. You can get a lot of “clamp-on” accessories for one grill, a lot; it is a big boy.

other new features available in the Traeger timberline XL:

An Induction Cooktop: This is my favorite feature of the XL and is truly something new on a wood pellet grill. Most grills will include a propane side burner, but definitely not an induction side cook top. Induction cooking appliances are something you find in high-end kitchens and even restaurants.

Induction stoves have numerous benefits, including the ability to cook food faster, safely, and efficiently. Heat is created by an interaction between an electric magnetic coil and metal cookware. The Traeger induction system is great for searing or even making pancakes; it adds a whole new level of versatility.

Wi-Fi Enabled Controller: The XL features a brand new Wi-Fi enabled controller. This controller lets you manage your grill from anywhere in the world using the Traeger app on your iPhone or Android device.

Upgraded Auger System: The auger system on the XL has been upgraded and is now made out of stainless steel. This auger system is much more durable than the auger system on the previous Timberline models and is less likely to jam.

Redesigned Hopper Lid: The hopper lid on the XL timberline grills has been redesigned to support a magnetic bamboo cutting board. This hopper can hold up to 22 pounds of pellets, which means you won’t have to refill your hopper as often.

A Pellet Storage Bin: Traeger was nice enough to include a pellet storage container with the XL, but at this price range, I would expect that.

Compatible with both Alexa and Google Home: This is a clever gimmick, but it will not improve the flavor of your cuisine or your grilling abilities; nonetheless, it will enhance your grilling experience. And for those of you who adore smart technology, feast!

Pellet Level Sensor: A pellet sensor alerts you of the level of pellets remaining in the hopper, as opposed to just alerting you when you have run out or are running low. Think of it like the gasoline gauge in your car. That’s a major advantage.

Interior Cooking Lights: This is a nice feature. A pair of LED lights illuminate the grill grates so that you can see what you are doing while cooking at night.

Magnetic Bamboo Cutting Boards: This is an excellent and clever feature. I have previously used grills with non-magnetic cutting boards, which is a pain. The board will move as much as the knife moves. However, these magnetic boards securely adhere to the grill, making cutting and chopping simpler.

EZ Clean Grease Ash Keg: This is a detachable, snap-on keg with foil liners inside. To clean, simply snap off and replace the liner.

Specifications for New Timberline Grill

One of the coolest things about this Traeger grill is that it is highly customizable and even modular. You can have many options built to your needs, like the Pop and Lock rails and accessories, but also the induction cooktop side burner. The induction cooktop burner can be attached to the main cabinet or installed separately if you are installing this grill in your outdoor kitchen.

Timberline XL Storage – Grease catch can and included pellet bucket

Size and Dimensions

Weight: 289 pounds
Stainless Steel grill grates
Cooking Space: per rack, main rack = 594 square inches, top two racks = 363 square inches. The total Cooking space is 1320 square inches.
Temperature range from 160 up to 500 degrees.
This is about 12 regular-sized size chickens, 16 rib racks, or 12 pork butts.
Hopper capacity: 22 pounds.

Warranty

Wood pellet grills normally carry a 1 to 3-year warranty with the expectations of a few Pit Boss grill models which offer up to 5 years and rec teq which offers 6 years. The XL comes with a 10-year warranty.

Pricing and Availability

The XL is more expensive than the previous Timberline models. The 850 model retails for $2099.99, the 1300 model retails for $2299.99, and the XL model retails for $3799.99. The new Timberline ( not the XL ) is 3499.99.

Our Thoughts on the New Timberline XL

Traeger grills have been one of my favorite grills for years. I have owned several different models and they have all been great. I was really excited when Traeger announced the new Timberline XL because it is their most advanced grill yet and I love technology.

However, this grill is not for everybody and some might not get it. Here are my thoughts, if you are building a dream outdoor kitchen and have the means to spend good money on a state-of-the-art, good quality pellet smoker, man is this a good option for you.

Sure, there are other great pellet grills out there. There are many brands making everything from handmade fully stainless steel grills to competition BBQ guys making and selling their own slice of fame on a new shiny grill, and some of those grills are great. However, NONE has the technology or offers the cooking experience offered by this Traeger line.

All grills can cook, but not all of them offer a good cooking experience, and I am convinced that that’s exactly what Traeger wanted to do here, offer you the ultimate outdoor cooking experience.

BBQ Grill Academy
The Best Pellet Gas Combo Grill: A Comprehensive List and Buyers Guide 4 March 2022 at 12:57

The Best Pellet Gas Combo Grill: A Comprehensive List and Buyers Guide

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Alison Uebel

4 March 2022 at 12:57

What is a pellet gas combo grill? A pellet gas combo grill is a type of grill that uses both wood pellets and natural gas or propane as fuel. These grills feature heating and cooking components from both pellet and gas grills, integrated into a single frame. So you get a pellet grill and a gas grill in one grill.

This type of grill is becoming more and more popular because it offers the best of both worlds: the convenience of a gas grill and the flavor of a pellet grill. In this article, we will list the 3 best pellet gas combo grills on the market right now. We will also include a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.

What is a Pellet Gas Combo Grill?

A pellet gas combo grill is a type of grill that uses both pellet fuel and natural gas or propane. These grills are not to be confused with other combo grills like charcoal and propane combo.

This type of grill is becoming more and more popular because it offers the best of both worlds: the convenience of a gas grill and the flavor of a charcoal grill. In this blog post, we will list the 3 best pellet gas combo grills on the market right now. We will also include a buyer’s guide to help you choose the right one for your needs.

When it comes to grills, there are a lot of different options to choose from. But if you’re looking for a good pellet and gas combo grill, then you’ve come to the right place.

We did our research and looked for brands offering this level of versatility, and combining that with customer feedback, we came up with the list below.

Benefits of a Pellet Gas Combo Grill

There are many benefits to buying a pellet gas combo grill. First, pellet grills are very easy to use. You simply set the temperature and let the grill do the work for you.

However, some of us like to grill and sear steaks or cook side dishes using our grills. This is why many consumers are looking for this type of combo grill smokers.

There are some really cool benefits of pellet grill smoker combos. One is that you technically get two grills in one, allowing you to cook a wider variety of foods and recipes.

Second, you have two fuel sources, which means if you run out of one fuel source, your grill is not totally out of commission. In fact, sometimes you will find yourself only using one side of the grill.

Lastly, versatility. Having two different fuel sources is ideal for individuals who desire endless cooking possibilities with their barbecues and also have a whole outdoor kitchen.

Our Three Best pellet and gas grill combo Picks

Now that we’ve gone over the benefits of pellet gas combo grills, let’s look at three popular and top-selling modes.

1. The Camp Chef WOODWIND 24 – Best Overall

Available at:

Camp Chef.com

The Camp Chef WOODWIND 24-Inch pellet grill is our top pick for the best pellet combo grill. This grill has a large grilling area, and it comes with a variety of features that make it perfect for both home and on the go.

The Camp Chef does not offer a second or separate gas cooking space, but the reason is our top pick is because, first and simply, it is a good pellet grill.

Woodwind offers the latest innovation in pellet grills. It has a Digital PID and WIFI-enabled controller that lets you change the temperature, set timers, and receive notifications when your meat reaches your set temperature—all from the palm of your hand!

The Camp Chef WOODWIND offers a variety of features to make your grilling experience more enjoyable. It offers 811 sq in total rack surface area, plenty of space to cook all your food, plus the lower and upper racks are also adjustable.

What makes this grill a good pellet smoker grill combo is its SideKick grilling system. Simply put, the Sidekick grilling system is a removable side burner that attaches to the side of the grill. The side burner can operate different accessories, including a grill, a pizza box, a searing box, and even a griddle. This level of versatility is what makes this grill our top pick.

This grill is more of a pellet grill smoker with a “side” gas burner. If you are not using the “gas” side table, you can remove it and not have an empty and wasted cooking chamber space.

True, you don’t get a “full-on” gas grill like in the Pit Boss below, but the CampChef is a good grill and smoker.

What we like:

With Camp Chef’s unique Sidekick system, you can add on multiple propane-powered cooking accessories.
Camp chef makes good pellet grills with good technology and app.
Reasonably priced.

What to Consider

The gas/propane add-ons have to be purchased separately.

2. PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN PELLET/GAS COMBO GRILL – Runner Up

Available at:

Pit Boss.com

If you are looking for a more “complete” combo, then the Pit Boss smoker grill combo is a good choice.

The Pit Boss Sportsman Pellet Combo Grill is our second pick for a pellet gas combo grill. This grill is perfect for those who want to have both a pellet grill and a gas grill completely independent from each other in a single frame.

The Pit Boss is more of a “full-on” pellet/gas grill smoker combo. You get a small pellet grill and a small gas grill with three burners. What this all means is that you get two separate cooking chambers, one powered by pellets and the other by propane, all in one frame. So, unlike in the Woodwind, the gas grill in this unit is a full and actual grill.

When it comes to pellet gas combo grills, the Pit Boss Sportsman Series is definitely a top contender. This grill offers 8-in-1 cooking versatility, so you can smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and even sear—all in one machine using wood pellets and gas.

The Pit Boss Flame Broiler system also allows you to achieve instant direct or indirect cooking and temperatures ranging from 180° to 500°F. This feature is simple to use, pull a lever, and the heat shield above the firepot opens up to allow direct flame grilling.

With the digital control board and meat probes, you can easily monitor your food and keep an eye on the cooking progress.

Other notable features of this grill include three stainless-steel gas burners, two meat probes, a large hopper capacity, a hopper viewing window, a built-in spice rack, and a bottle opener, plus a high-temperature powder coat finish.

It also includes a removable side shelf and a foldable front shelf—great for meal prep and placing all your cooking tools.

What we like:

Great cooking versatility
Pit Boss Flame Broiler system
built-in spice rack
bottle opener
This pellet grill/gas grill combo comes with a five-year warranty.
Five Year warranty

What to consider

You will spend a little more time cleaning and maintaining two grills.

3. Cuisinart Twin Oaks Pellet/Gas Combo – Large

Available at:

Check Price at Walmart

This grill does not offer the technology and quality found in the Camp Chef, but you do get a large grill at a good price point. This grill is also a full combo grill, which means you get two separate cooking chambers in one.

The Cuisinart Twin Oaks Pellet/Gas Combo is a great option for those looking for a pellet grill and gas grill smoker combo but want it at an affordable price. It has a cooking surface area of 900 square inches, making it perfect for larger gatherings, and a wide temperature range of 180° to 500°, ensuring that you’ll be able to cook a good range of foods.

The pellet hopper holds 30lbs of pellets, so you won’t have to worry about running out during a long cookout.

The PID control panel ensures precise temperature control. Plus, it comes with Bluetooth capabilities so that you can monitor your cookout from your phone or tablet.

At 207.34 lbs, it’s on the heavier side but still manageable. All in all, the Cuisinart Twin Oaks Pellet/Gas Combo is a great pellet gas combo grill for those who want the best of both worlds.

What we like:

Large Cooking Area of 900 Square Inches
Great temperature range: 180° to 500°
Large Pellet Hopper Capacity: 30 lbs.
Bluetooth Enabled

What we don’t like:

Is a heavy fella at 207 pounds

What to Consider When Buying a Pellet Gas Combo Grill

Grilling Space

When buying a pellet propane combo grill, there are a few things you should keep in mind. First, consider the size of the cooking area. If you’re planning on cooking for large groups, then you’ll want a pellet grill with a larger cooking surface area.

If you are mostly doing pellet grilling, then something like the Camp Chef with just the one-side burner will be good enough.

Temperature Range

Next, take into account the temperature range. You’ll want to make sure that the pellet grill can reach a broad temperature range to cook your food properly. Don’t get too caught up on temperature range. Most modern wood pellet and gas grills offer appropriate cooking temperature ranges.

Unless you are looking at small and portable smokers or grills, the temperature range is not that much of an issue in larger grills.

Hopper Capacity

Finally, consider the pellet hopper capacity. If you’re going to be cooking for long periods of time, you’ll want a pellet grill with a large hopper, so you don’t have to worry about running out of pellets. A pellet grill will burn about 1 and a half pounds of pellets per hour, so you don’t need a 50-pound pellet hopper, 10 and up is good enough.

Construction, Build, and quality

Having a large cooking space is great, but if the grill won’t last past a season, then what’s the point. Build quality and sturdy construction are important, and things like thick steel construction and stainless steel construction components will contribute to the longevity and lifespan of the grill.

However, nothing beats getting a good cover for your grill.

Warranty

Oh, warranty. Here is our case. These grills have many moving parts and components. The more parts, the more things that can go wrong. Especially with grills with two separate cooking chambers. This means you have augers, electronic fans, and a digital board, but also gas burners. The chances of something breaking, going bad, or malfunctioning well are doubled when you combine two grills into one.

We are not saying the combo grills are less reliable. We are saying that there is more in the pot to go wrong.

Pors and Cons of Combo Grills

Like everything in life, there are Pros and Cons to combining a wood pellet grill with a gas grill.

Pros

Versatility
Two different types of fuel to cook food available at your fingertips.
Pellet grills are easy to use and pack a lot of technology to help you cook and monitor the food.

Cons

More components need to make these grills work.
You will spend more on fuel since you need both pellets and propane.
More maintenance, you will need to clean a pellet grill and a gas grill.

The conclusion

Pellet gas combo grills offer the best of both worlds: the convenience of a gas grill and the flavor of a charcoal grill. When shopping for one, be sure to consider your budget, cooking space, pellet hopper size, features, convenience, and warranty.

However, what’s most important is to decide whether you need a full-on pellet and gas grill combo or a pellet grill with a side burner.

If only having a side gas or propane burner, then our top choice is the Camp Chef. This is because this grill is, first, a great pellet grill, and its propane SideKick system gives you more than just a side burner. You can use it to bake pizzas, as a griddle, and more.

If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, the Pit Boss Sportsman is another great option. If on a budget but still want a full combo, the Cuisinart can fit the bill.

Happy grilling!

Z Grills vs Pit Boss- A Head to Head Comparison of Two Popular Pellet Grills Brands, We look at performance, build Quality and value

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

7 January 2022 at 11:03

If you are looking for a new grill, you have probably come across two popular brands: Z Grills and Pit Boss. So, in this article, we will compare Z Grills vs Pit Boss to help you determine which wood pellet grill is best for you.

These two pellet grill companies are popular because they provide good, affordable pellet grills. Both Z Grills and Pit Boss pellet grills provide excellent features and value.

Both manufacturers are selling low-cost pellet smokers, so we will look at performance, build quality, and features to help you decide which one is right for you.

We compare Z Grill and Pit Boss head to head to see where they differ and where they are equal and where they are better.

Introduction to Z Grills vs Pit Boss Pellet Grills/Smokers – Grills Brand Overview

The History of Pit Boss

This pioneering brand was born in the Canadian province of Alberta. The company started in 1999 and later moved from producing pellet stoves to making pellet grills. Now headquartered in Reno, Nevada, Pit Boss sells more than 20 pellet grill products.

Pit Boss is part of the Dansons family brands. Dansons also offers grills such as Country Smokers and Louisiana Grills. The Dansons company began as a small business in 1999 and quickly became one of the leading pellet grill brands worldwide.

Pit Boss remains one of the most popular brands, but Z Grills is not far behind. Z Grills have been popular among customers in recent years as a cheap alternative. The Pit Boss range includes both horizontal and vertical pellet cooker products. However, Z Grill sells mainly horizontal pellet grills, so here is a comparison.

While Pit Boss has introduced newer models at slightly higher prices, the Pit Boss brand is focused on value-oriented pellet grills. Pit Boss also offers charcoal grills and gas grills at affordable prices.

Related: Pit Boss VS Traeger

The History of Z Grills

The Z Grills are an emerging player in the pellet smoker market. Their first product launched in 2017 after a successful crowdfunding campaign and an aggressive goal of building a high-performance pellet smoker at a very good price.

Z Grills was not a stranger to pellet grills. This company has helped other big brands design and manufacture barbecue grills since the early 1980s. Z Grills was a manufacturer that later became an e-commerce best-seller. Z Grills sells directly to consumers, eliminating the need for a middleman and keeping their prices well below the competition.

The Z Grills headquarters and main warehouse are in California. If you need help, there is a call center in the city of Salt Lake. Z Grills offers more than 5 pellet grill series, with new WiFi and portable models added recently to their lineup.

Z Grills is known for being a budget-friendly pellet grill brand. Z-Grills have two big things going for them. First, they ARE the manufacturer and sell directly to the consumer. This business model saves a lot on costs, and the company can offer incredible deals to its customers and keep their grill prices low. Second, Z Grills has grill models at every price range in the pellet grill market, attracting customers with all budget types.

See Also our Z Grills Vs Traeger Article.

Let’s Compare These Two Pellet grill Brands

Z Grills vs Pit Boss Build quality, reliability, and durability

Both Z Grills and Pit Boss Grills are built out of steel, either powder coated or painted, depending on the grill model’s construction. These two grills are very similar and is expected in budget grills.

Pit Boss’s newer grills, the Pro Two models, feature thicker, heavy-duty steel construction, and their high temperature resistant coating is also better. The cooking grates are porcelain-coated cast iron and sit on top of a direct flame grilling system. Don’t expect the high-quality stainless steel construction found in premium pellet grill models.

Z grills, however, have upped their game and are building new grill models and adding quality stainless steel complements to them, such as stainless steel lid doors, side tables, and other components. This is quite impressive to see from a budget pellet grill manufacturer.

Z Grills builds their grills using heavy duty powder coated steel, and the grill grates are porcelain coated steel. During our research, we found that Z Grills’ approach to simple, affordable grills is resulting in better working and more reliable grills. By keeping many bells and whistles out of their grills, they have managed to also keep reliability and durability up.

Early Pit Boss grills were less reliable than Z Grills. My comment on building quality comes amidst a huge number of reviews on grills like the Pit Boss Austin XL, whose paints peel, allowing the grill to rust. Also, early controls had soaring failure rates. Pit Boss’s reliability problems relate directly to the aggressive use of innovative technology in product design and production methods by Pit Boss.

The button line: These grills are not built like a Traeger or Yoder, but Z grills have remained more constant in other construction and quality plus, keep improving by adding stainless steel parts to their new grills, including double-walled construction in more recent models, so Z Grills earns the win here.

Pellet Hopper Size

The pellet hopper size is often used as a marketing tool and grill manufacturers like to lure you using pellet hopper sizes.

This is one area where these two brands have something for everyone. Pellet hopper sizes will vary from model to model and is not a factor I would consider to determine if a brand is better than another one. Why? Because hopper sizes are sometimes used like horsepower in a car. Marketing departments love using big numbers, but the truth is that a large hopper won’t make your grill better than another.

When it comes to Hopper capacity buying a grill with adequate pellet hopper capacity is more practical than going for the biggest.

First, you will not go through 30 pounds of pellets in a single cooking session. Even if you are smoking meats, the average pellet grill, even a larger grill, burns about one to two pounds of pellets per hour. At smoking temperatures, this is more like 1 pound of pellets. So a 20-pound hopper filled at capacity can last from 16 to 20 hours.

Second, you do not store your pellets in the hopper, so don’t think that a larger pellet hoper will allow you to store your pellets in the grill.

Lastly, You can often add and mix pellets during the cook.

The button line, the average pellet grill, has a 16 to 20-pound pellet hopper, but Pit Boss has models with a huge hopper capacity of 32 pounds.

So if hopper capacity is your thing, then Pit Boss grills currently has models with large hoppers.

The Button Line: Pit Boss has larger hoppers.

Cooking Space, Size, and Cooking Capacity

These companies share similarities in this area, as both have grills in various sizes. Both brands have small portable models and larger free-standing grills. The main difference is the cost per square inch.

Z Grills models offer you more square inches of cooking space per dollar. This means that you can get a larger cooking chamber for less money. Larger means more cooking capacity.

The Bottom Line: Every grill brand has every kind of cooking chamber size you can imagine. The question is, how much do you pay for those square inches. Z Grills, aggressive pricing wins here.

WiFi and Smartphone Apps

Z Grills just released a new wireless series called the MultiTasker. Pit Boss did not provide wireless access on their older models, but they came up with a clever solution. At present, many Pit Boss new models come with WiFi connectivity, and a “legacy” controller allows you to retrofit older models with WiFi connectivity.

Pit Boss wins by default because Z Grills is unable to provide wireless access to their older product lines.

Neither of these two brands shines in the high-tech department, but this is one reason these grills are more affordable. One can say that both brands got a late start to the WiFi game, but they both have it.

However, Pit Boss has a slight advantage here. Pit Boss designed a legacy wifi controller which can be retrofitted to older grills and turn your wood pellet grill into a WiFi-ready grill. The Pit Boss Wifi legacy controller can work with most Pit Boss grills.

On the other hand, Z Grills currently offers one WIFI wood pellet grill model. Yeah, one. The Z Grills MultiTasker is a new model and was introduced in 2021.

The bottom line: If you want Wifi, Pit Boss will offer more flexibility and models than Z Grills. Z Grills focuses more on grill build quality, and we hope to see more WIFI models soon.

Temperature Range

Z Grills smokers and grills are available and offer temperatures ranging from 160–455 degrees. The temperature can be set in increments of 25°. It means smoking slowly, baking, roasting, and even grilling is easy.

With Pit Boss, the variations vary slightly by model. They generally range from 190 to 600 degrees and have 25-degrees increments. Pit Boss grills have a slight advantage here thanks to the direct flame grilling system. Pit Boss has a patented burn pot slide-out system that allows for direct flame access, great for searing.

Z Grills is releasing new models with their own version of a direct flame access system, which lets flames make it to the cooking space for searing and grilling.

Both brands offer direct-flame access grilling, which allows for higher cooking temperatures. Pit Boss has been offering this for longer, so it is available in more of their grills. Pit Boss grills do offer a high temperature range, so they take the win here.

Warranty and Customer Service

Z Grills provides a three-year warranty as well as a 30-day return policy. On the other hand, Pit Boss is now giving a five-year warranty on all new models.

Customer service at Pit Boss receives positive feedback, and customers appear to be satisfied with their service.

Button Line: Put Boss is giving a longer warranty.

Price

The prices for Z Grills and Pit Boss models are close, and both are inexpensive pellet smokers. However, this is one of the biggest differences between Z Grills and Pit Boss. Z Grills take this one.

Bottom line: Z Grills are less expensive than Pit Boss.

Advanced features

This is one area where you should not expect to see any record-breaking technological advancements. Both Pit Boss and Z Grills are now using PID controllers and meat probes to control and manage the grills. These are inexpensive grills, and technology is one area where costs are reduced.

Some models include side shelves, closed storage cabinets with shelves, and all-terrain wheels. The Z Grills have more convenience across their entire range, but the technology between these two grills is pretty equal.

When it comes to features, these two brands are pretty equal.

Clean up

Z Grills and Pit Boss use gravity-fed grease management systems that drain into a disposable handy bucket hanging out of the side of the grill.

Some Z Grills models have ash cleaning systems that consist of removable ash cups. Other models have removable trays.

Most Pit Boss models require you to use a small shop vac to clean out the ashes. Both brands offer models with pellet clean-out doors to empty unused pellets although Z Grills only added this feature to their newer grills.

While we would like this feature to come with most models, the slide-out ashtrays make the Z Grill the winner in this segment.

Other Features and Technology

Although the cost of these grills is low, you get some decent benefits. Several models include side shelves, storage, and all-terrain wheels.

Both brands now use digital PIDs, the standard in pellet grilling and what you want in a new pellet grill. Verdict: Z grills have more convenience across their entire range.

A little more about Pit Boss

Pit Boss was formed in the 2000s and the first pellet grill company to enter the market after the Traeger patent expired. Pellet smokers are not all Pit Boss offers ( they make a good charcoal grill, too). The company also offers a wide range of charcoal or propane barbecue grills.

Grills are not the only thing this company is known for. Their wood pellets are also selling well, and their competition blend is very popular. Z Grills also offers their own wood pellets and even creates sales bundles, including tools, accessories, and, yes, wood pellets.

Pit Boss offers “Offset” and Vertical Pellet Smokers

Pit Boss also offers vertical pellet smokers offering increased capacity and better temperature control for low and slow meat smoking.

Pit Boss vertical smokers are not intended for open flame grilling and their temperature range is generally from 190 to about 400 degrees F.

Top Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grills

Pit Boss is making a wide range of pellet grills in different price ranges. There are a few Pit Boss budget grills that are very popular.

The Sportsmans Series

The Sportmans series is a basic model that offers an adequate cooking surface for most families. These grills are lighter and portable, making them a great compact grill for trips.

The Pro Two Series Pit Boss Grill

The Pro Two Series is a new kind of pellet grill for Pit Boss. These grills are built out of heavy gauge steel have WIFI, meat probes, large pellet hopper capacity, and cooking space.

Top Z Grills Pellet Grills

Z Grilles are widely recognized for being versatile and simple in use, plus a very affordable option. Z Grills has updated their controls, and now most settings can be changed by pressing and holding a single button.

Z Grills-450B (waterproof Grill Cover Included )

The 450 B series was released in 2021 and is the successor to the top-selling 450A. Much remained the same, but the 450B has a new digital PID controller.

Zgrills 2020450a model vs 2021 450b model

These models have 452-square inches of cooking space and feature 15 lbs capacity hoppers. Z Grill-450B PRO is constructed from powder coated steel to ensure long-standing durability. You also get a weatherproof grill cover to protect the grill against sunlight, rains, snow, and sleet, if needed. The temperature range in these pellet grills is 160°F to 450°F.

The Z Grills-1000D

The 1000D is one of Z Grills models that offers a lot of space and plenty of cooking grates for a large family or large cookouts. Other pellet grills in this size range cost double the price of this model.

The 3 cooking grates in the primary cooking chamber are basic coated steel wire and can hold pounds of food.

This grill is quite easy to use, and the grill is large enough for most people. The smoker can control the cooking temperature through an easy-to-use 8-channel auto temperature controller that controls the smoke temperature. The grill is constructed using quality materials.

Z Grills-700E ( 700 series )

The Z grill 700-E is an all-around good grill and known for offering good temperature control. The fan forced convection cooking is made easy in these 700s.

New – The Z Grills 700DE

The 700 DE is Z Grills new addition to their top-selling series, the 700 models. This grill has a new LCD PID controller and lots of room to grill or smoke your favorite BBQ dish.

The Quick Version: Z Grills vs Pit Boss

For good value, the two grill brands Z Grill and Pit Boss, have been regarded by many customers to be the best choice. The two manufacturers offer an excellent selection of sizes and packaged features that you don’t feel like you are getting a cheap pellet smoker.

The pair perform extremely well. We found that temperatures are slightly higher in some Pit Boss models because of their slide and grill heat shield, which allow you to cook over an open flame.

As far as quality, these two brands are the same, basic powder coated steel, although Z Grills is upping their game by adding stainless steel components to their new grills.

As far as Price is hard to beat Z Grills deals and bundles.

Which is better? Z Grills vs Pit Boss

Two brand names at similar prices, with different sizes and styles. Which is the best? When we compare Z Grill vs Pit Boss you’ll notice Pit Boss had the leading place across two important categories, including temperature range and warranty. Z Grills offer better temperature control and better price.

The Bottom Line:

If you are looking for an inexpensive grill, well built, good pellet hopper capacity, and again, good price, Then check out Z Grills.

If you are willing to pay a little bit more, get slightly better quality but a longer warranty, then Check Out Pit Boss grills.

Whats the main difference between a Z Grill and a Pit Boss Pellet Grill?

Price, Price my friends. There will be a lot of hoopla on the Internet, but the main point is that Z Grills is a manufacturer as well as a competitive e-commerce brand. This means they can sell directly to customers, with considerably lower overhead, and offer you great deals on their grills.

Pit Boss is an older company and has been in the market for a while. Quality is about the same, and neither brand is a tech giant.

Conclusions on Pit Boss vs Z Grills Pellet Grills/Smokers

Well, you are probably asking which one would. I choose? Well if price is a major deciding factor, I would sure go with Z Grills. Other companies like Camp Chef are also offering good grills at this price range.

However, Pit Boss also make good grills offer one of the best warranty in the market.

A few years ago, I would say, Pit Boss all day, but the new models that Z Grills is putting out are hard to beat. With Z Grills you get a lot for your buck.

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Pellet Grill vs Gas Grill – Comparison Guide, What’s the difference between the two, and which one Is better 30 December 2021 at 13:38

Pellet Grill vs Gas Grill – Comparison Guide, What’s the difference between the two, and which one Is better

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Alison Uebel

30 December 2021 at 13:38

Pellet grills are becoming increasingly popular and are selling well. Some of the reasons are their simplicity, convenience, technological advancement, and also that awesome wood-fired flavor from burning pellets.

Gas grills have long been the go-to for those who wanted a grill that was easy to use, fast to get going, and easy to cook on. However, gas grills have one drawback: a lack of flavor. Before pellet grills came into the picture, charcoal grills were the king of flavor.

Still, many compromised and opted for gas grills as an easy-to-use option. You can still get a smoky flavor out of your gas grill by using a smoker wood chip box, but you will still lack the wood-fired flavor produced by a wood pellet grill.

The emergence of pellet grills has not only taken over the most significant advantage of gas grills, ease of use, but with better technology, added flavor, and technology, many consumers are buying wood pellet grills.

So maybe you are on the fence and not sure which is for you, are ready to upgrade, or are on the hunt for your next grill. In this article, pellet grill vs gas grill comparison, we will show you the major differences between these two types of grills and help you decide which type is better for you.

Which is better, gas grill vs pellet grill?

The answer to this question can be subjective. For some, the simplicity of gas grills, their low cost, clean-burning fuel, and ease of use remain king and their only option.

However, many more people have realized that pellet BBQs are just as simple to operate as gas grills, but they yield far more flavor. Not to mention the sophistication and automation inherent in pellet BBQ smokers and grills.

Let’s go over a few factors, similarities, and differences between these two types of grills and see which is better.

Gas Grill Overview

A gas grill is very similar to a gas stove. Liquid Propane or Natural Gas is fed to the burner and ignited. This process produces heat, which cooks the food. Both stoves and gas grills are available in natural gas and liquid propane, and yes, there are differences between LP and natural gas.

A natural gas line can be connected to the grill, whereas with LP grills, a liquid standard propane tank holds the fuel under pressure for the burners.

What made gas grills so popular was the fact that, like a kitchen stove, you turn a knob, push a button or an igniter, and you are ready to cook food. With Charcoal grills, you have to light charcoal and control the temperature using air vents; the cooking process in a gas barbecue is much simpler.

The biggest drawback of gas grills is that gas has no taste, flavor, or aroma. Some gas grills put out high temperatures, which some prefer for direct cooking and searing. However, gas and propane are inexpensive fuels for gas grills but, no flavor.

Pellet Grill Overview

Z Grills FLAGSHIP 700D4E wood pellet grill

Pellet grills use indirect heating for cooking food using a convection fan similar to a kitchen oven. Pellet grills must be connected to electricity for powering fans and other various features but do not need a gas line.

Because of the smoke generated when wood pellets burn and the way pellet grills work, these grills are often called smokers. A charcoal smoker cooks at a slow and low temperature, and a pellet grill can too.

The pellet grill market has exploded in recent years. Brands like Traeger, Z Grills, Yoder, and Rec-Tec dominate the market. Pellet smokers and grills have a lot going for them.

First, they are as easy, if not easier, to use than propane grills. In many models, all you have to do is push a button, and the cooking process starts. Second, they render good and juicy meats due to their indirect heat cooking method.

How pellet grills work

Pellet cookers burn wood pellets in a fire pot where a convection fan agitates the flame and sends heat to the cooking areas. Flames are kept at bay by a heat shield over the fire pot, and only heat and smoke enter the cooking area.

450B pellet grill temperature controller — Pellet grill digital temperature controller

Set the temperature and enjoy the slow cooking process and smoky flavor. You raise the temperature to grill a few burgers. The point is, these grills are great at keeping a consistent temperature.

Lastly, these grills are great and maintain heat well since a digital controller controls the temperature. The biggest advantage of these grills is the smokey taste from burning pellets. Wood pellets are compressed sawdust recycled from lumber mills and other resources in natural ways.

The pellets are made from hardwoods like hickory and oak, which, when burned, well, you enjoy the taste. Smoking pellets are different from heating pellets. One drawback is that pellet grills require electricity to run their electronics, fans, and augers, unlike most gas grills.

Gas vs Pellet Grills – Similarities, Differences, and more

While gas and pellet grills have many similarities, they’re still two different types of cooking equipment. Both types of grills are easy to use, but the biggest gap between the two is that natural smoke flavor. Simply put, burning pellets equals to smoke flavor.

Operating costs of pellet grill vs gas grill

Wood pellet grills only work with cooking pellets. Wood pellets are available to almost everywhere, online, and in your nearest local big box store. The price of a 20-pound bag of wood pellets is slightly higher than the cost of refilling or exchanging a 20-pound propane tank. Some argue that the price of either natural gas or propane is less than pellets, but with more brands joining the market, the price of pellets has dropped considerably and, in some cases, is less.

However, smoking pellets need to be stored properly for them to last, whereas a propane tank, provided it has no leaks, can hold propane for long periods. Pellet grills burn about a pound of pellets per hour, and so do gas grills.

The larger the cooking surface and cooking at higher temperatures will impact fuel burn rates. Both a good gas or pellet grill will be pretty efficient at lower temperatures.

Another thing to consider is that, like electric grills, pellet grills need a power source to operate, whereas gas grills only need gas. This means that you will consume two types of fuel when using your pellet BBQ smoker or grill.

ease of use and grilling

As explained in our review of the best pellet smoker and grills, we also covered the benefits and disadvantages of these grills. Both types of grills offer easy-to-start and stop functionality and are easy to use, but pellet smokers start with the switch of a button.

Most pellet smokers ( and grills ) start with by pressing a “power button,” and brands like Camp Chef and Traeger even a remote mobile app giving you the ability to control every aspect of , and gas grills are lit using a push igniter ( Piezo Igniter ) or battery-powered operated igniter.

However, pellet grills are easier to use than gas grills when it comes to temperature control. This is primarily partly due to how pellet grills are designed. A PID controller manages the feeding of pellets, pellet ignition, and the fan. This means that you set the desired cooking temperature on a pellet grill, and the grill does the work.

In a propane BBQ grill, you must still open and close the gas burner to increase or decrease the fire. In a gas grill, the temperature knobs control the grill.

In both pellet and gas grills, adjusting or controlling the temperature is relatively easy, but in a pellet grill, the process is automated.

Temperature Control

Pellet grills provide accurate temperature control. Customers can find quality pellet models with a five-degree accuracy rating in temperature control managed by a digital controller. Pellet grill temperature control is a standout feature. A quality pellet grill can not only be accurate but can also maintain heat well.

Traeger controller display — Traeger’s D2 Controller

Higher-end gas grills can retain heat well and cook at a steady temperature but lack the digital technology to detect heat fluctuations and adjust accordingly.

Temperature control is an issue in most gas and charcoal grills, and it can be difficult to cook low and slow in some. However, direct heat and open flame cooking are where gas grills shine. It is easy to sear meat on a gas grill, although most grills can’t operate at high temperatures for long.

Unlike gas grill models, pellet grills are more suited to low n’ slow cooking because they do much better at keeping low temperatures consistently. Therefore, if you want to smoke meat low and slow and add natural wood flavors, a pellet grill is the right grill.

Available Accessories – Pellet grill vs gas grill

Most manufacturers have accessories available for both their pellet and gas grills. But you will quickly realize that more accessories are available for pellet units. Many manufactures offer accessories and tools such as pizza stones, searing boxes, and versatile cooking grates to aid in the slow cooking process of ribs, briskets, and pork shoulders.

A pellet grill is a versatile grill which brings me to my next point, versatility.

Versatility

A wood pellet grill can smoke meats, bake, and grill, and with so many pellet flavors, the results are more often than not amazing. A gas or charcoal grill can be as versatile and offer the same cooking options, but not without some sort of modification and certainly not as easy as a wood pellet grill.

The only input you give a pellet grill is the desired temperature; everything else is handled by the grill itself, making it easy to cook meat, vegetables, and everything else that you can think of.

Generally speaking, most gas grills have adjustable temperature settings, but some models cannot operate at constant low temperatures for smoking, and yeah, no smoke flavor.

Technology – The Gadgets

When comparing a pellet grill to a gas grill, technology is the biggest difference between these two types of grills.

No good article can compare the two without talking about technology. The reason why is that pellet grills are packed with technology. Temperature control is managed by smart controllers capable of monitoring the temperature inside your grill cooking area and adjusting the desired temperature accordingly. This means you can spend more time away from your new grill and more time with your friends and family while cooking.

Smart technology in pellet grills has advanced to the point where some of these grills can integrate with other smart devices and offer mobile apps. Companies like Traeger offer grills that can be controlled using mobile apps and even integrate with Alexa.

There are gas grills with good technology, but none come close to the technology and automation found in a pellet grill.

Impact on Flavor – Another Huge Difference

Ok, This is obvious, but I need to emphasize this point a lot. Smoking pellets yield amazing flavor. Something needs to be added to get wood-fired flavor when cooking on gas or charcoal grills. Either a smoker box, wood chips, or wood chunks, something needs to be added to get the smoke flavor.

A propane grill without added wood chips yields zero flavors, and all the meat’s taste will come from its seasoning.

Wood pellet grills are all about flavor. When it comes to flavor, pellets all day. You have complete flavor control since you have a variety of wood pellet flavors at your disposal. You can even mix wood flavors and get whatever taste you want. With a propane grill, well propane…

Most wood pellets are made out of natural wood, so you are burning a natural product, avoiding adding foul smells and toxins to your food. In a charcoal grill, charcoal briquettes are a source of fuel, and something like wood chips still needs to be added for flavor. Some lump charcoal brands use hardwoods that do yield smokey flavor.

Running Times (before refueling)

Running times are pretty equal between these two types of grills, especially when comparing grills of the same size.

A pellet grill can burn about one pound and a half of pellets per hour depending on the cooking temperature and other environmental factors like weather. If it is freezing outside, your propane or pellet smoker will work harder to keep the temperature, and so will your gas grill.

You can get to up to two pounds of pellets per hour if you set the temp low to smoke meat.

Cost of Grills

Factors impacting the cost of grills include their size, building materials, technology, and quality. But when talking about pellet grills, this is one area where the propane grills win. Manufacturing propane grills is much cheaper than pellet grills.

The digital controllers in pellet grills alone add to the cost of a grill. Smart technology, WIFI, and other tech can add to the price tag very quickly.

User-“friendliness”

Ok, many of us are die-hard fans of charcoal grills, and for some, charcoal is the only way. However, charcoal grills are not very user-friendly. There are a few skills you need to master to operate a charcoal grill well.

Pellet grills are as easy to use as your kitchen oven. Turn it on, set the temperature, and let it cook. This is one of the reasons these grills are taking off and selling so well.

Fancy features

Both a high-end Gas Grill and Pellet Grill can include many fancy bells and whistles. But pellet grills have more tech features and automation.

Pellet grill companies have incorporated features ranging from Bluetooth and Wireless capability to embedded meat probe sensors and LCD display screens. Companies like Traeger even have “keep warm” functions in their grills.

Gas grills have no automatic temperature controls. Generally, a good gas grill includes traditional features such as side burners and rotisseries. Several models also feature little extras such as LED lighting but do not come close to the technology and automation in a pellet grill.

Grill Cleaning and Maintenance

Grill cleaning and maintenance can help preserve grill performance and durability. You should clean the grill grates and cooking chamber as often as possible.

A good grill cover can help prevent corrosion and coating damage from UV light and weather elements.

Wood pellet grills have grease trays that have to be regularly cleaned. It’s possible to cover them with foil for easy cleaning. Also, ash accumulation in the fire cup and around the grill is common as the wood pellets burn.

This requires you to use a small shop vac and clean the ashes, although some grills models have removable ash cups making it easier to clean.

Besides cleaning wood pellets ashes, both grills cleaning procedures and amount of work are relatively the same.

Fuel sources

Wood Pellet is an organic, natural product specially produced for use in pellet grills. Propane is derived from natural gas refining.

Cooking Automation

Cooking auto nation is an area where a gas grill cannot compete with a pellet one. Pellet grills use meat probes to monitor meat temperature and cooking chamber sensors, plus a smart PID controller to keep everything in order.

Gas Grills vs pellet grill vs charcoal – which I would choose

Ok, I currently do most of my cooking on my Z Grills 450B and my Green Egg. Charcoal grills are a lot of work, but I enjoy them. Whenever I want to spend the day “playing” with charcoal and having a few beers, I use the Green Egg.

However, whenever I have friends over and want less of mess and work less, then am pellets all day. My go-to grill is a pellet grill. I even got rid of my gas grill because, sure, it was easy to use, but I am always adding wood chips for flavor, and it was not as easy to use as my Pellet grill.

If you want a grill that is easy to use and yields great flavors, try a pellet grill. If you occasionally want to grill a few hot dogs and burgers, then a gas grill can be a good fit.

What is a gas grill? Are they extinct?

A gas grill is one of the most common grills in the market. Simply put, natural gas or liquid propane is fed to burners where the fuel is ignited. The combustion of the gas generates heat which cooks your food.

Gas grills are not going anywhere. Some are going down in price, and for someone that just wants to grill burgers every once in a blue moon, these grills are still a good fit.

Even for the hardcore enthusiast, a gas grill can yield good results if you know how to use it. Gas grills are also clean; there is less mess or pellets ash to deal with, so many people love them for their outdoor kitchens.

A note on Charcoal grills

If you cook on a charcoal grill, it generates heat using charcoal briquettes. Charcoal Grills are cheap, and charcoal can be found just about anywhere. The temperature in charcoal grills can be incredibly tough to control if you are new.

Charcoal grills can be a bit harder and messier to use than a gas grill and a pellet one. Keep in mind that charcoal alone does not produce wood-fired smoke flavor. For that, you need wood chunks or wood chips.

What can pellet grills be used for?

If you like to smoke meat, these grills can be a good choice. The aroma and taste that burning wood pellet produces beats a gas BBQ. Even when grilling something simple like hot dogs, these grills deliver. These grills can bake, grill, and smoke meat. An easy way to get well cooked meat.

Popular Pellet Grill Brands

Alright, there are a lot of new pellet grill brands, but here are the most popular. Trager is the original pellet grill and has been selling pellet grills for decades. Z Grills is another popular brand that is well known for offering amazing grills at very low prices. Other brands include Rec Tec, Yoder, Mak Grills, and Pit Boss.

There are brands offering well-built grills but are small compared to larger brands like Trager, Z Grills, and Pit Boss are small and other areas of the grill fall behind.

Trager leads the way when it comes to technology and innovation. Z Grills and Pit Boss offer well-built grills at affordable prices.

Conclusion

A gas grill still remains one of the cleanest and easiest ways of barbecue, but if you are looking for great flavor and a grill that is easy to use, then I would recommend trying a pellet BBQ Grill or smoker. The automation, smart technology, and wood-fired flavor are hard to beat.

Regardless of which route you go, look for a grill that offers the space and cooking surface your need and from a brand that you like.

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Z Grills vs Traeger – A head to Head Comparison of Two Popular Pellet Grills 24 December 2021 at 23:18

Z Grills vs Traeger – A head to Head Comparison of Two Popular Pellet Grills

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Alison Uebel

24 December 2021 at 23:18

Welcome, you are in the right place. You are in the market for a new grill and are comparing Z grills vs Traeger. In this article, we take a deep dive into these two excellent pellet grill companies and compare the two.

We will cover the differences between Z Grills and Traeger grills, how they compare, where they differ, their top-selling models and series, and which one wins.

Z Grills Overview

In spite of the fact that Z Grills is a relatively new company when it comes to selling directly to customers, but they have been making pellet grills for 30 years. I know, how come? Well, a lot of the grills you’ve come to know and love are or were made by this manufacturer.

When they launched, their plan was simple; they wanted to introduce a solid, budget-friendly pellet grill and compete with well-seasoned pellet grill brands in the market. After a successful crowdfunding campaign, Z Grills launched in 2016.

Even with its short history, the brand has grown quickly, becoming a well-known household name in the BBQ world. Many pellet grill brands are offering good pellet smokers, but few come close to the price range offered by Z Grills.

Related: Z Grills VS Pit Boss

Z Grills – Why Should you Consider a Z Grills pellet grill

Well, the first thing you will hear in the Interweb is that Z Grills are not made in the US, but very few pellet grills are. Traeger’s pellet grills, for example, used to be made in the US, but as the company expanded and grew, they too moved their manufacturing overseas.

Both companies offer excellent grills and quality, but we will get to the main differences later in the article.

Z Grills manufactures good wood pellet grills at an affordable price range, meeting the budgets of a larger consumer base. For those learning grilling techniques, it’s great to start with something inexpensive.

With Z grills, you get a good product and solid grills without the bells and whistles found in other brands, which drive the costs up and many don’t even need. So if you are looking for a good wood pellet grill at a reasonable price without all the expensive glare, in other words, you just want a grill, consider Z Grills.

Traeger Overview

Traeger pellet grills are the original pellet grills. Yes, that’s right. Traeger was the first pellet grill in the market.

Traeger grills launched in the 1980s, and Traeger quickly patented the pellet grill technology. Traeger is recognized throughout the industry for its advanced technology, PID controls, and quality. It is known as the “original” wood pellet smoker.

Traeger’s patent expired in 2006, opening the door to other grill manufacturers to launch their own wood pellet grills. Not many people know that Joe Traeger started his company selling pellet stoves before Trager Grills was born.

Where Traeger shines is its quality and advanced features. The company’s headquarters are now in Salt Lake City.

Related: PitBoss VS Traeger

Why ( or when ) Should you consider Traeger pellet grills

Well, let’s go straight to the point. Quality and features come at a cost, but if you want the latest tech, advanced PID controllers, quality, and features, Traeger will deliver, but at a price.

If budget is no issue and you want a good pellet grill from a company that has been around for over 30 years, the Traeger grills will deliver.

A Traeger pellet smoker sets the standard for quality, fit, and finish. You get elegance while plus the best performance, technology, and temperature control.

Traeger customers love their grills, and besides the high price of admission, there is very little wrong that can be said about Traeger grills. Sure, there are better brands, hand made and even better built, but those brands do not produce in the numbers Traeger does nor can match Traeger’s technology. Niche brand prices also tend to be very high.

Traeger does offer three different series at a wide range of prices, including the Pro series, the Ironwood series, and the Timberline series being their top of the line.

Now, Let’s Get Busy: Z Grills VS Traeger Pellet Grill Comparisons

Now that you know a little bit about each company and what type of product they build, let’s compare the two.

Now, comparing these two grill companies is a bit difficult because these companies target different goals. Z Grills want to offer the best pellet grill possible at the most affordable price. In contrast, Traeger aims for raw performance, features, and quality, and price, well, not so much. We will go over the main differences and help you decide which is for you.

Some people have the means to buy a Traeger but wonder if they should spend the money on a Traeger. Others wonder if it is worth pushing out the extra cash to get one. Knowing the differences between these brands will help you make an informed decision regardless of your situation. So here it is folks, Trager vs Z Grills. Roll the tape!

Z Grills vs Traeger Grills Similarities

Well, let’s start with the obvious; both brands focus on pellet grills, and both wood pellet grill brands offer a wide range of models, from portable smokers and portable pellet grills to giant grill models. Both companies have focused heavily on introducing new wood pellet grill technology like WiFi and mobile apps.

Their shapes and cooking chamber are similar, and both brands offer models in all square inches ranges. With both Traeger and Z Grills, you get convenient features like ample cooking space, automation, and digital temperature controllers with at least one meat probe.

Z Grills vs Traeger Grills – Where the Similarities End

Price – Z Grills wins

Let’s start right off the bat and address the elephant in the room, price. There is no if, but, or what; Z Grills are less expensive than Traegers. Now hold your wood pellets and don’t throw them at the screen yet.

The fact that one brand is cheaper than another or vice-versa doesn’t make them better or worst than the other. Z Grills is in a favorable position and can afford to sell their grills for less. First, Z Grills started as a grill manufacturing company, meaning they had a lot of knowledge and equipment to build their grills themselves, eliminating the middle man and reducing costs.

Second, Z Grills, is mainly an e-commerce brand needing fewer resources to run the company.

Lastly, Z Grills can offer grills at very competitive prices by using less expensive components and building simpler grills but good construction.

Z Grill’s core values include delivering affordable and premium pellet grills. Traeger offers an amazing variety of grills and is the most popular manufacturer, with record sales each year. At their price range, they offer the best quality and features and are arguably well priced for what you get.

You can visit their website and see the bundles and models. They constantly run a deal called the “blind box offer,” in which you pretty much pay 399 dollars, get free shipping, and get one of their grills, It could be a 499 or 799 grill, or even more, but the point is you will get something nicer for the 399 you spend on the blind box.

I have checked their facebook page and people seem very happy with the grills they’ve been getting.

Temperature Control – Traeger wins

Here is one area where Traeger dominates and outperforms even some of the best hand-made USA-born grills. The reason is Traeger’s D2 digital controller, which is smart enough to control a variable speed fan, igniter, and auger accordingly when it senses temperature drops or events such as opening and closing the lid door.

the Traeger temperature controller — Traeger Controller

Z Grills controller — Traeger Controller

Sure, pellet grills made of full 304 stainless steel might do better at heat retention, but double-wall steel with an intelligent brain can outperform it and be more efficient at grilling and smoking while burning fewer wood pellets.

For instance, the Traeger Timberline series grills feature double insulation throughout the cooking chamber, making a solid pellet grill. There are other grills in this price range that are exceptionally well built. However, they still rely on older technology and a cyclic auger system to control pellet feeding and temperature.

Most Traeger temperature controllers have built in wifi and also have a larger lineup of wifi grills.

Z Grills temperature controllers, or PIDs, are simpler and offer simple functionality, check the temperature, feed wood pellets, rinse and repeat.

While Z Grills and Traeger provide suitable temperature controllers, Traeger controllers are incredibly good and precise. Using digital technology and sensors gives you a much more accurate temperature.

Warranty – Equal – well, sort of

Both companies offer a three-year warranty to the original owner. Traeger doesn’t point out limitations in the warranty towards corrosion and paint failure, but Z Grills website mentions explicitly that their warranty does not cover paint defects and corrosion, So if you run the grill too hot and the paint chips off,,, tough luck.

Cooking surface area – a dead heat.

Both companies offer grills in a variety of sizes, from portable pellet grills to massive 1k plus square inches grills.

Both companies offer grills comparable to two, three, and four-burner gas grills. Their larger grills feature warming racks and plenty of space to smoke turkeys and big pork shoulders.

Temperature Range- slight edge Traeger

Both Z Grills and Trager put out good heat for cooking, baking, and grilling. Most pellet grills do not get above 500 degrees in part because their fire pot is covered with a heat shield. A charcoal grill can easily get above 500 degrees, but most Traeger pellet grills and Z Grills will struggle to match the heat output of, say, a kamado grill.

There are grills from brands like Camp Chef and Pit Boss that feature slidable firepot heat shields allowing the direct flame to reach the grilling surface for searing and grilling, reaching higher temperatures.

Most Traeger grills can sustain high temperatures with little effort, and the top Z grills models can too. However, due to Traeger’s high-quality cooking chamber insulation and constriction plus precise temperature control, I give the edge here to Traeger.

It is not just about temperature range is also how safely and efficiently the grill can sustain and retain heat.

Hopper capacity Potato Potato

The pellets are stored in the Pellet Hopper so that gravity pushes them towards a rotating auger and towards the fire cup, where they are ignited. The size of the hopper will not make a difference in cooking, temperature control, or anything that can make a grill better or worst. The sole purpose of the pellet hopper is to hold pellets.

Now, suppose you are planning on cooking for long periods. In that case, a larger hopper might be beneficial because you are less likely to need to refill the hopper during the cook. If you are smoking meats, a 20-pound hopper can easily handle 16 hours of smoking.

Pellet grills burn about a pound to a pound ad half of pellets per hour. Both Z Grills and Traeger offer grills with good pellet hopper capacity and sizes. Don’t expect big hopper capacity on either brand portable pellet grill models.

Features Apps and WIFI – Definitely Traeger

Ok, this is where the significant differences begin, and the similarities stop. The most significant gap between these companies is their technology offerings like mobile apps, WiFi capabilities, and automation when comparing Z Grills vs Traeger grills.

Traeger has one of the best, most “mature” mobile apps among the top grill brands. I have read grill reviews where customers rave about the grill, oh is 304 stainless still, and the horns are cool but could you fix your app? Hum hum, rec tec

The bottom line is that Traeger is a huge company with the resources to employ a talented ground of developers and engineers, spend millions and research and development, and put out crazy tech. The downside is, this comes at a cost.

However, if you want good tech with your grill, and you should, this automation not only is great but also allows you to enjoy more your time with friends and family.

Z Grills is not there yet when it comes to technology. Some of their older models seemed to be a step behind other pellets grills when it came to technology, but the grills have always been solid.

However, Z Grills’s new models are catching up and are offering WIFI-enabled controllers, mobile apps, and all at, you guessed it, cheaper prices. Sure Z Grills app is not on par with Traeger’s, but you get cooking temperature monitoring and grill’s temperature control right from the app.

Last but certainly not least, Construction and Built Quality – Traeger Wins

Okay, so probably you guessed by now that the Traeger would take this one, but since this is a Z Grills vs Traeger comparison article, this topic has to be discussed. When comparing pellet grills, many talk about metal thickness and useless inches, and 304 stainless steel, pretty welds this and that.

The button line is for most users, non of this BS will matter, but it is a good sales point and a way for grill brands to brag about their grills. Is like talking about horsepower in SUVs; a 1000 horsepower SUV in carpool sure is useless.

No, I am not saying that construction and build quality aren’t important. After all, both elements play a role in the longevity and durability of the grill, but for the average person is not that important. Many spend unnecessary money on a grill because it has two stainless steel layers and shiny screws.

Here are two things to keep in mind regarding build quality and construction. Construction and quality are important, especially if you intend to use your grill often. The temperature range at which pellet grills operate can be hard on parts, and eventually, something can fail. So the better the grill is built, the more likely it will outlive your car.

Second, double-wall cooking area ( main cooking chamber ) construction like Traeger’s is ideal for smoking meats and consuming less wood pellets; why? Because they can retain heat better. Powder-coated steel is very durable and standard in good quality grills. That said, stainless steel material parts and components can be found in both Z Grills and Traeger.

Traeger takes extra care and puts more details into constructing their grills. The fit and finish in a Traeger grill is better, but Z Grills consultation is not far behind. Where the Traeger nails it is with its double-sided wall construction.

Regardless, if you are burning wood pellets, you get wood-fired flavor and a wide temperature range for every cooking method.

Z Grills and Traeger models and Series comparison

Z Grills and Traeger have different grill collections with varying price ranges and features. We will show both brands’ entry models and work our way up to their top offerings. Both companies offer a portable pellet grill model, but their top-selling is their free-standing grills.

Traeger Pro Series | Z Grills 450 / 550 Series

Both of these series are both vendors’ entry-level grills. The Trager includes more features, including WiFi, but Z Grills entry models are about half the cots of Traeger’s Pro models.

Traeger Ironwood Series | Z Grills 600-700 Series

The Traeger Ironwood Series is the mid-entry-level Traeger grill. It offers a bundle of features, including double sidewall construction, top lead heat seal/gasket, and of course, WIFI.

The Z Grills 600 -700 series introduces better temperature control with digital PID controllers. The construction is upgraded using stainless steel components, stainless steel lid, and handles. You also get excellent storage space and meat probes. Still, you miss some of the features found on the Ironwood wood-like Alexa integration and WiFi, but again, you get a good quality grill at half the cost. And yes, for less.

Trager Timberline | Z Grills 1000 Series

These are both Traeger and Z grills top-of-the-line grills, and if additional cooking space is at the top of your priority list, these grills are large. At this level, you get the best both companies have to offer. Z Grills will treat you to stainless steel components, WiFi, and ample storage.

Traeger will give you every gadget you can think of, a large cooking surface area and a FULL double-wall insulated cooking chamber.

A new Z Grills model is available with WiFi in this series, called the Multitasker.

Popular Models from each Brand

Traeger

Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Grills

Traeger’s Pro 575 is the brand’s most popular grill, and for good reason. The Pro 575 is Traeger’s least expensive grill, but you still get their new D2 controller, WiFi, and mobile app controls with Alexa integration. The mobile app lets you set up alerts and sends you notifications if the auger jams. Needless to say, you get Traeger’s quality and well-built grill.

Traeger’s D2 controller can control a variable speed fan and auger for more precise control throughout every temperature range.

Traeger Grills Ironwood Series 885 Pellet Grill

The Ironwood line includes all the technology found in the PRO models with the addition of double-side walls construction, better complements, construction, and finish. This pellet grill series takes the PRO and boosts it to the next level.

Z Grills

Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Grill – Budget Friendly

The Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Grill is Z Grills’ newest version of their top-selling 450A. The most significant change is that the PID controller in the 450B is brand new and digital. You also get a see-through window to see the pellets level and a pellet door.

The cooking space remains the same.

Z Grills FLAGSHIP 700D4E Wood Pellet Grill

The Flagship 700D4E is a new grill model for Z Grills. This pellet grill is doing very well because it features high-end stainless steel components, offers ample cooking space, a warming rack, good storage, and a digital PID controller. This pellet grill is still half the price of a Traeger grill.

We conducted a comprehensive review of the 700D4E, and the findings were quite good considering its price. Overall, we discovered that this grill performs all of its intended functions well.

FAQs

Where are Z Grills manufactured, are they made in the USA?

Z Grills are built in China, but they have customer support and other operations here in the US, with their central warehouse in California. There are pellet grills made in the US from brands like Smokin Brothers, Yoder Smokers, and Mak Grills.

Why do people love Traeger Grills?

Traeger offers great well-built grills with great technology and features. It is easy to cook in a Traeger. The company keeps its customers happiest by providing extraordinary support and customer service.

Is Z Grills a good smoker?

Z Grills are great smokers and can operate at low temperatures to smoke meats. Sure some people are die-hard fans of traditional grills and will never abandon a wood smoker. But with Z Grills, you get a lot more than just a smoker for your money.

Z Grills vs Traeger – The Winner

Well, Traeger takes the win but not by much. As learned in this article, Traeger offers superior technology and slightly better construction quality, but it comes at a cost. Z Grills are not far behind, and if you want a good grill, Z Grills will not disappoint.

Z Grills are quickly catching up, and already you buy Z Grills with WIFI and better build quality. Remember that Z Grills is only a few years old company. A Z Grill is budget-friendly and a good all-around grill for most. If budget is not an issue a Traeger grill will not disappoint.

The takeaway here is simple, Traeger makes high-quality grills and is an amazing grill brand, but if you are looking for good quality and an affordable pellet grill, look at a Z Grill.

BBQ Grill Academy
Best Wood Pellets For Smoking in 2023 – [Better Flavor] 17 December 2021 at 14:27

Best Wood Pellets For Smoking in 2023 – [Better Flavor]

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

17 December 2021 at 14:27

We picked Bear Mountain as our top and best pellets for smoking, but we also included in this article other options and flavors for different meats and recipes.

After testing a few hundred pounds of pellets, I share in this article the best wood pellets for smoking and grilling that you can buy today for your pellet grill or smoker. We will show you ten great brands and flavor pairings to up your grilling game.

As you will see from the images below, we went through several pounds of pellets while testing. To write a good review, we had to. Smoking wood pellets come in many flavors, and some deliver strong results; others are more “daily” wood grilling pellets.

I also cover the various manufacturing methods used by different brands, which have a lot to do with quality. What makes good smoking pellets is a combination of the pellet’s composition, quality, blend, and flavor of the wood.

This article covers wood blends, flavor profiles, meat pairings, and, of course, which brands make good pellets.

Our Top Picks for Best pellets for Smoking

1. Bear Mountain Oak Wood Pellets 100% All Natural – Best Overall

Bear Mountain Premium Hardwood Pellets are made with 100% natural hardwood and have no additives, binders, or fillers. Their most popular pellet blends are oak and hickory, made entirely from natural recycled hardwood sawdust locally sourced from mills around the United States.

This company has been in business since the 1990s, and their dedication to producing 100% all-natural pellet products and sustainable fuel stems from the fact that they source their primary ingredient from local lumber mills: sawdust.

This company even utilizes #4 LDPE plastic for its packaging bags and provides its customers with information on where to take their plastic bags for recycling. [1]

Another thing you’ll notice is how sturdy the packing bag is. Other brands use thin plastic bags that easily tear and get punctured by sharp objects around them. BM packaging is made using a plastic film that protects the wood pellets well.

Finally, the reason we picked this brand as our best wood pellets for smoking, grilling, and all sorts of cooking is the product’s quality. I purchased a bag of their Gourmet Blend from my local hardware store. I expected to see a lot of little broken-down pellets and pellet dust in the bag because these bags are usually thrown on the store floor.

However, because these wood pellets are of high quality and have low moisture content, when I opened the bag, I was greeted by an incredible scent, nicely pressed, hard, dry pellets, and very little wood dust. Our Bear Mountain review goes into more detail about the company behind this product.

Why our top choice

We chose Bear Mountain as the best overall wood pellets because their product offers a good balance between quality, flavor, and price. These pellets also worked well with my grill, with zero issues or jams.

What we like:

Amazing quality and reasonably priced all-natural hardwood pellets.
Flavor is very noticeable which is primarily why we chose Bear Mountain as our top choice.
Nice packaging seems to protect the product well.
We noticed very little wood dust in the pellets bag.
Good for smoking, grilling and even baking, very well “balanced” flavors

What to Consider:

Although these are high-quality, they are made using locally sourced (USA) mills timber sawdust; unlike Lumber Jack below, who uses real harvested trees. Still, BM wood pellets offer a fine balance between quality and price.

2. Lumber Jack Hardwood Pellets Competition Blend – Runner Up – Best for smoking brisket

Lumber Jack wood pellets are made from actual, “hand-picked,” harvested trees and not sawdust or other manufactured products from a lumber mill. Let’s get that out of the way because it is important. This company has its own log plant and harvests real trees.

This is a huge plus when looking for smoking pellets, as you get lots of flavor and smoke. These pellets pack a punch in terms of flavor which is why I choose Lumber Jack’s wood pellets for smoking meats, specially brisket.

I recommend this product for those wanting the best wood pellets for low and slow cooking or for smoking a brisket and pork shoulders using a pellet smoker or grill.

Another thing that this company does differently is adding and using the tree’s cambium layer, which is below the tree’s bark. Tree bark does add flavor, but it creates dirty smoke. To reduce dirty smoke and ash, Lumber Jack uses the cambium layer for a fine balance of flavor and low ash residue in their hardwood pellet flavors, oak and hickory. So when they say hardwood pellets, they mean it.

Lumber Jack only fully debarks the trees when creating blends or fruity mixes so that the fruit flavor is more prevalent over the base flavor, still 100 percent real wood. Their hickory wood pellets smell amazing!

What we like:

Best hardwood pellet for beef brisket.
Premium natural hardwood pellets using real trees, made using the cambium layer for maximum smoke flavor.
Their oak pellets goes well with beef (and smell amazing).
The best pellets for smoking briskets, large meats and any food where “heavy” smoke flavor is needed.
Consistent quality through their entire wood pellets line of flavors.
You can get 100 percent all-natural hardwoods like oak and hickory, not fillers, just 100 percent real wood.
This is what I call “real” smoking wood pellets.
These worked well with my pellet smokers and did not experience any auger jams.
Zero artificial flavors or additives in these wood pellets.

What to consider:

You will pay more for this level of pellet quality.

3. Cookinpellets 40 Perfect Mix Bag or Cherry – Best For Pork Shoulder

The Cookinpellets makes good blends, and those who like a fruity taste in food, such as cherry, or a smokey mesquite taste will enjoy these blends. They are good quality, and we like that they sell samples or smaller bags, allowing you to test and try them before you commit to a large purchase.

What we like:

Cookinpellets grilling pellets are high quality pellets, pure, no mix.
Available in mesquite, apple, cherry, hickory and “Perfect Blend”
Cookinpellets is a good match for cooking for serious barbecue food.
Great smoke, no fillers, you get the wood pellet flavor it says on the bag.
Cookinpellets offers small samples so you can try and find the flavors you like.

What to Consider:

These pellets are hard to find in local stores.
Not as many options as other wood pellet brands.
I like to use oak and is not offered by this company.

4. Traeger Grills Signature Pellets – Best for Beef

Traeger makes good pellet grills, BBQ rubs, and wood pellets. Traeger wood pellets are known to produce less ash than other brands. They are manufactured from 100% hardwood and do not contain any additives or binders. Less ash means there will be less mess to clean and less time spent using a shop vac to clean the firepot.

Traeger wood pellets are available in different flavors and work well with other grill brands. I purchased a bag of Traeger’s Signature flavor wood pellets for my tests. The Traeger “Signature” blend works good with a variety of meats. During my testing using my Z Grills 700D4E smoker pellet grill, I noticed these pellets had a pleasant aroma, and I smoked chicken and pork with excellent results and flavor. These wood pellets are also excellent for grilling.

One good thing about Traeger is that they offer a large variety of wood pellet flavors.

What we like:

I can find these pellets just about everywhere.
Ok quality, great wood pellets for grilling food every day.
These pellets are available in many flavors, easy to pair with many dishes.
Great for grilling meats without overpowering their tastes or seasoning.
Traeger offers many options: mesquite, hickory and even whiskey barrel blends.

What to Consider:

Unlike Bear Mountain and Lumber Jack, Traeger uses flavoring oils in some of their blends.
I did not notice the same amount of “smoke” flavor I did when I used Bear and Lumber Jack wood pellets.
This Traeger 20 lbs bag is a little pricey compared to Bear Mountain and Lumber Jack wood pellets.

Traeger Signature pellets bag front view

5. Camp Chef all-natural hardwood pellets Competition Blend – Good Quality Budget Pick

Camp Chef’s Wood Pellets Competition Blend goes well with most meats and is a popular mix. This hickory, maple, and cherry mix is made from a selection of premium virgin hardwoods and made in the USA.

Here is what I like about this product. Camp Chef uses real hardwood and not byproducts sawdust to make their pellets. This pellets deliver a lot of flavor and I noticed very little ash in my pellet grill after a long smoking session.

Their Competition Blend is well balanced and yields good amount of smoke.

What we like:

You get well balanced flavor from these pellets.
These pellets are made from hardwoods not recycled sawdust.
Affordable.

What to Consider

We couldn’t find anything negative to say about this product. Their price is good and so is their product. However we good taste more “smoke”flavor when we used our top top choices.

6. Pit Boss Hardwood pellets

Pit Boss is another big name producing good pellets. Their pellets are available in popular flavors and blends, including oak.

These pellets work on Pit Boss equipment as well as other pellet grill brands. The wood used to make these pellets is sourced from all around the USA and does not contain chemicals or binders. We like their Competition Blend pellets; they go well with everything, and these pellets are reasonably priced.

What we like:

Ok quality and flavor.
Great price making them good grilling pellets for frequent use.
Available in local stores.
Many options available including mesquite, hickory, pecan, and others.

What to consider:

The competition blend gives out a strong hickory flavor but no well balanced for smoking.

7. Asmoke Apple premium grilling pellets – Best for Ribs

All the wood for their pellets is sourced directly from real fruit orchard trees. The apple trees are harvested, brought to their plant, and processed within a few days to preserve their flavor and freshness.

Asmoke apple wood pellets are packaged in tear-resistant bags. Asmoke knows a thing or two about pellets. They make one of the finest portable pellet grills on the market today.

One of Asmoke’s highest priorities is the protection of the environment. All harvested trees are replanted right away so that future generations may enjoy them. These apple grilling wood pellets pack a lot of flavor and go well with ribs and pork shoulders. Apple gives pork a nice, sweet taste.

What we like:

Noticeable apple flavor- sweet.
I used it on barbecue ribs and the sweetness was noticeable.
This apple blend goes well with pork.

what to consider:

Goes well with pork recipes but too much sweetness for other meats.

8. BBQrs Delight Wood Grilling Pellets ( mesquite, Pecan, Jack Daniels wood pellets )

BBQrs’ Delight Pellets are another amazing selection and quality pellets for barbecuing. BBQers Delight wood grilling flavors include cherry, pecan, mesquite pellets, hickory pellets, apples, and Jack Daniel’s wood pellets (yes, as in the whiskey ). BBQ Delight offers a variety pack, making it easy to try different flavors, including mesquite wood pellets.

I use Jack Daniel’s wood chips, and the flavor is amazing. When the pellets burn, expect a strong smell and taste on food, hence the name “Delight!”. This product is also made here, in the USA. I have used Jack Daniel’s wood chips to smoke turkey, and man, what a treat.

What we like:

I love their Jack Daniel’s flavored wood pellets. Food gets a nice tone of smokey, spicy oak taste and a nice color.
BBqer offers premium grilling pellets for a variety of proteins including, pork, beef, poultry and fish.

What to consider:

Besides their Jack Daniel’s flavor, everything else was pretty “ok”.

9. RecTeq Ultimate Blend Barbecue Wood Pellets

Check Price

Rec Tec grills wood pellets are a good product. Their blends fit every type of smoking and grilling style. They burn much better than other brands, and the flavor in the food is strong but not overpowering. The testing results were satisfactory with various types of fish and meat, with a noticeable smooth smoky flavor.

The oak and hickory mix was much better than I expected. The ash output is minimal, with good heat output compared to other brands. I simple terms, they are good but not as good as our top options.

What we like:

Good flavor, I could see a nice color on the food.
Good wood pellets for Rec Tec equipment.

What we don’t like:

I find the price to be high compared to other brands.

How are good wood pellets made

The majority of smoking pellets are manufactured from recycled timber from lumber mills. The lumber is shredded into little bits or compressed sawdust that is later dried before being pressed into the thin, pencil-shaped wood pellets that we are all familiar with. The compression allows lignin, a natural polymer in plant tissues, to soften. [2]

Food-grade pellets or not the same as heating pellets. Heating pellets are made with softwoods, binders and other components not meant for cooking food. These components would add a chemical taste to your food.

What are BBQ Wood pellets?

Smoking pellets are denser, and the best, are made with real hardwoods to deliver maximum smoke and flavor. Some manufacturers harvest real trees to produce high-quality hardwood pellets, which are best for smoking meat.

Other brands use recycled trees or recycled wood dust. Smoking and grilling pellets are by-products of wood manufacturing, processing mills, and forest management. Manufacturing plants (lumber mills) generate thousands of pounds of timber sawdust. The sawdust is recycled and turned into wood pellets.

How we Test and Our process for selecting pellets

When selecting wood pellets, we consider a variety of factors, including flavor, blend or mix, and manufacturing process. For the purposes of this article, we are going to refer to the three manufacturing methods as Method A, B, and C.

We are aware that certain flavors pair better with certain foods, so we have included options that pair well with poultry, pork, seafood, and vegetables.

However, quality, manufacturing, and the wood pellet blend are the most important considerations when purchasing wood pellets. Not every pellet manufacturer makes their product using the same process or pure blends.

What should you consider when looking for wood pellets for grills

In short, the type of wood, tree origin, blend composition, density, and most importantly, moisture content, all contribute to the quality of the pellets. The best wood pellets are made using high-quality timber.

Flavor is subjective, and flavor has nothing to do with the quality of the end product. However, the quality of the product will impact how much flavor you get out of them. Remember that!

In addition to the mixes and manufacturing methods discussed previously, moisture content also affects the pellet’s quality. A pellet with low moisture content will burn hot and quickly because less energy is consumed burning moisture.

Accordingly, wood pellets with a higher moisture level will burn slower and lower, but produce more smoke due to their moisture and water content. Thus, a delicate balance of moisture is optimal unless you have a specific need.

Poorly compressed and low-quality wood pellets are easy to spot because you will see lots of dust in the bag and they break down easily. Grab a handful and squeeze gently.

When comparing wood pellets, it is important to know and understand the actual composition of the pellet. While pellets can be pure hardwood, they can also be a “mix,” especially when creating flavors such as pecan, cherry, apple, or “special blends.”

Therefore, understanding what you’re getting in the bag is helpful. For instance, let’s say you want to use cherry wood pellets for smoked ham, are you getting 100 percent wood or are you getting a mix that contains a small amount of cherry.

Say, is the cherry flavor coming from flavoring oils? To understand these variations better, I explain the common pellet compositions below.

Smoking wood pellets vs Heating Pellets

There is a bit of talk around this topic and the answer is simple. Heating pellets and grilling pellets are not the same. Heating pellets are made using different woods that burn differently and would not yield a good taste on food nor would work well with your pellet grill. Barbecue wood pellets are mostly made out of hardwoods or woods like apple, maple, alder, oak and hickory.

Method A: Top Quality – 100% Natural hardwood blend Wood pellets | Most Pure

There are companies that use 100 percent hardwoods that are shredded into a perfect size and compacted down to wood pellets using absolutely nothing but heat, pressure, and wood—no binders, fillers, or flavoring oils—just real wood.

This is what we consider a 100 percent natural hardwood blend of smoking wood pellets. Some companies employ this manufacturing process but might source their “wood dust” from lumber mills.

Pure hardwoods like oak or hickory provide a clean and constant burn, plus lots of smoke and flavor. So, if you are wanting to smoke meat “low and slow,” wood pellets made of a pure blend of oak or hickory should be at the top of your list.

Hardwood pellets will deliver tasteful and strong flavor. These are primarily your oak and hickory smoking pellets, and they’re as close as it gets to smoking with real wood sticks using a pellet grill.

Pros

Maximum smoke flavor
Pure Wood, 100 percent natural
Burns hotter

Cons

More expensive wood pellets
Harder to find in stores
Some can produce dirtier smoke if the mix includes tree bark. ( but bark = flavor / smoke )
More ash production

Method B: 100 percent natural (not As pure); includes a hardwood base

Then there are brands that use an “oak base” and then add a mix of other woods like apple, cherry, or pecan flavor, for example, or create their own blend mix or create custom flavors like “Gourmet,” “Signature,” and others.

This brands are still making a 100 percent natural product just not as pure of a blend as the pellet “manufacturing model A” described above. They are using a base and then adding other woods for actual flavor.

In some cases this method is a common and necessary practice. For example, cherry would burns fast, and is not a dense as other hardwoods, so in order to create a better pellet that burns consistently and longer an oak “base” is used. Again, this is not always a problem as long as no additives or chemicals are used.

Pros

Less expensive than pure hardwood
More available.
More custom flavors and blends
Less ash production
Good “daily” bbq grilling pellets

Cons

Less smoke, less smokey flavor.

Method C – Still Natural | not real wood, more oils

Lastly, we have the third variation of manufacturing method, which involves using binders and natural flavoring oils such as soybean oil and other flavor infusers. Although still natural, they have less of the real thing, hardwood flavoring. Sometimes the flavor you read on the pellets bag is far from real wood and more like “oil flavors.”

The binders and oils are natural but not the real deal, so in most cases, you get less smoke and flavor, but these types of blends tend to be cheaper wood pellets.

Pros

These wood pellets are east to find in stores.
Can be found cheap
Since the blend is heavily controlled during manufacturing, most blends produce very little ash.
Natural flavoring oils also act as a lubricant and help “weaker” auger systems.

Cons

Least amount of flavor.

Popular pellet flavors for smoking food ( apple, ample, Cherry, Alder)

There are many pellet flavors and many options to pair with just about any recipe. You will find everything from competition blend wood pellets. Some companies even try to blend wood pellets with exotic fruits and oils, but the most common flavors are apple, cherry, pecan, oak, hickory, mesquite, and maple.

Wood Pellet Flavors Pairing Chart – By Protein types

Smoke flavor and food pairings are subjective, but here is a wood pellets flavor guide chart to help you get a good idea of what flavors work best with what meats.

	Beef	Pork	Poultry	Seafood	Vegetables
Alder			X	X
Apple		X	X
Cherry		X	X
Competition	X	X	X	X	X
Hickory	X	X	X
Maple		X	X
Mesquite		X	X
Oak	X	X	X	X	X
Pecan	X	X	X

How to Store and Protect pellets

Storing pellets properly is important and if left out in the open the can absorb moisture and loose their burn efficiency. Wood pellets are like tiny little sponges and when moisture is introduced they bulge up and break apart.

If you feed bad or damp pellets to your grill, they will burn quickly, can jam the auger, and will be mostly flavorless wood smoking pellets.

Wood pellet grills are not meant to store pellets for long periods. It is best to store the pellets in a proper pellet container to keep them dry and preserve their freshness.

Conclusion

Our research to find good smoker pellets led us to physically test over a hundred pounds of wood pellets with different types of meat. Yes, as you saw in the images above, we purchased multiple pellet bags and cooked with all of them. I actually own a pellet grill and was able to test as many wood pellets as I could.

Our testing led us to pick Bear Mountain as the best wood pellets for smoking most meats and our top choice in wood pellets, with a very close second choice being Lumber Jack pellets as our choice for smokers and smoking meats. The flavors that wood pellets can add to food are amazing.

Wood pellets are one way of getting wood-fired flavor on food. Experiment with different combinations of meats, and vegetables with several flavors. In our test to find the best, we found that Bear Mountain wood pellets are an amazing product that produces the best flavor, and yes, they are affordable.

FAQs

Do you have to use the of Grilling wood pellets as your grill?

Absolutely not. However, many people don’t think there can be an alternative to purchasing the pellet grill manufacturer. Manufacturers sometimes recommend against using other wood pellets except their own.
You can use other brands in your grill as long as they are good quality. Sure cheap brands can damage your grill but any good wood pellet product will work.

Refrences:

[1] https://sciencing.com/ldpe-plastic-6001216.html
[2] https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/agricultural-and-biological-sciences/lignin

Best Wood Pellets ( what makes them good ) — In this video I talk about pellet composition, a topic many websites don't talk about and is the foundation of a high quality BBQ wood pellet. You can read o...

BBQ Grill Academy
Pit Boss vs Traeger Pellet Grill: The Ultimate Comparison Guide to Help you Decide Which One Should you Buy 3 December 2021 at 11:43

Pit Boss vs Traeger Pellet Grill: The Ultimate Comparison Guide to Help you Decide Which One Should you Buy

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

3 December 2021 at 11:43

Wood pellets grills are a good addition to every house because they combine everything you love about a smoker and a standard grill. We will cross-reference Pit Boss vs Traeger grills and explain how they vary.

Traeger and Pit Boss are among the first companies to mass-produce wood pellet grills and are the most popular. Pellet grills are very versatile. You can smoke things like pork, chicken, sausage or sear a good steak.

Because they are so simple to use, these grills are ideal for big gatherings and everyday cooking. Consumers recognize the value of a good pellet grill and often compare the two most prominent brands in the market. In this article, we compare two of the most popular brand, the Pit Boss and Traeger brands. We will show you the main differences and their most popular grill series.

Which is better: Traeger or Pit Boss?

Trager and Pit Boss are leaders in the pellet grilling markets. This guide compares these two brands and reviews their top sellers. You will learn about each brand’s history and what makes them stand out.

You will discover which pellet grill brand is the best for you by the end of this guide so you can make confident shopping decisions when purchasing a pellet grill.

Based on our own research and personal experience with both Pit Boss and Traeger, we conclude that Trager is the better brand for a number of reasons. For starters, Traeger’s emphasis on invocation and quality puts them ahead of the competition. Traeger, for example, introduced the D2 controller with TruboTemp technology, which intelligently monitors the grill and adjusts temperature based on variables such as when the grill lid is opened. Traeger grills outperform the competitors in terms of quality.

Pit Boss, on the other hand, should not be overlooked. Pit Boss offers nice grills, but their quality and technology are not yet on pace with Traeger. Pit Boss, on the other hand, has been launching new barbecue models with improved technology and quality. Pit Boss also has a larger selection of low-cost grills.

When Comparing and Putting these two Grill Brands Head to Head

When comparing any product, but especially grills, we err on the side of caution. Why? To begin, there are pricing disparities to consider. Because not every grill manufacturer produces BBQ grills in the same price ranges, comparing a $500 grill to a $1200 grill is not fair.

Likewise, there are model year changes that must be considered. For example, comparing Traeger’s current models to Pit Boss’s 2000 models would not be a fair comparison. In this post, we will compare the most recent models of each brand to ensure that we look at their new improvements and features.

We focus our emphasis on these comparison areas

Quality
Technology features
New Model Years Impormemnts
Technology impormemnts
Warranty and Customer Support

Continue reading to learn more about why and how we compared these two grill manufacturers.

Pit Boss vs Traeger Wood Pellet Grill – The Brands

In the next part of this article, we will dive deeper into the difference between these two brands or you can skip ahead in our breakdown of the most popular grills from each company.

Overview of Traeger Brand and History

Traeger Grills was founded n 1985 and licensed in 1986 after Joe Traeger developed his original concept after much experience building and selling wood pellet burning stoves. Patenting his new grill design created a monopoly for Traeger, who built a premium brand and dominated the pellet grill market for years.

When their patent expired in 2006, other BBQ grill manufacturers entered the market, sparking innovation and price competition. Traeger upholds its premium quality reputation and is known as the originals in the pellet grill industry.

Trager grills were Initially built in the USA but moved their manufacturing to China as the majority of other competitors. Traeger has become the best-known manufacturer of all pellet grills selling about $300 million worth of grills a year.

Traeger exploded in popularity in 2014 after Jeremy Andrus joined and relocated the business to Salt Lake County. The company is now headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, and is growing rapidly. [1]

The first Traeger grill was introduced in 1988. Today’s grills are much more sophisticated, including the most recent electronics, WiFi technology for an automated, more user-friendly experience.

Overview of the Pit Boss Brand and History

Pit Boss is a subsidiary of Dansons Ltd., established in 1999. The company is best known for a variety of inexpensive but high-quality pellet grills. The same company manufactures the famous Louisiana Grills and other popular grill brands and accessories.

Pit Boss grills are manufactured in China, but some of their products are also produced in the USA and Canada.

In a surprising twist of destiny, Joe Traeger joined the company in 2018 and was working on the brands Louisiana Grill and Pit Boss.

The company is headquartered in Alberta, Georgia, where Pit Boss continues to innovate and develop new grills.

Traeger Grills Series

Traeger recently refreshed its grill lineup and now uses a model number representing each new model’s cooking surface or square inches of cooking space.

For example, the Pro 700 includes 770 square inches of cooking space. This is the main difference from older Traeger models, where the model numbers correlate to the dimensions of the main rack.

Some retailers like Amazon are now stocking the older models and new models sold directly at Traeger.com. These days Traeger produces three main series of pellet grills and a few other popular models.

Traeger Pro Series ( $ )

The Traeger Pro Series is the company’s entry-level pellet grills. Like the rest of the models, the Pro Series Grill will feature WiFire and TurboTemp technologies plus the D2 controller technology.

Traeger Ironwood Series ( $$ )

The Traeger Ironwood Series includes extra insulation ( double sidewall ) to maximize heat retention and efficiency. The Ironwood 885 cooking area is 885 square inches. The series includes WiFire technology TurboTemp technology and two porcelain-coated steel grill grates.

We recommend the Grill for novices and expired grilles alike because of the Pro Series pellet level detection sensor. A feature and will put the beginner’s mind at ease.

Traeger Timberline Series ( $$$ )

The Timberline series is Traeger’s most expansive and top-of-the-line grills. The biggest grill in this series offers around 1300 square inches of cooking area. Enough space to cook four turkeys! Timberline’s hopper is one of the largest at a capacity of over 24-pounds of wood pellets.

These grills also feature stainless steel grates, a hidden grease pan, and a magnetized bamboo cooking board. In short, this is Traeger top of the line series, and you get all the bells and whistles, including WiFi.

Popular Traeger Wood Pellet Grills

Traeger Pellet Grills Pro Series 780

The Trager 780 is a crowd favorite and for many reasons. But primarily because it offers an amazing value for dollar. Very few grills come with this many features and modern technology.

The Pro 780 is WiFi-enabled and can be controlled using Alexa or with an app on your mobile phone. You can control every aspect of the grill and now the pellet level right from your phone.

The D2 controller is where this grill outperforms the competition. The D2 controller is smart. For example, when you open the grill lid or need to achieve temperatures fast, the controller can regulate a variable-speed fan and agitate the pellet fire less or more.

Trager’s Turbo temp technology is also a standout feature among BBQ wood Pellets. TurboTemp Technology reduces startup time and combined with the D2 controller; it can recover and get to set temperature faster than most pellet grills.

Traeger Ranger

Outdoor cooking is becoming increasingly popular, and the Traeger Ranger is one of the coolest portable pellet grills on the market. Not only is it small, light, and easy to carry, it is pretty capable and produces adequate heat for a grill this size.

Our portable grills guide gets into the details of this superb quality pellet grill.

Other Traeger products

TraegerTV is a YouTube page full of helpful videos and step-by-step instructions. The brand also offers lots own line of wood pellets, including pecan, mesquite, maple, hickory, and cider. The hickory smoke flavor is one of my favorite flavors.

Top Pit Boss Grills Series

Pit Boss also offers an extensive lineup of grill series and models. The Sportsman series is well known and very popular. The Sportsman series is packed with features, are affordable, and some even portable.

Pit Boss Sportsman Series ( $)

The Sportsman series offers grills in many sizes, is versatile, and are priced reasonably. The Sportsman series offer a grill for everyone, including a portable Pellet Grill that features folding legs and rolling wheels.

The biggest Pit Boss Sportsman has nearly 850 total square feet of cooking space and offers great options for cooking, grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, or braising.

Pit Boss Navigator Series ( $$ )

The Navigator series grills offer top-tier features and a large cooking surface. The biggest grill in the Navigator series offers upwards of 1100 square inches of cooking space and a 32 pound pellet hopper. Yes, this is a big boy.

Pit Boss MAHOGANY Series ( $$ )

The Mahogany series are top grills with elegant Mahogany metal accents but also offer a good array of features and storage. These grills are available in different sizes and hopper capacity.

Pit Boss Pro Series ( $$ )

Pit Boss recently introduced its Pro series and with it introduced new technology and build quality improvements. The first thing you will notice is a nice powder coat finish and sturdy grill legs and surfaces.

The Pit Boss Pro series comes with built-in wireless and is ready to connect to your mobile phone. Older Pit Boss models require the purchase of a separate WiFi controller.

Other Pit Boss products

Pit Boss also offers charcoal grills, griddles, grill grills, and vertical smokers. They sell everything a novice needs, as well as everything a professional would dream of owning.

Pit Boss also offers their own lineup of wood pellets flavors, including pecan and oak blends, maple blends, fruitwood blends mesquite, and their competition blend.

Popular Pit Boss Grills

Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 Sq. In. Pellet

The Pit Boss Austin is a big boy and offers good features such as meat probes and a lot of cooking space. You also get a nice side table and multiple cooking racks.

Pit Boss SPortsman 820

With their lightweight build and affordability, the Sportsman grills have become a popular choice.

Comparison of Pit Boss and Traeger

When comparing Traeger with Pit Boss, it’s important to focus on the quality, durability, and versatility of the grill. Both Trager and Pit Boss have their own distinct advantages and disadvantages, thus comparing the two is difficult. In this Traeger vs Pit Boss article, we focus on technology, features, and quality comparisons.

Pit Boss Vs Traeger – Main Differences Between The Two

Added features, Technology, bells and whistles – Edge Traeger

Most Pit Boss grills come standard with lower storage racks which is a plus in any grill. In comparison, Traeger focuses more on technology and features like meat probes with digital controllers and automation.

All new Traeger models feature the D2 direct drive controller with variable speed fans and augers. This is a giant leap in pellet grill technology and allows for very precise temperature control.

Traeger’s D2 technology with TruboTemp is a leading feature and gives the edge to Trager Pellet Grills in the features category.

Hopper size – Equal

The average size of a wood pellet bag is 20 pounds. The leverage pellet grill will burn roughly one pound of pellets per hour, meaning a 20 pound capacity hopper should power your grill for about 20 hours. Pellet smokers burn pellets at slower rates because they cook at lower temperatures.

Both Pit Boss and Traeger have grills with hopper sizes ranging in size and average of about 20 pounds. So in this category, both companies offer you about the same convenience, but keep in mind that pellets need to be stored in a proper pellet container and not in the hopper. Meaning, a 50 pound hopper might not do you any good.

Temperature Range ( Pit Boss for Searing – Traeger Wins in Temperature Control )

Most pellet grill brands build their grill’s fireboxes in a way that a cover or heat shield is covering the flames. This is great because indirect heat won’t touch and burn the meats but might make it difficult to sear a steak.

Pit Boss has overcome this problem by implementing a sliding panel at the center of the heat deflector found in most of its grills. This plate slides and lets flames heat the meat, just like in a charcoal grill allowing for direct flame grilling.

However, the Treagers D2 controller offers more accuracy in overall temperature control, which is also a plus. Both brands offer a wide temperature range from 180 to 500 degrees which is good for both grilling and smoking meats.

Build quality and construction – Edge Traeger

Traeger Grills are often found with powder-coated steel and stainless steel construction. Fit and finish seem better with Traeger overall in terms of stronger construction and better features. Some Pit Boss models are significantly better than others but lack the consistency of Traeger.

Traeger mid-range grills have double-wall insulation and the highest-level even further insulation to improve heat retention and temperature control.

Quality is an important factor, but it also adds to the cost of the grill. The better the materials, the better the quality, the higher the grill price will be.

Pit Boss has managed to find a good balance between quality and cost, but if quality is important to you, then Traeger pellet grills have a slight edge over Pit Boss.

Cooking Space – Equal

This is another area where both companies provide plenty of grill models, with various cooking spaces options.

If you want to use your wood pellet grill as a smoker, then make sure you get a large grill since smoking meats occupies space for long periods of time, making it hard to fit other foods like vegetables or side dishes.

Temperature control – Edge Trager

Traeger’s Pro series grills are more economical. They offer less heat insulation than the Ironwood and Timberline series, which has double-wall side insulation for improved superior heat retention in colder conditions.

Pit Boss has done a great job at insulating their grills and smokers, including adding gaskets to their smoker doors. Yet Trager has an edge here because of the combination doubled-walled grills with the accuracy of the D2 drive system, and the results are kitchen oven-like temperature accuracy and control.

Both Traeger and Pit Boss offer well-insulated smokers with sophisticated digital controllers that provide good steady temperatures in most weather conditions.

Extra features and Product Options – Edge Treager

Both companies offer mobile phone apps to monitor and control their grills. Traeger’s app can control the different Smoke Modes, the Turbo Temp feature, and has a low pellet alert.

Comparing Pit Boss tech features to Traegers is a bit difficult because, at times is not comparing apples to apples. But Trager grills include more advanced tech features and a comprehensive mobile app. I mean, Traeger grills can connect to Alexa!

Still, Pit Boss offers the basic features you would expect in a mobile app.

Other brands to consider

We published a comprehensive guide on the top performing pellet grills and smokers and these brands are listed in our in-depth guide to the top pellet grills and smokers.

Z Grills

There are several pellet grills on the market, as well as a few newcomers. A number of pellet smoker and wood pellet grill manufacturers, such as Z Grills, have been hard at work building great grills.

As a result, Z grills are an ideal middle ground wood pellet grill, combining the quality and technology of Trager with the price of Pit Boss.

Camp Chef

Camp Chef is a low-cost, high-quality pellet grill manufacturer. A lot of Camp Chef’s other grills and smokers reflect its focus on building the best outdoor cooking equipment.

Our overall winner Pit Boss vs Traeger

Cooking with wood pellet smokers or other pellet grills is just unattainable on a gas grill. By now, I’m sure you know that. If you are researching and looking for your first pellet grill, a Traeger will welcome you with open arms. Thanks to their innovative features, these grills are high-quality, long-lasting, and easy to use for everyone.

For those outdoor cooking enthusiasts with on a budget are not wanting to spend too much money on a grill, Pit Boss stands out for offering great value for money.

Pit Boss and Traeger are solid options, but our winner in this comparison article is Traeger.

Why? Temperature management is just as crucial as quality. Despite the addition of modern technologies and gadgets, Trager has managed to maintain its grill’s excellence.

Cast iron grates, a large cooking surface area, and shiny tables are useless unless your grill can cook and cook well.

Which Pellet Grill Should you buy?

Traeger and Pit Boss manufacture the most popular pellet grills on the market today, but brands like Z Grills are moving up fast and sell amazing grills, including the very popular 700 series.

If you are looking for the best quality and top technology, then Traeger will deliver but if you are looking for the best value per dollar, Z Grill is a brand you should look into.

If you are in the market for an affordable pellet grill, Pit Boss offers many options. Pit Boss also offers good vertical pellet smokers, and Pit Boss makes a great portable grill too!

Is Traeger worth it the extra bucks?

Traeger quality, features, and performance are definitely with the extra bucks.

Traeger grills represent the Ultimate Outdoor cooking and provide a relatively effortless grilling experience. Traeger has made significant advancements in temperature management and now stands tall above the competition.

A Traeger grill vs. PIT BOSS comparison might seem subjective, but fresh research shows that Traeger offers greater quality and technology when put against other brands.

Top Traeger grills are constructed to last, have a vas variety of features, and are dependable.

A Pit Boss pellet grill vs Traeger side-by-side picture will reveal many similarities, but the difference is clear in performance and quality.

One Last Word

When shopping for a new grill, your budget and cooking preferences should take precedence over any purchase decision. One thing is for certain: there is no doubt about it. Grilling with wood pellets is a great experience. You get the flavor of a wood-fired oven with the convenience of an oven in your kitchen.

Refrences:

[1] https://hbr.org/2019/03/traegers-ceo-on-cleaning-up-a-toxic-culture

BBQ Grill Academy
WiFi pellet grill – 5 Best WiFi Pellet Grills Reviews of 2023 – Wood Fired Flavor Meets Technology 23 November 2021 at 10:37

WiFi pellet grill – 5 Best WiFi Pellet Grills Reviews of 2023 – Wood Fired Flavor Meets Technology

BBQ Grill Academy

By: BGA BBQ Team

23 November 2021 at 10:37

A WiFi pellet grill gives every BBQ enthusiast, regardless of skill level, an extra level of convenience, control, and monitoring. WiFi equipped pellet grills may be operated, controlled, and monitored remotely while cooking, allowing you to spend more time with your friends and family.

This is incredible technology, and it is no surprise that everyone is looking for WiFi pellet grills these days. The ability to monitor and control your grill from anywhere in the world is outstanding. All you need is an Internet connection, a home wireless router, and a mobile phone.

Not all pellet grills have a WiFi-enabled control panel or even Bluetooth connectivity. So, in this article, we will share with you not only the best WiFi pellet grills but also the top models.

Let talk about WiFi and App functionality in pellet grills

While most manufacturers offer WiFi-ready pellet grills and smokers, only a few take the functionality to the next level.

For example, some manufacturers only offer the ability to monitor the grill’s temperature. Others offer the ability to monitor the grill’s temperature and the meat, and then there are the top manufacturers offering the ability to monitor the grill’s and food temperature plus remotely adjust the grill’s temperature using a mobile app.

Traeger takes WiFi functionality with the Traeger WiFire app to the next level by including additional features such as a hopper pellet level monitoring sensor that shows you the pellet levels in the hopper. Not only when the pellets on the grill run out like most grills. This is huge!

For even greater convenience, some pellet grill manufacturers include Bluetooth connectivity in some of their grill models. This means that even if you do not have a WiFi connection available, you connect your phone directly to the grill and control the grill with your phone. Similar to how you would connect your phone to a Bluetooth speaker.

What is a WiFi Pellet Grill?

A WiFi pellet grill connects to your home WiFi and can be managed, controlled, and monitored using a smartphone. Via the smartphone app, you can see crucial information about your grill and food, such as temperatures, cooking times, and adjusting cooking temperatures.

This type of technology lets you keep an eye on your grill while you do chores around your house or entertain your guests. For example, you can set the desired temperature and go mow the grass and check your grill anytime.

How do I choose the best WiFi pellet grill?

Not all Pellet grills are built equal, and even those with a WiFi-enabled controller might not offer the features you are looking for.

So, in this section, we will go over the features and qualities you should look for when buying a new wireless pellet grill this year.

WiFi Enabled, Bluetooth Enabled or Both

While some pellet grills are only WiFi capable, others are Bluetooth capable, and some are both. Consider this, if you will use your grill both in your backyard at home and at the campsite, a WiFi and Bluetooth wireless pellet grill will be ideal for you.

At home, you can connect to your home WiFi network, and at the campsite, where likely you will not have wireless connectivity, you can use the Bluetooth connection.

If you are planning on only using your grill only at home, a grill with only a wireless connection will be good enough and save you money. Grills with both Bluetooth and wireless enabled controllers are more expensive.

Convenience and Features

The conveniences of using a WiFi pellet grill are determined only by how well the technology works and how simple its control features are.

A wood pellet grill needs to cook and cook well; let’s start there. But all this technology also has to work. If it is too complicated to set up the WiFi controller or if the system is unreliable, you will feel very disappointed and find that you have wasted your money.

Also, some brands’ WiFi technologies are too basic and do not justify the cost. If all the grill offers is meat temperature information, is it worth the extra cash for that functionality? Or is it cheaper to just buy a wireless meat thermometer?

The best WiFi pellet grill models offer innovative features like those found in the Traeger app, which includes recipes and can auto-adjust temperatures based on those recipes. Pick a recipe from the app and let the grill cook.

But essential and good features to have are the ability to control the temperature manually from the app, view the grill’s temperature, and monitor the internal temperature of the meat. These are the essential qualities of a good wireless grill.

Grill size and Square Inches of Cooking Space

No matter how much money you spend on a grill, it will be pointless if it lacks sufficient square inches of cooking space or grilling surface area.

The cooking space in your grill is something you can not change after the purchase. Only buying a new larger grill will be the solution. This is why it is important to consider the size of grill you need before buying.

If you have a small family, then 300 to 500 square inches of cooking space will work great but if you are planning on grilling for large groups, events, or entertaining, then consider a pellet grill with a larger capacity, something around the 800 to 1000 square inch range.

When shopping for a pellet grill smoker, a larger cooking chamber should be considered if planning to smoke large portions of meat such as briskets or pork shoulders.

If you enjoy cooking different types of proteins and side dishes, consider a pellet grill with multiple grill grates and even warming racks. Warming racks are great for placing food after it is done cooking and even warming up slices of bread.

Pro tip: Porcelain grill grates are easy to clean and offer a great non-stick surface for your food.

Construction Quality

Whether you are purchasing a grill, a car, or a house, quality is an important ranking factor in every grill we review. Just keep in mind that grills built using quality materials will cost more, but will also last longer, retain heat better, and cook more efficiently.

Look for grills built out of heavy gauge steel, 304 stainless steel components, and those finishes are powder coated with nice thick coats of powder coat. Powder coat is a strong coating and does better than paint when exposed to high heat and temperatures. Powder coating is also more durable. [1]

Hopper Capacity and Easily Swap Pellets

The fuel in a pellet grill is held in a pellet hopper. Every Pellet grill has a pellet hopper, and the hopper feeds the pellets to a burning pot using an auger. Once you start your grill, the auger will start feeding pellets from the hopper to the firepot.

If you need to add more pellets, simply open the hopper and dump more, but if you need to change the pellet flavor, then a hopper with an easy-to-use pellet cleanout door is a must. If you are like me and like to experiment with different wood pellet flavors, look for grills with good hopper clean doors, so it is easy to swap pellets.

The hopper capacity is also important. Pellet grills burn about one pound of pellets per hour, so a 20 pound pellet hopper can fuel your grill for about 20 hours.

Maintenance

Cleaning a grill can be a pain, so we recommend grills with removable parts and easy-to-clean components. For example, removable grease drip pans or grease buckets are easy to wash. Removable ash pans are also easy to clean.

The cleaner you keep your grill, the better it will operate and the longer it will last.

Grill Warranty and Customer Support

These grills have many moving parts, including fans, an auger, and, yes, a digital controller. Grills with so much technology are bound to have issues; thus, having a solid warranty is beneficial.

Even if you never run into issues, you might have some questions with so much technology and so many gadgets.

Companies like Traeger pellet grills, Camp Chef, and Pit Boss are well known for having excellent customer service. One of the nicest things nowadays is being able to pick up the phone and speak with a live person who can answer your questions.

Pros and Cons of Wireless Pellet Grills

Pros

WiFi pellet grills offer a lot of conveniences and automation.
Easy to keep an eye on your food from anywhere.
You can adjust the grill’s temperature quickly from anywhere.
For individuals with little experience grilling, this type of technology can be a huge help.

Cons

Wireless systems, components, and controllers can increase the grill’s price.
Forget about the KISS principle here… more stuff to go wrong.

The 5 Best WiFi Pellet Grills Reviewed and Ranked

1. Traeger Pro 575 or 780 – Traeger WiFi pellet grill – Our Top Pick

Traeger grills are leading the pellet grill revolution and are one of the top-selling pellet grill brands on the market today. Traeger Grills has been in business for decades, perfecting the Traeger grill models that we all love today. [2]

The Traeger Grill Pro Series is their entry-level series, but do not let the word “entry” fool you. Traeger Grills are top quality and pack the best technology and features. The Pro series allows consumers to get a taste of all this quality and technology in smaller packages and at lower prices. Still, you can enjoy many of the features and technologies found in their top-tier models.

Here is why the Traeger Grills Pro series is the best WiFi Pellet Grill.

First and foremost, the Traeger app, WiFIRE, is the most feature-rich and well-developed of any pellet grill software on the market. The Traeger app has capabilities that other barbecue applications either lack or do not have.

Traeger grills, for example, have a pellet level sensor inside the pellet hopper that measures the level of pellets. The sensor can send this data to the digital controller, which can send notifications directly to your phone via the app.

This is leading technology as most grills only send you an alert only after the grill has run out of pellets. Yeah, I know, useless.

Combine its WiFi capabilities with Traeger’s powerful D2 controller to provide precise temperatures plus build quality, and you have a clear winner.

See All Traeger Models

What we like:

Pellet Level Sensor and Pellet Level Display in the APP!
The D2 controller with a variable speed fan – smart!
Works with Alexa – “Say, Alexa, set my grill temperature to 350”
Includes Meat Probes
The app has hundreds of recipes.

What we don’t like:

Quite frankly we don’t have anything negative to say about Traeger grills. These are good grills and you pay for quality.

2. Z Grills ( New ) Multitasker – Our Runner Up [WiFi and Bluetooth]

Z Grills Multitasker is Z Grills’ new entry into the wireless wood pellet grill arena. Z Grills is known for making good and affordable pellet grills that are easy and simple to use. The Multitasker, as its name implies, is a large grill capable of handling many cuts of meat at the same time. It offers lots of cooking space and, of course, wireless technology.

We all love wood-fired flavor, and wood-fired taste is more enjoyable when it requires less work. This is why we are all enjoying these wireless grills. Z Grills Smarter Grill app lets you monitor the grill’s temperature and adjust the grill’s temperature.

The Z Grill’s app is not as feature-rich as Traeger’s, but you get the basics: temperature control and temperature monitoring.

What we like:

Large grill with good technology.
Front shelf and side cutting board.
WiFi and Bluetooth ready.

What we don’t like:

Larger grills are heavy and hard to move around.

3. Camp Chef WiFi Woodwind Pellet Grill [WiFi and Bluetooth ]

Camp Chef is a great brand and another pellet grill with a WiFi option. Camp Chef is a more affordable alternative to other grills on this list but still offers good features and good quality.

Here are a few things we like about the Camp Chef. First, you get a beautiful stainless steel lid that is easy to clean and, well, it just looks cool. But the real reason we like the Camp Chef is that you get a lot for your dollar. You get a WiFi and Bluetooth-ready grill to manage and control the PID controller and four meat probes to monitor up to four different types of meats.

You also get Camp Chef’s Ash Kickin ash cleanout system and their unique Slide and Grill system. These are two cool features that are unique to the Camp Chef grills. The ash cleanout system consists of a removable cup underneath the grill; pull a lever and remove the ash cup. You just cleaned your grill!

The Slide and Grill system allows you to purchase several propane-powered side add-ons for this grill. This grill’s versatility is improved with the addition of a pizza oven and a searing grill. The main takeaway from these grills is their affordability. Camp Chef has kept its grills reasonably priced while packing them with a bunch of options.

What we like:

Slide and Grill System – attach a side burner for searing or a pizza box to bake.
Simple WiFi app, simple monitoring.
Removable ash cup.

What we don’t like

Camp Chef makes good stuff, but some storage would be nice.

4. Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill

The Green Mountain is a nice option for those looking for a portable compact pellet grill grill that they can take anywhere. This grill can be operated using your car’s battery or a regular power outlet. And yes, it is wireless.

What we like:

Can operate using your car’s battery. ( or 12 volt outlet )
Compact and light enough to use on a table.

What we don’t like:

This is a smaller grill, so the hopper capacity will be less than the larger grills on this list.

5. PIT BOSS PRO SERIES II 600 – Pit Boss WiFi Pellet Grill

Pit Boss introduced the Pro Series, and it is good in quality and features good technology. This grill can also be controlled using a mobile app, and you can monitor the meat’s temperature using the meat probes.

What we like:

Good quality.
Thick powder coating.

What we don’t like:

It’s only sold in a few selected retailers, and people want options!

So which WiFi Pellet Grill is Best and Why

The clear winner is the Traeger Pro. Not only is Traeger a well-established company, but it has also worked very hard to develop the quality and technology of its grills.

Traeger is a leader when it comes to quality, technology, and functionality. However, companies like Z Grills are also offering great WiFi grills and a lot of value.

If you are looking for value for the dollar, Z Grills are a great option, but if you are willing to spend a little more to get more features, yet stay below the price point of a Traeger grill, then take a look at Camp Chef.

Refrences:

[1] https://www.reliance-foundry.com/blog/powder-coating-vs-paint
[2] https://www.forbes.com/sites/daveknox/2021/01/05/how-traeger-grills-relaunched-a-26-year-old-business/?sh=7f5a1c2218ac

BBQ Grill Academy
How do you use Pit Boss App – Smoke It App 19 November 2021 at 09:40

How do you use Pit Boss App – Smoke It App

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

19 November 2021 at 09:40

The Pit Boss App has been updated the Smoke It App and to bring more and better features and support their new grill lineup. If you are not sure how to use the Pit Boss Smoke IT app or how to set it up or use it, we will cover just that in this article.

We will show you:

What the Interface looks like.
How to set up the Smoke It App.
How to use and how it can control smart grills.
Plus a list of common problems and how to fix them.

Interface Walk Through

The Interface welcomes you to a home screen where you can see all your Pit Boss vitals, including the grill’s temperature and meat probe temperature readings.

The home screen provides you with a quick snapshot of what’s happening with your grill. It even has a cool smoke animation where you see smoke rushing out of the bottom of the App to show you the grill is on.

You may also access other features by clicking on the controller board icon, displaying more detailed information about your grill.

Although the new version appears to be smoother than the previous releases, there are still some problems and complaints to be aware which I’ll discuss below.

How do I install Smoke IT App?

Android users can download the App via the Google Play Store, and iPhone users can find it in the Apple App Store.

The software is free to use, and you receive future updates for free. The process is similar for both Android and iPhone users, but the app setup varies slightly depending on your smart device.

The Apple App Store and Play Store can be found on your smart device’s home screen. To install the Pit Boss app, simply search your device app store and type “Pit Boss Smoke It. ” Click download and install the App.

How do I use Pit Boss Smoke IT App?

The application requires the installation of a Pit Boss WiFi control board on some Pit Boss pellet grills. This will show you just how to connect the controller to your home’s wireless router and then to the App.

If you own a Pit Boss Pro Series 850 or 1150 grill, these models come with the Pit Boss LEGACY Controller already installed.

Connecting the grill to The App

After you have downloaded the App, go ahead and open it. The App will ask you to create a Pit Boss account which you can use your email or log in using your Gmail or Facebook account. After creating your Pit Boss account, the App will allow you to “add” your grill. You can adjust app notifications, see recipes, and shop Pit Boss gear in the App settings. Let’ connect to the grill.

First: Connect the grill to the electric power

Make sure your grill is connected to a power source, your home wireless is working, and you have your wireless password handy. Too many users go through these steps only to discover that they have lost their WiFi password.

Step Two: Select your brand

Parent Company Danson LLC owns both Pit Boss and Louisiana Grills, and the App is designed to work with both grill brands. Click on Pit Boss to start the app configuration process.

Step Three: Create an account

You will need to create a Pit Boss account using your email, Apple ID, Google account, or Facebook. Using your Gmail or Apple ID is simple if you want to keep things easy, fast, and accessible. If you use your Gmail or Apple ID, you are less likely to enter the wrong login credentials at a later time.

Step Four: Enable Bluetooth

The next step is to connect the App to the grill using Bluetooth. In this step, you will need to have your phone’s Bluetooth on, or you will get multiple error messages and have to start the process all over again.

Click “Connect your Grill” and click next, where the App will ask you to turn on Bluetooth on your phone. Also, ensure that the grill’s Bluetooth connectivity is turned on and enabled, which you can do via the grill’s settings on the controller board.

After ensuring that Bluetooth is enabled on your phone and grill, click next on the App, and the App will begin scanning for your grill. When it locates your grill, pick it to proceed.

If you see an error message indicating that you need to contact support, turn off the grill, wait a few minutes, then switch it back on and repeat the app setup process. The error message is most likely caused by either your grill’s or your phone’s Bluetooth wireless card being turned off.

Step Five: Connect to WiFi

Once your smartphone is linked to your grill via Bluetooth is time to work on the WiFi connectivity. The WiFi connection will allow you to roam around your house and manage your grill as long as you have an Internet connection and a strong WiFi signal.

In the App, find your wireless network, select it, and type your WiFi password. If the App is able to establish a successful connection with the grill over your home’s wireless network, it will immediately switch from Bluetooth to WiFi.

You can also switch them manually from the Home page of the App.

Step Six: Name your grill

If you have a good data connection and everything is working properly, you will be welcome by the last step, which consists of naming your grill.

If you have reached this step without experiencing any installation issues and everything is working fine, pat yourself on the back and give your grill a name.

There are a few situations where this process might not go as smoothly but starting the process from the start is a good way of learning issues.

Common issues, App Installation Issues, and How to solve them

Pit Boss App Not Connecting

First, make sure the App is updating properly. Installing older versions of the App or attempting to connect to your grill with an out-of-date app version may result in connectivity troubles.

Unable to log in

Many times account related issues are due to entering the wrong user name or password. If you run into an account related issue very your username ( email ) and password. As a last resort, you can simply reset your account password.

In rare instances, log in issues can be traced back to the app server and even an Internet connection problem. If your phone has Internet and the App is loading fine, the problem is likely with your credentials.

WiFi connectivity issues

If you are experiencing problems connecting your grill to your home’s WiFi network, it might be because of a poor WiFi signal or strict encryption settings on your router.

First, make sure that your wireless router signal can reach the location of your grill. Likely you have your WiFi router somewhere in your living room, and your grill is in your backyard. This is a significant distance for the signal to travel. This may not be a problem if you have a powerful wireless router. However, make sure your grill acquires a strong WiFi signal.

To test your wireless signal levels, look at your phone’s wireless signal level bars inside your house and perform an Internet speed test, then go outside and stand next to your grill and look at your phone’s wireless signal indicator and do another Internet speed test. By the way, you can use the website Speed Test to check and test your Internet Speed.

If the speed test fails, lags, or returns a significantly slower speed than the speed results obtained inside your house, you have poor WiFi signal and connectivity problems. The weaker the signal, the slower the speeds will be and can even create intermittent connection drops.

To fix this, you can try a few things. First, try to move your wireless router closer to your grill. In most cases, moving the router solves the problem. If moving the router is not an option, then purchase a more powerful WiFi router or WiFi repeaters to boost the signal. A good and healthy wireless signal will also help if you have multiple smart devices at home.

I get a blank screen

After opening one App, your screen appears black for seconds, and an error message is displayed to confirm the App has crashed. If you receive an app notification like this, Make sure the App is up to date and has a good connection.

If the App cannot reach the Pit Boss App server over the Internet, it can time out, which is often the leading cause of app problems.

The fixes mentioned in this article are the most common and should get you back to using the App and enjoying your grill.

What can you see and Access from the Control screen?

A variety of options and information are available through the control screen.

Probe Temperatures

In the middle of the screen, the App displays the current temperature and the targeted temperatures of the meat probes.

Temperature control

If you use the Pit Boss app, you will now receive notifications when your grill has achieved the desired cooking temperature. The App uses SMS notifications to alert users when temperature requirements are met.

Rotate the temperature grill to increase or decrease the temperature of your grill. You can also change between Celsius and Fahrenheit displays with one click.

Make sure you go through the app settings and check the settings in the notification alert menu. Be sure to have notifications enabled so the App can alert you of temperature changes. Just be aware the phone battery drains after when using the App.

Timer

There is a timer function in the App, although many users prefer using their phones timer/

Off switch

A nice feature of smart grills is that not only can you control the temperature from smart devices, but you can also turn off these grills remotely.

One Last Word

There are a few ways these applications can help us get more enjoyment out of our grills. I hope you found this article useful. Enjoy!

BBQ Grill Academy
11 Best Pellet Smokers and Pellet Grills in 2023 12 November 2021 at 18:38

11 Best Pellet Smokers and Pellet Grills in 2023

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

12 November 2021 at 18:38

In this article, I share my top 11 pellet smokers and grill picks after doing my own research and our own testing. Pellet smokers are becoming more popular among BBQ fans of all skill levels because they are easy to use and deliver great wood-fire flavor.

Pellet smokers are simple to operate since they are controlled by PID controllers, use wood pellets as fuel, and the grill handles the majority of the work. Everything is controlled by a digital PID temperature controller to deliver that great BBQ wood-fired smoke flavor that we all like.

As pellet smokers gain in popularity, more and more companies are introducing new models to the pellet grill market. This article will help you find the right pellet smoker grill and the best option for you. We researched and tested different models to pick our choices. We will go over the best wood pellet smokers, teach you what factors to consider when buying a pellet grill, and show you our top choice.

How we tested These pellet grills

We value customer feedback in addition to our own testing. We explore and examine consumer reviews and feedback in order to compile this list’s greatest picks.

The following is a list of the standards we examined when compiling this list of pellet smoker grills:

Features and Temperature Controls
Build Quality and Construction
Cooking Capacity (grill real estate)
Hopper Size
Maintenance Requirements
Warranty

our top picks for Best pellet smoker and grills

1. The Traeger Timberline Pellet Grill – Best Overall

The XL is the ultimate Traeger pellet grill. If were wondering what is the Sub-Zero, Rolex of the pellet word, is the Timberline XL. This is Traeger’s latest grill and it includes the latest tech and tons of features. Some will argue that is a little too much but if you are looking for a high-end grill, with the latest technology and every feature you can think, the Timberline XL delivers.

The most distinctive and unique feature of the XL is its touchscreen LCD display which allows you to control every aspect of the grill. This grill is very smart, but don’t let beauty fool you. The Timberline offers many convenient features like a removable ash bucket, plenty of storage room and prep space plus a large cooking space.

There are some many cool things about the Timberline and we go over everything in detail in our full review of the Traeger Timberline XL.

What we like:

Nice, sleek, clean looking.
Powerful technology and temperature control.

What to consider:

Price, this thing is not cheap.

2. The Recteq RT-700 – Our Runner Up

All hail the king RecTeq. Just kidding, but man do some worship this brand. Don’t take me wrong, these are good pits but not the ultimate or best cooking machine like some like to portrait it.

The fact is that RecTeq does have one of the most methodical and high quality builds I have seen. This company uses high quality stainless steel and put a six year warranty behind it. Now, where I disagree with some is in RecTeq’s technology. Sure they build a tough product but their technology is way behind larger brands like Traeger.

So if you want something that will last and durability is high on your list then ReqTeq can deliver in that regard. If you want the advanced technology, advanced temperature controls, accuracy, and more refined fit and fish, I would look into other brands.

What we like:

304 stainless steel constructions, this thing will last a long time.
Great heat retatntion.
Six Year warranty and probably the most responsive customer service.

What to consider:

As good quality as these RecTeq are, there do not have the technology, features and refinement found in Traeger models.

3. The Oklahoma Joe DLX Pellet Grill

This is a new model recently released and send a few waves across the industry but I didn’t see a lot of buzz about it. The The Rider 900 SmokePro DLX has very unique features. First, very cleverly, the

The Oklahoma Joe integrated their pellet bucket right underneath the hopper so you can swiftly and effortless empty or swap pellets. Grab the pellet container full the pellet flavor you need, dump some in the hipper, put the bucket underneath. When you are done cooking, dump the pellets back in the bucket, rinse and repeat. They call this feature” the Quick Draw”

We did a full review of the Oklahoma Rider DLX and go over all its features and and performance. Nevertheless, the coolest part about this grill is its direct sear options, which, in simple words, you can open the heat-shield, let flames straight through, and cook over direct fire. I have my share of options on that.

What we like:

The Quick Draw is pretty clever, I’ll give them that.
Direct flame option is great for those that want to be able to sear.

What to consider:

The Direct flame options is great but you must keep that grill clean or excess grease can become a problem.

4. The Traeger Ironwood 885 – WiFi – Good Option

Let us start with a little debate and possibly something you have noticed in previous reviews. Other website reviews feature cheap grills and rank them at the top of their pellet grill reviews, but you asked for the best.

High-quality wood pellet grills are expensive, especially if they are made out of high-quality materials and include sophisticated technology.

Another point I want to add is that temperature spikes are prevalent with some pellet grills. When you open the grill’s lid, the temperature inside the cooking chamber decreases, and the controller begins to feed pellets to compensate for the heat loss. When you close the lid, the temperature in your grill has now increased by 10 degrees or more.

When smoking foods, temperature fluctuation is a bad thing. Traeger’s sophisticated technology detects when you open and close the lid and appropriately adjusts the pellet feeding cycles and fan/auger speed. That is why we selected the Traeger as our top grill.

Last but not least, several US-made grill companies are offering basically hand-made grills, but there are two questions: how many of these grill companies will still be around in ten years? Second, even the shiniest stainless steel grill may fall short of the fit and finish, design, and technology of a Traeger grill and smoker.

Remember when we talked about pellet grills packed with features and gadgets? Well, this is it. Traeger pellet grills are innovative; this pellet grill can work with Alexa! The Traeger Ironwood is a “feature-rich”, high-quality wood pellet smoker grill.

Traeger’s standout feature, besides quality, is its D2 Digital Controller, which is precise and lets you adjust the temperature in 5-degree increments, plus manage every aspect of the grill. The Traeger’s D2 Direct Drive powertrain gives you superior temperature control for better grilling and smoking results.

The D2 powertrain can control the speed of the fan (variable speed fan ) and pellet auger for better temperature accuracy. This means that this pellet grill can keep a more constant temperature and fewer temperature fluctuations mean better meat.

Another area where Traeger excels is in quality, and they have done an excellent job at it. These cookers are built to last and built to high standards. We also appreciate that Traeger offers great accessories for their grills, such as a magnetic bamboo cutting board that sits on top of the pellet hopper and front-folding shelves.

Now here is what I like the most about this pellet grill. Most WiFi-enabled pellet grills and smokers can notify you in some manner when you run out of pellets, which is handy, but if you miss the notification, you may return to a powered-off grill with uncooked food.

The Ironwood features a pellet sensor that not only alerts you when the grill is running low on pellets but also continually monitors the pellet level in the hopper and displays this information in the app, as demonstrated in the photos above.

The grill connects to your home’s wifi, and you can view all of your pellet grill’s information right from your phone. With the Wi-Fire app, you can control and monitor the grill’s temperature as well as the meat’s. All this technology allows you to go about your day while monitoring your pellet grill from anywhere in your home.

Specifications for the Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill

A grilling area: 885 sq in of cooking
Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs
Temperature Range: 180 to 500
Weight: 175 lbs
Warranty: 3 Years
Top Features: The D2 Controller system, seal/gasket around the top lid, construction, and great temperature control.

See Traeger Grills Bundles and Latest Deals

Pros:

Amazing grill technology. I love having an app on my phone to control the grill. Many “quality of life” features, including push-button start and auto-start ignition.
The digital controller is outstanding. Every feature of the grill, including the control panel screen display contrast, can be customized and other settings adjusted.
The controller menu settings are fairly intuitive, similar to what you would see in a high-end kitchen appliance. You navigate the settings menu using a rotating button, pushing it to choose an option.
This grill has a “keep warm” function. This “locks” the temperature to 165 degrees F and keeps the food temperature “warm” until it is time to eat.
Timer – Just like the kitchen timer in your oven, you can use the timer to remind you when side dishes are done. It makes an audible sound to get your attention. Set it and forget it.
Super Smoke button! – The Super Smoke mode is available at smoking temperatures if you want to manage the quantity of smoke or give a boost of smoke when adding new meat to the grill.
This grill has a built-in heat gasket in the lid and double sidewalls for heat control. This helps with temperature control.
3-Year Warranty.

Cons:

Ok, this is expected. Everything good comes at a price. Traeger grills are premium-quality grills and do come at a price. But if you are looking for top quality, the best pellet grill, and performance, it is hard to beat this Traeger. However, if you like the Traeger brand and want to experience this level of quality at a lower price point, Traeger also has an entry-level grill series, which includes the Traeger Pro 575.
Traeger’s top-of-the-line model is the Traeger Timberline. Its chamber is FULLY insulated and is available in larger sizes.
While during our testing and research we quickly learned the tools hooks on the side table are a bit sharp. Although they are useful, string and a good idea, I would like to see some rubber caps on those hooks.

5. The Z Grills 700D4E ( new model ) – Best Budget

The Z Grills does not have all of the technology that the Traeger has, but it does offer solid build quality and a digital controller that is capable of maintaining constant temperatures. In other words, you get everything you need at a lot lower cost. The price range of the Z Grills is more accessible to the majority of people, which is why we picked this Z Grills.

While the Z Grills ZPG packs a lot of power in a small package, its modest size makes it ideal for a small backyard or patio without compromising functionality.
You get an easy-to-use digital PID controller, adequate square inches of cooking space, and a 3-year warranty.

If you have been considering getting into pellet grilling but are not ready to invest in a costly model, this model can be a good starting point at a reasonable price.

This grill is a versatile pellet cooker that roasts, braises, sears, smokes, grills, and bakes. This model includes two meat probes to monitor the cooking process. Although the Z Grills ZPG lacks Traeger’s high-tech features, it is also less expensive. Way less expensive.

You still get good solid functions, such as a manual “feed” mode that “rushes” pellets to the fire pot and gets the grill to temperature quickly. The manual feed mode is useful when operating the grill in cold weather or when the lid has been left open for an extended period of time, allowing heat to escape.

It features a generous 697 square inches of cooking room, and plenty of space for six racks of baby back ribs. The frame is sturdy, the caster wheels are nice and glide smoothly, and the grill is made out of heavy-duty steel and is powder-coated.

I own a Z Grills 700D4E, and I can say these grills are built as well as Traegers, but without the tech and yes, you guessed it, the price. The digital controller in the Z Grills does a great job at keeping the temperature at bay. If you want 250 degrees, the grill will give you and stay 250 degrees. Z Grills sells direct to consumers and can sell their products at heavily discounted prices.

The 7004DE is a similar model to the 7002C but for a few more dollars you get a full storage compartment with doors, a stainless steel lid, and four caster wheels. In your full review of the 7004DE, we tested the grill cooking different meats, and the results were impressive.

Z Grills 700 series is their most popular and practical series, as the cooking space of these grills is what most families need and want. The are many variants in the 700 series, including the 7004DE.

Specifications for the 7002c

A cooking area: 697 square inches.
Hopper: 24 pounds
Temperature Range: 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit
Weight: 113 pounds
Warranty: 3 Years
Top Features: Good built quality at very competitive. Simple to use, the only button you need to use is the temperature dial.

Pros:

This is a new and upgraded model that includes features such as a pellet clean-out door and a pellet level view window.
Two meat probes are included.
Great value per dollar.
You get a free grill cover.
Caster wheels make it easy to move this grill around.
All the tools you need for assembling are included including gloves.

Cons:

No wifi but you get a lot of “bang for your dollar.”

6. The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi Smoke Pro pellet grill – Good Choice

Camp Chef makes good quality pellet grills and other outdoor cooking gear, and the Smoke Pro is no exception. This Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill and smoker offers great value by offering many features found only on more expensive grills.

For example, you get more meat probes, a digital PID controller with WIFI, Bluetooth, and a good mobile app (Camp Chef Connect). You also get two cooking grates and plenty of grilling space. The Camp Chef Woodwind series is available in three different models, the Woodwind 20, 24, and 36 ranging from 506 to 1236 square inches of cooking room.

There is a 22-pound pellet hopper capacity in the Camp Chef 24 and a removable ashtray cup. The reason we recommend this grill is that it is packed with good features only found in models twice its price.

However, the coolest feature of this grill is its “Sidekick” system, which supports a variety of cooking attachments, including a pizza oven, a sear box, or a griddle powered by a 16,000 BTU propane burner that can reach temperatures of up to 900 degrees F.

The Slide and Grill system is a unique feature of Camp Chef that gives it more flexibility than the more expensive options on this list. We picked this grill as the best overall because of its quality and versatility. Its price and features will suit the demands of many backyard cooks.

One of our favorite features is the ability to change the smoke level in the controller. This is one of the few grills that allow you to set the ideal smoke level by pressing a button. If you want more smoke, increase this setting and let the grill do its thing.

See Camp Chef Full Line Up

Specifications for the Camp Chef WiFi

A cooking area: 811 square inches.
Hopper: 22 pounds
Temperature Range: 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit ( when using the “slide out” feature for direct flame cooking, it can reach 650 degrees for searing.)
Weight: 132 pounds
Top Features: WiFi connectivity. Good Mobile App and Build Quality at a Good Price. The “Sidekick system” makes this grill very versatile.

Pros:

WiFi connectivity and a Bluetooth PID Controller with FOUR meat probes. So you can monitor multiple meat cuts.
The Camp Chef smartphone app works well and allows you to set the cooking temperature in five-degree increments. There are also different “smoke settings” to set how much smoke you want, and it is all controllable from within the mobile app.
The color LED display is easy to read, and the settings dial is easy to operate. You can rotate through the menus with ease and select settings by pushing the wheel. Simple.
Cool Feature: There is a plastic cover that folds down to protect the LCD display.
Easy to clean up. The Ash Kickin’ system is a little ash cup underneath the grill that can be easily unlatched to clean out ashes. A shop vac is necessary to clean the fire pot on most grills.
Camp Chef Woodwind Slide out system ( heat shield ) that when opened allows for direct flame grilling and cooking. The Slide out system is operated by a lever on the left side of the grill. Just pull it for direct flame cooking.
A large see-through window to monitor the level of the pellets.
You can add a side burner to this grill by purchasing an optional add-on side burner that connects to the grill. It makes a great sear box.
A small storage shelf is good for placing a pellet container or tools.

Cons:

The grease management system needs to be kept clean. If too much old grease is left on these grills, the grease drain system can catch fire, although this is true of almost any grill, including gas grills.
The attachable sear box is nice, but it does require a propane tank. So you will need to use two fuel sources. It’s not a big deal, and if you run out of pellets, you can always use the sear box to cook.

7. The Z Grills 450 – Best Compact pellet grill

See it ( 450B 2021 model )

Tester notes: Difference between the 450A ( previous year model ) and the 450B
The PID controller and hopper design are the most noticeable differences between the 450a and 450b. The pellet cleanout door is the most welcome addition to the new 450b, starting with the LCD screen. The cooking area stays the same. The 450B’s finish has been improved. The manual feed button gives you additional temperature flexibility in the 450B.
In addition, the 450A comes with a pair of all-terrain wheels with adjustable swivel, while the 450B comes with a pair of all-terrain wheels as well as a pair of turning wheels, for a total of four wheels. As a result, dragging the 450B around is easy.
Finally, the 450B weighs around 10 pounds less than the 450A.

The 450B is a budget-friendly pellet grill with amazing reviews and everything you need to cook a good meal.

As its name suggests, the 450 offers 450 square inches of cooking room. Although it doesn’t have wifi and all the bells and whistles, it does include all the fundamental components to make this budget pellet grill smoker work well. Very few grills offer so much value at these price points.

The temperature knob manages the grill and allows you to set the desired cooking temperature, and it will sustain that temperature. The hopper will hold 15 pounds of pellets, enough for about 15 hours of cooking.

Did you know that Z Grills manufactured products for other brands before launching their own models?
You can read more in our Z Grills vs Traeger article.

See it ( 450A 2020 model )

Visit Z Grills

Specifications for ZPG-450B

A cooking surface area: 459 sq in.
Hopper: 15 pounds
Temperature Range: 180 to 450 degrees
Weight: 75 lbs
Top Features: Affordable

Pros:

Simple and easy to use.
Low budget pellet grill, but it works well.
It includes all the basics for cooking a good meal.
High-temperature resistant powder coating.

Cons:

No meat temperature probe
It is recommended to add some gasket to reduce heat and smoke leaks.

8. Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill Smoker

This Traeger is another budget-friendly option and a basic grill smoker. It is light enough to be considered a portable pellet grill but offers enough space to cook for a small family, plus you get Traeger grills level quality. This is a great outdoor cooker. Simply fold the legs and put it in the back of your truck.

This portable pellet smoker features folding legs and 300 square inches of grilling space. You get the basics, a good digital temperature system, and a 20-pound hopper. This is a great option for your next camping trip.

Visit Traeger Grills

Specifications for the Traeger Tailgater Pellet Smoker

A cooking area: 300 square inches
Hopper: 8 pounds
Temperature Range: to 450 degrees F
Weight: 62 pounds
Top Features: foldable legs, portable.

Pros:

Simple as simple gets – you get a good grill with folding legs that is easy to transport.
good sized hopper.

Cons:

No necessary problem, but keep in mind this is a simple grill, no gadgets here but good value.

9. Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi pellet Grill

Weighing only 63 pounds, this Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is a smaller and more portable model, ideal for individuals with a small backyard, apartment balcony, or who prefer pellet grills that are simple to move around the house.

The Green Mountain has been refreshed and now feature wifi capabilities to control and monitor temperature from a cell phone (Apple or Android) with the Sense-Mate app.

It now includes a meat probe, a utensil tray, and a disposable grease rack for easy cleaning. It’s ideal for camping holidays, beach days out, and road trips. And check this out: it can plug into the 12-volt car cigarette outlet in your car or connect directly to the battery using (included) alligator clips.

Check Price

Specs for Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Pellet Grill

A cooking area: 219 square inches of space.
Hopper: 9 pounds.
Weight: 63 pounds
Top Features: Portable and can connect to a cigarette lighter outlet or your car’s battery.

Pros:

It is small and light but very capable.
WiFi ready with a mobile app.
It’s simple to clean.
It works with a 12-volt car battery.

Cons:

It is small, so temperature management can be challenging.

10. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill w/New PVC Pellet Grill

The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX pellet grill includes features not found in more expensive grills. This wood pellet grill offers a large cooking surface. 429 square inches of grilling and smoking space and is powered feed by an 18-pound hopper which is common in most pellet grills.

This Camp Chef SmokePro DLX pellet grill includes a removable ash cup, two meat probes, and of course, a good digital controller.

Here is a cool and innovative feature of this grill. It offers attachable accessories, including a pizza stone, a searing box ( great for grilling steaks ), and a flat-top griddle. This is among the best-selling grill brands.

See it at BBQGuys.com

Visit Camp Chef.com

Specifications for the Camp Chef DLX

A cooking area: 570 sq .inches total
Hopper Pellet Capacity: 18 pounds
Temperature Range: 160 to 500 degrees
Weight:

Pros:

Attachable accessories like a sear box.
10 different smoke levels.

Cons:

The grease management system needs to be kept clean.
Not crazy about the legs system.

11. The Z Grills ZPG-1000D – Value Pellet Grill – Square inches per Dollar

ZPG-1000D is a reliable, efficient, and solid pellet grill. The 1000D is manufactured out of heavy-duty stainless steel with stainless finishes. This big boy includes all the features you need in a good pellet grill.

There are side tables, and a storage area with doors, and it even has four wheels to move this beast around.

The 1000D provides a total cooking space of 1,060 square inches spread over three grill grates. The main cooking grate offers 432 sq. inches of cooking room, a second level warming grate offers 374 sq. inches, and a third level warming rack offers 225 sq. inches of grill space. Yes, this thing is large!

A 20-pound capacity hopper powers this large cooking area, and this grill can operate anywhere from 180 to 450 degrees which means you can smoke, barbecue, bake, roast, or braise.

See Z Grills Bundles and Latest Deals

Specifications for the 1000D pellet grill

A cooking area: 1056 square inches of cooking surface.
Hopper: 20 lbs.
Temperature Range: 180 to 450 degrees F
Weight: 134 lbs.
Top Features: You get a large cooking space.

Pros:

3 Year Warranty ( original owner )
Large with three grill grates.
Large removable ash pan. (slides out from the back of the grill – easy to clean )
Thermal blankets are available for this grill. ( great for cooking and smoking in cold weather )
Good and simple to use PID temperature controller.

Cons:

It would be nice to have a pellet clean-out door. Nothing a cup can’t handle and scoop out the pellets.
No Wi-Fi connection in this model.

What to consider when shopping for the best pellet Grill

The best pellet grills and smokers are packed with technology and features. However, not every pellet grill offers the same features and capabilities. Some pellet grills offer the latest gadgets, including Wi-Fi enabled controllers, while others only offer a cooking timer.

features and Temperature capabilities of the pellet grill

An electric pellet smoker is an amazing machine, and three main components make these pits work. First, you have the pellet hopper, which holds and stores the wood pellets. Then there is the auger, or automatic pellet feeder, which moves the pellets to the fire pot. Once the pellets are dropped into the fire pot, an electrical igniter ( heat rod ) heats and burns the pellets while an electric fan below the pot blows air through the burn pot to build a flame.

These are the basic components of any pellet grill. In charge of controlling all these components is a digital controller referred to as the PID (Proportional, Integral, Derivative). Yeah, I know, it’s better to just say PID controller. The digital controller monitors the pellet smoker’s internal temperature, feeding wood pellets and igniting pellets accordingly to maintain the desired temperature.

What to look for in a Pellet Grill PID Controller

An easy-to-use PID temperature controller.
At least one meat probe, preferably two meat probes.
Easy to read controller display

Now, the best wood pellet grills take this formula to another level. The best pellet grill makers keep making their grills better by adding smarter technologies and more precise ways to control the temperature.

These extra and advanced features can include a temperature probe, preprogrammed temperatures for different proteins, and even an auto-shutoff monitoring system to turn off the grill when the food is done.

Then things go to a higher level where top pellet grills will have WiFi-enabled controllers that you can monitor and control from your phone. If you want a good pellet grill, stick to the basics and make sure the basic components we mentioned are present and of the highest quality.

If you want the best or have the means to pay more, pellet grills with advanced technologies such as WIFI will be more expensive.

Durability and Build Quality of the pellet grill

Aside from a good and easy-to-use temperature control system, quality is another area where your money should be spent. Because of the technology and components required in making these grills function, pellet grills are not inexpensive. So you do not want to invest money in a pellet grill just to have to replace it a year later.

Other components of a pellet grill are the fire pot, fire deflectors, drip pans, grates, and the cabinet itself. When looking at a grill constructed of powder-coated steel, be sure the coating is high quality. Cheaper pellet grills with cheap paint can peel off during high-temperature burns and even while the smoker is preheating.

When the coating or paint on your grill peels away, exposing raw metal, it will begin to rust. High-quality materials and thicker steel will retain heat better, allowing the smoker to be more efficient, use less fuel, and work better in cold weather.

Hopper Capacity of the pellet grill

You can compare the pellet hopper capacity with the fuel tank in your car. The larger the pellet hopper capacity, the more fuel you have available and less need to refuel.

The average pellet grill will consume about 1 pound of pellets per hour. An electric pellet smoker will consume slightly less because it cooks and operates at lower temperatures. So a 40-pound pellet hopper provides approximately forty hours of cooking at normal meat smoking temperatures.

The wood pellet burning rates can increase during the winter months when the smoker needs to burn more pellets to compensate for the colder temperatures.

Most pellet grills have a 20-pound hopper capacity, which is enough for smoking a big brisket or rack of ribs. Although 20 hours of cooking without refueling the hopper is not bad, a lower hopper capacity, such as an eight or ten-pound hopper, may require more frequent refueling during a long meat smoking session.

You can purchase hopper extensions for your pellet grill and add, on average, an extra 20 hours.

The larger the hopper, the more expensive the grill will be. So consider how you will be using your smoker. If you are serious about smoking meats and are planning on smoking large meat cuts, then invents in a large grill with a large hopper.

Consumption – Efficiency of the pellet grill

Not all pellet grills are efficient. Due to poor design and construction, some models are extremely inefficient, burning through pellets as a Hummer does fuel. This is mostly due to the thin metal construction and low-cost components.

If the pellet smoker cabinet walls are too thin, then heat and smoke will escape. The grill will need to work harder and burn more pellets to keep their temperature. Thick walls and thicker gauge steel will retain heat better and save on fuel. Also, the fewer temperature variations when smoking meat, the better the food results will be.

High-quality pellet grills will be more pricey, but they will be made of thicker steel, last longer, and be more efficient.

How Easy is To Clean and Maintain the pellet grill

Cleaning your grill is everyone’s favorite task ( joke ). Having owned many pellet smokers, I can tell you that these things can get dirty and are challenging to clean. An easy-to-clean smoker is always appreciated.

Unlike other grills, when a pellet grill gets dirty, it will stop working. In fact, if the temperature sensor in the cooking chamber gets covered in grease, it will fail to register the temperature, and most pellet smokers will throw an error code and shut down.

Most pellet smoker models can be cleaned with water and vinegar, as well as a shop vacuum to collect all of the ashes. The best models include removable ash pans or a good ash clean-out system and other features that make cleaning a breeze. Not maintaining your smoker or keeping it clean can damage it and even start a fire.

Customer Service

Like a kitchen oven, a pellet smoker has several moving components and digital electronics. These pellet grills may occasionally display error codes, for which you may want support. This is why having a company with an excellent customer service line is beneficial.

Larger companies tend to outsource their customer support, and getting quick answers can be a challenge. On the other hand, larger companies often offer customer support 24/7.

Long term warranty

Even the best pellet grills will have an issue at some point. Pellet smokers have many moving components and electronics, and something is bound to happen. These pits can be as advanced as other kitchen cooking appliances.

This is why a good warranty is so important with these pellet grills. You want to make sure that after spending your hard-earned cash, if your grill quits working, you will be able to get it repaired, or at the very least, get the parts to fix it yourself.

Moving parts like the auger may break, and heavily used parts like the firebox fan can fail. Make sure you ask exactly when your warranty ends and what the warranty will cover. Warranties vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, so feel free to ask a lot of questions.

A 3 year warranty is definitely better than just 1 year. For example, if you need an igniter rod, who is more likely to have it in stock?

How much Cooking Space Do You Really Need in your pellet grill?

The number of inches of cooking space, or as we call it, cooking surface real estate, is important to consider. A large smoker will handle large amounts of food but will also need more fuel to get up to temperature and sustain that temperature.

When the pellet grill stops operating, having access to a good customer service team is really valuable. There is nothing worse than asking a few people over for a barbecue and discovering that your pellet grill will not start. Smaller companies offer a more personal and reliable service. The people you contact will be very familiar with your pellet grills and likely even own one.

Think about a hot air balloon. Bigger air balloons can carry more people but require more hot air to fill a larger area. The same goes for a pellet grill. The larger the cooking chamber, the more pellets it needs to burn to fill the chamber with hot air, get it up to temperature, and sustain that temperature.

If you are more likely to smoke and cook small meat cuts, having fewer inches of primary cooking surface area can benefit you. Consider a pellet grill with a larger cooking space if you intend to smoke large meat cuts or feed large crowds.

The point here is to only spend money on a pellet smoker with the inches of cooking space you will use. Anything bigger can be wasteful. The bottom line is to be realistic about what you’re getting and not be fooled into thinking bigger is better.

pellet grill Features that make your life easier

We talked about features, but especially regarding grill functionality and controller functions. However, there are several pellet grill-specific features that may greatly enhance and simplify your cooking experience.

Pellet grills with side tables, for example, are very convenient if you do not have a full outdoor kitchen setup or tables nearby to lay your food while you set up the pellet grill.

Grills with BBQ and cooking utensils hooks are also quite useful. It is a hassle not to have a place to hang all of your culinary items and to have them easily accessible instead laying around all over the floor.

Last but not least, there is storage. Yes, this is sometimes ignored, but having a central location to keep all of your BBQ tools, pellet bags, cleaning tools, and accessories is great.

How do pellet smokers grills work?

Unlike charcoal grills or gas grill, pellet smokers use different systems for heating and cooking food. Pellet grills cook mostly with indirect heat generated by the combustion of hardwood pellets. In a charcoal grill, the coals are spread across the bottom of the grill.

The controller, or PID, is one of the key components in the pellet smoker. The system manages the auger and the feeding of pellets to a burning pod with a heating rod to ignite the pellets.

This automated system is what makes pellet grilling so easy and fun. On a high-end grill, it is common to find advanced technologies like Bluetooth and wifi. Talk about “Set it and Forget it.”

Tip: Choosing Good wood pellets for Your Grill

Look for good flavors that pair well with the type of meat you are smoking. Also, look for natural, food-grade pellets. Good wood pellets that yield good smoke taste are oak, hickory, and applewood.

Ingredients and wood blends

Some pellet manufacturers mix alders, oaks, and chemical fillers to help reduce production costs. Fillers may save them money, but they affect taste negatively. Choose 100 percent natural wood pellets.

Moisture content

Whether cooking on a gas or charcoal grill, moisture is not your friend. Wood pellets with low moisture content light up and heat up faster than those with higher moisture content.

Smoke Flavor

There are many pellet flavors and blends. You can find anything from oak to fruity flavors like cherry and apple. Some brands even create their own blends, like Pit Boss and their competition blend, which goes pretty well with most proteins.

In Conclusion

Pellet smoking is a lot of fun. When cooking with a good pellet cooker, the cooking experience is even better. Our top pick is the Ironwood Traeger, but the Z Grills are also amazing pellet grills.

The TRAEGER Ironwood

The Traeger brand excels in features, technology, and quality but it comes at a steep price point. Camp Chef brings the best of two worlds together at a reasonable price. You get good technology and good features for less.

BBQ Grill Academy
The Best Portable Pellet Grills: 7 Options Plus a Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide For 2023 12 November 2021 at 12:00

The Best Portable Pellet Grills: 7 Options Plus a Comprehensive Buyer’s Guide For 2023

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

12 November 2021 at 12:00

What better way to enjoy the freedom of the outdoors than to take your portable pellet grill with you and cook delicious BBQ everywhere you go, even to the neighbor’s house? In this article, we will help you find the best options among hundreds of models.

Not every portable pellet grill is of high quality or even practical for grilling. Buying the wrong pellet grill might ruin your cooking experience and waste your money.

A good portable pellet grill lets you take the delicious taste of wood-fired food anywhere, is efficient at grilling, and is easy to carry.

This article will break down what to look for in a good portable pellet grill, which ones we recommend, and why we chose them.

How we tested and researched these Pellet Grills

A variety of factors have been considered while researching good portable pellet grills, including:

Heat output and temperature range
Cooking area of the main chamber
Portability
Features
Price vs. value for money ( quality )

We examine the efficiency of pellet grills since they can be used to both smoke and grill meals. We also considered how user-friendly each model is and how simple it is to operate its functions, such as the temperature controller.

We also took consumer feedback into account when rounding up the top portable pellet grills.

What’s Considered a Portable Pellet Grill?

A portable pellet grill is exactly what its name implies—a compact, easily portable version of a standard wood pellet grill. Portable pellet grills are available in different configurations, from collapsible tabletop models to light pellet grills with wheels.

Pellet grills do need an electrical power source to operate the ignition system, the digital controller, and other components. Good portable pellet grills can be easily operated using an electrical power source such as a battery pack, an aircraft battery, or a generator.

Expect these grills to be lighter, more compact, and have fewer features than their larger counterparts, but the objective of these grills is to be portable.

The best Portable Pellet Grills Reviewed

1. Pit Boss Sportsman Portable Pellet Grill – Best Overall

Specifications:

Cooking Space: 387 square inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 19 pounds
Heat Range 180° – 500° F
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Dimensions (in) : 37.5 x 25.2
Weight: 85 lbs
Power Requirements: 110-120V, 60HZ, 250W, 3-PRONG GROUNDED PLUG

Pit Boss is a well-known and well-liked brand among BBQ fans. They primarily manufacture pellet grills, and after years of production, they have refined their pellet grill recipe.

The Pit Boss Sportsman Series Portable offers superior rugged and versatile performance in a package that makes it so convenient that you can go anywhere.

What we appreciate most about this pellet grill is that it has a good-sized cooking area. It cooks as effectively as a regular-sized grill, yet when you are done, its legs can be folded and pulled as effortlessly as a beer cooler or beach chair.

The legs are designed to fold together in one step, and there is a built-in handle plus latches so you can easily wheel this portable grill around.

You don’t get WiFi access at this price, but you get an excellent portable grill of good quality and value.

Pros:

Sportsman PB260PSP2 Pit Stop Portable Pellet Grill
Good Stainless Steel build
It comes with a Meat Probe to check the doneness of your food.
Beach chair-like folding legs with rubber wheels help move this grill around.
Digital temperature controller with led display and auto on and off system.
Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Cooking Grates
19-pound capacity pellet hopper – enough for a full day of grilling.

What we don’t like:

When a grill is built using good steel, it will be a little heavy ( 85 pounds ).

2. Traeger Tailgater Pellet 20 Grill and Smoker – Runner Up

Specifications:

Cooking Space Square Inches: 300 square inches
Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
Pellet Heat Range: 150° – 450
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Weight: 60 lbs
Power Requirements: 110-120V, 60HZ, 250W, 3-PRONG GROUNDED PLUG

We love Traeger grills, and their owners love them too. Traeger pellet grills are among the most popular, and this grill is our runner-up only because we find the folding leg system in the Pit Boss will be easier to operate for most users.

The Traeger Tailgater folding leg system, on the other hand, has one unique and remarkable feature: it is versatile. The foldable legs can be extended to use the grill on a flat surface like a parking lot or campground, but you can also fold the legs and use the grill “tabletop” and place it on the back of your pickup truck or sturdy table.

The Traeger Tailgater pellet grill is an excellent option if you want to go anywhere and cook, tailgate, or for smaller backyards. We like that the Traeger Tailgater is slightly lighter than the competition, but overall, this is a simple, portable pellet grill that is great for camping and enjoying the outdoors.

Visit Traeger

Pros:

Lighter than the Pit Boss.
The folding leg systems double as a base to use the grill “tabletop”. Tabletop pellet grills are very convenient.
Digital Temperature controller. ( Digital Arc Controller )
This grill can double as a small backyard or portable grill.

Cons:

A smaller hopper capacity of only 8 pounds means you might need to add pellets more often.

3. Traeger Grills Ranger – Smallest and Good Tailgate pellet grill

Specifications:

Cooking Space Square Inches: 184 inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
Heat Range: 150° – 450° F
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Dimensions (in) : 20 x 21 x 13
Weight: 60 lbs
Warranty: 3 Years

This is a small pellet grill, but a true portable pellet smoker. This smoker is designed and built to be light, portable, and easy to use. Traeger sure spent some time on the design of this grill and it is a great tailgate pellet grill.

This grill can be packed and secured just like a toolbox. There are two latches to secure the lid, and all the components are packed and secure inside the case. You carry this grill like you would your toolbox, and it only weighs 60 pounds and is just a few inches short of two feet.

Still, you get great features like porcelain coated grill grates, a 184 square inches cooking area, and digital cooking temperature controls.

The pellet hopper capacity is 8 pounds, and this grill can reach temperatures of up to 450 degrees.

Visit Traeger

Pros:

As portable as portable gets. It’s small, compact, and easy to carry.
Traeger quality.

Cons:

Pellet hopper capacity is only 8 pounds, but let’s be real, you are not going to smoke a whole hog in these small grills.

4. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WiFi Pellet Grill (12v pellet grill)

Cooking Space Square Inches: 219 square inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 9 pounds
Heat Range: 150° – 550° F
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Weight: 57 lbs

The Green Mountain grills Davy Crockett portable pellet grill is an affordable and smaller option for those looking for a compact tabletop pellet grill. This portable pellet grill does offer WiFi, so you can monitor the grill while sitting and enjoying your favorite drink.

This grill is smaller and lighter than our top two, but it doesn’t offer the same folding leg system as the Pit Boss or the Traeger Tailgater.

This portable wood pellet grill, on the other hand, has a significant advantage: it can run on the electric power of your car through a 12-volt socket. This means you can bring this grill with you everywhere you go, and it’s a true 12v pellet grill.

Specifications:

Pros:

Lighter portable wood pellet grill with good cooking space.
WiFi connectivity so can monitor the cooking progress.
Wide temperature range for a grill this size.
It can operate from a 12-volt electric car plug or your car’s battery.

Cons:

Fixed short legs – The legs were upgraded for 2021 and are no longer foldable but are strong.

5. Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill

Specifications:

Cooking Space Square Inches: 501 square inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 10 pounds
Heat Range: 150° – 500° F
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Dimensions (in): 38 x 18.5 x 21
Weight: 100 lbs.

The Camp Chef Pursuit is a nice package and a great fit for those looking for a larger, versatile grill with a good size cooking chamber and foldable legs.

The folding legs can fold all the way flat like a rolling suitcase, which makes it easy to carry, but you can easily use this grill tabletop with its legs folded. The Camp Chef Pursuit legs feature an adjustable screw or leg adjustment that allows you to extend or retract the last few inches of the legs to level the grill on uneven terrain.

You also get two meat probes to monitor your food and a removable ashtray for easy clean-up. No WiFi, but you get a good size cooking chamber.

Pros:

This Camp Chef offers a large cooking surface great for parties and large outdoor cooking events.
Good grill features like a digital control panel – easy to set the desired temperature and manage temperature control.
An ash cleanout system helps when it is time to clean. Grills without a removable ashtray must be cleaned using a shop vac.
The legs can be leveled and adjusted perfectly when using the grill on uneven surfaces.

Cons:

At 100 pounds, it is on the heavy side, and you might need some help moving this pellet grill.

6. Z Grills ZPG-200

Specifications:

Cooking Space Square Inches: 202 square inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 8 pounds
Fuel Type: Wood pellets
Dimensions (in): 25 x 20 x 15
Weight: 40 lbs.

If portability is your priority and you are looking for one of the smallest portable pellet grills, then consider the Z Grills Cruiser 200a ZPG 200.

The Z Grills Cruiser 200a is a small and compact grill that can be carried like a toolbox. The grill is light, weighing only 40 pounds. This isn’t the most powerful grill on our list, but if you are looking for something small and easy to carry, this little guy is a good fit.

Pros:

Small and light and only 40 pounds.
8 pounds hopper capacity is not bad for a grill this size.

Cons:

Not very powerful and small hopper capacity.

7. Grilla Grills Chimp

Specifications:

Space Square Inches: 580 square inches
Pellet Hopper capacity: 15 pounds
Fuel Type: Wood pellet
Weight: 90 lbs.

The Grilla Grills Chimp offers all the same great features as other portable pellet grills, rolled into a smaller and lighter version. It is made from powder-coated steel with stainless components.

Although the Grilla Grills grill doesn’t offer folding legs, it is light considering its size and capacity. The cooking chamber offers 580 square inches of cooking surface and only weighs 90 pounds.

A 15-pound hopper allows for a reasonable cooking time for a full day of outdoor cooking.

Pros:

“Large but light” only weighs 90 pounds.

Cons:

It is a large grill without folding legs

Portable Wood Pellet Grills Buying Guide What to Look for.

Portable wood pellet grills are reasonably priced, and most models are functional, but a good pellet grill will have a few characteristics you should consider and look for.

Build quality

Have you ever dropped your grill? Well, I have, and let me tell you that poorly built grills will not take a drop well. This is why it is important to pay attention to the materials used to manufacture the grill.

Think metals will make the grill lighter, but they will also bend and warp more easily. Look for stainless steel components and a good balance between good gauge steel and weight.

Size and portability – Dimensions and weight – Gotta watch those pounds.

Consider what weights you feel comfortable carrying. Are 40 pounds too heavy for you? How about 100 pounds? Will you have help when moving the grill? It is important to go for a pellet grill which weight will be easy for you to carry.

Also, make sure that the grill fits in the trunk of your car or the back of your truck. Portability features and convinces like how easy it is to fold the legs, how heavy the grill is, and whether setting up requires multiple people to work on the grill will impact the portability levels of your grill.

We have included the dimensions and weight of these grills so that you can consider what fits your car and what you feel comfortable carrying.

Power options – Portable Pellet Grills need electricity

Most portable pellet grills can operate using the 12-volt battery of your car, but a large portable pellet grill will require a good source of power, such as a house electrical outlet.

Consider how and where you will be using your portable pellet smoker. At the campsite, you might have a good electric outlet nearby, but at the beach, your only power source might be your car.

Unlike charcoal grills, pellet grills do need the power to run all the grill technology in charge of all that precise temperature control we all enjoy from these pellet grills.

Features and Temperature Controls

All the grills we tested included several features, including meat probes, PID controllers, and digital displays. Some grills include features like WiFi-capable controllers, but keep in mind that the more features the grill has, the more expensive the grill will be.

Tabletop Pellet Grill vs. Collapsible ( foldable ) Pellet Grill

A tabletop pellet grill is the smallest variety among portable pellet smokers and grills and are compact and extremely light.

Collapsible legs pellet grills, however, come in sizes bigger than tabletop pellet grills. This type of grill uses components that can be either assembled or folded away for storage or transport.

The downside is that grills with foldable legs are heavier and a bit harder to transport.

Temperature range

The temperature range is an important ranking factor because, since these grills are small, some models lack the cooking or heat output power to, say, sear a good steak.

In this list, we have provided the heat output and temperature range of each grill, so you can be confident that any model you pick can cook at the temperatures you want.

You want to make sure your grill can cook meats at the right temperatures.

Connectivity

WiFi-controlled pellet smokers and grills enable you to walk around, engage guests, or work on meal prep while an app on your phone monitors what is going on in your grill.

A built-in meat probe monitors the temperature of the meat, eliminating the need to step up to the grill and probe the meat every time you want to know its temperature.

How Easy is the wood pellet grill to use

The objective here is to find a grill that is both portable and simple to operate.

If you want to use your new pellet grill outdoors, the last thing you want is a complex pellet grill or one with too many components that can fail.

Grill and Cooking Area

Your grill’s cooking area and available grilling surface are important. Small pellet grills are light and compact, but can not accommodate enough burgers to feed an entire family, so you will have to spend longer times cooking to feed everyone.

A huge grill, on the other hand, will be heavy and will consume more pellets. If you only need a grill for you and your loved one, a small grill will work fine.

Other options you can take into consideration and Optional Accessories

Folding legs, rubber wheels, and durable pulling handles are all desirable features in a portable grill. If you want to leave your grill outside and exposed to the weather, invest in a nice grill cover, and keep a few extension cables on hand in case the power outlets are far away.

You might also want to think about investing in a nice pellet container because you will need to transport wood pellets and store them properly wherever you go.

With a portable pellet grill, you will be using your hands a lot more than usual. Invest in a decent pair of cooking gloves to keep your hands safe when working with hot surfaces or carrying a hot grill.

Why should you choose a portable pellet grill over a portable gas grill?

Portable pellet grills, like gas grills, are simple to operate but provide better flavor since they burn wood pellets as fuel. Gas grills cannot compete with the aroma and flavor of cooking with pellets.

Furthermore, because pellet grills use wood pellets to provide a delicious smokey taste, many of these portable grills may be used as smokers. If you want to smoke meats, there are various purpose-built portable smokers available.

Temperatures control is another breeze when using a portable pellet grill smoker.

Rather than dealing with air vents in a charcoal grill or temperature dials in a gas grill, you just set the temperature on the controller and let it do its thing with a pellet grill. The temperature control and combustion systems are completely automated.

The Last Word

The Pit Boss Sportsman is our top pick because it offers an excellent balance between quality, value, and portability. Our runner-up, the Trager, also an amazing pick.

If you are looking for something extremely portable, then the Trager Ranger is an amazing model.

Enjoy Life, Get Grilling,

BBQ Grill Academy
The Best Budget Smoker: Tested to BBQ Great food without spending a ton 5 November 2021 at 11:19

The Best Budget Smoker: Tested to BBQ Great food without spending a ton

BBQ Grill Academy

By: BGA BBQ Team

5 November 2021 at 11:19

Everyone loves smoked meat, and everyone wants to try their own pulled pork recipe at home. Good news! Smoking your own meats at home does not have to be expensive.

We’ll show you nine budget-friendly smokers as well as what to look for in a cheap smoker so it can still get the job done without breaking your budget.

We found the Smokey Mountain to be the best budget smoker, but I’ve included nine choices for all budgets and cooking styles.

9 best Budget Smokers Ranked and Reviewed

1. The Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker – Best overall

Specifications:

Dimensions: 21 | 19 | 41 inches ( 18 Inch Model )
Weight: 39 lbs
Fuel: Charcoal
Material: Coated Steel

The Weber Smokey Mountain cooker is an all-time favorite, a best seller, and among the best affordable smokers. The Weber Smokey Mountain cooker bullet smoker has been around for years, and its design has stayed the same throughout the years. You can say, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and this is the case with the Weber Smokey Mountain bullet smoker.

Not only is this smoker inexpensive, but it is also easy to use and can be mastered in a few hours. There aren’t any complex components, high-tech gadgets, or electrical parts, just a charcoal basket, a water pan, and cooking grates. Everything you need for smoked meat!

Due to the Weber Smokey Mountain size and lightweight, this smoker is considered a portable smoker and is ranked by many as one of the best smokers on the market.

What we like:

Easy to use and assemble.
More of a traditional smoker. ( water smoker )
Two smoking ( cooking ) racks offer good cooking capacity.
Available in different sizes.
Built in thermometer.
It is a great portable smoker as it splits in three pieces.
Works well with any type of charcoal.

What we don’t like:

There isn’t much negative to say about this smoker, and we are not going to write something vague just to fill a gap. This is a good smoker, great for those starting or new to BBQ smoking, but it is a budget pick.

2. The Recteq BullsEye – Second Best ( Pellet )

Specifications:

Dimensions: 40 | 22 | 36 inches | 22 inch diameter
Weight: 70 lbs
Fuel: pellet
Material: Stainless Steel

If you are not familiar with Recteq and its grills, let me tell you that these grills are very well known and have one of the strongest followings I have seen. Some people claim these grills are among the top, and I agree with that statement. These grills are made out of stainless steel, backed by a six-year warranty, and is among the best budget smokers under 400 bucks. The temperature controls are easy to use, and the fire is accessible for cleaning.

The RT-B380 gets its name from its reasonably large cooking area, which measures a total 380 square inches.

What I like the most about this grill is that it offers a good cooking surface size and can get to high temperatures enough to grill, smoke meat, and even bake. This grill is built to last and, for its price, is an amazing pick. This is a compact grill, but its cooking surface can fit a lot of food. It is large enough to smoke a full-sized brisket or a few racks of ribs.

what we like:

Stainless steel body
Compact but because of its shape is can fit a lot of food.
It gets to hot – 700 degrees hot great for searing
The temperature controller is very accurate.

What we don’t like:

It needs to be kept clean or performance deteriorates.

3. The Pit Barrel Cooker Junior – budget charcoal

pit barrel cooker junior charcoal smoker

Specifications:

Dimensions: 20.87 | 20.87 | 30.71 inches ( Junior model )
Weight: 55 lbs
Fuel: Charcoal
Material: Coated Steel

The Pit Barrel Cooker is our runner-up for multiple reasons, including quality, good warranty, efficiency, and the company behind it. This company is here in the USA and has built an amazing brand. The Pit Barrel Cooker was a family idea that turned into an amazing company and a great product.

But here is why we love the Pit Barrel Cooker. First, these cookers are inexpensive. You get a lot of quality and a lot of cooking space for your dollar.

Second, these cookers are easy to use. There is only one air vent to worry about for temperature control, and Pit Barrel gives you specific instructions on how to set the air vent to achieve the desired temperature.

Lastly, these smokers are designed specifically to cook at low temperatures but can also be used as a charcoal grill. You get a meat hook hanging system and a grill grate to use this smoker in whichever configuration you want.

Read the Full Review of the Pit Barrel Cooker

What we like:

Easy to use – comes ready with everything you need to cook except charcoal.
Inexpensive but great quality. You get a lot of smoker for your money.
SIMPLE to use. Only one air vent to worry about to control temperature.
Amazing cooking capacity and square inches of cooking for its size.
Use it as a charcoal grill too.
Easy to keep a steady temperature and operate at a steady temperature range.
Good quality components.
Suitable for cold smoking.

What we don’t like:

It would be nice if it had an internal temperature gauge, but that is an easy and inexpensive fix. Besides, you already get a lot of smoker for your money.

4. The Z Grills 450B – best budget pellet

Specifications:

Main Rack: 331 sq. in.
Warming Rack: 128 sq. in.
Hopper Capacity: 15 pounds
Temp Range: 180 to 450 F
Fuel: Wood Pellets
Grates Material: Porcelain coated steel

If you like the concept of a pellet cooker, and many people do, then The Z Grills 450 will catch your attention. Finding an affordable pellet smoker is not easy. Why? Because all the parts and components needed to make these smokers work add to the price of the smoker.

However, you get a super easy-to-use smoker with a digital temperature control system, but unlike an electric smoker, you get a lot of flavor. Pellet grills and smokers burn wood pellets that produce an authentic wood smoke flavor.

The Z Pellet Grill features an easy-to-use digital controller; all you have to do is add your favorite wood pellets, set the desired temperature, and enjoy a beer.

This grill offers over 400 square inches of cooking space enough for a few racks of ribs or a large pork shoulder.

We did a full review of the Z Grills 450B and found this grill to be extremely easy to use and did a great job at cooking low and slow.

Visit Z Grills

What we like:

Easy to use – Set the desired temperature and let the controller feed pellets and manage the temperature.
Z Grills are good quality and offer great features often found in more expensive grills.
You get great flavor from wood pellets.
Very little monitoring is needed.
Many bundles and accessories are available.

What we don’t like:

Pellet grills tend to be more expensive, but you get more tech and something as easy to use as an electric smoker.

5. The Dyna Glo Vertical Offset Smoker – Best budget offset smoker

Specifications:

Dimensions: 45.5 x 24.9 x 58.8 inches
Cooking chamber: 1,382 square inches
Weight: 124 lbs
Fuel: Charcoal
Material: Coated Steel
Grates: Chrome Plated

Talk about getting a lot for your buck. Well, the Dyna Glo vertical smoker does just that. If you are looking for a large smoker without spending a fortune, this is a good choice. The Dyna Glo is perfect for outdoor cooking and parties and can fit a lot of food in its smoking chamber.

This is one of the best smokers on the market and has made it into many of our articles for a few reasons, but mainly because it is affordable and you get a lot of space for your money. This is an offset smoker, meaning it cooks with indirect heat, cooking meat only with heat, smoke, and steam during the smoking process.

What we like:

The Dyna Glo vertical has amazing cooking capacity.
Easy to refill the charcoal box using the pull out tray.
Large charcoal smoker.
Offset smoker means indirect heat cooking.
Easy to add charcoal or wood for smoke flavor.

What we don’t like:

This is a big boy, so it is heavy.

6. The Realcook Vertical 17 Inch

Specifications:

Dimensions: 22 | 17 | 35 inches ( 17 Inch Model )
Weight: 19 lbs
Fuel: Charcoal
Material: Coated Steel

The Real Cook Vertical smoker is another simple cooker and inexpensive. Don’t expect the highest levels of quality, but you do get a bargain. For your money, you get more than a dedicated smoker. You get a smoker and a grill. This little guy can be used as a grill, but be careful when cooking at high temperatures.

This smoker is very similar to the Smokey Mountain and works with both charcoal and wood chips.

What we like:

Inexpensive.
Easy to use.
Works as a grill or a smoker.

What we don’t like:

Lower quality smokers and grills tend to leak heat and smoke.

7. The Royal Gourmet

Specifications:

Dimensions: 53.39 | 27.95 | 48.82 inches
Weight: 54 lbs
Fuel: Charcoal
Material: Coated Steel

The Royal Gourmet is another bargain and a good smoker. It is not the highest in quality, but neither is in price. You can expect a simple smoker with good square inches of cooking and simple to use.

This smoker is great for those wanting to get started but do not want to spend too much money on their first smoker.

What we like:

Inexpensive.
Enough space for pork butts.
Light and easy to move around.

What we don’t like:

Users report smoke and heat leaks, but this is common in cheaper smokers. You can buy gaskets to reduce the leaks.

8. The Camp Chef Smoker

Specifications:

Dimensions: 53.39 | 27.95 | 48.82 inches
Model: PG20CT
Weight: 88 lbs
Fuel: Wood pellets
Temperature Range: 160 to 500 Degrees F
Material: Coated Steel

See It at CampChef’s.com

See It at BBQ Guys

The Camp Chef stands out among many gas and pellet grills due to its simplicity and quality build. Sure, nothing beats a wood smoker, but if you want to enjoy the cooking process and have a beer while cooking, you will appreciate this grill’s simplicity.

You do not need a wood chip tray with pellet grills since the smoker produces smoke and flavor by burning wood pellets.

What we like:

Simple to use, as easy as an electric smoker or kitchen oven.
It includes a grease bucket and an ash cup.
Pellet grills offer that “set it and forget it” convenience.

What we don’t like:

It is hard to find something we don’t like about this Camp Chef. However, several users agree with our findings, indicating that the shape of the pellet hopper bottom metal plate might be improved to allow the pellets to flow more freely to the auger.

9. Char-Broil Digital Electric Smoker – Best budget Electric

Specifications:

Dimensions: 16.5 | 18.1 | 32.5 inches
Model: 17202004
Weight: 50 lbs
Fuel: electric
Temp Range: 750 Watts
Material: Stainless Steel

Although an electric smoker may not offer the most authentic barbecue flavor, they are easy to operate, inexpensive and can yield good results. Being electric and the absence of wood, charcoal, or pellet combustion means that the meats are not adequately infused with smoke, not as much.

However, using a good smoker box and excellent wood chips can still add more flavor to meat than conventional non-BBQ cookers like indoor electric grills.

The digital LED controller of this electric smoker makes it simple to choose the correct cooking temperature, after which the smoker takes care of the rest. This electric smoker is also designed so that everything, including the grease pan, slides easily within the cooking chamber and is simple to maintain.

This electric smoker is affordably priced, yet this budget smoker has innovative features like double wall construction for better heat retention and insulation. This electric budget cooker has a meat probe thermometer for monitoring the internal temperature of the meat.

Certainly, an electric smoker will not produce the same results as a charcoal smoker, but if convenience and affordability are a priority, this electric smoker can be an excellent choice.

What we like

Easy to use
LED controller
Meat temperature probe
Push a few buttons and start smoking meat.

What we don’t like:

I wish that this grill had wheels. During our testing, I had some difficulties picking up the smoker and moving it around.

Here are a few pros and cons of each Barbecue smoker fuel type

Here is a quick comparison of the main pros and cons of all smoker fuel types. You can find affordable smokers in all fuel types.

Gas Smokers and LP Smokers

Gas or LP smokers are known for their ease of use, short learning curve, and simple temperature control. To enhance flavor, a propane smoker will require the help of wood chips. Without them, there is no flavor. We are talking about smoked meat here! However, gas smokers are incredibly simple to operate and let you to regulate the temperature without having to bother with air flow vents.

Pros

Gas smokers are easy to use and great for beginners.
Easy to control the temperature. In gas smokers, temperature is handled by a dial that controls the propane burner.
Propane is easy to find. Which is one reason gas smokers are popular and portable.

Cons

Not the same flavor you get with other smokers.
More parts than a charcoal smoker, meaning more things that can go bad.

Pellet Smokers

Pros

Easy to use and love the automation.
Pellets are available in many flavors.

Cons

These smokers have a lot of components, including electrical components.
They can be more expensive because of all the technology.
Need electricity to operate.

Charcoal Smokers

Pros

Charcoal is an inexpensive fuel.
You get the most authentic BBQ flavor and consistent smoke ring.
Charcoal grills can work anywhere and, in most conditions, no electricity is needed.
A charcoal grill can reach temperatures other grills can’t.

Cons

You will need to learn how to handle charcoal.
You will need to learn how to use your smoker air vents to manage temperature control. No temperature dials or buttons here amigo!

Electric smokers

Electric smokers can be compared to your kitchen oven. An electric smoker uses a heating element to generate heat and cook food. Electric smokers heat the cooking chamber with an electric heating element. Due to the absence of wood or charcoal combustion, electric smokers lack the ” wood-fired” taste found in other types of smokers. Despite this, they are really simple to operate.

Pros

Electric smokers are easy to use.

Cons

Least amount of flavor of any smoker.
Need a reliable power source.

What Should you consider before you buy a Budget ( Cheap ) BBQ Smoker

Price – Cost – Dinero!

This article talks about budget friendly smokers, and price is at the top of our buying list. We usually do not give price too much importance because we look for quality. But since we went looking for an affordable smoker, we know cost is a significant factor. I mean, a thousand-dollar smoker is not an low-cost smoker.

The good news is that you can find, and we did, great smokers at great prices.

The trend you will see is that charcoal BBQ smokers tend to be less expensive, and understandably so. Charcoal smokers are simple cookers with fewer parts.

On the other hand, pellet grills tend to be more expensive since they have many components, electronics, and even high-tech features like WIFI enabled controllers and temperature monitoring systems.

Inches of cooking space/capacity

Smaller smokers tend to be cheaper than larger offset smokers and high-end smokers. However, unless you are looking for a portable smoker, you need to pay attention to the inches of cooking space offered in cheap smokers.

The primary reason is that you can come across a fantastic deal on a smoker at a meager price, only to discover it is far too small.

Smaller smokers require less metal to build, which is why they are less expensive. However, be sure that the smoker you choose is not only within your budget but also large enough to accommodate a rack of ribs, a whole brisket, or at the very least, a small pork shoulder. In other words, useful!

Quality – Oh Quality!

Whether you are buying a propane smoker, a pellet smoker, or an offset or “stick” wood smoker, you need to pay attention to the quality of these smokers.

There are a lot of poor-quality grills on the market, and all it takes is a search of consumer reviews and feedback to find the bad ones. This is why, in addition to our own testing, we value user feedback.

Cheap smokers can never match the quality of a Kamado grill or a Meadow Creek smoker, but that does not rule out the possibility of finding a decent deal among the options available.

Sure, cheap smokers will leak, are built of thinner metal, and might not last a lifetime, but if you are looking for a budget pick, then you know there will be compromises.

However, with appropriate care and maintenance, you can still get cheap smokers that will perform and do the job well, plus last a few years.

Warranty

A good manufacturer will stand behind their product. Grills and smokers with a good warranty are a plus and needed when buying an inexpensive smoker. If you come across a good deal, but it has a poor warranty, run!

Metal Thickness

Even the best low cost smokers will be built using lesser quality materials and thinner metals. However, if the walls of the smoker are too thin, it will have a hard time retaining heat, and the walls can even warp during preheating or accidental flare-ups.

We look for a fine balance between price and quality materials.

Necessary Features

It is OK to watch your dollars and look for a good bargain but to smoke good food and get good results; you will need at least a few features to help you during the cook.

A temperature gauge is one of the things that you should have in your smoker, at the very least. Smoking meats is all about low and slow plus cooking at constant temperatures to get the best results.

Type of fuel

Consider what fuel type you are most comfortable with, and then go from there. Why? Not everyone likes to use charcoal, and some dislike propane. There are pros and cons to everything, and that includes smokers and the different fuel types.

For example, charcoal yields great flavor, and with some experience, you can have absolute control over your smoker. On the other hand, propane smokers are easy to use but do not yield flavor. To get the smokey flavor, you need to use wood chips, but propane alone will not yield a great authentic BBQ flavor.

Then you have pellet grill smokers, which combine the convenience of propane smokers with the flavor of cooking with wood and coal. Since pellet smokers burn wood pellets, you get a good BBQ flavor.

budget smoker grills affordability and price guide

The following guide will assist you in grasping the price structures of various smokers. Some smokes are actually more expensive than others; features like as electronics and components can increase the price.

Type of Smoker	Affordability
Large Offsets	$$$$$ -Expensive ( larger high quality ones)
Charcoal Smokers	$$ – Lower cost
Electric Smokers	$$$ – Moderate cost
Gas Smokers	$$$ – Moderate cost
Pellet Smokers	$$$$$ – Moderate to expensive

Conclusion: Which is Our top pick for an Affordable Smoker?

The goal of this article is to help you find a good quality smoker without breaking the bank. All the smokers on this list are excellent options and will do the job.

However, our pick for a budget smoker is the Weber Smokey, followed by the Pit Barrel Cooker which is among the best affordable smokers. The Pit Barrel cooker is the easiest to use, and you get a lot of smoker for your money.

The only downside to the Pit Barrel Cooker smoker is also what makes it so efficient; it is a steel drum, so if you need to add charcoal, you will need to do it through the top opening. You might even need to move the food out of the way.

The Smokey Mountain is more of a traditional smoker and is a good choice. It is our top choice since it is of good quality and will do the job well. In fact, some people use the Smokey in competitions.

BBQ Grill Academy
The 7 Best Drum Smokers (Ugly Smokers): A Different Way to Smoked BBQ 27 October 2021 at 18:58

The 7 Best Drum Smokers (Ugly Smokers): A Different Way to Smoked BBQ

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

27 October 2021 at 18:58

So you have been doing your homework and have discovered drum smokers. You have fallen in love with the idea and now are looking for good drum smokers to add to your backyard collection.

In this article, we will review popular models and help you learn what to look for in a good drum smoker.

There are many cheap drum smokers and even knockoffs in this business. Buying one of these knockoffs can be a costly mistake, but in this article, we reveal the top 7 best sellers and share what attributes we looked for in a good drum smoker.

We did all the research, compared specifications, and took consumer feedback into account to bring you this list. Some of the topics we discuss are:

What is a drum smoker?
How to pick the best one for you.
What to watch out for.

How we tested and Ranked these smoker grills

We check for specific features and quality attributes when rating these smokers. We also seek for features that would make the user’s cooking experience simple and enjoyable.

We look for Quality
Versatility
Efficiency
Value

What is a drum smoker?

Without turning this paragraph into a book, a drum smoker is exactly what it sounds like. A 30 or more gallon regular steel drum with a few holes, legs, handles, a charcoal basket, and a few grates, and you have a drum smoker.

These smokers are as simple as it gets. And although some people try to find ways of making these smokers sound as fancy as a NASA Raptor engine. Many call these smokers “Ugly smokers.”

Drum Smokers take advantage of the simple fact that hot air rises, and the cylindrical shape of the drum helps create a convection cooking effect. Drums also allow for vast amounts of cooking space, offering incredible cooking space compared to other smokers of the same size.

These smokers are great for cooking temperatures below 300 degrees F.

Who should buy a drum smoker?

I have a problem when people say, “You should buy this smoker because it will render juicy and tender meat.” That’s BS. The truth is that if you know what you are doing, you can smoke amazing meats using a homemade smoker or a $100 bucks Weber Smokey Mountain.

A drum smoker does not make food juicer than any other grill does. The way you smoke the meat and at what temperature is what makes food juice.

Now, this isn’t to say that there are particular attributes unique to drum smokers. For example, drum smokers are notoriously known for creating excellent convection heating and cooking conditions that help keep meats moist during the smoking process.

Here are other reasons why you should consider buying a drum smoker.

Easy Learning curve

Contrary to what many believe and read on the Internet, drum smokers are relatively easy to learn to use. For example, the Pit Barrel Co Cookers only have ONE air vent. The vent can be adjusted at pre-set settings to reach the exact temperature to cook whatever protein you have in the smoker.

Pit Barrel CO has these settings down to the sea elevation detail.

Sure, you have to handle charcoal, but you can’t run away from charcoal if you want authentic BBQ flavor.

Easy to transport and portable.

Have you ever picked up a 30-gallon steel drum? Well, if you have, then you know that empty these drums are not that heavy. Also, drum smokers are pretty much a one pice appliance, meaning there aren’t any offset fireboxes, wheels, side tables, large lids; it is just a drum.

These aspects make drum smokers easy to transport and take camping, the beach, or a friend’s house.

The Height Advantage

Compared to offset smokers or pellet grills, drum smokers have very small footprints. Like most vertical smokers, drums often rely on height, preferring to use a meat hanger over a grill grate. If you don’t have much space on the patio, you can appreciate the free space provided.

Fuel efficient

Drum smokers don’t need a lot of charcoal to smoke and cook foods, making them very efficient. Compared to other charcoal smokers, drum smokers can cook longer with less charcoal.

Versatile

This is the cool and true aspect of drum smokers; they are versatile and easy to transform into other types of cookers.

For example, you can use some of these drum smokers as a grill, others as a baking oven, and cook different foods at different temperatures.

Inexpensive

Now, this is one good attribute about these smokers; they are cheap! Now, I do not mean this negatively or condescendingly. These smokers are simple to produce and thus save a lot of money during production and passing those savings on to the customer.

Sure, there are brands trying to dress a steel drum into a thousand-dollar smoker, but the reality is that a steel drum with a few welded parts is not that hard or expensive to manufacture.

Using a drum smoker

Using a drum smoker is easier than you think, and in a nutshell, the steps are simple. These smokers include a charcoal basket, frill the basket with charcoal, light up the charcoal and once the charcoal is lit and ready, set up the grates and pale the food in the smoker.

Adjust the air vents as needed to maintain the desired smoking temperature.

Once you find your favorite drum smoker, find a few recipes and get cooking!

How does a drum smoker work?

Drum smokers work very similarly to vertical smokers. There is a heat source or fire source at the button of the cooking chamber, and charcoal burns and generates heat. Heat rises inside the cooking chamber, smoking the food.

Things to consider when choosing your ugly smoker

There are many attributes that make a drum smoker a good one and a smoker that you will enjoy. However, we are going to go over the most important attributes you should consider when buying your next drum smoker.

Smoker Size and Capacity

The size of your drum smoker and its cooking capacity are important and should be considered before taking any steps towards a purchase. For example, you might think you need hundreds of square inches of cooking space, but if you are planning on only smoking a few racks of ribs a few times a month, a small smoker will work fine and can save you money.

The larger the smoker, the more it will cost, the more charcoal it will need to operate, and it will also be heavier.

Take a minute to evaluate what type of meats you are planning on smoking and then hone in on the smoker size and what capacity of cooking space you will need.

Most drum smokers come in varying sizes, ranging between 18 and 22 inches in diameter, with anything from 500 to 2000 square inches of cooking space.

Price

Price is a deciding factor when it comes to buying any product. But these drum smokers’ prices can vary from a few hundred dollars to thousands of dollars.

Don’t pay for bells and whistles that you won’t use or for unnecessary features. This is what drives up the price for these smokers.

Sure, there are amazing smoker brands that build the smokers using top-quality materials and parts, which is reflected in the price of their product, but there are quite a few poor-quality brands that charge a good amount of money for what to us is a quintessential, frankly useless feature.

Keep in mind that a fancy hook for your won’t make you a better cook.

Good and Useful Features

Why do I say GOOD and USEFUL features? Because a beer bottle opener is a nice touch, but it will do nothing for you when it’s time to smoke your first brisket.

However, features like built-in thermometers, cool-touch handles, well-designed charcoal baskets or boxes, and good quality grates will help you smoke meat better and improve your cooking experience.

Features like removable ash pans, plated steel cooking grates, charcoal clean-out boxes, and grease drains are all great features that make your life easier when it is time to clean the smoker.

How Good Is The Smoker Built? Construction Material

Most drum smokers are manufactured from actual 30-gallon steel drums, which are pretty durable. However, the main difference is how the drums are treated and coated by the manufacturers.

Some brands apply an enable coating to the steel drum to make it more resistant to heat, and the elements plus the porcelain coating make it easy to clean.

Other drum smoker manufacturers simply paint their drums. Although this is a cost-saving solution, often passed to the consumer, the pain tenets get damaged at high temperatures and eventually start chipping off, and rust starts eating away at the smoker.

Then there are those who design their own drum smokers from scratch, using their own proprietary blend and mix of materials. My recommendation is to pay close attention to the material thickness being used to build the smoker.

Thicker metal will retain heat better and be more efficient but will cost more. Thin metal will leak heat and might not be a long-lasting smoker.

Temperature Control Effectiveness

Many grills and smokers fail at providing good temperature controls so users can easily adjust the heat and control the fire. When dealing with charcoal smokers, airflow is what fuels the fire.

More air means more fire, and less air kills the fire. Air vents manage the control of airflow through the smoker. The size and location of these air vents are crucial for their effectiveness.

A well-designed smoker with good temperature control is a dream to use and easy for you to adjust and make changes to manage the smoker’s temperature.

Less expensive smokers are usually not that well designed, and their poor quality controls combined with cheap build quality make these smokers a nightmare to manage. Heat and smoke leakage are constant with these smokers. Any type of charcoal grill always has its own challenges regarding temperature control. The more consistent the temperature, the better the charcoal grill will cook food.

Easy Charcoal Access / Management

A meat smoking session will take long hours. There is a high chance that you will need to add more charcoal to your smoker. Although this might not sound like a big deal, imagine having to remove everything from inside the smoker, including the meat, to add more charcoal. Yeah, that can get old soon.

Some smokers have quick access doors to quick clip and rectory access to the charcoal box, making adding more lump charcoal easy. However, a lot of drum smokers lack this type of feature.

If you do not mind doing a little work to add more charcoal, then not having access to the charcoal box will not be a big deal for you. If not, consider looking for a smoker with quick or easy access to the charcoal, because once you start smoking meats, having to remove the meat to add more charcoal is incredibly inconvenient.

Easy to Use-User Friendly

The smokers we included in this list are easy to use, and we picked these choices with our readers in mind. The BBQ Grill Academy is a resource for everyone, but especially beginners. We wanted all the drum smokers on this list to be easy to use.

We gathered hundreds of pieces of feedback from readers and users and based it on how easy it is to use these smokers using user feedback. Smoke manufacturers claim their product is easy to use, but user feedback is honest feedback.

That being said, if this is going to be your first smoker, staying away from over-complicated smokers and choosing an easy-to-use smoker will make your smoking experience a dream.

Versatile

We all want the most for our money, and if that also includes you, consider a versatile smoker. Outdoor cooking requires improvising sometimes, and grilling equipment that offers multiple cooking options is always welcomed.

Most drum smokers can also be transformed into great grills by moving the grill grates and making a few air vent adjustments.

We also recommend smokers that can work well with both lump charcoal and charcoal briquettes. This flexibility means you can find fuel for your smoke anywhere. Get a bag of your favorite wood chips and have fun!

Weight

Lastly, consider the weight of the smoker. Heavy gauge steel is heavy, but it’s also what’s used to build good quality smokers. With that being said, if you are planning on moving the smoker around a lot, anything above 50 pounds starts getting harder to move.

Review of the Best Drum Smokers

1. Best Overall – The Classic Pit Barrel Cooker

The Pit Barrel Cooker Classic includes eight stainless steel meat hooks, a grilling grate, a hook remover tool, and a charcoal basket. The hooks in the meat hanging system offer greater flexibility and plenty of cooking space for large meat cuts.

Anyone can tell you what the smoker includes, but here is why we love the Pit Barrel Cooker. First, Pit Barrel is a great company with an amazing culture and inspiring story behind it. This family-owned business worked very hard to develop the Pit Barrel Cooker and takes pride in their product. Read their story and more about the pit barrel in our overview article.

This smoker is versatile and easy to use and versatile. The Pit Barrel Cooker only has one air vent to manage. Add charcoal, set your food, and set the air vent to the desired passion. That’s it. There are additional accessories that add extra features to this smoker.

The Cooker can also be used as a grill using the provided grill grate.

Read our full PitBarrel Review.

What we like:

Easy to use Air flow temperature control system.
It can be used as a grill.
Real 30-gallon steel drum with durable construction.
A simple and effective meat hanging system.

What we don’t like:

There is no access door to the charcoal basket, but you can easily throw a few lumps of charcoal through the top.
No Internal Temperature Gauge.

2. Oklahoma Joe’s 19202089 Barrel Drum Smoker – Runner up

Oklahoma Joe is a household and well-known brand and offers various types of smokers, including drum smokers.

This is a well-thought-out drum smoker, and it shows in its features and quality construction. This smoker is built out of heavy gauge steel, and all internal compliments are porcelain coated for durability.

Included with this smoker are both meat hooks, an oversized charcoal basket, and a grill grate.

This smoker offers great features worth mentioning, including a sealed top lid to prevent heat and smoke leaks, which also helps with temperature control, plus a well-designed airflow system to help with temperature control.

Oklahoma Joe’s unique airflow control system consists of two adjustable air duct systems, which are simple to use and makes temperature control simple.

Other great features are the built-in temperature thermometer, handles, and large wheels. Having a side shelf is also very useful.

What we like:

Easy to use Air flow temperature control system.

It can be used as a grill.
Very functional design with features like a removable ash pan and grease bin. This will help when it is time to clean the smoker.
Configurable meat hangers for hanging meat.
Sealed lid—this will help with temperature control and avoid smoke and heat leaks, offering consistent temperatures.
Large wheels help when it’s time to move the smoker.

What we don’t like:

We hate to add vague points to our Pros and Cons, and this is one of those locations where we are very happy with the value and design of this smoker. User feedback is very good with this grill.

3. Most Versatile – Big Bad Barrel Pit Charcoal Barbecue

The Big Bad Barrel design adds extra levels of versatility. While some barrel smokers are built out of a single steel drum, the Big Bad Drum Smoker is a two-piece barrel smoker.

This drum smoker can be split in half to configure the smoker as a grill, pull the top portion to add charcoal, or for transport or storage.

This product comes with 8 stainless steel hooks, 3 grilling utensils, a charcoal basket, and a stainless steel grilling rack.

There are many accessories available for this smoker, and it can be used for everything from smoking meats to baking pizzas.

What we like:

Very versatile many accessories.
Internal Temperature Guage.
Easy to transport in a two-piece design.
Hanging rods and meat hooks.

What we don’t like:

The painting and coating on this smoker is not that of the quality of the Pit Barrel Cooker. Users have reported discoloration and paint damage during high-temperature usage.
It is not as easy to manage the temperature.

4. If You Are Getting Started – Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker

The Weber Smokey Mountain is an all-time favorite and best-selling time period. The Weber Smokey Mountain has been around for many years, and it has a great and proven track record with thousands of reviews.

This BBQ smoker is an excellent option for beginners as it is simple to use and includes all the basics for smoking meat. This smoker is very well-liked and is one of the top charcoal smokers on the market.

Other drum smokers come with a lot of bells and whistles, which is nice but also adds to the price and complexity of the smoker. This Weber is simple. It includes two cooking grates, easy-to-adjust air vents, a water bowl, and a charcoal basket.

What we like:

It is very simple to use—great if you are new to smoking meats.
Built-in temperature gauge.
Two steel cooking grates, two levels.
It works great for slow cooking or using it as a grill.
Available in different sizes.
Two-piece barrels are easy to transport and clean.
Charcoal Access Door.

What we don’t like:

Many drum smokers include hanging rods.

5. Budget-Friendly – Real cook Vertical 17 Inch Steel Charcoal Smoker

This is another budget-friendly, simple-to-use Ugly Drum smoker. This is also a two-piece smoker, meaning there’s a top section and a bottom section. You can split the smoker and have to store or transport it to two different places.

What we like:

A budget-friendly option
It includes a thermometer gauge.
It can be used as a grill.
Charcoal and cooking chamber access doors
Includes Meat Hangers.
Easy to transport.

What we don’t like:

Lots of parts to assemble.
It leaks smoke.

6. The Cuisinart COS-118 – Least Expensive

The Cuisinart Cooker is very similar in size and features to the Weber Smokey Maintain but it is lighter. This is a great smoker for those wanting something easy to use, simple, and easy to move around.

What we like:

Easy to use Drum smoker.
Great Value.

It includes a cooking grate for grilling or smoking.

What we don’t like:

This is a bridge-friendly smoker, so it will not have some of the features and build quality found in the other drum smokers on this list.

7. The Char-Broil Bullet

The Char Broil is another grill that falls into the barrel smoker pack, mainly due to its vertical shape, but it does not look anything like the classic Pit Barrel Cooker, which is a true steel drum turned into a smoker.

Yet, if you are looking for a good drum smoker, there are still options like the Classic Pit Barrel Cooker. However, if you’re looking for an easy-to-use charcoal smoker with a large cooking area, The Smokey, the Cuisinart, and this Char-Broil are all excellent choices.

These smaller grills are more economical and might not be the best cooking equipment you will ever buy, but you get a lot for your money.

This Char Broil still includes good features like a built in thermometer and a dual air vent system.

Check Current Price ( Amazon )

What we like:

It’s simple and easy to use.

What we don’t like:

It is not the best on our list, but it is a good option for those looking for something small and easy to use.

Are they easier to smoke than other types of smokers?

Drum smokers are simple and lack many complex components found in other types of smokers, making them easier to use compared to, say, offset smokers or Kamados.

One Last Word

If you are on the market for a good drum smoker the Pit Barrel Cooker is a great choice. The Oklahoma Joe Drum smoker is a great option too. The classic Pit barrel cooker is priced well and has great reviews.

If you are looking for a smoker that will last our top three options are of great quality and will bring you years of fun.

Enjoy Grilling

BBQ Grill Academy
The Best Smoker Grill Combo: Two Worlds in One 13 October 2021 at 14:57

The Best Smoker Grill Combo: Two Worlds in One

BBQ Grill Academy

By: Hector Ruiz

13 October 2021 at 14:57

Smoker grill combo grills are ideal for people searching for a BBQ grill that can combine two worlds into one, grilling and smoking meat, plus being able to cook using more than just one type of fuel.

If you enjoy smoking meats and grilling frequently and do not want to purchase a smoker and a grill separately, a grill and a smoker combo is a great concept. These grills are the hybrids of the BBQ industry and combine a grill and a smoker into one single product.

Not every grill can function as a smoker, and some grill-smoker combinations fall short of delivering. I’ve compiled a list of 11 smoker grill combos for grilling and smoking with everyone’s needs in mind, taking into account the various grill types and fuel configurations.

The Best smoker grill Combos

1. The Kamado Joe Classic II – Best Overall

Why our top choice?

Talk about a charcoal smoker grill that can do it all. Kamados are widely recognized for being flexible grills, and unlike other “combo grills,” kamados can grill and smoke food well.

The Kamado Joe Classic II is a popular kamado that has a solid track record and a large fanbase. However, what makes the Joe Classic so versatile is its divide and conquer cooking system. The divide and conquer cooking system allows you to arrange the cooking space in multiple configurations for any type of cooking style. You can set one side for indirect heat while leaving the other side open with a grate for direct searing.

If money is no object and you want a grill that can serve as a smoker, pizza oven, and grill all in one, the Kamado Joe is a great combo grill pick.

Check Current Price ( Walmart )

Fuel Type:	Charcoal
Dimensions:	Available in Different Sizes
Top Feature:	Most versatile grill

Pros

Even heat distribution
Most versatile
Long-lasting, built out of ceramic
It retains heat well – excellent smoker

Cons

Kamados are great grills that can last a very long time if cared for well enough. These grills are heavy and hard to move around.

2. The Z Grills FLAGSHIP 700D4E – Runner Up

z grills 700 side view — Z Grilla 700D4E – Testing Controller

The Flagship 700D4E is a wood pellet grill, and there isn’t anything closer to cooking with real wood and charcoal than a pellet grill.

The 700D4E pellet grill — Z Grills 700D4E Digital Controller

As seen by the pictures above, I own the 700D4E and like grilling and smoking foods with it. I have logged several cooking hours, and our tests and cooks are always excellent.

What’s great about this wood pellet grill is that it is shaped like an offset smoker, providing the same airflow and convection heat cooking characteristics as large horizontal ( stick ) smokers. This pellet grill also offers impressive quality and features for the money. For example, it has a digital temperature controller ( PID ) to maintain steady and constant temperatures, which is a must for smoking meats. You also get two meat probes to monitor the meat’s internal temperature and a large storage compartment.

Simply put, the Z Grills 700D4E is a well-made grill at an affordable price. Setting this grill to smoke is as easy as selecting the temperature control dial to the desired meat temperature range. There isn’t a need to add a smoke box because the flavor of the pellets will yield enough flavor.

For more read our Z Grills 700D4E Full Review

Credit: BBQGrillAcademy.com

Fuel:	Wood Pellets Hopper capacity: 20 pounds
Dimensions:	L W H: 48in × 22in × 51in
Total Cooking Surface:	697 square inches.
Top Feature:	Easy to use

What we like:

This grill can, smoke, roast, bake, and more and is very easy to use.
It includes great features like a removable grease drain pan with a grease bucket, a large lid handle, and caster wheels.
Nice storage area with doors.
It is easy to set up as a smoker by setting the temperature to “smoke” and walk away.
Good quality at a great price.
It includes two meat probes, a warming rack, and a grill cover.
Large hopper capacity for long cooks.
If you want to mix different pellets during the cook, this grill offers an easy-to-access pellet cleanout door on the back of the hopper.

What we don’t like:

Pellet grills do require some maintenance, but all grills do. However, you have to be careful not to damage the electric components and maintain parts like the pellet auger and internal temperature probe with pellet grills.

3. The Blossom Z Gas and Charcol Grill

This combination grill is the genuine definition of a smoker and grill combo. This grill includes a three burner propane chamber and a charcoal chamber, plus a side burner for using cooking pots.

The three burners provide 24,000 BTUs of heat for the 295 square inches of cooking area. The total cooking space is 557 square inches, and the cooking area is split into 262 square inches for the charcoal side and 295 square inches for the propane side.

Even though it is a basic grill, it has everything you need to grill and smoke foods at the same time! You get a gas grill with a smoker in one unit.

Fuel:	Charcoal and Propane
Dimensions:	L W H: 64in x 28in x 49.75in
Cooking area:	557 sq in
Top Feature:	Simple and to the Point

What we like:

This is a straightforward grill to use.
Love grills with side burners, you can cook a full meal without using your kitchen’s stove.
A side table, wheels, a storage rack, a temperature gauge, are all nice features to have in any grill.
Great value
Added convenience – removable ashtray, warming rack, and an adjustable charcoal pan.

What we don’t like:

This is a value pick, think about value per dollar. So quality won’t be that of a Blazer grill, but neither is the price.
There are a lot of pieces to put together, and smoke users have reported long assembly times.
Sadly, there is no propane level indicator.

4. The Weber Original Kettle

The Webber Original can be misjudged and undervalued, but this Webber is an all-time best seller for a reason. This grill has been on the market for years, and it has proven to be one of the most versatile grills on the market. Just like a kamado grill, this kettle grill can do it all with a little tinkering and tweaking. These kettle grills may be used as a basic meat smoker, even if they are not as effective as a kamado grill.

With multiple dampers, this grill is simple to use and control. Temperature management is straightforward.

Visit Pit Barrel Cooker Co.

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Fuel Type:	Charcoal
Dimensions:	L W H: 39.5in x 22.5in x 27in
Cooking area:	363 sq in.
Top Feature:	The F150 of the BBQ world.

What we like:

It is simple to use.
It is well designed with many unique features like the one-touch cleaning system, ash catcher, and a built-in hook on the lid that acts as a lid holder.
The chrome-plated cooking grill grates allow access to the charcoal-hinged.

What we don’t like:

There isn’t much negative we can say about the Weber Kettle grill; it is the least expensive way to own a good grill that can also be used as a smoker.
Not as efficient as a kamado grill. Kamados are built out of ceramic, which makes them highly efficient.

5. The Z Grills ZPG 450B

The Z Grill 450B is another wood pellet grill, but smaller than the 700 models we talked about above. If you are looking for a smaller, less expensive pellet grill and smoker, the Z Grills 450B can be a good fit.

This grill shares many of the same great qualities as the Z Grills 700 model, but the main difference is its price, less space, and fewer features.

See our full review of the Z Grills 450B

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Fuel Type:	Wood Pellets
Dimensions:	L W H: 45in x 28in x 49in
Cooking area:	450 sq in.
Top Feature:	Very affordable pellet grill

What we like:

It’s a smaller grill but still offers great features.
We love how easy it is to set the temperature on the controller and walk away.

What we don’t like:

We like grills with storage; one of the cost-saving features missing in this grill is storage.

6. The Pit Barrel Cooker

This is one of our favorite charcoal smoker grill combo, and it may not appear to be much at first glance, but believe me when I tell you that you get a lot of value for your money and a lot of cooking space with these drum smokers.

You can read everything about the Pit Barrel Cooker in our review article, but the reason these smoker grills made the list is because they are incredibly straightforward to operate and can easily be used as charcoal grills with the included grill grate.

Read the Pit Barrel Cooker Full Review.

Fuel Type:	Charcoal
Dimensions:	Multiple Sizes, small, classic, and large
Cooking area:	Multiple sizes
Top Feature:	Easy to use smoker and grill

What we like:

Ample cooking space and plenty of square inches of cooking with a small footprint.
Easy to use and easy to use as a grill
Great value and good quality product.

What we don’t like:

I wish these smokers had a built-in thermometer, but that’s an easy fix.

7. The Royal Gourmet

This Royal Gourmet is another propane and charcoal grill for those wanting the best of both worlds, an easy-to-use propane grill, and a smoky flavoring grill. This grill is a great option for those willing to spend a little bit more to get extra features and more cooking surface.

Compared to similar combos in this list, this royal gourmet offers a nice storage area with stainless steel doors and a removable ash pan. This grill offers convenience features like an auto-ignition system to start the burners, hooks to hang your grilling tools, and four wheels to move this big boy around.

Fuel Type:	Charcoal and Propane
Dimensions:	L W H: 64.17in x 27.76in x 45.28in
Cooking Surface:	576 sq inches
Top Feature:	Good looking, feature-packed grill

What we like:

This grill offers good amenities like a beer bottle opener and cool-touch handles.
Adjustable ash pan, lower it to smoke meats, and raise it to sear steaks.
Removable charcoal drawers are your friend when it’s time to clean up the mess.

What we don’t like:

This is not a kamado-style grill, but it doesn’t cost much either. You will need to play with the height-adjustable charcoal pan to find the proper cooking temperature.

8. The Masterbuilt Digital Charcoal Grill

This Masterbuilt grill is pretty unique because it is digitally controlled, similar to pellet grills, but instead, it uses charcoal briquettes or lump charcoal. This grill is excellent for those who love the taste of charcoal but hate dealing with charcoal or don’t know how to handle temperature control in charcoal barbecues.

If you are starting or are new to BBQ grilling, this could be a good grill for you.

The digital controller takes all the guest work from temperature control and it is easy to adjust the temperature range to anything from 700 degrees for steak searing to 200 degrees for smoking ribs low and slow.

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Fuel Type:	Charcoal
Dimensions:	L W H: 24.65in x 54.13in x 51.97in
Cooking Surface:	560 sq inches
Top Feature:	Fully automated charcoal grill

What we like:

This is by far the easiest grill to use.
This grill design and features are great for smoking meats. For example, the grill includes smoking racks, a built in temperature gauge, and a meat probe to monitor the meat doneness.
Masterbuil says this grill can heat smoking temperatures in seven minutes.
WIF and Bluetooth capable.

What we don’t like:

The ignition system can be challenging for some but can be quickly learned.

9. The Expert Grill 3 in One

OK, this is another proper dual-fuel gas grill smoker combo and is priced very affordably. This grill packs three burners, each capable of producing 30,000 BTUs. You get a lot of features for this price, including a lid-mounted temperature gauge, a side table with hooks, and a storage tray.

Fuel Type:	Charcoal and Propane
Dimensions:	L W H: 70.2in x 27.36in x 52.78in
Cooking area:	728 sq inches
Top Feature:	Large propane grill smoker combo – Great Value

What we like:

Inexpensive options but a lot of space.

What we don’t like:

These are inexpensive grills so don’t expect a Benz.

10. Budget Pick – Cuisinart COS-118 Vertical 18″ Charcoal Smoker

The Cuisinart is a smoker, but it can double as a grate grill with a lower grill grate. This smoker is well priced.

What we like:

Great value per dollar.

What we don’t like:

Think Metal.

11. The Pit Boss Austin XL

The Pit Boss Austin is a large pellet cooker and a good option for those looking for an excellent, reliable, simple-to-use grill.