Best Wood Pellet Grills And Smokers
Imagine a bright sunny day or a cold winter night. Wouldn’t it be better with a bit of grilled chicken? Imagine having guests over, and you have thrown a party for them in your garden, and it is going to be the perfect opportunity to showcase your cooking skills on your new pellet smoker. A pellet grill is the best thing you could invest in because it is a versatile piece of a machine; you can cook just about anything starting from chicken wings to braised short ribs.
Definitely faster than all other sorts of cooking appliances, a pellet-fed smoker is a great investment for your house, and you can simply use a grill like these to get the best result out of the food and cook a lot faster when you have guests over. However, there are many pellet meat smokers available in the market, and with the addition of new features every other day, it can be a bit daunting to choose the correct fit of the best pellet grill for your needs. This review and buying guide, therefore, will be your one-stop solution for the best buying experience.
Pellet grills and Smoker Reviews
1. Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker
Camp Chef is a highly acclaimed brand and has a lot of such smoker pellet grills, which you can use to bake, grill, smoke, and barbecue with a premium wood-fired flavor on just a single grill. It has a digital control panel, which is very easy to use, and has a meat probe that you can use to check the meat’s internal temperature or toggle the temperature of the grill with just a push of a button.
The Camp Chef PG24MZG has an all-new Gen 2 PID controller, which comes with a smoke setting of 1 to 10. The exclusive ash cleanout system makes it very easy to clean in between cooking sessions, as you can just pull a lever to expel the ash, which means you are going to spend less time cleaning the grill. The assembly is also quite easy, and the machine also comes with a folding front shelf.
PROS —
- Easy installation
- User-friendly digital control panel
- Gen 2 PID controller
- Exclusive ash cleanout system
CONS —
- Does not have WiFi operation
- The build is a bit wobbly
- Lid makes the grill lose a lot of smoke
2. Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill
The Char-Broil The Big Easy TRU-Infrared Smoker Roaster & Grill is quite big as a grill and definitely will also help you cook many dishes in one since ‘The Big Easy Smoker Roaster & Grill’ lets the user easily smoke, roast, and grill, all in all, it is a very versatile machine. It is equipped with a TRU Infrared technology that cooks the food easily, provides a very even and juicy texture, and guarantees zero flare-ups.
It holds 25 lbs of product and has 180 square inches of cooking area, which is spacious. It has a rugged and heavy-duty grey PVC cover that repels water, wind, snow, and other assorted debris, keeps the pellet grill safe and dry, and increases the longevity and durability of the pellet grill with additional protection. It has an internally woven polyester fabric lining on the inner side, which protects the cooker exterior against scratches.
PROS —
- TRU Infrared technology
- Adds good texture to the food
- Heavy-duty PVC cover
CONS —
- The general design is not that good
3. Camp Chef SmokePro Stainless DLX Pellet Grill
Another one from the house of Camp Chef, the Camp Chef SmokePro Stainless DLX Pellet Grill, might be the best fit among all these pellet grill reviews due to its very ergonomic and easy operation. This special model has a deluxe stainless steel lid that protects the pellet grill against any abrasions or scratches.
It also features a Low and High Smoke Temperature control and a system with easy ash cleanout, where you just need to pull out and dump the ash. The pellet grill is housed with a sturdy leg design that is incredibly steady and can withstand many weight.
The special PID controller is installed in this pellet grill for maintaining consistent temperatures with adjustable smoke settings and a high-temperature range.
All of this can be easily adjusted with the easy-to-use menu dial, which has high visibility and a low glare digital display. This also includes two meat probes, which help you check the temperature of the meat very easily.
PROS —
- Durable stainless steel lid
- Special PID controller
- Adjustable smoke setting and a high-temperature range
CONS —
- Some customers reported an abundance of smoke
- Rack surface area is not very big
4. Traeger Grills TFB88PZBO Pro Series 34 Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger is also a very popular brand when it comes to talking about pellet grills, and any article with pellet smoker reviews usually does not end without featuring at least one of them. Traeger has perfected the wood-fired taste using the original wood-pellet grill as the one ultimate way to cook with wood.
Like most grills on this list, the Traeger Grills TFB88PZBO has a diverse range of features, making it a multipurpose pellet grill, which can easily grill, bake, smoke, or braise, among many other cooking styles. It is equipped with a Digital Pro Controller, which is basically a precise temperature controller that guarantees precision grilling to get perfect results each time you cook.
The design is also quite sturdy and has very easy to clean grill grates made of porcelain which have a durable powder coat finish, making it really long-lasting. The cooking capacity is definitely bigger than most pellet grills.
PROS —
- Multipurpose and versatile
- Digital Pro controller with precision grilling
- Sturdy and durable
CONS —
- Design is larger than the average pellet grill
5. Z Grills ZPG-7002B Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Z Grills hits this list once again because of its amazing specifications when it comes to curating pellet grills for household purposes. It is best suited for you if you like multitasking around the house because it comes with an automated electric feed system that maintains the heat and produces the optimal amount of smoke needed, so you do not need to constantly babysit the grill.
Other than this, it pretty much carries the same features, which are usually common to Z Grills, a very sturdy and durable design that is designed very ergonomically and is easily portable because of the sleek caster wheels attached to it.
This pellet grill’s control panel is also very easy to use and comes with a digital display with a single button start up and LED temperature readout panel, and a Digital Auto Temperature Control, which makes it very easy to operate. If you are interested and looking for more options in Z Grills, you can go through this separate compilations on Z Grills Review.
PROS —
- Automated electric feed system
- Sturdy and durable design
- Ergonomically designed control panel
CONS —
- Temperature problems
- Smoke problems
6. Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24″
One more from Camp Chef, you already know that this brand produces superior quality and the best pellet grills. The Camp Chef Smoke Vault 24” is another one of those beautiful vertical pellet smokers; it locks the delicious flavors mesquite, hickory, and cherry, and even has more flavors that you can incorporate into your meats.
This is a very simple to use smoker that cooks your meat in a low and slow way with a heavy gauge steel wood chip tray. The water pan serves to infuse the meat with a delicious flavor which you cannot make in any other way. The best part of this machine is that it is really very versatile, and you can use this with literally any food.
The pellet grill has a fully adjustable heat control dial, a thermometer that helps you control the temperatures, and three damper valves, which make your cooking much easier, and helps to control the temperature from fluctuating.
PROS —
- Heavy gauge steel wood chip tray
- Versatile product
- Adjustable heat control dial
CONS —
- Cleaning is a bit problematic
7. Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill
The Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill is definitely one of the most popular products on this review list, as it is widely purchased and used by buyers. The best and the most important feature of this wood pellet grill would be its awesome portability feature; you can simply transport it anywhere (even on day trips to use this).
Other than this, obviously, the WiFi feature which is available on this pellet grill is a plus for anyone who is raging tech-savvy, as you can easily control the grill via a smartphone app. This grill also comes with basic features like a meat probe, a convenience tray with utensils hooks, and also has a peaked lid on this machine.
This lid basically helps when you have a tall piece of steak standing up on the grill and helps it to cook faster. It has a Sense-Mate, which effectively controls the temperature on this grill.
PROS —
- WiFi feature
- Easily portable
CONS —
- The build is not that durable
8. PIT BOSS 700FB Pellet Grill
The question is not why you should be using the PIT BOSS 700FB pellet grill; the question is, why not? This pellet grill uses only natural cooking-grade wood pellets as fuel and is nature friendly. It is also housed with an innovative flame broiler which can make all your favorite steaks and burgers because it allows complete control over the direct flame grilling.
It also comes with heavy-duty polyester and PVC covers, which are very durable and protects your pellet grill from any sort of damage. You have a complete grill temperature control; you can set it from 170 Fahrenheit to 600 Fahrenheit.
It also has an electric ignition and a fan-forced air acceleration that maintains a clear burning flame and facilitates an abundance of convection heat which gives a clean, flavourful smoke. It is truly a very versatile pellet grill with which you can attempt many types of cooking, and it also imparts a great flavor to the food.
PROS —
- Flavour and texture are perfect
- It comes with protective covers
- Heavy duty
CONS —
- The temperature control feature is not that good
9. Traeger TFB57GLE Pro 575 Grill
The final product is also from Traeger, but it is no surprise to anyone reading this article because the Traeger TFB57GLE Pro 575 Grill is literally one of the most famous Traeger Grills because of its superior technology. It has a built-in WiFi system, which they call the WiFire, and it helps to connect the grill to your home WiFi, and then you can easily use the app to control your machine.
It actually works really well and provides easier and faster control on the machine, and you can link it to Google Assistant or Alexa. So you can easily control and make changes to the temperature and also set timers and monitor pellet levels by just using your phone. Again, this is a very versatile piece of pellet grill and can easily provide a range of cooking methods on the same grill. This grill has a medium-spaced grilling space of 575 sq, which is great for a small family.
If you are interested and looking for Traeger TFB57GLE Pro 575 Grill and want to know in-depth information about this product, you can review our article on Traeger Pro 575.
PROS —
- WiFIRE technology
- Versatile
- Easy control panel
CONS —
- Small grilling space
- The build is not that good
10. Z GRILLS ZPG-700D Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
It is definitely another brand that is immensely trustworthy and popular when it comes to pellet grills; the Z Grills ZPG-700D is the ultimate pellet grill for you should you prefer a versatile pellet grill that can literally cook your food in 8 different ways.
The wood-smoked flavor in your food will be extremely great. It has a pretty accurate temperature setting which has been upgraded and fixed properly with much more precision, and you can cook in any climate as it is a very efficient product, and is definitely very ergonomically designed, with just one button start-up and other features like digital auto temperature control and LED temperature readout which are very user friendly.
This is easily portable due to the caster wheels and very easy to clean because it comes with a specially designed waste oil collector. It has an automated electric feed system that lets you multitask around the house while it does its job perfectly. The build is definitely very sturdy and durable with stainless steel, and it also has a huge grilling area which makes it easier for you to cook your food properly.
PROS —
- User-friendly interface
- Easily portable and easy to clean
- Durable
- Automated feed system
CONS —
- A lot of customers face temperature problems
11. Traeger Grills TFB38TOD Renegade Pro Pellet Grill and Smoker
Again, Traeger has carved a niche with its amazing range of pellet grills, and the Traeger Grills TFB38TOD is proof of that. It has a very versatile cooking capacity and can work with your food faster and easier than other pellet grills. You can use this grill in 6 ways and produce juicy perfection each time you use it.
It has a great precision temperature control or the Digital Pro Controller, which has an advanced grilling logic, which easily maintains your food’s temperature while cooking and provides precision grilling for the perfect end result every time. Like most Traeger Grills, the build is extremely durable and sturdy, having a powerful steel construction that has a durable powder coat finish on it, and has porcelain grill grates that are easier to clean.
This pellet grill is also portable and has all-terrain wheels. However, this grill is really small in size and will only accommodate a small amount of food and is recommended only for small families.
PROS —
- Versatile
- Precision temperature controller
- Durable build
CONS —
- Really small in size
Pellet Grill Vs. Other Smokers
People might wonder, why would you trade the offset smoker that has wonderfully served you over the years for something as amateur as a pellet grill smoker? Despite the pellet grill being a staple for beginners, pros are also using them as well, because of the enhanced features. The technology on any pellet grill is so advanced that you can easily put it on, and the meat gets cooked without you fussing over it.
You don’t really have to babysit the grill like in other smokers because they can easily burn the food. While other types of smokers can be difficult to use with the fluctuating temperatures, pellet grills can be of benefit in this sphere as they usually come with technology which maintains the temperature and the amount of smoke generated, so that your food is always perfect. In short, there are really very few ways of ending up with a bad result while using a pellet smoker.
The best part is that pellet grills have convection fans that circulate the heat and provide a very even cooking. It definitely creates the ideal environment where you can cook a barbecue and other stuff. Pellet smokers are available in literally any size and use pure wood pellets. In comparison with offset grills, the running costs are less, and the pellet grills are highly portable, much more than those other smokers where portability is a huge issue. The pellet smokers are definitely much more efficient and economical in terms of the usage of fuel.
Things To Consider When Buying A Pellet Grill
1. Price
While buying your preferred grill, you obviously have to keep in check the price range because while buying machines like these, it is very easy to go overboard. There are budget grills available, but when a grill has more features, the price automatically goes up when more features are on the pellet grill. There is no point in burning a hole in your pocket, so choose your grill wisely and after checking the specifications.
2. Features
Obviously, you will want the best features that the grills have to offer to you, but some of these features might be useless for you depending on why you are purchasing the grill and how frequently you are going to be using it. However, the more features your grill has, the price will rise up automatically, and it will cost you more than your average grill. Therefore you must check out the features of the wood pellet grill you are purchasing.
3. Metal Thickness
The thickness of the metal with which easily retains the heat of the food you will be cooking and continuously maintains a constant temperature so that the food does not get burnt. If you purchase a smoker that does not have a thick metal, even if it is under a budget, you will ultimately not use it properly because you have to maintain the temperature. Therefore, you must always check the thickness of the metal and whether it can retain the temperature and the heat.
4. Quality Auger
Imagine investing in a really good pellet grill but ultimately realizing that the quality of the auger is really flimsy and it is not at all durable. Well, in the end, all functionality of the pellet grill you are investing in depends on the auger and how well it works. A cheap auger is very fragile and easily jams, and in severe cases, it may break too, which will lead to a broken grill that does not work properly.
5. Size
The size of the pellet grill you are investing in matters a lot. Imagine investing in a pellet grill that has all the latest specifications and features, but you find that it does not fit all your food for smoking and grilling at once. You’ll have to use the grill again and again then to get your food cooked, and nobody has time for that. Therefore, you must always get a grill that is the best size for you.
Conclusion
A pellet grill is a great asset for anyone who is obsessed with cooking and loves grilled food because it is simply so much fun to cook on, and you can also get so many extra features on a grill that you can utilize.
However, it is important to research the type of grill and the features that the grill comes with because it makes for a better and wiser investment, and so you can use it without any trouble. Investing in a grill that you cannot use will ultimately be a bummer, so this review and guide will help you make the correct choice of purchase for you.
