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Pellet grills have become a backyard favorite for their versatility, ease of use, and the rich, wood-fired flavor they impart on food. However, choosing the best pellet grill for your specific needs can be a daunting task given the vast number of options on the market. To assist you in this process, we’ve extensively researched, tested, and compared the most popular models. By the end of this article, you will be equipped with all the knowledge you need to select the best pellet grill for your next outdoor cooking adventure.
Even though we may favor some models over others, it’s also essential to understand that your specific cooking needs, and personal preferences will play a significant role in your final decision. For example, some individuals may need a grill that can reach extremely high heat levels, while others may prioritize larger cooking areas or added technology features. Consequently, we’ve factored all these considerations into our evaluation, providing you with a comprehensive guide to choose the best pellet grill.
Best Pellet Grill for Cooking
Choosing the best pellet grill is vital for achieving flawless smoking, grilling, and roasting. It should deliver consistent and even heat, provide excellent insulation for fuel efficiency, and include easy-to-use controls. Given the wide variety of pellet grills available today, deciding on “the one” that suits your cooking style and needs can be overwhelming. Therefore, this article enlists the best pellet grills we’ve tested and reviewed to help you make the right decision.
Traeger Grills Pro 22 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze
If you’re looking for a pellet smoker grill that can deliver restaurant-quality wood-fired taste to your backyard, the Traeger Pro Series 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a great option to consider.
Pros
- The 6-in-1 versatility of the grill allows you to smoke, grill, bake, roast, and barbecue your favorite foods.
- The EZ-Clean Grease Keel System makes cleanup a breeze.
- The fully-assembled grill comes ready to use right out of the box.
Cons
- The grill requires a standard 120V outlet and a dedicated 20A circuit.
- The cooking area of 572 sq. in. may not be enough for larger gatherings.
- The price point may be higher than some other pellet smoker grills on the market.
The Traeger Pro Series 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a great option for those who want to bring restaurant-quality wood-fired taste to their backyard. The 6-in-1 versatility of the grill allows you to smoke, grill, bake, roast, and barbecue your favorite foods, making it a great option for those who want to experiment with different cooking methods. The EZ-Clean Grease Keel System makes cleanup a breeze, saving you time and effort after cooking. Additionally, the fully-assembled grill comes ready to use right out of the box, making it a great option for those who don’t have a lot of time for assembly.
One thing to keep in mind is that the grill requires a standard 120V outlet and a dedicated 20A circuit, so make sure you have the proper electrical setup before purchasing. Additionally, the cooking area of 572 sq. in. may not be enough for larger gatherings, so consider your needs before making a purchase. Finally, the price point may be higher than some other pellet smoker grills on the market, so make sure you’re comfortable with the investment before making a purchase.
Overall, the Traeger Pro Series 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a great option for those who want to bring restaurant-quality wood-fired taste to their backyard. With its 6-in-1 versatility, EZ-Clean Grease Keel System, and fully-assembled design, it’s a great investment for those who love to cook and entertain at home.
Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker
If you’re looking for a pellet smoker that can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, and even make stew or soup, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker is a great option.
Pros
- The Divide & Conquer cooking system allows for precise and consistent heat management, making it easy to cook multiple items at once.
- The pellet smoker grill has 570 sq in of cooking area with 2 meat probes, providing ample space for cooking large batches of food.
- The pellet smoker comes with a pellet clean-out chute, making it easy to clean up after cooking.
Cons
- The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker is a bit bulky, so it may not be the best option if you have limited outdoor space.
- The pellet smoker requires electricity to function, so you’ll need to make sure you have a power source nearby.
- The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker is a bit pricey compared to other pellet smokers on the market.
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker is a versatile and convenient option for those who love to cook outdoors. The Divide & Conquer cooking system allows for precise and consistent heat management, making it easy to cook multiple items at once. The pellet smoker grill has 570 sq in of cooking area with 2 meat probes, providing ample space for cooking large batches of food. The pellet smoker comes with a pellet clean-out chute, making it easy to clean up after cooking.
The only downsides to the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker are its bulkiness and the fact that it requires electricity to function. Additionally, it is a bit pricey compared to other pellet smokers on the market. However, if you have the space and the budget, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill and Smoker is definitely worth considering.
Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze
If you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use pellet smoker grill, the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze is a great option.
Pros
- The 500-degree Fahrenheit all-in-one cook, sear, and smoke open flame technology allows you to grill, smoke, bake, roast, and braises over direct and indirect flame.
- The EZ-Clean Grease Keeps grill cleaner longer.
- The WiFIRE technology lets you monitor and control grill from anywhere.
Cons
- The pellet hopper is not as large as some other models, so you may need to refill it more frequently.
- The side shelf is not very sturdy, so you may need to find an alternative place to set your grilling tools.
- The price point is higher than some other pellet smoker grills on the market.
We’ve used the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze for several weeks now, and we’re impressed with its performance. The open flame technology allows for great grill marks and a delicious smoky flavor.
The EZ-Clean Grease Keep is a great feature that helps keep the grill cleaner longer, so you don’t have to spend as much time cleaning up after cooking. The WiFIRE technology is also a nice touch, as it lets you monitor and control the grill from anywhere.
However, the pellet hopper could be larger, and the side shelf could be more sturdy. Additionally, the price point is higher than some other pellet smoker grills on the market, so it may not be the best option for those on a tight budget.
Overall, if you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use pellet smoker grill, the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze is definitely worth considering.
Pit Boss PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill, 440 SERIES, Black
If you’re looking for a wood pellet smoker grill that can give you the authentic smoky flavor of barbecue, then the Pit Boss PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill is worth considering.
Pros
- The grill’s 440 sq. in. cooking area provides ample space to cook a variety of dishes for your family and friends.
- With 8-in-1 versatility, you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, char-grill, braises, and barbecue almost anything.
- The digital auto start-stop ignition system ensures easy and reliable ignition, while the LED display panel makes it easy to monitor the grill’s temperature and timer settings.
Cons
- The grill’s pellet hopper has a 13 lb. capacity, which may require frequent refilling if you’re cooking for a large group.
- The side shelf could be more substantial to provide additional preparation space.
- The grill’s legs are made of plastic, which may not be as durable as metal.
The Pit Boss PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill is easy to assemble, and its compact size makes it easy to move around your backyard. The grill’s porcelain-coated steel cooking grates are easy to clean, and the grill comes with a grease bucket for easy cleaning.
The grill’s flame broiler deflector plate is removable, allowing you to sear your food with direct flame for a delicious char-grilled flavor. The grill also comes with a temperature probe port, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food.
Overall, the Pit Boss PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill is a great choice for those who want to enjoy the authentic smoky flavor of barbecue in their backyard.
Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2022 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 8 in 1 BBQ Auto Temperature Control, Cooking Area, 550 sq in Black
If you’re looking for a versatile and easy-to-use wood pellet smoker grill, the Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2022 Upgrade is definitely worth considering.
Pros
- With 8 cooking methods including 1 direct and 7 indirect grilling/smoking, this pellet smoker grill lets you cook a wide variety of dishes to perfection.
- The upgraded D2 controller allows for more precise temperature control, with a wide range of 160-570°F.
- The 550 sq. in. cooking area is plenty big enough to cook up a feast for your whole family and friends.
Cons
- The hopper can hold up to 15 lbs of wood pellets, which may not be enough for long smoking sessions.
- The grease collection tray could be larger and easier to clean.
- The front pellet dump chute can be a bit finicky and requires some trial and error to get the hang of.
We’ve been using the Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2022 Upgrade for a few weeks now and have been really impressed with its performance. The 8-in-1 versatility of this pellet smoker grill is really impressive, and we’ve been able to cook a wide variety of dishes to perfection, from smoked brisket and ribs to grilled veggies and even pizza.
The upgraded D2 controller is a real game-changer, allowing for much more precise temperature control than the previous model. We’ve found that we can easily hold a steady temperature, even when cooking larger cuts of meat. The wide range of 160-570°F also makes it easy to cook a variety of dishes, from low and slow smoked meats to seared steaks and veggies.
The 550 sq. in. cooking area is plenty big enough to cook up a feast for our whole family and friends. We’ve been able to cook multiple racks of ribs, a whole brisket, and even a few pounds of sausage all at once. The warming rack is also a nice touch, allowing us to keep sides and veggies warm while the main course is finishing up.
While the hopper can hold up to 15 lbs of wood pellets, which is plenty for most smoking sessions, it may not be enough for longer cooks. We’ve found that we need to refill the hopper about once every 4-5 hours of smoking. The grease collection tray could also be larger and easier to clean, but this is a minor inconvenience.
Overall, we’re really impressed with the Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2022 Upgrade and would definitely recommend it to anyone in the market for a wood pellet smoker grill. It’s versatile, easy to use, and produces great results every time.
Buying Guide
When it comes to choosing the best pellet grill, there are a few key features to consider. We’ve used and tested a variety of models, and here are some factors to keep in mind:
Cooking Area
The cooking area of a pellet grill is an important consideration, as it will determine how much food you can cook at once. If you frequently entertain large groups of people, you may want to consider a grill with a larger cooking area. However, keep in mind that a larger cooking area may also mean a larger and more expensive grill.
Temperature Range
Another important feature to consider is the temperature range of the grill. Look for a grill that can reach high temperatures for searing, as well as low temperatures for smoking. A wide temperature range will give you more flexibility when cooking.
Hopper Capacity
The hopper capacity of a pellet grill is the amount of pellets it can hold at once. A larger hopper capacity means you can cook for longer periods of time without having to refill the hopper. However, keep in mind that a larger hopper capacity may also mean a larger and more expensive grill.
Construction Quality
The construction quality of a pellet grill is an important consideration, as it will determine how durable and long-lasting the grill is. Look for a grill with high-quality materials and construction, such as stainless steel or cast iron.
Ease of Use
Finally, consider the ease of use of the pellet grill. Look for a grill with intuitive controls and easy-to-clean features, such as a grease dump chute. A grill that is easy to use will make your cooking experience more enjoyable.
By considering these factors, you can choose the best pellet grill for your needs and preferences.
