A pellet grill is a modern version of a charcoal grill that is known for its ease of use. Operating on electricity, this grill offers a versatile temperature range which allows you to cook a wide variety of food items. A pellet grill is a low-maintenance appliance that is easy to operate. In addition, it is a fuel-efficient device that ensures an optimal consumption of wood pellets. A wood pellet takes approximately 15 minutes to set up which is way less compared to the other grill types.
In the article that follows, we will analyze the factors that need to be taken into consideration before making the purchase decision.
The 10 Best Pellet Grills In 2023
Contents
Best Overall: Traeger Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best In Value: Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best In Budget: Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Portable: Traeger Grills Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Large Cooking Aera: PIT BOSS Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Design: Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Electric: Green Mountain Foldable Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Wide Temperature: recteq RT-590 Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Versatile: Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Read Reviews
Best Compact: Cuisinart CPG-256 Portable Wood Pellet Grill
Read Reviews
Best Overall: Traeger Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill
The dimensions of the grill are 27 x 41 x 53 inches, which makes it large enough to accommodate a variety of different foods. Additionally, the grill weighs 124 pounds, making it sturdy and durable.
It offers 575 sq in of grilling space, making it ideal for large gatherings. The 6-in-1 versatility means that you can grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ anything on this.
Another great feature of the grill is its ability to reach high temperatures. The grill can reach up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it perfect for cooking a variety of different foods.
This grill also includes WiFIRE technology that connects your grill to home WiFi. With this technology, you can control your grill remotely with the Traeger app on your smartphone or tablet.
Pros
- Provides 575 sq Inches Cooking Surface
- Includes WIFIRE Technology
- Offers Versatility In Cooking
- Easy To Assemble
Cons
- Difficult To Hold Low Smoking Temperature
Best In Value: Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
With its 45 x 21 x 51 inch dimensions, Camp Chef SmokePro could be perfect for cooking for large groups. At 127 pounds of weight, it’s sturdy enough to withstand windy days.
With 573 square inches of total surface area, it can accommodate a variety of different cuts of meat. With a hopper capacity of 18 pounds, you won’t have to worry about running out of pellets while you’re cooking.
This pellet grill features automatic pellet auger dispenses, so you can forget about manual feeding. Additionally, the clean-out ash can makes clean up simple.
This grill allows you to easily adjust the smoke settings from 1-10, as well as the temperature range from 160º F – 500º F. It also comes with two meat probes that allow you to monitor the internal temperature of your food.
Pros
- Includes 2 Meat Probe
- Provide Adjustable Smoke Settings
- Easy To Clean With Clean Out Ash System
Cons
- Some Build Quality Complaints
Best In Budget: Country Smokers Wood Pellet Grill
The grill has 24.4 x 17.5 x 13.6 inches dimensions and has 52.8 pounds of weight. The sturdy build of the grill ensures that it will last for years to come.
This grill is made with a black sand exterior, which is designed to resist fading and corrosion. The dial-in-digital control allows you to easily set the temperature and cook time.
It features 256 square inches of total cooking surface, making it large enough to accommodate multiple burgers or steaks at once. Additionally, it has a temperature range of 180°F to 500°F.
It includes a removable upper rack, so you can easily add more food to the grill or remove food that is already cooked.
Pros
- Includes 256 sq in. Total Cooking Surface
- Provide 180°F to 500°F Temperature Range
- Digital Dial-in-Temperature Control
- Assembling Is Very Easy
Cons
- Doesn't Maintain Temperature Properly
Best Portable: Traeger Grills Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill
This grill has dimensions of 20 x 21 x 13 inches and includes 60 pounds of weight, making it easily portable.
It provides 184 square inches of cooking area, making it large enough to accommodate multiple items. With a max temperature range of 450ᵒF, it can handle any type of grilled food.
This grill includes porcelain-coated grill grates for a durable and long-lasting cooking surface and is very easy to clean. Additionally, it comes with one cast iron griddle that is perfect for cooking pancakes, eggs, bacon, and more.
Pros
- Easy To Port
- Includes Porcelain-coated Grill Grates
- Comes With 1 Cast Iron Griddle
Cons
- Controller Doesn't Work Properly
Best Large Cooking Aera: PIT BOSS Wood Pellet Grill
it has a huge dimensions measuring 58.22 x 32.33 x 52.15 inches. Additionally, it has a whopping 157.4-pound weight capacity, making it one of the sturdiest pellet grills around.
This grill provides 849 sq. inches of cooking area, so you can cook multiple items at once. The temperature range of 180°F to 500°F gives you plenty of options for different types of food.
It gives you 8 different ways to cook, so you can grill, barbecue, char-grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, and sear.
This premium grill includes meat probes and has a 21 lb. hopper capacity, making it large enough to handle even the biggest cookouts.
Pros
- Gives 8 Different Types Of Cooking
- Includes Large 849 Sq. Inches Cooking Area
- Meat Probes Available
- Sturdy And Durable
Cons
- Doesn't Drain Properly
Best Design: Z GRILLS ZPG-450A Wood Pellet Grill
With its 45 x 28 x 49 inches dimensions and 84 pounds of weight, it is easy to find a place for this grill in your backyard or patio.
It gives you 452 sq. inches of cooking space to work with. This allows for plenty of room to cook for a large family. Additionally, this pellet grill provides 8 different types of cooking.
The grill is made from sturdy steel, and it provides a 15 lbs large-capacity pellet hopper. It provides a wide temperature range from 180° to 450° F, making it perfect for grilling, smoking, or even slow cooking.
Additionally, its PID technology ensures that the grill maintains the tightest temperature possible, ensuring perfectly cooked food every time.
Pros
- Provide Versatility In Cooking
- Features 452 sq. in Of Cooking Space
- Works On PID Technology
- Sturdy Steel Construction
Cons
- A Bit Difficult To Assemble
Best Electric: Green Mountain Foldable Wood Pellet Grill
Measuring 29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inches, it is compact and its foldable design means that it can be stored in a tight space when not in use. Additionally, its 67.6-pound weight makes it sturdy enough to withstand windy conditions.
With its Sense-Mate thermal sensor, you can accurately gauge the temperature of your food, ensuring that it is cooked perfectly every time.
The meat probe allows you to cook your food to perfection, while the peaked lid provides even heat distribution for consistent results.
The convenience tray makes it easy to keep your grill clean and organized, and the three power options allow you to choose the best option for your needs.
Pros
- Features Sense Mate Thermal Sensor
- Includes Meat Probe And Convenience Tray
- With Adaptors It Provide 3 Power Options
Cons
- Customer Service Needs Improvement
Best Wide Temperature: recteq RT-590 Wood Pellet Grill
This grill has dimensions of 44 x 24 x 43.5 inches, and it weighs 150 pounds. The grill also has a stainless steel construction, which makes it durable and easy to clean.
With 592 square inches of cooking space, it can easily accommodate large meals. The smoke, grill, sear, bake, braise, and dehydrate options give users a wide range to choose from when preparing their food.
With a temperature range of 180°F-700°F, the RT-590 provides endless cooking options, and with its large hopper, you can cook for hours on end without having to stop to reload.
It includes two meat probes and gives PID temperature control. This makes it perfect for smoking as well as grilling.
Pros
- Provides Temperature Range Of 180°F-700°F
- Includes 2 Meat Probes
- Large Hopper Available
Cons
- Sometimes Doesn't Grill Well
Best Versatile: Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
It has 47 x 21 x 49 inches dimensions and 44 pounds of weight, making it compact and easy to store. It uses 100% natural hardwood pellets to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, sear, char-grill, and barbecue.
With a 572 sq. inch cooking area, it provides plenty of space to cook for a large group. Also, with advanced PID technology, it maintains accurate temperatures from 180 to 450 ºF.
This grill is made from high-quality materials and offers a 3-year warranty, making it a great investment for any serious griller. It’s also easy to assemble and move.
Pros
- Includes 3-Year Warranty
- Provides PID Technology
- Very Versatile And Easy To Assemble
Cons
- Temperature Control Issues
Best Compact: Cuisinart CPG-256 Portable Wood Pellet Grill
This grill has 24.7 x 18.9 x 14.9 inches dimensions and has a weight of only 39.6 pounds, making it easy to transport from one location to another.
This grill provides 256 sq. inches of cooking space, making it large enough to accommodate a variety of foods. The wide temperature range from 180°F to 500°F means that you can cook whatever you like.
It features electronic auto-start ignition and digital auto temperature control, so you can cook your food to perfection. The real-time LED temperature display lets you keep an eye on the temperature of your food.
Pros
- Features Auto Start Ignition
- Includes Real-Time LED Temperature Display
- 8-in-1 Cooking Capabilities
- Portable Design
Cons
- Difficult To Assemble
Factors To Consider Before Buying Pellet Grills
In the section that follows, we will dissect the factors you need to observe when you are buying an inexpensive pellet grill.
Capacity
The cooking capacity of your pellet grill is an important factor to take into consideration when making the purchasing decision. You need to evaluate if you would be using your pellet grill primarily for yourself or for your friends and family as well. Opt for a medium or small-sized pellet grill in the former case and a large-size or full-size pellet grill in the latter case.
Quality
The quality of the grill is vital to ensure that you are not investing your money in something that won’t even last for a nominal period of time. Therefore, if your grill is made from stainless steel, make sure it is good quality stainless steel that won’t rust easily.
Portability
You would want to go for a pellet grill which is portable especially if you are mostly using it for outdoor purposes. With this regard, make sure your pellet grill has wheels so that you can easily move it from one place to another.
Performance
The performance of the pellet grill is important to ensure that your pellet grill is a viable investment for yourself. Your pellet grill should be energy efficient and take a maximum of 15 minutes to set up. The appliance shouldn’t consume a large number of wood pellets and therefore, ensure optimal operating costs.
Unique Features
With a wide variety of pellet grills available in the market, it is important for manufacturers to differentiate their products from the others around them. One factor that such manufacturers elaborate upon is the advancements in technology. A popular pellet grill feature is control boards that are equipped with inputs to accommodate meat probes. All you need to do is plug one end inside your control board and the other end in the meat.
You can easily keep a track of the digital temperature using the digital display without the need to open the lid. With advancements in technology, people wish to have an all-in-one feature for directly grilling their meat. Consequently, manufacturers have started accommodating the all-in-one grilling option for the newer models.
As our lives are becoming more connected with each other, our grills ought to function the same way. Since pellet grills are equipped with a conventional electric board, they can easily be adjusted for the Wifi feature. This option allows you to easily control as well as monitor the temperature of your grill from the convenience of your place. While there are only a few models right now that offer the Wifi feature, there are likely to be many more options in the future.
Durability And Construction Material
The primary way to ensure that you purchase a properly functioning pellet grill is to make sure that you consider the durability as well as the construction material. For instance, your pellet grill need not feel too heavy or too light. Once you close the lid, make sure you observe that there are no gaps. If there are any, however, you should look for an alternative option. Look through the joints, the welding, as well as the hardware. Your grill should feel solid. Your pellet grill ought to be sturdy. In other words, all the seams and joints should be a perfect match for one another with no space or gap for the heat to escape.
One way you can gather more information about your purchasing is by looking at reviews and comparing different options on identical factors. You should also ask as many questions as you want to the seller.
In addition, the material used for manufacturing your pellet grill should also be taken into consideration. Almost every pellet grill is manufactured from painted steel. But you need to take the paint as well as the quality of steel into consideration. Your pellet grill should be able to tolerate high levels of heat.
Furthermore, you can opt for stainless steel pellet grills as a viable option precisely because they are more durable, resistant to rust, and require little maintenance. Apart from the durability factor, a good quality pellet grill will have a better performance gradient. A grill that is made with good quality materials will be more efficient at retaining heat. Therefore, it will ensure optimal pellet consumption even when the temperatures are low.Ease Of Clean Up
Many people out there don’t like to clean. Therefore, you can look for certain features that will make it easier for you to do the cleaning. For instance, you can look for a removable access door or fire pot for cleaning. Access to the ash and grease clean-out system should be easy. The cheaper or older models of pellet grills require you to manually empty your pellet box. This, however, might not be something you are willing to adjust to.
FAQs
How Does A Pellet Grill Work?
A pellet grill functions in a manner that is slightly different from the one found in charcoal or a natural gas grill. A pellet grill consists of a hopper that should be filled using hardwood pellets. When the grill is turned on, the pellets are transferred into a cooking chamber using an auger. The burning of pellets takes place in the cooking chamber. In addition, there is a dispersion of smoke and heat throughout the grill surface. This in turn results in the cooking of food via indirect heat instead of open flames. A point of distinction between pellet grills is that they maintain their own temperatures. You can use the control panel of the grill to adjust the temperature according to your needs. Therefore, you don’t have to keep a regular check on the temperature.
Does A Pellet Grill Need Electricity?
A pellet grill operates on electricity. The thermometer, control panel, fans, and auger are electric units and therefore, you need to plug in your unit before you begin grilling.
What Are The Advantages Of Pellet Grills?
There are several reasons for choosing a pellet grill over a gas grill or a charcoal grill. The primary benefit offered by a pellet grill is accurate temperature readings with little monitoring. This is particularly useful if you wish to smoke food for a long duration.
At the same time, if one is looking to cook a Vension steak, then this feature comes in handy. As they will be able to control the temperature according to their liking.
Pellet grills enable you to enjoy a smoky flavor. In addition, since pellet grills use indirect heat, they make sure there are no flare-ups, and therefore, your food is cooked evenly.Do Pellet Grills Taste Better Than Charcoal?
The choice between pellet grills and charcoal grills is subjective. Although the wood pellets offer a delicious smoky taste, most people still choose to opt for charcoal grills to enjoy the authentic taste and flavor of the meat.
What Are The Cons Of A Pellet Grill?
The main demerit of a pellet grill is that it cooks at temperatures that are relatively low. A typical pellet grill can tolerate a temperature of 450 F while charcoal and gas grills usually exceed this temperature limit. Another disadvantage of a pellet grill is that the initial costs of a pellet grill are high. While the operating costs are lower due to the affordable nature of electricity, you would initially be required to invest a large sum of money. In addition, it isn’t possible to use your pellet grill everywhere because it requires a power outlet to function properly.
Are Pellet Grills Good For Burgers?
Yes, it is undoubtedly a favorable experience to grill your burgers on a pellet grill. Grilling your burger on a pellet grill in fact instills a smoky flavor to your burger that matches perfectly with your freshly prepared meat.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is evident that there are several factors that need to be taken into consideration before you make the purchase decision. You need to analyze factors such as performance, capacity, costs, unique features as well as quality. With a wide variety of options that are available, you are likely to get confused about the best choice for yourself. Nonetheless, there is nothing to worry about. Once you’ve set a budget for yourself and finalized your requirements, you are good to go. You can opt for any pellet grill that you think is best for yourself.