For anyone interested in an easy-to-use and multipurpose cooker, their best bet is a pellet grill. Even though you may not get any awards, coming up with the finest barbecues is a good reason to get an outstanding pellet grill. In this article, we will focus on the most wonderful pellet grills that you can get. There are also other relevant details that will be of great help to you.
Without a doubt, we all love outstanding barbecues. There is practically no one out there who has not thought about preparing or eating the best hotdogs and steaks. But if you want to have the most memorable BBQ party, you have to go for the best pellet grills.
Top 10 Best Pellet Grills
1. Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite
If you will work in a small or confined space, then the Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite is the best bet for you. Also known as the Lil Tex Elite, this pellet grill typically comes with a bronze appearance, which adds to the overall beauty of your grilling corner.
Pros
- Although it is a lot more portable than the others, you should not be discouraged in any way as it will provide you with all you need.
- This pellet grill has 418 square inches when it comes to space, so you have enough capacity inside it to do all your grilling.
Cons
- Some consider it pricey.
Verdict
Irrespective of whatever you are preparing, from rib racks to complete chicken or lamb thighs, this grill will serve you well.
2. Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Of all the grills out there, the ones made by Z Grills are known for being some of the most reliable and trustworthy. The main reason for this is that the brand is known for being the brain behind the Wood Pellet Grill.
Pros
- With the Z Grills wood pellet grill and smoker, you get the best from the innovative design.
- The best thing about this product is its versatility. With it, you can char-grill, sear, barbecue, bake, sear, grill, roast, and of course, smoke.
- In short, the possibilities with Z Grills are endless but get ready for proper maintenance. As a wood pellet grill, you can be sure of enjoying wood-smoked flavors that you can never get from gas or charcoal grills. You can also choose the precise wood-smoked flavors you want.
Cons
- The price is an issue for some customers.
3. Traeger TFS60LZC Select Elite
Pellet Grill
When it comes to wood pellet smokers and grills, Traeger is a world-leading brand even if many consider the brand pricey. Of all their products, the Select Elite is one of the most prominent.
Pros
- With a weight of approximately 170 pounds, it comes with a massive wood pellet hopper that clocks in at 18 pounds. In this big hood, the user has an impressive 589 square inches of grill grate space designed to be three great pieces that can be removed; they are all made of porcelain.
Cons
- Too big for some places.
Verdict
This pellet grill has been designed to be easy to use because, from the internal fan’s speed to how the wood pellets are put in the fire pot, everything is controlled by the Advanced Grill Logic System and Digital Elite Control Unit.
4. Camp Chef SmokePro LUX Pellet Grill
For those who want to prepare their meat most memorably, the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX pellet grill is the ideal choice for you. This product comes with a massive 875 square inches of space for you to cook and perform culinary magic with. There is practically nothing that you cannot cook with this space, and you can cook any quantity that you desire.
Pros
- It has all the home griller features, so the entire smoking work is without stress, even if some have issues with the price. There are other features like a user-friendly setting control panel and a digital temperature display.
Cons
- Too expensive for some users.
Verdict
This grill does all the work for you. It comes with a Smart Smoke Technology that allows you to get the best of flavors.
5. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Grill
This pellet grill is particularly good for those who love camping, family outdoor events, recreational vehicle activities, and even tailgating. It is also perfect for those interested in making some delicious steaks or the tastiest set of burgers.
Pros
- This pellet grill is designed to be so easy for you to monitor and control even from the comfort of your couch. This is made possible with the GMG Smart Control feature.
- With the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Grill, users easily control the grill and smoke temperate over a range of 150 – 550 degrees Fahrenheit. They can even throw in incremental control of five degrees.
Verdict
The GMG application of this pellet grill makes your grilling truly a smart activity that you will enjoy.
6. Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill
If you are frustrated with how to get the perfect searing with your pellet grill, then it means you have not heard of the Pit Boss 700FB pellet grill. With this product, your problem will not be flame searing. This is because it comes with an innovative sliding plate design.
Pros
- It comes with an impressive 700 square inches of cooking space made of durable cast iron on the surface, but that is not all. It also comes with a rack, and overall, it is the best wood pellet grill for a small family or group of picnickers.
Cons
- Some may find it too technical to master.
Verdict
When cooking, the range is from 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, meaning you can cook perfectly practically anything you desire.
7. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
With this product, gone are the days of you getting worried about getting the best BBQ pit. This is because the Smoke Pro DLX Pellet Grill has been designed to make your life as easy as possible when it comes to smoking or grilling your beloved meat. It comes with a sophisticated Gen 2 controller, which users find very helpful.
Pros
- The innovative product also comes with Smoke Control and PID technology. All these mean that you can precisely control the amount of smoke in your preparation. To do this, all you need to do is use the Smoke Number feature.
Cons
- It can take time to master all the features.
Verdict
Using this pellet grill means you can be sure of getting the cleanest and tastiest meals – all with no stress.
8. Traeger Grills TFB38TCA Renegade Elite Wood Pellet Grill
Compared with the Lil Tex Elite, the Renegade Elite has less space (this is 380 as against 418 square inches). However, it is a bit bigger than the compact pellet grill from Tailgater, which comes with 300 square inches of space for your cooking.
Pros
- Some of the Renegade Elite’s best features are that it comes with a user-friendly temperature display and easy digital controls. The pellet hopper clocks in at 18 inches, and it is appropriate for this grill.
Cons
- The price can discourage some.
Verdict
If you also intend to do a lot of grilling in your backyard, the Renegade Elite is going to be the best for you. This is because it comes with its wheels. It even has a storage section that can be ideal for your plates or tools.
9. REC TEC Grills Trailblazer Wood Pellet Grill
Some of the best features of this pellet grill are that it is easy to use, lasts long, and is quite compact. If yours is a small family or a single griller looking for something nice, this is your best selection.
Pros
- With just 340 square inches of space, you get the drift. While it is not an elaborate pellet grill, it is a very excellent option. As its strong areas include ease of use, flavor, and versatility, it properly compensates for the size.
Cons
- Considered too small by some users.
Verdict
Other features make it the delight of many users. These include flawless temperature control, durable components, outstanding build quality, and a very customer-friendly service unit that is always on hand to help buyers at any time. It is a good deal.
10. Cookshack PG500 Fast Eddy’s Pellet Grill
This product is the brainchild of Fast Eddy Maurin and Cookshack. When it comes to making the best meat grills, this pellet grill comes out top. It comes with a principal cooking area fully equipped with a control system. Other features include casters, warming drawers, meat probe slide opening, side shelf, pellet drop, utensil holder, and many others. The shipping weight clocks in at about 150 kg.
Pros
- It is made using 100% stainless steel, so durability and ease of use are guaranteed. The riveting all over the product, make sure that it has a solid structure.
- Even though commercial smokers inspired the design, this product has been designed for use in homes, but it is so versatile that you can make use of it practically anywhere.
Cons
- Some have complained about the price.
Verdict
Excellent bargain.
Pellet Grills Buying Guide
When it comes to outdoor cooking, the fact is that it cannot be complete without the perfect pellet grill. It does not matter whether you are an amateur or an experienced person when it comes to grilling. Your next BBQ session cannot be complete without the ideal pellet grill.
Before you go ahead to buy a pellet grill, you need to know certain things. Talking of advantages or features to watch out for, pellet grills do not up swiftly with the same speed as gas grills. Pellet grills also do the cooking with indirect heat. Apart from the functionality, you also need to pay attention to the length of the power cord as it will influence the pellet grill’s location. Follow all the instructions from the manufacturer.
Overview about Pellet grills
For those who wonder how pellet grills work, there is an auger inside the grill responsible for moving the wood pellets from the hopper into the firepot. For easy regulation, there is a digital controller for the carriage of the pellets to the firebox. The digital controller also makes the specific temperature regulation of the grill. For the circulation of air and smoke in the grill, there is a fan.
The essence of the wood pellets is to serve as the fuel necessary for the cooking. However, the grill needs electricity for powering the fan, auger, and controller. Owing to their structure and functionalities, pellet grills do not cook in the same way as charcoal or gas grills.
How does a Pellet Grill Work?
Many people make use of pellet grills, but not everyone using them to know how they work. Wood pellet grills utilize an auger responsible for transporting the wood pellets from the hopper to the fire pot, which is located under the grill itself. The temperature set is directly proportional to the quantity of the pellets that are put inside the auger.
Immediately they are in the fire pot; there will be an ignition of the wood pellets by a hot rod, which creates a fire. There is a fan that increases the fire establishing convection heat and this helps in cooking the meat in the grill properly. There is a drip tray placed over the pot, and it traps the food drippings.
The Features of a Pellet Grill
For every pellet grill, some features are considered to be general or even typical. These include the following:
Drip Tray: As hinted in the section earlier, the drip tray is located above the firepot, and it stops flare-ups by trapping the drippings from the food in the grill.
Hopper: This is the container for the wood pellets.
Controller: Responsible for the control of temperature.
Induction: Responsible for stoking the fire.
Auget: This is responsible for transferring the pellets to the firepot.
Hot Rod: It is responsible for igniting the pellets.
There can be slight modifications with these parts, but a typical pellet grill will have them and a lot more depending on specific designs and functionalities.
Design
The overall design of a pellet grill is to make life as easy as possible for the user and to also ensure that you get the best-grilled food for yourself and loved ones. Hence, this is the reason why all major brands do their design in a way to achieve these goals.
A pellet grill is designed to move wood pellets from the hopper into the firepot easily via an auger. There is a hot rod that is used for feeding the flames and this is what adds the tasty wood-based flavor to your food. The design also incorporates a fan that circulates smoke and heat, which allows for perfect cooking and a drip tray.
Cooking Area
Pellet grills come in different cooking area sizes. Some other pellet grills have massive spaces and on the other hand, other pellet grills have been designed to be compact and portable. Some can be as much as 700 square inches in the cooking area or even more. Each pellet grill has its cooking area but it will depend on the precise use that the pellet grill is to be used for.
The kind of pellet grill you will select will depend greatly on how you intend to use it. If you are a single griller or one with a small family, then it is good to go for the smaller and compact pellet grills.
Hopper
The hopper is one of the most important parts of a pellet grill. It is a container, and it is inside it that the wood pellets are fed. Hoppers come in different designs and various functionalities. The same thing applies to the controller and the mounting features. In many cases, there is the possibility to switch the controller to either the right or left of the hopper. It all depends on the kind of application that you want to put the hopper too.
Before every hopper assembly is ready for use, the manufacturers have to do proper inspection and testing. Once all is clear, it can then be packaged as part of the pellet grill then ready for the customer’s onward use.
Temperature Control
One of the most important aspects or features of a pellet grill is the control of temperature. If you are not able to properly control the temperature, then there is no hope of you getting that perfect BBQ that you have always had in mind. For this reason, the best pellet grills also come with the most outstanding temperature control features.
Depending on the kind of pellet grill you are using, it will come with either a manual control for temperature. Some other models come with digital and more automated controls. If you are serious about getting the best grills, you will never joke with the temperature control.
How to choose the right Wood Pellet Smoker?
When it comes to selecting the right wood pellet smoker, there are several factors you need to consider before making a final decision. It can be quite confusing for some people when it comes to knowing the right wood pellet smoker to go for. But with the right information, this can be a straightforward decision to make.
The first thing you need to consider is the configuration. The configuration will depend on the kind of grilling you do. Hence, you can go for a vertical pellet smoker or one that can sear. A typical pellet grill will be cool for you. The kind of temperature control is also crucial when you are making your decisions.
Technology, Durability, Portability
The technology, durability, and portability of pellet grills vary from brand to brand. Talking of technology, some have archaic technology, and everything seems to be manual. Such pellet grills can be a bit hectic to control. On the other hand, are the pellet grills that come with automatic or digital features.
As for durability, it will usually depend on the kind of material used in the construction. Durability will also depend on the kind of use that the pellet grill is put to. There are different options from the tiny ones to the huge types for portability and compact nature. Once again, the portability will depend greatly on the kind of purpose it is meant for.
Size
Pellet grills come in different sizes. Talking of size, there are pellet grills that are considered to be compact and relatively small. These are perfect for single grillers or those with small families. If all you need is just some grilling for a few people, then a relatively small pellet grill is ideal.
Those who love to do tailgating, camping, and other bigger outdoor activities should go for the much bigger pellet grills. A pellet grill with a cooking area of about 700 square inches is considered very big, while one with about 300 square inches is regarded as small. Size selection will depend on the purpose you want to put it to.
Temperature settings
One of the most important things when selecting a pellet grill will be the temperature settings. The excellence or otherwise of the grill you are making depends greatly on how well you can control the heat. The best pellet grills are those in which temperature control is great.
If you are familiar with pellet grills, you will be familiar with the fact that some swings in temperate are expected. For example, when you include pellets to the fire, there will be a rise in the temperature. It is the precise control of this temperature that will determine the eventual outcome of your grill.
How to maintain a wood pellet grill
Even if you have purchased the very best wood pellet grill, you need to learn how to maintain it. Proper maintenance means that you get to enjoy using the product every time, and it also lasts for as long as possible. To maintain your product, spray the grates with the recommended cleaner, do the same inside the chimney, and then remove the drip tray liner.
Remove the drip tray too and clean it while also doing the same with the heat baffle. It is also important that you have inside the grill vacuumed. Proper scrubbing should be done on the relevant parts. Doing this from time to time means you get the best of your pellet grills always.
The Benefits of using a pellet smoker
Using a pellet smoker means you get several advantages. Grilling your food comes easy with minimal smoke, and the meal is cooked evenly. Apart from the fact that you get to enjoy the best meals, pellet grills are also versatile, and you can use them in the preparation of all kinds of food – from your ribs to bird wings, a pellet smoker got you covered.
Another advantage is that using a pellet smoker makes your food preparation quite fast. The pre-heating with smokers is swift, and you get to save a lot of time using them. There is also a better regulation of temperature, and you will be in total control of everything.
Conclusion
If you want to enjoy the most excellent outdoor catering and activities, you will need to get the finest pellet grills. Whether you are just having a picnic or some fine camping time with friends or loved ones, a pellet grill is going to make your day truly exciting. But if you truly wish to get the best out of a pellet grill, you will have to select the very best. That is the whole point of this article. There are several factors to consider before selecting one, and everything has been outlined in this piece. Bring life to your outdoor events – get the ideal pellet grill!
