Are you also under the impression this winter was exceptionally long? Or is it just our feeling? Be that as it may, warmer days are here, and few can finally rejoice about the arrival of spring! And what else makes us happy in this period? BBQ! Warm weather is synonymous with enjoying barbecue and cold beers with friends and family in the yard, isn’t it? Another piece of good news is that it looks like this year we will be able to do it more freely than last year.
Unlike last year, when many of us lived under various COVID 19 related restrictions, now many of us received our shots, and life appears to return slowly to some normalcy. Feeling that we have plenty of reasons to celebrate, we decided to treat ourselves to a new grill.
But when we went to the store, we found ourselves in front of a puzzle! Which one to buy? And how to be sure that it will be okay? We knew very little about grills! You see, our old charcoal grill was a housewarming gift, so we didn’t choose it. Besides, it was almost 6 years ago, and honestly, the grill-making industry changed since then.
Realizing that we cannot solve this puzzle by ourselves, we decided to consult the Internet, and some friends who, we knew, had more experience. Our friends and the reviews we look at said that the technology of making pellet grill models progressed tremendously and that they were the most popular and most sold in 2023 in the U.S. Hence, as you can imagine, we opted to go for pellet BBQ.
After finishing our research, which lasted several weeks, we realized that most people aren’t so lucky to have so much time to research for every product they want to purchase. However, we know that it is hard to be sure about the decision without adequate information. Therefore we compiled all of our research and created this little guide, so you too can make a well-informed decision and choose only the best pellet grill.
Top 10 Best Pellet Grills: Comparison Table
| Model | Cooking Area | Hopper Capacity | Max Temperature | Dimensions | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger TFB57GZEO Pro Series 575 | 575 sq. in. | 18 lb | 450 F | 53 x 41 x 27 in. | 128 lb |
| Z GRILLS ZPG-450A | 452 sq. in. | 15 lb | 450 F | 45 x 28 x 49 in. | 84 lb |
| PIT BOSS PB440D2 | 465 sq. in. | 5 lb | 500 F | 50.2 x 24.02 x 39.8 in. | 97.8 lb |
| Taeger Grills Ironwood 650 | 650 sq. in. | 20 lb | 500 F | 46 x 27 x 47 in. | 149 lb |
| Z Grills ZPG-7002B | 700 sq. in. | 20 lb | 450 F | 48 x 22 x 51 in. | 84 lb |
| Green Mountain Davy Crockett | 219 sq. in. | 9 lb | 550 F | 29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 in. | 68 lb |
| BIG HORN OUTDOORS Grill | 430 sq. in. | 8 lb | 450 F | 43 x 20 x 45 in. | 110 lb |
| Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro | 811 sq. in. | 18 lb | 500 F | 40.5 x 25 x 22 in. | 144.7 lb |
| PIT BOSS 700FB | 700 sq. in. | 10 lb | 500 F | 39 x 37 x 22 in. | 79 lb |
| Traeger TFB30KLF Tailgater 20 | 300 sq. in. | 8 lb | 450 F | 37 x 18 x 36 in. | 62 lb |
What Is a Pellet Grill and How Does it Work?
A Pellet grill, AKA pellet smoker, is a cooking appliance that combines the features of charcoal, gas grills and kitchen ovens in one. People may be confused with these cookers as they see that they use wood pellets and electronics. Indeed, it can be odd at first. But don’t let yourself be intimidated by this – they are actually pretty simple to use.
Pellet grills work through combustion. So once you put pellets in the hopper and turn on the grill, the auger pushes them in the cooking chamber where they burn. During this time, smoke and heat are equally distributed throughout the grill.
Moreover, with the best wood pellet grills, you are cooking using indirect heat, which is different from a charcoal grill where the food is cooked on open flames.
Why Pellets Over Charcoal or Gas?
Should you choose the best pellet smoker over charcoal or gas grill? We think yes, and here is why. When using, let’s say, a pellet grill under 1000, you have absolute control over the heat without having to continually stand next to the grill. Something like this is useful when you are interested in smoking as well and not just grilling. They heat up pretty quickly and work with all types of wood. Pellet grills are also more eco-friendly as they need less wood than charcoal grills.
Can Pellet Grill be Used for Smoking?
The smoker is another name for a pellet grill. Hence, you can conclude that this splendid cooker does an equally fantastic job with smoking as it does with cooking. As we mentioned, this grill allows you to set the perfect temperature for smoking.
Overall Benefits and Downsides of Pellet Grills
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How to Choose the Best Pellet Grill?
Now, when we know all this, it is time to check some factors that are crucial when looking for models that will suit your needs. Pellet grills are becoming increasingly popular, and there are plenty of models out there. That is why it is necessary to collect as much information as possible before making a final decision about the best pellet grill for the money.
Cooking Capacity
It is essential to think about the number of people you are cooking for. If you are grilling/ smoking food only for your family and a few friends, then a smaller, affordable pellet smoker does a perfect job for you. These relatively cheap pellet grills have about 700 to 900 square inches of cooking area. But if you are planning to make big BBQ parties, then you need to get a larger model. Also, keep in mind that these are large cookers and thus are not designed to be carried anywhere. However, there are portable pellet grill models that you can bring for a camping trip.
Hopper Size
The size of the hopper on your best pellet grill will determine the cooking time. If the hopper is big, you can put plenty of pellets, which means that the grill can work for a long time. Some models are more efficient when it comes to burning pellets. However, in most cases, a pound of pellets burns in one to three hours. It also depends on temperature settings, of course.
Temperature Controllers
While creating our pellet grill reviews, we’ve discovered that the ability to effortlessly control the temperature is one of the main reasons why people like these devices so much. In most cases, they come with three-position controllers that allow you to choose between low, medium, and high temperatures. However, some have multi-positioned temperature controllers. In those cases, you can set the exact temperature for the specific task.
Price
As none of us are Rockefellers, we feel that it is useful to talk about the cost. Prices of these cookers vary depending on various factors such as cooking surface, etc. The good news is that it is possible to find the best budget pellet smoker models at very affordable prices. Also, the more features the grill has the more expensive it will be. These are not essential, but they will make your cooking a lot easier and convenient.
Extra Features
- Multiple cooking racks are an excellent option because they allow you to grill/smoke different foods simultaneously.
- LED lights enable you to prepare your food even when it’s dark.
What Are Best Pellet Grill Brands?
Traeger Grills
According to many pellet grill reviews from users Traeger is by far the most popular pellet grill brand. This company is making fantastic grills. However, they come with a hefty price tag, too. The key to Traeger grills’ success is in their versatility. When you buy this grill, you can smoke, roast, bake, and barbecue food. Traeger pellet grill is so expensive because the company always makes sure to use the latest technologies. That said, nowadays, you can buy a WiFi pellet grill from Traeger.
Green Mountain Grills
It is another famous manufacturer of pellet grills. They make excellent products for a very affordable price. If you look at these company’s models chances are that you will find some of the cheapest pellet smoker models. However, this doesn’t mean that the company saves on quality. On the contrary, these are some of the highest quality grills that are the same as Teager made with the latest technologies.
Rec Tec
Rec Tec is also a brand that focuses on providing its clients first-class products. They use premium materials to make their pellet as well as other grills. With stainless steel design and fantastic features such as a PID temperature controller, they are a real bang for your buck.
Camp Chef
This brand’s grills are incredibly effective when it comes to locking in the flavor. They heat the pellets by using gas and hence provide a marvelous smoking experience. They are also designed in a way that you can use their pellet BBQ as ovens too.
Pit Boss Grills
Pit Boss is another well-established manufacturer of the best pellet grills. The company guarantees to their clients the highest quality products at various prices. Hence even those who don’t have deep pockets can easily find a model that suits their needs. Other than that, Pit Boss pellet smokers allow you to install WiFi and Bluetooth options so you can monitor the progress of cooking via a smartphone app.
What Are the Best Pellets for Pellet Grills?
| Product | Made In | Flavor | Volume |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger 33365 20Lb Apple Wood Pellets | USA | Apple | 20 lb |
| Bear Mountain BBQ 100% All-Natural Hardwood Pellets | USA | Cherry | 20 lb |
| PIT BOSS 55436 BBQ Wood Pellets | USA | Hickory | 40 lb |
Pellets grills work with different types of wood pellets. When choosing the pellets, consider the food you want to grill/ smoke. For example, if you are smoking fish, we would recommend apple wood pellets. They also work well with pork and poultry. Cherry goes well for something like hamburger ribs. Hickory is the most common type of wood used. It can, however, be too strong. In that case, you can combine it with apple.
Conclusion
After everything we learned, it is easy to realize that pellet grills are worth the investment because you get so many things in only one device. However, it is crucial to have adequate information before choosing the best pellet grill 2023. And we sincerely hope that our little guide helped you learn all about these amazing devices, as well as what you have to pay attention to in order to choose only the best pellet grill! So keep in mind these little tips, and go with whatever works for you! Oh, and don’t forget about safety! Always remember to maintain proper temperature and be careful with grill handling!
So, what do you like about pellet grills? Have you ever used one?
