When it comes to making a list of the best pellet grills, it can be a very challenging and tricky task. You have to weigh between the cost vs. the quality of the product you go for. However, the specs should also top the list and your priority ideally. This is what drove us into creating this list of the best five pellet grills that will never disappoint you.
The 6 Best Pellet Grills in 2024
1. Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24
The Camp Chef Woodwind 24 deserves to be rated among the best mid-sized smokers. The grill strikes an impeccable balance between the value for your dollar and the quality of the product. In this grill, there is plenty of techs, which is summarized in the features below:
Features
Below are some of the features that make Camp Chef Woodwind worth trying.
1. Comes In Two Different Sizes
The Camp Chef Woodwind grill comes in two different sizes. There is the mid-sized inches model that gives you a cooking space of 811 square inches. The lower rack measures 429 square inches, while the upper frame measures 382 square inches.
In case you need to cook for a large crowd, there is an option of going for the other identical 36" model. This gives you an average of 1236 square inches, which is large enough to cook for your extended family and your friends.
2. Great And Dedicated Searing Station
Comparing the Woodwind with all the other pellet grills, we would agree that none comes at such an affordable price. The grill offers you stylish cooking with its four meat probes that make it easy for you to keep an eye on the temperatures.
Most of the pellet grills you find in the market struggle to sear. However, this is not the case with Camp Chef, as it has two solutions to this problem. The grill and the slide features allow you to pull the switch and the handle to direct flame grilling. Alternatively, you can add the grill box attachments and the optional sidekick resulting in a dedicated searing station.
3. Super Simple To Operate
Camp Chef Woodwind is very easy to use thanks to its digital controls. These controls make it easy to dial in the exact amount of temp needed for the ash cleanout system. Among all the pellet grills available in the market, Woodwind has proven to be the best among them all.
With a little extra amount, you can get the sidekick with the grill as a package. However, if not possible, you can purchase it separately in the future. The slider rod helps you to crank up the heat any time for searing steak or burgers.
4. Ultimate Versatility
Once in a while, we might need to enjoy a home-cooked pizza, and this might not be possible without an oven. Getting all these appliances might prove a bit tricky. Therefore, Camp Chef Woodwind thought of giving you a highly versatile unit. This grill can be used as a griddle, a grill, and even a pizza oven.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
Camp Chef is regularly updating their App; therefore, we believe that this connection issue will be resolved very soon. The grill is well built and designed. It is also packed with great features that can easily be upgraded while the sidekick gives it greater versatility!
2. Z Grills 700E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Recommending a budget pellet grill is always challenging. This is because coming up with the right pellet grill involves a lot of technology. If not careful, it is possible to go for a cheap product that breaks easily or never works correctly. This is why we were intrigued when we heard that Z Grills had come up with an excellent quality unit at a significantly lower price.
Features
Z Grills 700E sports great features, some of which are listed below:
1. Large Cooking Space
As the name suggests, Z-Grills features a cooking space of 700 square inches split between two parts. The primary grate measures 513 square inches, while the elevated grill measures 187 square inches. You are presented with a great pellet grill with a minimal load of fancy features for just a few dollars.
2. Great Quality Product
Although Z-Grills haven't been around for long, they are quickly taking over the grilling industry. With their great quality grills like the 700E Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, you'd love their innovation.
This grill doesn't have any WiFi but sports other essential features. For example, it offers you extra cooking space, similar build quality to Traeger, and a storage cabinet at a lower price.
3. Affordable
You want to own a pellet grill doesn't mean that you should empty your bank account. It is always essential to go for one that makes your life more bearable, just like Z Grills 700E. If you are mindful about your budget, go for 7002E as it is the most affordable. However, it is only a basic model with no storage cabinets.
Therefore, it is advisable to spend a little more and get yourself the 700D or 700E models—these two feature reliable cabinets for storing your barbeque tools or pellets. The two have the same features with a difference only in color.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
Z Grills are continually running deals or offering additional goodies like meat thermometers, grill covers, and free pellets. Therefore, if you plan to buy a grill, check around their website now and then to enjoy the goodies.
3.Camp Chef SmokePro Lux Pellet Grill
If you like the sound of a right grill and the qualities of Camp Chef PG24DLX but wasn't happy with the size of the cooking space, there's a solution.
Camp Chef SmokePro Lux sports all the features PG24DLX offers you and even more.
Features
Below are the features of Camp Chef SmokePro Lux Pellet Grill.
1. Large Cooking Space
The cooking rack surface area of this grill is a whopping 875 square inches, and it weighs around 180lbs. The best way of defining this grill is simply a big boy pellet grill. The hopper size of this grill is only 18," and in mild weather, a single load goes for 12 to 14 hours.
One of the main advantages LUX has over other pellet grills models is its extraordinary amount of space. It was smoking a total amount of space. Smoking two 20lb briskets along with a 30lb pork butt at the same time is straightforward.
2. Option To Add Sear Box
The maximum temperature of this grill is around 400 degrees F, and therefore, it is not great for searing. Luckily, you have nothing to worry about as there is an option of adding a sear box. The add-on sear box gives you a whopping 16,000 BTU propane, capable of reaching around 900 degrees F for perfect searing.
3. Easy To Clean
Many other pellet grills might be challenging to clean but not with Camp Chef SmokePro. Cleaning out residual waste from the burnt pellets takes you just a few minutes. You can easily remove unused and residual shells from the auger and the hopper.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
Camp Chef is reliable as far as pellet grills are concerned. The SmokePro has made things even better due to its great features. However, it is essential to note that this grill is a bit challenging to install and takes around one hour to get it running. Luckily, there is an installation video that is meant to make things easier for you!
4. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Wi-Fi Grill
When choosing a pellet grill, rarely do we think about its portability. It is not easy to carry a bag of charcoal on your camping trip and fire it up anywhere.
You will also need an electricity source to plug the grill in. Luckily, you, however, have one great grill to take around in Green Mountain, Davy Crockett.
Features
Looking at the features below, you will be proud of this grill.
1. Easily Portable
The legs of Green Mountain Grills are designed to fold conveniently into a carry handle. This will make things easier for you in packing the unit whether you are traveling or storing it after using it. In case you are using the grill around your patio, you can get power from your house. This is thanks to the adapters included in the packaging.
2. Wi-Fi Control
The Wi-Fi control via smartphone or tablet is a great feature that allows you to control the temperatures. It is easy to control the grill remotely if you are lying by the pool. Green Mountain Grills have significantly impacted the grill industry despite them being in the market for a short time.
3. Precise Temperature Control
Pellet Grills manufacturers have tried a lot to give better temperature controls to their grills. However, so far, none of these models have been able to be as precise as what Green Mountain offers you. It has a manual control panel that allows you to make a total of 5-degree adjustments. And if you enjoy dialing it in, you can make one-degree adjustments using the app.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
The build quality of this grill is excellent. Simultaneously, they are made of heavy materials, and you can tell they are made to last. This is also not like those grills that you set up once and leave them forever. This unit is easy to move as it easily folds up.
5.Traeger Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill
Traeger Pro is one of the best units you can never go wrong with.
If you love going with brands and the latest features and have no problem stretching your budget, this is the grill for you.
There are countless improvements to this grill lately, which makes it a better option even more.
Features
Traeger Pro 575 Wood Pellet Grill has excellent features, some of which are listed below:
1. It is Trendy
Traeger Pro 575 is a great and stylish unit that you will ever find in the market. Many other Pellet models tend to get their tips of excellence from Traeger Pro. In 2019, they improved their Pro models, which has made it even better than it was.
The new Pro models now come with Wi-Fi, enabling you to monitor and control your grill remotely. It has also been able to address some of the common issues users of old Traders were facing. Some of these include; difficulty maintaining temperatures and low heating speed.
2. Gives Faster and Hotter Cooking
With the new Pro model, they invented D2, which directly uses a brushless DC motor. This enables you to achieve higher force at lower RPM. What this simply means is that the engine can turn the pellet auger faster. In return, you get more fuel in the firepot resulting in faster and hotter cooking.
3. Large Cooking Space
The Traeger Pro 575 model is used only to feature the top of the range identified as the Timberline series. This has made the Pro an ideal option at any time. There are two options when it comes to the cooking space of this grill. You can go for the 575 square inches, or if you need a larger unit, there are 780 square inches.
However, it is essential to note that the extra space comes at an additional cost of approximately $200. Therefore, go for the larger unit only if you desperately need it, as the 575 square inches is relatively large enough.
4. Highly accurate D2 PID Controller
Not many pellet grills feature a D2 PID Controller, which explains why many people are falling for the Traeger Pro model. The controller employs a variable speed fan that can slow down or speed up to reach and maintain more precise temperatures. With the D2 PID controller, it is possible to set the temperature within 5 degrees F increments.
You are provided with a single temperature probe that makes it easy for you to monitor your food temperatures. This is done from the grill interface through the Traeger app.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
If you don't need the Wi-Fi feature, you can go for the older models cheaper. However, the upgraded motor, Wi-Fi feature, drivetrain, and fan add to the great value of this grill.
6.Weber SmokeFire
The fans of Weber were eagerly waiting to see Weber enter into the pellet grills market. Luckily, they finally did with several models for that reason.
They were very sure that Weber would solve all the common issues faced by pellet grills.
Some of these models include the EX6 and Weber SmokeFire. Below are the features of the Weber SmokeFire model.
Features
Just as expected, Weber was able to come up with a great model of pellet grills with features you can be proud of.
1. Large Cooking Space
Weber entered the world of pellet grills, and some of the standard models under this are EX6 and EX4. The EX6 provides a whopping 1008 square inches of cooking space. The EX4 is much smaller as it features a cooking space of approximately 672 square inches. Although Weber grills haven't been in the pellet grills market for long, their SmokeFire model is reliable.
2. Good Quality
For a long time, Weber has perfected its range of charcoal and gas grills, and they always turn out positive. The fans of pellet grills were very optimistic that even with the newly introduced Weber Pellet grills, they would nail it. Just, as usual, they never disappoint.
3. Excellent At Searing
Most pellet grills are good smokers, but they are average to bad grills. With Weber SmokeFire, you are assured of pretty good sear but only when cooking at max temperatures. If you are looking for a grill that cannot disappoint you as far as perfect searing is concerned, go for Weber SmokeFire.
4. Gives Good Flavor To Your Food
The reason why we turn to pellet grills with all its challenges and forfeit the magical use of an electric grill is the excellent flavor of the food. Therefore, it would be so disappointing to go through all the hustle and still end up with poorly cooked foods. With Weber SmokeFire, you are guaranteed great and good-flavored foods.
Pros
Cons
Why do We Recommend this Grill?
When this grill was being launched, most of the necessary features were missing. However, Weber is continuously improving this product, and hence, these problems are being solved one by one.
Best Pellet Grills Buying Guide
Choosing the best pellet grills is not as easy as it seems. With the uncountable models today, it is just normal to get confused and caught up in between. For experts, this might not be a problem, but it is truly a great challenge for beginners. This guide is meant to make things much easier for you when shopping for a pellet grill.
Below are a few things to consider when choosing a pellet grill.
Construction
The essential thing in any home or office appliance we purchase is its construction. All the other features partly or solely depend on this one aspect. When shopping for a pellet grill, go for one made of dependable materials. For this case, treated steel would be a perfect choice as it can oppose rusting, discoloration, and other outside harms.
Advanced development will, at the same time, improve heat maintenance. By and large, the successful execution of a pellet smoker highly depends on the grill's material.
Size
The size of the grill in question highly depends on your needs as an individual. A small family who doesn't utilize their smoker would do perfectly well with a short model. On the other hand, if you have a large family and regularly invite friends over, a product can accompany a more significant cooking territory. At the same time, you might also do well with a warming rack.
Portability
When you enjoy outside activities or not, a lightweight pellet smoker would work wonders for you. This is because it is simple to move it from one place to another. Apart from the weight, wheeled development also makes the portability of a grill more reliable. Make sure you choose a grill with well-secured wheels to put it in a steady position when in use.
Meat Tests
Some pellet cookers in the market feature yields in their controller that allows the legitimate connection of meat tests. The readings taken from your meat can then be displayed advantageously on the cooker's screen. This perfectly works not only for you but also for those around you as they can use the same information in the future.
Wi-Fi Ability
Many companies are now exploiting the way pellet grills have their PC in them by structure. When you coordinate the Wi-Fi network, you can screen, control, and monitor your smoker's temperatures from any place. All that you will need is an active internet association.
Some organizations led by Green Mountain Grills are currently offering free downloadable applications that you can utilize for extreme comfort.
Grilling Options
Initially, pellet grills were disadvantaged because they lacked grilling capacity. Thanks to technology, many makers have now come up with grills that can conceive grilling. They do this either by giving a devoted grilling region inside your cooker or expelling some portion of the diffuser.
Controller
The type of controller used in a grill influences the convenience of the unit. Most essential groups feature a three-position controller that allows you to change the warmth of the grill. They offer three control settings, which are low, medium, and high. There are some also that sport multi-position controller.
Simultaneously, when a need is, it is possible to modify the temperature-dependent via pre-decided additions. If you need to increase the same modifications, you might need a decent non-contact non-PFID controller. This is because it allows you to change the temperatures by adding 5 to 10 degrees.
Usability
One element that makes grilling simple is utilizing an advanced control that allows you to check the temperatures with ease. An implicit test is also essential. Simultaneously, along the lines of usability, we cannot fail to care about the cleaning and upkeep of the grill. The two should practically be effortless at all times.
One thing that makes this much more comfortable is gathering oil and fiery debris when using the smoker.
Hopper
A good hopper gives you enough space to stack the pellets. If you get a grill with a huge hopper, it will be an added advantage. This is because you will load in as many pellets as possible, and hence, no need to keep reloading. Smoking might take some time. Therefore, the container must handle a ton of bullets.
Warranty
Although very few people remember to ask about the warranty, it is an essential aspect, considering it is an expensive appliance. Whether you go for the most expensive or the cheapest grill, the manufacturers should be kind enough to give you a good warranty.
The shortest time a warranty can last should not be less than three years for the affordable models. For the expensive grills, it should be not less than five years.
Best Pellet Grills FAQs
1. Between pellet grills and gas grills, which are better/more preferred?
The answer to this question highly depends on your preference as a user. For example, if you enjoy the smoky flavor on your meat, charcoal and pellet grills work better. However, these two will require higher running expenses and greater support. At the same time, you will need extra time to get the grill hot enough before you begin cooking.
When it comes to gas grills, they are easy to light and get hot much faster. However, they don't give your meat a smoky flavor. With a pellet smoker, you essentially receive a two-in-one arrangement for a smoker and barbecue.
2. Are pellet grills good for smoking?
Yes, it is possible. Some pellet smokers use thicker metal while others have better wind current, indoor regulators, trickle stream and racks, etc. However, when you talk to an expert BBQ griller, who has ever used a pellet grill, you'll be sure of it. The nature of the smoke produced by a pellet grill goes down to the pellets themselves.
3. Are pellet grills safe for your health?
According to experts, it has been confirmed that wood-pellet-consuming grills use a circuitous cooking technique. This lessens the preparation of cancer-causing synthetic concoctions. A few people toss wood chips on their charcoal grills for flavor. Scientists state that there is no reason for doubting that pellet grills are more beneficial than other grilling strategies.
4. Can wood chips be used in a pellet smoker?
It is possible to use wood chips in a pellet grill, but you must know how to use them. For example, you should wait until the smoke is slight and seething before putting your meat on the grill. At the same time, you can also add wood pieces to the charcoal, not the chips only. This helps the flame to consume longer. Include one or two wood chips to the grill at regular intervals.
Conclusion
The above are among the best pellet grills for 2024. They are listed based on their performance, features, and pricing. Although the budget is an essential factor to consider, it should never compromise the quality. Many smart new technology grills will enable you to throw a BBQ party in a breeze!