The Best Pellet Grills & Smokers: [Top Models Reviewed]

The Best Pellet Grills & Smokers: [Top Models Reviewed]

Choosing the right pellet grill and smoker is every person’s goal. However, you know how tough it can be to select the best from the many brands and designs available in the market. So, which are some of the best models of pellet grills and smokers to choose from?

The pellet smoker is right when searching for an easy-to-use, multipurpose, and versatile smoking or grilling product. Here are some of the best pellet grills and smokers to choose from: Traeger Grills Ironwood 885, Z Grills 700D3 wood pellet smoker, Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill, and Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill.

This article reviews the best pellet grill models you can buy to meet your smoking and grilling needs. Keep reading to learn more and know which choice to make.

Best pellet grills & smokers

Some call them pellet smokers, while others refer to them as pellet grills. However, they are no different. These are the same thing. Here are the top four pellet grills you should know about. Let’s see what they have.

Traeger Grills Ironwood 885

Traeger is not a new word in the grilling industry. It releases great models every time, making them remain at the top of the market for quality pellet grills. Traeger Ironwood 885 is one of their greatest inventions which has all you need in one. Almost everyone is looking for a great grill with the most excellent features today. This Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 has seamless wireless connectivity and a perfect stainless steel design that enhances its appearance and performance. With this, don’t expect any disappointments.

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It is made with meat probes and pellet sensors. This is more advanced and in line with the current technology that enables you to control your grill and make changes from your phone’s settings. The Traeger Grills Ironwood 885 has a well-designed hopper that makes the cleaning and pellet-changing process easier. Moreover, it is great for beginners and experts

  • Measurements: 53’’ by 27’’ by 47’’
  • Grilling Space: 885 square inches
  • Weight: 175 pounds
  • Hopper: 20 pounds

Pros

  • Multipurpose
  • Modified to allow more smoke absorption
  • Well-built cookers
  • Easy to control temperature and smoke

Cons

  • Expensive
  • Sometimes challenging to keep high temperatures during winter

ZGrills 700D3 wood pellet smoker

Yes, Traeger produces some of the best pellet grills anyone would want, but they are expensive, and you will have to pay your life savings to get such grills. The Z Grills 700D3 wood pellet smoker came to the market to make this tale come to an end. If you are looking for an affordable grill that performs well, then this is what you should get. You get to pay less and experience more such as consistent cooking from the well-made PID controller. The feature ensures that the meat is evenly cooked all the time, even when at rest.

The grill and smoker are designed so well that they make cleaning and changing pellets easier. Its door is just behind the hopper, thus giving you easy access to the pellet feed. Z grills have a funny history, and before they started selling directly to consumers, they used to produce grills for the best-reputed brands. What does this mean? You are getting high quality at an affordable price.

  • Measurement: 47’’ by 27’’ by 52’’
  • Grilling Space: 694 square inches
  • Weight: 132 pounds
  • Hopper: 20 pounds

Pros

  • Large pellet storage cabinet
  • A great cover
  • Sturdy
  • Made with a PID temp. controller

Cons

  • Does not have WiFi
  • Cabinet magnets sometimes pop off

Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill

Just like Traeger, EX4 is not a new name. The Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill is an advanced EX4 second generation. It is well designed to meet most bbq needs, and the grill and smoker have enough space and required capacity for smoking and holding pellets. The EX4 smoker has a temperature range of 200 to 600 degrees F. Weber SmokeFire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill has the best heat control and retention features finished with porcelain enamel.

The grilling area is large in that it can accommodate about three large briskets perfectly fitted in and over thirteen burgers. Its versatility enables you to adjust and monitor heat closely and makes it convenient for you when you can turn the meat. In addition, it is equipped with a number of heat probes that can accommodate various weights and thicknesses of meat pieces in each probe that can perfectly handle every detail.

 

  • Measurement: 47’’ by 43’’ by 33’’
  • Grilling Space: 672 square inches

Pros

  • Large capacity
  • Perfect temperature control and heat retention
  • Easy to set up

Cons

  • Searing is challenging sometimes
  • Harsh to monitor the ash bin

Traeger Tailgater 20 Pellet Grill

The Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill is designed to bring all the functionality and performance of the larger grills into a mobile place—designed with high connectivity and app control, making heat retention excellent and fast attaining set points. It is made with a hopper weighing 8 pounds serving the grill the best way possible. Its maximum temperature is 450 degrees F, which challenges searing.

This grill can hold up to two full chicken and three rib racks. However, you will have to refill the hopper for longer grills because it is small and mostly travel-friendly. The size can lie to you, it looks small, but it can hold up to ten burgers and several pizzas. Its portability makes it necessary always to clean your Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill before you pack it for travel or any other purpose. Moreover, it is very easy to disassemble and assemble; thus, you do not have to go to school to study disassembling and assembling the Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill.

  • Measurements: 36’’ by 37’’ by 18’’
  • Grilling Space: 300 square inches
  • Hopper: 8 pounds

Pros

  • Portable
  • Digital controls panel reduces errors
  • Easy to control the grill.
  • App connectivity

Cons

  • A small hopper
  • 450 degrees F makes searing a challenge

Budget options that you can buy

As much as there are many options in the market, you must know some of the budget options you can buy. The following are some of the budget pellet grills and smokers you can buy:

  • Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable wood pellet grill – $399
  • Z Grills 700D Wood Pellet Grill – $639
  • Traeger Tailgater 20 pellet grill – $530
  • Green Mountain Trek – $378.99

Factors to consider when choosing pellet grill and smoker

Here are the most important things you should consider when choosing the right pellet grill and smoker to improve your grilling experience:

Size

The essential thing to focus on when looking for a grill is size. However, size is based on the purpose of the grill. For instance, if you plan to use it for large family events, you need a large grill. On the other hand, if you plan to use it for small family dinners and have limited space choose a mid-sized or small pellet grill.

Performance and features

Pellets are made up of many different features, affecting their performance. Therefore, you need to research and know the features that fit the use and environment.

Cost

Lastly, what is your budget? Remember, there is always something for everyone in the market. However, you can focus on the immediate cost and how much you will spend in the long run. For instance, if you will be using this every week, then invest more in buying the equipment, but if it is something you will use once a month, consider paying less upfront.

Conclusion

Investing in a pellet grill is a good choice, especially if you love free smoking. If you want to invest a lot in pellet grills, consider going with the Traeger and Weber grills; these are expensive and high quality. On the other hand, if you want affordable and performing grills choose the Z Grills or the Pit Boss. You will always find the Best Pellet Grills & Smokers based on your budget and cooking needs.

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