Top 10 Best Pellet Smoker & Grill Reviews in 2024

Pellet smokers have become very popular in recent years. Parties and hangouts seem incomplete without the best pellet smoker. This is due to the convenience and ease they offer when cooking for a fairly large number of people.

The question is, how do you find the best one? Don’t worry, as we’ve got you covered. In this article, we’ll provide not only a list of the top 10 best pellet smokers and grills, along with detailed reviews, but also a helpful buying guide and a few tips on how to use your pellet smoker grill for the best results.

Shall we begin? 

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Americans are known for their love affair with backyard barbecue parties, which is why 75% of adults in the U.S. own a smoker or grill. However, do you own the best grill available on the market? Worry no more; we’ve listed all the best pellet grills on the market to make your choice easier.

Even though electric smokers and charcoal smokers are also good options, the versatility that pellet smokers offer is almost unmatched.

We know that deciding which pellet grill to buy can be overwhelming, as there is a long list of factors to consider. You will also find so many brands on the market. This is why we’ve created a helpful buyer’s guide, which will tell you what you should look for when getting a pellet smoker. We’ve also categorized the reviews, determining which pellet grill is best for different situations.

Don’t have time to go into details and want a quick fix? Guess what? We have a solution for that, too! We’ve added a comparison table at the end, which summarises the reviews and gives you an idea about affordability. However, going through the buyer’s guide will help you a great deal in figuring out what you’re looking for.

The Best Pellet Smoker for Your Money

We’ve also added a few tips on how to use a pellet smoker to let you get the best experience as well as the benefits that pellet grills have to offer. We hope that this guide on identifying the best pellet smokers and grills takes you a step further in coming to a decision.

🥇 Best All-Around Pellet Grill & Smoker – Camp Chef Woodwind with Sear Box (under $1000)

👀 See it on Amazon

Obviously, there are a lot of factors to consider before buying a pellet grill. Moreover, you often have to sacrifice one thing for another to make the best of what you have. Luckily, that’s not the case with the Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill with Sear Box.

Key Features

This pellet grill from Camp Chef offers you the complete package. From temperature to capacity to a reasonable price, Camp Chef has it all. With its Smart Smoke Technology, you can put the meat on the grill, set the temperature, and simply forget about it for a couple of hours. The digital temperature control and automatic auger will monitor and control the temperature without your presence.

Moreover, it has a large cooking capacity of 811 square inches … big enough without being too big. You can comfortably place it in your backyard for family dinners, and also use it when you’re hosting the whole street. Additionally, there’s a broad temperature range on this pellet grill, so you can do almost anything when it comes to BBQ. Whether you’re smoking or searing, everything will taste divine.

Furthermore, when we said this pellet grill has everything, we meant it. The grill comes with a sear box attached right next to it so that you can get those perfect sears on your meat right away. The whole grill is super easy to use and easier to clean up. It has a patented ash cleanout system that allows you to spend more time cooking and less time cleaning.

Drawbacks

The bottom of the grill can get very hot during cooking, which is quite dangerous, especially if you have children around. Moreover, the Woodwind is not the easiest grill to assemble. Even with the instruction manual, it takes a while to set everything up and get it running.

 

➡ Check The Latest Price on Amazon

🥇 Runner Up – Camp Chef SmokePro DLX with Sear Box

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Even though it was a really close call, ultimately the Camp Chef Woodwind won out. However, the SmokePro DLX still takes the runner up position proudly. It is loaded with some of the best features overall, which will make your BBQ an instant hit for whoever eats it.

Key Features

The SmokePro DLX Grill has a big cooking area of 429 square inches. What’s more, you can increase that area to 570 square inches by adding the second shelf. So whether it’s for dinner with the family or a complete party with friends as well, the SmokePro DLX will prepare delicious BBQ for everyone.

The temperature on this grill can be set anywhere from 160 degrees to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. You can comfortably do everything, from grilling to roasting to smoking to even baking, all on just one grill. Moreover, the grill also has an internal meat temperature probe so you can ensure that your meat comes out perfectly tender or however you like it.

Similar to the Woodwind, the SmokePro DLX also has a sear box for convenient searing whenever you want. Additionally, it also has the patented ash cleanout system, along with pellet purge and grease management systems. No more wasting precious time vacuuming the grill for hours. Besides that, the grill also has a built-in shutdown mode, so you don’t have to continually man the grill.

Drawbacks

The sear box temperature doesn’t go as high as some people would want for that beautiful sear on their meat. Moreover, the LED display only shows one temperature at a time. So, it can be a hassle to constantly shift between the meat probe temperature and internal temperature.

➡ Check The Latest Price on Amazon

 

🥇 Best High-End Pellet Grill – REC TEC Grills Bull RT-700

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If you are going to splurge on the best pellet grill, you might as well go all out and get the Rec Tec Grills Bull RT-700. It has almost every feature you can imagine on a grill, which makes it the best high-end pellet grill on the market. Rec Tec Grills is already known for its high-quality products, but it has outdone itself with the Bull RT-700.

Key Features

From construction to technology, everything is of the highest quality. Be it the main cooking chamber or the smallest component within the grill that you can’t even see, everything is made using stainless steel. Consequently, you can rest assured that the Bull will easily last you a lifetime without rusting or falling apart.

Furthermore, the Bull comes equipped with the Rec-Tec trademark Smart Grill Technology and Wi-Pellet WiFi Technology. With this, you don’t need to stay by your grill constantly. On top of that, you can monitor and adjust it from anywhere using the Rec Tec Grills app.

Additionally, this grill comes with two meat probes. The temperature range is from 200 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, providing you lots of versatility.

Moreover, the Bull has one of the largest cooking capacities with a cooking area of 702 square inches (and 1,054 square inches with the shelf). Even the hopper has a massive capacity of forty pounds. With a six-year warranty, the Bull is loaded with convenient features including a controller shelf, towel ring, tool hooks, a light inside the grill, and more.

Drawbacks

It was hard to find any flaws in this masterpiece, but there were a few. Some users experienced a difference of almost 10 degrees Fahrenheit in the actual and probe temperature. Also, there are sometimes slight delays in the notifications on the app.

Although these issues are quite minor, when BBQ is all about time and temperature control, these things can make a huge difference.

➡ Check The Latest Price on Amazon

 

🥇 Best Budget-Friendly Pellet Smoker – Camp Chef SmokePro DLX (under $500)

👀 See it on Amazon

A BBQ is just one of those things that literally anyone can enjoy, regardless of who they are or where they come from. As such, no one should miss out on a tasty BBQ just because of a cheap grill. So, the next time you want to have a fantastic BBQ grill without needing to sell a limb or two, get the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX.

Key Features

This grill has a maximum cooking area of 573 square inches on which you can comfortably feed all your friends and family. Even the hopper has an 18-pound capacity, which allows you to actually spend time with your family rather than constantly refilling the hopper. The grill design also features a side shelf for convenience.

Besides that, this SmokePro DLX has all of Camp Chef’s signature features such as ash cleanout system, grease management, hopper cleanout, and pellet purge system. Moreover, it also has electronic auto ignition and a shutdown mode. You will also find an internal meat temperature probe and a temperature sensor for accurate temperature control.

Furthermore, the temperature range is from 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, suitable for different kinds of meat and cooking. The grill is excellent for outdoor use. It weighs only 140 pounds and has wheels so you can easily move it around.

Drawbacks

The temperature in the grill does sometimes fluctuate, especially if it’s windy outside or when you open the lid (which isn’t entirely avoidable).

 

🥇 Affordable Option – Z GRILLS ZPG-7002ENC (2019 New Model)

👀 See it on Z Grills

Just because you can’t afford one of the higher end or premium grills doesn’t mean that you can’t get any of those features. While there are many cheap grills out there, not all of them offer the best value for money in terms of quality and features. With the Z GRILLS ZPG-7002ENC Pellet Grill, however, you get tons of great features at a much lower price.

Key Features

For a price of only $409.00 (Get $50 off instantly: Pay $359.00 upon approval for the Amazon Rewards Visa Card. No annual fee), you get a huge cooking area of 700 square inches. The temperature can go from 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Moreover, the automatic electric feed system ensures a steady temperature. This allows you to grill, bake, sear, barbeque, smoke, roast, braise, and chargrill your meat to perfection.

Furthermore, the 2019 upgrade includes a temperature and pellet feed control system, with a digital control board and auto-ignition feature. Additionally, its hopper has a 20-pound capacity, ensuring a long cooking time with minimum pellet refills.

Moreover, the grill also comes with a three-year warranty. It’s super easy to use, clean, and move. There is an LED display that shows the temperature, and a shutdown recycle mode. The design includes a special waste oil collector. Also, the grill has locking caster wheels for moving around.

Drawbacks

It does take a little effort to clean this grill, as the pellets tend to clog up the auger. You might have to do some cleaning by hand and some with a vacuum. Additionally, some users did find it hard to assemble.

Pros:

• Versatile
• Excellent price
• Three-year warranty
• Easy to use

Cons:

• Hassle to clean
• Hard to assemble

 

🥇 Portable Pellet Grill – Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett

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Having a BBQ at home is good … but a BBQ at the beach or in the woods, surrounded by nature, is even better. Just because you can’t move your 200-pound grill to the beach does not mean you get to miss out on this beautiful experience. All you need is the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill.

Key Features

This Davy Crockett is the best portable grill. It weighs just 57 pounds, allowing you to comfortably carry or move it anywhere. Moreover, it has foldable legs, which gives it a compact design and makes it easy to store in your car or any other place. It has lots of other convenient design features as well, such as utensil hooks and a tray at the side.

Despite its size, this grill has all the features you would expect in your usual pellet grill at home. It has a digital Wi-Fi controller, which you can use to monitor and adjust the temperature of the grill directly from your phone. There’s also a Green Mountain Grills App on Google Play and iTunes that you can use. Additionally, the grill has a peaked lid for taller recipes.

Moreover, the Davy Crockett features a thermal sensor, Sense-Mate, for monitoring the grill temperature continually. It also has a meat probe for monitoring the meat temperature. This grill can be powered through 12V or 120AC with adapters for three power settings.

Drawbacks

Even though the design is great in terms of portability, there are some flaws. For instance, unless you keep the pellet hopper full, the pellets sometimes won’t go down, which then requires a manual push.

Pros:

• Portable
• Lightweight and compact
• Convenient
• User-friendly
• Wireless controller app

Cons:

• Slight design flaws

 

🥇 Cheap Pellet Smoker – Cuisinart CPG-6000

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Using a grill for the first time can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Not when you have the Cuisinart CPG-6000 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. So, if you’re taking up BBQ for the first time, you need to get your hands on this grill as soon as possible.

Key Features

While controlling the temperature can be a challenge for beginners, this grill will make sure your meat turns out perfectly every time. It has a precise temperature controlling system that can manage high as well as low temperatures for slow and fast cooks. Additionally, it has a unique fuel system that doesn’t need constant manual adjustments and automatically controls the fuel consumption according to the set temperature.

Furthermore, it has a cooking area of 450 square inches, which is great for someone just starting out. This, combined with accurate temperature control, makes the grill quite versatile and perfect for experimenting. You can bake, grill, roast, smoke, and do so much more on one grill. The hopper has 15-pounds of capacity.

Moreover, the grill is also very easy to use and convenient to store. The temperature controls feature a simple thermostat and an LED display. This grill includes multiple shelves and hooks for easy use and handling. It also has all-terrain wheels that make it easy to move around and take anywhere.

Drawbacks

Even though this grill has all the necessary features, a wireless controlling system would have made it better, especially when most of the best grills these days come equipped with one.

Pros:

• Easy to use
• Versatile
• Suitable cooking area
• Easy to assemble
• Large pellet hopper
• Easy to move around

Cons:

• No wireless control

 

🥇 Large Pellet Grill – Camp Chef SmokePro LUX

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As you must have realized by now, Camp Chef is definitely one of our favorite brands for pellet grills. Accordingly, when you plan to cater to your whole neighborhood, you don’t need to buy two or three grills. You can just get the Camp Chef SmokePro LUX Pellet Grill.

Key Features

The lower rack has an area of 663 square inches while the upper rack has 221 square inches, bringing the total cooking area to a massive 884 square inches. The pellet hopper also has a big capacity of 18 pounds, ensuring continuous cooking without it running dry. Despite the large size, the SmokePro LUX still has excellent temperature control.

The Smart Smoke Technology and automatic auger dispenser result in the best smoke flavor. The temperature ranges from 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Besides that, the grill has various handy features including a meat probe, auto ignition, warming rack, and utility shelf. With its quick assembly, you’ll have it up and running in no time.

Moreover, the grill is quite easy to use and clean. It has the usual Camp Chef ash cleanout system, pellet hopper purge, and grease management system. There’s a simple and straightforward temperature selection system. You’ll also find a dual LED temperature display: one for the internal cooking temperature and one for the internal food temperature.

Drawbacks

This grill had majorly positive reviews. Most of the complaints were related to delivery and not related to the product’s performance. However, a few users didn’t find the temperature accurate enough at all times.

Pros:

• Large cooking area
• Versatile
• Easy to use
• Easy to clean up
• Large pellet hopper

Cons:

• Slight inaccuracy in temperature control

 

🥇 Professional-Grade Pellet Grill – Traeger PRO 780 Grill

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When it comes to professional-grade BBQ, not many can beat Traeger. More specifically, nothing can beat the Traeger PRO 780 Grill. Cooking on this grill will not only give you the most heavenly food, but it’ll be the most comfortable BBQ you’ve done.

Key Features

The PRO 780 has a cooking area of 780 square inches, which can fit around 34 burgers, six rib racks, or six chickens. The pellet hopper has a capacity of 20 pounds. You can set the temperature anywhere between 165 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it perfect for grilling at high temperatures and smoking on low.

Traeger’s PRO 780 features its WiFire Technology, which allows you to monitor and control your grill temperatures wirelessly on your phone or tablet through the Traeger App. The app also has tons of recipes. Additionally, this grill also has Traeger’s D2 system. A variable-speed fan and auger produce the right amount of smoke for the best flavor.

Moreover, it has a TurboTemp feature, which enables the temperatures to reach the set temperature quickly. Besides that, just because it’s a professional-grade grill doesn’t mean it’s complicated. On the contrary, the PRO 780 is quite user-friendly. The temperature controls are easy to operate, and the app only needs to be connected the first time manually. After that, it connects automatically.

Drawbacks

Despite Traeger’s reputation as a high-quality pellet grill brand, a few people had issues with their PRO 780. Although this is more of an issue with the app, it is still a problem. Many users experienced delays between the grill reaching the set temperature and the app notifying them about it. Moreover, the maximum temperature is only 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which is not ideal for searing.

Pros:

• Large cooking area
• Wireless temperature control through Traeger app
• TurboTemp feature
• Easy to use
• Useful recipes on app

Cons:

• App issues
• Expensive
• Not suitable for searing

 

🥇 Luxury & High-Quality Pellet Smoker – Memphis Elite

👀 See it on Amazon

If you’re searching for luxury, look no further than this grill. The Memphis Elite Pellet Smoker redefines the whole luxury pellet grill concept. It has tons of features that might seem excessive at first but only add to the grill’s charm.

Key Features

This freestanding wood pellet grill is made with 304 stainless steel. This not only looks good and is easy to clean, but ensures a long life without any rusting or erosion. The cooking grates are made of 6mm nickel-plated steel that gives your meat the perfect grill or smoke. Moreover, the grill has a dual-wall firebox and an oven-quality gasket.

This guarantees a properly insulated cooking chamber and better temperature control. Additionally, the cooking area is a whopping 844 square inches that can easily cater to a large gathering. The hopper also has a large capacity of 24 pounds, which can last up to 62 hours of cooking without a refill. The grill’s temperature can be set anywhere between 180 degrees Fahrenheit and 700 degrees Fahrenheit, which few grills can reach.

To make things even easier, the Memphis Elite Pellet Smoker comes with a wireless WiFi controller. Using the free Memphis App on your iPhone or Android smartphone, you can check and control the grill temperatures from anywhere. The temperature probe provides precise temperatures of your food so you can achieve your desired flavor.

Drawbacks

The only drawback we found with this grill, besides the fact that it was pretty expensive, was that – despite the large cooking area – the cooking area over direct heat was limited. So, it might be a little hard for when you plan to do a lot of grilling.

Pros:

• High-quality components
• Strong and sturdy design
• Wide temperature range
• Versatile
• Excellent temperature control
• Easy to use and assemble

Cons:

• Expensive
• Less cooking area for direct heat

 

🥇 Traeger Elite Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

👀 See it on Amazon

With the Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, you’ll never have to use charcoal or gas again. And we all know how much better food tastes when you’re cooking with wood. Having a rating of 4.6/5, this pellet grill is a bestseller on Amazon!

The pellet smoker has a versatile list of options including grill, smoke, braise, roast, and barbecue. The digital elite controller makes maintaining the grill temperature super easy. The automatic temperature control also lets you relax while the grill does all the work, preventing you from having to stand over the grill to constantly monitor your food.

It is also perfect for cooking in your home and has a spacious capacity of 418 square inches. The grills of the pellet grill can carry up to five racks of ribs, four chickens, or 16 burgers. It does not weigh more than 18 pounds, allowing you to move it around easily.

User Critique  

The Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a customer favorite on Amazon. A 5-star rating has been given by a whopping 80% of its users. However, there were some complaints about the replacement supplies being too pricey.

Pros

• Spacious
• Easy to clean and maintain
• Portable
• Suitable for home cooking

Con

• Pricey replacement supplies

Final Verdict

The Traeger Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker will surely live up to your expectations. It’s spacious, durable, easy to maintain, and suitable for all kinds of cooking. We suggest you make this investment and you won’t be disappointed.

 

🥇 Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill

👀 See it on Amazon

Looking for an affordable pellet smoker without compromising on quality? The Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill might be the one for you. Not only is the price drastically less than other brands, but the features it offers are pretty much the same.

The pellet is great for cooking big chunks of meat such as brisket, pork butt, pork belly, and ribs. Not only is it capable of easily letting you cook these but also other food items such as wings, chops, steaks, veggies, and so on! The pellet is also a large enough size to cook food for guests at an entire party. All you’ll need is this one pellet grill.

The Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill is of super quality and is perfectly simple to assemble. The product also comes with an easily understandable user’s manual, which only makes your job easier. The total surface area of the pellet grill is 700 square inches. It contains completely natural wood pellets. It has an electronically controlled burn system and cast-iron grids coated in porcelain.

User Critique

Customers have been very happy with obtaining a pellet smoker at such a low price and getting great results. However, some users have complained that the temperature control system may not be as effective, so it is important to keep an eye on your food.

Pros

• Very affordable option
• High-quality finish
• Easy to assemble and use
• Spacious

Con

• Doesn’t have a side shelf

Final Verdict

The Pit Boss 700FB Pellet Grill is the best option if you’re on a strict budget. Not only does it maintain quality, but it is also spacious enough to cook food that can serve numerous guests!

 

🥇 Cookshack PG500 Fast Eddy’s Pellet Grill

👀 See it on Amazon

The Cookshack PG500 Fast Eddy’s Pellet Grill is one of the only pellet grills with a dedicated direct searing area. Even though it is one of the most pricey pellet grills you’ll find, we promise it’s totally worth the price! With its unique features and useful additions to the model, Fast Eddy’s Pellet Grill is sure to leave you impressed.

The best thing about the digital controller of the pellet is that it is not at all difficult to use. At the same time, it has some fun features that improve the performance of both searing and cooking. The pellet is super easy to clean because the ash drawer is in the front. The product comes with a two-year warranty.

It is highly durable, as it is made of 100% stainless steel. The pellet is also very spacious with an area of 784 square inches. You also don’t have to worry about your meat becoming dry and small; the temperature can be controlled electronically, preventing fluctuations in heat. The thermostat is also electronically controlled. The grills are nickel-plated.

User Critique

The Fast Eddy Pellet Grill continues to give users a hassle-free experience. They remain impressed with its quality, features, and large space. The only con that customers have expressed is that it’s not very easily affordable.

Pros

• Easy to assemble and use
• Spacious
• Easy to clean
• Electronically controlled temperature and thermostat

Con

• Pricey

Final Verdict

We agree that the Fast Eddy pellet grill can be heavy on your pockets, but think of it as a long-term investment! It offers unmatchable ease and convenience.

 

What is the best pellet smoker?

Here are some of the things we think are helpful in deciding which pellet grill is the absolute best for your needs.

Factors to Consider

Many features help determine the quality and durability of a pellet smoker. Here is a quick checklist:

• What material is it made of?
• How spacious is it?
• Does it have built-in temperature controls?
• Is it portable or too heavy?
• Does it support different kinds of cooking?
• Is it easy to use?
• Is it supported by WiFi?

These are all fundamental questions you need to ask yourself before you make a decision about which pellet smoker to buy.

Brand

Apart from the above list, you also need to consider the brand. Some of the most popular ones include:

• Camp Chef
• REC TEC
• Memphis
• Traeger
• Green Mountain
• Pit Boss
• Pits and Spits
• Yoder

These manufacturers make the best pellet smokers on the market and are the ones powered by the latest technology.

Budget

If budget is your primary concern, then you will be happy to know there are some super inexpensive pellet grills available that will definitely impress you! The Pit Boss 700FB pellet grill is one of the best on the market, yet it sells for less than $400.

Expert opinion

Experts have tested and reviewed some of the best and most popular grills out there. Looking at what they have to say makes it easier to judge which pellet smoker is the best. After testing the Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi grill, experts have said, “The Davy Crockett gives you far more temperature control than many other pellet grills.”

Additionally, they said, “This grill made to the best portable pellet smoker due to a couple of key features. The legs fold into a convenient carry handle, and it comes packaged with the accessories you’ll need to power the smoker from a range of sources.”

Experts were super impressed after testing the REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill saying “This is a large smoker! With 702 square inches of cooking surface, the REC TEC offers more space for your dollar than most of the competitors.”

Continue reading for a comprehensive buyers’ guide that will get into the specifics of a pellet grill and help you choose the best one.

How to choose the right pellet smoker

How would you decide which pellet smoker is best suited for your needs? There are multiple factors to consider, apart from the brand, when choosing a high-quality pellet grill.

Have a look at our detailed buyer’s guide to help you make the best decision.

• Makeup

The makeup, design, and construction of the pellet smoker is perhaps the most important factor to consider. This is because the quality of the smoker depends on its makeup. It would be wise to go for one that is made of stainless steel, as it does not rust and is less vulnerable to damage. Good quality makeup of the pellet grill will also provide better heat retention and higher general performance of the smoker.

• Capacity

You can find many different sizes and capacities among pellet smokers on the market. You need to decide what would be best suited for your needs. If you’re a social butterfly and host parties and get-togethers frequently, you’ll need one with a larger cooking chamber.

However, if you have a household of only a few people and you only occasionally use the pellet grill, then a smaller lighter one would serve you just fine. You should also consider the size of your home when deciding how large of a pellet smoker you want.

• Temperature

Why does the temperature range matter? Because different kinds of cooking require different temperatures, and you need to choose your pellet smoker according to what you prefer to eat. If you’re a fan of grilled food, you’ll need a higher temperature range. On the other hand, a lower temperature is required for smoking. In short, it comes down to your preference.   

• Mobility

The majority of users prefer a lightweight pellet grill, as it is easy to move around. A portable grill will be compatible with all kinds of gatherings because it can be taken from one house to another. For this reason, a pellet smoker with wheels is highly recommended. This makes it even more mobile.

When choosing a pellet grill, see if the wheels can be locked when the smoker is in use. This will make it more stable, thus helping to ensure your safety and the safety of those around you.

• Is it versatile?

Every user likes to have multiple options available when they’re cooking. Especially when you’re hosting a get together full of people, you need to be mindful of everyone’s preferences. Some people prefer grilled chicken; others prefer barbecued food; some like braised meat and others enjoy their meats roasted.

In such situations, you would want a pellet smoker that accommodates all these cooking styles. Traeger is a popular brand that offers multiple models of pellet grills that support all types of cooking styles.

For instance, the more health-minded among us will probably want to toss a few veggies on the grill alongside their meats. You might already know that vegetables require medium to medium-high grilling temperatures. Most veggies don’t take as long to grill as most meats do, so you can place them on your grill after you’ve had the meat on for a while. Some grills make it easier to cook both meats and vegetables side by side.

• Simple to use

Is the pellet grill easy to assemble? Does it have features that enhance the cooking experience? Is it easy to clean? These are all important questions to consider which option will better enhance your grilling experience.

For example, a digital control feature makes it easier to control the temperature without having to constantly stand over the grill. If you hope to grab a cold drink and shoot the breeze with your friends while the grilling is underway, you’ll definitely want this feature. It enables a busy host to multitask and still produce an exquisite BBQ.

Some pellet smokers are easier to clean and maintain than others. For example, the Camp Chef Deluxe pellet grill has a built-in ash cleanout system.

If you are just starting with smokers, we recommend having a look at our detailed list for the best smokers for beginners as well.

• WiFi

While this is not a priority, it will help you get a more convenient experience. This new feature available in smart pellet grills enables you to control the pellet smoker without any external power source.

You simply need to use supported apps, which are usually compatible with both iOS and Android devices. Having a WiFi-supported pellet grill will make it easier to control its temperature without having you to be right next to the unit.

• Warranty

Having a pellet smoker that is backed up by warranty makes your purchase more secure. It gives you the confidence that you have support if something goes wrong with the pellet grill.

Most brands tend to give a warranty of one year. However, it is also possible to find a pellet smoker with a five-year warranty. This makes it easy to deal with issues caused by the makeup of the pellet and not your carelessness.

Many grill brands will also offer an extended warranty for a manageable surcharge, which you can purchase online at the same time that you buy the grill. If nothing else, a warranty will give you a little buffer from “Murphy’s Law” catching up with you at the wrong time. 

• Controller

How easy your pellet smoker is to use will depend on the quality of its controller. The standard controller consists of a three-fold regulator that lets you choose between low heat, medium heat, and high heat. There are also multi-fold controllers where the temperature can be adjusted according to pre-decided accretions.

How to use a pellet smoker

To make the best use of your pellet grill, it is important to know the best way to use it. Carelessness and negligence will result in you damaging the unit sooner than you had anticipated. Read on for some useful tips that will not only enhance your experience but will also help maintain the quality of your new pellet smoker.

• Make sure to keep your pellet grill clean. It is obviously important to stay hygienic; proper maintenance will also keep the flavor of your food from being affected. Buying a high-quality cover for your grill is also an effective way to make it more durable.

• Avoid opening the lid again and again when cooking on the pellet smoker. If you keep checking inside, the strong flavor will be lost by allowing the smoke to be released in the air. This will also cause the temperature to fluctuate, prolonging the cooking period of your food.

• It is very important to adhere to safety precautions. Always stay updated on the weather forecast and avoid leaving your pellet smoker outside when it is about to rain. Keep the cords away from water and make sure they aren’t wet before use. Also, place the smoker in a position where it won’t fall over and no one will accidentally trip over it.

• Some of the equipment that comes with the pellet grill should be replaced from time to time for best results over a long period of time. A gasket is one example of this. Replacing it at the right time will improve the performance of the grill.
• It is recommended to prevent your smoker from being exposed to water. If your smoker is wet or even damp, this greatly hinders the performance of the smoker. It doesn’t burn well and consequently takes longer for the food to cook. Damp conditions can also cause pellets to become useless due to swelling.

Let’s look at the benefits of a pellet grill

The major reason people choose to buy a pellet smoker is the ease that it offers and because of its versatile nature. The pellet grill is able to cook various different kinds of meals on one single grill. Let’s look at some more of its benefits in detail.

• Little Time Wasted Cleaning Up

With a charcoal smoker, a mess is created each time you use it. After all that effort you put in to cook the food, extra effort needs to be put in to clean the area. But guess what? A pellet smoker lets you save time by creating little or no mess at all.

Some pellet grills now come with their own cleaning systems such as the Camp Chef Deluxe Pellet Grill, which has its very own ash cleanout feature.

• It’s value

Pellet smokers are sure to be a big investment and cost more than regular grills. But there’s a good reason for this! After all, it consists of both a grill and a smoker. The stainless steel makes its construction super strong, which is why most pellet grills come with at least 3 to 4 years of warranty.

• Temperature control

This is a major plus point. Temperature controls let you set your food on the grill and sit back and relax. The automatic temperature regulation feature present in most pellet grills prevents you from having to stand over the grill to constantly monitor your food in case it burns.

We all know that in order to cook meat properly and to make sure it doesn’t lose its flavor, it is important to keep the temperature in check.

• The job gets done faster

Pellet grills are much faster when it comes to cooking food and a lot of time and energy is saved. These grills are quick to pre-heat; consequently, your food is ready much quicker. This works very conveniently when hosting a gathering full of people. The quicker the food is served, the happier your guests are. A pellet smoker may even give a classy look to your party.

• Diverse

Pellet smokers offer a diverse range of options when it comes to the kind of food you want to cook. Whether you like your meat barbecued, roasted, braised, grilled, or smoked, pellet grills have it all covered. The best part is that all of this is available on one single grill. As mentioned above, versatility is the main reason why people choose to buy pellet grills.

• Added benefits

Some brands of pellet smokers give the option of cold smokers as well, which serves as an added advantage. You can now also cook dishes that have cheese or salmon in them on the same pellet grill. There’s no need to prepare them separately.

• All kinds of smokers available

There are so many different options of pellet smokers available. They’re available in many different kinds of sizes and shapes. Pellet grills have been designed in a way that keeps in mind the preferences of all kinds of customers. Whether you need it for commercial or private use, you’ll have plenty of options available!

Final Word

There’s no doubt that pellet smokers have become the latest trend, and we’re not surprised about it. The pellet grill offers so much convenience and ease that owning one would definitely make a barbecuer’s life easier.

There’s no doubt that it’s a big investment; most pellet smokers aren’t exactly cheap. But we assure you that it’ll give you a run for your money, as selecting the correct one means it will be with you for a long time!

We hope that this guide will help you decide which pellet grill is the best for you. We’ve done our best to break down all the factors to consider to eliminate your confusion and help you on your way. Good luck!

Last Updated on August 27, 2020 by Judith Fertig