There are a number of advantages to using a wood pellet grill, including the fact that it’s simple to operate and incredibly adaptable. Wood pellets are used to power these grills, which you load into a hopper connected to the grill and then let the grill feed the pellets into the firebox while you cook. Pellet grills, with their self-regulating thermostats and consistent heat distribution, make grilling a lot less of a trial-and-error process because of the reduced smoke and flare-ups.
That’s not the end of the story, though. Grilling, smoking, searing, and even baking may all be done on a wood pellet barbecue. Today’s top-of-the-line versions are even Wi-Fi equipped, enabling you to manage the device from your smartphone.
This is a list of the greatest wood pellet grills that you can buy.
1. Best Overall: Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
It’s no wonder that wood pellet barbecues are sweeping over American patios. These grills use electricity to perform almost all of the work for you, making them very useful and convenient. The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is the best of the many grills available, according to us. Features like meat probes and customizable smoke settings make this device stand out from the competitors. It also has an additional side table for keeping cooking implements.
The automatic auger that feeds the barbecue with wood pellets is a noteworthy feature. The auto-start electronic ignition on this grill eliminates the need for lighter fluid and matches, allowing you to fire it up with only a turn of the knob. They really like how easy it is to maintain. Easy cleaning is made possible with a grease drain and an ash removal system.
This barbecue has a 429-square-inch bottom rack and a 141-square-inch top smoking area. With a PID controller, a high-end function, the user may change the grill temperature with more precision (to within a few degrees). The temperatures for this model range between 160 and 500 degrees.
What we like:
- An easy-to-use UI
- Maintaining a constant temperature
- There are a lot of interesting aspects about this vehicle.
- At a reasonable cost
What we don’t like:
- Pellet feed has a number of problems.
- Dimensions are on the small side.
2. Best Budget: Z Grills ZPG-7002E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
Considering its size and the fact that similar models sell for up to $700, this barbecue is an excellent value for roughly $500. In the same way that convection heat distribution technology has been used in earlier models, this appliance gives a wide range of cooking options. However, there are a lot of new features in this model as well.
The 7002E’s stainless steel construction means it is less vulnerable to corrosion than other models. Additionally, the temperature control has been enhanced, and the pellet feed mechanism has been redesigned. This electric feed system automatically regulates the grill’s temperature, which may range from 180 to 450 degrees.
A 513-square-inch grilling surface and a 187-square-inch warming/smoking rack are included in the grill’s overall size (totaling 700 square inches). An electric auto-start ignition and an LED temperature readout are also included in this grill’s impressive features list. Many reviewers say this grill is simple to operate and easy to keep a consistent temperature. A grill cover is included, as is a three-year guarantee and two wheels for mobility.
What we like:
- Pellet feed that is better
- Technology that uses convection to distribute heat
- Unbeatable cost-to-size ratio
What we don’t like:
- Some difficulties with temperature control.
3. Best for Beginners: Weber Smokefire EX4 Wood Fired Pellet Grill
Despite its high expectations, the first-generation Weber SmokeFire Pellet Grill suffered with hopper jams and inadequate grease damage. As a result, Weber has developed the SmokeFire EX4, a model that performs noticeably better than its predecessor.
With 672 square inches of cooking surface on each of its top and lower grates, this pellet grill is capable of smoking, searing, and more. Two meat probes and Weber Connect, a helpful grilling assistant that walks you through each stage of the cooking process step by step, are all included in this DC-powered grill. It’s perfect for grilling beginners who don’t want to worry about pellet jams.
What we like:
- Uncomplicated method
- There is a great deal of automation.
- Using this app is a snap.
What we don’t like:
- Expensive
- In certain cases, the app may not permit personalization.
- Probes were limited to only two.
4. Best Large Capacity: Oklahoma Joe’s Rider 900 Pellet Grill
With two porcelain-coated cast iron grates and more than 900 square inches of cooking capacity, the Oklahoma Joe’s Rider 900 Pellet Grill is ideal for large gatherings. A full chicken or six racks of ribs may fit in it at the same time!
You may select between two cooking modes on this pellet grill: Timer Mode, which cooks food for a defined length of time at your preferred temperature, and Temp-Probe Mode, which signals when your food has achieved its intended internal temperature. With a 20-pound QuickDraw hopper and twin smoke stacks, the grill ensures uniform heat distribution.
What we like:
- Over 900 square feet of cooking area
- Different ways to cook
- Possibility of searing something while it is burning live
- For its size, it’s a reasonable price.
What we don’t like:
- Heavy
- Operating in the chilly weather has certain challenges.
5. Best Portable: Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill
If you enjoy grilling while on vacation, តhis model is one of the smallest and most affordable options on the market. At 32 by 16 by 21 inches, this grill is ideal for picnicking or camping. It weighs 68 pounds. In order to fit in the trunk of a car and make it easier to transport, the legs can be folded into convenient handles.
The total cooking surface area is 219 square inches. An 18-pound capacity makes refilling much less of an issue because it can hold so much material. Sense-Mate technology, which monitors the grill’s temperature, is also included, as well as a convenient side rack for storing grill utensils. The temperature ranges from 150 to 550 degrees Fahrenheit, with 5-degree steps between each setting.
Digital Wi-Fi control settings can also be set on the mobile app for this device. Smoke and temperature can be controlled remotely. The app also allows users to set timers for their food or program their grill with unique instructions. For instance, users can set up their grill to cook at one temperature for a set time and then automatically change to another temperature for a different set time.
What we like:
- Compact and light in weight
- Well-built
- Included are alternatives for portable power.
- Affordable
What we don’t like:
- Temperature interface learning curve
- Some peculiarities of design.
6. Best Electric: Traeger Pro 575 Wifi Pellet Grill and Smoker
A starter and temperature control are not always included in wood pellet stoves, although power is required for their operation in all cases. It’s no surprise that Traeger, the company behind the original wood-pellet grill, has added bells and whistles such as a quick-start ignition and an auger system that feeds the pellets and regulates the heat.
Because it makes grilling so much easier, the “set it and forget it” temperature control has received a lot of positive feedback. The grill handles all the work for you; all you have to do is set the dial to the proper temperature and press the ignite button. The entire cooking area is 575 square inches and has a hopper capacity of 18 pounds. – It can withstand temperatures between 165 and 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, this grill may be used to smoke, bake, braise, and barbecue at the same time.
For those who want to monitor and control the temperature of their barbecue from their mobile devices, this grill is equipped with Wi-Fi technology.
What we like:
- Temperature control that may be set and forgotten.
- Exceptionally well-made
- In order to get up and running quickly, TurboTemp has been designed with this in
What we don’t like:
- Costly in comparison to its size.
- There is a lack of reliability in Wi-Fi.
7. Best for Pizza: Ooni Fyra Portable Wood-Fired Outdoor Pizza Oven
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a more powerful and compact device that yet maintains a high temperature. In only 15 minutes, this 29.1 x 15.3 x 28.3-inch appliance warms up to 932 degrees Fahrenheit and cooks pizza in just 60 seconds. Because of its small size (just 22 pounds) and ease of disassembly, it is also incredibly portable.
The unit’s chimney and movable legs may be removed so that it can be transported to a beach or park for a get-together. Additionally, the grill can quickly roast meats, fresh fish and vegetables for a variety of other meals. 12 inches of cooking space and a stone baking board are included. The stone is very long-lasting, and its use extends beyond pizza. When registered on the manufacturer’s website, this model comes with a three-year guarantee.
What we like:
- Extremely high temperatures are reached.
- Prepares pizza in a flash.
- For convenient storage, it disintegrates into smaller pieces.
- Good for more than pizza.
What we don’t like:
- Operation has a steep learning curve.
When Buying a Wood Pellet Grill, What to Consider?
Size
As with any grill, you’ll want to opt for a wood pellet grill that’s an adequate size for your cooking requirements. Consider the size of the grill, which will effect how it fits into your house, as well as its cooking space. It’s especially helpful to look at the main cooking surface, since some companies inflate the entire cooking size of their grills with the addition of extra racks.
Temperature Range
Wood pellet grills are most typically used for cooking low and slow, but if you’re searching for a model that can conduct classic grilling, make sure to check at its temperature range. A pellet grill that only goes up to 400 degrees isn’t going to be very successful at searing meat—at the least, you’ll want a model that goes up to 500 degrees to leave beautiful char marks on your meal.
Hopper Design
All pellet grills include a hopper where you add wood pellets, and there are a few things you’ll want to look at while you shop. First of all, examine the hopper capacity. Models with bigger hoppers may be used for longer periods of time without having to be replenished, which is vital if you’re going to smoke brisket or other time-consuming dishes.
Another feature you may want to check for is the option to empty the hopper. Certain pellet grills include a trap door that enables you to dump pellets out of the hopper, and this allows you to switch to a different pellet flavor or remove the fuel to troubleshoot your grill. Cheaper grills frequently lack this capability, requiring you to use up all the pellets in the hopper before switching to fresh pellets.
Cover
Pellet grill hoppers and augers may get clogged if water is allowed to enter. If you want to leave your grill outside, it’s imperative that you cover it while it’s not in use. When purchasing a pellet grill, check to see whether it comes with a cover, and if it doesn’t, compare the cost of purchasing one separately.
FAQs
What is the procedure for using a pellet grill?
If you’re accustomed to cooking on a gas or charcoal grill, you may need some practice using a wood pellet barbecue. You feed hardwood pellets into the grill’s hopper to power a pellet barbecue. In the main cooking chamber, an auger gently feeds these little pellets of wood into a fire pot, where they burn one at a time. The fire pot’s heat and smoke are disseminated throughout the grill, which uses indirect heat rather than open flames to cook the food. The grill’s temperature may be adjusted by adding or removing pellets from the fire pot.
Do electric wood pellet grills include all types of pellet grills?
You’ll need an outside outlet nearby to plug in your wood pellet grill so that it can run its augers, fans, and other internal components.
In a barbecue, how quickly do wood pellets burn?
The rate at which you burn through wood pellets is directly proportional to the temperature at which you cook. If you’re using a high heat, you may expect to use up to 2 pounds of pellets each hour of cooking. Only a pound of pellets may be consumed in an hour at low smoking temperatures.
How do you get a wood pellet grill to start cooking food?
As with preheating an oven, lighting a wood pellet grill involves very little work on your side. To begin, open the grill’s cover and turn on the grill. As soon as you set a cooking temperature, the grill will begin heating its fire pot and feeding pellets into it from the hopper (at which point you can generally close the lid). Pellet grills might take up to ten minutes to heat up to the proper temperature for grilling food.
