We included the Z Grills 7002C2E in our latest tests for the Best Pellet Grill of 2023. To find the best wood pellet grill under $599, we compared five different models and rated them on more than 20 different criteria.
In contrast, the Z Grills 700 series pellet grill has a cooking area of almost exactly 700 square inches, thus the series’ name. First, let’s have a look at the technical details of this device.
Key Specifications:
- Assembled Dimensions: H51″xW48″xD26″
- Weight: 113 lbs
- Cooking Area: main grate 504 square inches, secondary grate 193 square inches, total cooking area 697 square inches.
- Cooking Height: 9 inches
- Temperature Range: 180-450 °F
- Hopper Capacity: 24 lbs
The primary grate is constructed from porcelain-coated steel and is 26″ broad by 19 1/2″ deep. The top rack is also built from porcelain coated steel, and its dimensions are 26 inches broad by 7 and a half inches deep.
This wood pellet barbecue can hold up to 24 pounds of wood pellets, and it weighs little over 110 pounds. You can check the pellet supply at any time thanks to the pellet hopper’s see-through glass. Since I often seem to forget to restock my grills with wood pellets before lighting them, this function is quite helpful.
In case you were wondering, the cooking chamber is 9 inches tall, which is useful information to have when thinking about smoking the Thanksgiving turkey.
There are a total of 697 square inches of usable cooking area between the main cooking surface’s 504 square inches and the top rack’s 193 square inches.
Temperatures between 180 and 375 degrees Fahrenheit may be adjusted using the digital PID controller’s single knob. Aside from the default setting of High, which we found to be about 500 degrees, there is also a Smoke level below 180 and a Very High setting over 375.
High-Quality Construction is a Priority for Z Grills
We measured the thickness of the lid at 2.11 mm and the thickness of the body at 1.55 mm to determine the overall construction quality of this wood pellet grill using a digital caliper.
The grill’s portability is ensured by its two sets of wheels, one big and one smaller, both of which lock into place for security. For easier maneuverability through grass and softer terrain, we found that picking up the pellet grill by the handle and lifting the caster wheels off the ground worked best.
Controller for Z-Style Grills
The Z Grills 700 series has a PID temperature controller, the latest innovation in wood pellet grills. The PID temperature controller is more effective than previous controllers, such as scheduled duty cycle or basic digital controllers, in maintaining a constant temperature. Predictive ability implies that there will be less of a swing in temperatures over time.
Cooking on the Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill is not different from Using the Pit Boss 820D3 for Cooking
Verification of Temperature
We put it through its paces by seeing how long it would operate on only 4 pounds of wood pellets in a dummy hopper. When the first pellet struck the burn cup, we turned off the auger and let it warm up. After resetting and powering on the pellet grill to settle at 250 degrees, it operated for 3 hours and 39 minutes on 4 pounds of wood pellets before dropping to sub 230 degrees and losing heat until it was turned off.
With the use of our Thermometer, we were able to compare the actual temperature inside the Z Grills pellet grill with the one set by the user.
We also timed how long it took for this wood pellet grill to heat up to 250 degrees from cold. The temperature reached 250 degrees in only 11 minutes and 38 seconds when we magnetically connected our Thermoworks Big and Loud timer to the front, where we could see both figures.
Warranty
The Z Grills pellet grill comes with a three-year standard warranty; see the company’s website for further information.
Z Grills’ 700 Series Wood Pellet Grill: Why You Need One
The huge hopper of the Z Grills 7002c2e ensures that your leisurely smoking session will endure for the duration.
The pellet hopper clean out option is a nice touch. I can easily choose between pellet flavors and empty the wood pellet hopper anytime I need to. Although I seldom do so, I do appreciate to be able to choose between pellet tastes.
The PID temperature controller has two meat probes, which is unusual for a sub-$600 unit. Two meat probes is a nice bonus, especially since most pellet grills only have one.
When smoking many meats at once on a wood pellet barbecue, it’s important to have more than one meat probe so that you can accurately monitor their inside temperatures.
Thanks to the pellet hopper glass, I can easily see whether I need to add additional wood pellets to the grill before starting to cook.
This model maintained the most stable cooking chamber temperatures throughout our trials. When compared to the other models in the experiment, the +/- 10 F temperature variation was rather small. Z Grills is the best in terms of maintaining a consistent temperature.
Drawbacks of the Z Grills 700 Series Wood Pellet Grill
This Z Grills model lacks a side shelf, so the stainless steel lid of the pellet hopper serves as the main workspace for preparing and cooking meals on the wood pellet barbecue.
We weren’t getting the authentic smoky flavor that we had on previous wood pellet grills while cooking at a low and moderate temperature. Unfortunately, the temperature variances that create more smoke and improve the color and bark of your proteins are the price you have to pay for that excellent temperature uniformity.
Conclusion
As a whole, therefore, what do we think of the Z Grills 7002C2E wood pellet grill? You may smoke at 250 degrees Fahrenheit or sear at high temperatures for a short amount of time since the temperature on this pellet grill stays within a narrow range.
We found that this wood pellet grill was the most efficient of the five we tested. With a 24 pound pellet hopper, this grill is well-suited for an overnight brisket roast. There isn’t much to complain about with this system, and at less than $600, it performs well compared to its rivals.
