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The Best Pellet Smokers for Your Money – Complete Review & Buying Guide [2020]

July 9, 2020 By Matthew Seiler

10 top rated pellet smokers
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If you’re looking for a versatile and fast cooker with less messy post-grilling cleanup then you should have a look at these smokers.

These cookers made by brands such as Traeger, Camp Chef, and Pit Boss, among others, are incredibly versatile and get the job done faster than charcoal smokers. They also use a controller that is digital and a pellet feeding system that helps the smoker to keep a predictable heat by adding wood as needed.

Quick Links

  • What is the Best Pellet Grill 2020?
  • Buying Guide – What to Look for When Buying a Pellet Smoker
  • Benefits of a Pellet Smoker
  • Drawbacks of Pellet Smokers
  • Pellet Grills – Frequently Asked Questions
  • Final Verdict: The Best Pellet Grill for the Money?

The wood pellets are food–grade and come in a variety of flavors and wood types.

In this guide, we break down the 10 best pellet smokers available in the market today. We’ll also run through what to look for when buying a pellet smoker and the pros and cons of pellet smoking to help your search for the right model.

What is the Best Pellet Grill 2020?

ProductCapacityWeightOur Smoking Score


Pit Boss Sportsman 820 small product image

#1 PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN 820
Editor’s Choice
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849 sq in21 lbs.5/5


Small Product Image of Z GRILLS ZPG-7002ENC

#2 Z GRILLS 7002E
Best Budget Pick
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700 sq in20 lbs.4.8/5


Small Product Image of Camp Chef SmokePro LUX

#3 Camp Chef SmokePro LUX
Best Large Capacity
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875 sq in18 lbs.4.6/5


Louisiana Grill LG1100 small product image

#4 Lousiana Grill LG1100
Editor’s Choice
CHECK PRICE


575 sq in18 lbs.4.5/5


Small Product Image of Traeger pro 575

#5 Traeger PRO 575
Editor’s Choice
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575 sq in18 lbs.4.4/5


Z Grills - ZPG-10002E 8 IN 1 small product image

#6 Z Grills – ZPG-10002E 8 IN 1
Best Luxury Buy
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432 sq in20 lbs.4.4/5


PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN PORTABLE WOOD PELLET GRILL small product image

#7 PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN PORTABLE
Best Luxury Buy
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387 sq in19 lbs.4.3/5


Camp Chef - SMOKEPRO SG 24 WIFI PELLET GRILL small product image

#8 Camp Chef – SMOKEPRO SG 24
Best Luxury Buy
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387 sq in19 lbs.4.2/5


Small Product Image of Green Mountain Grills

#9 Green Mountain Grills
Best Portable Grill
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219 sq in9 lbs.4.2/5


Small Product Image of Traeger Select Elite Pallet Grills TFS60LZC

#10 Traeger Select Elite
Best Professional-Grade
CHECK PRICE


589 sq in18 lbs.4/5

1. Best Overall: PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN 820

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 500°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 849 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 21 lbs.

  • Start-up: Automatic

  •  Grease management system: No
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Pit Boss Sportsman 820 small product image

Compared to other manufacturers, Pit Boss is more accessible and affordable to the average customers. However, the price doesn’t diminish its performance because this grill tends to deliver similar results as the more premium counterparts.

Additionally, this brand provides you an opportunity to experience a unique natural smoking ability that you’d be hard-pressed to find in other smokers and grills. So, whether you wish to prepare searing fish, smoking jerky, or grilling game, this model can deliver that and much more.

The Sportsman pellet grill has various cooking functions, while temperature ranges between 180°F and 500 degrees fahrenheit. It also features digital controls and meat probes, so you can check the cooking process without having to open the lid.

When it comes to pellet grill cooking space, this smoker includes more than 700 square in., and an innovative slide plate flame broiler for easy access. The Sportsman pellet grill is our choice for the best pellet grill available.

PROS

  • Suitable for outdoor use
  • Large cooking space
  • Cooking versatility
  • Budget-friendly
  • Meat probes included
  • Side shelf and removable tray
  • Easy to Clean

CONS

  • The auger takes some time to reflect the temperature changes

2. Best Budget Pick: Z GRILLS 7002E 2020 New Model Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

Key Specs:

  • Range: 160-450°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 700 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs.

  • Dimensions: 48.5 x 22.5 x 51.2 inches

  • Weight: 118 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Product Image of Z GRILLS ZPG-7002ENC

If you’re on a shoestring budget the Z Grills ZPG-700ENC is the perfect fit for you. And just because it comes with a lower price tag, doesn’t mean it lacks premium features.

For just $409 at the current price, you get a large grilling area of 700 sq in., an automatic electric system to feed the pellets, and a smoker that enables you to bake, barbecue, grill, sear, roast, braise, smoke, and char grill.

What’s more this grill features a built-in controller, one temperature and pellet feed control system, and an auto-ignition feature for quick start up. It has a decent hopper of 20 lbs., which eliminates the need for the constant refilling of pellets.

There is an easy-to-read display for temperature control and a shutdown recycle mode. This model has a high max temperature of 450 degrees fahrenheit. The design also includes a special waste oil collector for mess-free operation and caster-lock wheels for excellent mobility. A generous three year warranty will also give you much-needed peace of mind.

PROS

  • Easy to use
  • Affordably priced
  • Generous three year warranty
  • Versatile functionality
  • Sturdy, high-quality construction
  • Great wood pellet grill

CONS

  • It is challenging to assemble
  • It can be fiddly and difficult to clean

3. Best Large Capacity: Camp Chef SmokePro LUX

Key Specs:

  • Range: 160-500°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 875 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 18 lbs.

  • Dimensions: 47.5 x 62 x 24 inches

  • Weight: 180 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Product Image of Camp Chef SmokePro LUX

Camp Chef is right up there when it comes to the best pellet smoker models.

This large enough Camp Chef SmokePro LUX Pellet Grill is superior to its cousin model the SmokePro DLX. It offers an ample 663 square in. grilling surface on its lower rack and an additional 221 square in. on the warming rack. This is great for extra cooking space.

The Smart Smoke Technology and automatic auger dispenser produce decent smoky barbecue. Besides that, the grill has various features included that would cost quite a sum on their own including a probe for the meat, warming rack, auto ignition, and a utility shelf.

It has a large capacity of 18 pounds to enable continuous cooking with excellent temperature controls. It also assembles quite easy with no challenging steps just like the smokepro dlx model.

This grill is a breeze to clean just like the camp chef smokepro dlx model. Its patented ash clean out system, grease management features, and pellet hopper purge, make keeping this grill clean simple and straightforward. There is also a two LED temperature display for the internal cooking temperature and the internal food temperature. One of the best pellet grills as well in the market today.

PROS

  • Large cooking area
  • Patented ash clean out system
  • Dual LED temperature readout
  • Includes a pellet hopper clean out and purge
  • Convenient electronic auto-start ignition

CONS

  • Slight inaccuracy in temp. controls
  • It doesn’t give a deep smoky flavor as other smokers in its class

4. Best Modern Design: Louisiana Grill LG1100

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 450°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 575 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 18 lbs.

  • Dimensions: 53 x 41 x 27 inches.

  • Weight: 124 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Louisiana Grill LG1100 product image

If you never used a pellet grill before, then you might be wary of modern technologies. However, once you discover the full potential of the Louisiana Grill LG1100, it will change your perspective about food and make you embrace new cooking techniques.

This grill features an impressive built-in broiler plate, which isn’t the case with many other products. However, with this one, you only use tongs to slide a metal plate at the bottom of the primary cooking chamber, which exposes meat to direct heat, like you would with a charcoal grill.

Additionally, Louisiana Grill LG1100 contains a proprietary exhaust system with multiple ports, to boost smoke and heat circulation. Moreover, this grill includes an internal probe thermometer, as well as advanced temperature range controls.

The great thing about these pellet grills are that it has a folding front shelf, so you can have the shelf anytime you need it. Another reason why we ranked this #4 on our best pellet grills guide.

PROS

  • Massive grilling space
  • Direct exposure to heat
  • Durable construction
  • Proprietary exhaust system
  • Digital Control

CONS

  • Might be a bit expensive
  • The control station can be tricky

5. Best Slow Cooking: Traeger PRO 575 Pellet Grill

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 450°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 575 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 18 lbs.

  • Dimensions: 53 x 41 x 27 inches.

  • Weight: 124 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY

The appealing design of Traeger PRO 575, along with its compelling features, provides users a classic US-style barbecuing. There are more than 14 different types of wood pellets available for the PRO 575, from oak, hickory, and cherry, to maple, apple, and pecan. Each of them infuses food with a notably different aroma.

Traeger PRO 575 excels at slow cooking, while phenomenally smoking meat at low temperatures. It enables you to slow-cook your food for eight and more hours with occasional pellet popups. With the help of an electronic controller, it keeps the consistent temperature throughout the grilling process, preventing your meat from burning.

Another cool feature we should mention is the Wi-Fi connectivity, which allows you to connect this grill to your router while managing its functions and various modes of cooking through an app. Moreover, the app provides you with a variety of recipes, hints, and tips.

PROS

  • Wi-Fi connectivity
  • LED display
  • Six cooking modes
  • Easy to use
  • Durable powder finish
  • Suitable for slow cooking

CONS

  • Challenging temperature controls

6. Best Quality: Z Grills - ZPG-10002E

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 450°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 432 square inches
  • Dimensions: 54 x 53 x 25 inches.

  • Weight: 114+65 lbs
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Z Grills - ZPG-10002E 8 IN 1 product image

Whether you want to enjoy tasty food for years or wish to experience an ultimate cooking challenge, then the ZPG-10002E might be the right choice for your needs. This US-based brand has been manufacturing high-quality smokers for more than 30 years.

When it comes to performance, it provides excellent results in both smoke and wood pellet grills. On the other hand, it’s 432 square in. cooking area offers you enough space for all your culinary adventures. Additionally, you get two more racks for smoking warming, while temperature ranges from 160° F to 450° F for fast cooking.

This grill generates the power of 25,000 BTU per hour, which you have to agree, is quite impressive. Considering the majority of products, you have to oversee the cooking process, which isn’t the case with ZPG 10002E. Here you have an auto temperature control system, which lets you sit comfortably and leave your food to cook.

PROS

  • 8-in-1 BBQ
  • User-friendly
  • Large grilling area
  • LED display
  • Auto-start ignition system
  • Precise temperature control

CONS

  • Its side table might be a bit strange and difficult to manage

7. Best Outdoor: PIT BOSS Sportsman Portable Pellet Grill

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 500°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 387 square inches
  • Start-up: Automatic

  • Grease management system: Yes
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN PORTABLE WOOD PELLET GRILL product image

Portable grills are quite convenient, especially when you want to spend some time outside, enjoying delicious food and fresh air with your friends. For that reason, Pit Boss combines multiple features to deliver its users ultimate cooking experience.

More than 380 square in. of cast iron coated cooking, enables you to prepare everything from whole smoked briskets, to meals for two. On the other hand, lightweight design, latching hood, and foldable legs make Pit Boss always ready for travel.

When it comes to temperature range, this product comes with digital controls, automatic start-up and cool down function, and can generate cooking temperature up to 500 degree fahrenheit.

PROS

  • Suitable for outdoors
  • Portable
  • Decent cooking surface
  • Folding legs
  • Meat probe
  • High-quality construction
  • Affordable

CONS

  • Might not be suitable for large crowds due to small cooking surface

8. Best Wi-Fi Connectivity: Camp Chef - SMOKEPRO SG 24

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 500°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 387 square inches


  • Dimensions: 54 x 53 x 25 inches.

  • Weight: 114+65 lbs
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Camp Chef - SMOKEPRO SG 24 WIFI PELLET GRILL product image

If you are looking for an ultimate high-end experience in pellet grilling technology, then Camp Chef might be the best option to go for. This incredible grill features 811 square inches of cooking surface, with a split-second grill rack which doubles the usable cooking space.

Considering this is a convection unit, the heat is continuously circulating and reaching the upper rack. It also comes with dual temperature probes, along with the LED display, and massive 22-pound hopper. The temperature ranges between 160º F to 500 degrees, while grill and slide technology’s direct flame grilling reaches 650°F. These are great features for quicker cooking time.

Another great thing about this product is Wi-Fi connectivity, which means you can track your cooking progress through an app. While Camp Chef might be a bit pricier, you don’t have to sell a kidney to get one, especially considering what’s included.

PROS

  • Auto-ignition
  • Large cooking surface
  • LED screen
  • Patented ask clean-out
  • Pellet hopper clean-out
  • Adjustable smoke settings
  • Two grilling shelves
  • Grease management system

CONS

  • Some people prefer their own thermometers, instead of using temperature probes on the new controller

9. Best Portable Grill: Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Wi-Fi Controlled Portable Wood Pellet Grill

Key Specs:

  • Range: 150-550°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Total Cooking Area: 219 sq. inches


  • Dimensions: 29.5 x 20 x 14.5 inches

  • Weight: 57 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Product Image of Green Mountain Grills

The Green Mountain Grills – Davy Crockett Pellet Smoker has excellent features that lack in larger models.

It maintains its temperature incredibly well for an affordable smoker and even offers 5 degree increments to your desired temperature. It is also fully portable and can easily travel in your car or RV. This grill also has sturdy, well-designed legs that can fold up for quick and secure storage space.

The Green Mountain Grills – Davy Crockett conveniently has Wi-Fi capability that allows you to monitor the grill from your smart device. An advanced touch pad controller with integrated meat thermometer makes checking in on the internal meat temperature a breeze.

This little pellet grill comes with adaptors to enable you operate it from a standard outlet or a 12V battery. If you’re a beginner grill master or regularly grill on-the-go on your camping or tailgating escapades, then this is the best portable pellet smoker for you.

PROS

  • Highly portable
  • Excellent temperature gauge
  • Wi-Fi connectivity and App compatibility for convenience
  • Affordably-priced wood pellet grill
  • Easy to use, which is perfect for beginners
  • Good cooking area for low and slow cooking

CONS

  • The process of Wi-Fi connectivity can be challenging
  • Not suitable for large barbecue productions

10. Best Professional-Grade: Traeger Select Elite Pellet Grill and Smoker

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180 – 450°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Cooking Surface: 589 square inches
  • Dimensions: 25 x 46 x 57 inches

  • Weight: 122 lbs.
CHECK PRICE AND AVAILABILITY
Product Image of Traeger Select Elite Pallet Grills TFS60LZC

The Traeger Select Elite is the ultimate professional-grade grill designed to offer a professional grilling experience. It is versatile and has a convenient, no-mess operation.

This unit has sturdy porcelain-enameled grates that provide 6-in-1 functionality and a decent-sized 589 square inches of cooking.  These Traeger grills have the capacity to cook approximately twenty burgers, six large racks of ribs, or five chickens at a go.

The built-in controller and thermal sensor maintains accurate cooking temperatures to within +/-20°F over a broad range of 180 – 450 degrees F. The display also lets you read the inner grill temperature with ease.

The bottom line is, despite the cost, the features are worth it. Built-in shelves and utensils hook for easy storage and glide-on wheels for quicker maneuverability add to the appeal of this pellet smoker.

PROS

  • Easy to keep clean
  • Comes with ample storage
  • Large cooking space
  • Excellent customer service with phone and email address contact
  • Well-built; excellent design and features

CONS

  • Challenging to assemble
  • Quite heavy

6. Best Luxury Buy: Memphis Grills Elite Wood Fire Pellet Smoker Grill with Wi-Fi (VG0002S)

Key Specs:

  • Range: 180-700°F

  • Controller: Digital

  • Grilling Space: 844 square inches

  • Hopper Capacity: 24 lbs.

  • Dimensions: 69 x 29 x 47 inches

  • Weight: 283 lbs.
CHECK PRICE ON AMAZON
Product Image of Memphis Grills Elite

The Memphis Elite Pellet Smoker is the epitome of luxury grilling. It has a beautiful and solid design with lots of convenience features that enhance your grilling experience. It also has 8-in-1 functionality that enables you to smoke, bake, roast, grill, sear, char, braise, and BBQ.

This free-standing hardwood pellets smoker is made with high quality 304-stainless steel. It has a long life and is rust-resistant and weather-proof. It is also easy to keep clean and maintain.

The cooking grates consist of 6-mm nickel-plated steel, and the grill comes with an oven-quality gasket and dual-wall firebox. Cook multiple rib racks, chickens, hog, brisket, and turkeys for large crowds on the massive 844 square inches of cooking space, and with no interruptions thanks to the massive 24-pound hopper to yield up to 62 hours of continuous cooking without a pellet refill.

To make things even better, this luxury grill has Wi-Fi controller for remote grilling and a precise temperature probe to check internal food temperatures and exert accurate digital temperature control.  It also has lock-on caster wheels for easier mobility.

All in all, if you like your pellet smokers and grills with all the bells and whistles, this is the smoker to pick.

PROS

  • Strong and durable stainless steel build
  • High-quality components and features
  • Massive cooking area for large productions
  • Wide temperature range
  • Excellent temperature control
  • Easy to clean and use

CONS

  • Quite heavy and cumbersome
  • Quite expensive

Buying Guide – What to Look for When Buying a Pellet Smoker

Cooking Surface Area

The best pellet grills have 300 – 1300 square inches of cooking space, with larger size grills costing more.

The inches of cooking space you’ll need depends on how many people you usually cook for, as well as how much food you want to cook in one cycle. A small size smoker or grill of 570 sq. inches or less, may result in you cooking more sessions of barbecue, while a larger size smoker of 600 sq. inches or more may waste pellets. The cooking area is important especially for big parties or gatherings.

Durability

Choose a model that consists of powder-coated stainless steel body with sturdy construction. This quality ensures that it lasts long, and is also rust-resistant and weather-proof.

Premium pellet smokers also have useful features such as porcelain-enameled grates, a fire box, and drip pan. The best pellet smoker will feature marine-grade 304-stainless steel for the ultimate durability.

Pellet Delivery

The best pellet grills deliver wood pellets into auger tube, and then into the combustion chamber. The more wood pellets that enter the combustion chamber, the more the heat forms. Wood pellets are simple to enter in the chamber.

When choosing a pellet grill, ensure that the tip of the electrical-powered auger tube is at a safe distance from the combustion chamber to prevent fire from reaching any unused pellets in storage. Also, make sure to go for wide size augers to avoid jamming of wood pellets, and a capacity in the hopper of at least 18 lbs. for uninterrupted cooking.

Pellet Delivery

Temperature Controls

Pellet smokers with controllers that are digital are better because they make grilling and temperature control more straightforward. These grills are perfect for set-and-forget smoking allowing you to move away from the grill as the smoke progresses.

These controllers come as:

  • Non-PID Controllers – these allow you to change your pellet grill’s temperature to increase in 5-10°F temperature intervals. They also feature meat probes, LED displays, and an additional one-touch button.
  • PID Controllers – these allow for auto-pilot smoking. They implement complex algorithms to keep the temperature to within specific ranges.
  • 3-position Controllers– these controllers, come with three heat settings low (225°F), medium (325°F), and high (425°F). At fixed intervals, this controller feeds pellets into the combustion chamber, leaving you less control over the temperature. They usually come with lower-priced models.

PID controllers are the best. They relay the temperature variations inside the smoker and maintain the temperature range to within +/-50 degrees Fahrenheit of your set temperature. Some PID digital temperature controllers also come with Wi-Fi connectivity.

Many pellet grills also feature outputs to plug-in meat probes. That way, you can also read internal meat temperatures easily on the pellet grill’s LED display.

Temperature

Most of thes best pellet grills have temperature ranges of 180 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit perfect for smoking, baking, and grilling. If you want to smoke low and slow, there are pellet grills that operate in the 180 to the 400’s in degrees. However, if you want to sear or hot smoke your food, ensure that you choose a grill that can reach temperatures of 500 degrees Fahrenheit up to 700.

Added Features

Top pellet grills come with excellent added features that enhance your grilling experience. Some of these features include:

  • WiFi Connectivity – some grills are WiFi enabled to control them from a distance using a smart device
  • Sear Box – some grills include a sear box for extra char-grilling and hot smoking capability
  • Built-in Lighting–grilling outdoors in low light conditions with in-built lighting is quicker and easier
  • Multiple Level Cooking Racks– these racks enable you to cook different kinds of food at the same time, and with differing heat levels on your smoker
  • Portability – some pellet grills are portable and have foldable legs, for easy transport and secure storage.
Memphis Pallet Smoker Temperature Controler

Price

Price is governs all purchase decisions. You don’t want to buy a product that’s too expensive with too many features that you don’t need, or one that’s too cheap and which won’t last.

Expect to pay $400 – $2000 for quality model. A cheap and low quality smoker that doesn’t match your barbecue needs will cost you more in the long run. Choose a grill that is affordable, durable, and well-built for real smoking value.

Benefits of a Pellet Smoker

  • These types of smokers gets the job done faster than a charcoal or electric smoker. They are quick to pre-heat, use digital control to keep temperatures in check, and cook food much quicker.
  • Pellet grills offer superior temperature control that allow you to set your food on the grill and relax. The automatic temperature regulation in most pellet grills prevents you from having to stand over your grill to watch your food in case it burns.
  • Pellet smokers are an excellent investment and value for money. They may cost more, but the convenience features and functionality they offer is superior. Some come with 6-in-1 and even 8-in-1 functionality.
  • Pellet grills offer versatility. You can roast, bake, barbecue, grill, and smoke with these handy cookers.
  • Pellet smokers create little to no mess at all as you smoke which makes them easy to clean. Some also come with self-cleaning systems and their very own ash clean out systems.
  • Some brands give the option of cold smoking to allow you to prepare foods such as smoked fish and smoked cheese.

Drawbacks of Pellet Smokers

  • They do not generate high heat temperatures like charcoal grills. Because of this feature, they cannot sear as well and you won’t get that characteristic best flavor that you would get with a charcoal grill.
  • All pellet grills need electricity to operate. This limitation can narrow down where you can set it up.
  • Pellet grills cannot operate without pellets. Always keep an extra stash of pellets to ensure that you don’t run out mid-cook.
  • These beauties aren’t cheap. Expect to pay $350-$400 on the lower end and over $1000 for premium brands and models.

Pellet Grills – Frequently Asked Questions

Q:

What Is a Pellet Smoker?

A:

A pellet grill is a normal smoker heated using small, high energy pellets.

They generally use a built-in digital controller that monitors the internal smoker temperature, and then automatically feeds pellets into the firebox to keep the smoker at desired temperatures.

Pellet grills have increased in popularity in recent years because they offer that classic wood-smoked flavor without the inconvenience of having to slave for hours over the grill. They make great beginner smokers as they require no experience to operate, work with a set-and-forget operation, and produce amazing-quality food with little to no work.

Q:

How Does a Pellet Grill Work?

A:

Pellet grills work in a simple but ingenious way to ensure continuous cooking without interruption. They are one of the most easy-to-operate grills due to this pellet delivery system.

  • One motor turns the auger, which in turn feeds pellets into the firebox.
  • A digital controller controls the smoker internal temperature by controlling fuel and oxygen supply to the firebox.
  • A heat rod in the firebox ignites the pellets and a combustion fan keeps them burning.
  • A firebox creates wood-burning fire, which circulates pure hardwood smoke and flavor throughout the grill
  • An auger motor and micro-adjusted variable-speed fan enable you to keep your grill and food at the temperature you set.
Smoked Pork Ribs

Q:

How Do You Use a Pellet Grill?

A:

To make use of the best pellet grills, make sure that you know how to use it. Carelessness and negligence can result in you damaging your expensive unit sooner, wasting valuable money.

We have explored some useful tips below to ensure that you maintain the quality of your pellet smoker as well as enhance your grilling experience.

  • Ensure that you keep your pellet grill clean at all times. It is important to stay hygienic to avoid food poisoning. Proper maintenance also prevents pollutants from affecting the flavor of your food. Also, purchasing only the best pellet grills is an effective way to ensure longevity.
  • It is very important to observe safety as you use your pellet grills. You should always stay updated on the weather forecast to make sure that you don’t expose your pellet smoker to water damage in case it rains. One thing you must observe is to keep all power the cords away from water and ensure they are not wet before use. Also, always put your pellet smoker in a secure vertical position where it won’t trip or fall over.
  • Some of the components that come with a pellet grill will need replacement from time to time. These include components like gaskets. Replacing these at the right time will improve the performance of your pellet grill.
  • Avoid opening the lid when smoking on the pellet smoker. Doing this will, one, cause your food to lose its sweet flavor and, two, cause temperature fluctuations prolonging the cooking time of your food.
  • Keep your pellet grill as dry as possible. To this effect, look for a grill cover to protect it at all times. Exposing your pellet grill to water greatly hinders the performance of the smoker. The food doesn’t burn as well, takes longer to cook, and the pellet smoker can buckle and swell with water damage.

Q:

Are Wood Pellet Smokers Good?

A:

Pellet grills are excellent if its flavor you’re looking for in your barbecue results. The pellets produce both heat and smoke to cook foods slowly developing more flavors.

Wood pellet smokers allow you to experiment with different types of wood, to yield different tasting barbecue products. You can choose from oak, cherry, and maple, among others to get different results.

One thing these grills excel at is letting you set the temperature, close the lid and walk away. Most of these grills also have a meat probe to check internal meat temperatures, and an ash cleanout pail or box that collects the ash from the pounds of pellets burned, leaving the grill easy to move and clean up.

Leading brands include

  • Traeger Grills
  • Camp Chef,
  • Green Mountain Grills
  • Pit Boss
  • Fast Eddy
  • REC TEC Grills
  • Cuisinart

Q:

Which Smokers are the Best?

A:

The answer to this question really depends on how you like to use your smoker and your skill level as a grill master. Each type of smoker grill offers different functionality to complement your style and skill level.

Charcoal Smoker

A charcoal smoker is the most difficult to use as the controls for temperature are fully manual and their operation is messy. They are best suited to advanced users. They yield the best-tasting barbecue, full of classy smoky flavor.

Electric Smoker

An electric smoker is the easiest to use and well-suited to beginners. Unlike traditional smokers like charcoal or gas BBQs, electric cookers regulate the flow of electricity to a heating unit rather than the flow of air to a direct flame.

This quality means they are much more controllable and make safer cookers, perfect for beginners.

Gas Smokers

A gas grill offers convenience, size, and ease of use. They’re a great choice for beginners, perfect for outdoor cooking, and are relatively pain-free, with excellent if you are going to cook with the “set it and forget it” method.

Final Verdict: The Best Pellet Grill for the Money?

Pellet smokers are increasing in popularity and this trend doesn’t seem to be slowing down.

A pellet grill offers maximum convenience, impart a delicious, smoky flavor on barbecued foods, and are easier to use than charcoal grills.  Even though you may have to dig a little deeper into your pocket, especially if buying a large size grill, the investment is well worth it; this grill will serve you well for many years to come. Brands like Traeger, Pit Boss, and Camp Chef produce some of the best models.

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How to Start a BBQ Fire with Charcoal

September 11, 2020 By Brenda Kipkemoi

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How to Make BBQ Jackfruit

August 25, 2020 By Brenda Kipkemoi

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What Should You Bring to a BBQ Potluck?

July 16, 2020 By Brenda Kipkemoi

2020 COOKOUTPAL BANNER FOR ELECTRIC SMOKERS GUIDE

Top 2020 Best Electric Smokers Reviewed – A Complete Buyer’s Guide

July 11, 2020 By Matthew Seiler

10 top rated pellet smokers

The Best Pellet Smokers for Your Money – Complete Review & Buying Guide [2020]

July 9, 2020 By Matthew Seiler

Smoke Hollow 30162E Review
Masterbuilt 20078715 Review
Landmann USA Smoky Mountain Review
Char-Broil Deluxe Digital Electric Smoker Review
Bradley BTDS108P Digital Smoker Review
Best Electric Smoker

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