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We all dreamt it.
The night before, we prepare the meats or salmon we hope to catch during our fishing or camping trip.
Smoke it.
Wake up boiling a water to make a cup of coffee with a camp coffee maker, a comfortable camping chair, and enjoy one of the best experience nature and machine can give you.
You don’t want that small portable smoker, you want a good size one that can cook a good piece of meat.
You’ll need an RV or a truck to reel these bad boys to your destination, but it doesn’t matter.
You know it’s worth the experience.
You should know first what to look for when buying a pellet smoker.
Understanding what a pellet smoker is and how it works will help you make wise choices. We will also give you some product and model recommendations that could fit your needs.
Our top ten pellet smoker picks
Because of pellet smokers’ popularity, a lot of brands have begun emerging. In 2008, there were only two brands to choose from- Traeger and MAK. Here are our brand and model recommendations based on the features, capabilities, and criteria mentioned above. This list is not in a particular order.
Camp chef woodwind wifi 24
Camp chef woodwind wifi 24 is a good quality and feature-packed, mid-price point smoker. It also comes with a 36 inches variant. Being the best all-around pellet smoker, it prides itself on being user-friendly and simple to operate.
It has two options for grill and temperature control– through a companion app or its large colored touch screen to give users the convenience they desire. Because of its searing capability, you can adjust the heat through the slider rod for preparing burgers and steaks.
It is highly versatile as you can also add a propane burner through its SideKick attachment.
Sizes
- 24” model (mid-size, total cooking space of 811 square inches divided into 382 and 429 square inches for the upper and lower rack, respectively)
- 36” model (1236 square inches of cooking space, fit for a large crowd.)
Features
- Ash cleanout system
- Four meat probes for temperature monitoring
- Slide and grill for direct switching to flame grilling
- Smoke control can be adjusted from levels 1 to 10.
- With an optional Grill Box and SideKick attachments for the searing station
- Powered by new Gen 2 digital PID controller, which allows dialing in the needed smoke level
Downsides
- Problems in-app connectivity- The phone connected either via WIFI or Bluetooth for controlling smoke level or changing the temperature may randomly lose connectivity. This can be annoying sometimes. Camp Chef regularly updates the app to fix this loose connectivity bug.
- Lack of cabinet door- Though it comes with a tiny storage shelf, it is not enough to store bags of pellets.
Traeger pro 575 wood pellet grill
Traeger pro 575 wood pellet grill, named after its cooking space area, is a worthy upgrade from the 2019 pro models. It made a bunch of improvements compared to the older models– from fixing the poor heating and addressing the difficulty in temperature and speed maintenance.
It also has a more upgraded motor, drivetrain, and fan, plus Wi-Fi. If you are willing to stretch your budget for a feature-packed grill, then this model is definitely for you.
Sizes
- 575 square inches or the larger 780 square inches model
- With enough space to fit in three racks of baby back ribs
Features
- Remote monitoring and control of grill through WIFI
- Brushless DC motor for the new D2 drive, thus higher torque at lower RPM
- One temperature probe for food temperature monitoring through the Traeger app or grill interface
- With a variable speed fan capable of slowing down or speeding up for a more accurate temperature
- With WiFire technology which allows food monitoring and temperature controlling through a smartphone
- With hundreds of pre-programmed recipes to choose from. You no longer have to worry about temperature. Air circulation and the entire cooking cycle.
Downsides
- Extra expenses for the accessories (an extra 119.98 dollars for the folding shelf and cover for the 575 models and 149.98 dollars for the larger 780 square inches model.
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E
We were drawn in by the pricing. Despite the incorporation of high-quality amenities, Z GRILLS kept the price down to half of what other pellet grills with similar features cost. Check out the most recent price here.
The 7002E is one of the most valuable pellet grills available, thanks to its small size, solid construction, updated digital control system, and extra grill cover.
A generous three-year warranty. Simple cleaning procedure. Z GRILLS comes with a grease bucket that collects all drained grease, making cleanup a breeze.
Features
- Constructed from tough, heavy-duty materials
- 8-1 many cooking options
- Cooking with a fan convection oven ensures a smooth cooking experience.
- Temperature control system upgrade
- The enhanced pellet feed system has a grilling surface of 700 square inches.
- hopper capacity of 20 pounds
- A generous three-year warranty
- The ZPG-7002E is one of the greatest Z GRILLS models. And this is despite the fact that the price and cooking space are also important considerations.
Sizes
- 700 square inches of cooking capacity and a 20-pound hopper.
- Z GRILLS divides the 700 square inches of cooking space into two sections: a primary cooking area of 504 square inches and a warming rack of 190 square inches.
Downside
- It’s not the ideal choice for searing.
- Many manufacturers market their pellet grill as a “perfect searing grill,” yet we all know the opposite is true. One big issue with most pellet grills is their inability to sear. And Z GRILLS is no exception.
- It has a maximum operating temperature of 475°F. As a result, don’t expect a smooth searing.
- Incapable of cleaning ash and pellet wastes
- It can be tough to remove unused pellets. Typically, some greasy ash forms inside this unit.
It’s also worth noting that the Z GRILLS ZPG is available in both the 700E and 700D models. It has two more storage doors and new caster wheels. The only difference between the D and E models, I believe, is that the 700E has a maximum temperature of 475°F while the 700D has a maximum temperature of 450°F.
To add to the confusion, Amazon featured these two options on the same page. Make sure to select your preferred cart option.
Green mountain grills davy Crockett wifi grill
If portability is a priority for you, the green mountain grills davy Crockett wifi grill is definitely the best choice. It comes with a portable accessory package that enables you to connect your smoker to different power sources, such as a car battery, car cigarette lighter, and generator.
Aside from its edge in portability, it also is very convenient with its smart alert feature, which warns you when the temperature drops or when the hopper does not feed in wood pellets. Moreover, this smoker is durable, and its materials are made to last.
Features
- Foldable legs for convenient handling and portability
- With remote Wifi control through a smartphone or tablet
- With programmable cooking instructions in the app—temperature, hours, and automatic change in temperature after a given time.
- With manual and dial-in temperature control. Manual for 5-degree increments and dial-in for one-degree adjustments.
Downside
- Wifi connectivity problems
- Not recommended for one-man moving because of awkward leg placement and a heavy smoker.
Traeger Timberline 850
This smoker gives you value for your money and is worth every penny you will spend. This high-end machine is definitely an investment. It has the complete tech features you could ever ask for.
It is also well-built and at par with popular models such as Yoder, Memphis Grills, and Rec Tec. With its larger size, you get more interior for cooking and better insulation. This also comes with a three-year warranty.
Sizes
- 850 model: 869 square inches, can fit up to 8 racks of ribs
- 1300 model: 1343 square inches, can fit up to 15 racks of ribs, needs more pellet than the 850 model
Features
- With a hopper cleanout trap door for ease of cleaning
- With adjustable bottom grate for getting a good sear on food
- Great app with 1600+ recipes available
- The grill can be controlled via phone
- Option for super smoker mode
- With dual position sear gate
- Inclusion of a folding front shelf
- With a pellet sensor that sends alerts when pellets are running low
Downside
- The front tray needs a few inches of extension to handle large items
- The folding front shelf is not included in the Pro model; it can be bought at 59.99 dollars
Camp Chef Vertical XXL Wifi Pellet Smoker
If you are saving space and are looking for a flexible, all-around smoker, this vertical-style smoker is the best fit for you. Even though it saves space, the cooking space is not compromised as it has a large cooking capacity.
Despite its large cooking capacity, it is sturdy and durable as it comes with locking castor wheels and a cover.
Features
- Adjustable 4 cooking racks, 3 jerky racks, and 12 hook hanging rack
- With grease management system and ash cleanout feature
- With internal fans for cooling hot spots, leading to a more even cooking
- PID-style digital temperature
- The smoke level can be set from levels 1 to 10.
- With meat temperature probes connected to wifi to monitor meat cooking
Downside
- The tendency for smoke leak
- No option for grilling
Weber SmokerFire EX6 Gen 2
This is a great upgrade from its predecessor, the Gen 2 SmokeFire, as the previous one has some bugs and issues with it. The problems with the app and pellet bridging have been fixed and addressed. It is also known for producing food with great flavor and texture.
Sizes
- EX4 model: 672 square inches
- EX6 model: 1008 square inches
Features
- Has an excellent searing even when cooking at maximum temperature
Downside
- Does not come with side trays or front cabinets
REC TEC Grills RT-700 Wifi Enabled Wood Pellet Grill
For its price, it gives you good quality and precisely built smoker that can be at par with expensive brands such as Ironwood and Timberline series by Traeger. The majority of its parts are made with stainless steel.
Size
- 702 square inches of grilling space.
Features
- Wifi connectivity
- Improved PID controller for temperature adjustment at 5F increment
- Dual meat probes
- With a 40 lb hopper for 40 hours of continuous cooking.
- With rollerblade wheels for ease of transport.
- With REC TEC bull horn handles
Downside
- Warming shelf is optional for over 1000.
Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill
If you are on a budget but are looking for a pellet grill with a larger space, this one is the best choice for you. It is well-built and durable and comes with features not available even for the more expensive models.
Features
- Built-in shelf, spice rack, and bottle opener
- Easy pellet clean-up system
- Good searing solution with the slide plate flame broiler
Downside
- No Wifi or app connectivity
Camp Chef DLX 24 Pellet Grill
Camp Chef is a popular brand in the smoker arena. Another model of theirs that made it to the list is the DLX 24 pellet grill. It almost has the same features and is built as the more expensive variants of the Woodwind from Camp Chef. It has a cooking space of 570 square inches.
Features
- Removable upper warming rack
- Gen 2 PID controller for better stability and temperature performance.
Downside
- No wifi connectivity
Is a pellet smoker the same as a grill?
Pellet smokers and grills are basically the same, which is why they are used interchangeably. Some prefer to call it pellet smokers, while others call it pellet grills. A Pellet smoker is specifically used for the kind of grill-smoker which uses wood pellets as its fuel.
Since it is fueled by pellets, this kind of smoker works fine for low-and-slow cooking as it can cook from a range of 150 to 500F. Pellet smokers and grills are more versatile than charcoal and gas-fueled models. That’s why a lot of users prefer this.
Advantages of pellet smoker over wood and charcoal models
Pellet smokers are generally more expensive than charcoal smokers. Pellet smokers usually range from 400 to 1000 dollars, while for a charcoal smoker, you can literally buy one for just under 300 dollars.
But despite the almost deal-breaker price, the convenience and versatility that the pellet smokers offer are worth the investment. Here are other benefits and advantages of choosing a pellet smoker and grill over other types:
- It can be used in areas with restrictions on burning wood or charcoal, such as condos.
- Easier to use since you no longer have to use wood or charcoal to lit the fire; there is no need to tinker with the wood, airflow, etc.
- Set it and leave it convenient with either digital buttons or remote control
- It can cook various recipes ranging from baking, grilling, smoking, etc., due to its 200F to 500F temperature range.
- Easier to clean and maintain as you simply need to put pellets in the hopper opening.
- More fuel-efficient as most pellet smokers are well-sealed, constructed, and insulated.
- Easier to start up compared to the wood and charcoal smokers, which need around 45 minutes to reach the desired temperature.
- Healthier to use than other models as it uses an indirect heating source. Thus emission of carcinogenic chemicals is minimized.
Disadvantages of pellet smoker over electric and charcoal models
Despite all of those numerous advantages mentioned, there are also disadvantages of pellet smokers that may discourage you from purchasing. Here are some of the disadvantages:
- It can be more expensive than the other types. Pellet smokers’ initial cost is around 500 to 2000 dollars while electric or gas types range from 200 to 400 dollars. That’s a lot of price difference.
- Pellets can be unavailable in some areas. Charcoal and gas which can be bought almost anywhere, but this is not always the case for pellets.
- Can not be great at grilling. Although pellet smokers are also called “grills,” they can never get the sear quality of charcoal or gas grill.
- Pellet grills rely on power cord, and its length may dictate your maneuverability.
Steps on how to use and maintain the wood pellet smoker
- Understanding how a wood pellet works will help you realize just how different it is from the electric models. Here are the steps on how to use a wood pellet smoker.
- Fill the hopper with wood pellets. Check if the brand specifies what kind of pellet to use. Otherwise, you can use whatever type you want.
- Correctly assemble the cooking grates.
- Connect it to a power source
- Using the control panel, set your desired temperature. Note: higher temperature means shorter cooking time.
- Turn on the grill. If there is an auto-ignition button, use a lighter to ignite the pellets. If there is an auto-ignition button, press it instead of manually lighting the pellets.
- Check the LED for the current temperature. Once you reach your needed temperature, place the meta and start cooking.
- Refill the pellet if needed.
- Once done cooking, turn off the grill and remove the dishes.
- Wait for the grill to cool down before you start cleaning and removing the grease.
- Remove the leftover food particles on the grates by using a brush.
- Use a vacuum to remove any ash leftover in the chamber.
- Wipe the exterior of the smoker to keep it looking polished.,
- After cleaning, store the grill in a safe spot.
Features you should consider before buying a pellet smoker
You must be on the lookout now for the next pellet smoker to buy.
Here are some of the features and standards you must bear in mind when buying pellet smokers:
Controller
The controller is the heart of a pellet smoker. Smokers with digital controllers allow you to select the desired temperature and have the current temperature displayed on an LCD screen, giving you the option to monitor it while also doing other chores.
Pellet grills and smokers also have a feed mechanism or called an auger, which automatically pushes pellets into the burning pot to achieve the needed temperature.
Looking at the controllers for your pellet smoker is like examining the processor before buying a computer. That is why here is a list of some common types of controllers that you may choose from:
LMH Controllers
These are commonly known as 3-position controllers as this has three settings (low, medium, and high) at 225F, 325F, and 425F, respectively. You do not have much control over the temperature with this kind of controller as the pellets are fed into the burner in fixed cycles.
That is why this controller is commonly found in cheaper and low-end pellet smokers.
Multi-position controllers
Unlike the LMH controllers, which have only three options, multi-position controllers give you the option to set the temperature in smaller increments, typically at +/-20F in ideal conditions. It also has an LCD screen, but just like the 3-position controller, you do not have much temperature accuracy as pellets are fed in fixed cycles.
One-touch non-PID controller
Just like the multi-position controller, the one-touch non-PID controller allows you to adjust the temperature in small increments, but this time, with an accuracy of 5-10F. It also has LCD screens, inputs for meat probes, and one-touch buttons, where its name is derived.
Just like the two controllers previously mentioned, this one also automatically feeds pellets in fixed cycles, so your accuracy usually plays around +/- 15-20F.
PID controllers
This is considered as the gold standard among grill controllers. Unlike the previous three controllers mentioned, pellet feeding is not in fixed cycles but is constantly adjusted to fit the desired temperature.
With this, the temperature is accurate and even comes with an option for programmable meat probes. It also has one-touch buttons and LCD, just like the one-touch non-PID controller.
Cooking area and hopper size
A larger hopper size means more container space for you to store more pellets for the fire pot. Basically, the larger the hopper, the longer your cooking will last. For instance, a 40-pound hopper will be around 40 hours of cooking time given that it is at a standard cooking temperature.
Another factor that could affect your cooking time is the weather. If you are in a colder climate, naturally, more pellets are needed to heat up the smoker. If you just settle with the smaller-sized ones, you would have to constantly refill it with pellets, and it can be pretty annoying.
There is an option, though, to buy a hopper extension. However, you could have compatibility issues, and buying another hopper would be an extra cost on your part.
However, another thing that you should consider is the cooker size. Bigger does not always mean better. You must consider the area on the main cooking plate (primary cooking area) and the area with the secondary racks (total cooking area).
What you should go for is a smoker that has a relatively even temperature across the cooking area. If you go for a bigger smoker and you just normally cook small dishes, you could be wasting pellets by trying to heat up the whole cooking area.
Material, construction, and durability
Looks are not everything. Just because it is made of stainless steel on the exterior does not mean that it is durable. When looking for smokers, consider the materials used, how it is constructed, and if it is durable. Some smokers may be durable-looking outside but are actually made of cheap materials on the interior.
Make sure that the fire pot, drip pan, grates, and flame deflector are made of durable and high-quality materials so that it doesn’t break easily and that it will retain more heat, maintain better temperature, and be more pellet-efficient.
If you are planning to buy powder-coated steel, ensure that the coating is of high quality. The paint will easily be blistered and chipped if you settle with a cheap coatingBlistereded and chipped paint leads to rusting, which can affect the other interior parts in the long run.
Other features and capabilities you should also consider:
Pellet removal and cleanup
Models with a chute to remove pellets are a plus. It would be a hassle to vacuum out the pellets after every cooking session. In some models, you also have to remove the grill grates and deflector plate before you can vacuum, while others have a sliding rod for easy disposal.
App and wifi connectivity
Smokers with app compatibility and wifi connectivity enable you to monitor and control the grill temperature giving you the “click and forget” convenience. Green Mountain Grills is just one of the companies that makes use of this connectivity for user convenience.
Warranty
More parts in a smoker mean more chances of breakage and damage. It is always a good choice to choose brands that offer warranty over those that don’t. The higher the warranty length, the better.
Make sure to ask what the warranty scope is and where the repair would take place in case when needed.
Fuel efficiency
You can easily know which type of smoker is a pellet hog by looking at its body. If it has a very thin body, chances are it will need a lot of pellets to maintain temperature since a lot of heat will be lost through its body.
On the other hand, if it is made of very thick metal, it will also consume a lot of pellets because heat is instead stored in the body of the cooker rather than in the cooking area. It is important to do your own research on how many pounds of pellets a certain smoker consumes per hour.
Customer service
You may not be able to make use of your warranty if the company has poor customer service. That is why it is important to consider if the brand you are purchasing your smoker from has accommodating and dedicated customer service.
Their team must also be able to provide you with answers regarding your queries and where to go, and what to do in case there are damages and breakage.
Affordability
It also boils down to how much you can afford. However, do not be a cheapskate because even if the initial cost is low, it will cost you a lot in the long run as cheap smokers made of cheap products rust easily and may need more repairs in the future. Warranty and customer service may also not be as good on the low-end products.
However, spending a lot of dollars on a feature-packed smoker is also not a good idea, especially if you are not going to use and maximize its functionalities and features.
You may consider the exclusion of Wifi if you do not really need it. It is important to strike a balance between price and quality.
