Top 5 Best Pellet Smokers Reviewed

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Pellet smokers have gained immense popularity in recent years for their convenience and ability to maintain consistent temperatures. Whether you’re grilling, smoking, or searing, these versatile outdoor cooking devices offer excellent results. If you’re in the market for a new pellet smoker, look no further. In this article, we will review the top 5 best pellet smokers, based on their features and performance.

How We Picked and Tested

To determine the best pellet smokers, we conducted extensive research and testing. We gathered first-hand data from various pellet smokers, including those provided by manufacturers, borrowed units, and purchased models. We categorized the pellet grills into different price ranges and compared them based on 20 criteria. These criteria ranged from temperature control and cooking surface to warranty and overall performance. By thoroughly evaluating each pellet smoker, we were able to identify the top contenders in their respective categories.

Best Pellet Grill Winners

After testing numerous pellet smokers, we have selected the best grills in each price range. For budget-friendly options under $599, the Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 and Z Grills 7002C2E were the top performers. Both models offer ample cooking surface, temperature range, and pellet hopper capacity. In the under $1199 category, the Grilla Grills Silverbac AT and Z Grills Multitasker 11002B stood out for their cooking surface, temperature control, and warranty. These pellet smokers provide excellent value for the price.

To help you make an informed decision, let’s take a closer look at these top-performing pellet grills.

Best Pellet Grill Under $599: Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3

The Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 is our top choice for a pellet smoker under $599. It combines exceptional performance with affordability, making it the perfect option for both beginners and seasoned grillmasters. Let’s take a closer look at what makes the Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 stand out:

Generous Cooking Surface

With a spacious cooking surface of 849.48 square inches, the Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 provides ample space to grill, smoke, or roast your favorite dishes. Whether you’re hosting a backyard barbecue or feeding a hungry crowd, this pellet grill has you covered.

Versatility and Convenience

The Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 offers a temperature range of 180-500℉, allowing you to achieve precise cooking results every time. Whether you’re searing a steak at high heat or slow-smoking a rack of ribs, this grill provides the versatility you need to unleash your culinary creativity.

Furthermore, the 21-pound pellet hopper capacity ensures extended cook times without the need for frequent pellet refills. Spend less time tending to the grill and more time enjoying the company of your guests.

Durable Construction and Warranty

The Pit Boss Mahogany 820D3 is built to last, thanks to its robust construction and high-quality materials. It can withstand the rigors of outdoor cooking and deliver consistent performance for years to come.

To provide peace of mind and ensure customer satisfaction, Pit Boss offers a 5-year warranty on the Mahogany 820D3. This warranty covers any manufacturing defects or issues that may arise, giving you confidence in your purchase.

Runner Up Under $599: Z Grills 7002C2E

The Z Grills 7002C2E is a close contender for the best pellet smoker under $599. It offers a cooking surface of 697 square inches and a temperature range of 180-450℉. With a 24-pound pellet hopper capacity, this grill allows for extended cook times without the need for frequent pellet refills. The Z Grills 7002C2E also comes with a 3-year warranty and offers additional features like dual meat probes for accurate temperature readings.

Key Features of Z Grills 7002C2E:

• Large cooking surface: The Z Grills 7002C2E provides a spacious cooking area of 697 square inches, giving you ample space to prepare delicious meals for your family and friends.
• Wide temperature range: With a temperature range of 180-450℉, you can easily adjust the heat to achieve the desired level of doneness for your grilled and smoked dishes.
• Generous pellet hopper capacity: The 24-pound pellet hopper capacity allows for long cook times without the need for frequent pellet refills, ensuring uninterrupted cooking sessions.
• Accurate temperature monitoring: The dual meat probes included with the Z Grills 7002C2E enable precise temperature monitoring, allowing you to cook your meats to perfection every time.
• 3-year warranty: Z Grills stands behind the quality and durability of their products with a 3-year warranty, providing you with peace of mind and assurance.

The Z Grills 7002C2E combines functionality, convenience, and reliability, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a high-quality pellet smoker at an affordable price. Its large cooking surface, temperature control options, and extended pellet hopper capacity make it a versatile and user-friendly grill for all your outdoor cooking needs.

Best Pellet Grill Under $1199: Grilla Grills Silverbac AT

The search for the best pellet smoker under $1199 ends with the Grilla Grills Silverbac AT. This exceptional grill combines quality craftsmanship, performance, and affordability, making it the top choice for barbecue enthusiasts.

The Grilla Grills Silverbac AT features a spacious cooking surface of 692 square inches, providing ample room to cook for a crowd. Whether you’re preparing a feast for family and friends or hosting a backyard cookout, this grill has you covered.

With a temperature range of 180-500℉, the Silverbac AT offers precise heat control for smoking, grilling, or searing. Experience the joy of perfectly cooked meat as the Silverbac AT delivers consistent, mouthwatering results every time.

Equipped with a 20-pound pellet hopper capacity, you can enjoy hours of uninterrupted cooking without the need for frequent pellet refills. Spend more time with your guests and less time monitoring the grill.

The Grilla Grills Silverbac AT also comes with a 4-year warranty, providing peace of mind and ensuring that you can enjoy your grill for years to come. When you invest in the Silverbac AT, you’re choosing a reliable and durable pellet smoker.

What sets the Grilla Grills Silverbac AT apart is its exceptional flavor and versatility. The pellet smoker infuses your food with delicious smoky goodness, enhancing the taste and aroma of your favorite meats and dishes. Whether you’re smoking ribs, grilling steaks, or baking a pizza, the Silverbac AT delivers in both flavor and performance.

Experience the ultimate outdoor cooking experience with the Grilla Grills Silverbac AT. Elevate your grilling game and impress your guests with this exceptional pellet smoker. Embrace the Grilla Grills difference and unlock the full potential of your backyard barbecue.

This image features the Grilla Grills Silverbac AT, the best pellet grill under $1199.

Runner Up Under $1199: Z Grills Multitasker 11002B

The Z Grills Multitasker 11002B is a strong contender for the best pellet smoker under $1199. It boasts a large cooking surface of 1068 square inches and a temperature range of 160-500℉. With a 28-pound pellet hopper capacity and a 3-year warranty, this grill offers versatility and durability. The Z Grills Multitasker 11002B also comes with dual meat probes and additional features for enhanced cooking convenience.

Features of Z Grills Multitasker 11002B:

• Large cooking surface: 1068 square inches
• Temperature range: 160-500℉
• Pellet hopper capacity: 28 pounds
• Warranty: 3 years
• Dual meat probes for accurate temperature readings

The Z Grills Multitasker 11002B is designed to meet the needs of both beginners and experienced grillers. Its spacious cooking surface allows you to cook a variety of food items simultaneously, perfect for hosting large gatherings or events. The wide temperature range provides flexibility in cooking different recipes, from slow smoking to high-temperature searing.

With its generous pellet hopper capacity, you can enjoy uninterrupted grilling without the need for frequent pellet refills. The 3-year warranty adds peace of mind, ensuring that your investment is protected for an extended period.

The Z Grills Multitasker 11002B is a versatile and durable pellet smoker that offers excellent performance at an affordable price. Whether you’re grilling, smoking, or roasting, this grill has the features to meet your cooking needs. With its ample cooking surface, temperature control, and convenient meat probes, the Z Grills Multitasker 11002B is a worthy runner up in the under $1199 category.

If you’re looking for a pellet smoker that combines functionality, durability, and value, the Z Grills Multitasker 11002B is an excellent choice. Its impressive features and reliable performance make it a favorite among grill enthusiasts.

Best Pellet Grills Under $599

In this section, we will discuss the best pellet grills under $599 in detail. We tested five different pellet grills from different manufacturers, including the Pit Boss 820D3, Cuisinart Oakmont, Z Grills 7002C2E, Lifesmart 2000B, and Expert Grill Commodore. These grills were evaluated based on their performance in various tests, including temperature control, heat retention, and overall cooking results. By comparing these grills, we aim to help you make an informed decision when purchasing a pellet smoker within this price range.

Pellet Grills Comparison:

Based on our evaluations, the Pit Boss 820D3 stood out for its excellent temperature control, decent heat retention, and delicious cooking results. It is a solid choice for both beginners and experienced grill enthusiasts. The Cuisinart Oakmont impressed us with its exceptional heat retention and overall impressive cooking results. It is a reliable option for those seeking consistent performance. The Z Grills 7002C2E delivered great temperature control and satisfying cooking results, making it a popular choice among pellet grill enthusiasts. The Lifesmart 2000B and Expert Grill Commodore also provided good performance and tasty cooking results at an affordable price point.

If you prioritize temperature control and flavor, the Pit Boss 820D3 is the top pellet grill under $599. However, if heat retention and overall impressive cooking results are your main concerns, then the Cuisinart Oakmont is the way to go.

When choosing a pellet grill, consider your specific needs and preferences. The table above provides a helpful overview of the key features and performances of the tested pellet grills, enabling you to make an informed decision based on your personal grilling requirements.

Other $599 Pellet Grills Worth Considering

In addition to the top picks, there are other pellet grills under $599 worth considering. These grills offer good performance and features at a more budget-friendly price point. Let’s take a closer look at each one:

• Cuisinart Oakmont

  The Cuisinart Oakmont offers solid build quality and a large hopper, perfect for extended cooking sessions. With its Bluetooth digital control panel, you can easily monitor and adjust temperatures, ensuring precise cooking results. This grill combines functionality and affordability, making it a great choice for barbecue enthusiasts on a budget.

• Expert Grill Commodore

  If you’re looking for an affordable pellet grill without compromising on performance, the Expert Grill Commodore is a fantastic option. It features a nice digital readout and easy temperature adjustments, allowing you to cook your favorite dishes with precision. With its durable construction and reliable performance, the Expert Grill Commodore provides excellent value for money.

• Lifesmart 2000B

  The Lifesmart 2000B provides a lot of barbecue real estate with its large cooking surface, giving you plenty of space to grill and smoke your favorite meats. This grill is designed to deliver consistent heat and even cooking results, ensuring mouthwatering meals every time. With its budget-friendly price tag, the Lifesmart 2000B is a top contender for those seeking a reliable pellet grill without breaking the bank.

Comparison Table of Other $599 Pellet Grills

These pellet grills provide excellent performance and features at an affordable price, making them great options for both beginner and experienced grillers. Whether you choose the Cuisinart Oakmont, Expert Grill Commodore, or Lifesmart 2000B, you can enjoy delicious barbecue results without breaking the bank.

Best Overall Pellet Smoker

The Weber Smokefire EX4 is our pick for the best overall pellet smoker. It offers a large cooking capacity of 672 square inches and excellent heat retention thanks to its porcelain enamel finish. The EX4 has a temperature range of up to 600°F and delivers consistent and even heating throughout the cooking process. With its Grease and ash collection system, LCD control panel, and smoke boost feature, the Weber Smokefire EX4 provides exceptional performance and convenience.

Best Splurge Pellet Smoker

If you’re looking to splurge on a high-end pellet smoker, the Traeger Timberline Wood Pellet Grill is an excellent choice. It combines exceptional craftsmanship with advanced features, delivering an unmatched grilling experience.

The Traeger Timberline features a double-wall construction that provides superior insulation and heat retention, ensuring consistent temperatures throughout the cooking process. Its convection design allows for even heat distribution, resulting in perfectly cooked meals every time.

With a large grilling area, the Traeger Timberline offers ample space to cook for a crowd. You can easily smoke, grill, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue your favorite dishes with precision and ease.

The grill is equipped with Bluetooth probe thermometers, allowing you to monitor the internal temperature of your food via the Traeger app on your smartphone or tablet. This ensures that you achieve desired doneness and avoid overcooking.

The Traeger Timberline also features a touchscreen control panel, providing easy access to temperature adjustments and other settings. The intuitive interface allows you to set the precise temperature you desire for different cooking techniques.

Although the Traeger Timberline comes with a higher price tag, its exceptional performance and smart grill features make it worth the investment for serious barbecue enthusiasts and professionals alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the best pellet smokers offer a range of features and performance to suit different budgets and preferences. From budget-friendly options under $599 to high-end models, these pellet smokers provide convenience, versatility, and excellent cooking results. Whether you’re a barbecue enthusiast or a casual griller, investing in a top-rated pellet smoker will elevate your outdoor cooking experience and deliver delicious, flavorful meals. Consider your needs and preferences, and choose the pellet smoker that best fits your requirements. Happy grilling!

BBQ Pit Master

Ryan Conlon is a BBQ enthusiast and inspired chef on a journey through the smoky, savory world of outdoor cooking. Hailing from the heart of the Midwest, Ryan’s passion for grilling ignited during his early years, where family gatherings often revolved around the sizzle of the grill and the aroma of seasoned meats.