There’s significant work that goes into ensuring the pellet grill you just bought is the best you can purchase. That’s because there are a lot of components and features that separate a great grill from a superb one. You have to consider price, mobility, weight, cooking capacity, and much more. The good news is we already did that for you, so here are five grills that absolutely won’t disappoint.
1. Cuisinart CPG-4000
It doesn’t have the largest cooking capacity, its area massing out at 450 square-inch, but the price is insignificant. This Cuisinart smoker/grill combo is both mobile and extremely durable due to the cast-iron construction. However, CPG-4000 is slightly heavier than we’d like and lacks a digital controller.
Features
- 15lbs hopper
- Smoker and grill
- Transport wheels
- Shelves
- Includes cover
- Thermostat with LED panel
- Automatic pellet dispenser
- 104lbs
Pros
- Mid-range price
- All-weather use
- Can grill, roast, braise, smoke, and more
- Durable and long-lasting performance
- Portable design
- Large hopper capacity
Cons
- Temperature is difficult to control
- Heavy
Price: View on Amazon
2. Traeger Grills Ranger TBT18KLD
If there’s one thing we love about Traeger’s TBT18KLD, it’ll be the suitcase design. The grill/smoker combo weighs a measly 60lbs and boasts of porcelain-coated grillers that are a marvel to clean. However, it does disappoint in other ways, like the tiny 8lbs hopper, which isn’t worth the mid-range price-tag.
Features
- Smoker and grill
- Porcelain construction
- LED panel and electronic controls
- Cook timer with keep warm mode
- 184 square-inch cooking capacity
- Integrated meat probe
- Latched cover
- 60lbs
Pros
- Looks like a suitcase
- Precise temperature control solution with a digital arc
- Requires little to no assembly
- Optimized for travel cooking
- The smoker is superb
Cons
- Small cooking area and hopper
- Some serious design flaws
Price: View on Amazon
3. Masterbuilt Smoke Hollow WG800S
It’s a nice break from Traeger and Cuisinart’s failing considering WG800S boasts of a massive 795 square-inch cooking capacity. Despite the low price, the smoker and grill have extensive digital control functions like 10 smoke settings and more.
Features
- Meat probe
- 24” width
- Cook and smoke timer
- Porcelain-coated grillers
- Transport wheels
- Two warming racks
Pros
- Affordable
- Expansive capacity
- Easy cleaning and installation
- Heats up fast
- Large hopper
Cons
- Not the most portable
- Temperatures aren’t accurate
- Moves too easily
Price: View on Amazon
4. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A
It’s significantly heavier than it should be, but by all other regards, ZPG-450A is one for the ages. The grill boasts of up to 452 square-inches of cooking area and can also function as a smoker. That’s all without even mentioning the impressive 15lbs hopper either.
Features
- Stainless-steel construction
- Transport wheels
- Auto temperature control
- LPG and Electric fuel compatible
- Shutdown recycle mode
- Digital controls
- 84lbs
Pros
- Sturdy and durable
- Large capacity
- Easily transported
- Grates are porcelain-coated for easy cleaning
Cons
- Poor customer service
- Temperature isn’t precise
- Auto pellet feeding is also poor
Price: View on Amazon
5. Z GRILLS ZPG-6002B
In terms of area and cost, Z-grills does a better job with ZPG-6002B, but there are still some problems. The capacity is 600 square-inches, compared to ZPG-450A’s 450 and the efficiency is significantly better.
Features
- Automatic feed system
- Stainless-steel material
- LED readouts and control
- Convection cooking
- 10lbs hopper capacity
- Porcelain grate coating
- 83lbs
Pros
- Affordable
- Also runs on LPG and electric
- High maximum temperature
- Easy to transport
- Auto-temperature control
- Ultra-durable
Cons
- Fluctuating temperatures
- Pricy
- Eats through pellets too quickly
- Can’t ship to Canada
Price: View on Amazon