Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill Review

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By

James

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Looking for an affordable grill that will provide you with various cooking options and quality? There are many great products from Z Grills. We look at the pros and cons to find the best for you and cover:

  • What is the lifespan of a Z Grill?
  • How does Z Grill compare to Traeger?
  • What’s the best way to make your Z Grill produce more smoke?

Our Top Picks


Below is a summary of the top picks from our SummerBaron.com team. To help you understand where each pick ranked, we have included “badges” next to each pick’s key findings. “Best Overall” is a combination of price and value. “Best Budget” is great for summer lovers who want a top-quality product but are on a tighter budget. “High End” is for people who just want the best, and price is no object.

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Product

How did we pick these products?

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Our Top Pick

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

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Best Budget and Value

Z GRILLS 600D Pellet Grill & Smoker

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

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Best High-End

ZPG-5502H

Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments

Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby

Reviews of Each Pick


Below are our detailed reviews of each product. Each product included in this review is reviewed by our team ⎯ with 1,000s of hours testing and working with products to help you pick the best one for your specific situation.

Our Top Pick

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020

Pros

Versatile cooking options

Auto-temperature control

It covers around 425 sq in total cooking space with a primary cooking area of 324 sq in.

Cons

None

Our top pick is a 6 in 1 grill and smoker that can get your cooking going effortlessly. It’s amongst the wood pellet series, and Z Grills are known for its versatile cooking options and pellet smokers. 

Here are its highlight features:

  • Versatile cooking options: You can smoke, grills, braise, roast, bake, and barbeque on just one grill.
  • Auto-temperature control: One of the most convenient features is auto temperature control. You can set your desired temperature and leave your food to cook. It does not need constant temperature adjustment, making cooking food a hassle-free affair.
  • This model is compact yet spacious. It covers around 425 sq in total cooking space with a primary cooking area of 324 sq in. The cooking area has been divided into two areas with a fordable working grill shelf.
  • Z Grills gives a three-year warranty period, which is quite a decent period.

How long do Z Grills last?

The Z Grills are built with high-quality material that can last you long. They are known to last for a long duration and are sturdy. They are either made from iron, stainless steel, etc. 

Z Grills usually gives a three-year warranty period to its customers, which is a decent period. If taken care of and given a regular maintenance check, a Z Grill can last you well. Since Z Grills can be easily moved around, storing it in the shade after use can give it a longer life in luster.

Are Z grills made in China? 

The Z Grills is a brand based in the US that has been in business for around 30 years and has warehouses spread in various parts of the country. The product is manufactured and shipped from China. Although it is an American brand, its manufacturing partners are from China. 

Is Z Grill a smoker?

Yes, Z Grill is a smoker too. All of the products feature a grill and a smoker. They are designed to fulfill more than just the task of grilling meat and other food. Most Z Grills have cooking capabilities like smoking, roast, baking, grill, sear, char grill, etc.

They are much more than just a grill, given their varied alternative cooking features. 

Is Z grill as good as Traeger?

Traeger has been selling grills and smokers for so long that it has garnered a reputable name in the business. They are known for quality premium products, modern design, and technologies. However, the price of the Traeger products is also premium making it an expensive grill/ smoker. 

Z Grill is all about the best value, given the price. At face value, they are an affordable version of the Traeger. The quality is not compromised when compared; however, the modern design and technology are compromised. Features such as wifi on a Traeger are not available in a Z Grill smoker/ grill.

The Z Grill has not compromised on the cooking versatility of its users. You will find 8 in 1 cooking versatility in almost all, if not a couple, of the products. They are also built bigger, which means they can accommodate a larger wood pellet storage capacity than Traeger. 

Overall the Z Grill works great and equally well as the Traeger. If the size, modern design, and technology are something you can work without, then Z Grill fits the bill. Besides, you will not have to break your bank to get one with the grills.

Does Z Grills have wifi features?

The Z Grills were a cheaper alternative to brand moguls like Traeger without compromising quality. Traeger models did come with wifi features that allow you to control heat, cook time, shut down the grill, etc., from a remote smart device. However, they don’t come up with wifi features.

Since Z grill smokers do not have a wifi feature, it needs to be operated manually through the control panel. While cooking, too, you will require constant vigilance and heat regulation.

Do Z Grills have temperature probes?

You will not get an extra temperature probe accessory when purchasing a Z Grill product. However, there are temperature probes available on the market that can be used to probe into the food while cooking on Z Grill. 

Wireless temperature probes are available on the market compatible with Z Grills products. You can easily insert the temperature probe and use it on the grill while cooking.

How do I get more smoke out of my Z Grill?

 There are several ways to get more smoke out of your Z Grill. Here are some tips

  • Get a high-quality hardwood pellet to get a better smoke flavor and smoke for your cooking.
  • There are various options of wood pellets available. Try a different type of wood pellet to get more smoke. 
  • To get more smoke, do not rush the cooking process. Take time to get the right amount of smoke for your food.
  • The temperature needs to be moderated. High temperature does not necessarily give better or more smoke. The right temperature or the sweet spot needs to be achieved.
  • Make sure your pellets do not have moisture. It is advised to clean out the leftover pellet after cooking. Leaving it on the pellet storage can get the pellet moist, which can cause inconsistencies while cooking. 
  • While cooking, it is also advised not to cook the meat or the food directly on the heat source. Keeping it at a distance from direct heat can give you more flavor. 

Can you use wood instead of pellets with Z-grills?

Z Grills smoker and grills are built to run on pellets or charcoal. They are not meant for using wood as a direct fuel. It needs wood fuel in the form of pellets to burn. 

For the best fuel experience, make sure that the pellets are a hundred percent high-quality hardwood. The quality of the hardwood pellets determines the flavor of the food cooked. 

How long do pellets last in a Z Grill?

Wood pellets are a staple source of fuel in American households. According to a survey, more than 11 percent of US households use wood as their fuel. The pellets on the Z Grill will last depending on the temperature you set your smoker/ griller on. The higher the temperature, the faster the pellets will burn out; the lower the temperature you set, the slower the pellets will burn out. 

On average, if you set the temperature above 350°F, in an hour, the Z Grill will burn about 2.2 pounds. If the temperature is just around 225°-250°, the pellets will burn around 0.70 to 0.90 pounds. 

Can we use Traeger pellets in a Z Grill?

Z Grill comes out with its brand of wood pellets for its wood pellet grills and smokers. They are fine, high-quality hardwood pellets used for wood pellet grills.

However, you can also use other wood pellets as long as they are in wood pellet form. It can use other brands of wood pellets for cooking.

Which wood pellet produces the most smoke?

You need a good quality wood pellet as fuel for smoking your food or meat. If you are looking for a wood pellet that produces good smoke, the hardwood wood pellet is the best option. Hardwoods burn for long and give a smoky flavor besides fruitwood pellets. 

Best Budget and Value

Z GRILLS 600D Pellet Grill & Smoker

Pros

Storage cabinets space.

Warming rack/ shelf.

Comparatively lighter.

Cons

The product needs to be assembled, which can be cumbersome for some users.

Another top Z Grills product is the 600D Pellet Grill & Smoker with its versatile 8 in 1 feature. Offering a cooking space of 572 sq in a digital control system, this lightweight wood pellet grill has so much to offer.

What do we like?

Storage cabinet: The product has a spacious storage cabinet with doors to tuck your wood pellets and other accessories easily. There is also an extra working area side shelf attached. The storage area is spacious.

Versatility: The product offers a wide cooking option to its users like baking, roasting, barbeque, sear, braise, grill, smoker, and char-grill.

Best High-End

ZPG-5502H

Pros

Storage area on the bottom

Foldable rack

Digital temperature control

Cons

The product displays inconsistency in achieving the desired temperature.

Another product on the review is the ZPG-5502H 2021 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. Versatility in cooking features, this 8 in 1 grill and smoker is another great outdoor cooking partner.

What do we like?

Digital temperature control: The automated digital temperature controller allows you to cook your food without checking it often. It is automated, so you just set the desired heat, and the rest is taken care of.Spacious cooking space: Two-tier cooking space with a cooking rack provides 553 sq in space. 

Z Grills 8 in 1 BBQ Grill

Pros

Large capacity pellet hopper

Digital pellet purge system

Digital heat control system

Cons

Given its size, it is on the heavier side; moving it around often will not be an easy task.

If you are looking for a big family-size grill and smoker, then this is just what you need. The product will perfectly fit large family barbeque parties efficiently and effortlessly with its 8 in 1 cooking versatility feature. 

What do we like?

Fits for a large family: The large cooking area of 694 sq can accommodate a large family dinner or lunch without wasting time and effort.

Versatile cooking options: Baking, roasting, barbeque, sear, braise, grill, smoker, and char-grill.

ZPG-7002C has 8 in 1

Pros

Large capacity pellet hopper

Easy to clean

Three years warranty period

Cons

No storage space

The ZPG-7002C has 8 in 1 versatile cooking features. It has advanced wood fire technology with digital heat control and an easy access pellet cleanout design. 

What do we like?

Pellet view window: The product comes with a pellet view feature that allows you to monitor the consumption of the pellet without you having to lift the storage lid. 

Large capacity pellet hopper: You will not have to restock the pellet storage with the large capacity pellet hopper feature. 

Conclusion

Z Grills’ smoker and grill product series offers a wide range of features, versatile functionality, and high quality. They have the same features as higher-end products at an affordable price. In our opinion, the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A is our top pick for an outdoor cooking companion.

About The Author


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Reviewed by

James

James is a writer who is a self-confessed kitchenware and coffee nerd and a strong advocate of Sundays, good butter, and warm sourdough.