By
James
Updated on
Welcome to our pellet smoker review. The main reason why BBQ enthusiasts buy a pellet smoker is the convenience and unique smokey flavor that’s not achieved by other kinds of smokers.
But we will also cover topics like:
Do pellet smokers give good smoke flavor?
Are pellet smokers worth it?
Are pellet smokers unhealthy?
Plus, we will find the best pellet smoker for you.
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.
Image
Product
Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments
Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby
Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments
Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby
Folds compactly for storage and offers three different height adjustments
Easy to clean with a cup holder for baby
Reviews of Each Pick
Looking for the best pellet smokers to buy online? Here are my top 6 picks! Continue reading to make an educated buying decision.
PIT BOSS SPORTSMAN 820
8-in-1 cooking versatility
Dial-in digital control board with LED readout
Instant direct or indirect heat in a temperature range of 180° to 500°F
None
The 820 Sportsman by Pit Boss is our favorite pellet smoker.
Why?
First off, the years of experience of Pit Boss means it’s designed with you in mind. You can quickly assemble and cook your meat to perfection with the built-in LED read-out that gives you precise control of your pellet grill.
Moreover, you get a sizeable 21-pound hopper with a viewing window, a built-in spice rack, and even a bottle opener. It’s truly made for the perfect weekend BBQ.
Lastly, you can achieve direct or indirect heat in a temperature range of 180° to 500°F. Plus, you can smoke, bake, braise, roast, grill, barbecue, char-grill, and sear – with the 8-in-1 cooking versatility.
Your search for a grill with multiple cooking options Ends Here.
TRAEGER PRO SERIES 34
Digital Pro Controller
Porcelain-Coated Grill Grates
Steel construction & durable powder coated finish
None
Key Points:
- Digital Pro Controller for advanced grilling logic. You can maintain a +/- 15-degree f temperature control* to guarantee precision grilling.
- Bestselling & classic sawhorse chassis for linebacker-like stability and rugged wheels to conquer any backyard terrain.
- Porcelain-coated grill grates that stop food from sticking, which is great for when it comes time to clean up the grill.
Are you planning a big BBQ party at the weekend? This pellet smoker has you covered. You can cook in six different methods, grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, braising, and BBQ-ing food over the heat.
The large 884 square unit cooking space can accommodate 40 burgers all at once, or 8 chickens, or 7 racks of ribs.
While these stats might seem intimidating, it’s straightforward to use. Traeger Grills prides itself in its “set it and forget it” easy to follow instructions.
Customer Review: “After years of trying other smokers varying from gas, electric, charcoal, I bit the bullet and bought a Traeger Pro 34. I’ve had it for four months and use it 2-3 times a week. I have done countless racks of ribs, brisket, pork butts, tenderloins, hotdogs, hamburgers, even meatloaf (my favorite out of everything). I clean it regularly and have no issues at all. Excellent size for a family of five plus extra room for entertaining. Wish I would have bought it earlier.”
Z GRILLS-7002B
Digital Temperature Control
Less Refilling, More Smoking
Automatic Auger System
None
Key Points:
- Very user-friendly design. The digital temperature control on the 7002B lets you turn it on to your desired temp and let it work away. Now more stoking coals or babysitting the grill.
- Built-in auger system that automatically adjusts the pellet feed rate for consistent temperatures to make the perfect infused with wood-fired flavor.
- 8 cooking styles in 1 smoker. You can grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, or char-grill, this Z Grill will perform any BBQ purpose.
For the price and useability this pellet grill is beginner friendly. First, the user friendly design let’s cook in a variety of different styles and has built in technology so you can set it and forget it.
It’s efficient! The pellet grill uses the lowest amount of pellets possible. You can use the grill for 20 hours non-stop with just 20 pounds of pellets. Compared to gas or charcoal smoker this pellet smoker will cost you less to run because it’s that efficient.
Moreover, the smokers internal temperature stays within a range of -10 or +10 of the temperature you set. This temperate range is consistent and is not affected by the external weather.
There is a specially-designed waste oil collector that can pull out and dump for a fast clean. It’s a similar concept for dump out ash pans of charcoal and kamado grills.
Customer Review: “Purchased the ZGrill a month ago and it came in a week. It’s easy assemble, took roughly 2 hours, however my 4 year old insisted with helping so that added some extra time. Smoked brisket overnight for the first run with a MEATER thermometer and ambient temp tracked a very consistent temp. So far, so good. Love it and highly recommend it.”
WOODWIND WIFI 24 WITH SIDEKICK
Key Points:
- PID and WIFI controller lets you regulate smoke and temperature. The easy to use PID’s controller gives you the industry’s most precise grill temperature. This allows to cook the perfect brisket with an app.
- The sidekick cooking area lets you smoke your brisket while you continue to cook. You get a modest surface area: 231 sq. in.
- Large hopper size – ontop of being automatic the hopper can hold 22lbs. of pellets.
This is the new version of the Camp Chef SmokePro Stainless Pellet Grill with a PID Gen 2 Digital Controller. PID Digital Controllers are a modern high-tech feature that utilizes a feedback loop mechanism from the fan and the auger.
We love the versatility and automation of the woodwind smoker. You can quickly check the temperature and adjust it with a push of a button.
The drain system makes it easy to collect and remove ash and grease for a quick cleaning regime.
Moreover, the sleek outdoor design is made to match the advanced technology that this pellet grill uses. There are a premium, stylish stainless steel lid, and four sturdy legs to support this pellet grill.
You get ample cooking space of 811 sq. in. plus the additional sidekick of 231 sq. in. that can accommodate significant meat cuts, from ribs, briskets, to roasts and large batches of smaller meat cuts.
Customer Review: “Easy to assemble, use, and clean. It produces the best tasting meat I have cooked in 30 years of cooking meat. I’m not sure the smoke control makes a ton of difference in the taste. Also I wish that the controls worked via the internet when I am out of range of the Bluetooth and Wi-Fi (perhaps it is doable, but I haven’t figured it out). Overall I am extremely happy. I can now do everything with one machine, and the food tastes great.”
Green Mountain Davy Crockett
Solid construction
Awesome smoking and grilling both.
Wifi and phone app works flawlessly
Temp fluctuates wildly at times.
Might be better suited for taller babies
This Green Mountain smoker has a portable design that can connect to wifi for convenient remote control. There are thousands of positive reviews and ratings on Amazon, and numerous BBQ grill websites also recommend it.
You’ll also find the Sense-Mate built-in heat sensors accurate and precise readings on your internal grill temperature. These readings will appear on your remote phone app monitor.
It also comes with various accessories like a meat probe, a peaked lid for unusual ingredients like a stand-up kitchen or rib racks. There is also a convenience tray that can hold your grilling tools.
This is also incredibly versatile, meant to be run in different environments—whether it’s camping, music festivals, tailgating, or hunting. It only weighs 68 pounds and folds down for compact size and shape to neatly fit into your trunk if you decide to use it for other locations.
Satisfied User Takeaway: “I truly appreciate how easy this smoker works. I spent a couple of weeks camping, and after showing mine, I know of four people who went out and bought one! Total electricity usage on a 12-hour smoke was 4.4 amp-hours. My portable jump starter worked perfectly! I recommend buying this smoker because the WiFi capability is excellent!”
About The Author
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.
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