Summertime means cookouts, and cookouts mean grilling and barbecuing for friends and family. But sometimes, it gets a little grueling, hovering over the grill for hours in the summer heat to assure that your flame isn’t going to burn the food or that your briquettes are properly lit and heating the food appropriately. You’d rather be hanging out by the pool with the rest of the crowd, and sometimes, there’s so much trouble getting even heat distribution that it seems like your efforts are futile. That’s why so many people are opting into pellet grills now, which allows for less time-consuming work and more even heating and flavor. Finding the best pellet grill for your needs can be daunting, though, since so many manufacturers are venturing into that marketplace. The first thing you need to do is determine what aspects and features are most important to you when purchasing a pellet grill. Then, you can determine which one is the best pellet grill to meet those needs. Take a look at what we’ve found based on some of the top needs of grilling and barbecuing enthusiasts that might also appeal to you.

Contents

BEST OVERALL| Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill

Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill

Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill

The Traeger Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill is a great product that offers plenty of cooking space and great performance without overwhelming you with size. It has 300 square inches of cooking surface, which can easily handle up to 12 burgers or 3 racks of ribs at once. That’s some staggering capability, and with the wood burning technology, you’ll get even cooking and heat faster. This particular grill is lighter weight than some of its competitors, which makes it a great solution not just for the backyard barbecue with friends as you relax in comfy lounge chairs, but also for beach gatherings as well as tailgating parties. The Digital Elite Controller on the grill makes setting it and forgetting it simple, with a guarantee that the temperature range won’t exceed +/- 20 degrees of your setting and will heat quickly all the way up to 450 degrees. There’s also a special ‘smoke’ setting for slow cooking, and the LED display keeps you in the know about the food you’re cooking. The porcelain grill is easy to clean, and the powder coat finish that keeps the grill more weather resistant means easy care and little maintenance to keep it going for years. And with an electronic ignition, you don’t have to worry about matches or other difficult lighting scenarios. A drip tray carries grease away from the food, so you don’t even have to check on buildup and can literally treat the grill as you would an oven, timing your grilling just right without standing over it and monitoring it the whole time. That way, you can confidently relax, and even take a dip in the hot tub while you wait for the grill to work its magic! The Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill sells for $429.99, but be sure to check the current Traeger Junior Elite Wood Pellet Grill here.

THE SAFEST | Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill

Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill

Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill

The Camp Chef Deluxe Pellet Grill doubles as a smoker and barbecue and has the features included to assure that you get the best performance while also promoting safety. It incorporates a highly advanced digital temperature control with smart features, automating the entire process of grilling for you by automatically feeding the pellets based on your temperature setting and the temperature probe. This allows you the freedom to step back and let the grill do the work without worry for safety concerns, such as high flames and overheating. In fact, you can set the temperature anywhere from 160 to 500 degrees, making it versatile and easy to use with anything you want to cook. Even better, you can safely cook a lot of meat at once and assure even diffusion of heat for even cooking over a large area – with 429 square inches of cooking area. The second rack offers 141 square inches of space, and with 25,000 BTU output, you can be certain the grill has the power to support such a load. Even better, you can easily clean out the ashes, something that can eventually be a hazard, with the pull of a lever. Assembly is quick and simple, as is the operation, so you don’t have to worry about taking hours for setup or any difficulty or injury in putting it together. There’s also a grease management system to avoid dangerous grease fires as well as to assist with the consistency of cooked meat. The Camp Chef PG24DLX Deluxe Pellet Grill costs $499.99, but be sure to check the current Camp Chef Deluxe Pellet Grill here.

BEST QUALITY | Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill

Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill

Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill

The Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill is a lot of machine with tons of features and a quality build using heavy duty 14 gauge steel that gives you the assurance of longevity and performance. You’d be hard pressed to find another pellet grill with this much cooking space, with the main cooking space of 750 square inches and a removable rack with another 350 square inches, for an amazing total of 1,100 square inches. The grill has a digital control center allows you to choose a precise temperature for your cooking needs, with a range of 170 to 600 degrees. That means you can slow roast or flash grill with the same great results, sealing in the juices and flavor of the wood-burning grill. The electronic ignition assures that the burners are lit instantly without fail every time, and the programmable meat probe allows you to walk away and still rest assured your food will get done…but not overdone. The grill also includes a flame broiler for steaks and other endeavors, plenty of shelf and prep space, and casters so you can easily relocate it to accommodate your patio furniture. the Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill retails for $1,099.99, but be sure to check the current Louisiana Grills 61100-LG1100 Pellet Grill here.

MOST VERSATILE | Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

The Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill has versatility in use and quality performance, which makes it a great choice for your backyard and outdoor cooking needs. Working as a grill, smoker, baking oven, roaster, as well as for braising and barbecuing, this pellet grill comes with a waterproof grill cover so that you can keep it in good condition for years. The grill has an automatic feed system for wood pellets to control the temperature and maintain your setting, with capabilities from 180 to 450 degrees. You can cook a large amount at once, making it great for backyard parties or tailgate parties, with a total grilling space of 700 square inches (187 square inches on the secondary rack) and an amazing hopper capacity of 20 pounds. To give you an idea, that much space will easily cook 20 burgers, 5 whole chickens, or 6 racks of ribs. With an electronic auto ignition, you get a trustworthy start every time, and the warranty includes a satisfaction guaranteed clause and covers the grill fully for 3 years. The Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker costs $599.00, but be sure to check the current Z Grills Wood Pellet Grill here.

BARGAIN BUY | Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WIFI Enabled Pellet Grill

Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WIFI Enabled Pellet Grill

Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett WIFI Enabled Pellet Grill

The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill packs a good bargain, offering a lot of features at a low price. One of the biggest benefits you’ll find is that it’s easily portable since it’s lightweight (less than 60 pounds, far lighter than the average pellet grill for easy travel) with folding legs that also double as handles for ease of transportation. It’s also simple to manage, not only with automated temperature control but also enabled with Wi-Fi, so you can manage your cooking from across the yard or while checking on something in the oven straight from an app on your phone. Since the grill can run on either 12V or 120AC power, it’s versatile enough for you to be able to find a power source almost anywhere you go. The lid is peaked to incorporate room for any standing fowl or rack of ribs you want to throw on the grill, and the meat probe to check the internal temperature, and a tray with utensil hooks for convenience, both at home and on the go. It’s quite compact, only measuring 32 in x 16.5 in x 21 in, but the design maximizes grilling area. With the app, you can set a timer, control the temperature, and even create a custom cooking profile, adding a bit of luxury to the process. The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill sells for $339.00, but be sure to check the current Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill here.

BOTTOM LINE

Pellet grills take the work out of outdoor cooking so you can enjoy the party and spend less time monitoring the progress of the food. Depending on whether you’re looking to save a little money or want the most versatile grill available, there are excellent options out there, and you can rest assured in your satisfaction with the list provided here. Take the time to review as you shop and figure out which aspects matter to you so you can make an informed decision that will please you and create the best experience possible the next time you decide to fire up the grill and throw on some steaks. But if you’re thinking maybe pellets aren’t for you, then check out our Best Propane Grills right here!