Best Pellet Smoker For Those Who Love Barbecue

Nothing's better than perfectly smoked barbecue. This savory main dish is perfect for a dinner party, family gathering, or celebration and can be paired with grilled vegetables or a nice, cold beer for a complete meal. However, any grill master will tell you that having a top-notch pellet smoker is important to have.

Pellet Smokers Discussed In This Guide

Traeger Series Ironwood 885
Green Mountain Davy Crockett
Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020
Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro
Pit Boss 820 PB820FB

If you want to take your barbecue game to the next level, check out this list of the five best pellet smokers

Traeger Series Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill

One of the most well-known and oldest names in the pellet grill industry, Traeger’s Ironwood Series is a 6-in-1 grill that can also smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue any food. This high-end model has 885 square inches of grilling space and can store up to 20 pounds of wood pellets in its hopper. 

Like the Davy Crockett, you can also use your phone to change temperatures, set timers, and monitor your food through the Traeger app. Using the company’s WiFIRE Controller, you can feel comfortable stepping away from your grill for any duration.

Pros

  • A built-in pellet sensor will tell you when you're running low
  • WiFIRE technology allows you to control the grill from anywhere
  • Fueled completely by wood pellets for the best taste
  • Easy-to-use controls make it simple to set the temperature from the grill itself

Cons

  • The WiFi controlled app has been known to malfunction
  • A high price for a grill of this size is expected. However, the cost can be a barrier to many and may not be worth it for those who are just starting out

Z Grills ZPG-7002B 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker

This year’s model of the Z Grills’ ZPG-7002B is an 8-in-1 wood fire pellet grill that allows you to smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue, in addition to grill. It’s highly user-friendly design makes the grill easy to operate for even those just starting on their barbecue journey.

Other features include a 504 square-inch area for grilling and a 190 square-inch smoking and warming rack.

The 2020 edition also comes with a few upgrades to the previous year’s model, including a digital control board that ignites the grill automatically and an electric feed system, making it one of the best pellet grills. 

Pros

  • This grill is highly efficient, and it only takes about 20 pounds of pellets to cook for 20 hours
  • This grill is made with high-quality materials such as stainless steel and metal
  • An automatic temperature control means you don't have to monitor it 24/7
  • With a grease drain pan and bucket, cleaning out the grease couldn't be easier

Cons

  • With only a 450-degree limit, this grill may not be the most practical for grilling steaks that need a high searing heat
  • Unlike other grills, there isn't an easy way to clean out the pellets after usage

Green Mountain Davy Crockett WiFi Control Portable Wood Pellet Grill

This small grill is one of the best pellet smokers for those who want to bring the same delicious pellet-grilled meat you cook at home on the road. While it only weighs around 60 pounds and can easily fold to fit in the back of nearly any truck, don’t let the small size fool you. It has a temperature range of 150-550 degrees Fahrenheit, so you don’t have to sacrifice heat for size.

The Davy Crockett is also tech-friendly and comes equipped with WiFi controls so you can control the temperature and other controls through your phone. 

Pros

  • Temperature control through your phone, even to the degree
  • Custom program grill instructions from your phone with the Davy Crockett app and monitor it from anywhere
  • Easily portable so you can take it to tailgates and on camping adventures
  • Can run on 12V or 120AC so you can use it anywhere

Cons

  • While the grill heats up well, it's sometimes uneven and creates certain hot spots you need to be aware of when grilling
  • Spotty WiFi connections could render this feature useless

Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker

Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue with Camp Chef’s SmokePro pellet grill. In addition to the grill, you’ll also get two stainless steel meat probes and a heavy-duty shelf off the front so you can set plates and tools without worrying about your hours of hard work falling onto the ground.

Pros

  • Camp Chef's ash cleanout system is easy and hassle-free: all you have to do is a pull a lever
  • Removable racks make it easy to adjust the grill to fit your grilling needs
  • A video tutorial on the company's website makes setting up the grill easy
  • For a much lower price for comparable features, this can be an excellent introduction to pellet grilling

Cons

  • It's only powered by electricity which limits where you can use the grill and can malfunction more often than
  • Despite its drip tray, beware of grease leakage which can cause staining on patios or decks

Pit Boss 71820FB PB820FB BBQ Pellet Grill and Smoker

Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue with Camp Chef’s SmokePro pellet grill. In addition to the grill, you’ll also get two stainless steel meat probes and a heavy-duty shelf off the front so you can set plates and tools without worrying about your hours of hard work falling onto the ground.

Pros

  • An additional flame broiler option gives this grill a leg up
  • Fan-forced convection cooking makes it so you can grill, roast, smoke, braise, sear, and bake with ease
  • Lid temperature control allows for more precise grilling
  • Two large, steel wheels make it easy to move if necessary

Cons

  • The conveyor belt that feeds the wood pellets has been known to jam
  • This grill doesn't have a hopper cleanout unlike others on this list of best pellet smokers

Frequently Asked Questions

Pellet grills provide any meat with a delicious smoky flavor that you can’t get when using a gas or charcoal grill.

Pellets are poured in the grill hopper and are fed by an auger to a firepot. Fans and an igniter then create a fire that provides heat.

While other grills offer similar features, none can beat the Traeger Series Ironwood 885 for pellet grill quality and features. Known as The Original Wood Pellet Grill, its grills were first created over 30 years ago in Oregon, and its years of being in the business have perfected it to be the best pellet grills on the market today.