With the summer season nearly upon us, it’s time to light up those grills and invite the neighborhood over for some barbecue. Assuming, of course, your grill came out of its long winter storage nap in one piece.
Or maybe it’s like many of us and it needs work on getting its summer beach body back after the long winter. It might even be worse, and your grill is ready to sail off into that long goodnight. Either way, it may be time to start shopping for a new one.
Luckily, in today’s outdoor cooking world, there are more ways than ever to create mouthwatering meals in your own backyard. I have been an advocate for pellet smokers for several years now, and it seems like the technology and equipment have finally caught up to the vision.
That is why I’m going to be showing you some of the best pellet grills on the market. If you need help finding the best pellet grill, the options below are great choices.
Whether you’re buying your very first pellet smoker, or it’s about time for an upgrade, I’ve got you covered in this guide.
Table of Contents
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The Best Pellet Grill – Three Can’t Miss Options to Choose From
I’ve compiled a list of the top 3 best pellet grills to act as a guide.
The list includes a variety of grills, prices, sizes, and features. You should always do your own due diligence, however. Don’t be swayed by salespeople and never buy a grill on sight.
On to my picks for 2023!
Traeger Grills Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill
The first product we will be looking at, and definitely one of the better pellet grills on the market, is the Traeger Pro Series 22 Pellet Grill.
Traeger is a fantastic and trusted manufacturer of grills that creates affordable products without sacrificing quality; which is why it is in our lineup today.
The Pro Series 22 comes with a digital thermostat controller, making it one of the most technologically advanced pellet grills on our list.
With its smaller footprint, the Pro Series 22 grill is perfect for those with a limited amount of space, such as a small house, an outdoor patio, or a student at school. They are also a very solid choice for anyone looking for a great intro pellet grill.
It has a 292-square-inch cooking area that produces 19,500 BTUs; making it plenty powerful! The cooking surface measures 15” by 20” and comes with a grilling grate coated with porcelain, making cleaning a breeze.
This pellet grill uses convection heating technology that pushes the smoky air in a circle around your food to make sure it is evenly cooked. The digital thermostat allows you to have the most precise control of temperature for a set-it-and-forget-it experience.
The grill itself is made of solid, durable steel, and uses hardwood pellets to start the flame. It is also equipped with a convection blower and auger, to consistently heat the pellets.
For a fast and easy start-up, it is equipped with an electronic auto-start ignition. It also features a convenient grease-draining system for easy cleanup.
This electronic grill requires a 110-volt electric outlet to run. Once set up, the entire grill measures 22” by 20” by 20”.
Traeger Pro Series 22 PROs & CONs
Pros
- Concise and compact
- Great for beginners
- Easy to start
- Feels like a professional grill
- High-quality build
Cons
- Not big enough for a larger family
- Cannot sear meat over open flames
Camp Chef PG24 Deluxe Pellet Grill & Smoker
The second product up for review is the Camp Chef PG24 Deluxe Pellet Grill and Smoker.
Camp Chef is known for making unique grills offering perfection when it comes to smoking, grilling, and roasting food. It has been shown that when done correctly, grilling meat is actually a healthy option and the best way to get the most flavor out of certain cuts.
As with all pellet grills, you are looking at it being a financial investment and this Camp Chef product is no exception. The cost may seem like a lot at first, but as far as pellet grills go, this one is competitively priced. However, with any grill at this level, you want to make sure it has plenty to offer to deserve its higher price point.
The Camp Chef PG24 Deluxe Pellet Grill and Smoker is the most technologically advanced pellet grill on the list today and has the most advanced features. Its smart digital temperature control and automatic auger feed pellets into the grill to evenly maintain the desired cooking temperature and produce the optimal amount of smoke. You won’t have to babysit this grill; you electronically set what you want and let it do the work.
The versatility you get from this grill is practically endless. The Camp Chef Deluxe can smoke, bake, braise, barbecue, and roast all foods, and still make it taste like wood-fired barbecue.
You can control and set the inside temperature anywhere between 160° to 500° Fahrenheit. It also comes with a built-in meat probe to check the internal temperature of your food, so you know exactly when your food is ready.
The cooking area measures 570 square inches and has a removable upper warming rack for convenience.
Camp Chef Deluxe PROs & CONs
Pros
- Easy to set up
- Easy to start
- Can do everything at the click of a button
- Versatile
- Durable
- Technologically advanced
- Great size
- Efficient on pellets
Cons
- Not the best warranty
recteq RT-590 Wood Pellet Smoker Grill
The final pellet grill we will be looking at is the REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill.
First off, this is a fantastic-looking grill. With a red exterior glossy finish and micro-polished stainless steel bullhorn handles, it really catches the eye. REC TEC is known for making stand-out grills, especially their pellet grills. I wanted to end with this product, as it does differ from the previous two and offers new features.
The REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill is equipped with REC TEC’s “Smart Grill Technology,” allowing it to maintain an exact temperature ranging from 180° to 500° Fahrenheit. You can increase or decrease the temperature in 5° increments for better control.
It has been manufactured using a durable textured powder coat on the outside, allowing it to withstand high temperatures without any cracking or breaking. It comes with a 40-pound hopper capacity which I can tell you from experience is large.
The REC TEC’s stainless steel bullhorn handles are comfortable to hold, never get too hot, and add to the fantastic exterior look of this product.
The “Smart Grill” precise temperature control allows for grilling, smoking, searing, and baking with confidence. There are also a ton of great add-on accessories that can be purchased for this grill.
REC TEC really goes the extra mile to produce the highest quality, most convenient, and most versatile grills on the market, and are backed by an unmatched six-year limited warranty. The 702-square-inch cooking area is enough to feed the whole neighborhood.
REC TEC RT-590 PROs & CONs
Pros
- Fantastic customer service
- Assembly is easy and straight forward
- Great look
- Easy to hold handles—also look great
- A lot of cooking space
- Built heavy duty
Cons
- Cleaning can be a little more difficult as it is made of heavier parts to lift and move
Final Thoughts on Our Best Pellet Grill Guide
When looking for a pellet grill, the first thing you want to do is make a list of your criteria for what you’re personally looking for. Is cooking space important to you? How much room do you have to store it? Do you want to be able to add grilling options to your cooker in the future? And lastly, how much are you willing to spend? This will narrow down the search and make it easier to find what you are looking for.
All three of the products above are some of the best pellet grills on the market today and I highly recommend any of them. Each will give you fantastic results for years to come.
You can read more about pellet grills in my “What is a Pellet Grill? – An Introduction to Pellet Grilling” guide.
As always, if you or someone you know is in the market for The Best Pellet Grill, or you find this information useful, please consider sharing it with your grilling friends or on social media!
If you would like to leave a comment or have your own opinion on the best pellet grill to share, please do so below. We always welcome your input.
Cheers,
Patrick
Disclosure – At The Grilling Life, I am committed to researching and writing thoughtful, informative and editorially independent reviews of the best products for your outdoor cooking needs. If you like what I do, you can support me through my chosen links, which earn me a commission. This allows me to continue sharing with you my love for all things barbecue. Your support is truly appreciated.
A backyard warrior, certified carnivore, lover of good whiskey, self-proclaimed grill master and I’m Living The Grilling Life!
I have a passion for cooking with live fire and smoke, no matter the weather. I’m a real person just like you, who loves outdoor cooking and BBQ. Food, fun, and time spent with family and friends are what it’s all about! It is my mission to take my passion and knowledge for outdoor cooking and all things BBQ and share this expertise in techniques and grilling equipment with you. In other words, Living The Grilling Life!
