Wood pellet grills have been around for more than 30 years and the manufacturers are still coming up with innovative ways to improve these products. 2018 was an impressive year for the pellet grill industry as customers were introduced to grills that could prepare food at more precise temperatures than ever before.
Whether you like to grill, smoke, braise, or barbecue, you are sure to find the perfect cooker in our list of the Best Pellet Grill Products for 2018.
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What Makes a Grill the Best Pellet Grill?
There are several factors that can turn a standard wood pellet grill into one of the best. Pellet grills use small pellets of wood to add a smoky flavor to the meat you are preparing. The larger the capacity for wood pellets, the less work you have to do refueling the hopper. Therefore, one great aspect of a good pellet grill is a large pellet capacity.
Traeger grills are known for holding large amounts of pellets so that you can cook an entire meal without ever having to refuel. Some of their latest grills like the Traeger XL Pellet Competition Grill are capable of holding as much as 40 lbs. of pellets at a time.
Other aspects that make a good pellet grill even better include temperature control, easy to use control panel, portability, and cooking space.
Most pellet grills on the market allow you to precisely control the internal heat so that you end up with amazing results every time you use it. There is no more guess work where you have to blindly set the grill at either Low, Medium, or High and hope for the best. The temperature controls work very similar to those on an indoor conventional oven.
When a grill is easy to use, yet it still provides you with competition-quality results, you know you have a great product. Many grillers are new to the technique of using wood pellets as a heat resource, so finding a good grill that is simple to use is a great option for backyard barbecue experts.
The portability of a grill may not be an important feature for everyone. But if you love to tailgate or take your grill along with you on fishing or camping trips, you will want a lightweight grill that is easy to haul and transport from one location to another.
And finally, a large cooking space allows you to prepare more food at once so that no one at your backyard barbecue or tailgate party has to wait around for their food.
Our Best Pellet Grill Choices for 2018
Listed below are our top 10 best pellet grill choices for 2018 based on customer reviews, features, and the overall longevity of the product.
1
Camp Chef Golden Spike Oval Dutch Oven - Premium Dutch Oven Pot with...
- Durable Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Lid: The 18"and 12-quart capacity dutch oven makes it perfect for cooking meals for up...
- Versatile Dutch Oven Pot with Lid Cast Iron: Use it for everything from slow-cooked stews to baked bread; perfect for...
- Convenient Cast Iron Griddle: The lid also doubles as a flat-top griddle, adding versatility to your outdoor cooking...
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The Camp Chef WoodWind Pellet Grill take your barbecue game to a whole new level.
This pellet smoker features a large cooking area that is 560 cubic meters. It has a removable rack, so you can add on larger cuts of meat if needed. The temperature range for this grill is up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. This makes it the perfect choice for grilling, smoking, braising, or roasting.
The grill is reasonably priced at around $549. It is made of high-quality professional-grade materials and features advanced digital controls as well as an automatic pellet feeder. Cleanup is easy thanks to the convenient trapdoor that you can empty out after each use.
The Camp Chef WoodWind Pellet Grill will make a great addition to your backyard or patio, and it is a worthwhile investment that you and your family will enjoy for years to come.
2
Cookshack PG500 Fast Eddy's Pellet Grill
- 100% Stainless Steel, featuring a riveted assembly on the body. The direct zone features stainless steel grates for...
- 784 square inches: 10" x 18" direct cooking; 18"x18" indirect; 10"x28" top rack; warming drawer 19" x 13" x 4"
- Direct: 3/8 304T Stainless Steel rod grate; Indirect: Nickel Plated Grills
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If you are looking for a high-quality pellet griller that is also a great smoker and grill, Fast Eddy’s by Cookshack is the best choice for you.
This high-end cooker is a combination grill with a very large space to prepare food. It also features a small yet efficient direct grilling area that allows you to sear steaks with ease. Although this grill is on the more expensive side, priced at around $1,899, many users consider it to be a great investment for the serious griller.
It features some of the highest quality construction in the industry and is definitely one to consider if you are on the fence on whether to buy a pellet grill, traditional grill, or a smoker.
The CoolShack PG500 Fast Eddy’s Pellet Grill features 784 square inches of cooking space on Nickel Plated grill grates.
3
Traeger Grills TFB42LZBO Lil Tex Elite Smoker-Grill, Smok, Bronze
- 418 sq. In. Grilling area
- Digital Elite controller with LED display Maintains precise temperature, just like your oven
- Fueled by 100% pure hardwood pellets. Real wood, real flavor
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The Traeger TFB42LZBC Grill Lil’ Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker offers plenty of premium features that you would expect from the industry-leading brand.
This grill has a digital LED temperature control system so that you can accurately control the internal heat. While it has a smaller grilling area than some of the other choices on the list, there is a much larger version that offers 700 square inches of space.
The Lil’ Tex Grill is a 6-in-1 unit that allows you to cook your food exactly how you want it. This grill allows you to experience professional level grilling all at an affordable price. It has a very impressive positive review rate and quality-wise it is difficult for any other grill in its class to come close to the design and excellent manufacturing.
The Traeger Lil Tex Elite Grill is just the right size for those who want a backyard grill that is not too big or too small.
4
Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill, 700 Square Inches, Black
- 700 sq. in. total cooking surface.
- Porcelain coated wire grids with upper cooking rack
- Digitally controlled burn system.
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Whether you want to prepare a dozen flame-broiled burgers for your friends or enjoy smoked brisket for dinner, the Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill is an excellent choice.
This pellet grill can serve up any type of meal you have in mind. It has a large 700-square inch primary grilling area which is large enough to cook food for a big family reunion. It also includes a flame broiler that uses side plates, allowing you to grill at a direct flame.
You can even use cast iron cookware with this option. There is also an additional upper cooking rack that will provide you with even more space if 700 square inches isn’t quite enough. The racks are made of quality porcelain coated cast iron material to provide you with the very best grilling experience.
The Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill with Flame Broiler offers hassle-free cleanup and is also low-maintenance.
5
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The Memphis Pro Wood Fire Pellet Grill is one of the very best of its kind, and also one of the most expensive retailing at $3,899.
This grill features high-quality construction that is designed to last throughout many years of use. It is engineered with some of the most innovative cooking capabilities that allow you to grill practically anything. This cooker is capable of reaching temperatures as high as 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
It can sear a steak while also holding the internal temperature down at a slow cooker level of 180 degrees. This product can do it all, smoke, low and slow cooking, and any type of barbecuing you can think of. Additional features include convection fans and precise temperature control.
The Memphis Pro may be one of the more expensive grills on the list, but it can take on all types of intense grilling or smoking tasks.
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Traeger makes the list again for the best grill products of 2018 with their top-rated portable grill.
This tailgater grill is one of the smaller products that Traeger has available, but it can still prepare excellent burgers, steaks, and ribs with ease. While most portable grills often have fewer features than their larger counterparts, this wood pellet grill includes some features that you would only find on higher end pellet grills that are designed to stay in one place.
It features digital controls, versatile cooking features, and a large cooking area. This product is also very sturdy for its size.
The Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable is a great grill to take along on camping trips or to the big tailgate party.
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The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is one of the most affordable grills on the list that is also highly functional.
This grill is available from most retailers at around $339. Yet it still provides you with everything you need to enjoy a great outdoor barbecue. This pellet grill has plenty of standard and modern features that make it a unique buy.
It features WIFI compatibility, so you can control the settings using your smartphone device. This portable, lightweight grill will take convenience to an entire new level as you control the heat for your round of burgers while using your phone. It is a great grill to take along on fishing trips, camping, or to family get-togethers. It is also an excellent choice for tailgating.
Make the most of your next backyard barbecue with the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill.
8
Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill Smoker with PID Control, Rain Cover, 700...
- BUILT TO LAST - Sturdy steel construction with a high-temperature powder coating finish makes the pellet grill...
- HUGE COOKING SPACE - 700 sq. In grilling space that can accommodate 30 burgers, 6 rib racks, or 5 chickens effortlessly....
- EXTRA STORAGE - Z GRILLS' uniquely designed bottom cabinet provides ample space for barbecue tools, seasonings, pellets,...
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The Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker is a versatile and sophisticated grill that will look great on your deck or patio.
This grill may have amazing aesthetics, but it provides you with much more than a good -ooking exterior. The Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker features Smart Smoke Technology that adds more convenience to your smoked barbecue.
With just a press of a button, you are on your way to a delicious mouthwatering meal with very little effort. This digitally controlled smoker will ignite the unit and use the technology to heat the internal temperature from 160 up to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. This smoker has 513 square inches of cooking space and a second cooking rack if more space is needed.
The Z GRILLS pellet grill also has an automatic shut off feature that isn’t found on many other high-end grill models.
9
Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34, Black and Bronze
- 646 sq. in. grilling area
- "Digital Elite Controller with LED display maintains precise temperature, just like your oven"
- Fueled by 100% pure hardwood pellets. Real wood, Real flavor
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The Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34 Grill is one of the best out there for preparing enough to feed an army all at once.
This impressive grill features 836-square feet of grilling space so that you can grill up 10 whole chickens, 8 rib racks, and 8 pork butts, all at the same time. Along with a large food capacity, this Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34 can provide you with hours of consistent wood-fired cooking with the 42.5 lb. hopper.
It also features Dual Meat Probes for easy monitoring without ever needing to open the lid. There is also a Digital Pro Controller to assist with getting the temperature precise. This pellet grill has a wood pellet hopper capacity of 40 lbs. to ensure continuous smoking without refueling.
The Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34 is another high-quality Traeger grill that you can depend on for its reliability for many years to come.
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The Louisiana Grills Country Smokers Whole Hog grill is a large cooker that can be divided into two separate grills for your convenience.
If you need an extra-large grill, his Whole Hog cooker from Louisiana Grills Country Smokers is an excellent choice. You can use one of the two independent grills to slow cook an entire hog or use the 1,200-square inch grilling space to grill up enough burgers and hot dogs for the entire neighborhood.
This grill is designed for the serious grill master who needs provide food for all types of events such as little league games or county fairs.
This grill features two pellet controllers that are mounted on opposing ends for easy access.
Which Pellet Grill is the Best Option for You?
We have discussed the benefits of several different types of quality grills for you to choose from. Now it is your turn to decide which is the best pellet grill for you.
Do you need a lightweight and portable grill for tailgating? Or are you looking for a large stationary grill to add to your sophisticated backyard patio? Are you grilling out for your immediate family or the entire community?
Whatever your grilling needs may be, you are sure to find the right cooker in this group of the best pellet grills.