Updated Sep. 15, 2024
After smoking 115 pounds of pork shoulder (plus chicken breasts, salmon, corn and pork chops), we feel confident that these are the best pellet grills for every barbecue boss
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When the weather warms up and backyards buzz with bees and butterflies, the grilling call commences. Like outdoor pizza ovens, grills come in various shapes, sizes and fuel types. Any debate on the best grills involves folks tirelessly singing the praises of gas grills and charcoal grills. But for folks who wish to marry the ease of a gas grill with the versatility of a charcoal grill, there’s another option worth considering: the best pellet grill.
Pellet grills are “grate” (get it?) for pro grillers and newbies alike. Simply fill the hopper with wood pellets, ignite the grill, set the temperature and let the magic happen. Pellets come in various wood flavors, like applewood and hickory, so it’s easy to experiment with different taste combinations. You can even use them for smoking.
“Pellet grills come in various sizes, from compact models perfect for small spaces to larger units used in commercial cooking. They’re also electric-powered, allowing you to easily control the temperature for consistent results,” says National Barbecue & Grilling Association managing partner Kell Phelps. Plus, many pellet grills offer WiFi connectivity and apps with timers, pellet readings and temperature data, among other features. Becoming a pit master is easier than ever with these clever appliances.
Our expert Product Testing Team and in-house grilling expert Catherine Ward broke out their best grill accessories and put 11 top-rated pellet grills to work. Over 280 pounds of pellets and 400 hours later, we feel confident that these are the best pellet grills for beginners, pros and everyone in between.
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The Recteq Flagship 1100 pellet grill perfected the art of smoking and searing. Plan on serving up a sizable pork roast or cooking for a family get-together? With 1,109 square inches of cooking area, there’s plenty of space for a party’s worth of food on our overall best pellet grill pick.
The shelf under the unit is roomy and wide, and the big side shelf works well for storing prepped patties and hot dog dressings. An electrical outlet on the back offers a spot to charge phones or plug in a blender for margaritas—viva la summer!
A gigantic hopper fits about 40 pounds of pellets (compared to the standard 20 or so pounds for most pellet grills). Of the three grills Annamarie seasoned, this grill was the easiest to operate. That said, it gets very hot, so be careful while cooking.
There’s also no need to invest in a pricey meat thermometer. Instead, use the two built-in meat probes to penetrate your proteins and record the interior temperature in seconds. While we wish there were a few more probes provided (especially since there’s plenty of space), we appreciate the ingenuity of this inclusion.
In terms of performance, the Recteq produced the best color and moistness in our salmon test. The fish came out fairly smoky with some nice, dark edges. Similarly, the corn came out a little smoky and brown on both the top and bottom. While the sear wasn’t super pronounced on the pork chops, we appreciated the color it creates.
The pork roast fared better. It had a pink smoke ring, dark bark and a tender and moist interior that easily shredded. This was easily the best pork roast out of all the options we tested, skyrocketing this pick to best pellet grill status. Similarly, the chicken breasts were juicy and came off the grill with some nice caramelization.
Our biggest gripe with this grill is that we were not able to soak and wash the grates in the sink. Because the grate is one piece, it’s far too large. You’d need a tub or you could spray it off with a hose. We resorted to just scraping off excess debris with a metal scraper rather than using a soapy sponge and water, which didn’t get the grill as sanitized as we’d like.
Additionally, while the grill has four wheels for easy mobility, they’re on the small side and get stuck on some terrain types. However, these issues are a small price to pay for this overachieving pellet grill.
Grate materials: ‎304 stainless steel | Weight: 204 pounds | Cooking area: 1,109 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Two meat probes; large capacity hopper; towel bar; prep shelf | Warranty: 6 years
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Known for its classic kettle grill, Weber makes a bunch of different grill models, including the luxe Weber Performer and the colorful Weber Master Touch. The brand also offers a range of gas options like the feature-rich Weber Genesis and compact Weber Spirit. But the true dark horse of the grilling game is the Weber Searwood 600 pellet grill, which won as our top pick for producing powerful sears.
The Searwood’s overall performance may sway you in the Napoleon vs. Weber debate. Plated steel cooking plates and a DirectFlame mode—which creates a nice, dark color—make this one a top performer in terms of sheer searing power. The grill’s temperature does not fluctuate at all, which is super impressive considering we’re working with fire and wood.
It produced the best chicken of the bunch thanks to a rich, smoky flavor and solid searing on the surface. While it overcooked the salmon by a bit, taking the filet off a little earlier should circumvent the excess heat. We also cranked the Super Smoke option up to the third setting, which could explain the slightly charred results. While we regret the overcooking, we certainly don’t regret the smoky flavor!
The Weber provided the best wood-fired flavor of the bunch. This was apparent in the corn test, where the veggies sponged up just the right amount of smoke seasoning. It also created the best sear on the pork chops, rendering the fat smoky and crisp. Our Testing Team also noted the pork roast came out “just perfect,” boasting a tender and juicy interior with a red smoke ring and dark bark. There’s also plenty of space for larger cuts thanks to the sizable 648-square-inch grates.
The stainless handles don’t get too hot, and there’s a row of hooks for hanging your favorite Weber accessories. Despite being a pellet grill, this all-in-one appliance works solidly for searing and smoking, so you only need one machine. It also wipes down easier than the other grills, so it’s ideal for those who want to spend less time on cleanup.
We love the app’s flexibility, which offers features like “Start SmokeBoost,” “Manual Mode,” “Shut Down,” target temperature, temperature alerts and a timer. It records the grill and probe temperatures and shows you a temperature fluctuation chart. The app itself also has recipes and another page where you can monitor the grill’s progress—just like having a sous chef on hand.
Grate materials: ‎Plated steel | Weight: 125.4 pounds | Cooking area: 648 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: DirectFlame cooking for searing; SmokeBoost setting; stainless towel bar; utensil hooks | Warranty: Cook box—5 years; Electrical components—3 years; Cooking grates, burn pot, heat diffuser, heat deflector, controller bezel—3 years
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The Traeger Tailgater is our top pick for first-time pellet grill users. Compact with a small 300-square-inch cooking area, it offers a simple yet effective interface. It also weighs in at a very modest 62 pounds and has foldable legs. This makes the Tailgater compact enough to tuck into a van for camping trips, storage and—you guessed it—tailgating. Given the smaller size, assembly takes only one person rather than the two it takes for the other best pellet grills on our list.
What it lacks in extra features like WiFi, it makes up for with a lower price point and easier mobility thanks to a lightweight build. It also has its fair share of helpful features, including a “keep warm” mode for folks waiting for other dishes to finish cooking. It’s an affordable gift for grillers just starting out—and it leaves plenty of room in the budget for Traeger grill accessories.
Don’t think this tinier Traeger isn’t as effective as its larger cousins, either. It produced juicy, moist chicken breasts with a little caramelization and a nice smoky top. That said, it gobbles up pellets rather quickly, and the lack of a way to empty the pellets means there’s no way to switch flavors mid-cook. “You’ll want to keep an eye on the pellet consumption on the Tailgater,” says tester Sheri Kaz.
The pork chops came out moist, albeit slightly uneven. Similarly, the pork shoulder end result was fairly tough and didn’t pull well. While it wasn’t dry, it also wasn’t super moist. “I would think the shoulder would be 190 degrees Fahrenheit internally versus the actual 205 degrees Fahrenheit that it was,” says Catherine Ward, Prep Kitchen Manager.
Despite fewer settings, the interface is less intuitive than other Traegers. It lacks a pellet chute and has a smaller hopper than the others. But it still incorporates core features like a meat probe and the signature barrel style. While its performance isn’t quite on par with our top performers, it’s a great option for those who want to learn to use their pellet grill before investing in a thousand-dollar appliance.
Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 62 pounds | Cooking area: 300 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: No | Special Features: “Keep Warm” mode; temperature probe | Warranty: 3 years
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Pellet grill pros should invest in a high quality, long-lasting unit, and the Traeger Ironwood XL delivers exactly that. It looks luxe and substantial enough to impress even the snobbiest griller. The unit’s sleek, black powder-coated exterior and courtesy lights, coupled with a large cooking area and locking wheels, give it an edge over competitors.
Our grill expert, Catherine Ward, has been testing this pellet grill for over a year for our Ironwood XL review. “This is definitely a pellet grill for a serious smoker,” she says of this feature-rich pick. She notes, “It’s intuitive and multi-functional, and it doesn’t require what I like to call ‘babysitting.'” This is partly due to the phone app, which we found easy to connect. It also comes with two probes, accessory side shelves on both sides for food prep and an open shelf underneath for storage.
The app offers helpful data, like pellet percentage and a timer, and you can shut the grill down via the app or employ the special cooking modes. Swapping out pellets is also easier than other Traegers thanks to a quick-swap hopper. Cooking modes include “Super Smoke” and “Keep Warm” modes. You can also use the app to view the grill’s temperature and access recipes and tutorials, including a video on how to clean and maintain your grill.
This machine emits a lot of smoke at times, but it’s a rockstar with consistent, even heat. The salmon smoked up beautifully, and the chicken breasts built up a nice bark on the bottom. It also gave the pork chops some nice color and provided enough power to give the pork shoulder a vibrant red smoke ring. While the shoulder was a bit dry, it was still moist enough to thoroughly enjoy.
One thing to note is that after a year of consistent use, the paint on the interior has begun chipping away. This could be partly due to a lack of disposable liners present in other Traeger models. However, we found that level of visible wear to be pretty on par with most well-used pellet grills.
Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 199 pounds | Cooking area: 924 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Accessory shelving; locking wheels; courtesy lighting | Warranty: 10 years
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For those just learning how to grill, dropping thousands on a barrel-shaped beast might not be the best option. The Traeger Pro 575 offers many of the same features as its pricier counterparts but in a budget-friendly (and slightly smaller) package. While the cooking area sits modestly at 572 square inches, there’s still plenty of room for pork shoulders and other prime cuts. Those who require more cooking area can splurge on the most spacious Pro 780, which offers a larger 780-inch grate.
The unit has two all-terrain wheels and an external drip bucket with a few disposable aluminum inserts. While the wheels are a nice touch, we prefer the units with four wheels for easier mobility. The grill also has cord-management hooks on the back and a sleek yet small LED screen. A meat probe records the temperature of your protein, and the temperature controls are spot on. This is a high-heat unit that hits up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit for faster cooks.
WiFi app capabilities include a timer and pellet sensor that tells you when it’s time for a refill. Additionally, a reusable liner along the interior makes cleanup a breeze—just expect some slight warping and leakage after exposure to the hot pellets. One area where this visually differs from other Traegers is the handsome, smokestack chimney. It’s a nice touch but doesn’t really improve the smoking features, at least as far as we can tell.
While our veggies and pork chops didn’t caramelize very well due to a weak sear, this grill does some magical work on chicken. Our chicken breasts didn’t taste very smoky, but they turned out moist and delicious with a deep mahogany color. It similarly impressed the team with its performance on the pork shoulder, creating a moist yet mild roast with a beautiful bark color and a prominent red smoke ring.
While the Pro 575 doesn’t impart as much smoky flavor as some of the other best pellet grills on this list, that’s expected. According to Catherine, pellets will never be as smoky-tasting as real hardwood, so we aren’t docking points for that. If you want a more robust flavor, invest in a smoke box to go inside the grill. Overall, it’s an excellent budget pick for those dipping their toes into pellet grilling.
Grate materials: ‎Porcelain | Weight: 124 pounds | Cooking area: 572 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: LED screen; smokestack chimney  | Warranty: 3 years
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Whether you plan on plank grilling or showing off your low and slow roasts, the Traeger Timberline is well worth the splurge for serious pit fiends. The super sleek kitchen-ready design is only the tip of the iceberg. It includes a whopping 880 square inches of grilling space and an induction burner on the side that’s compatible with magnetic cookware. Adjustable grates also allow users to customize each cook based on their needs.
“It’s a good performer with some showy extra features,” says Catherine. “The wood accents make it very appealing to look at. Sheri even discovered that the cutting board on the side table is removable (attached with a very strong magnet).” The Timberline looks and feels like a mini outdoor kitchen on wheels. Apart from the grilling features, it offers accessory hooks, courtesy lights, towel racks and a side basket accessory shelf. It even comes with a plastic cupholder that holds the chef’s favorite non-alcoholic beer.
The easy-to-use interface worked well when coupled with the WiFi features and app. Set the temperature and a timer, manually select the “Super Smoke” or “Keep Warm” feature or engage the shut-down button. It also lets you know what percentage of the hopper is full. There’s a grill and maintenance section that tells you how to clean and maintain your grill. There are also pages full of recipes and tutorials, along with shoppable sections where you can buy sauces and pellets or locate a Traeger dealer.
Catherine is a big fan of the touchscreen controls, finding them easy and organized. Each setting has its own sub-menu, which helps make things feel more intuitive. As you boost the temperature, the screen automatically switches from “Smoking” to “Grilling” to “Searing,” a feature we love.
“The Timberline corn would pair with any type of food without overpowering it,” says Mark Derse, our photographer. It came out slightly smoky with a light flavor. The grill produced near-perfect chicken that had lots of bark and a juicy interior, with a light mahogany top and mild, smoky flavor. Similarly, the pork chops received a little color along the edges (though not as much as we’d like), and the pork shoulder offered beautiful, complex flavors and a nice color.
However, with more tech comes more issues. Testers note that after 30 minutes of cooking the chops, the grill went into its 30-minute shutdown cycle. Then, they had to turn it off because it said it was too hot (500 degrees Fahrenheit). After they turned it back on, it prompted a deep-clean notification, even though the grill was thoroughly cleaned. After a restart, the grill worked as expected. We don’t think this was a big issue, but we want to make note of it—especially given the high price point.
Grate materials: ‎Stainless steel | Weight: 238 pounds | Cooking area: 880 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Touchscreen; two wireless probes; two wired probes; induction cooktop | Warranty: 10 years
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Big cooking areas and small grills don’t typically mix, but the Yoder Smokers YS480s pellet grill proves that’s not always the case. It boasts a behemoth 800 square inches of grilling space while still only taking up around 53 inches lengthwise. This pick for the best pellet grill for compact spaces maximizes surface area by utilizing one lower row with three cooking grates and a second-level slide-out cooking shelf.
“The instructions are not super clear for this smoker,” notes Ben Landwehr, TMB studio assistant of the smoker assembly. “There are certain screws on the base that aren’t attached until later, and this isn’t made super obvious, so some backtracking may be required. It’s built on its side, then lifted upright. Definitely a two-person lift, as this is one of the heaviest-duty smokers on the list.” In addition to this assembly hiccup, no handles means grill gloves are a must, and no side table means less prep space. The grill also scratches easily, which is why it comes with its own spray coverup paint.
However, the separate searing grate is a “grate” addition that more than makes up for these oversights. The grill can also cook in an over-the-flame fashion. You can even bake or do some indirect grilling. Because the Yoder keeps smoke inside while closed, it’s also a good choice for both quick grilling and barbecuing low and slow roasts. The app is especially user friendly. It shows temperature and probe information, plus the option to program temperature changes.
It may not be the best for fragile items like fish (which give off a lot of white albumin) or veggies (which don’t soak up a lot of smoky flavor). That said, the grill is well-equipped to cook up chicken breasts with a nice char or juicy pork chops. During our tests, it also created juicy, tender pork shoulders with a nice dark bark that fell apart at the slightest shred. Ours had a nice pink smoke ring and a milder flavor, something that Catherine says is normal when you’re not smoking with hardwood.
Overall, the performance and smaller size make this an excellent compact option for home cooks.
Grate materials: ‎Steel | Weight: 277 pounds | Cooking area: 800 square inches | WiFi/Bluetooth connectivity?: Yes | Special Features: Two meat probes; slide-out cooking shelf; direct over-the-flame grilling; searing grate; drip bucket | Warranty: Cooking chambers—10 years; ACS—3 years; Ceramic ignitor—3 years
Choosing a grill is a big task, made even more intimidating by the high price point of most models. When choosing between gas and charcoal or pellet grills, consider not only what you’ll grill but also your skill level and budget.
“Before shopping for a grill—or any big purchase, really—I do my homework,” says in-house grilling expert and head of the Taste of Home Prep Kitchen Catherine Ward. “After setting my budget, I want to read the reviews, good and bad, because one person’s drawback is another’s positive.”
While some folks prefer using an indoor grill vs. an outdoor grill when the weather cools down, Catherine notes that it’s not necessary to invest in two separate appliances. “I grill outside year round. Cold and snow don’t deter me, so I look for a grill that gets up to temp quickly and holds the temperature, even in cold and windy conditions,” she says. Pellet grills are practically the gold standard for outdoor cooking. They get up to temperature in around 15 minutes, making them a lot faster to preheat than charcoal grills.
According to Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose, there are a few factors to consider when purchasing a pellet grill: configuration, controllers, type, and class.
Chef David Rose also notes that you should consider the pellets you’re using. “The most common pellet types are hardwood, softwood and blended, which are a mix of both,” he says. “Hardwood pellets are commonly used for smoking or grilling and are made from species like hickory, maple or apple. Softwood pellets are used for heating and are made from coniferous trees like pine. Blended pellets are a good choice for general grilling needs when achieving a woody flavor is not the main focus. Always use food-grade pellets specifically for cooking, as heating pellets can contain binders or fillers that are unsafe for consumption.”
Additionally, Kell offers a few tips for choosing the right grill for you. “When choosing a pellet grill, consider the size—think about whether you’ll be cooking for just a couple of people or a large group. Most pellet grills are sized by their grilling surface area, so even if two grills look similar on the outside, one might offer multiple layers of cooking space inside. Other features are important, too, especially technology like digital controls or WiFi connectivity that make grilling easier,” he says.
“Longevity is key; if you plan to grill several times a week, you’ll want a durable model that can stand the test of time. For example, Recteq grills are built with thick stainless steel, making them heavier and generally more long-lasting than comparable models.”
As Taste of Home’s food and beverage expert, I have ample experience testing and reviewing everything from cookware to meal kits. The Taste of Home team dedicates itself to vetting and testing the products we recommend, from big purchases like the best food processors to smaller splurges like the best hop water. Our Product Testing Team has more than 25 combined years of experience in professional product selection and testing, and the Test Kitchen Team brings even more experience to the table.
A lifelong foodie, pellet grill tester Catherine Ward heads up the Taste of Home prep kitchen. She also lends her expertise to articles about cooking and baking techniques and kitchen tools. Her areas of expertise include grilling and smoking. Catherine has worked in the hospitality industry for most of her career, catering and teaching cooking classes. She is happiest when cooking for a table full of friends and family.
For this piece, we also spoke to National Barbecue & Grilling Association managing partner Kell Phelps. Kell has been in the barbecue world since his teenage years when he cut his teeth on the competition circuit. In 1990, his father and NBBQA founding member Joe Phelps started a printed newsletter called the National Barbecue News. In 2002, Kell bought the magazine from his dad and made barbecue his daily job. Kell and his father are both proud past presidents of the NBBQA.
We also spoke to Omaha Steaks Executive Chef David Rose for additional insights about what to look for in a Traeger grill. Chef David Rose was raised with a diverse and curious palate. Born in New Jersey to two chef parents, his culinary interest led him to enroll in Le Cordon Bleu Culinary College in Georgia, where he graduated Summa Cum Laude. Living in Atlanta for more than a decade, Chef Rose finds inspiration in his surroundings. He identifies as a Southern chef, creatively reinterpreting classic Southern fare by incorporating the refinement of his French culinary training with his signature bold flavors and the occasional flair from his family’s Jamaican recipes.
Our Product Testing Team first looked at bestsellers and top-rated finds with excellent reviews. We secured 11 grills from the most popular brands, including Traeger, Cuisinart and Weber. Primary testers include Dylan Fischer, Sheri Kaz and Prep Kitchen Manager Catherine Ward. We used Pit Boss Apple Blend pellets for all these tests.
Due to internet limitations, these grills were connected to WiFi and paired indoors, so the grills were not ignited or running during connection, meaning we could not engage with most features. Throughout this test, we smoked 115 pounds of pork shoulder, plus chicken breasts, salmon, corn and pork chops. All in all, our testers:
Testers read through each user manual and assess its clarity and helpfulness. They assemble each grill and record how long the process takes from start to finish (this test does not include adding pellets, connecting to apps, etc.). They also evaluate the ease of the process and season the grill, where applicable.
As best as possible, within the bounds of our preset tests, testers utilize the extra features and accessories of each pellet grill. This includes extras like probe thermometers, WiFi/Bluetooth UX, built-in lights, touchscreens and special cooking modes.
Testers load pellets into the grill and assess the ease of the process, accessibility and capacity of the hopper. They then replenish the fuel as needed, tracking how frequently this is required and how easy it is to monitor fuel levels.
Testers empty the ash and grease trap and clean the grill according to the user manual, evaluating the ease and lengthiness of the process.
“A pellet grill is an outdoor cooking device that beautifully blends the functions of a smoker, grill, and oven,” says Kell. “It uses real wood pellets as fuel, giving your food a delicious, smoky flavor that’s hard to duplicate. These pellets are made from compressed sawdust and come in a variety of wood types, like hickory, mesquite, pecan and applewood, each adding its unique flavor to your dishes.”
Similar to a gas grill, you can set your temperature and cooking time since these are electric appliances. While they’re not as good at searing as gas grills, they outperform their charcoal and gas-fueled counterparts at smoking. Because they don’t operate on either coal or gas, pellet grills also help you avoid some of the most common grilling mistakes.
“A pellet grill operates using an electric-powered auger that feeds wood pellets from a hopper into a firepot. Once the grill is turned on, a heating rod ignites the pellets, creating heat and smoke. A fan circulates this smoke and heat throughout the grill, ensuring your food cooks evenly. A thermostat controls the temperature, so you can set it to your desired level and let the grill do the work. This combination of precision and convenience is what makes pellet grills so popular,” says Kell.
Most offer easy start options, but the exact process differs depending on the grill. Once started, simply set the temperature, pop in your protein and get to grilling.
“Cleaning a pellet grill is straightforward but important for maintaining its performance,” says Kell. “Cleaning the grates with a wet paper towel wrapped around your spatula is the safest and easiest way after each cook. Every few uses, you’ll also want to remove and clean the deflector plate, especially if you’ve been cooking something greasy like pork butt—grease buildup can lead to fires,” he notes.
“After about 20 cooks, it’s a good idea to vacuum out the ash from the grill’s interior under the deflector plate. Don’t forget to wipe down the exterior with a damp cloth and empty the grease bucket regularly to keep everything running smoothly.” Additionally, investing in a good grill brush can help speed the cleaning process along.
“Whether it’s gas, charcoal or pellet fired, keeping the grill clean with a grill brush will prevent fires and flare-ups, but it also ensures that whatever food I’m grilling won’t be contaminated by previous cooks and leftover charred bits,” says Catherine. “Overall, I avoid brushes with wire bristles to prevent loose bristles from making their way into my food.”
A quality grill brush cuts cleanup time in half, and many work on hot grills to produce steam, so they’re fast and efficient. Another benefit of steam brushes like the BBQ Daddy or the Grill Rescue brush is that you can clean the grill right after cooking rather than letting gunk and food dry onto the grates.
Originally Published: September 05, 2024
