Best Pellet Grills Under 500 in 2022 Saveur

Usually compact, however nonetheless packing the flexibility grillers love, pellet grills underneath $500 supply the power to cook dinner flavorful, tender, wood-fired meals at a worth level that feels approachable for our inflation-minded budgets.   

Pellet grills can smoke, sear, braise, and are even nice for baking. However they’re additionally notable as a result of their consistency and ease-of-use enable customers to concentrate on what they’re cooking as a substitute of the numerous variables that may include grilling. “I actually like pellet smokers for the on a regular basis person [because] you’re not having to concentrate on so many issues directly,” says Leonard Botello IV, pitmaster and proprietor of TRUTH BBQ in Texas. “I’ve seen with residence cooks, they’re specializing in their meat, they’re not specializing in their hearth and their temperatures and every part like that. However the pellet smoker is working the hearth for you, and it permits you to concentrate on the proteins you’re cooking.”

So in case you’re available in the market for a brand new pellet grill that gives you most bang in your buck, you’ve come to the fitting place. After consulting with grilling consultants, we’ve decided the 5 greatest pellet grills underneath $500.

Finest General: Z Grills 550A Wood Pellet Grill Smoker

Cooking Space Dimension: 424 sq. inches, with a 161 square-inch prime rack | Weight: 99 kilos | Hopper Capability: 16 kilos | Highest Temperature: 450 levels Fahrenheit

Why we selected it: A top-rated pellet grill, this compact pellet smoker imparts nice taste into meals, whereas sustaining the specified temperature all through the cook dinner.

The 550A is an all-around yard hero. Notably good for these new to pellet grills, this mannequin is straightforward to assemble, simple to make use of, and produces tasty, well-smoked meals. A giant plus for this grill is how effectively it tends to carry the temperature, permitting for even, low-stress cooking. It’s ready to do that partly due to the good digital management characteristic, which feeds pellets into the hearth and screens the grill’s airflow. 

The one con to this grill is that, in comparison with its rivals, its highest temperature remains to be decrease than most others, which regularly go as much as 500 levels and even increased if they permit for direct-flame grilling.

Finest Funds: RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill 

Cooking Space Dimension: 380 sq. inches | Weight: 70 kilos | Hopper Capability: 15 kilos | Highest Temperature: 500 levels Fahrenheit, however direct flame can attain as much as 749 

Why we selected it: At simply $400, this small pellet grill is tremendous versatile, providing direct flame cooking that may attain as much as 749 levels—a characteristic not all the time seen with pellet grills.

Whereas lots of the greatest pellet grills underneath $500 max out at round 450 or 500 levels, this grill goes as much as a whopping 749 levels. Set it to RIOT mode to get the grill flaming sizzling. This direct flame characteristic is fairly distinctive for a pellet grill and broadens its performance. This grill additionally goes as little as 225 levels and will be made hotter in 25-degree increments via the usage of a PID controller. However don’t rely smoking out for this direct-flame pellet grill. When you set the grill to a decrease temperature, the flames gained’t be more likely to truly contact your meals, thus supplying you with the power to smoke.

One of many grills on this record with the smallest cooking space, it’s significantly good for weeknight cooking due to its simple performance and its compact measurement. The one downsides of this grill are that the temperature can fluctuate throughout cooking, so that you’d wish to regulate that. And although the Bullseye can attain virtually 750 levels, there doesn’t seem like a lot capacity to climb to that temperature. That is to say, in keeping with one purchaser, the grill tops out at 500 till you set it to RIOT mode, when it is going to go as much as 749 levels.

Finest Transportable: Green Mountain Grills Trek 

Cooking Space Dimension: 219 sq. inches | Weight: 63 kilos | Hopper Capability: 9 kilos | Highest Temperature: 550 levels Fahrenheit

Why we selected it: This moveable, wi-fi pellet grill makes grilling on the go simple with its Good Management characteristic, permitting grillers to regulate the temperature from their telephone.

Launched final yr as an up to date model of the Davy Crockett mannequin, this small pellet grill is nice to convey alongside in your subsequent tenting journey or for tailgating. At simply over 60 kilos, it’s fairly light-weight for a grill, although its portability is made barely tougher given this mannequin doesn’t have wheels connected to the legs. That mentioned, you possibly can order a Trek cart, which does have wheels, in addition to built-in cabinets. 

An actual promoting level for this grill, although, is its wi-fi part. The TREK permits you to modify and watch your grill’s temperature via the GMG app, obtainable on iPhones and Androids. And with a variety of 150 to 550 levels, this top-rated pellet grill additionally gives a pleasant temperature vary that may be adjusted in 5-degree increments.

Nonetheless, some consumers report that the wi-fi part of this grill will be difficult to interact, and subsequently would preclude you from having the ability to use it correctly. That being mentioned, not all customers have had this expertise, and lots of discover the wi-fi part to be nice for monitoring their meals from afar.

Finest Pit Boss: Pit Boss 700 Classic Wood-Fired Pellet Grill With Flamebroiler

Cooking Space Dimension: 743 sq. inches | Weight: 148.7 kilos | Hopper Capability: 21 kilos | Highest Temperature: 500 levels Fahrenheit, however direct flame can attain as much as 1,000

Why we selected it: Pit Boss is a revered model for grills, and this specific mannequin is reasonably priced, versatile and user-friendly, making it an important possibility for many who are new to grilling.

Pit Boss makes grills which are each easy to make use of and might produce competition-level barbecue. Erica Blaire Roby, season 2 champion of Meals Community’s BBQ Brawl, used a Pit Boss grill on this yr’s Memphis in Might competitors and positioned fourth in ribs and tied for first in brisket with it. She’s not alone in that. This specific mannequin is well-loved for the way simple it’s to make use of and put collectively, how long-lasting it’s, and the way effectively it flavors the meals you cook dinner in it, from ribs to rooster to burgers.  

Usually, consumers famous that the temperature appears to fluctuate on this grill inside 15 levels of no matter temperature you set it to, although it’s value noting slight fluctuations are regular on pellet grills. Consumers have additionally famous that this grill does are likely to run just a little sizzling, and in some circumstances, the temperature will be inconsistent by greater than just some levels. You’ll additionally wish to watch the auger on this mannequin, because it has been identified to jam. Utilizing Pit Boss-brand pellets appears to assist repair this problem, although.

Finest Traeger: Traeger Pro Series Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Cooking Space Dimension: 184 sq. inches | Weight: 60 kilos | Hopper Capability: 8 kilos | Highest Temperature: 450 levels Fahrenheit

Why we selected it: Though beloved by grillers, Traegers are notoriously costly. That is probably the most reasonably priced mannequin at present obtainable. 

At $449.99, the Ranger is Traeger’s most reasonably priced mannequin. A transportable tabletop grill, the Ranger seems type of like a grilling briefcase, although it doesn’t have handles for carrying. This grill is nice for tenting and touring, and it gives each grill grates and a griddle, so there’s plenty of versatility in what you’re capable of cook dinner with this small Traeger grill. The Ranger additionally has Preserve Heat Mode, so your meals will keep at an appropriate temperature till you’re able to eat it. Plus, it’s simple to wash, which makes it even simpler to journey with. 

One factor that needs to be famous, although, is that there are latches on both facet of the grill, and people can get burning sizzling, so use warning when opening it throughout cooking.

Issues to Think about Earlier than Shopping for a Pellet Grill Beneath $500

Temperature

One of many largest elements to contemplate when investing in a pellet grill underneath $500 is temperature. And with temperature, you’ll additionally wish to contemplate the fabric. In line with The Grill Dads, Mark Andersen and Ryan Fey, inexpensive pellet grills are likely to make the most of thinner metallic, which implies it isn’t as insulated. That is particularly pertinent in case you’re grilling in a colder local weather, the place opening a sizzling grill could cause the warmth to fall rapidly and make it laborious to get better, even ruining the meals. 

In fact, you’ll wish to contemplate the consistency and vary right here as effectively. Many pellet grills can go as much as, and even over, 500 levels, in order Andersen and Fey observe, you’ll wish to be careful for pellet grills on this worth vary going as much as solely 400 or 500 levels. Whereas this may nonetheless make for good low-and-slow barbecue, like ribs and brisket, this eliminates the potential for searing steak, making pizza, or baking casseroles or desserts that want to succeed in the next temperature. With this, you’ll additionally wish to look out for the way effectively the pellet grill holds that temperature. It’s regular for pellet grills to fluctuate just a little, however you’ll wish to be careful for giant temperature swings, which might adversely have an effect on the result of your meals. 

Dimension

One other essential issue to contemplate is if you would like a big pellet smoker or a small pellet smoker. Whereas many pellet grills underneath $500 do are typically on the smaller facet, the cooking space house and the variety of racks which are included within the grill (if any in any respect) are additionally value factoring into this choice. Roby says that measurement must be contemplated first, because it’s one of many options you gained’t have the ability to modify when you’ve chosen a grill. 

“How a lot are they cooking? How a lot cooking house do they want?” Roby says. “Do you cook dinner a number of proteins on the identical time? So, are you going to want a second shelf inside your pellet grill? Do you simply cook dinner every part on one, or are you staggering your cook dinner, so now you want two cabinets that you simply’re going to wish to cook dinner [on]? These are actually severe issues as a result of as soon as you purchase a pellet grill, you possibly can’t negotiate that. So, it’s important to be sincere with your self and know what quantity of house you want for cooking.” 

What You Need to Cook dinner

Earlier than buying a pellet grill, contemplate what you’d truly wish to cook dinner on it. Pellet grills are very versatile, so most of them could make any variety of dishes. However it’s best to contemplate the next:

• Do you wish to sear? If that’s the case, maybe go for a pellet grill with a direct-flame characteristic.
• Had been you hoping to make pizza, baked potatoes or casseroles in it? If that’s the case, you’ll wish to discover a pellet grill with the next temperature vary.
• Do you wish to cook dinner low and sluggish? If that’s the case, ensure you’re selecting a mannequin that may reliably maintain the temperature.

No matter mannequin you select, Andersen and Fey say to contemplate your three favourite issues to cook dinner on the grill earlier than buying yours, in an effort to choose the grill that greatest meets your pursuits.

FAQs

Is WiFi value it on a pellet grill?

“It’s fairly good. However a whole lot of them haven’t labored out all of the kinks,” Botello says. “Say you’re not on the home or one thing occurs, you’re sort of screwed. So, particularly with barbecue and dwell hearth, I don’t prefer to depend on many different issues however myself as a result of something can go unsuitable.” If the wi-fi part on the grill is dependable and the sign is robust, then having wi-fi compatibility in your pellet grill will be nice. In any other case, it may be difficult to work with or depart you within the lurch if, like one in all Botello’s associates skilled, the wi-fi dies on you whilst you’re in the course of an in a single day smoke and turns the grill off with it.  

Are you able to sear a steak on a Traeger grill?

Sure! In line with Traeger’s website, it’s fairly easy—you’ll wish to convey the grill as much as 450 or 500 levels after which remember to cook dinner the steak on the grill grates for a couple of minutes on both facet, in order to get these sear marks.

How do you smoke on an skilled pellet grill?

“Your pellet grill could have a smoke setting. So that you’re going to show it on, you’re going to maintain it down into the low 200s and that’s going to supply your smoke,” Roby says. For competition-grade smoking, she says, you may also wish to search for a grill that has variable smoke expertise.

Last Ideas

Whereas brands like Pit Boss and Traeger are main gamers within the pellet grill house, we selected Z Grills’ 550A Wooden Pellet Grill Smoker as our prime choose as a result of it’s dependable, versatile, and holds warmth persistently all through the length of the cook dinner. This consistency in temperature is what actually pushed it over the sting to be our greatest general. That being mentioned, what shall be greatest for you actually is determined by what you’re on the lookout for, whether or not that’s temperature consistency or vary, capacity to cook dinner over a direct flame, or wi-fi compatibility. 

Methodology 

To find out the perfect pellet grills underneath $500, we spoke with 4 grilling consultants to get their insights and suggestions. What we discovered is that temperature will be significantly difficult on pellet grills underneath $500, so we have been on the lookout for grills that may maintain the warmth and have a very good temperature vary. We additionally did our personal analysis into what manufacturers customers appear to belief most and what pellet grills are most dependable for the value. In fact, value was the most important determinant of what grills would make this record. So, we have been on the lookout for probably the most high quality grills on this worth vary, after which broke it down primarily based on model and options like portability and wi-fi compatibility.