When most people think of outdoor grilling, they assume that propane and charcoal are their only two fuel options. However, wood pellet grills are gaining popularity, thanks to their ability to produce savory, smoky foods without the need for gas or lighter fluid.
Pit Boss offers a wide range of pellet grills. Because of its included cover and generous hopper size, the Pit Boss Navigator is the brand’s best option for those looking to get creative with their cookouts.
Sometimes called “pellet smokers,” pellet grills are outdoor appliances that burn small pieces of wood to cook food. While they look like traditional smokers, their cooking process is similar to that of a convection oven.
Pellet grills contain a burn pot which is fed wood pellets from an external hopper via a motorized auger. The pellets in the burn pot are ignited by a hot rod and the heat from their combustion is moved to the grill’s cooking chamber by a fan.
A pellet grill can maintain a consistent internal temperature by regulating the speed of its feed auger and convection fan. Pellet grills need to be connected to an electrical outlet to power their components.
Purchase a grill with a generous pellet hopper. This is especially important for smoking, as you need to allow your food to cook for a long time. Select a grill with a hopper large enough to not need refilling, but keep in mind that this will increase the size and weight of your appliance.
Some pellet grills allow you to connect a propane tank for gas grilling. With a hybrid grill, you can bypass the wood pellets for searing and grilling steaks, or dial in a combination of both cooking methods.
Because their hoppers take up so much space, large pellet grills can crowd a small patio or deck. Consider your preferred cooking methods and how much food you intend to cook regularly so you can make the proper compromise between cooking surface and hopper size.
Some Pit Boss pellet grills include a heat probe you can use to check the internal temperature of your food via an LED readout.
Pit Boss pellet grills cost $300-$850, depending on size and features.
A. Yes. With regulated temperatures, no open flames and no tank of combustible gas, pellet grills are safer than propane or charcoal grills.
A. Expect your grill to burn through about one-half of a pound of pellets per hour of cooking at 275 degrees.
A. Pellet grills produce more smoke than gas grills, but it is directed up through a chimney to keep it controlled.
What you need to know: This grill’s hopper can hold up to 16 pounds of pellets for slow roasting and smoking.
What you’ll love: This grill comes with a meat probe and features porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates. It comes in three sizes and has a convenient front shelf that can be folded away when it's not needed.
What you should consider: This grill is more expensive than other comparable options from competitors and Pit Boss alike.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: This grill has large wheels to make it easier to move and includes a built-in bottle opener.
What you’ll love: With its five-pound hopper and 465 square inches of cooking surface, this grill is great for family dinners and holidays. It comes with a stainless steel thermometer and a shelf on its cart.
What you should consider: Some users are not satisfied with the accuracy of this grill’s built-in thermometer.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
What you need to know: Available in four sizes, this grill can accommodate any cookout or party.
What you’ll love: This grill features a broiler option that lets you cook food directly over a flame, eliminating one of most pellet grills’ biggest drawbacks. With up to 834 square inches of cooking surface, this grill will make you the neighborhood’s cookout superstar.
What you should consider: Strangely, only the midsize option of this grill features large wheels.
Where to buy: Sold by Amazon
Want to shop the best products at the best prices? Check out Daily Deals from BestReviews.
Sign up here to receive the BestReviews weekly newsletter for useful advice on new products and noteworthy deals.
Derek Walborn writes for BestReviews. BestReviews has helped millions of consumers simplify their purchasing decisions, saving them time and money.
