How To Choose The Best Pellet Grill Of 2019 (With Pit Boss Pellet Grill Reviews)

Are you looking for a pellet grill to use in the coming summer months? Look no further! While it can be hard to choose a pellet grill since there are seemingly so few options, it’s still important to consider which grill will work best for you.

Here are the top five pellet grill options available.

I made sure to include some pit boss pellet grill reviews here since they are one of the most popular and searched for grills, but you’ll have to read the full review to see if they are the best pellet grill or not!

**Below, you'll find more detailed reriews, but you can click links above to see current prices and read customer's reviews on Amazon

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How To Choose A Pellet Grill

Before you choose your pellet grill, you should consider which features you need, how a pellet grill functions, and then decide what makes the most logical choice. Let’s go through some important features that you should consider when you are making your decision.

Durable Construction

Make sure that the components of the grill that you choose are made from durable products and constructed with quality.

There are few things you can check. First, what is the lid made of it? Does it feel heavy and durable, like a heavy gauge steel or is it flimsy? Are the joints all soldered together properly, or are there gaps in areas where there should not be any gaps?

Check what the outside of the grill is made out of. Most are made out of painted steel, but you should check the quality of the paint and the steel because the steel will begin to rust if the paint is not heat-proof and begins to flake off of the grill. Stainless steel grills are a great way to avoid these problems.

Durable construction isn’t important just so that the grill lasts longer; it will also help the grill perform more efficiently. If you get a grill that is well made it will retain heat better and provide a more enjoyable cooking experience.

Affordable, But Not Cheap

There are pellet grills on the market for less than $200. Frankly speaking, these are not good options. Yes, they might be cheap. But they are not affordable because they will not last and are not good quality so that you would be investing your money into a useless product.

You are better off investing a little bit more money to ensure that you are getting a functioning, durable pellet grill that will last you more than a few short months. If you buy a cheap grill, you might even spend more money replacing parts that fall apart or having to replace the entire grill if it fails on you!

Spend your money wisely and pick a grill with affordable value.

Control Options

How is the pellet grill controlled? Is the control board reliable and able to help the grill maintain a specific temperature for a long period of time? This is a very important thing because if the grill cannot maintain a consistent temperature, you will have a difficult time evenly smoking or cooking food.

There are three main types of controls on pellet grills.

You can also have meat probes in this type of grill that will lower the temperature once the meat is done cooking. These are the most expensive and the most accurate controller.

Check The Temperature Range

Every pellet grill has a specific temperature range that it can be used at. Depending on what you plan to do with the grill, you will want to ensure that it can cover the temperature range that you will need.

Indirect cooking is usually done at temperatures between 180°F and 425°F. These temperatures are adequate for smoking, roasting, grilling, and baking. Most pellet grills include these temperatures in their range with no issues.

If you want to sear food or even bake a pizza, however, you will need a pellet grill that can reach a higher temperature range. You will want the grill to be able to reach temperatures of at least 500-550°F to be able to sear food. The most expensive pellet grills can reach up to 700°F.

Top 5 Best Pellet Grill Options

1. REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill - Featuring Smart Grill Technology

Via Amazon.com

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The first pellet grill we will talk about today is the REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill which has smart grilling technology. What does that mean? That means that this grill will precisely maintain temperatures between 180ºF to 500ºF in 5º increments ensuring that your food is cooked at the right temperature.

Even when conditions are windy, the temperature variation stays below 5º which means that the temperature is great at keeping a precise temperature! This grill is a fantastic option for those of us who want a very precise temperature maintained for a long period of time.

PROS	CONS
Temperature range: 180ºF to 500ºF in 5º increments Maintains precise temperatures throughout cooking process High-temperature proof paint 702 sq. inch cooking surface Solid construction 6-year warranty Great customer service	Does not impart a smoky flavor, works more like an oven Not the best pellet grill for searing Can be difficult to assemble Controller is on the side, not at food level, so the temperature is different from what the food is cooking at

2. Traeger Pellet Grills BBQ155.01 19.5K BTU Pellet Grill

Via Amazon.com

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The next grill is made by another popular brand, Traeger. This BBQ 115.01 is loved for its durable construction and small size, though some would say it’s too small! This is meant to be a portable pellet grill that you can easily use in a number of locations. It features a fully automatic start and digital control panel that will help you set it up to the temperatures you want to cook at. The 10 LB pellet hopper holds plenty of pellets to get you through multiple cycles.

PROS	CONS
Durable; will last for several years Includes 3-year warranty Includes a cookbook to help you learn how to use it properly Fits easily in smaller backyards Maintains temperatures fairly well (within 25 degrees) Easy to assemble	Temperatures fluctuate in windy conditions Cannot fit a full turkey or beer can chicken, only lower-profile items No easy way to empty the ash No baffles on holes on the back of the grill

3. Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill with Flame Broiler

Via Amazon.com

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It is time to review one of the famous Pit Boss pellet grills! This grill includes a flame broiler, giving it more versatility than some other options. It has a 700 sq. inch cooking surface and a high profile top, so you can fit many different foods inside without issue. You can grill, bake, roast, or sear with this grill at temperatures ranging from 180º to 500º. It even includes a sliding plate that’s perfect for searing steaks on!

PROS	CONS
Temperature range: 180º to 500º Versatile and easy-to-clean Heavy-duty construction; durable Works well for 4-6 people, 700 sq. inch cooking surface Efficient; maintains temperature well	Seals around doors and edges release too much extra heat Need a long screwdriver to open vent for searing Takes upwards of an hour to assemble Back vents may need to be covered if too much heat is leaking out Temperature fluctuates more in cold and windy weather

4. Camp Chef PG24 Pellet Grill and Smoker BBQ

Via Amazon.com

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Next up is a pellet grill from Camp Chef, the PG24. This grill and smoker BBQ features digital controls as well as a stainless temperature probe that keeps the temperature in line. It can cook at temperatures up to 500ºF. I love that this model has a trap door for cleaning out pellets that is actually easy to use! Many models are difficult to clean out ashes from, but this is not at all. Additionally, it maintains temperature very well as long as there isn’t any wind.

PROS	CONS
Medium-sized; 429 sq. inches560 cubic inches with removable top rack Includes stainless food probe; no need to put wires under lid Grill does not have to be taken apart to be cleaned Very efficient on pellet usage Trap door easy to clean out pellets Gives nice hardwood flavor	Maintains temperatures within 20 degrees Only 1-year warranty Does not work well on windy days Warming rack is inconveniently placed

5. Pit Boss 71820FB Pellet Grill with Flame Broiler

Via Amazon.com

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The final review today is of another Pit Boss Pellet Grill mode, the 71820FB. While very similar to the 71700FB model, this one has a few notable differences that will be covered in this review. It has an 820 sq. inch cooking area that will fit food for 6+ people with no problems.

PROS	CONS
180-500 degree cooking temperature range Sturdy steel construction Easy to set-up Customer service is very helpful if you need help Very large pellet hopper so can run for hours without needing to watch it Versatile, adjustable heat settings	No pellet hopper cleanout on this model; cannot change pellets once loaded Heat can leak out in a number of places, making it less efficient than other models Temperature fluctuates a lot, especially in windy or cold weather Doesn’t impart true smoky flavor Temperature swing averages around 30 degrees

And The Winner Is...

Though many Pit Boss pellet grill reviews make it seem like Pit Boss is the only option out there, I have to disagree. There are quite a few brands that are making quality, affordable pellet grills,a and I’m sure that we’ll see many more in years to come! Pit Boss needs to up their game to stay at the top.

The clear winner for me in this review roundup today is the REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill. It’s simply the smartest choice!

It has a great temperature range at 180ºF to 500ºF in 5º increments and great customer service to help you solve any problems that come up with your grill. In an ideal world, there would be no problems, but the company is there to help you if anything should happen.

This grill will cook at precise temperatures over long periods of time without wasting pellets. It’s got durable, quality construction that will last for many years along with a 6-year warranty, making this the best grill choice!