Nothing beats owning a portable pellet grill with an incredible cooking ability that performs like a high-end model. These versions are easy to use and fit on a tailgate or a tabletop for a convenient grilling experience.
However, the plethora of options offered at present making choosing the right pellet grill tricky and challenging. Plus, there are several factors to be considered to ensure you make the right choice.
Luckily, we’ve compiled the list of the best portable pellet grills on the market and included a detailed buying guide to ensure you make an informed decision.
Review of the Best Portable Pellet Grills – Top 6 Picks of the Year
#1. Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
When it comes to grills and their accessories, Z Grills is one of the leading brands – and for a good reason. This wood pellet grill lives up to the hype, as it allows grillers to do more than just grill on it.
This appliance is a durable portable grill designed for versatility. It supports baking, smoking, searing, roasting, braising, and BBQ. With Z GRILLS ZPG-450A, users can easily infuse their food with wood-smoked flavors that taste just as authentic as results from charcoal or gas grills.
That’s not all: this machine is equipped with PID technology to ensure this pellet grill maintains even the tightest temperature for excellent cooking performance. Also, users can easily set the preferred temperature and let the grill do all the work for you as you relax.
It offers a wide temperature range from 180 – 450 degrees F, which should be enough to perform up to 8 cooking functions with a sweet hardwood flavor. More so, it offers a cooking space of 452 sq inches, which should be enough to cook a family-sized meal.
Besides, the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A features sturdy steel construction and a high temp powder coating finish for extra durability and impressive heat resistance. Also, it has a 15 lbs pellet hopper to hold enough pellets for a long cooking session.
Pros:
Excellent sturdy construction
15 lbs large-capacity pellet hopper
Massive 452 sq in cooking space
Up to 8 cooking functions
Cons:
Temperature control could be better
2. Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Electric WiFi Control Foldable Portable Wood Pellet
The first thing to love about this pellet grill is its several power supply options offered. This model can be connected to your standard wall plug or your battery pack, generator, or vehicle’s 12V socket. You can also clamp the included alligator clips onto your vehicle’s battery to power this portable device.
With these power options, you can use the Green Mountain Davy Crockett with ease anywhere. Its unique construction allows the legs to fold up and over its cooking chamber to double as carrying handles for easy transport and compact storage.
That’s not all: this product comes with a temperature probe and a digital display, which ensures grillers are cooking at precise temperatures. Plus, it gets rid of the need to purchase a digital thermometer.
More importantly, Green Mountain Davy Crockett is built for an on-the-go grilling experience. Thus, it includes utensil hooks and a side shelf, making it a perfect choice for campers and adventurers. Besides, it’s portable and compact enough to fit just about any way and offers enough space to cook and hold lots of handy cooking utensils.
The hopper offers a long smoking session. Best of all: grillers can monitor whatever they are cooking from their smartphone, which takes out the need to babysit your grill.
Pros:
Wifi-enabled
Utensil hooks, folding legs, and side shelf
Thermometer probe connection
Connects to 12V or direct to vehicle’s battery
Cons:
No wheels
The WiFi features may not come in handy outdoors.
3. Traeger Grills TFB89BLF Series Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill
The Traeger is a popular brand and a go-to for high-quality smokers and grills. And, the Traeger Grills TFB89BLF Series Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill is no exception.
This model is engineered to let users enjoy an amazing BBQ experience literally anywhere, anytime. Its portable design makes it possible to cook family-sized meals in your backyard or tag along on your next camping, tailgating, or gaming trip.
Despite its small size, this unit packs the capability of any gull-size pellet grill. This means you can bake, roast, grill, smoke, and do more with this portable unit. The Traeger Grills TFB89BLF Series Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill offers a decent 885 sq in of cooking space, which is enough to cook larger servings.
Users can also monitor the cooking process via its WiFIRE Controller and control the pellet grill using voice commands.
Pros:
Up to 6 cooking functions
885 Square Inches of cooking space
Easy to use
Alexa enabled
Cons:
Customer service could be better
4. ASMOKE Wood Pellet Grill
The ASMOKE Wood Pellet Grill is another equipment offering up to 8 cooking functions: Smoke, Sear, Roast, Braise, BBQ, Bake, Broil, and Char-Grill. Also, users can cook low and slow or hot and fast. This product has a primary cooking space of 484 sq in and a 216 sq in insulation rack, which sums up to a whopping 700 sq in cooking space. This large grilling area should be plenty enough to feed up to 12 people.
That’s not all: it comes with a 25.8 lbs hopper capacity, one of the largest in this review, for a longer continuous smoking session. Equally important, it’s equipped with an advanced auto pellet feed system and heating fans for steady temperature anywhere between 189 to 500 degrees F.
Furthermore, users can cook precisely within +/- 10 degrees using the LCD controller and a knob to set the preferred cooking temperatures. The included stainless steel slide-plate flame broiler is perfect for both indirect and direct heating and offers even heat distribution for proper doneness.
Pros:
5-year limited warranty
Heavy-duty steel construction for durability
Wide temp range: 180 – 500 degrees F
Large 25.8 lbs hopper capacity
Cons:
A bit tricky to assemble
5. Traeger TFB57GZEO Pro Series 575 Grill, Smoker
Another spot, another portable pellet grill from Traeger. This model is more than just a machine for grilling. It offers up to six cooking functions, which makes it very versatile. This appliance is easy to use and makes the wood-fired grilling experience hassle-free. Besides, this best portable pellet grill is designed to do all the work for you.
That’s not all: the Traeger TFB57GZEO Pro Series 575 Grill offers reliable results and makes it easier to replicate your favorite foods with ease. This model offers a 575 sq in cooking space, holding about five racks of ribs and 24 burgers to feed up to 6 people.
Another interesting thing that makes this device smart is its Alexa enabled feature. Grillers can easily adjust the cooking temperature, set timers, monitor food, and create alerts with Alexa. The WiFIRE Controller allows you to spend more time with your guest rather than babysitting the pellet grill.
Pros:
6-in-1 Versatility
575 Square Inches cooking space
Offers better smoke quality
Quick heat up
Cons:
It could be more durable
6. Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
When it comes to portability, this model takes the lead. This portable pellet grill has a digital arc controller to set the preferred cooking temperature in a 5-degree increment. Plus, it helps maintain the set cooking temperature for desired results.
Even better, Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD comes with a cast iron griddle for frying up bacon and eggs or searing your steak for a perfect finish. On top of that, it has a Keep Warm mode to ensure your food is ready whenever you are.
That’s not all: this machine includes a built-in meat probe for easy food monitoring without opening the lid. Furthermore, you can keep the lid closed and secure using the latches, which comes in handy when taking this portable pellet on the next camping trip.
Pros:
Portable design
Comes with a built-in meat probe
Lid latches for durability and safe transport.
Keep Warm mode
Cons:
On the heavier side
Things to Consider when Purchasing the Best Pellet Grill
Here are a couple of key factors to consider before settling for a model.
Compactness & Size
The prime reason for purchasing a portable grill is to have a grill that packs up easily and allows you to grill just about any way. However, not every pellet grill labeled as “portable” is suitable for on-the-go grilling; because, in reality, some manufacturers put a massive grill on a wheel or include a handle. Thus, consider the dimension of the pellet grill before splurging on any product.
Cooking Surface Area
Also, you need to determine the amount of grilling space enough for what and whom you are cooking for. Else, you’ll spend more time cooking since you’ve to cook in rounds, which is time-consuming. However, the equipment still needs to be compact enough for grilling on the go.
Features & Design
Another thing worth considering to some extent is the aesthetics, but that is not the only thing you should be considered about. The functionality is way more important. So, opt for a model equipped with features to ensure a good grilling experience. Some features offer utmost conveniences, such as hooks and handles, feeders, auto-ignition, and a workspace.
More importantly, a portable pellet grill should come with certain features like high-quality wheels, lid latches, and folding legs.
Build Quality
The best portable pellet grill must be able to withstand the rigors of traveling in the back of your car, van, or truck. The best options are ones made of durable materials such as steel. Also, consider if the device folds down conveniently.
Perfect Portable Pellet Grill for RVers/Tailgaters | Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett
Conclusion
We’ve reviewed the top 6 best portable pellet grills out there; now it’s up to make a decision. However, if you’re not sure of which grill to go for, you can’t really go wrong choosing the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker.
Nonetheless, we’re confident that whichever pellet grill you opt for will serve your purpose remarkably.
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