The best portable pellet grill adds a unique, subtle smoke flavor and a crusty texture to your meals. It is also a healthier option of preparing your food because the excess fat drips off, as opposed to frying where the excess fat is reabsorbed. A pellet grill is easier to use than a gas or charcoal grill due to temperature control, and you can grill and smoke a wide range of ingredients at a picnic or camping site, and turn a tedious chore into an exciting bonding session.
To get the best deal out of your portable pellet grill, you should consider the cooking area because it determines the amount of food you can grill as well as the different types of meals you can cook simultaneously. Secondly, you should assess the temperature range to identify the one that can accommodate various methods of cooking. The third factor to evaluate is the hopper capacity to avoid running out of pellets during a grilling session. Lastly, you should look at the dimensions and weight of the grill for portability and the sturdiness of the material for durability.
Top 5 Portable Pellet Grills Review 2020
The following review is based on feedback and ratings from buyers, experts, and authoritative sites on their best portable pellet grill. It ranks the performance of the most reliable models in a comparison table, followed by detailed reviews of each model. The buying guide delves deeper into the key features to consider when shopping so that you could choose the best of the best.
A versatile grill that boasts an extensive cooking area, large hopper, LED temperature readout, and wheels for portability Having the largest cooking area and a spacious warming rack this model also features ash cleanout system and automatic auger This affordable option is also the most lightweight on the list, and the collapsible legs add to its portability This 6-in-1 grill allows you to bake, smoke, grill, roast, braise and barbecue your food thanks to the temperature range of 180–475 degrees F This compact option features an auto auger, ash cleanout, dual meat probes, and dual LED temperature readout
Extra features: digital control board; LED temperature readout; fan-forced convection cooking This unit embodies the ultimate portable pellet grill which can cook a myriad of delicious dishes for crowds of diverse sizes and transform a forgettable excursion into memorable mouth-watering exploits. It achieves this with a vast grilling area of 700 square inches and a large hopper which can hold a whopping 20 pounds of pellets that deliver up to 20 hours of continuous cooking. Further to its qualifications as the best portable pellet grill, it provides eight versatile cooking options which allow you to grill, char-grill, smoke, roast, sear, bake, braise, and barbeque your food on temperature ranging from 180 to 475 degrees F. Automated features include auto-ignition, a built-in sensor with digital temperature control, real-time LED temperature readout, and pellet feed control system. This increases accuracy when cooking and saves you time. The fan-forced convection system distributes heat evenly for thorough cooking and ensures the temperature remains within ten degrees of your preferred setting, regardless of external temperature. The grill is made of durable stainless steel which is resistant to rust. It may feel heavy at 118 pounds, but the caster wheels improve mobility and lock the grill into place when in usage or in storage. As a home-based brand, Z GRILLS provides convenient access and quick shopping experience for buyers. The seller also offers 30-day money back guarantee in addition to a warranty of three years. Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E Editor's Choice
Extra features: ash cleanout system; automatic auger dispenses pellets as needed This is the best rated portable pellet grill on the market because it has advanced features that will revolutionize your cooking experience, from the spacious cooking surface area of 811 square inches to cater for a large party to the massive hopper with a capacity of 22 pounds. The cooking space consists of a grilling area and a warming rack measuring 429 and 382 square feet respectively. The LED display helps you to monitor the heat while the auger utilizes automated pellet feeding mechanism to regulate the temperature according to the selected setting and prevent heat fluctuations. You can choose the temperature from a diverse range of 175 to 500 degrees F to suit different types of food. The ash cup uses patented cleanup technology to save you the time and effort that you would spend vacuuming the grill while pellet hopper cleanout system switches between the different flavors of pellets for a unique taste. Use the electric auto-igniter to get started, and the dual meat probes to prepare multiple meals in one go while maintaining the right temperature. You can alternate between direct and indirect heat by pulling on the knob which slides the heat deflector. Keep in mind though that the cost of this pellet grill is on the higher end and the weight is heavy, at 150 pounds. Camp Chef SmokePro PG24SG Largest Cooking Area
Extra features: comes with a digital Wi-Fi controller; foldable legs This model has the widest range of temperature on our list of the best portable pellet grills, giving you a choice of 150 to 550 degrees F to accommodate various types of cooking. The cooking surface area measures 219 square inches which may be inadequate for a large gathering, but perfect for a cookout session with your close friends or for a backyard barbecue with your immediate family members. The side tray provides storage for spices and utensils. Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill Budget Pick
In addition to being a budget-friendly cooking companion, it is one of the best portable pellet smokers, weighing only 68 pounds despite the steel construction. The foldable legs increase compactness for storage purposes and also double up as handles to improve mobility. With a power consumption of 12V or 120AC and an AC adapter, two alligator clips and a plug included in the package, you can plug it into a car or battery pack to power it on the move.The smart pellet grill allows for Wi-Fi connectivity and GMG server connection for remote operation. By downloading an app on your phone, you can switch the smoker on or off, set the timer for a specific cooking period and switch the temperature from a distance. Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor, regulates the cooking temperature to prevent the food from burning or undercooking while the pellets are automatically fed into the furnace from the hopper with a capacity of nine pounds. This frees you up from babysitting the smoker so you can concentrate on other tasks.
Extra features: all-terrain wheels; lift handle; collapsible front shelf This is a versatile 6-in-1 grill with a wide temperature range of 180 °F to 475 °F which provides you with different cooking options by allowing you to bake, smoke, grill, roast, braise, and barbecue. The two-tiered grate provides more cooking room while the shelves, a stationary one on the side and a collapsible one at the front, serve as storage space for ingredients and utensils. The thermostat displays the current temperature on the LED screen, activates the selected temperature and keeps it consistent when cooking by automatically adding pellets which come in a variety of flavors. You can prepare a large amount of food at once for all your guests on the ample cooking area of 450 square inches, and the hopper which has a capacity of 15 pounds will fuel your entire cooking session without requiring refilling. For a smokier flavor, set the temperature at a low setting so the wood pellets can smolder. The built-in spigot drains excess fat to keep the grill clean, and the food healthy. As a portable pellet grill, it is well-equipped for the outdoor environment with all-terrain wheels and a lift handle which makes it easy to take it with you for picnics, a stainless steel material that is resistant to rust, and a cover for protection against natural elements. A minor inconvenience is that you have to keep an eye on the water pan for refilling since it quickly dries out. Cuisinart CPG-4000 Most Versatile Portable Pellet Grill
Extra features: auto auger; ash cleanout; dual meat probes and dual LED temperature readout This model is equipped with heavy-duty wheels, locking lids to prevent it from rolling away, and foldable legs which are operated with a push button to make the 100-pound pellet grill compact enough to fit alongside your camping gear or on a patio with limited space. Despite its portability, it has a generous cooking surface of 501 square inches where you can prepare several meals at a temperature of 160 to 500 degrees F. The top rack is removable to create room for large dishes. The grill comprises of dual meat probes and dual LED temperature readout which monitors and displays the temperature of both the meat and the grill itself. After loading pellets in the hopper which has a capacity of ten pounds for an extended cooking session, the auger automatically adds the pellets to the furnace according to your preferred temperature setting. The convenient slide and grill feature is activated with a lever to switch between direct and indirect heat in seconds while the ash cleanout collects the ash in a pan for quick disposal and easy cleaning. Rated as one of the best portable wood pellet grills on the market, buyers have mainly been impressed by the slide and grill feature as well as the customer service and responsiveness of the Camp Chef staff. A few noted that the grill was a tad heavy but hardly a deal breaker. Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 Best Value Portable Pellet Grill
Is pellet grill worth investing?
Pellet grills have a lot of advantages:
- Pellets are cheaper to buy than gas and charcoal.
- Since pellets burn consistently, it is easier to control and maintain the right temperature for thorough cooking.
- You can diversify the taste of different types of food by using different flavors of hardwood pellets, such as maple, oak, apple, cherry, pecan, and hickory, or blend them for a unique taste.
- Unlike charcoal and wood grills which require constant monitoring, you can set the temperature on a pellet grill and leave the cooking unattended for a long period as the pellet feeder will automatically fuel the furnace to maintain the set temperature.
- Pellet grills are capable of both direct and indirect heating to match the temperature of different types of food. This offers more flexibility in cooking methods.
- Most of them are compact and portable and can be taken along for camping, cookouts, and cooking lessons.
Features to consider while choosing a portable pellet grill
Below are the key features to consider in a portable pellet grill for the best outdoor cooking experience which will also save you time, money and effort.
Cooking area
An ample cooking surface allows you to cook a large meal or multiple dishes at once to save time and money on pellets and ingredients. Some models have removable racks to create additional space and warming racks to keep the cooked food hot. Others feature shelves for storing ingredients and utensils.
Temperature range
Different types of food and meal preparations require different levels of temperature. Check the range of available temperature to confirm that the potential model can accommodate your intended type of cooking.
Hopper capacity
The hopper holds the hardwood pellets which are then automatically fed into the furnace by an auger at the rate that matches and maintains the selected temperature.
Dimensions
The essence of a portable model is to be able to move it from one place to another easily. The size of your pellet grill will depend on where you intend to use it, the amount of food to be prepared and the space available. If you are always on the move, Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill would be a sensible choice to take on your trips because it can be easily packed and set up in a restricted space. On the other hand, if you frequently host large parties, you will most likely need a larger pellet grill with ample cooking area and a roomy hopper, like those on the Camp Chef SmokePro PG24SG. Models with foldable legs can be collapsed into smaller sizes for storage.
Weight
Weight is a significant determinant of the portability of your pellet grill. A heavy grill is likely to be a baggage if you intend to travel with it on your excursions. The models on our list vary in weight, but they are all portable and optimized for outdoor cooking, both at home and away.
Wi-Fi remote controls
They provide a convenient way to monitor your cooking from a distance using your smartphone so you can focus on interacting with your guests or on other outdoor activities. For instance, Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill has Wi-Fi and GMG server connectivity which works remotely in conjunction with an app downloaded on your phone to switch the smoker on or off, set a cooking timer and change the temperature. It also allows you to save your favorite cooking profiles.
Wheels and handles
To improve mobility, some models like the 103-pound Cuisinart CPG-4000 are equipped with handles and caster wheels which can roll smoothly on all surfaces and lock in place when the pellet grill is in usage or in storage.
Warranty
Majority of portable pellet grills have a warranty of one to three years, depending on the brand and model. Some manufacturers offer a specific money back guarantee period so you can get a feel of the product prior to making a lasting commitment. For example, Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E comes with a 30-day money back guarantee in addition to a warranty of three years.
Extra features
- Materials used: Since portable pellet grills are designed for the outdoor environment, most of them are made of strong stainless steel or powder-coated steel which is resistant to rust and heat fluctuations in cold weather while the metal grills are coated with non-sticky porcelain. Look for material that can withstand natural elements and the harsh outdoor nature.
- Temperature controls: They have sensors which maintain the set temperature for consistency to prevent your food from undercooking or burned. Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E can maintain the temperature within ten degrees of the selected setting.
- LED readouts: They display notification alerts and digital feedback based on the selected settings, such as the current internal temperature of the meat and the set timer.
- Meat probe: It allows you to instantly check the internal temperature of the cooking meat without having to remove the lid.
- Ash cleanout system: This is a patented feature found in Camp Chef models, such as Camp Chef SmokePro PG24SG and Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20. The ash is collected in a cup for convenient disposal.
- Versatile cooking: Cuisinart CPG-4000 and Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E offer six and eight different cooking functions respectively. These include grill, char-grill, smoke, roast, sear, bake, braise, and barbeque capabilities.
- Auto auger: It automatically feeds the furnace with pellets to maintain the set temperature.
- Auto ignition: An efficient feature which speeds up the startup process.
- Power options: A variety of power options provide greater flexibility in usage of the portable pellet grill, especially when on an outdoor trip. Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill comes with an AC adapter, two alligator clips and a plug which you can plug it into a car or battery pack to power it on the move.
FAQ
Keep the pellet grill dry to protect the internal electronic components and prevent the disintegration of pellets which can cause blockage in the augur. Vacuum out the ash and clean the grill grates with a brush before cooking to remove food residue and grease stains which could alter the flavor of your next meal. Place a tin foil on the drip tray to trap grease. Wait for 24 hours after cleaning before cooking again. Lastly, use a grill cover for additional protection from external elements.
All the models in our list are portable, but the compactness of Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill and its light weight make it the easiest addition to your camping gear.
A pound of pellets lasts an hour, on average. However, ambient temperature, cooking temperature, PID controllers, cooking frequency, type of hardwood in pellets, and external insulation of the grill directly impact the rate of pellet consumption.
Our Verdict
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E takes the first spot as the best portable pellet grill by combining eight cooking functions with a generous cooking area and a large hopper which can fuel the furnace nonstop for up to 20 hours.
Various processes like ignition, temperature control, and pellet feeding have been automated to improve accuracy and increase efficiency.
The versatility provided by multiple heat options, innovative cleanout systems, and user-friendly controls appeals to both beginners and experts and solidifies Camp Chef SmokePro PG24SG’s second position as the best portable pellet smoker.
Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is a budget pick you can bank on. The compact model features an extensive range of temperature and Wi-Fi connectivity which lets you control the grilling remotely using an app on your smartphone. You can power the grill in your car, with a generator, or battery pack. We love the low pricing, convenient remote control and power options.
