Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker – My Thoughts (Review)

by

When it comes to backyard barbecuing and smoking, you want a cutting-edge appliance that can deliver savory, smoked foods quickly and efficiently. The Vertical Pellet Smoker by Louisiana Grills is a large and reliable machine that smokes, or cooks, a wide variety of meats and vegetables to perfection. In other words, it’s everything you could want for feeding the family or entertaining friends.

Lets’ review the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker and learn why it’s a good idea to own one.

Overview: The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker

Pellet grill smokers use wood pellets as a fuel source and electricity for power. Versatile and easy to use, they can maintain low, steady temperatures for hours.

Type of Smoker: Vertical Pellet Grill

A vertical pellet grill features a set of cooking grates stacked vertically. Smoke is directed to and around the meat in a confined space before escaping through a smokestack.

How are Vertical Pellet Grills Different from Other Types of Grills?

Not only do pellet grills smoke food, they do an excellent job of barbecuing, baking, searing, and roasting. The one thing they refuse to do is grill.

Gas Grills

Gas grills usually rely on propane for heat and produce no natural smoke. While relatively easy to use, they aren’t made for low and slow cooking. Prices range from about $100 to thousands.

Charcoal Grills

Briquettes made of wood by-products and chemical binders are used to heat up charcoal grills. They are the least expensive of all grills, but it can be difficult to maintain consistent temperatures.

Wood Pellet Grills

Wood pellet grills use clean-burning pellets made from natural wood to deliver consistent smoke and easily adjustable heat. The flame is kept safely from the food while the smoke produces a wood-fired taste.

Why This is One of the Best Smokers and a Great Option

Imagine your guests enjoying tender ribs that fall off the bone or fresh-caught salmon expertly smoked. Your backyard will compete with A-list eateries when you introduce the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker to the mix.

Ease of Use

This smoker is easy to assemble and simple to use. The digital control board is easy to understand, and loading and renewing the hopper takes little effort.

Great Value

While more expensive than a charcoal grill, the vertical pellet smoker is a good value in terms of life expectancy and cost to operate. Food is less likely to burn and go to waste when prepared using this smoker.

Large Smoker

The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is large enough to accompany enough food for a crowd. Six ample non-stick food grates allow you to cook everything for your gathering at one time.

Outdoor Cooking Process

To use the vertical pellet smoker, simply fill the hopper with wood pellets, fill the pan with water, and load in the food. Plug the unit in, close the door, and turn that puppy on. Set to desired temperature and allow food to cook for about three hours. Relax or handle other tasks while it does all the work.

The Overall Best Way to Deliver a Great Smoky Flavor

The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker keeps the flame at a safe distance from the food while the smoke is allowed to evenly circulate around the food. Remember to leave room between items for even infusing and a great smoky flavor.

Features of the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker

Weighing in at 143 pounds, the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is a hefty neighbor. Made of heavy-duty steel, it’s coated with a high-temp powder coated finish that won’t flake off due to heat exposure. Unlike lightweight grills that might blow over in the wind, this partner stands its ground.

Large Cooking Chamber for Family Gatherings

Perfect for handling a large quantity of meats for family reunions and large gatherings, the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker measures 29x28x58 inches with a total cooking surface of 2,059 square inches or 6.2 cubic feet. The six metal cooking grates are powder-coated and non-stick making them easy to clean. There’s enough room inside that you can smoke turkey, ham, and prime rib simultaneously for the holidays.

Large Window for Easy Viewing

A large glass window on the door makes it easy for you to monitor the cooking process without opening. This prevents heat and smoke from escaping.

Temperature Control

The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker features a temperature regulating knob for controlling the heat and double-wall insulation for cooking at high temperatures. With a temperature range of 150ºF to 450ºF, you can smoke foods as slowly or as quickly as you want to.

Digital Control Board/Meat Probes

The advanced digital control panel includes the ON/OFF button and the PRIME button which ignites the pellets. Two meat probes can be inserted to measure internal temperatures. That way, you’ll know when your food is perfectly done.

Hopper Capacity

An extra large hopper can handle 27 kilograms of pellets. This allows for over 30 hours of cooking time giving you the option to smoke foods as slowly as you desire. A small door at the back of the hopper makes it that much easier to clean and refill.

Easy Access for Cleaning and Maintenance

The unit comes with a drip pan and removable grease tray, so there is no need to worry about grease accumulating in the bottom. The ash clean-out system lets you remove spent ash when you are ready to reload the pellets. Both are easily pulled out for cleaning.

Added Features That Make This a Good Choice

The Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is a great choice if you are serious about eating good food.

  • Four heavy-duty caster wheels make it easy to move your vertical pellet smoker around as needed.
  • A secure locking system on the door combined with airtight seals keep valuable heat and smoke from escaping.
  • A vertical design means you can smoke a large amount of food without taking up too much space.
  • Porcelain-coated stainless steel extends durability and prevents rust.

To top it all off, replacement parts are readily available, so you can continue to use your vertical pellet smoker for years to come.

Comparisons to Other Brands

While we’re at it, let’s discuss how the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker compares to other brands.

Pit Boss Copperhead (PBV3P1)

The Pit Boss Copperhead is similar to the Louisiana Grills version, but about half the price. Rather than six cooking grates, it only includes four and the unit is about half the weight. It provides about 900 square inches of cooking area. Dividing the features of the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker by two gives you the Copperhead.

Camp Chef XXL

The Camp Chef XXL smoker takes up less space, but provides more cooking area due to its eight closer-spaced cooking racks. Weighing approximately the same as the Louisiana Grills version, it can be used with our without legs. The door on the unit does not include a glass panel, so it must be opened to check on the meat.

Our Pick for One of the Best Vertical Pellet Smokers

If you’re passionate about entertaining, you want your guests to enjoy the atmosphere and savor the food. With the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker taking up residence in your backyard, you’ll not only get compliments, you’ll receive requests for more parties and more smoked meats. Easy to operate, clean, and maintain, it makes smoking food a pleasure rather than a chore.

When smoking meat for our own needs, the Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker is our pick for one of the best.

Jack Dempsey
Latest posts by Jack Dempsey (see all)