We decided to compare two of the top pellet grill brands available to find the best brand out there. Of the two brands we compared, these are the top Pit Boss and Z Grills pellet grills to buy in 2021:
- Best Premium Pellet Grill: Z GRILLS-700D3
- Best Budget Pellet Grill: Z GRILLS-450APRO
- Pellet Grill With The Most Features: Pit Boss Lockhart Platinum Series.
- Pellet Grill With The Largest Cooking Area: Z GRILLS-1000D
- Best Vertical Pellet Grill: Pit Boss Series Vertical Wood Pellet Smoker
Z Grills vs Pit Boss Pellet Grills Head To Head Comparisons
Budget Options – Pit Boss Classic vs Z Grills-450APRO
In the budget group, we like the lower price of the Z GRILLS-450APRO only because both pellet grills are equally matched up but the Z Grills is more affordable for similar quality and features.
That said the better warranty and larger hopper capacity make the Pit Boss Classic a very close second.
This one goes to the Z Grills-450APRO.
Mid-Range Options – Pit Boss Austin XL vs Z Grills-700D3
In this mid-range grouping, we are going with the Austin XL. More cooking area, greater hopper capacity, and a longer warranty are clear advantages over Z Grills.
Even though the Z Grills 700D has some pretty sweet features, the Austin XL has comparable features that make its a great value when comparing price tags.
Top of the Line Options – Pit Boss Lockhart Platinum vs Z Grills-1000D
Comparison of Pit Boss Lockhart Platinum vs Z Grills-1000D
In the top-of-line category, we had a hard time declaring a winner. Both the Lockhart and Z Grills 1000D grills come with similar temperature ranges, construction, and features.
However, the Pit Boss pulls ahead with its absolutely insane amount of cooking area and almost double hopper capacity when compared to Z Grills 1000D.
This one goes to the Pit Boss Lockhart Platinum.
Top Z Grill Grills
Z Grills are known for their versatility, ease of use, and affordability.
They have an 8-in-1 temperature range, allowing you to prepare a variety of meals.
The controls on a Z Grill allow you to “set and forget.” A single button is required to start it up, and a digital controller automatically regulates the temperature needed to cook your meals.
Z Grills offers premium features without giving up an arm and a leg. You can enjoy a complete grilling experience and a perfect wood-fired taste at a fairly reasonable price.
Here are the most popular Z Grill models, different sizes and their features:
1. Z Grills-450APRO
This model has a total of 452 square inches of cooking space and a 15-pound large-capacity pellet hopper.
It contains front and side preparation shelves, making it convenient for you to keep supplies close at hand while you cook.
The easy-drain system of this pellet grill makes the equipment hassle-free by allowing fast cleanup.
Construction
Z Grills-450APRO is made of cast iron steel and coated with a high-temperature powder finish to ensure longevity.
The all-weather cover that comes with the grill protects it from the sun rays, rain, sleet, and snow.
Temperature Range
This new grill has a wide temperature range between 180-450°F. Its 8-in-1 feature allows you to smoke, grill, roast, sear, bake, barbeque, and char-grill your meals while ensuring a fantastic wood-fired flavor.
Cooking Space
This model offers 452 square inches of cooking space.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
This grill has the advantage of a 15-pound pellet hopper capacity, pellet feed systems along with an auger-fed hardwood pellet delivery system.
Warranty
The Z Grills-450APRO comes with a 3-year warranty. There is also a 30-day money-back guarantee if you do not feel satisfied with the product.
Extra Features
This grill contains a porcelain-coated wire cooking grid. The 452-square inches of cooking surface makes the size optimum for small households.
However, it’s larger grill is enough to cook bigger meat portions such as pork shoulder, a whole brisket, or a complete rack of baby back ribs.
The Z Grills-450APRO comes with an advanced PID controller that enables you to maintain the temperature without the need to open and close the grill hood from time to time.
PID stands for Promotional, Integral, Derivative, and is typically connected via Wi-Fi to a temperature probe in the cook chamber.
Pros:
- Digital controllers allows you to ‘set and forget.
- No labor-intensive start-up.
- PID temperature controllers
- An app-connected thermometer sends a notification to your smart device when food is cooked.
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi for remote control.
- Heats up less than other advanced pellet grills.
- Difficult to remove unused pellets from the hopper.
2. Z Grills-700E
With precise temperature control, 8-in-1 temperature range, and stainless steel construction, it is easy to see why Z Grills 700-E is a good choice for your grilling needs.
A single button is required to start it up, and a digital auto temperature control is used to regulate and maintain the temperature.
Moreover, an LED temperature readout allows you to check the temperature whenever you want to.
The fan-forced convection cooking feature of this pellet grill provides a versatile environment for preparing your meal.
Construction
The grill is made of robust stainless steel that can last for years. With the 700E, you can forget about those one-summer-and-done disposable grills.
Moreover, an all-weather grill cover effectively shields the equipment against sun, wind, rain, and snow.
Temperature Range
This model has a wide temperature range between 180-450°F, along with precise temperature control.
The 8-in-1 versatility allows you to bake, grill, roast, smoke, and braise the meat to prepare various dishes.
Cooking Space
The 700E has a total rack space of 700 square inches.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
This pellet grill comes with a 20-pound pellet hopper that enables you to cook for as long as 20 hours.
When compared, you can figure out that pellet cooking costs are considerably less than a similar-sized gas grill.
Warranty
The Z Grills 700E comes with a 3-year warranty. It also has a 30-day money-back guarantee if you do not find it living up to the claims.
Extra Features
This grill stands out because of its storage capacity and easy mobility. You can keep extra grilling accessories in the storage cabinet at the bottom, which makes them easy to access and protects them from the heat at the same time.
Although this smoker’s size is relatively large, the caster wheels make it easy to move around. They can also lock into place when you require the equipment to be stationary.
Pros:
- Good value for money for a generously-sized smoker.
- Storage racks to keep additional items used in cooking.
- The digital control pad and dial-in temperature range make it simple to operate.
- Locking caster wheels for easy mobility.
Cons:
- There is no way to remove the unused wood pellets after cooking.
- It can be slightly tricky to close the lid as there is a small hot area just below the handle you can accidentally contact.
- The LED display is hard to read in sunlight.
3. Z Grills-1000D
This Z Grills model is a power-packed grill perfect for preparing a large feast.
The three cooking grates within the main cooking chamber are a hallmark of this model. The upper warming deck measures 225 square inches, the middle rack is 374 square inches, and the lowest rack offers a space of 432 square inches.
Don’t let the size of the grill intimidate you, as it is pretty easy to operate.
A simple push of a button can set the temperature, which would be maintained by the smoker’s 8-in-1 auto temperature control feature.
Construction
Top-notch materials have been used to construct this grill. It comes with an adjustable internal wood pellet auger and a reusable metal drippings cup.
A fire pot is also built into the smoker, allowing sufficient airflow to maximize heat distribution and combustion of pellets with minimum waste.
Temperature Range
The smoker regulates the heat within 10 degrees of the temperature you set. The temperature range varies between 180-450°F, with the pellet grill producing just the right amount of smoke.
All you have to do is set the temperature and let the machine do the rest of the work. It maintains the temperature at the desired level to provide the perfect wood-fired flavor to your meals.
Cooking Space
This model offers 1,060 square inches of cooking area.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
The 20-pound pellet hopper feeds the wood pellets into the cooking chamber to infuse your meals with a fantastic wood-fired taste. The flavor achieved is richer than what you get from gas or a charcoal grill.
Warranty
This outdoor cooking solution comes with a 3-year warranty, which is in line with most competitors’ offerings.
Extra Features
This smoker has an easy ash cleanout system, essentially in the form of a removable ashtray underneath the firepot to make cleaning convenient.
You can save yourself the hassle of dismantling and cleaning the grill each time by simply pulling a lever and getting rid of the ash in one go.
The auger system, which feeds the pellets into the cooking chamber, has a micro-adjusted variable speed fan and a motor with increased RPMs. This lets in the right amount of pellets and oxygen into the firebox through the auger.
Pros:
- Three removable cooking grates.
- Digital temperature control with LCD display.
- A rain cover is included.
- Convenient pellet cleanout system.
Cons:
- No Wi-Fi connectivity.
- Heavy to move and assemble.
- No meat probes.
4. Z Grills-700D3
This stainless steel grill is known for its durability as well as beautiful design. Its digital temperature controller keeps adding pellets to regulate the temperature.
With its two internal temperature probes and an LCD controller, it allows you to know the precise temperature of two different types of meat simultaneously.
Its ability to monitor and regulate temperature effectively prevents overcooking.
Construction
This grill is made of heavy-duty steel along with a stainless steel lid. You can keep extra grilling accessories in its storage cabinet so that they are close at hand as well as protected from the heat.
Temperature Range
Z Grills-700D3 has a temperature range between 180-450degreesF, along with an updated digital control board that has an auto-ignite feature.
Cooking Space
With a total cooking area of 697 square inches, this smoker is perfect for preparing a large feast. Your meat can be cooked smoothly on a non-stick surface, thanks to the porcelain-coated grates.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
The large 20-pound pellet hopper automatically delivers the wood pellets with the help of an auger.
Warranty
This grill comes with a 3-year warranty.
Extra Features
The hopper cleanout feature of this smoker enables you to clean the hopper and swap pellet flavors conveniently. All you have to do is twist open the door located right behind the hopper to remove all pellets in one go.
Meal preparation is completely automated with the Z Grills-700D3 due to its auto-start ignition, digital auto temperature control, and LCD temperature display.
Its 8-in-1 versatility allows you to grill, smoke, sear, barbeque, and even bake while ensuring a fantastic wood-fired taste.
Pros:
- PID controller maintains a consistent temperature without the need to monitor it from time to time.
- Food doneness can be controlled using the two stainless steel probes.
- The hopper cleanout system simplifies removing unused pellets.
- A double-wall construction ensures that heat does not escape and cold outside air does not enter the smoker.
Cons:
- The grill does not seem to produce a traditional sear.
- The drippings cup is not supplied.
- There is a risk of pellets breaking down in high humidity.
- You cannot remove the ash unless it has cooled down.
Top Pit Boss Grills
Pit Boss is a popular smoker brand offering a wide variety of models to choose from. They are generally easy to use and affordable.
Its wood pellet grills boast 8-in-1 versatility, allowing you to grill, smoke, braise, roast, and bake the meal of your choice.
Most Pit Boss smokers have a strong built and last a long time. Their 5-year warranty period bolsters the reliability of the brand.
1. Pit Boss Classic 700
This model is versatile and practical while offering excellent value for money. It is ideal for cooking a meal for a group of 4-6 people.
The Classic 700 offers 8-in-1 versatility, allowing you to prepare various meals with the wood-fired flavor you seek. You can adjust a digital control board and standard flame broiler to achieve your preferred cooking style.
Construction
This grill consists of heavy gauge steel components, full structural strength, and durability.
The wire cooking grids are porcelain-coated to prevent your ingredients from sticking to them. The exterior consists of a high-temperature powder-coat finish in blue steel.
Temperature Range
With a cooking temperature ranging from 180-500degreesF, the Classic 700 model can manage to prepare various dishes.
Cooking Space
The cooking area measures 700 square inches, allowing you to make a meal appropriate for 4-6 people.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
The 21-pound pellet hopper supplies the right amount of pellets needed for the meal being prepared.
Warranty
The smoker typically comes with a 1-year limited warranty.
Extra Features
A digital control board allows you to set the temperature just once.
After that, the grill does the rest of the work on its own by regulating the temperature automatically.
The digital control board contains an LED display that allows you to know the temperature while your food is being cooked.
Wood pellets guarantee a wood-fired taste without the need for natural gas or propane to prepare meals.
The model also comes with a side shelf and lower cabinet so that you can store extra supplies nearby while keeping them protected from the heat.
Pros:
- Auto start and shut down feature.
- Flame broiler enables both direct and indirect cooking.
- Simple to use and clean.
- You can quickly empty the pellet hopper.
Cons:
- The warranty period is short.
- The temperature fails to remain consistent.
2. Pit Boss Austin XL
The Austin XL is a high quality grill that you can get at an affordable price.
It stands 49.25 inches tall and is 53.5 inches wide. Not only does it give you a whopping 930 square inches of cooking space, but it also has a set-and-forget temperature control that can even enable beginners to cook mouthwatering meals.
An analog thermometer present right on the lid, making it easy for you to check the temperature whenever you feel the need to do so.
The curvature of its lid ensures that the smoke and heat are sealed in properly to achieve that perfect smoky flavor.
Construction
The Austin XL is made out of heavy-duty steel, making its body robust and long-lasting.
It contains porcelain-coated cooking grates so that you don’t have to worry about meat sticking to the grills.
Temperature Range
This model offers fan-forced convection cooking with a wide temperature range between 150-500degreesF.
Its 8-in1 versatility enables you to cook, sear, roast, grill, and even bake a variety of different meals.
Cooking Space
The grilling space offered by this smoker is a generous 930 square inches. It also has two tiers of porcelain-coated cooking grates, which are effective non-stick surfaces.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
A rather large hopper weighing 31 pounds is timely feeds wood pellets into the cooking chamber.
Warranty
The Pit Boss Austin XL comes with a 5-year warranty, offering an edge over most other pellet grills, which generally have a 1-3 year warranty.
Extra Features
This smoker has a standard flame broiler that allows you to cook directly, along with an indirect grilling option as well. Its full-function LED control enables you to start or turn it off conveniently.
You can set the temperature and forget about it; the grill will do the rest of the work until your delicious meal is ready. Its 8-in1 versatility allows you to prepare a variety of dishes with an excellent wood-fired flavor.
One of the highlights of the Austin XL is its portability. Two 6-inch rollerblade-style wheels on the back of the smoker make it convenient to move around your backyard. The 360degree swivel casters towards the front facilitate turning.
Pros:
- A well-built smoker that provides good value for money.
- Large pellet hopper offers a longer grilling time without the need to add more pellets.
- Efficient pellet cleanout system to remove unused pellets.
- Auto start and stop options.
Cons:
- You need to clean out the ash manually after every use with a shop vac.
- No wireless connectivity.
The Navigator 1150 is a heavy-duty smoker grill with a cooking capacity of 1,158 square inches. It is ergonomically designed to minimize strain and provide more usability.
This pellet grill has a dial-in temperature option and a digital control board that allows you to set the temperature and forget about it as the machine does the rest of the job for you.
The Navigator 1150 is made for natural hardwood pellets producing 40,000 BTU (British Thermal Unit) with a convection cooking technique.
Construction
The main body of the smoker is made of stainless steel with a high-temperature powder-coat finish. The lid is built from 12 Ga. steel, while the barrel body is made of 15 Ga. steel.
The cooking grates are porcelain-coated to prevent the food from sticking to them.
Temperature Range
The cooking temperature range offered by the Navigator 1150 is between 180-500degreesF, with an open flame temperature of up to 1000degreesF.
You can either opt for direct heating or choose indirect heat using the side-plate flame broiler.
Cooking Space
The Navigator 1150 provides a cooking area measuring 1,158 square inches.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
This smoker comes with a considerably large pellet hopper weighing 32 pounds to feed pellets into the cooking chamber automatically.
Warranty
This pellet grill comes with great customer service and an extended 5-year warranty, which gives it an edge over most other grills, which typically come with a 1-3 year warranty.
Extra Features
Pit Boss Navigator 1150 has a 200W auto igniter. The digital control board and heavy-duty steel metal probes enable you to monitor the temperatures so that you can set and forget.
The grill has wireless and Bluetooth compatibility to control temperature settings and monitor the meat probes.
Fan-forced convection cooking along with 8-in-1 versatility allows you to cook, smoke, sear, roast, barbeque, braise, grill, char-grill, and bake to prepare your meal fused with a rich wood-fired smoke flavor.
The pellet hopper has a glass window that you can see through to check the fuel level.
The in-line sport-style wheels make the grill easily movable despite its large size. The caster wheels can be locked in place so that the equipment remains stationary while cooking.
Pros:
- Stainless steel metal probes help monitor temperature.
- The Pellet door cleanout system is an easy way to remove unused pellets.
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity facilitates remote temperature control.
Cons:
- A PID controller is not present.
- There is no thermometer attached to the equipment.
4. Pit Boss 5 Series Vertical Wood Pellet Smoker
A hallmark of this versatile wood pellet smoker is its double-walled insulation that offers you a temperature range between 150-450degreesF for preparing your meal.
Its vertical design is not unique but practical.
The smoker comes with digital controls that allow you to set a temperature, after which the grill regulates it automatically according to the meal you are preparing.
The meat probe can be used to monitor the temperature, which you can read from an LED display whenever you wish to.
Construction
Weighing a total of 127 pounds, the 5 Series smoker has a solid build quality. The legs of the unit are made of crimped sheet metal. The front window is made of glass so that you can easily see your meal being cooked.
Temperature Range
You can smoke your meat between 150-450degreesF to prepare a wide variety of meals.
Cooking Space
This smoker has a cooking capacity of 4.6 cu ft. There are five porcelain-coated cooking grills, making the total cooking area 1,513 square inches.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
A heavy-duty pellet hopper weighing 55 pounds allows as much as 24 hours of smoking without the need to add more pellets.
Warranty
The vertical smokers come with a 5-year extended warranty for most of their components.
Extra Features
A large front window made of glass lets you observe your meal while cooking, so you don’t have to open it to check.
The caster wheels make the smoker portable. Their ability to lock in place helps keep the grill stationary while it cooks your meal.
A considerable cooking space consisting of five cooking racks allows you enough space to prepare a feast for many people. Porcelain-coating on the racks prevents the meat from sticking to the surface while it is being prepared.
Moreover, you can position the racks any way you like. For instance, if an extra-large turkey requires more height, you can space out the racks accordingly to accommodate it.
A large digital LED display tells you the internal temperature as well as the meal probe temperature.
Pros:
- A large cooking capacity allows you to prepare meat for a party at your place quickly.
- You can move adjustable porcelain racks around according to the size of the meat.
- The prime button can temporarily enhance smoke or quickly increase the internal temperature if you happen to open the door during cooking.
Cons:
- Momentary internal temperature swings.
- The water pan needs to be refilled every 4 hours.
- Hopper grate makes cleaning out pellets slightly tricky.
5. Pit Boss Lockhart Platinum Series
This smoker catches the eye with its double-door smoker cabinet on top of an improved pellet grill. It operates similarly to other grills, with an electrical connection used to power the heating element, control panel, auger, and lighting.
It comes with an 8-in-1 versatility that allows you to prepare a variety of meals.
A digital PID control board helps you regulate the temperature without having to open the grill doors every time.
Moreover, it has Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing you to control your smart device’s temperature.
Construction
A robust metal-coated finish on the outside is about 1/8th of an inch thick. The built is durable, has a solid feel, and can be easily wiped clean.
Temperature Range
The temperature range is between 180-500degreesF, along with the ability to hold temperature well (+/-5degreesF)
Cooking Space
With the Lockhart Platinum Series, you have a whopping 2,236 square inches of cooking space, making it an excellent value for money.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
A 40-pound hopper capacity helps the grill function for a long time without requiring a pellet refill.
Warranty
Like other pit boss pellet grill, the Lockhart Platinum Series also comes with a 5-year warranty.
Extra Features
The defining feature of the Lockhart is its upper smoke cabinet. You can use it for hot smoking, cold smoking, and even baking.
The upper smoking cabinet is designed to provide more additional control, space, and cooking options for you. Meat hooks are also fixed to allow you to hand the meat as it smokes.
You will also find smoke knobs on the right side of the smoker. You can use them to let more smoke and heat in the upper smoking cabinet.
Pros:
- 2,236 square inches of grill space is excellent for the price.
- The metal-coated exterior is robust as well as durable.
- The grill area and the smoking cabinet can both be lit up.
Cons:
- The pellet hopper design does not facilitate smooth passage to the auger when pellets start running low.
- The unit has a poor Bluetooth range.
- The LED temperature display is difficult to read.
Complete Brand Comparison – Z Grills vs. Pit Boss
Here is a complete, head-to-head comparison of Z Grills with Pit Boss:
Z Grills Brand Overview and History
Originally, Z Grills was a grill manufacturer with more than 30 years of experience in the industry. Z Grills is a brand that was founded in 2016.
Half a million dollars were initially raised through an Indigogo campaign in 2017, propelling Z Grills as one of the top pellet grill brands. Z Grills is marked by the same superior-quality manufacturing and efficient service.
Z Grills sells directly to its customers with factory-direct pricing.
Pit Boss Brand Overview and History
Pit Boss Grills is a subsidiary of Dansons Inc., which was founded by Dan Theissen and his two sons, Jeff and Jordan, in 1999. Equipment produced by the company is famous for its durability, strength, and craftsmanship.
Dansons was awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in 2017. The brand manufactures a myriad of smokers and their accessories to cater to their customers’ wishes effectively.
Pit Boss Grills is known for providing the best value per square inch on the market today, where pellet grills are increasingly in demand. Standing out amongst competitors along with the continuous pursuit for improvement are two principles sacred to Pit Boss.
Z Grills vs. Pit Boss Pellet Grills – What You Should Know Before You Buy?
Pellet grills are multipurpose cookers that are perfect for preparing delicious meals from the comfort of your backyard.
With so many pellet grills with similar features available in the market, it is understandable if you are in a dilemma while choosing one for yourself.
Z Grills and Pit Boss are leading brands in the market, which offer top-notch features at affordable rates.
However, price is not the only factor that should be on your mind.
Even if two different grills provide the same number of features and fall within the same price range, a detailed study will help you which one has an edge when it comes to quality.
Here is a brief yet comprehensive overall comparison of Z Grills and Pit Boss:
Price
Z Grills:
The price range generally varies between $350-$750.
Pit Boss:
The price range varies between $350-$800.
The price range for both of these brands is more or less the same.
Their cheapest wood pellet grills begin at approximately $350, and the most expensive can cost up to $800.
Construction
Z Grills:
Stainless steel
Pit Boss:
Stainless steel
Most smokers produced by both brands have a similar manufacturing process and a stainless steel exterior that is robust as well as durable.
Temperature Control
Z Grills:
Most Z Grills models offer direct flame access that can make the cooking grate heat up to 650degrees.
Pit Boss:
Pit Boss Grills models also have direct flame access.
However, only a limited cooking grill area benefits from the feature. If you own a version without direct flame access, simply add some grill grates to improve its performance.
Temperature Range
Z Grills:
180-450°F
Pit Boss:
180-600°F
Both the brands generally offer a temperature range between 180-450°F, with some variations. However, 450°F is often insufficient for proper searing.
The Pit Boss has an edge, with the Pit Boss 700FB offering a maximum temperature distribution of up to 600°F.
Cooking Area
Z Grills:
Maximum 1,060 square inches (three racks)
Pit Boss:
Maximum 849 square inches (two racks)
Although Z Grills provide a larger maximum cooking area, it should be noted that it requires three racks to achieve.
On the other hand, the Pit Boss provides a slightly lesser cooking space, but within two racks only.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
Z Grills:
Around 20 pounds of pellets
Pit Boss:
Maximum 55 pounds
Pit Boss models typically feature a larger pellet hopper capacity.
Warranty
Z Grills:
3-year warranty, with a 30-day money-back guarantee.
Pit Boss:
5-year warranty
The Pit Boss offers a more extended warranty period as compared to Z Grills.
However, most Z Grill models come with a 30-day money-back guarantee, which gives it an edge over its competitor.
Extra Features
Z Grills:
- Storage capacity
- PID controller to regulate temperature
- Porcelain-coated cooking grill
- Wi-Fi connectivity
- Ash cleanout system
Pit Boss:
- Storage capacity
- PID controller to regulate temperature
- Porcelain-coated cooking grill
- Wifi connectivity and Bluetooth connectivity
- Ash cleanout system
The additional features in Z Grills and Pit Boss smokers are more or less the same.
However, not all models contain all features.
Decide which ones you wish to prioritize so that you can select a model that offers you the best value for your money.
Z Grills vs. Pit Boss: Who’s the Winner?
Z Grills and Pit Boss are reliable brands with a strong market reputation. They have an impressive range of products, with both featuring some models that stand out among competitors in every way.
Pit Boss grills produce some of the best results due to their quick-start ignition system, flame broiler, and top-quality built.
Z Grills also provide a fantastic wood-fired taste to your meals with their slow and even cooking functions.
Both the grills feature 8-in-1 versatility to cook, sear, roast, and grill your meat to perfection.
As far as temperature is concerned, they come with a set-and-forget feature. This allows you the convenience of setting a suitable temperature once, after which you can let the smoker do its job.
Bottom Line
Z Grills and Pit Boss models are competitively priced and offer a similar range of features and make some of the best pellet smokers.
However, if you plan to cater to a larger number of people, a Pit Boss offer more suitable as it has models offering a larger cooking space and a bigger pellet hopper capacity. Both Pit Boss and Z Grills made our list of the best wood pellet grill that can sear meat.
Lastly, you might want to check out a few more comparisons of different brands if we didn’t convince you yet.
- Traeger grill vs Pit Boss Pellet Grills
- Traeger vs Z Grills Pellet Grills
- Z Grills vs Camp Chef
- Louisiana grills
FAQ
Here are some frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding wood pellet grills:
The grill is making clunking or squeezing noises. What do I do?
The auger is meant to rotate to transfer wood pellets into the cooking chamber slowly. It may move slightly backward and forward to break the longer wood pellets, a normal function. Ensure the pellets are not longer than 1cm in length to avoid undue pressure on the auger.
Why isn’t the fan turning?
On older models the fan may not turn if the weather is too cold, the grill has not been used in a while, or the grill is new, and the motor has never been turned on before. Kickstart it by following these steps:
- Unplug the grill from power.
- Remove the hopper access panel.
- Spin the fan blades manually.
- Plug the grill and turn on the power.
If the fan blade still fails to move, it might be caught on a wire, or the fan bracket may be bent. After diagnosing the issue:
- Move the wires out o the way.
- Replace the fan if the bracket is bent.
- Replace the combustion fan housing if the fan housing is bent.
How do I use a flame broiler?
You can use a flame broiler both as a grease tray and for an open flame cook. During a regular cook, make sure the boiler is closed to ensure grease draining and avoid fires.
To cook with an open flame, open the flame broiler’s top slider and cook directly above the fire. When the flame broiler is available, make sure you keep the main grill lid open.
How do I clean the smoker?
Wipe off extra grease using warm, soapy water. Do not use over cleaner, abrasive cleaners, or abrasive cleaning pads on the grill exterior.
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