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At a Glance: Our Top Picks for Best Portable Pellet Grills
- OUR TOP PICK: Traeger Grill TBT18KLD
- RUNNER-UP: Pit Boss Portable Tailgate/Camp
- BEST BUDGET OPTION: Green Mountain Davy Crockett
As opposed to frying, grilling your food is a much healthier way of cooking as it takes away the oil and fat from the food. Pellet grills are used by all health enthusiasts, as well as by very outdoorsy people.
Setting up pellet grills is often a hectic task, which makes people think twice before planning an outdoor BBQ dinner. However, portable units are a lot easier, user-friendly, and lightweight.
So, we have reviewed some of the best portable pellet grills for you. Go through the reviews and learn about their top qualities and features.
Comparison of the Best Portable Pellet Grills
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Are All Portable Pellet Grills The Same?
There are many types of pellet grills available on the market. They have the same core functionality, which is to use burning wood pellets as a source of heat to grill, smoke, and cook food on the grill.
The key differences that exist between many pellet grills are their construction material, cooking space, pellet capacity, and controller functionality too. Some models feature a cooking space as big as 800 sq inches while other units can also have space of as low as 200 sq inches. Other features like a covering lid can also make these portable grills vary from one another.
Can You Really Find a Quality Portable Pellet Grill That’s Affordable?
Since a pellet grill has many components that are made of metal and steel, rust and corrosion are inevitable. This is an issue that most cheaper priced units often have. Therefore, people who wish to use these units rigorously for extended periods prefer investing in pricier products.
However, it is also true that you can easily find an affordable portable pellet grill. These units might have fewer features, such as a digital controller or smaller cooking space. However, this minor lack of features might not bother you if you plan on using the grill on rare occasions and for smaller gatherings or amounts of food.
The quality of construction, warranty, and the cooking space are some things that you might not get in an affordable or cheaper unit. But for basic or minimal usage, affordable portable pellet grills work great.
Willy's Top Picks - Best Portable Pellet Grills
Here are the best portable pellet grills:
Review of the Best Portable Pellet Grills
In this section, you will find some of the best portable pellet grills. They stand out in the market based on various features and functions, such as advanced digital touch controllers. You’re sure to find a unit that matches your needs here!
Best Overall:
Traeger Grill TBT18KLD
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The no-leg design of this unit has worked out well for people with small patios and no balconies or outdoor spaces in their apartments. People were able to grill and smoke food in their small-sized kitchens but had excellent taste in food. Most buyers were people with a family of two to a maximum of four people.
Why it Stands Out to Us
The outstanding Traeger grill is the perfect example of how a portable unit should be. It does not have legs, so storing it is easy. You can easily slide it in your kitchen cupboards or a shelf in your store or garage. Moreover, it is also the perfect unit for people living in small apartments with no open-air spaces.
The porcelain grates ensure easy cleaning. Only minimal scrubbing should take off the stubborn fat from the grills. We also find the small and compact size good in terms of how quickly it heats up. It also has technologically advanced features such as the Keep Warm mode and the digital controller.
Bottom Line
The first and most favorite product on our list is an incredible compact yet efficient pellet grill. It is ideal for carrying and using in camps, boats, small patios, and kitchens as well. It has cast iron grills to give your food excellent taste and texture.
Runner-up:
Pit Boss Portable Tailgate/Camp
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many people who bought and used this unit were first using a propane grill and reported this one to be better than anything else. Some were also beginners and first-time users, but they enjoyed the easy and user-centric features of this unit. Moreover, some reports suggest that the model is best for small gatherings and a smaller amount of food.
Why it Stands Out to Us
There are numerous reasons why this unit stands tall as one of the best portable grills. It features an extraordinarily eye-catching and sleek appearance that will make your backyard or garden look classy. The two meat probes come built-in with this unit, and allow the user to have better control over their food’s temperature. Furthermore, it has foldable legs, which make storing and carrying this grill a lot easier.
In addition to this, there is a spacious room to accommodate your cooked or uncooked food. A five-year-long warranty supports all these incredible features and benefits.
Bottom Line
Summing it up, we think that this Pit Boss model is superb in all terms. It is affordable, good-looking, and spacious as well. It is great for use on campsites due to its foldable and compact structure.
Best for the Money:
Green Mountain Davy Crockett
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
The highly advanced thermal sensor swept all buyers off their feet. They were satisfied with how accurate and convenient the sensor was. Other features, such as its lightweight structure, further made it one of the best units buyers ever invested in.
People also liked the cooking space, as some used it to cook for large gatherings of 10 to 15 people.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Pellet grills need to heat all the food items equally so that every item has the same taste. For this reason, we really like this grill since it comes with a highly well-thought-out and practical design, allowing even distribution of heat to all food items.
Other incredible features of the unit, including the convenience tray, play an important role. There is also an ash cleanout bucket attached to the bottom to minimize the mess this unit might make after use.
We find the three power options outstanding too. It's unique and provides extra convenience to the user. You can use solar cells to power the grill, and therefore it’s the ideal pick for use in remote areas, such as trekking trails and campsites.
Bottom Line
In conclusion, this portable pellet grill is an incredible choice for all types of users. It can accommodate a good amount of food at a time and is also available with extra features such as a convenience tray and power options.
Best Portable Pellet Smoker Grill:
Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
Many people bought this unit and used it on camping sites. They report that it is easy to carry around, particularly because of the wheels on the legs. Moreover, some reports tell us that the grill is easy and quick to assemble, so It should not really be an issue for beginners.
Why it Stands Out to Us
Particularly for smoking your food, this grill is an incredible unit. It has an easy-to-use digital controller that can be handled by first-time users as well. The digital controller also has an anti-glare screen that makes the unit ideal for use in daylight and brightly lit areas.
We also find the exterior of the unit impressive. It has an excellent black and shiny silver finish with sturdy locks that secure the lid in place.
The functionality of this grill is also on-spot, including an ash cleanout bucket and a robust carry handle over the lid.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Camp Chef grill is a great product for multiple occasions and for accommodating multiple guests over for dinner. It has a good appearance as well, which can further make it a value-adding product. If you are looking for a grill for moderate usage, this one is the ideal pick.
Editor's Pick:
Masterbuilt SH19260119
Pros
Cons
What Recent Buyers Report
After looking at some highly positive reviews of this product, we can agree that it has, by far, the best price-to-performance ratio. It is a much more efficient alternative to charcoal grills as it does not leave extra or unwantedly strong flavor in your food. Moreover, buyers have enjoyed the easy assembly and the detailed instructions that came with it.
Why it Stands Out to Us
A portable pellet grill that is good for cooking at home is very important, as it can make up for a good outdoor time. Therefore, this product stands out to us with its easy-to-use structure. It has an impressive all-black exterior with a spacious cooking area. The grill grates are made of porcelain, which further adds durability and longevity to the unit.
Another outstanding feature of this unit is that it can be bought in a variety of three sizes. This allows you to select the model that best matches your need, while not having to compromise on the incredible features and low price.
Bottom Line
With so many features, including roller wheels for portability and porcelain construction for a long-lasting life, this unit is one of the best picks for all types of users. It is good for use in small and tight spaces, while the easy assembly instructions make it an amazing product for beginners.
When Would a Portable Pellet Grill Come in Handy?
If you have never owned a pellet grill before, you might be missing out on a lot of fun and benefits. For an outdoorsy person, staying well-equipped all the time is very important, which is why portable grills are so important.
Here are some ways you can make the most out of these products:
Camping Sites
One of the most prominent uses of these kinds of grills is on camping sites. Camping in remote areas with minimal facilities such as microwave ovens and a consistent supply of fire can create a need for a pellet grill.
Moreover, some people even like grilling and having a BBQ out in the open at campsites. This can be fun, healthy, and convenient as well.
Lending to a Friend
Since these grills are portable, lightweight, and foldable, you can easily lend them to a friend. You all can even pool in money and buy one grill that each of you uses when needed.
Storage
People with small houses or small kitchen spaces can take advantage of portable pellet grills. They are easy to store due to their compact and foldable design.
Small Outdoor Spaces
If you live in an apartment with a small balcony, have a tight backyard, or have kids and pets around, these small grills are the best. They can be set up on a corner without causing any troubles or disturbance to other people around. Plus, they can be moved around in case you can’t figure out the best spot.
Conclusion
If you have a limited kitchen space or a small balcony, but don’t want to miss out on summer BBQ dinners and get-togethers, portable pellet grills are your best option. They are available with a wide range of features and qualities that can come in handy in the longer run. Make sure to go for a product that is moderately priced but offers good-quality construction and functionality.
People Also Ask
In this section, you will find some most commonly asked questions answered. Use this information to buy a great-quality unit for yourself.
How Much is a Portable Pellet Grill?
An average, 20-inch pellet grill can cost you anywhere between $200 and $650. However, as the cooking space increases, the price is also likely to increase.
How Heavy Are Portable Pellet Grills?
Since these units are made of steel and metal, they can weigh between 90 and 100 pounds. Some options can be heavier than that as well.
