The Best Pellet Grill Under $1199 | Best Pellet Smokers for 2023
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- Опубліковано 28 лис 2024
- Thank you Grill Grate for sponsoring this video. Find your complete set of Grill Grate panels and bring your grill new life by clicking here! Use code "BBQLAB10" for an extra 10% off! www.shareasale...
In today's video, we put the best pellet grills we could get our hands on to the test under the $1,199 price point. It's a pellet grill throwdown you won't want to miss!
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Featured Products
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► ZGrills Multitaster 11002B: thebarbecuelab...
► Traeger Pro 780: thebarbecuelab...
► Grilla Grills Silverbak AT: thebarbecuelab...
► Louisiana Grills BL1000: louisiana-gril...
► Pit Boss Sportsman 1100: pitbossgrills....
► Camp Chef Woodwind 36: thebarbecuelab...
► Oklahoma Joe's Rider DLX 1200: amzn.to/3PGSJSv
► Recteq RT590: amzn.to/3fO7dUi
► Smoked Bros Spices and Rubs: (Use Code "BBQLAB20" for 20% off) www.smokedbros...
► Grilling Pellets Premium Hardwood Pellets: grillingpellet...
► Grill Rescue Cleaning Brush: amzn.to/3USD85f
► Thermoworks Signals 4 Channel Thermometer: thebarbecuelab...
► Shop our favorite products:
thebarbecuelab...
Outdoor Cooking Appliances
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► Offset Smoker: thebarbecuelab...
► XL Kamado: thebarbecuelab...
► Gas Grill: thebarbecuelab...
► Outdoor Griddle: thebarbecuelab...
► Pizza Oven: thebarbecuelab...
Accessories
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► Grill Cleaning Spray: thebarbecuelab...
► Grilling Gloves: thebarbecuelab...
► Nitrile Gloves: thebarbecuelab...
► Apron: thebarbecuelab...
► Grill Tools: thebarbecuelab...
► Large Spatula: thebarbecuelab...
► Vacuum Sealer: thebarbecuelab...
► Pork Racks: thebarbecuelab...
► BBQ Sprayer: thebarbecuelab...
► Cooler: thebarbecuelab...
Thermometers
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► Instant Read Thermometer: thebarbecuelab...
► Infrared Thermometer: thebarbecuelab...
► Control Fan: thebarbecuelab...
► Probe Storage: thebarbecuelab...
Outdoor Kitchen
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► Doors & Drawers: thebarbecuelab...
► Refrigerator: thebarbecuelab...
► Ice Maker: thebarbecuelab...
► Sink: thebarbecuelab...
► Gas Grill: thebarbecuelab...
► Pro Burner: thebarbecuelab...
► Griddle: thebarbecuelab...
► Pellet Grill: thebarbecuelab...
Consumable Items
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► Mail Order meat: thebarbecuelab...
► Chicken Rub: thebarbecuelab...
► Steak Rub: thebarbecuelab...
► BBQ Rub: thebarbecuelab...
► All Purpose Rub: thebarbecuelab...
► Brisket Rub: thebarbecuelab...
► Beef Tallow: thebarbecuelab...
► Butcher Paper: thebarbecuelab...
2:07 Introduction of grills
2:40 Assembly
3:03 Build Quality
3:48 What is it made of?
4:27 Exhaust
4:55 Grates
6:19 Measurements
6:57 Storage/shelf space
7:34 wheels
8:25 Hopper capacity
9:02 Pellet changing
10:13 Probes
10:44 Controllers
12:16 App connectivity
14:40 Temperature Range
15:38 GrillGrate Ad
17:00 Temperature accuracy
20:03 Cooking Capacity
21:43 Biscuit test
23:58 Smoking test
26:06 Hot and fast test
27:13 Grilling test
30:12 Cleaning
31:39 Warranty
31:58 Current Prices
34:49 Closing thoughts
37:22 My top pick
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Traeger super smoke on the ironwood 885
You guys really did a great test and video. Thanks for the work
Thank you for all the information you provide, I just retired (early) and needed a hobby, bought the Z Grill 11002B and simply love it, I have done spare ribs, pork butts, and a host of other cooks, my 1st few cooks did not come out all that well but, after watching your channel and some other streams, I am no MASTER SMOKER, but, everything I now smoke turns out well, thanks!
Just because I would have appreciated some time stamps and still might use them myself:
2:07 Introduction of grills
Luisiana Grills Black Label 1000
Camp Chef Woodwind 36
Pitboss Sportsman 1100
ZGrills Multitasker 11002b
Oaklahoma Joes Rider Delux 1200
Traeger Pro 780
Reqteq RT590
Grilla Grills Silver Bac AT
2:40 Assembly
3:03 Paper Test for Seal
4:02 Table of materials each is made of
4:27 Exhaust ports
4:55 Grates
6:19 Footprint of grills chart
7:20 Storage options chart
7:34 wheels
8:25 Hopper capacity
9:00 Table for smoke time on one hopper and hopper cleanout
10:15 Temp probe options and temp controllers
12:18 App connectivity
15:00 Min-Max temp chart
17:00 Temp accuracy table @ 19:37
20:19 Capacity w/ charts
21:43 Biscuit hot spot test
24:00 Rib and chicken cook tests
27:32 Burger grill test
30:13 cleaning process
31:55 warranty offerings chart
32:44 costs chart (at time of video)
34:10 Results w/ top three standouts at 36:42
Thank you for the effort
Legend
Not all heroes wear capes.
I enjoyed this video, but just to let you know, I bought a Traeger 575 had nothing but problems. Temperature problems. took it back to Home Depot and they gave me another one. Same issue horrible temperature swings after six months of nothing but hell. Traeger sent me a Ironwood and picked up my 575. Had nothing but temperature swing issues with that. Also asked for my money back which took about four phone calls. They finally gave me my money back and picked up the Ironwood. the gentleman at customer service said they know about the temperature issues and still haven’t found a fix. After four years they still haven’t found the fix. I bought a Recteq. Love it. Temperature stays where I put it. Absolutely love the recteq.
I have a friend that does competitive BBQ and he had exactly the same experience. Had to pull out of competition because his Traeger didn’t hold temp. Tested a bunch, ended up with Recteq and loves it.
Recteq is the best BBQ thanks for all you did in this video.🎉
Recteq is but wish they had a sear station.
@@Boogs5150 we got the sear plates. They do a great job on steak!
Videos like this is why I love UA-cam, very informative, this must have taken alot of work and I thank you and your team!
Much appreciated!
They did an outstanding job! We thank you again 👏
Your in on the grift
Pellet grills are sht . They are used where the city ordinance prohibits real smokers
These people are grifters
@@pantera2382really you never cooked on a grill or you are in on the grift .
@@jimmyfumbanks6081 is it hard being this stupid?
I bought my Pit boss 1150 Pro in the spring and could not be happier. I will have to admit I did the following modifications. I bought an aftermarket flame diffuser, a plate that closed the one ich gap between the plate under the grates the end closest to the hopper, put a gasket under the door, lastly bought a blanket to cover the top of the grill during winter. I have had zero mechanical issues with it and have used it three or four times a month including during the winter. I smoked a pork but for Christmas and it turned out wonderful.
That biscuit test is genius. I’ll definitely be doing that when buying a new model. Z grill I like due to small range of temperature variance. It stayed in the green.
(one year later) on the offhand chance you didn't know, this is exactly how you map out hot spots in your oven. lay a bunch of slices of something like wonderbread on a baking sheet, run the oven long enough to start to toast the bread, take out the tray and you can see exactly where it's hottest by the areas of bread that are the most scorched
This is just the second video I have found reviewing the Grilla Grills against other grills. I ran the chimp for 3 years before stepping up to the Silaverbac. Amazing how many people have never heard of the company, but like you when they see it in action they are pleasantly surprised. I'm in Wisconsin and use mine in cold temperature like 0 on up to whatever winter gives me and it never fails and is a pellet miser at low and slow.
I'm running the Silverbac right now in 29 degree weather, and it's acting like it doesn't even notice the cold and 30 mph wind. The longer I work with it, the more impressed I am.
@@TheBarbecueLab I think it is unfortunately one of the best kept secrets in the outdoor cooking world. Rarely do I talk with someone about outdoor cookers who have heard of the company. I do have to say my wifi is not real dependable. That is a hard thing to critisize because it could be my signal strength or speed of my router too.
Thank you for your exhaustive research! For about 5 months now, I’ve been cooking on my Camp Chef 36” Woodwind Pro, my first pellet. Full door gasket, superb temp retention (I use their thermal blanket during the winter), all the good features of the regular Woodwind that you point out, no smokestack, and I’m having outstanding results with this smoker. The best feature of all is the pullout tray/box for adding wood chunks for added smoke. It works, and no tube is needed!👍 Thanks again for your hard work.
Love that Pro and the option to put those wood chunks in there! Great great stuff! I pray that in a year or two every Pro Pellet Smoker/Grill will have a similar feature as that really appears to give a great flavour 🙌🙌
Hey sports fans. I’ll save you some time and money. Buy the RecTeq. I have the RT-700. Looks great . 40 lb hopper. 6 year warranty. Quality materials. Temp control is fantastic. Great smoker. Plug it in and let it roll.
Sold my 700 and got the 1250
Too big for me@@LITTLEROCK2517
Great video. Myself I Have one of the original Grilla Grills Silverback. I added the front shelve & a couple other accessories along with the Grill Grates for steaks & burgers & more. My Silverback is before they went to wi-fi app. What Grilla did was offer all original Silverback owners a special price on purchasing the new wi-fi controller. Grilla has awesome customer service as well. My brother has a Pit Boss, some friends have Traeger's & another has a Camp Chef. We enjoy great cooks & meals on all of them. The reality is, If you have good recipe's take pride in your cook you will produce great BBQ with any of them. But I still tell them guys I am the Pitmaster due to my BBQ skills & GRILLA GRILLS SIVERBACK.
I have a Grilla silverback and love it. The heavy duty construction was the top selling point for me and I haven’t been disappointed. I’ve had it for 3 years and use it regularly.
Does the smaller cooking area limit you at all? It looks like it has one of the smallest cooking spaces in the lineup, but I might just be overestimating what I'm actually going to be cooking in there.
Very thorough, detailed, and unbiased review. I am glad to see you gave Grilla a chance to compete with the rest. I bought mine 4 years ago, and it is still a powerhouse. Living in upstate NY, the winters can be brutal. The silverbac AT smokes along without issue. Temps remain constant in pid mode, or swing slightly (around 10-20degrees) in pro mode for extra smoke. The stainless steel components make up a majority of the smoker and has held up nicely. My silverbac at remains on the deck year round with the grilla cover - no rust at all. Their brand cover is heavy duty. I am lazy to dump pellets when not cooking for long periods of time - their hopper is flawless. No moisture and the pellets have never jammed. Have done low and slow cooks, made jerky, and done some hot and fast bbq. All come out delicious. When I first got it, any time I opened the lid the temp would overshoot desired setting. I emailed them about this, and they replied within one hour. Very pleased with their quick response and customer service. For the record, press the pause button if you intend on opening the lid - the smoker will stop feeding pellets and the overshooting temps won’t occur.
Hope that may have helped anyone considering the grilla!
I would like to mention that I have one of the original Grilla Grills Silver-backs and have had it now for 8 years. I live in Chicago and the grill has been outside year-round with a cover since day 1. I have traveled to events with this grill, cooked in competitions, and hosted and cooked for parties of 150 and more and this grill has never let me down. I have cook pizza, fish, pork, brisket, hamburger, sausage, and much more. I have replaced my control board but I will give that to user error. Mark at Grilla has been outstanding with his customer support and even called me on a major holiday to walk me through an issue that ended up being my fault, not the grill. I have used this grill in extreme temperatures both ways of being cold and hot and it always cooked extremely well. I have a Pit-Boss also and the difference in cooks is night and day and the Grilla is so much more superior. I do like the Grilla pellets but I actually use Traeger pellets since they are very easy for me to obtain and are just as good as the Grilla brand. I highly recommend this pit to anyone who is looking for an outstanding all-around pit for every need.
I bought the Pit Boss 1600 grill for $999 three days ago. It has all the bells and whistles plus a 32 lb hopper. A beast of a grill, its first cook was a Thanksgiving turkey. The results were outstanding and it was finished in one hour less than expected. It’s my second Pit Boss and a massive step up from the basic version It also has an app and two probes. Definitely worth a look.
Just found same pitboss on clearance for 240$. I haven't gotten the app to work but did my first cook yesterday and this thing is a beaaaast
I have a Traeger and I like it. But if I could go back, I might have bought the Zgrills instead based on your extensive research. Looks like the top two from all your observations would be the Traeger and the Zgrills, and it seems that the Zgrills is definitely the better grill! Compared to the Traeger, the Zgrills passes the paper test (Traeger fails), has a thicker body, an extra 100 sq inches of main grate surface area (this matters for things like water pans), comes with a foldable front shelf, better mobility, 10 extra pounds of pellet hopper capacity, 2 meat probes instead of 1, cooks evenly (Traeger had slight hotspot in the middle). Traeger has a smoke stack (Zgrills doesn't), better app, and is $200 cheaper.
Thanks for this breakdown
I’ve had my Z grill over 5 years and never no issues and it’s the most reliable pellet smoker that always works perfectly every time throughout all weather in the Pacific Northwest and the price I paid was the selling point that got my attention
There is no need to spend $1000 on a smoker
@@jerrygundrum1 You've clicked on the wrong video LOL
The "Biscuit Test" can be done with slices of white bread, also. And this is a great way to learn how your pellet grill cooks.
This a good example of getting to Know your Grill.
You done good
Grilla is sooo under rated. I’ve had mine 7 years and it is a tank! I love it and would buy it again over anything out there.
The Grilla is a tank, thicker grill walls, lid and in 4 years has never malfunctioned. I live outside Chicago and I use the Silverback with no issues most of the winter unless it’s stupid cold out. One neighbor has a RecTec and the other unfortunately has the Weber Smokefire, both seem to be built well but the Silverback just seems more premium. Also don’t discount the wheels, these grills are top heavy and it’s nice to be able to move the Grilla even on uneven rough ground
@@nookbandit absolutely accurate account of this smoker, it is awesome. To be fair, this is the only smoker I've owned.
This is one of the greatest reviews I've ever seen (not just smokers btw) and a TON of information for a 40 minute video. I love the way you went through build quality, temperature variation, square inches, hot spots, smoke ability and grilling. I am disappointed that the Weber smokefire wasn't included in this test and eager to know where you think it would stand. I am ultimately looking for a grill replacement smoker. Thank you!!
I would have loved to have a Weber Smokefire in this roundup, but Weber didn't respond to my emails to see if they'd allow us to use a sample. I actually purchased a slightly used Smokefire 24" from someone locally on Marketplace, but when I got it back to the Lab, the auger wouldn't turn and the heating rod wouldn't light, so I took it back and taught them how to make a warranty claim. I couldn't do it since my name wasn't on the original bill of purchase, so we almost had a Weber in this roundup, but it didn't work out. I haven't cooked on a Smokefire, but I saw one at their roadshop when it came through town last year showing off the 2.0's. I'm not sure I can weigh in on how I think it would do since I just don't have any experience with it. I like the idea of it, but can't really speak to how they operate in real life. Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Agreed
This was indeed a superb review. As others have mentioned your analysis was extremely helpful, and is helping me to decide on what model to purchase.
I'm very glad that you included the test to see how well these units could really sear. I currently have a Traeger Pro 22, and it cannot sear at all! I also want my next unit to be one which can hold temperature well. When I consider the searing capability of the Grilla Grills Silverback, the Pro vs. PID temperature control, and the 5° temperature increments, I think this will be the best choice for me. I can picture using the Pro control control feature to produce the most smoke at the beginning, and then turning it to PID mode to finish the remainder.
The only feature I really wish it had was an additional meat temperature probe port..
On the under $400 portable category I would recommend the Green Mountain Davey Crockett, I bought one after my friend had one for a year & we both love this grill. it's a little small but I can still cook a pizza in it!
Hands down one of the best reviews I’ve seen on UA-cam! I appreciate you and your helpers time! Thank you
I have 4 Pellet smokers all deferent brands. I just got a Weber smoke fire from a friend that is moving and man I love that thing, it has such a different flavor something with home the grease hits the flavor bars and with it getting over 600 its sear is amazing. it is a bit different to cook on then any other pellet grill i have with the all ways open fire pot but i love it now
The price-to-value goes to Pit Boss hands down.
I have the Pro Series 1150 and it's absolutely fantastic. Comes with 2 probes, ash clean-out system, 4 caster wheels and wifi controls using the PB app.
I would agree with you on "Value" I have the same Pellet Grill as you (Pitt Boss/Pro1150) . This tutorial/test was excellent and by no means I am I being critical of it. I just looked at "Free Assembly" and deliverery into my decision as being important & can be achieved for free if you shop around. Last week I purchased the Pro Series 1150 at Lowes assembled for $633.00 before taxes. On line at Lowes.
This series has an outside Ashe pot clean out and Wifi and blue tooth. Even more features than what was tested because none provided the ash pot clean out and we know cleaning and maintaining an outdoor grill is critical to life longevity. This is why Stainless Steel is so popular. The Rec Teq has no pellet dump and uses thiner gauge of stainless not good for heat consistency. The sear station is a game changer and in my opinion a great addition to a Pellet Grill. Pitt Boss has some work to do with their App & WIFI . Just my Nickels Worth.
The reasons I settled on an Oklahoma Joe are the following. The adjustable racks, which you did not mention. All other manufacturers decide where THEY want your racks to be. Another reason is the size of the sear area. What pellet smoker users have been missing is the charcoal taste and now that charcoal pellets have become available, I want to use it as a barbecue as well as smoker. I grill steaks perfectly with it. It's very easy just to move your smoke project to a higher rack for better heat distribution. A third reason is for the hopper dump. I wish you had shown an overhead shot of that as it is an impressive sight to watch how quickly and cleanly it evacuates the hopper. As far as the shutdown mode is concerned, I simply turn it to low and let it burn down for 5 minutes or so and then power off. You end up with the same residues in the fire pot as you would doing it by their recommended sequence. They're just covering their butts so that you do not get an auger fire. I cannot deny that it is a more rudimentary controller and that it does burn a little hotter than your setting, however, low setting tends to bounce around 180° and then you move on to 200° and so on, 650 is not the alleged high setting, It does have a HI setting at the end. The headroom in the cabinet is priceless. I don't mind the door not fitting perfectly tight, you're going to have smoke coming out of it one way or another. The large rubberized spoke wheels help it glide across the deck effortlessly. Again the racks are completely adjustable or removable. Much more versatility than any of the other manufacturers. Since they're upgrade on Gen 2 with a stronger auger motor, it sheares those long pellets like they are nothing. I could go on.
I got this grill on FB Marketplace for free. They said the controller didn’t work. It just needed a new fuse that I got for 4 cents. I like it so far especially for the price of free.
I love my Oklahoma Joe Rider DLX 1200. I smoke most often on a middle rack. It allows for better temp control. I only sear on the main rack.
I love my Grilla Silver back. I really like the app also, I think one thing that should be mentioned is how the grill settings can be adjusted. You can change the auger feed rate, the RTD temp offset and the probe offset. So you can really tune your grill in perfectly.
The AT cart is the absolute bomb, this thing goes everywhere!
Nice, I was wondering about the temp correction factor.
I own a Louisiana Grill Founders series 1200 and I cannot stress that you are spot on about your information. The heavy swings in temp are an issue, the way in which it vents straight out the back with no ability to choke it off (meaning it literally has a wide open venting system across the entire back) and an outdated control that now does not even use the app you were able to use in the video. They do have a nice warranty and well constructed in girth, but these are not meant for smoking at all. I agree, you can get a nice sear, but in terms of smoking any meats, not the grill I would ever purchase again. I spent $2000.00 on a "grill" which had I known, I would have just used the Weber I have on my deck already mostly because the smoke flavor goes right out the vents never seeing the meat. Literally not one smoke ring on any meat, ever! The grill had a ton of problems and quality control issues when receiving and I had someone shipping me part after part and expecting me to replace things like controls (which is a big job only to still not work), swapping out the skirt, and other problems with controlling temperature which frankly, still cannot be fixed. The fact that I do not have Bluetooth or Wifi on my controls is a giant issue for me on cooks like brisket or ribs. I loved the effort here, and was surprised to see that Traeger didn't pass the paper test, because as you mention, it's a reliable grill. I will be looking into the Z Grill based on my completely poor experience with Louisiana Grills. I would offer that Pit Boss and Louisiana Grill are owned by the same company, and it explains the hot spots being very similar. Thanks again for your work here, it's helped me greatly in deciding on a new true pellet grill smoker.
This is the first video I've watched from this channel. Fantastic format and engaging. As a Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 model owner, I have to say that at least in my case - it has been one of the most frustrating investments I've ever made. I have no idea how much of the same materials and construction process may have ended up in the model used in this video, but I can say that it looks identical. Anyone considering the grill should know:
-The lid is indeed not capable of providing a full, consistent seal. The handle and hinges that attach at the barrel also become loose over time which is odd.
-The smoke box chute that is meant to make per-cook cleaning a breeze is prone to seizing; I am constantly fighting with mine to pull it open and shut.
-The grill consistently has a broad range of over/under temps compared to what you're setting for your cook.
-In my case, within the first year I had a faulty controller.
-In my case, within the first year I had a faulty heating rod. THIS IS A NIGHTMARE TO REPLACE.
-Camp Chef doesn't seem to do much stress testing with the construction of their units; you will find they're prone to paint peeling just from normal usage (not excessive time or temp). You will find this gives way to rusting.
-For the price asked, these grills should not have any of the cosmetic/materials issues noted.
-You can buy third-party "sweaters" for the lid that REALLY make a difference in winter cooks.
-The Sidekick system is good but not great. Everything feels cheap.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment! I can’t really give long term experience with each grill, since I’m just using them for 3-4 weeks in our tests, and I always welcome experience from actual users, so thanks for taking the time to leave a comment. I’m sure that potential users and maybe the product development team can learn a little something here. All the best!
Had a pit boss pro- smoker/ pro pain combo. Had it for 2 years and nothing but trouble with it. Pit Boss wouldn’t warranty and Lowes didn’t want to either. After a nightmare of a time with it, replacing pieces, etc. I got the Camp Chef Pro 36, with side options. It’s the best. 0 issues. 0 replacement. Super easy. Can’t praise it enough.
Excited to see how your top 3 turn out over time. Hopefully some friend buy those so I have some 1st hand experience. My best friend has a trigger and he loves it.
I've had the Campchef unit with all the extras for over 3 years now and have never had a single problem. It has turned out a ton of smoked food, smash burgers, and pizzas. Would buy it again in a heart beat. I see now they have a new unit out that is getting great reviews. May have to sell mine and get the newest version.
Mine rusted on the lower barrel within 2 years time and it was always covered when not in use. Camp Chef refused to cover their warranty for lower barrel rust and told me to paint it.
Wow. I’m an engineer and I really don’t have any negative notes for the testing. Very thorough and fair. My brother is a big Recteq fan and I’ve been leaning toward the Grilla. Little smaller but plenty of great features.
Your product reviews are the best on UA-cam! No one else goes this far into the details and provides as even handed commentary.
Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment Grabow! All the best this holiday season.
Amen
The most independent and informative BBQ video I have ever watched. FANTASTIC !!!!!❤❤❤❤
Thanks for watching!
David @The Barbecue Lab, great job putting this all together... you knocked it out of the park! The details into the comparisons between the grills were thorough from assembly, dimensions, construction, temp variables & probes & any/all accessories each came with in addition to smoking Ribs & grilling burgers exceeded my expectations when your video started.
I'm a 'stck-burner' guy and I've been looking at the purchase of a pellet smoker (3 of 8 mentioned in your grill comparison) and your video sealed it!
For your viewers who like the Griila Grills Silverbac, the Grilla Co. had a "package 'sale' on the Silverbac that also included...
1. Grill cover
2. Top Shelf ext.,
3. Tools for removing/cleaning the grate.
The package price was $899 and the same cost as the price of the grill. That was over Black Friday weekend 'Sale'. I hope it comes back for post Christmas week!
Appreciate your work, Super Job...
The 3 pellet smokers I was researching are the 'Z Grill', the Traeger & the Grilla Grill - Silverbac! The details you mentioned in your smoker assessment video I agree with 110% and why I'll purchase the Silverbac!
I greatly appreciate the time, energy, and effort you guys put into this video. I'm currently in the market for my first pellet grill and this video has truly helped me with making a decision about where to spend my money. Thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
What did you end up purchasing and how do you like it?
I don't need another pellet grill, but I'd like to acknowledge the great effort here. I'd also like to add that in my 14 years of pellet grill experience that fluctuating temps offer the best flavor. Hot burns taste sweet, cooler burns taste smoky. Fluctuating burns taste sweet and smoky. Offsets with a piece of wood in different stages of burning, lets say from the low end to the high end, produce different compounds that add to the complexity of the flavor.
When it comes to cooking even, it's a good and a bad thing. If you can cook for eight and you pieces of meat have identical mass and bone percentage and shape, a perfectly even grill would be ideal. Since that rarely happens, if you have a hotter location, you put the big piece of meat there to get it to finish at the same time as the smaller pieces. Obviously you don't want a whole bunch of mismatched temperature zones you need to map out.
I mention the temp swings and hot spots because those that don't own a grill and do nothing but YT research are adding too much weight to these parameters with no understanding how it may work for them or work against them. I'd say temp swings are more important to pellet grill flavor complexity than any other type of grill. You'd get more smoky and better flavor in the winter or on a cool windy day because the grill is losing heat fast and needs to stoke more often than on a hot summer's day where the pellet use is less.
Nice information thanks! So in your 14yrs of exp where are you at in terms of current grille?
@@ErrorInvalidName Today I used a Broil King XLS 90 gas grill to grill vegetables on. At the same time I used a Traeger Timberline 850 to roast some garlic and rosemary potato wedges on. (I did breakfast sausages this morning). I also cooked sausages on my offset.
The Broil King is a huge grill where I grill direct for searing or a bit of char. I can also BBQ by putting the meat on one side and turning the heat on the burner on the far side. You can run a pellet tube smoke generator. You can also fill the pellet tube full of wood chips and put that under the meat or near the fire. Rotate the meat around and keep the temps at 225 and you will get a great set of ribs or whatever you are cooking. This is the gateway to true BBQ. The water vapor from burning gas or wet wood chips makes the smoke stick to the meat very well. You can't wet wood pellets, they will turn back into sawdust. It also has a rotisserie and you can run a smoke tube while the turkey/chicken/roast is turning.
The Traeger is good at appetizers (atomic buffalo turds, shotgun shells), chicken/turkey wings drums and thighs, sausages, small to medium roasts, holding meats cooked either in them or not, bacon, ribs. med thickness pork chops, pizza, candied bacon.
The offset dominates for ribs, sausages, medium to large roast pork, med to large roast beef, pulled pork, brisket, large double bone pork chops, tomahawk steaks and pork chops, prime rib, steaks, pizza, pulled pork, beef ribs. The offset can be run with wood sticks that are slightly too big which will impart a lot of smoke and need care to maintain heat or you can run it with small hot fire that has the pure sweetness of a hot burn, but you need to close the chimney flue to almost closed and open the firebox door to backdraft some of the heat out. Fully open flue and small stick will put the chamber up to 580 degrees. This is when you put in a pizza or this is when you open the door to the cook chamber and the flames will enter at a 45 degree angle and hit the meat, but you can't ever get flare ups because the fire is in the firebox and you have the meat in the cook chamber off to the side.
I'm using GMG Gold blend pellets with some GMG Texas blend on the way. I have some Lumberjack Supreme Blend/Competition Blend/Hickory Blend pellets. I also have some Knotty Wood almond pellets. I use cheaper wood heating pellets that taste like oak but when I am doing a long cook, I use them to cut costs. The meat doesn't take on smoke after 120 degrees internal or if I wrap it, so why waste the tasty pellets? Also going to try the Kirkland brand soon. Pellets make a difference. Don't just buy the ones that are the same brand as the pellet grill.
Some of the older style Traegers have a different flavor profile than the new ones with the direct drive motors and the rear vent. They cook differently and need to be used differently if you try to get the same type of flavor.
Tomorrow is roast pork loin with rosemary tied to it done on the rotisserie of the gas BBQ with a smoke tube full of wood chips.
If you're going to do the silverback I'd much rather have the standard vs the all terrain, my smoker sits on the back porch and doesn't move so not only is it cheaper but it also has a cabinet underneath for storage of pellets and such. I currently have the tailgater called the chimp and that thing is amazing!
Great video! Helped me switch from potentially buying a Recteq (I have yet to see a video of one going over 500 degrees!) to a Grilla Silverbac! Your bisquit test and the burger grilling segment really sold me.
Thank you so much for putting this video together. I’ve learned so much about the valuable features of smokers and I’m closer to buying my “forever” smoker this year
Glad it was helpful!
What did you end up buying? I'm looking for mine as well
My Camp Chef 24 has a slider to grill directly over the fire pot. Does the 36 not have that as well? I notice you didn't use it in this video. Its a black knob on the left side of the cooking chamber.
Grabbed a sl700 louisiana grill from Costco this summer for $299cnd.. the best bang for a buck on a grill. Love it.. gas grill doesn't get used anymore as this thing can hit the high temps when needed
This unit I returned today. It's way too prone to grease fires. I hated it every time I used it. Good riddens. You literally clean it and it will flare up with 4 budget patties.
@@MarkFastOD That's a shame. Been loving mine. No regrets
Just watched your video after finding this grill for $240 last week. I used it a few times and I wondered about the inaccuracies in temp and you did confirm my worries but I am a novice with pellet feed. I've been bbqing for almost 30 years and have always been coal and wood caveman style so when I bought this it was like jumping into a cold pool. So far I've already used it about 6 cooks and I seem to like it so far. Now again a novice in this pellet feed world but you let me know what it can do and what to look for. Great job on showing it's capabilities and the oiling of the grates never crossed my mind so thank you for that tip. Again great job and keep it up
Thanks for watching, Matt! All the best with your new grill
Glad I found this. I have a Treager Lil Tex 10 years old. Looking for something new. Lil Tex still works fine. Probably go with Traeger again since I've had no issues with this one.
I have t he ZGrills Multitasker 11002B and I love it. I got it at Sam's Club for $499 and have not found a better pellet grill in that price point anywhere. Thanks for the great comparison video!
Thank you for thehelp. I am new to Pellet Grills, and no I do not have one yet!
The ZGrill has been fabulous for over a year I've had it.
Great video review of all.
Thx for the awesome vid! I bought a used pit boss that has been great for smoking and grilling. Your review opened my eyes to some different options when the pit boss dies. 👍
Thanks for doing this video. I have never used a pellet grill and did not know how much is involved in setup and cleaning. I can see where the pellet dump and ash pot dump are a must have. I have a great gas grill for burgers and such so I just need low and slow with even cook and temp. Now I know thanks to your hard work and time. Thanks again Richard
I've had the rider DLX for about 7 years now and the only thing I had to do was replace the control panel because I let it sit out in the rain like a dummy and it holds temperature pretty well within about five plus or minus The only problem I've ever had with it is if you don't drain the hopper after a cook then it will overload the fire pot when you start the smoker or the pellets will burn back into the auger which is a whole other mess at that point the best friend is a coat hanger
I've been going in circles on a decision between a few smokers. Your video brought me back full circle after a year of research to my original choice of the Z Grills 11002B. I purchased just a few moments ago. Note: Rural King has the Z Grills 11002B for $799.99 + tax/shipping. The only shipping option is FedEx Freight, and that ran $259.39+tax. That is still $350 less than Amazon out the door. FYI: In Store Pick Up is not available. Thanks BBQLab for your time and effort! Heading over to Grill Grates site to get some of those next.
Why didn't you use the sear function on the Camp Chef? Works just like the ash dump with a pull rod.
I’d pick the Silverbac as the best, but I’m a bit biased 😂
It’s a fantastic smoker. I’ve had the AT model for a little over two years and love it. This was a great comparison video
Thank you for this video! Very in-depth!
I ended up buying a Pit-Boss because of the 5 year warranty and cost here in Canada.
I have not used it very much yet, but i find the heat on my grill only varies by 10 degrees either way off the set temperature and the time for the cook seems to be real close to what it is called for.
I am pretty happy with this grill!
Happy smoking, everyone!
Thank you for this video!! I can over analyze my purchases and this has caused me to be without a pellet grill for over a year. After watching your video I’ve settled on a Z grill! Thank you for showing me that it has the best temperature control, least hot spots and ease of use.
Glad it was helpful!
My Treger barbecued grill is going on 14 years old and still working but I like the Gerrilor grill! I am a 74 year old disabled Veteran and can't afford a new grill!
I had a traeger little Tex elite for close to 10 years with absolutely zero issues! I looked at the new ones and the internals were very flimsy. I just ordered the Grilla Silverbac AT. Should have it soon and can update with my thoughts later, but I did a lot of research and the Grilla made the most sense for me.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the new Silverbac Brad. Congrats on your purchase, and looking forward to hearing how it goes!
Well, I’ve had my Silverbac for over 3 weeks and here’s my real world review. Don’t buy one!
I haven’t even been able to cook a single piece of meat on it. Mine won’t stay lit. It starts and runs for a while and then goes out. Grilla sent me a new control board, didn’t work. Then they sent me a new rtd, still doesn’t work.
Don’t buy one. 0/10. F minus. Garbage product! Save your money and buy any other brand!
@@bradtoepfer289did you ever get the issues sorted out?
Yes. They sent me a new control board and still didn’t work. Finally figured out the hot rod wire and the auger wire were crossed. Switched those and it works great now.
@@bradtoepfer289 great to hear. Glad it’s working for you. I’m still researching pellet grills.
Just got the lg1000bl for under $500 from academy. Best deal I’ve ever seen on a grill.
Thanks so much for such a detailed and comprehensive video. You really put a lot of effort into this and it's most appreciated. I've narrowed it down to the Grilla or the Camp Chef.
Have you ever considered doing a cold weather test. That is one factor I am considering prior to buying one based on where I live.
I feel like traeger has been coasting on it's name for far too long now days.
Yep, they used to make good quality thick grills when made in US. Now they are super thin being made in China. Brother-in-law has both. You wouldn’t believe the difference. New is over priced junk.
They're 🐕💩
Just spend the money 1 time, most all of these only last a couple years at most. You want a very versatile pellet smoker that will last forever head over to LoneStar Grillz...
My Traeger is a lil Tex, it’s a hunk of 💩 unreliable being cleaned after every smoke
100 and price gouging to boot
Grilla grill for 4 years. It’s been rock solid. Highly recommend.
That was one of the best and most comprehensive commentaries on the best pellet grills on the market! Excellent job for all involved!Thank you!
Thanks for taking the time to watch and leave a comment! All the best.
What a fantastic review. Great work guys.
I have this Recteq and it’s a nice grill and I would recommend it to anyone looking for a pellet grill.
Great video with so much useful information. I’ve never done the biscuit test, so that’s my next assignment. For people who want to stay under $1200 and have an everyday smoker and griller, I think the Reqtec bullseye is awesome. I use it 9 out of 10 times. Much cheaper, great customer service, and 180-800ish degrees.
Rec Teq customer service top notch no matter what you buy I got the 1250 just because its a 700 with the options I wanted in the 700. Had a pit boss cabinet before the controller and design turned me off along with customer service. You can’t beat Rec Teq for that. Is it the best grille ever probably not but at this price point its very very good.
I have been using a bullseye for over a year now. It is by far the most versatile pellet grill ever. The size is a small setback but I just cook for two of us.
Im loving my recteq. I feel like this video may have been a bit inaccurate in a few areas to highlight specific grills in order to get more sales. In all honesty, you could get the RT-700 by recteq for about this price, so why they chose that recteq model confuses me.
We've had our Grilla Grills Silverback for 7plus years and it's almost human proof!!
Only time I've had troubles have been self inflicted... Rule number 1..... Quality pellets..... #2- good clean every 25-30 hours.... #3- clean out your smoke stack every other year or so....#4- see #1
Actual lol here when I read your comment Greg. "#4- see #1" I love it! I was really impressed with the Silverbak, especially when I put together that AT cart. That thing is a beast!
@@TheBarbecueLab We live just south of Columbus Ohio and don't get real cold winters but we've actually smoked and grilled all year with this beast.....
Suggestion...... comps on the Griddles!!
We have Grilla, Camp Chef and Blackstone.... all have pros n cons...
I’m looking forward to a griddle comp in the future. Probably not this month since the weather doesn’t encourage me to want to be outside, but I can see that on the horizon soon!
@@TheBarbecueLab Biggest failure I've seen on the pellets.... Bad, ripped but taped up bags at place of purchase....especially buying in the spring or winter.... Retailer has moved them multiple times...Buyer Beware..... at home ..... Humidity, Open containers, Hopper outside, condensation.... Pellets are nothing more than binder and sawdust compressed.... they will absorb moisture quicker than we think... And Lord don't say the binder is a glue substance!!!! The pellet Karen police will take over the chat!!
Totally with you there Greg. I'm not keen on buying ripped bags, because you never know what can get in the bag now that it's open. I really liked that the Oklahoma Joe unit made it so easy to dump pellets, but the auger would still be full, so it's not entirely foolproof when it comes to moisture making cement around the auger. One thing I learned lately is if you ever have a massive fire in a pellet grill, sometimes the binder in the pellets won't hold in the auger and they'll turn to dust, which means that you're in trouble if you don't get that stuff out of the auger. That was a new one for me. Luckily I ran an auger feed cycle once I saw it was dust instead of pellets coming out so I avoided it, but it's something to watch for.
Question I don’t see anyone talk about. I’m new to griddling and have a charcoal and gas grill. Which grill should I get an insert for? Will a charcoal griddle insert be worth the hassle of fire management ? Will I get the Smokey wood flavor if the griddle insert is covering the entire surface anyway and griddling with cover open. Advise from your experience in flavor? Would make a good video… nobody has this comparison
I had the Oklahoma Joes 1200 DLX, while it does grill, it doesn’t do the low and slow. I struggled with errors on the controller when changing temps, ignition issues, and the fact that the smoker consistently ran 40-70 degrees hot, ultimately resulted in me selling it. Replaced with “old reliable” Traeger 780 and couldn’t be happier. Thanks for the info
Great information and well put together.
Want to point out you have the Recteq RT-590 in this video, it has for a LONG time been at $900, For the 1199 price point you could get the much larger and flagship Recteq RT-700 or the new RT-1070. Even so its fun to see the RT-590 whipping others that are $300 more. Also a major reason the Recteq is going to be a better choice the fire pits is superior ad the tech in the wifi unit is simply better.
I purchased the RT-700 bundle for $1199 and got 80lbs of pellets, cover etc.....I have been surprised that the temp pretty much sets at whatever you determine for the cook. My Traeger Pro 575 was all over the place regarding the temp.
Great review! I took a lot from this. Fantastic actually. Keep up the great work.
Great video, I have had target, pitboss and now recteq.
My recteq that I had was the 590, but now I have the 700.
Out of the 3 I will say hands down recteq is my clear choice favorite.
They may not have the nicest dials, looks and all, but what matters to me most is cook, durability and Customer Service all 3 of those are have been too notch!
I'm looking at the one too. Theyr'e all $$$ to me...
I’m in the market for a pellet grill/smoker. I really like the info presented, regarding ability to make good burgers, and control the smoke temps.
The Grilla Grill is definitely a contender, and I’ve never heard I’d it. Pit Boss and Camp Chef have a lot to offer to, especially with the searing plates, and that sweet side add-on.
One thing I’d be interested in is, can you adjust the offset of the cooking temp to bring it closer to the “set temp”? If so, that’s a big plus.
Thanks for the content!
Thanks David! This was super-helpful. I have been considering the purchase of a large pellet smoker and this video really helped compare these smokers! Thanks again!
Glad to hear that it's helpful. All the best in deciding which one is the best for you!
Great comparison! Super-helpful. I have the Grilla Silverbac. I bought it in 2019, before they added Wi-Fi control. I love this thing. It has proven to be very easy to use, durable, and reliable. I use it once or twice a week and do a deep clean a couple of times each year. I do wish I could fit more baby backs in it. I can comfortably cook 6 full racks at a time, which is pretty good, but I do sometimes wish it could handle 8-10 racks. For the price, I’m very happy.
Have you ever tried the rib racks where they stand the ribs up on end so you can fit more in the grill? I haven't tried them myself, but I've seen them, and I've always wondered how they'd work.
@@TheBarbecueLab I haven’t tried them. Thanks for the reminder. I’ll take a shot at that!
@@1nteract1ve Let us know how it goes if you give them a go. I'm curious about them, but I probably won't get to testing them this year.
I bought my silverback last Christmas, love it I’m old so I don’t use the wi fi
Good review. Got the silverbac. Love it! I didn’t expect the temp fluctuations range when I first got it. Now I see it’s the norm. I’ve learned to rely on the temp one for my cooks. Still learning to smoke and have had some hit or miss results. Grilla grills customer service has been top notch. Very satisfied.
Mate ripper review. I am in Oz and we are a bit behind you guys in the availability of pellet smokers but great to see what’s out there and an awesome review of the various brands and models. We have Z grills here but not the particular model you reviewed so is certainly something I am going to follow up with them to see if they will get it here. Thanks for a huge amount of work. I have been barbecuing for many years with a Webber kettle I bought in the early 90s. As well as an offset etc. Have been considering pellets for some time and this has really helped me make up my mind.
maybe I missed it but i know the grilla temps settle down once you get it seasoned. it took mine a brisket or two to get seasoned. brand new temps were high.
I actually think most of the grills are like this
I will never understand the adoration that Traeger gets. Credit to them, they are the brand that made pellet grills synonymous throughout the US but having cooked on multiple that are owned by family members who bought a Traeger because of the name, I never found them to be amazing. I will openly admit that I am a fanboy for Camp Chef and currently have a 24 inch DLX pellet grill and FTG600 griddle with plans to pick up the new Woodwind Pro 36 this spring. I am a fan because not only does their product preform for me, when there are issues, the customer service can not be beat. I mean no disrespect what so ever, but I am genuinely curious what separated it from the others you rated highest in your final thoughts? What am I not seeing that so many others see?
I really enjoyed watching this. Not only is the information top notch, the presentation and editing is excellent! Very well done indeed!
After watching this def have to go with the Gorilla grill although for the techy side the Z grill Was where I was leaning originally the gorilla grill checks off every box that matters to me for a cooking versatile stand point it’s a true all in one grill, cooks evenly on every part, low temps are a lil above the actual temp but not crazy high and, it also sears food well, not too mention the mobility aspect
Im torn between the Camp chef and the Oklahoma joe? Great video this was so extremely helpful in narrowing down my decision on my next smoker!
I have found the reason for the recteq and others not getting to temp, just happened to me and it was extremely easy to pinpoint… it’s the pellets, ran out of pellets, had to buy another brand while waiting for my order to arrive, can’t get my recteq 590 above 465F… make no mistake… pellets matter, a lot
and RecTeq will definitely tell you that pellets matter too.
I would nominate my Traeger Silverton 620 from Costco. Great pellet grill regularly 799 in warehouse and I got in on sale for 649
It's not so important how long the warranty is, but how easy the process is if you have a problem. My grill has had several problems in 3 years ( I use it 3 times a week ) and each time a support person asked questions and sent me the part that fixed it the first time. Because of how great the support is, I will most likely buy another Camp Chef as my upgrade this year. ( Because pellet grills all have certain parts that will fail )
I bought a Weber Genesis II S-435 gas grill last year from Costco. I think I’ll sell it and get one of these! Would be nice to have the smoker and grilling capabilities in one unit. The Silverbac is looking like the one for me too! Beefiest steel and stainless used.
My $499 camp chef 24dxl smoke pro is almost 6 years old and I used it Wednesday, it's a TANK
Great to hear that it’s still doing so well for you!
As a long-time Qstoves+ user, I was hesitant about making the switch to Asmoke. But boy, am I glad I did! Asmoke has changed the game for me with its smart design and efficient cooking. The minute I started using it, I noticed a significant difference in the flavor profile of my barbecued meats. The wood pellets Asmoke uses add a unique, smoky flavor that's just unbeatable. Not only that, the temperature control is a life-changer - no more constantly monitoring the grill! I can set my desired temperature and leave it to do its magic. Plus, the Asmoke Essential is so compact and lightweight, it's perfect for our family outings and camping trips. If you're considering making the switch, I highly recommend it. #Asmoke
Great info, thank you for sharing! I just bought the pit boss and was surprised by the temp swing and how the digital temperature was different than the temp thermometer on top of the grill. I was also surprised not to see much smoke coming out the stack but nonetheless, the halibut and salmon came out with amazing smoke flavor. I'm looking forward to doing a brisket and researching good recipes. Thanks again!
Weak construction
Consider the much lower price tag on the pit boss, upgrading the control module would be a worthy edition and make it more competitive
Controller is definitely the issue with pit boss
Which performs best in cold weather?
I absolutely LOVE my new grill. I received it on time and was undamaged ua-cam.com/users/postUgkxCx5fHawkK9OoV-ojFrY8JLnZrFwAmvUt . It was very easy to put together. I did it in less than 2 hours. However, there is one picture wrong in the instructions, but I had read the previous reviews before I bought this and knew what to expect. My last girl was a Charbroil grill and my friend and I did it together and it took us about 3 hours to do that one. I didn't want to write this review before I used it and I have only used it once but it was great. The thermometer worked perfectly, the grill ignited immediately (however, I will warn you in the instructions it does state to turn the knob slowly too high to ignite and you do need to turn it SLOWLY. If you turn it too fast it doesn't ignite). I will say the Cuisinart grill is a better made grill than my Char Broil was. And, my fiance loves the fact that it has a bottle opener on it. You definitely get your money's worth on this purchase. Plus, once you receive your grill, Cuisinart will send you a flier stating they will send you a free gift if you will post a review. Good or bad. They truly want to know how you like your grill. My gift shows I will receive a grill scraper, which I will definitely be able to use. Thank you Cuisinart!!
We use a Pit boss at the fire station. Build quality feels as good if not better than the traegers I looked at today.
fantastic reviews. I went with camp chef with side searbox. been using it 3 years have replaced the grill amd reflector of the sear box 2x that high heat on a small cast iron grill grate really eats them up.
This is a GREAT video. Just what I needed as I look as a new acquisition. Thank you.
I’m curious on the Camp Chef for the burger test why didn’t you use the slide + grill functionality? Wouldn’t that have provided different results bring you could cook over an open flame?
Such a great video. I am on the fence on which pellet grill/smoker to buy and after speaking to several people who said they loved their Reqtec, I am now not sure which to buy.
It's a difficult decision to be sure. Lots of options out on the market, and everyone is going to tell you something different based on their experiences. What is it that you want the most out of the grill? What do you like to cook? Do you grill more than smoke? What meats do you make often? That'll help make the decision easier when you can think all that through. Some are better than others at different functions and meats in my experience.
What a terrific video. Nice Job!!!!! I am in the market and appreciate so much the work and effort that went into making it for us. I am a pretty experienced pit master and have had many grills over the years and I still learned. So thank you so much!!!!!!! Great Job! Oh and you got a new sub my friend.
I have a ZGrills 450B it's their smallest and cheapest option. Unfortunately I did not have nearly the success you did with yours. I was actually looking at getting a different pellet grill and wanted to see some comparisons. I was personally looking at the Camp Chef and the Recteq, but looks like I may need to consider the Gorilla as well.
I haven't tested the 450B yet, but that's good to know. I find that a larger cooking chamber is a necessity for the way I cook for friends and events, so it would probably be on the small side for me.
What do you do with all these grills after making these videos?
I am in the school of thought of not using a pellet grill for searing. With that in mind, I am looking for consistent temperature and durability. I own a Rec teq and it has served me well for over 10 years. I agree that it tends to consistently temp low, but it has a small variation in temperature. I am impressed with the Grilla grill. It also seems to have a smaller temperature variation. I wonder if it is as durable as the Rec teq? I like the front shelf and all terrain wheels. I had to add the shelf and modify my Rec teq wheels.
Very informative! Thanks for all your work!