My Pitt boss was 2 years old before I took it to the metal scrap yard. I was always trouble shooting it and having auger motor issues. The igniter was also replaced a couple of times. I put a lot of hard work into it and it paid off. I made 4 dollars at the scrap yard
Just picked up a fully put together expert grill from walmart for $115. Yes, 115! The manager seriously hooked me up. I've only done ribs but they turned out amazing. The screen and app work amazingly. I'm doing 2 briskets this coming weekend so I'll try to post an update.
@Timothy Bender brisket turned out fantastic! 15 hours, half the time at 200 degrees, then wrapped in butcher paper, 4 hours at 225, 3 hours at 250, 2 hours of rest, delicious!
I appreciate your info and knowledge. After watching you and several other pellet grillers, I made my selection. I chose a Z Grill 700 model and I absolutely love it. It actually gives me an oven for my patio, which is what I've always wanted. Thank you so much for your dedicated time spent to review dozens of smokers and cookers.
3 years ago I wanted and received a pellet grill for my birthday that is in August. I had done a lot of research and decided that the Pit Boss had the best features for the money. My wife, son and I got in my truck and went to Walmart that sold a smaller model for around 350.00. When we arrived they only had 3 grills left and they were on clearance for 275.00. They were the Pit Boss Austin XL. 1000sq inches of space. Imagine my surprise when I realized I was getting a super sized grill for less than what I was willing to pay for a smaller grill. Lesson learned. Walmart puts the summer grills on clearance to make room for the holiday stock. Keep your eyes open for the deals. Over the past 3 years I have made some of the best barbecue. I did pulled pork recently and our guests said it was the best pulled pork they have ever had.
Without question this is the very best video on UA-cam I have ever watched. DAvid is most professional in his delivery of facts and no BS. I just subscribed.
Simple fact is. The pit boss put a better bark on because of the temp fluctuations. Problem with pellet smokers is they burn clean. Clean is good but they are far to clean, and you lose some of the smoke flavor. They tend to add small amounts of pellets at a time. So, this causes more of a hot clean smoke. On offset smokers when you add wood you get a bit of dirty smoke for a bit then it will change to a less dirty smoke. Testing seems to show that this range of smoke gives more of the smoke notes people enjoy. Too much dirty smoke and you get bitter bad smoke flavor but when you produce a small amount of fluctuating smoke. Like when adding new wood to the fire box in an offset. It adds that fluctuating smoke. Pellet grills when they hold there temps so closely don't get enough of the fluctuating smoke. The Pit Boss with its swing in temps as seen on the charts you showed. Probably drops a bit more pellets to get the temp back or has less pellets in the pot at the time. So, it gives a bit more of the fluctuating smoke and causes more bark. This normally also gives more of a smoke flavor that lots of people say pellet smokers lack compared to other type smokers.
I got a pit boss on sale a few years back that is slightly bigger than the one in the video and it's basically the same. Grills great and does an awesome sear, left side is indeed hotter, makes a great bark, and gives enough smoke flavor to satisfy me. Got mine on sale right before the pandemic started, was slightly dinged up on the side of the hopper, so it went from $450 to around $380. Still works today and just used it last weekend, will be a sad day when it kicks the bucket. That said it's built like a brick and works just fine in all weather, only had the firepot die on me once when it still had pellets in all these years.
I bought a Pitt Boss Pro 850 on sale at Lowes for $469 6 months ago. I love it! Both grilling and smoking from burgers to brisket and pork chops to shoulders as well as chicken it has been awesome. Short learning curve and very easy to control temp makes it awesome!
Congrats on finding the sale Gary! I do love the ease of a pellet smoker. I cooked a pork butt overnight at 200° this weekend, kicked it up to 225° when I woke up the next day, never wrapped it and it finished in 19 hours. Super smokey and easy.
I bought a Expert Grill on clearance for $169 and it was pretty easy to put together, about 45 min, or about a two beer install 😊 it wasn’t bad at all.
The most informative video on UA-cam for pellet grills. Very well put together and answered so many questions. This really helped me narrow down my choices. Thank you so much!
THANK YOU ! Very comprehensive review, covered everything I needed, now there are no regrets in going to the store to buy the smoker that will work best for me
I was fortunate enough to snag a expert grill commodore for 199$ at my local walmart, thats the only reason I went with it. I plan on getting a recteq one day but before spending all that money I wanted a cheap pellet grill that will last me enough to practice with before getting a nice pellet grill. I smoked a 10lb pork shoulder on it for the first time and first time using a pellet grill and I got some really good compliments for family that I had over. If this is your first pellet grill I would highly recommend starting on this one for the price if you can get it that low.
Wow, a review from someone who actually used the grills (for multiple cooks and even cleaned them), instead of simply reading the vendor's description. Very informative, clearly presented. One question, what about the aux cooking shelves? Do they cook the same as the main grate, or are the vendors just padding their cooking area numbers? I would love to have seen some biscuits on those shelves.
It looks like pitboss,zgrills,and cuisine art are.the 3 winners that you cant go wrong with. I wish you showed the burn put, ash throw and pellet deli dry between them all also. Thanks for the video
I started looking last year for my first one and had no idea which way to go until I really started looking at info on them. I read z grills actually used to make grills for traeger and pitboss and then started their own line. I ended up with a big z grill for $225, had a cover and 2 temp probes with it. Been great and haven’t had any issues with it! A pitboss the same size was like $600-700. Edit-mine was on sale like $100 off at menards when I got
100% Great Video !! I'm Focused More On The Cuisinart Pellet Grill !! I Have Many Small Appliances From Cuisinart And Have Sold The First Cuisinart Kitchen Appliances In The 70's . So I'm Familiar With Their Quality Of Fine Cookware , Grills , And Etc...Heavy Steel , Well Built , And Cleans Well . Now I'm Going For The Oakmont , Because Of The Many Variety Of Cooking Performances. Grilling , Baking , Searing , Size , Pellet Smoking , And Looks . Also , The Bluetooth And Wi-Fi. I Have Studied All These Grills And Cuisinart Is The Winner For Me. I'm A Suscriber !! Thank You For Your Professional Expertise !! ❤✌️
I totally agree. I've had a Cuisinart Wood Creek for the last year and it has performed flawlessly. The Oakmont addresses the short comings such as no smoke stack and auger jams, and adds wi-fi, and more shelf space. And the best part is I picked one up yesterday for $199 at my local Walmart.
Awesome video!! I think you covered everything on pellet grills!! I had a Pit Boss Austin XL for 4yrs. It only had a 3yr warranty then, and needs new guts. I opted to get a new grill. I bought a Pit Boss Larado 1000 that is $574. It has Bluetooth, WiFi, and an electronic controller. Also has a light on the inside, and an ash dump tray. This grill is a BIG upgrade from that Pit Boss 850 that you demonstrated, and it still under $600. I'm not down playing the 850, I'm just saying what I think about the Larado to me is a better deal. Thanks again, for the awesome video!!
As a previous Qstoves+ user, I must say the switch to Asmoke has been a game-changer for my outdoor cooking experiences! The precise temperature control is a major upgrade, and the ASCA™ technology ensures efficient, consistent cooking every time. Plus, the convenience of being battery-powered and portable means I can grill anywhere, anytime. But my favorite part has to be the unique smoky flavor imparted by the wood pellets - it truly enhances the taste of the food. The Asmoke Essential has truly revolutionized my grilling game, all while being easy to clean and environmentally friendly too. It's definitely worth the investment for anyone who loves grilling. #Asmoke
wow this was an amazing comparison and the only one i've been able to find that is this detailed. seriously helped me a TON thank you and keep up the good work!
As a previous Qstoves+ user, I must say, switching to Asmoke has been a game-changer. The precision of the digital controller in maintaining the cooking temperature is just incredible. It gives me so much more control over the grilling process. Also, the portability and the battery life are far superior, allowing me to take it on all our family outings. The ASCA technology and FlameTech patent really take the cooking result to the next level. Moreover, the convenience of remote temperature adjustment and food temperature monitoring from the app is just a dream come true. I also love the wide range of flavors the wood pellets offer, it really enhances the taste and aroma of the food being cooked. Asmoke has truly revolutionized the way we do cookouts. Highly recommend to all grilling enthusiasts! #Asmoke
Great Job... I love the nerdy scientific approach and impartiality. After a 70mph gusts maneuvered my ceramic vision grill over and down 15 steps from my deck to my patio this week... I'm suddenly in the market for a new grill. The Vision Grill/smoker was nice, it did a decent job smoking but like all multi use items, it didn't necessarily do it great. So... sad about the investment lost but happy I can now justify buying a pellet smoker. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations... I've got a lot more research to do and this video was a great start!
Most pellet grills need some modifications done to them. Like for example; the air gap between the door and the grill need a gasket. Bigger wheels for rolling over grass, if needed. Being able to control the or smokestack or a vent for more a smoke taste. Diffusers for the burn pot allow more even baking.
I highly recommend taking a look at the RecTeq Grills out of GA. I've had the RecTeq RT-340 WOOD PELLET GRILL $699.00 for over two years and it holds temp by +-5 degrees of selected temp and never plugged or failed in performance. Not sold via Big Box Stores.
I read a theory that pit boss varying temperature, the inconsistency in the charts, creates more smoke and better flavor. Seems to be maybe panning out here. Love my Austin xl. It's a beast, runs great, fast, easy to use and makes great food.
The original Austin XL was a great grill for us, and now it's down in Florida with my family members still serving them well after 5 years. Thanks for watching!
Z Grills Typhon 706 (ZPG-7002F) currently on clearance at Menards for $336.96 with an additional 11% rebate ($299.89 after rebate). This is not exactly the model tested but is similar.
Thanks for you information. I did a lot of research before buying mine and it is important to buy one that fits your needs. All to often people buy the biggest and the best and never use them for all the features and end up wasting lot of money. I purchased my smoker from Walmart and it was the Atlas model which is larger than the Commodore model. It had everything I needed for what I consider a budget smoker. I liked the fact of the Wi-Fi and I can monitor it and make adjustment from my phone inside my house. As far a a small gap in the lid I took care of that with gasket rope and it sealed the lid off. I use it on my gas grill as well and it does the job. But the bottom line is just what he said, find the one that fits your needs and you'll be a happy smoker. Good luck and Happy Smoking.
Great video! This is my first from you I think and I liked and subscribed because of the quality! I'm opting for the Pit Boss and this gave me the confidence that it's the right choice for me. Thank you and I'll be back!
Thanks for the time and effort making this video. Because of this video I will look into the Cuisanart, I was not aware of their smoker. I would like to point out that you mentioned the Cuisanart comes with a 3-year warranty. That is only on the stainless parts with a one-year warranty on the other parts. But a 15 year on the burners.
You had me at the visual of the experiment criteria. I absolutely HAD to subscribe. This video was so well done. So scientific. So logical. So thorough. Thank you.
Thanks for watching gkmandymoo! I think you’ll like some of the stuff we have coming up if you liked the mind map/overthinking aspect, lol. Have a great week!
Great video. But alas, I saw this after I bought my pellet smoker (Pit Boss 700FB). Not as fancy as what you showcased here but for my needs, it's perfect. Just a basic smoker with little to no frills. And at just below $300, the price was right also. Thanks though for putting in the effort & expense of producing a very informative video.
I think accurate temp control and even cooking is important, but if the end product doesn't look and taste amazing then what's the point? I think I'll look into Zgrill and PitBoss. That pork shoulder REALLY makes that PitBoss look promising.
Not sure if Coleman pellet grills are sold in the US but its superior in every way to these 600 dollar grills but also the top of the line Traeger and Pit boss grills, but talk is cheap, for under 700(On Sale), The Coleman cookout grill is heavier than all the others it has 2 meat probes, It has a full double wall and insulated firebox, Bigger hopper, PID electronics, Heavy duty ceramic coated cast iron grates bottom-mid-top, And of course the hopper clean out port near the bottom of hopper along with the standard but well designed grease tray underneath. It also has good wheels and a built in side tray, and it burns at 180 to 500 degrees. I did alot of research and looked at several makes and models and this Coleman was unmatched specwise And thats why I purchased the Coleman cookout. I have had one for a few months and am enjoying cooking on it.
Loved the comparison. I bought my first one last Thanksgiving. I had no clue what to buy nor did I really know how they worked. Everything you covered was everything going through my head for months prior to purchase. Also not knowing what size to purchase. I live in a condo with VERY LIMITED BALCONY SPACE. After a bit of research Z-Grill was my choice. Still not knowing which one - Z-Grill made up my mind for me; they were offering what they called "The Mystery Box" In this box - it would contain 1 of 5 units which were new for 2021. Varied in size and feature. I ended up with the exact unit you used in this video. Almost covers a third of my balcony. I love it and still learning. One feature my unit allows me to do as well - The vent cap is adjustable to either trap more heat or allow to escape.
@@yumyum408 The most smoke you will get is usually at start up. It will smoke quite heavily for 5-10 minutes but after that the heavy smoke dissipates to very little. I live on a end unit second floor with no one above me. I love it. This past Thanksgiving did a Turkey - Awesome. Always learning, always enjoying it and experimenting with different seasoning and marinades. Smoking makes a big difference in flavor.
A great video to compare the different brands. I did base some of my decision on buying a Z Grill (the same model that you had in the video) off your input. I am a big fan of the consistent even heat distribution of the Z Grill and the precise temp control the unit does. It is very easy to move and makes it a snap to pull out of the garage to cook on. I got mine on sale at Menards at their Spring event for $300! An awesome buy for a great grill. Thanks for your input.
I love my pit boss. Only "upgrade" I made to it is a cloth type gasket on the lid and good pellets (knottywood) and I always get great bbq. And I payed for the cheapest one for size. Learn your grill and you can get great food.
I enjoyed this video, I thought I would be confused but I came out of this thinking the Pit Boss is the overall winner for what I want. I don't plan to smoke a lot of meat at once and I want that beautiful color, I don't remember all the categories but as the video went on I kept thinking I liked the Pit Boss best of all, and any shortcomings were acceptable to me.
I really wish you tested the Camp Chief brand. I have had a treagar (most overrated thing) and a pit boss and I feel like the Camp Chief is BY FAR the best of the 3.
Its nice to know what performs well but more importantly, the durability, longevity and customer service of these brands are critical!! So far, based on Trust Pilot reviews many if not all of them have terrible customer service and durability ratings. Many have main parts that do not last and are difficult to replace. I want a smoker that I do not have to deal with other than keeping it clean for several years. Warranties are meaningless if you have to constantly fix the grill.
I love my Z-grill. The exact one on this video. I am curious why you would had never guest how well the z-grill did. I am new to this and I am loving it.
Before I bought my first one last year I had read z grills made traeger and pitboss grills before starting their own line. That sealed my decision on buying a z grill between the much better price point and getting a cover and 2 temp probes with it instead of needing to spend extra on top of the more expensive grill to get those.
Why was the Camp Chef Pursuit 20 not considered in this test? It's still $499.00. I've had mine for over a year and worked it unmercifully, and it's never let me down. The smoke and temp controls are exceptional, it has a decent-sized pellet hopper, the baffle over the burning pellets moves out of the way if you want to sear, and the removeable ash cup makes dumping the ashes a breeze.
great video. I really respect not declaring a winner. Your tests were very helpful. I just bought the Cuisinart unit for $350 canadian at a Walmart end of season sale. Let the smoking begin.
Hey guys great video! Just FYI, I have had my Pit Boss 820 for 4 years and it still cranks out great BBQ and the smoke color is hard to beat. I am graduating to a high end smoker in a few months, mainly due to the fact that I have gotten so good at smoking and I can't fit all of the meats my family and friends are demanding on my small (but still awesome!) Pit Boss. I made comparisons and read reviews and watched videos for almost a whole year before finally ordering a bad-ass American made beast of a pellet smoker from Lone Star Grillz. They hand build each and every one of them in Texas. Have you guys done a comparison of the high end smokers recently? I would love to see one from you because of how thorough you guys are when you do your testing. Thanks and happy BBQing!
Same here, I still have my Pitt Boss, but told my dad he could have it as soon as my Lonestar Grill showed up which it did about 3 weeks ago. I didn't do it for the capacity but for the fact I've ran through so many of the cheaper pellet smokers and was getting tired of wasting my money. My Lonestar Grill will out last me! And the 3/16th inch steel is a game changer. I could never get one of the pop can thin steel ones to hold temp when I was trying to smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas and I was also using an insulating blanket on it. Living in Ohio, it can get a little chilly during the winter. And the fact that my Lonestar rolls smoke for the ENTIRE cook, not like the other grill that only smoke when new pellets are added. I think the cheaper grills, like the ones in this video are great for someone who has never used one before or is new to smoking in general. But if they decide they like it and want to invest in a smoker that is far superior in every way to the ones in this video I highly recommend getting a higher end smoker. You will not regret it.
@@coreyroberts2831 Thanks man! I feel like I put in my time and honed my skills enough that I am now at the level where I can really take advantage of a smoker as amazing as the LSG. Once I retire and I have nothing but time on my hands I will most likely get myself an offset too, but for now I am very happy with my consistent results from pellet smokers, and I know my food is going to be even better once my big new baby arrives 😀 I appreciate you sharing your own experiences and advice. Now that the calendar has turned to August I only have to wait another 3 months until my Lone Star is delivered! Have a good one and keep on cooking.
@@jeffpuffenbarger6800 Anytime, you're going to love your Lone Star, there is a Facebook group just for LSG owners, highly recommend joining it, if anything else just to get some pointer from other owners. I will say when you first get it the Fireboard wont be updated to the latest software version. So before you do your first cook plug in the grill, connect it to your WiFi and let it sit with the power on, but not running and it will do its thing on it's own.
@@coreyroberts2831 That is very cool man thanks for the tips! I had seen that a few others had to do that update on their Fireboards, but I was hoping maybe by the time they finish building mine that LSG will have the issue fixed. I'll definitely let you know what happens and I'll probably be getting in touch again for more advice soon.
IMO, the most overpriced smoker is ANY Traeger. Since the patent for the pellet style smoker expired allowing competitors to manufacture pellet smoker, equal, if not better smokers have come out ... yet they haven't adjusted their prices. Oh well. I have a Pit Boss and it works great at both grilling/searing steaks as well as the long and slow brisket. My son has a Traeger and even he agrees the pit boss is better. Are they as good as a stick smoker, no ... but you have the convenience of not having to babysit the smoker during those long cooks. Also, pellets matter as well. Quality pellets, mean consistent results. Do your research and you'll find their are superior pellet manufacturers out there.
I really like the color of the pit boss for smoking and all the grills kind of lack at grilling. Is there a benefit to this type of smoker vs a vertical if being used just for smoking? I'm doing primarily pork shoulder, brisket and ribs? Is it fair to assume that all pit boss models would operate similarly to this one?
You left out 4 areas of importance. #1 - how accurate were the actual temps produced compare to the control settings? #2 - you left out pellet grill performance in smoking briskets which include barks, smoke rings, and times to target temps. #3 - how the actual ambient temps and weather conditions affected and related to each pellet grill during your cooks. #4 - which controllers are PID and if any were not. Otherwise, not a bad comparison video.
I was wondering if you had any thoughts/comments in regard to the Pitt Boss Onyx Series (only sold at Walmart) Compared to the Pro Series. I’ve heard it is made with cheaper materials. Any advice would be much appreciated.
My Pitt boss was 2 years old before I took it to the metal scrap yard. I was always trouble shooting it and having auger motor issues. The igniter was also replaced a couple of times. I put a lot of hard work into it and it paid off. I made 4 dollars at the scrap yard
Just picked up a fully put together expert grill from walmart for $115. Yes, 115! The manager seriously hooked me up. I've only done ribs but they turned out amazing. The screen and app work amazingly. I'm doing 2 briskets this coming weekend so I'll try to post an update.
@Timothy Bender brisket turned out fantastic! 15 hours, half the time at 200 degrees, then wrapped in butcher paper, 4 hours at 225, 3 hours at 250, 2 hours of rest, delicious!
Clearly Pit Boss was mentioned more times, positively in a category, in the video, and makes it the clear winner. In my view. Thanks for the video.
I appreciate your info and knowledge. After watching you and several other pellet grillers, I made my selection. I chose a Z Grill 700 model and I absolutely love it. It actually gives me an oven for my patio, which is what I've always wanted. Thank you so much for your dedicated time spent to review dozens of smokers and cookers.
3 years ago I wanted and received a pellet grill for my birthday that is in August. I had done a lot of research and decided that the Pit Boss had the best features for the money. My wife, son and I got in my truck and went to Walmart that sold a smaller model for around 350.00. When we arrived they only had 3 grills left and they were on clearance for 275.00. They were the Pit Boss Austin XL. 1000sq inches of space. Imagine my surprise when I realized I was getting a super sized grill for less than what I was willing to pay for a smaller grill. Lesson learned. Walmart puts the summer grills on clearance to make room for the holiday stock. Keep your eyes open for the deals. Over the past 3 years I have made some of the best barbecue. I did pulled pork recently and our guests said it was the best pulled pork they have ever had.
Yes... i saw them on sale same price on a friday. Couldnt get a truck til monday. To my surprise they were not on sale. Back to reg price. Ugh
Everyone BETTER like this video! A lot of work, testing, and money went into this
Without question this is the very best video on UA-cam I have ever watched. DAvid is most professional in his delivery of facts and no BS. I just subscribed.
Much appreciated!
Simple fact is. The pit boss put a better bark on because of the temp fluctuations. Problem with pellet smokers is they burn clean. Clean is good but they are far to clean, and you lose some of the smoke flavor. They tend to add small amounts of pellets at a time. So, this causes more of a hot clean smoke. On offset smokers when you add wood you get a bit of dirty smoke for a bit then it will change to a less dirty smoke. Testing seems to show that this range of smoke gives more of the smoke notes people enjoy. Too much dirty smoke and you get bitter bad smoke flavor but when you produce a small amount of fluctuating smoke. Like when adding new wood to the fire box in an offset. It adds that fluctuating smoke. Pellet grills when they hold there temps so closely don't get enough of the fluctuating smoke. The Pit Boss with its swing in temps as seen on the charts you showed. Probably drops a bit more pellets to get the temp back or has less pellets in the pot at the time. So, it gives a bit more of the fluctuating smoke and causes more bark. This normally also gives more of a smoke flavor that lots of people say pellet smokers lack compared to other type smokers.
Lone star uses this principle built into their custom fire board programming to achieve the closest offset like results on a pellet grill
You're right on
I got a pit boss on sale a few years back that is slightly bigger than the one in the video and it's basically the same.
Grills great and does an awesome sear, left side is indeed hotter, makes a great bark, and gives enough smoke flavor to satisfy me.
Got mine on sale right before the pandemic started, was slightly dinged up on the side of the hopper, so it went from $450 to around $380.
Still works today and just used it last weekend, will be a sad day when it kicks the bucket. That said it's built like a brick and works just fine in all weather, only had the firepot die on me once when it still had pellets in all these years.
Bro went to BBQ university and has a degree in fine meats 😂
100% correct
I bought a Pitt Boss Pro 850 on sale at Lowes for $469 6 months ago. I love it! Both grilling and smoking from burgers to brisket and pork chops to shoulders as well as chicken it has been awesome. Short learning curve and very easy to control temp makes it awesome!
Congrats on finding the sale Gary! I do love the ease of a pellet smoker. I cooked a pork butt overnight at 200° this weekend, kicked it up to 225° when I woke up the next day, never wrapped it and it finished in 19 hours. Super smokey and easy.
Maybe it wasn't out yet but the pro series II 850 is 599 now and has all the features of the cuisinart.
I bought a Expert Grill on clearance for $169 and it was pretty easy to put together, about 45 min, or about a two beer install 😊 it wasn’t bad at all.
The most informative video on UA-cam for pellet grills. Very well put together and answered so many questions.
This really helped me narrow down my choices. Thank you so much!
THANK YOU ! Very comprehensive review, covered everything I needed, now there are no regrets in going to the store to buy the smoker that will work best for me
Glad it was helpful!
Pitboss pro series is one of the best grills for your money. With the updates PID controllers its pretty amazing.
I have this grill and absolutely love it.
I was fortunate enough to snag a expert grill commodore for 199$ at my local walmart, thats the only reason I went with it. I plan on getting a recteq one day but before spending all that money I wanted a cheap pellet grill that will last me enough to practice with before getting a nice pellet grill. I smoked a 10lb pork shoulder on it for the first time and first time using a pellet grill and I got some really good compliments for family that I had over. If this is your first pellet grill I would highly recommend starting on this one for the price if you can get it that low.
Wow, a review from someone who actually used the grills (for multiple cooks and even cleaned them), instead of simply reading the vendor's description. Very informative, clearly presented.
One question, what about the aux cooking shelves? Do they cook the same as the main grate, or are the vendors just padding their cooking area numbers? I would love to have seen some biscuits on those shelves.
It looks like pitboss,zgrills,and cuisine art are.the 3 winners that you cant go wrong with. I wish you showed the burn put, ash throw and pellet deli dry between them all also. Thanks for the video
I started looking last year for my first one and had no idea which way to go until I really started looking at info on them. I read z grills actually used to make grills for traeger and pitboss and then started their own line. I ended up with a big z grill for $225, had a cover and 2 temp probes with it. Been great and haven’t had any issues with it! A pitboss the same size was like $600-700.
Edit-mine was on sale like $100 off at menards when I got
Ofc the Midwesterner had to talk about their great deal at Menards 🙄
100% Great Video !! I'm Focused More On The Cuisinart Pellet Grill !! I Have Many Small Appliances From Cuisinart And Have Sold The First Cuisinart Kitchen Appliances In The 70's . So I'm Familiar With Their Quality Of Fine Cookware , Grills , And Etc...Heavy Steel , Well Built , And Cleans Well . Now I'm Going For The Oakmont , Because Of The Many Variety Of Cooking Performances. Grilling , Baking , Searing , Size , Pellet Smoking , And Looks . Also , The Bluetooth And Wi-Fi. I Have Studied All These Grills And Cuisinart Is The Winner For Me. I'm A Suscriber !! Thank You For Your Professional Expertise !! ❤✌️
I totally agree. I've had a Cuisinart Wood Creek for the last year and it has performed flawlessly. The Oakmont addresses the short comings such as no smoke stack and auger jams, and adds wi-fi, and more shelf space. And the best part is I picked one up yesterday for $199 at my local Walmart.
Awesome video!! I think you covered everything on pellet grills!! I had a Pit Boss Austin XL for 4yrs. It only had a 3yr warranty then, and needs new guts. I opted to get a new grill. I bought a Pit Boss Larado 1000 that is $574. It has Bluetooth, WiFi, and an electronic controller. Also has a light on the inside, and an ash dump tray. This grill is a BIG upgrade from that Pit Boss 850 that you demonstrated, and it still under $600. I'm not down playing the 850, I'm just saying what I think about the Larado to me is a better deal. Thanks again, for the awesome video!!
Love my larado. It been great
This was the 820, not 850. The 850 has everything you listed except for the inside light.
I never would have considered a Cuisinart but this video has changed my mind. I'll certainly be checking them out this spring 2023.
All the best in your search Mark!
As a previous Qstoves+ user, I must say the switch to Asmoke has been a game-changer for my outdoor cooking experiences! The precise temperature control is a major upgrade, and the ASCA™ technology ensures efficient, consistent cooking every time. Plus, the convenience of being battery-powered and portable means I can grill anywhere, anytime. But my favorite part has to be the unique smoky flavor imparted by the wood pellets - it truly enhances the taste of the food. The Asmoke Essential has truly revolutionized my grilling game, all while being easy to clean and environmentally friendly too. It's definitely worth the investment for anyone who loves grilling. #Asmoke
wow this was an amazing comparison and the only one i've been able to find that is this detailed. seriously helped me a TON thank you and keep up the good work!
About to go drop $600 on a grill, this helped. Sounds like the Pitt Boss is the winner
As a previous Qstoves+ user, I must say, switching to Asmoke has been a game-changer. The precision of the digital controller in maintaining the cooking temperature is just incredible. It gives me so much more control over the grilling process. Also, the portability and the battery life are far superior, allowing me to take it on all our family outings. The ASCA technology and FlameTech patent really take the cooking result to the next level. Moreover, the convenience of remote temperature adjustment and food temperature monitoring from the app is just a dream come true. I also love the wide range of flavors the wood pellets offer, it really enhances the taste and aroma of the food being cooked. Asmoke has truly revolutionized the way we do cookouts. Highly recommend to all grilling enthusiasts! #Asmoke
Great Job... I love the nerdy scientific approach and impartiality. After a 70mph gusts maneuvered my ceramic vision grill over and down 15 steps from my deck to my patio this week... I'm suddenly in the market for a new grill. The Vision Grill/smoker was nice, it did a decent job smoking but like all multi use items, it didn't necessarily do it great. So... sad about the investment lost but happy I can now justify buying a pellet smoker. Anyway, thanks for the recommendations... I've got a lot more research to do and this video was a great start!
Dude this is the exact information I've been looking for! great job! I hope to see more of these!!
Most pellet grills need some modifications done to them. Like for example; the air gap between the door and the grill need a gasket. Bigger wheels for rolling over grass, if needed. Being able to control the or smokestack or a vent for more a smoke taste. Diffusers for the burn pot allow more even baking.
I highly recommend taking a look at the RecTeq Grills out of GA. I've had the RecTeq RT-340 WOOD PELLET GRILL
$699.00 for over two years and it holds temp by +-5 degrees of selected temp and never plugged or failed in performance. Not sold via Big Box Stores.
Hands-down, this is the best and most comprehensive, but to the point review of pellet grills in this price category. Thank you!
I read a theory that pit boss varying temperature, the inconsistency in the charts, creates more smoke and better flavor. Seems to be maybe panning out here. Love my Austin xl. It's a beast, runs great, fast, easy to use and makes great food.
The original Austin XL was a great grill for us, and now it's down in Florida with my family members still serving them well after 5 years. Thanks for watching!
I'm not even 5 minutes in, and the Pit Boss has my vote.
Great video. Going with the Pit Boss. I appreciate the help!
Z Grills Typhon 706 (ZPG-7002F) currently on clearance at Menards for $336.96 with an additional 11% rebate ($299.89 after rebate). This is not exactly the model tested but is similar.
Thanks for you information. I did a lot of research before buying mine and it is important to buy one that fits your needs. All to often people buy the biggest and the best and never use them for all the features and end up wasting lot of money. I purchased my smoker from Walmart and it was the Atlas model which is larger than the Commodore model. It had everything I needed for what I consider a budget smoker. I liked the fact of the Wi-Fi and I can monitor it and make adjustment from my phone inside my house. As far a a small gap in the lid I took care of that with gasket rope and it sealed the lid off. I use it on my gas grill as well and it does the job. But the bottom line is just what he said, find the one that fits your needs and you'll be a happy smoker. Good luck and Happy Smoking.
Great video! This is my first from you I think and I liked and subscribed because of the quality! I'm opting for the Pit Boss and this gave me the confidence that it's the right choice for me. Thank you and I'll be back!
so good at these reviews! very informative and fair!
What a thoughtful comparison...well appreciated!!!
Great video. You all put so much work into it. Thank you!
Excellent comparison review. Thanks! 😀
Thanks for watching Charles! All the best.
Thanks for the time and effort making this video. Because of this video I will look into the Cuisanart, I was not aware of their smoker. I would like to point out that you mentioned the Cuisanart comes with a 3-year warranty. That is only on the stainless parts with a one-year warranty on the other parts. But a 15 year on the burners.
You had me at the visual of the experiment criteria. I absolutely HAD to subscribe. This video was so well done. So scientific. So logical. So thorough. Thank you.
Thanks for watching gkmandymoo! I think you’ll like some of the stuff we have coming up if you liked the mind map/overthinking aspect, lol. Have a great week!
Great video. But alas, I saw this after I bought my pellet smoker (Pit Boss 700FB). Not as fancy as what you showcased here but for my needs, it's perfect. Just a basic smoker with little to no frills. And at just below $300, the price was right also.
Thanks though for putting in the effort & expense of producing a very informative video.
I think the cuisine art is the best for me, I’ve had a few different ones and that ones the best I think
I think accurate temp control and even cooking is important, but if the end product doesn't look and taste amazing then what's the point? I think I'll look into Zgrill and PitBoss. That pork shoulder REALLY makes that PitBoss look promising.
Great Job showing all the features. Thanks
I picked up the Cuisinart for $150 on clearance and man I'm glad I did. Probably going to get rid of my stick burner and or acorn.
I've had a pit boss for a couple years. The only one I've ever had. Seems like I made the right decision
Great solid, informative, and objective reviews David! Thanks for sharing these results and your knowledge! 😁
Glad it was helpful! Thanks for watching Mike
Not sure if Coleman pellet grills are sold in the US but its superior in every way to these 600 dollar grills but also the top of the line Traeger and Pit boss grills, but talk is cheap, for under 700(On Sale), The Coleman cookout grill is heavier than all the others it has 2 meat probes, It has a full double wall and insulated firebox, Bigger hopper, PID electronics, Heavy duty ceramic coated cast iron grates bottom-mid-top, And of course the hopper clean out port near the bottom of hopper along with the standard but well designed grease tray underneath. It also has good wheels and a built in side tray, and it burns at 180 to 500 degrees. I did alot of research and looked at several makes and models and this Coleman was unmatched specwise And thats why I purchased the Coleman cookout. I have had one for a few months and am enjoying cooking on it.
Pit boss sportsman is awesome much better than most pellet grills on 600 price range
Loved the comparison. I bought my first one last Thanksgiving. I had no clue what to buy nor did I really know how they worked. Everything you covered was everything going through my head for months prior to purchase. Also not knowing what size to purchase. I live in a condo with VERY LIMITED BALCONY SPACE. After a bit of research Z-Grill was my choice. Still not knowing which one - Z-Grill made up my mind for me; they were offering what they called "The Mystery Box" In this box - it would contain 1 of 5 units which were new for 2021. Varied in size and feature. I ended up with the exact unit you used in this video. Almost covers a third of my balcony. I love it and still learning. One feature my unit allows me to do as well - The vent cap is adjustable to either trap more heat or allow to escape.
Yea we r in a condo also and have a patio where we would like 2 get a pellet grill..do u think it puts off too much smoke that people might complain?
@@yumyum408 The most smoke you will get is usually at start up. It will smoke quite heavily for 5-10 minutes but after that the heavy smoke dissipates to very little. I live on a end unit second floor with no one above me. I love it. This past Thanksgiving did a Turkey - Awesome. Always learning, always enjoying it and experimenting with different seasoning and marinades. Smoking makes a big difference in flavor.
This is amazing. Thank you for all the time and detail in this video.
For me the TASTE is what matters most.
This is impressively thorough. You gained a sub!
Pellet grills are great for many things but don’t throw out gas grill or charcoal grill-if you seared meats like steak, hamburgers etc.
A great video to compare the different brands. I did base some of my decision on buying a Z Grill (the same model that you had in the video) off your input. I am a big fan of the consistent even heat distribution of the Z Grill and the precise temp control the unit does. It is very easy to move and makes it a snap to pull out of the garage to cook on. I got mine on sale at Menards at their Spring event for $300! An awesome buy for a great grill. Thanks for your input.
I love my pit boss. Only "upgrade" I made to it is a cloth type gasket on the lid and good pellets (knottywood) and I always get great bbq. And I payed for the cheapest one for size. Learn your grill and you can get great food.
Solid tests!
oh my word, this is an incredible comparison. It must have taken so much work, thank you!
Very very good and informative breakdown video!! I was amazed and surprised how well the Cuisinart did!
You could always say the "it matters on your opinion, BUT this is my favorite" :P
Great content, great production, great video!
Good review, very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Awesome and very informative video. Thank you.
Solid Review, thanks for taking the time!!
thanks that is alot of info that you shared that will enhance my endeavor.
Very informative and great video, you all just earned another subscriber. Keep up the great work👍
Awesome, thank you!
I enjoyed this video, I thought I would be confused but I came out of this thinking the Pit Boss is the overall winner for what I want. I don't plan to smoke a lot of meat at once and I want that beautiful color, I don't remember all the categories but as the video went on I kept thinking I liked the Pit Boss best of all, and any shortcomings were acceptable to me.
Thanks for watching Jeff. That’s our goal, connecting you to the gear that fits your cooking style. Enjoy your new cooker!
I really wish you tested the Camp Chief brand. I have had a treagar (most overrated thing) and a pit boss and I feel like the Camp Chief is BY FAR the best of the 3.
Definitely the Pit Boss won this.
That was some great color on that shoulder.
good intel, thanks bro!
Its nice to know what performs well but more importantly, the durability, longevity and customer service of these brands are critical!! So far, based on Trust Pilot reviews many if not all of them have terrible customer service and durability ratings. Many have main parts that do not last and are difficult to replace. I want a smoker that I do not have to deal with other than keeping it clean for several years. Warranties are meaningless if you have to constantly fix the grill.
Yep this is a great video comparison lately if I can brag my wife recently bought me the PITBOSS 820 competition series CS1 grill so far it's great
wow I would have never guest the zgrill would do so well. I'm impressed with your review.
Love my z grills 7002C2E
I love my Z-grill. The exact one on this video. I am curious why you would had never guest how well the z-grill did. I am new to this and I am loving it.
They actually used to be a manufacturer for many of the popular smoker brands before they started to make their own smokers.
@@chris_favreau Thank you
Before I bought my first one last year I had read z grills made traeger and pitboss grills before starting their own line. That sealed my decision on buying a z grill between the much better price point and getting a cover and 2 temp probes with it instead of needing to spend extra on top of the more expensive grill to get those.
A lot of info in this video. Great job, guys.
Thanks Joe. Much appreciated.
Why was the Camp Chef Pursuit 20 not considered in this test? It's still $499.00. I've had mine for over a year and worked it unmercifully, and it's never let me down. The smoke and temp controls are exceptional, it has a decent-sized pellet hopper, the baffle over the burning pellets moves out of the way if you want to sear, and the removeable ash cup makes dumping the ashes a breeze.
great video. I really respect not declaring a winner. Your tests were very helpful. I just bought the Cuisinart unit for $350 canadian at a Walmart end of season sale. Let the smoking begin.
Going wit the z grill
One of the best review out there!
Thanks Du Lala! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. All the best!
Very thorough and thoughtful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful R.S.
Hey guys great video! Just FYI, I have had my Pit Boss 820 for 4 years and it still cranks out great BBQ and the smoke color is hard to beat. I am graduating to a high end smoker in a few months, mainly due to the fact that I have gotten so good at smoking and I can't fit all of the meats my family and friends are demanding on my small (but still awesome!) Pit Boss. I made comparisons and read reviews and watched videos for almost a whole year before finally ordering a bad-ass American made beast of a pellet smoker from Lone Star Grillz. They hand build each and every one of them in Texas. Have you guys done a comparison of the high end smokers recently? I would love to see one from you because of how thorough you guys are when you do your testing. Thanks and happy BBQing!
Same here, I still have my Pitt Boss, but told my dad he could have it as soon as my Lonestar Grill showed up which it did about 3 weeks ago. I didn't do it for the capacity but for the fact I've ran through so many of the cheaper pellet smokers and was getting tired of wasting my money. My Lonestar Grill will out last me! And the 3/16th inch steel is a game changer. I could never get one of the pop can thin steel ones to hold temp when I was trying to smoke a turkey for Thanksgiving or Christmas and I was also using an insulating blanket on it. Living in Ohio, it can get a little chilly during the winter. And the fact that my Lonestar rolls smoke for the ENTIRE cook, not like the other grill that only smoke when new pellets are added. I think the cheaper grills, like the ones in this video are great for someone who has never used one before or is new to smoking in general. But if they decide they like it and want to invest in a smoker that is far superior in every way to the ones in this video I highly recommend getting a higher end smoker. You will not regret it.
@@coreyroberts2831 Thanks man! I feel like I put in my time and honed my skills enough that I am now at the level where I can really take advantage of a smoker as amazing as the LSG. Once I retire and I have nothing but time on my hands I will most likely get myself an offset too, but for now I am very happy with my consistent results from pellet smokers, and I know my food is going to be even better once my big new baby arrives 😀 I appreciate you sharing your own experiences and advice. Now that the calendar has turned to August I only have to wait another 3 months until my Lone Star is delivered! Have a good one and keep on cooking.
@@jeffpuffenbarger6800 Anytime, you're going to love your Lone Star, there is a Facebook group just for LSG owners, highly recommend joining it, if anything else just to get some pointer from other owners. I will say when you first get it the Fireboard wont be updated to the latest software version. So before you do your first cook plug in the grill, connect it to your WiFi and let it sit with the power on, but not running and it will do its thing on it's own.
@@coreyroberts2831 That is very cool man thanks for the tips! I had seen that a few others had to do that update on their Fireboards, but I was hoping maybe by the time they finish building mine that LSG will have the issue fixed. I'll definitely let you know what happens and I'll probably be getting in touch again for more advice soon.
@@jeffpuffenbarger6800 Anytime! :)
Great vid thank you and you gained a follower
Pitt Boss for me. For the price and quality it’s definitely a winner
IMO, the most overpriced smoker is ANY Traeger. Since the patent for the pellet style smoker expired allowing competitors to manufacture pellet smoker, equal, if not better smokers have come out ... yet they haven't adjusted their prices. Oh well. I have a Pit Boss and it works great at both grilling/searing steaks as well as the long and slow brisket. My son has a Traeger and even he agrees the pit boss is better. Are they as good as a stick smoker, no ... but you have the convenience of not having to babysit the smoker during those long cooks. Also, pellets matter as well. Quality pellets, mean consistent results. Do your research and you'll find their are superior pellet manufacturers out there.
Thanks for this info. I’m looking at a Pit Boss at Lowe’s for $549. Seems like a really good deal.
Thanks for the video. Thinking of getting one of these. I think I’m going with the pit boss.
Thanks for watching Ed. I was truly impressed with the performance of the Pit Boss when it came to color on the meat. All the best!
@@TheBarbecueLab likewise!!
Great review! Thanks so much
He really said money money money.
I really like the color of the pit boss for smoking and all the grills kind of lack at grilling. Is there a benefit to this type of smoker vs a vertical if being used just for smoking? I'm doing primarily pork shoulder, brisket and ribs? Is it fair to assume that all pit boss models would operate similarly to this one?
Great vid! Got my Pit Boss Pro 850 for $500 from Lowes 2 weeks ago.
Love the Video! Too bad the Pitboss is that expensive in our area..
I’m still blown away by the colour of that Pitboss
Excellent work. Thank you.
Just picked up the pit boss 820d3 at my local BJs on clearance for only $250. Assembling it tomorrow and excited for my first cook this weekend!
What is BJs?
I can't believe your channel only has
Thanks @bluesti3 - Very kind of you to say
I’m so glad I seen this.. my fiancé just bought me the z grill for Christmas
Congrats!
You left out 4 areas of importance. #1 - how accurate were the actual temps produced compare to the control settings? #2 - you left out pellet grill performance in smoking briskets which include barks, smoke rings, and times to target temps. #3 - how the actual ambient temps and weather conditions affected and related to each pellet grill during your cooks. #4 - which controllers are PID and if any were not. Otherwise, not a bad comparison video.
I think he did not want to offend his sponsors but it was obvious that pit boss was the overall winner
very thorough review. Well done.
Thank you kindly!
Fantastic video! I luv your channel!
Thanks for watching! We've got some fantastic stuff coming up, and I'm excited to share it here soon.
I was wondering if you had any thoughts/comments in regard to the Pitt Boss Onyx Series (only sold at Walmart) Compared to the Pro Series. I’ve heard it is made with cheaper materials. Any advice would be much appreciated.
I haven’t tested or gotten hands on with the new Onyx series yet, so I can’t speak to that yet.
Appreciate the reviews. Been looking for a great smoker that can also give me those great grill marks on a steak.
Right on! Thanks for watching.
Look at Recteq. Very nice grills.