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
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.
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.
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!
@@D3nnisTh3M3nace_ the knob has stopped working but the app still works. All the other buttons work. I actually left it out in a bad storm and it got rained and tipped over. The pellets got ruined and I had to take it apart because they swole in the auger. Still works despite that. No rust anywhere. Probably cooked 4 briskets 12 butts 20 racks of ribs and a couple of turkeys and odds and ends.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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 $600. I'm not down playing the 850, I'm just saying what I think about the Larado to me is a better deal. Thanks again, for the awesome video!!
Thanks for taking the time to review. Cast grates are the worst. They rust no matter what even if you store them inside. In fact you have to store them inside. You can watch them rust after a hot searing temp. Also you can’t tell how much something is going to seal until you break it in. The grease smoke builds up and seals it. Takes about 20hrs of cooking before it’s broken in. Usally get a huge butt like a 16lbs one and after that 18hr smoke it’s ready to cook anything and you can see what ya got. Thanks again for the information.
Wow, a review from someone who actually used the grills (for multiple cooks and even cleaned them), instead of simply reading the vendor's description. Very informative, clearly presented. One question, what about the aux cooking shelves? Do they cook the same as the main grate, or are the vendors just padding their cooking area numbers? I would love to have seen some biscuits on those shelves.
I was fortunate enough to snag a expert grill commodore for 199$ 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.
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!
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
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
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!
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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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
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.
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
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.
@@Berry_MaCocknher 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.
@@Berry_MaCocknher 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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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!
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.
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?
Thank you for all the reviews. I was wondering if you would be willing to do a review of the Nexgrill Oakford pellet grills? The 790 series is $550 at Home Depot and I cannot find a good review on them at all.
Would you suggest using this a grill (burgers hot dogs etc.) Or buying a cheaper grill for that on the side? Im having a family cookout and I'm concerned a pit boss won't have the oomph to sear and cook a bunch of hamburgers.
Im new to smoking. Electric smokers dont produce smoke rings so is it safe to assume pellet grills produces smoke rings? Is it easy to use like Electric smokers?
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.
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 bought the expert one ... Yeah it was the money ( on a budget) anyhow it cooks great! Best chicken I've ever grilled far as moist . .. not much smoke or grill taste I cooked them on 330 is this my reason why not a smoke taste? Used pecan and apple mix pellet
In my experience, at a higher heat in the 300's, there's no a lot of smoke taste that's transferred since it's only on the smoker such a short amount of time. I can taste the smoke flavor on cooks like pork butts, brisket and ribs, but on faster cooks, there's definitely less smoke flavor. If you go with a stronger pellet like a hickory or a mesquite, you'll get more flavor, but those aren't to everyone's taste.
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.
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.
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
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!
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.
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!
How has it held up?
@@D3nnisTh3M3nace_ the knob has stopped working but the app still works. All the other buttons work. I actually left it out in a bad storm and it got rained and tipped over. The pellets got ruined and I had to take it apart because they swole in the auger. Still works despite that. No rust anywhere. Probably cooked 4 briskets 12 butts 20 racks of ribs and a couple of turkeys and odds and ends.
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.
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
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!
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.
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.
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
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 $600. I'm not down playing the 850, I'm just saying what I think about the Larado to me is a better deal. Thanks again, for the awesome video!!
Love my larado. It been great
This was the 820, not 850. The 850 has everything you listed except for the inside light.
Thanks for taking the time to review. Cast grates are the worst. They rust no matter what even if you store them inside. In fact you have to store them inside. You can watch them rust after a hot searing temp. Also you can’t tell how much something is going to seal until you break it in. The grease smoke builds up and seals it. Takes about 20hrs of cooking before it’s broken in. Usally get a huge butt like a 16lbs one and after that 18hr smoke it’s ready to cook anything and you can see what ya got. Thanks again for the information.
Wow, a review from someone who actually used the grills (for multiple cooks and even cleaned them), instead of simply reading the vendor's description. Very informative, clearly presented.
One question, what about the aux cooking shelves? Do they cook the same as the main grate, or are the vendors just padding their cooking area numbers? I would love to have seen some biscuits on those shelves.
I was fortunate enough to snag a expert grill commodore for 199$ 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.
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!
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
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 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 🙄
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!
About to go drop $600 on a grill, this helped. Sounds like the Pitt Boss is the winner
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!
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!
Everyone BETTER like this video! A lot of work, testing, and money went into this
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.
Dude this is the exact information I've been looking for! great job! I hope to see more of these!!
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.
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.
Great video. Going with the Pit Boss. I appreciate the help!
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.
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.
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!
Great video. You all put so much work into it. Thank you!
This is ridiculously thorough. Much appreciated!
I'm not even 5 minutes in, and the Pit Boss has my vote.
Hands-down, this is the best and most comprehensive, but to the point review of pellet grills in this price category. Thank you!
so good at these reviews! very informative and fair!
What a thoughtful comparison...well appreciated!!!
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.
Can you do a best under 400 review !! More the more entry level buyers looking to start on a budget to learn the art of smoking
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
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.
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.
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
Excellent comparison review. Thanks! 😀
Thanks for watching Charles! All the best.
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.
@@Berry_MaCocknher 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.
@@Berry_MaCocknher 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! :)
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.
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!
Great Job showing all the features. Thanks
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.
I think the cuisine art is the best for me, I’ve had a few different ones and that ones the best I think
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.
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
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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!
This is impressively thorough. You gained a sub!
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 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!
This is amazing. Thank you for all the time and detail in this video.
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.
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?
Awesome and very informative video. Thank you.
Great content, great production, great video!
Excellent video!
One of the best review out there!
Thanks Du Lala! Appreciate you taking the time to comment. All the best!
Thank you for all the reviews. I was wondering if you would be willing to do a review of the Nexgrill Oakford pellet grills? The 790 series is $550 at Home Depot and I cannot find a good review on them at all.
oh my word, this is an incredible comparison. It must have taken so much work, thank you!
Would you suggest using this a grill (burgers hot dogs etc.) Or buying a cheaper grill for that on the side? Im having a family cookout and I'm concerned a pit boss won't have the oomph to sear and cook a bunch of hamburgers.
thanks that is alot of info that you shared that will enhance my endeavor.
Solid Review, thanks for taking the time!!
I have a pit boss 820,need more room! I am looking at the pit boss upright smokers. How about a comparison of the two?
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!!
Pitt Boss for me. For the price and quality it’s definitely a winner
Solid tests!
Great vid! Got my Pit Boss Pro 850 for $500 from Lowes 2 weeks ago.
Im new to smoking. Electric smokers dont produce smoke rings so is it safe to assume pellet grills produces smoke rings? Is it easy to use like Electric smokers?
Great vid thank you and you gained a follower
good intel, thanks bro!
How long will the pellets last at 225F?
What temp was the pork butt cooked at
Pit boss sportsman is awesome much better than most pellet grills on 600 price range
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.
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.
Very very good and informative breakdown video!! I was amazed and surprised how well the Cuisinart did!
Very informative and great video, you all just earned another subscriber. Keep up the great work👍
Awesome, thank you!
You could always say the "it matters on your opinion, BUT this is my favorite" :P
I’m so glad I seen this.. my fiancé just bought me the z grill for Christmas
Congrats!
Good review, very helpful. Thanks for taking the time to make this video.
Really thinking about getting one but don’t know which one too go with too many options any opinions ?
For me the TASTE is what matters most.
I bought the expert one ... Yeah it was the money ( on a budget) anyhow it cooks great! Best chicken I've ever grilled far as moist . .. not much smoke or grill taste I cooked them on 330 is this my reason why not a smoke taste? Used pecan and apple mix pellet
In my experience, at a higher heat in the 300's, there's no a lot of smoke taste that's transferred since it's only on the smoker such a short amount of time. I can taste the smoke flavor on cooks like pork butts, brisket and ribs, but on faster cooks, there's definitely less smoke flavor. If you go with a stronger pellet like a hickory or a mesquite, you'll get more flavor, but those aren't to everyone's taste.
@@TheBarbecueLab thank you very much for the advice really appreciate it I'll try that next time
Very thorough and thoughtful. Thank you.
Glad it was helpful R.S.
A lot of info in this video. Great job, guys.
Thanks Joe. Much appreciated.
Love the Video! Too bad the Pitboss is that expensive in our area..
I’m still blown away by the colour of that Pitboss
Did you notice that the hot zones matched the the closeness of the drip pans? Something i noticed though i could be wrong
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.
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.