9 Best Portable Pellet Grills of 2023

Facebooktwitterredditpinterestlinkedintumblr

If you want a delicious BBQ meal while camping or on your next adventure, there’s no better way than with the portable pellet grill. Unfortunately, it can be challenging to find someone who has found success using this product, as tons of them are out right now, and many don’t work well.

This article will help solve that problem by giving buyers tips for choosing their ideal model so they won’t waste money buying something inappropriate like some people sometimes do.

Top 9 Portable Pellet Grills Comparison Table

ImageNameFuel TypeCooking Surface AreaRating (1-5)
1. Camp Chef 20" Pursuit Portable Pellet GrillElectric501 square inches4.3
2. Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and SmokerWood Pellet300 square inches4.7
3. GMG 2020 Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Grill/SmokerElectric219 square inches4.7
4. Traeger Grills Ranger Portable Wood Pellet Grill and SmokerWood Pellet184 square inches4.8
ASMOKE AS300 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and SmokerElectric256 square inches4.5
6. Country Smokers CSPEL015010497 Wood Pellet Grill and SmokerWood Pellet256 square inches4.4
7. PIT BOSS 10538 PB206PSP2 Wood Pellet GrillWood Pellet387 square inches4.2
8. ASMOKE AS350 Portable Wood Pellet Grill & SmokerWood Pellet256 square inches4.4
9. Green Mountain Davy Crockett Wi-Fi Foldable Portable Wood Pellet Tailgating GrillWood Pellet219 square inches4.5

What to Consider When Choosing the Best Portable Pellet Grill

Ease of Control

Your portable pellet grill should be easy to control. The appliance’s temperature should adjust easily to achieve the right temperature. It is better to achieve the desired temperature as it influences the BBQ outcome. You would change the heating temperature by varying the pellet supply as it influences the heat supply and the cooking outcome.

You may choose a gas pellet grill as it is easy to use and the temperature control is effective; the pellets lead to even and tender meats.

The charcoal pellets have unreliable temperature control as the temperature range depends on the burning charcoal. On the other hand, the electric pellet grills may not be reliable when camping, and they are only effective for an outdoor kitchen with a constant electricity supply.

Affordability

Although choosing a portable pellet grill that meets your financial budget might be a good idea, it is better to save money before making a big investment.

The best portable pellet grills might be expensive, and they come from trusted vendors. However, it would be best to choose pellet grills with low operating costs to reduce the long-term costs of owning the appliance.

Less Monitoring

It is wise to choose appliances that need less monitoring; your pellets should cook the food at a pre-set temperature.

Less monitoring allows a cook to concentrate on side dishes or other chores. You can choose the models with built-in thermal sensors which detect and monitor the grill, ensuring the food cooks at the right temperature.

Direct and Indirect Heat

Your portable grill should offer direct and indirect heat to ensure it cooks different foods. The pellet should cook the food using the hot air convection leading to indirect heat.

The indirect heat is suitable for smoked steaks. Moreover, the grill should offer direct heating, allowing a cook to heat the food effectively at a high temperature.

Compact

Choosing a compact portable pellet grill whose body can withstand weather elements is better. Moreover, the portable grill pellet should be rust-resistant to avoid oxidation and ease of wear and tear.

They should be lightweight as they are best suited for the outdoors and camping; you would not want to add a heavy appliance to your car during outdoor trips.

Grilling Area

A large grilling area is best suited for your campers and is useful when hosting an event. It will let you grill more food for the family members quickly. You may opt for a smaller grilling area if you use the appliance for cooking for one or two people.

1. Camp Chef 20″ Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill

Camp Chef 20″ Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill is ideal for camping as the legs fold into a suitcase with paired locking lids. Thus it is easy to transport it during road trips and camping as the whole unit is secure and sturdy. Thus, you would move the grill over rough ground even if you don’t have someone to help you.

The Camp Chef has PID temperature control, allowing users to monitor the temperature and keep it within the ideal limit. You will enjoy your desired smoky flavors as the appliance has a smoke setting that controls the amount of smoke infused into the food. The wide temperature controls ensure you cook different food types through direct or indirect heating.

The appliance is cheaper than other competitive market brands. However, it does not have many stainless steel parts.

Although the appliance appears basic, it performs well and is best suited for outdoor cooking and camping. The Camp Chef specs include powder-coated steel with a stainless steel lid, enamel-coated wire grate material, and 10 pounds pellet hopper capacity, uses wood pellets and has a three-year warranty.

Pros
  • It has a solid construction.
  • It has built-in temperature control which keeps the food within the target temperature range.
  • The legs are easy to fold, making it possible to carry during road trips.
  • It has an effective pellet hopper and cooling chamber lids.
  • The full-sized rack offers more space for cooking food.
  • It has a three-year warranty which shows the manufacturer’s trust in the products.
Cons
  • The grill is not very insulated; thus, it would use more fuel in cooler conditions to maintain a steady temperature.
  • Some parts are prone to rust.

2. Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smokerl

Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a cheaper brand than other Traeger brands but is solid and reliable, making it a great option for smoking in small spaces. The appliance has one meat probe, which allows a cook to check the internal temperature without opening the lid.

The keep-warm setting is ideal for keeping the food warm as you wait for the side dish to cook or when you are too busy to eat as soon as the food is ready. Its legs fold into scissors, making it possible to get it down.

The Traeger Tailgate specs include the stainless steel barbecue material, preventing rust and appliance degeneration. The grating material is made of porcelain-coated steel, and its cooking capacity is about 300 square inches.

The pellet hopper capacity is about 8 pounds. The heat range is about 160°F to 450°F. It has an ashtray that accommodates the wood pellets of your choice and has a three-year warranty.

Although the appliance might not perform well as other Traeger grills, it is suitable for individuals working on a budget. It offers the same benefits as the other appliances from the same brand. They work best for an outdoor kitchen and are suitable for a small family.

Pros
  • The pellet smoker is sturdy and is made of high-quality material.
  • It has an upgraded Arc controller which maintains a steady temperature.
  • It has one meat probe.
  • The warm setting keeps the food warm for an extended period.
  • The legs fold into scissors which makes it easy to move the appliance.
  • The Traeger Tailgater is lightweight, making it easy to carry during a road trip or camping.
  • The company offers a three-year warranty which shows its trust in the appliance.
Cons
  • It has a smaller cooking capacity than other pellet smokers in the market.
  • Its temperature maxes out at 450°F, which is marginal when grilling food.

3. GMG 2020 Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Grill/Smoker

The GMG 2020 Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Grill/Smoker is a popular brand with on-the-go features suitable for camping and road trips. It requires less monitoring when grilling; thus, a chef can cook the side dishes and do other chores.

The stainless steel construction is suitable for outdoor cooking and is resistant to rusting. Camping sites are prone to rainfall and morning dew, which impacts your appliance. The foldable legs act as handles and save space during transportation; moreover, the peaked lids offer extra weight for large cuts.

The company packs the appliance carefully to utilize the space, making it essential for outdoor camping. Besides, the price is quite affordable, making it ideal for campers on a budget.

It is a small smoker and suitable for cooking for a few people as the cooking space is about 219 square inches. However, it holds about six streaks and two large rib racks, thus making it ideal for a family reunion. Its Wi-Fi connection makes it easy to monitor the cooking away while concentrating on other activities.

Its temperature control is accurate and reliable, and you will not stress while cooking. Moreover, you can have 5 degrees increments as the food cooks; the cooker maxes at 550°F. The GMG 2020 Green Mountain Grill barbecue body is made of stainless steel. It has a 219 cooking capacity and is ideal for a small family.

The pellet hopper capacity is about 9 pounds, and the heat range is between 150°F to 550°F degrees. It incorporates wood pellets that release smoky flavors into the food and have a two-year warranty.

Pros
  • The grill is made of high-quality gauge stainless steel material.
  • It is an affordable portable pellet smoker.
  • It has a wide temperature range.
  • It uses Wi-Fi control which allows a cook to relax and concentrate on other activities.
  • The smoker is excellent for cooking different food as it has indirect and direct heating surfaces which offer different temperatures.
  • It has one meat probe which allows a chef to check on the food without opening the lid.
  • It is a smart cooker with Wi-Fi connectivity making it possible to monitor the food as it cooks.
  • It is lightweight and is suitable for camping.
  • It has foldable legs.
Cons
  • The pellet lacks proper insulation thus uses more fuel to cook the food.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Is The Best Pellet Grill Money Can Buy?

Portable pellet grills come in different qualities, and the prices depend on the different brands; a costly portable grill might not offer high-quality cooking outcomes. Thus, you would find the best portable grill at about $250 to $500, but comparing the portable pellet grill prices from one store to another is better.

Will A Pellet Grill Work Without Pellets?

Yes, the pellet grill works without the pellets, as the gas or electricity fuels the grills. However, the food will lack a smoky flavor if you use the pellet grill without the pellets. The wood chip pellets infuse smoke throughout the grill, and you would choose the wood pellets which go well with the specific food to achieve a suitable aroma and flavors.

Can A Pellet Grill Be Used As A Smoker?

Yes, you can use the pellet grill as a smoker; the secret would depend on the wood chips used. You would place the food on the grills with indirect heat and incorporate wood chips that offer the right smoke to cook the food.

The indirect heat would act as the smoker as the smokers use indirect heat for cooking the food while the wood pellets offer a smoky flavor similar to the charcoal in the traditional smokers.

Can You Use A Pellet Grill As A Pizza Oven?

Yes, you can use the pellet smoker as a pizza oven, and it would be better to opt for indirect heat cooking to convert the pellet into an oven. You can bake food with the grill, especially if it has effective temperature control, which monitors the food without opening the lid.

Pizza and other pastries need a delicate temperature balance, and you should monitor your grill occasionally when baking.

How Long Does It Take To Cook A Pizza On A Pellet Grill?

The time it would take to cook pizza depends on the heat and temperature control. You would need the same time to bake traditional pizzas in an oven with the right baking conditions. Depending on the pellet grill conditions, it may take between 10 to 20 minutes.

What Temperature Do You Cook Pizza On A Pellet Grill?

You will heat the pellet grill to 500°F when cooking pizza; thus, choosing an appliance that can achieve a high temperature is better. You would cook the pizza in the pellet grill until all the cheese has melted and the crust turns brown.

Conclusion

Finding the best portable pellet grill is challenging as many brands have similar products in the market. However, you should find one which is easy to use and offers the best temperature control allowing one to cook different food types.

The portable pellet grill should be reasonably priced, as highly expensive brands are not always effective. Choose a portable pellet grill that is compact, rust-resistant, and easy to use on different terrains during hiking. Good luck finding the right portable pellet grill which meets your needs.

Bobby Johnson

When he's not writing about barbecue, you can find Bobby smoking meat for friends and family. He's been a backyard pitmaster for roughly half his life, and has worked with nearly every cut of meat. Not everyone has a hands-on guide to teach them BBQ, but that's what Bobby hopes to do with Electric Smoker HQ. He wants to help people create amazing food that they can be proud of.