The market for grilling equipment keeps expanding year after year. These grills and smokers come in different sizes, shapes, colors, and other distinct features such as weight, which differentiate one type from the other.
The portability of pellet grills was not put into much consideration until the past few years when long-distance outdoor activities such as camping and tailgating started gaining popularity.
When outdoors, nothing beats meat chunks, vegetables, hamburgers, or other food types prepared in woody and smoky flavors, using the best available wood pellets, inside a portable grill.
A good quality smoker or grill like Traeger Fit Pit, for example, is a go-to brand but limited to fuel sources other than wood pellets. The beauty of grilling, smoking, or searing using wood pellets such as hardwood BBQ pellets can be felt with every bite of the savory meals that come from it.
Given its many competitive characteristics, pellet grills have been well accepted in the market and are in constant demand.
We have prepared a list of pellet grill manufacturers that our crew has tried out, evaluated, and documented for functioning. To offer you a complete overview of each listed item’s value and whether or not it is worthwhile purchasing, the benefits, drawbacks, and reviews have all been emphasized.
Traeger Tailgater 20 Portable Pellet Grill
The Traeger brand has been the portable pellet grill of choice for most people who enjoy smoking and grilling foods.
Tailgater 20 is a model under this brand, weighing 62 pounds. It is fueled by electricity and its weight makes it easy to move it to a new destination.
In terms of price, this grill is a total bargain given that it has the lowest price range as compared to other grills from this manufacturer.
From the experience our team has had while using it, we can affirm its reliability and validity. It is equipment that offers you value for your money and an enjoyable grilling or smoking experience. The grill is compact and suitable for small backyards or transportation inside a minivan and other less spacious vehicles.
The Traeger Tailgater 20’s Arc Controller, which lets you to establish your grill’s temperature and increase it at intervals of 5 degrees over a certain duration, has to be the biggest improvement in grill manufacturers this season. After making the manual adjustments, the function takes care of the rest till the dish is prepared.
One external probe with an interior extension is part of this apparatus. Even when the grill’s lid is closed, you may still use it to keep an eye on internal temperature variations.
The Traeger Tailgater 20’s keep-warm function is another distinctive feature. When the heating is turned off and the food has been prepared for some time, it works. The settings maintain the meal’s heat despite the grill’s low-temperature range, allowing you to do other jobs without worrying that you’ll need to reheat the food when it’s time to eat.
Its legs are foldable, creating much-needed space during its transportation. The grill stands out against its competitors because of its lightness and ease of portability.
Another noteworthy feature is its reasonable heat range of 160°F to 450°F. This enables you to grill a variety of foods whose temperature requirements fall under this category.
Pros
- Light and portable.
- Foldable legs for more space during transportation.
- A 3-year warranty.
- Has a meat probe for monitoring temperature.
- Fitted with an Arc Controller to maintain steady temperatures.
- Has a keep-warm feature to prevent food from getting cold.
- Built sturdily.
- Stainless steel and porcelain-coated material for easy cleaning and rust prevention.
Cons
- Small cooking space.
- Does not support WiFi settings.
- Cannot grill foods that require a temperature range above 450° F.
Related article: Pit Boss VS Traeger in 2022: Which Pellet Grill Should you Buy?
Traeger Ranger Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
This pellet grill weighs 60 pounds, making it light enough to move. It can be powered by charcoal or wood pellets.
With dimensions of 13 inches in height, 21 inches in width, and 20 inches in length, the equipment is designed to occupy as minimal space as possible.
It has a digital Arc Controller that regulates temperature according to your settings. Other desirable features of this grill include a meat probe and a keep-warm system that prevents the cooling of food after cooking.
Its grilling logic is advanced enough for precision and accuracy in terms of temperature performance. The grate is coated with porcelain, making its cleaning an easy task.
If you are carrying out several tasks alongside grilling, you need not worry as the cooking timer will alert you when the food is ready, according to the time you’ve set it at.
Like most other small-sized grills, the Traeger Ranger Wood pellet grill has a minimized cooking space of 184 inches squared. It is, therefore, not suitable for large gatherings. The maximum temperature range is 450° F, making it incapable of searing or grilling foods that require higher temperatures.
Pros
- Easy to clean.
- Temperature is easy to keep in check with features like Advanced Grilling Logic and Ark Controller.
- Encourages multitasking through its food-timer feature.
- Lightweight and portable.
- Has a keep-warm system to prevent food from getting cold.
- It is durable.
Cons
- Has no searing abilities.
- The small-sized grate offers little space for cooking.
Related: Traeger Grill Reviews: Are Traeger Still King in 2022?
Green Mountain Davy Crockett Portable Wood Pellet Grill
Related: A comprehensive Davy Crockett grill review
The first desirable feature you’ll notice on this wood pellet grill is its WiFi connection abilities. In a world where almost everything is digitalized, nothing beats cooking equipment that you can control regardless of your distance.
It is compact and made to fit a small family or group of friends who fancy a great grilling experience. Its portability is made possible by its relatively small weight of 57 pounds.
The grill is made of stainless steel material, meant to shield it from damaging elements like corrosion and rust.
WiFi connection abilities give you a smart option to monitor and control temperature and the food’s cooking progress from given dimensions. For this, you’ll be required to have the GMG app on your device.
Green Mountain Davy Crockett grill has a temperature range of between 150°F to 550° F, a notch higher than most of its competitors.
It is fitted with fold-able legs that make way for additional space during transportation.
Pros
- It is WiFi-enabled.
- Can be controlled from a given distance. You don’t have to be at the grilling site the whole time.
- Easy to carry around.
- Fitted with legs for support.
- Has a higher temperature range than most of its competitors.
- Suitable for high-temperature grilling.
Cons
- It is electric and may not be suitable for places with no electricity.
- Small cooking area, unsuitable for grilling large amounts of food.
Related article: The Best Pellet Smokers for this year
Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill
Out of all the favorable features attached to the Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill, our top pick is the rolling wheels joined to its hind legs and the suitcase-like handle at the front. You can roll it behind you and pull it forward as you do with traveling bags. This is a convenient way of transportation as the wheels and handles also double up as the grill’s support system when it’s not in motion.
Another thing we liked about this grilling equipment is its sturdy build. This characteristic prevents it from moving on its own.
The temperature control system is PID and can adjust the heat at intervals of 5°F until you acquire the desired range. The grill also has two probes for more accuracy.
Its hopper is its downside due to its small size. It can barely handle enough pellets for a 10-hour grilling period.
Another undesirable factor is that the equipment is not WiFi supportive, making its operations more manual than digital.
Every part of the grill is coated with powder steel apart from the lid which is made of stainless steel. Unlike other competing brands, the Camp Chef Pursuit Pellet Grill’s grate is not coated with porcelain but made of wire that’s enamel coated. This makes cleaning it a tedious task.
On the brighter side, it has a bigger cooking capacity than most other portable grills. Its cooking space measures 501 inches square.
Pros
- Easy temperature control as a result of its two meat probes, and PID heat control system.
- Suitcase design when in motion, making it easy to pull forward.
- It has a big cooking area.
- Presence of a top rack that is large enough to hold more food.
- Has a lockable lid for securing the grilling zone.
- Offers an open flame grilling option by the use of a sliding lever, used to slide the grate to a higher temperature zone.
- It is more pocket-friendly than the Grilla and Recteq brands.
Cons
- Lack of insulation makes it hard to maintain a constant temperature.
- Does not support a WiFi connection.
Related content: Camp Chef vs Traeger: Which is the Best Pellet Grill
Grilla Grills Chimp Tailgater Smoker and BBQ Pellet Grill
This grill comes in a small, light, and compact version, fitted with fold-able legs like most other contending brands.
The material used to construct the Grilla Grills Chimp Tailgater is a mix of stainless steel and powder-coated steel.
There are two cooking areas just an inch apart, to create more cooking space. The upper grate measures 120 inches squared while its lower counterpart occupies 340 square inches, a maximum of 460 sq. inches.
With this grill, you have a choice between traditional temperature control and the PID controller, as it comes fitted with both.
The cooking chamber is insulated to create a constant temperature distribution while the grates are made using stainless steel for easy cleaning, rust prevention, and durability.
Despite its few downsides, our team can confirm that you will never go wrong with this pellet grill, given its highly competitive features.
Pros
- Its legs have a snapping lock to ease fold-ability.
- Double temperature control system for easy monitoring of heat distribution.
- Can be used for grilling, baking, roasting, or smoking.
- Has a meat probe for temperature check.
- Fitted with a blower fan for uniform heat distribution.
Con
- Cannot perform searing activities as its highest temperature goes up to 500° F.
Reasons to Go for a Pellet Grill instead of a Charcoal or Gas Grill
While most gas and charcoal grills are made to perform tasks that are almost similar to the pellet grills, the difference occurs in their fuel sources. For a gas grill to function, there has to be propane or other similar gases that are up to the task.
Similarly, you have to have some bags of charcoal to fire up a charcoal grill. The two types of fuel are less affordable, compared to pellets, and sometimes out of stock in your local store when you need them most.
In comparison, pellet grills are fueled by pellets but can also be fueled by other sources interchangeably.
Pellets are readily available as most grill brands come with compatible wood pellets.
Their temperature ranges are also high and they are suitable for most food types. The additional smoky flavors given by pellets give food new savory tastes in regulated measures.
Factors to Consider Before Buying a Portable Pellet Grill
Size
Different brands offer different sizes of pellet grills. Ensure that the overall size and cooking space are suitable for your needs. The weight should also be considered because it determines the level of portability.
Cost
Some pellet grills are of higher quality than their competitors. Some low-priced brands are made of low-quality materials that require a lot of maintenance to avoid breaking down, soon after they are purchased. On the other hand, high-quality grills will require you to dig deeper into your pockets to get the value you seek for. Between the two there is another type that is both pocket-friendly and of standard quality.
Once you know what works for your budget, look into their specs, pros, cons, and reviews from other users and you’ll be in a better position to make an informed choice.
Portability
If you are a fan of camping, tailgating, or other activities that require you to be in constant motion, then looking out for pellet grills with the most competitive mobility features should be top of the considerable factors. Study the handles, legs, wheels, and other compartments that allow the grill to move with ease, then buy the one that meets your requirements.
Conclusion
The compiled list is created to guide you and show you the endless options you have in regards to portable pellet grills. Some have better features than others and it’s upon you to decide which ones check your list of tastes and preferences.