The Best Pellet Grills Under $500

Flat-top grills have become increasingly popular for their versatility, as they can handle everything from eggs and pancakes to smashburgers and fajitas. We believe in offering the very best value, quality, and selection. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store

where some exclusions may apply. Refunds are issued to the original form of payment, unless returned in store where some exclusions may apply.

Take these deeply spiced and marinated chicken thighs, for instance, where a minimum of effort brings forth maximum flavor. Firmly press down with both hands on the breastbone until you hear a small pop. Once you’ve cut down one entire side of the backbone, repeat the process on the other side of the backbone. Once you have the backbone separated from the rest of the chicken, you can save it for making chicken stock or throw it away. From the cavity-end of the chicken, cut along one side of the backbone with your kitchen shears.

Unlike most smokers that you set up once and then leave forever, this unit can easily fold up and be moved. You get one temperature probe that lets you monitor your food temperature from the grill interface or via the Traeger app. Remember that the larger grill will chew through more pellets to maintain the same temperature as the 575. After going through a few years of internal turmoil where construction quality seemed to suffer, the company has righted the ship.

But for a little bit extra upfront, you’ll enjoy the simplicity and versatility that is causing pellet smokers to take over patios around the country. Score this Char-Broil Performance pit boss electric smoker Series gas grill for $150 off when you shop now. The four-burner gas grill has 435 inches of cooking space along with a folding shelf to help with keeping your buns warm.

With this in mind, we named seven models as the best pellet grills on the market. To get a good sear on hamburgers or steaks, you need to grill with a direct flame. It comes equipped with a “Riot” mode, which uses direct heat to grill at temperatures of up to 750 degrees Fahrenheit. This is well above the typical 500 degrees Fahrenheit of indirect heat most pellet grills can reach. In addition to grilling at searingly hot temperatures, the Recteq RT-B380 can cook at lower temperatures of just 200 degrees Fahrenheit, making it adept at both grilling and smoking. Innovation meets versatility with the Ultimate Griddle by Pit Boss Grills.

With a traditional rolled steel griddle, however, you need to apply oil or a different lubricant frequently and in larger amounts. As I said in this post about the things to consider when buying a flat top grill, pros and cons are a pretty personal thing… What I see as a positive, you may view as a negative. As pit boss pellets always, it depends, because you’re cooking to the correct internal temperature of 165°F. It also depends on what temperature you’re smoking your chicken at. If you’re smoking at 225°F, it’ll trend more towards the longer end of the range. Smoking a whole chicken at 250°F will be a little quicker than at 225°F.

Most of its grills fall outside the under-$500 price range, but this portable model is an exception. This compact pellet grill features the same Traeger quality its larger brethren are known for, including heavy-duty iron construction and porcelain-coated steel grill grates. It comes equipped with 184 square inches of cooking surface, weighs just 60 pounds, and is small enough to fit in a car trunk, making it an ideal option for camping trips or tailgating events. Even though this model from Asmoke is priced well below the $500 price point, the AS550 includes a surprising amount of cooking surface. It has 484 square inches of main cooking space with an additional 216 square inches of secondary cooking surface for smoking food. While most full-size pellet grills come equipped with hoppers that hold 18 to 20 pounds, the Asmoke boasts a 25.8-pound hopper, allowing you to smoke for many hours before having to add more pellets.