The grill comes in at just under 50 pounds so you won’t feel like you’re lugging a bag of bricks to the campsite, the picnic table, or the parking lot for gameday tailgating. It has two metal side handles so you always have an easy grip as well. If you want to monitor temperatures on the go with probes, Pit Boss included one meat probe with your purchase. Unsurprisingly, there is no WiFi connection due to its focus on portability.
I also wanted to know how long it would take the Pit Boss 820 to go from a cold grill to 250 degrees for a smoking session, and the grill reached temperature in just 7 minutes and 55 seconds. I wanted to test how the grill would do both on top of the open flame access door and on top of a set of aluminum GrillGrates with the raised rail system. The chicken directly over the fire pot got a lovely sear from the flames, and the chicken on the GrillGrate system took on some nice grill marks as well. To my knowledge, the controller on this unit is not a PID controller, nor does it have Wifi or Bluetooth.
We took 5 wood pellet grills under $599 and put them head to head in over 20 categories to determine which wood pellet grill is the best buy at that price point. While the Z Grills 700D ($500 at Home Depot) offers consistent heat, making it suitable for baking or smoking, its upper-temperature limit of 450°F doesn’t translate into a good sear. The Char-Griller Wood Pro Pellet Grill ($500 at pit boss electric smoker Sportman’s Guide) also had a maximum temperature of 450°F, so searing was a challenge. We found multiple hot spots throughout the grill, and temperatures fluctuated during cooking. It doesn’t offer the bells and whistles of app connectivity or a range of temperature controls, most notably. It does outperform more expensive models in the smoking tests, though it doesn’t excel at searing.
The Tailgater reached its maximum temperature of 450°F in less than 14 minutes, and it retained heat fairly well. We noticed a slight variation in hot and cool pit boss flat top temperature zones, though not significant enough to leave it off our list. Overall, it’s a great option for grilling and smoking for portability and price.
Z Grills also boasts durable construction with a rustproof stainless steel hood. Though the 550B lacks a dropout for easy post-grilling ash removal, it does come equipped with a removable grease catcher. With the rack space and features offered at a price well under $500, this pellet smoker from Z Grills is an excellent buy. In addition to its 560 square inches of cooking surface, it also comes equipped with a 10-pound hopper that can keep the grill burning for up to 10 hours on a single load. 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.
Once you’ve smoked your patties, take the burgers off the grill and preheat your Traeger to the highest setting before grilling. This will help you get the perfect sear on the outside, create a caramelized, flavorful exterior, and prevent the burger from sticking to the grill. With its large cooking area and multiple meat probes, this grill can handle any type of meal, from burgers and hot dogs to brisket and ribs. The PID 2.0 Controller ensures precise temperature control, while the rain cover protects the grill from the elements. Made with high-quality materials, this grill is built to last and will provide years of delicious meals for your family and friends.
As you can see, there is more to smoking the perfect meat than just firing up a grill and turning the temperature to low. It’s simple enough to enjoy, but complex enough for you to formulate a perfect blend of flavors, temperature and protein type. Additionally, smoking wood pellets are safe as long as they have been adequately stored.