Controllers respond to a thermostat inside the oven and increase or decrease pellet feeds to the firepot to maintain set temperatures. Your indoor kitchen oven works the same way with a controller that turns gas burners or electric elements on and off as needed. And while some sophisticated controllers are very good at keeping temps within a tight tolerance, it is not unusual to see some temp swings as the unit cycles on and off. The Pit Boss controller has wide temp swings that allow it to go way below and above your set temp. Although everything we cooked on Pit Boss came out with good smoke flavor and good smoke rings, we noticed a slight tendency to overcook the surface of meats on the cooking grate side.
A handle attached to the wood pellet hopper on the left enables you to easily lift Pit Boss and roll it around on two large steel wheels on the right. A handy bracket to wrap up the electric cord is also located on the hopper (shown below). A few hot spots revealed themselves during our testing, but none that would preclude the grill from our list.
Besides being portable, this grill is extremely affordable—even when it’s not on sale. There are also two meat probes, a hopper cleanout that makes it easy to change pellet flavors, and a grease-management system and pull-out ash catcher for post-grilling cleanup. Other notable features include a bottle opener on the front of the hopper and a durable stainless steel hood. The Traeger Pro 780 handles a large amount of food without breaking the bank.
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Overall, we cooked over 300 pounds of meat and 20 pepperoni pizzas. 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 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. The second-generation EX4 aced our grilling, smoking, and baking tests with consistent and even heating.
Pellet smokers aren’t for everyone, but if none of those sound like deal breakers then you may well be calling yourself a ‘pellethead’ any day now. In 2008 there were only two consumer pellet grill manufacturers. The market for these relatively expensive devices is small but growing fast. If you don’t clean out the burn pot every cook you run the risk of ash buildup causing problems with ignition in the future. There’s also a handy trap door for removing unused wood pellets. If the Woodwind and Traeger Pro are outside your budget, the 700D4E from Z Grills is our pick for the best budget pellet grill.
If you plan on entertaining larger parties, five or more burners may be in order. Pit Boss brings the heat to the barbecue market with high quality griddles and grilling accessories. On the other hand, Blackstone griddles will also range from $199 to more than $500. pit boss pellets Because of this, you will find that Blackstone is more affordable. However, a good way to understand if is worth the price is to compare similar models. Besides that, you will also have to season them to guarantee that the surface remains even and nonstick.
You’ve seen how flat tops differ from regular gas grills… And now it’s time to bring your personal preferences into the fray. Gas grills work best at temperatures over 400 degrees Fahrenheit. This allows your food to achieve a nice, quick sear and deeply browned grill marks. Both gas pit boss electric smoker griddles and grills can dish out a range of temps… From low (around 200 degrees Fahrenheit) to piping hot (pushing 500 or even 600 degrees). There are massive folding side shelves that make for a spacious prep area, and a flip-back cover to keep the grill clean when not in use.