Pellet grills are a versatile and convenient option for outdoor cooking, but they can often be expensive. However, with a budget of $500 or less, you can still find a high-quality pellet grill that will give you the delicious smoky flavor you love. In this blog post, we’ll be discussing the best pellet grills under $500 on the market today, so you can find the perfect one to suit your needs and budget.
5 Best Pellet Grills Under 500
Our top picks include
1. PIT BOSS Wood Pellet Grill, 440 SERIES
The PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill is a high-quality option for outdoor cooking, perfect for those looking for a durable and versatile pellet grill at an affordable price. With a 465 square inch cooking surface and a 2-tiered rack system, this grill can accommodate a large amount of food for cooking for a group or for your family.
The digital control board makes setting and maintaining the temperature easy, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection. The black finish gives it a sleek and stylish look that will complement any outdoor living space. With a variety of features, including a built-in meat probe, a slide-plate flame broiler, and a hopper cleanout, this pellet grill is a great choice for any backyard chef.
Why Do We Like This Grill?
We love the PIT BOSS PB440D2 Wood Pellet Grill for its versatility and high-quality features. The 465 square-inch cooking surface and 2-tiered rack system allow for a large amount of food to be cooked at once, making it perfect for entertaining or feeding a large family. The digital control board makes setting and maintaining the temperature easy, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection every time. The built-in meat probe and slide-plate flame broiler are great added features for the backyard chef who wants to take their grilling to the next level.
Features & Specifications
- The large cooking surface of 465 sq inches
- Digital control board
- Easy to set and maintain the temperature
- Built-in meat prob
- Slide-plate flame broiler
- Dimensions: 50.2 x 24.02 x 39.8 inches
- Net weight: 96 pounds
- Rack System: 2-tiered
- Digital Control Board
- Slide-Plate Flame Broiler
2. Traeger Tailgater Pellet Grill and Smoker
The Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is a compact and convenient option for outdoor cooking, perfect for camping, tailgating, or small patios. With a 300-square-inch cooking surface and a digital thermostat, this grill can accommodate a small amount of food for cooking for a group or for your family. The black finish gives it a sleek and stylish look that will complement any outdoor living space. The grill is portable and lightweight, easy to transport to any event or location.
Why Do We Like This Grill?
We love the Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Portable Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker for its portability, ease of use, and delicious results. The compact size makes it easy to transport to any event or location, whether it’s tailgating, camping, or cooking on a small patio. The 300-square-inch cooking surface and digital thermostat make it perfect for cooking for a small group or family. Overall, it’s a perfect option for anyone looking for a portable, easy-to-use pellet grill that delivers great results every time.
Features & Specifications
- Portable design
- Digital thermostat
- Powered by 100% pure hardwood pellets.
- The compact cooking surface of 300 sq inches
- Dimensions: 37 x 18 x 36 inches
- Net weight: 62 pounds
- Cooking Surface: 300 square inches
- Digital Thermostat
- Portable and lightweight
- Powered by 100% pure hardwood pellets
Check out a detailed comparison of Louisiana and Traeger grill
3. Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Smoker
The Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Smoker is a high-performance grill perfect for outdoor cooking. With a large 600-square-inch cooking surface and an 8-in-1 BBQ grill, it can accommodate a variety of foods and cooking styles. The Auto Temperature Control system allows you to easily set and maintain the temperature. The included cover and oil collector make this grill easy to maintain and keep clean.
Why Do We Love This Grill?
We love the Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Smoker for its versatility and high-quality features. The large 600 square-inch cooking surface and 8-in-1 BBQ grill make it perfect for cooking a variety of foods and styles. The included cover and oil collector make this grill easy to maintain and keep clean.
Features & Specifications
- The large cooking surface of 600 sq inches
- 8-in-1 BBQ Grill
- Auto Temperature Control
- Cover and oil collector included
- Digital LED temperature control
- Dimensions: 48 x 22 x 51 inches
- Net weight: 112 pounds
- Cooking Surface: 600 square inches
- 8-in-1 BBQ Grill
- Auto Temperature Control
- Includes Cover and Oil Collector
- Digital LED temperature control
4. Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is a top-of-the-line option for outdoor cooking. A new PID Gen 2 Digital Controller allows for precise temperature control, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection. The large cooking surface can accommodate a variety of foods, and the slide and grill technology allows for easy and efficient cooking. The ash cleanout system makes cleaning and maintenance of the grill a breeze. With a variety of features, including a built-in meat probe and a durable stainless steel build, this pellet grill is a great choice for any backyard chef looking for a high-performance grill. some of the most common problems occur with camp chef pellet grills are discussed with solution, click here.
Why Do We Love it?
We love the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill for its precise temperature control and high-performance features. The large cooking surface can accommodate a variety of foods, and the slide and grill technology allows for easy and efficient cooking. The pellet hopper can hold up to 18 pounds of pellets, allowing for long cooking sessions without needing to refill. The durable stainless steel build and ash cleanout system make this grill easy to clean and maintain.
Features & Specifications
- PID Gen 2 Digital Controller
- Slide and Grill Technology
- Large Pellet Hopper
- Holds up to 18 pounds of pellets
- Ash Cleanout System
- Built-in Meat Probe
- Dimensions: 56 x 24.5 x 49 inches
- Cooking Surface: 570 Square Inches
- New PID Gen 2 Digital Controller
- Slide and Grill Technology
- Net weight: 127 pounds
- Ash Cleanout System
- Built-in Meat Probe
- Durable Stainless Steel Build
Check our complete review of this product here.
5. Green Mountain Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
The Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Electric Wi-Fi Control Foldable Portable Wood Pellet Tailgating Grill is a compact and convenient option for outdoor cooking, perfect for camping, tailgating, or small patios. With a digital thermostat and Wi-Fi control, this grill can be controlled and monitored remotely using your smartphone.
The Sense-Mate feature uses an algorithm to monitor the temperature and adjust the auger speed to maintain the desired temperature, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection. The grill is portable and lightweight, easy to transport to any event or location.
Why do we Love it?
We love the Green Mountain Davy Crockett Sense Mate Electric Wi-Fi Control Foldable Portable Wood Pellet Tailgating Grill for its portability, ease of use, and advanced features. The compact size and foldable legs make it easy to transport to any event or location, whether it’s tailgating, camping, or cooking on a small patio. The digital thermostat and Wi-Fi control allow you to remotely control and monitor the grill using your smartphone. The Sense-Mate feature uses an algorithm to monitor the temperature and adjust the auger speed to maintain the desired temperature, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection.
Features & Specifications
- Digital Thermostat and Wi-Fi Contro
- Sense-Mate Feature
- Foldable legs
- Makes it easy to store when not in use
- Portable to take it anywhere
- Dimensions: 29.92 x 14.96 x 21.65 inches
- Net weight: 57.3 pounds
- Digital Thermostat
- Wi-Fi Control
- Sense-Mate Feature
- Foldable legs
- Built-in Meat Probe
Buying Guide For Best Pellet Grills Under 500
Things to Consider Before Buying a Pellet Grill
Temperature
One of the most important things to consider when buying a pellet grill is the temperature range that it can reach. Make sure that the grill can reach high enough temperatures for searing and that it also has a low enough temperature range for smoking. Also, check if the grill has a built-in thermometer or if you need to purchase one separately.
Size
Consider the size of the grill and how much space you have available to store it. Also, think about how many people you typically cook for and choose a grill that will accommodate your needs.
Price
When shopping for a pellet grill under $500, it’s important to have a clear budget in mind and consider which features are most important to you. You may need to make some compromises in order to stay within your budget.
Warranty
Look for a grill that has a warranty of at least one year, and be sure to read the terms and conditions of the warranty carefully.
Hopper area
The hopper is where the wood pellets are stored, and it is important to consider the hopper’s size and how easy it is to refill. A bigger hopper means less time spent refilling it and more time grilling.
Your needs
Consider your specific needs and preferences when it comes to grilling. If you’re a beginner, you may want to consider a more basic model with fewer features, while more experienced grillers may opt for a more advanced model.
Additional Features
Look for additional features such as a built-in thermometer, a drip tray for easy cleaning, a grease tray for easy disposal of grease, and a side shelf for holding your grilling tools and accessories. Also, check if the grill has a built-in ignition; this allows you to start the grill with the push of a button.
Electric Grill or Pellet Grill? Which one Should I Choose?
Electric and pellet grills are both popular options for home grilling, but they each have their own unique advantages and disadvantages.
Electric grills are powered by electricity and typically heat up quickly and offer precise temperature control. They are also relatively easy to clean and maintain. However, some people find that electric grills don’t produce the same flavor as charcoal or gas grills and can be more expensive to operate in the long run.
Pellet grills, on the other hand, use wood pellets as fuel and offer a unique smoky flavor. They also offer precise temperature control, and many models have built-in thermostats and automatic feed systems. However, they can be more expensive than electric or gas grills, and the wood pellets can be difficult to find and can be expensive.
Ultimately, the best choice depends on your personal preferences, your budget, and your grilling needs. If you want a quick and easy-to-use option, an electric grill might be the best fit for you. A pellet grill would be a great option if you are looking for a unique smoky flavor and don’t mind the extra cost.
Advantages and Disadvantages of a Pellet Grill
Advantages
- Precise temperature control: Many pellet grills have built-in thermostats and automatic feed systems that allow you to set and maintain a precise temperature.
- Unique smoky flavor: Pellet grills use wood pellets as fuel, which can add a unique smoky flavor to your food that can be difficult to achieve with other types of grills.
- Convenience: Many pellet grills have features such as digital controllers, meat probes, and automatic shut-off, which make them easy to use and convenient for busy lifestyles.
- Versatility: Pellet grills can be used for a wide range of cooking methods including smoking, grilling, roasting, baking, and more.
Disadvantages
- Cost: Pellet grills can be more expensive than other types of grills, both in terms of the initial purchase price and the cost of wood pellets over time.
- Dependence on electricity: Pellet grills typically require electricity or battery power to operate, which can be a limitation for some users.
- Pellet availability: Wood pellets can be difficult to find and can be expensive.
- Ash cleaning: Pellet grills produce ash which will require cleaning.
- Storage: Pellet grills can take up more space than other types of grills.
- Cold weather: Pellet grills can struggle to maintain the temperature in cold weather conditions and may require extra insulation.
How Do Pellet Grills Work?
Pellet grills use small, compressed wood pellets as fuel. The pellets are placed in a hopper, which feeds them into a burn pot using an auger. The burn pot has an electric heating element that ignites the pellets, and a fan helps to circulate the heat and smoke throughout the cooking chamber. The grill also has a controller that allows the user to set the desired cooking temperature, which is maintained by adjusting the speed of the auger and the heating element. The smoke and heat produced by the burning pellets infuse the food with a unique, smoky flavor, while the temperature control allows for precise cooking.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a pellet grill can be a great option for those looking for precise temperature control, unique smoky flavor, and versatility in cooking methods. However, it is important to consider the cost, storage, and ash cleaning before making the purchase. When shopping for a pellet grill under $500, it’s important to have a clear budget in mind and consider which features are most important to you. It may be necessary to make some compromises in order to stay within your budget. Research and compare models from different brands, read customer reviews, and make an informed decision based on your needs and preferences. With the right choice, a pellet grill can be a great addition to your outdoor cooking experience.
FAQs
What is the highest quality pellet grill?
It is difficult to say which brand makes the “highest quality” pellet grill as it can vary depending on the specific model and individual preferences. However, Traeger and Pit Boss are both well-known and reputable brands in the pellet grill industry. Comparing Pit Boss and Traeger, both brands have their own unique features and designs, so ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
Who makes the highest-quality pellet grill?
Traeger and Pit Boss are well-known and reputable brands in the pellet grill industry, and both have unique features and designs. Both of them manufacture some of the highest quality pellet grills.
Is a pit boss as good as a Traeger?
Comparing Pit Boss and Traeger specifically, both brands have dedicated fans and offer a range of models at different price points. Some may prefer the design of one brand over the other or the specific features or temperature controls offered on certain models. It would be helpful to research and compare models from both brands to decide which one is the best fit for you.
What are the negatives of a pellet grill?
Some potential negatives of using a pellet grill include the following:
- Higher cost compared to traditional charcoal or gas grills
- Dependence on electricity or battery power to operate
- Pellets can be difficult to find and can be expensive
- Pellets can produce ash which will require cleaning.