Best Pellet Grills to Buy For Under $700
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- čas přidán 5. 05. 2024
- Head to www.smokedbbqsource.com/best-... for the full review with all our product recommendations.
In this video, I'll let you know the best pellet grill to buy under $700. Watch as I share my experience cooking on five the top pellet grills. While each model has its pros and cons, one stood above the rest in terms of features, build quality, and value.
With that said, each grill I tested excelled in different ways, so be sure to watch the whole video and make sure you find out which grill is best for your unique needs.
Buy: Camp Chef DLX 24" Pellet Grill
At Camp Chef (PAID LINK): www.smokedbbqsource.com/camp-...
At BBQGuys (PAID LINK): bbqguys.sjv.io/4eARP0
Buy: Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill
At Pit Boss (PAID LINK): pitbossgrills.77jaha.net/JzdD6E
At Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/3U1FkZ8
Buy: Recteq RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill
At Amazon (PAID LINK): amzn.to/40uoX9O
Buy: Z Grills 7002 Pellet Grill
At Z Grills (PAID LINK): www.smokedbbqsource.com/z-gri...
Buy: Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Grill
At Traeger (PAID LINK): traeger.uym8.net/RyqgY7
This video description contains affiliate links. If you click on one of the product links and buy Smoked BBQ Source may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.
TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 - Top 5 Pellet Grills Under $700
00:39 - Recteq RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill Review
04:43 - Z Grills 7002F Pellet Grill Review
07:09 - Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Grill Review
10:22 - Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill Review
13:46 - Camp Chef DLX 24" Pellet Grill Review
17:19 - Final Thoughts on The Best Pellet Grills Under $700
#5 - Recteq RT-B380 Bullseye Wood Pellet Grill
This pellet grill from Recteq is relatively small. With only a 15 lbs pellet hopper I would not plan an overnight cook on this pit. The build quality is excellent, however, the more you cook the more you will see the cooking chamber develop a dark patina. I've smoked some St. Louis ribs, chicken wings and a couple of pork butts - all of which had rich smokey flavors.
#4 - Z Grills 7002F Pellet Grill
With 697 sq inches of cooking space and a 24 lbs pellet hopper, the Z Grills 7002F is an excellent choice for those who want to smoke multiple foods at the same time. This grill features a digital analog controller and a temperature range from 180°F to 450°F. I smoked some baby back ribs and they turned out super tender and juicy. The Z Grills 7002F Pellet Grill is great for a small family or those who want to start learning how to smoke.
#3 - Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Grill
This pit has certainly been around for a while, and for a lot of people, this is the first pellet grill that they've ever owned. It features an 18 lbs pellet hopper, which is borderline for an overnight cook. I smoked a couple of slabs of pork ribs and they turned out fantastic with a perfect bit-off-the-bone tenderness. I also cooked some chicken breasts and boneless thighs, which I later used to make fajitas and quesadillas. The Traeger Pro 22 Pellet Grill is a great entry-level grill under $700, but could also work well for a small family.
#2 - Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill
With 847 sq inches of cooking space, the Sportsman 820 is a decent size pit for a small family. Pit Boss uses thicker steel on its pits, which makes the Sportsman over 150 lbs. For my cooking test, I smoked a whole turkey, but also grilled some shrimp and burgers. The great thing about this grill is that you can not only smoke but also add some char to your food thanks to the flame broiler. Overall, this is an excellent grill for an entry-level pitmaster.
#1 - Camp Chef DLX 24" Pellet Grill
Camp Chef offers a great quality pellet grill that not only feels nice and sturdy but also boasts a Gen 2 PID controller and can be connected to a WiFi network. The temperature range starts at 160°F, which gives you an opportunity to rest your food inside the pit. Another stand-out feature of the DLX 24" Pellet Grill is its ash cleanout system. On this pit, I smoked a spatchcock chicken and some pork ribs and everything turned out amazing. Overall, I put the Camp Chef DLX 24" Pellet Grill on the top of the "best pellet grills under $700" list because I believe it offers the best bang for your buck.
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The Camp Chef DLX 24 is currently out of stock, but you can get the virtually identical Camp Chef XT for a little bit less 👉 bit.ly/3O2bLF5
Check out members mark 35” at Sam’s. Looks legit.
Got my XT 2 weeks ago. All you have to assemble are the legs, wheels, handles and chimney topper. Takes less than 45 minutes. Be quicker without all the styrofoam packing. It doesn't have the pellet dump but using the removable cup on the ash dump to empty the hopper makes changing pellets easy and fast. Love the adjustable smoke settings. Got significant smoke rings on the over night brisket.
I have had these camshaft DLX for three years and absolutely love it. It is never failed me and the cooks have been great.
I just got the bullseye deluxe and im very happy with it smoked nicely and cooked a steak at 500 and came out perfect. And it has some nice features that the original bullseye didnt like ash clean out better wheels more sturdy frame a shelf higher capacity pellet box. But come at a cost. They were on sale.
Great comparison/review!
Worth the watch beginning to end.
Glad you liked it and we appreciate you watching!
This was a fantastic review and overall a great video. You were through, honest, and extremely helpful. All grill prices seem to be going up so this is the perfect video. Thank you for taking the time to make this.
Heck ya and I am happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Thanks for watching!!!
@@SmokedBBQSource you're welcome. I'm subscribed to your email newsletter and its been extrememly helpful since I've gotten my Big Green Egg. All my experience is cooking on a griddle so this is a whole new world to me. I want to get a pellet grill as well so that's why this video was super helpful.
best reviews on youtube by far. thanks you
It really gave me insight on each smoker!! Great video!
Glad to help and thanks for watching!
Pit Boss has some models that are exclusive to specific big box/retailers one of which is Walmart, they’ve updated there Austin XL to the Onyx Austin XL and the standard Austin XL is on unpublished clearance in a lot of regions, just got one for $350.00. It’s an 1100 cubic inch grill.
Great work my good man. You've made my decision buying simpler!
Heck ya Tommy! Thanks for coming over and watching the video brother!!!
My OG analog campchef still putting out great bbq.
Excellent content there Jeff. Subbed!
Thanks Brian!!! Appreciate you coming over and checking the video out brother!
I have a camp chef woodwind and agree that they make a great product. Mine’s been going strong for about 6 years now and no issues. Love it.
Awesome!!! Good little pit for sure!!! Thanks for watching!!!
Great Video, appreciate the work ya did.
Thank you!!
Great review Jeff.. I like the one that flame broiled, I can see some good burgers coming off that...
Thanks for watching Randy!!!
I got the pit boss 850 from Lowes. It was $550 for Memorial Day. It came with 2 probes. Looks like they are listening to the reviews. It has casters. Normal price says $599.
I just pick up the camp chef DLX at Sportmans warehouse today for $359 and had $200 in gifts cards looks like I got a good deal and hope it lives up to the good review. I had a pitboss tailgater for about 5 years needed a upgrade
Great review brother 👊🏾
Thanks for watching!!!
Dude this is awesome I've been looking for a video like this!!🎉
Heck ya thanks for watching!
love the videos. You have great detailed information when it comes to future grill purchases. I wanted to get your opinion on the Pit Boss competition series 1600, it’s for sale at my local Academy sports and outdoors and i don’t know if I should go with the Pit Boss or the Traeger Ironwood. Pit boss is cheaper than the Traeger, but will it have all the same benefits as the Traeger?
Honestly the creature comforts on the Traeger are better but they pretty much cook the same. So you just got to weigh out your budget! Thanks for watching!
Really good review!!
Glad you enjoyed it and thanks for watching!
Please do a review of the Green Mountain Pellet grills. Great video.
Had the Daniel Boone for 5 years. Smoked stuff every Sunday unless I was deployed or working. It really was an amazing grill.
I've had the Camp Chief for 2 years and it has been amazing and is great build quality
I just got a Traeger 2021 model of I believe the 575 Pro. (I thought the 780 but realized that they have the smoke stack thing on opposite sides) My dad had smoked up some good pork loin in the pellet grill and I gotta tell ya. That was the BEST PORK I have ever had. Pellet grills are one of a kind and should be a big part of the cooking community.
Yep, pellet grills are here to stay! Thanks for watching!
Can't go wrong with a Camp Chef!!
Bought the RecTec Bullseye. Completely Satisfied. I tend to mod things to suit me, and since this grill accepts a host of Weber aftermarket accessories...👍👍
I've cooked Pork butt, chicken, burgers, dogs, brats, steaks, & fish on it. It will run a good 6-9 hours on the hopper. Figure about 1.5# / hour, twice that if your grilling below 50 deg F.
My recommended add-on is adding lava rock over the heat deflector plate holes (single layer-nothing crazy) to cut down on any potential grease flare-ups.
Grilla grills makes a bomb-proof grate that fits, Aura makes a cast grate that fits, as does any 22" Weber. If there's a weak point to this grill, it's the grate.
I also added a side shelf....If you want a bit of extra smoke, just drop some pellets on the heat deflector.
Heck ya and thanks for leaving the great info!!!!
Great review, thanks! I just stumbled upon your videos today and started watching several. Quick question, what gloves are you using? Throughout your videos I see you with these black gloves on where you’re reaching down and grabbing stuff right off the grate.
Nitrile, with cotton liners.
@@SmokedBBQSource excellent, thanks. That’s what I’ve been doing for a little while now also, but was wondering if there was like an “all-in-one” option. I’ll keep using that combo. What MIL thickness do you use?
I was hoping to see the Austin xl on this video
My first pellet smoker was a Camp Chef DLX about 7-8 years ago. Worked very well and easy to maintain. I’ve had a GMG Jim Bowie for about 5 years now and other than an auger jam from bad pellets, it too has served me well and I think produces better results. As pellet smokers have become much more advanced, brands like Treager and Pitt Boss, once relegated to bottom tier units, have really stepped up their game and become much more reliable. I’m wondering what the next generation of pellet smokers will be.
Im new on the subject, but was Traeger not considered top tier? They were the first pellet grill I remember from 10 years ago or more
@@DeezNuttz_BoffaDem but the tech of that day was so rudimentary it made Treager units unreliable in controlling/holding temps with old style controllers.
I buy everything based on reviews. Some said this was hard to put together czcams.com/users/postUgkxCx5fHawkK9OoV-ojFrY8JLnZrFwAmvUt some guy said 2 hours and 2 beers later. I didn't drink beer like I was going to. I didn't feel like going to the store. I'm assuming I would have had at least 3. I took my time. Stepped outside for a cigarette break a couple times but all in all it was about a 3 hour project for me but it wasn't like it was difficult or anything . Only pictures but everything is pretty organized and labeled although I didn't see any #s on the actual pieces like it shows in the diagrams. Only the screws were labeled. On the cardboard part of the packaging on the back side. I put it together in my living room too. It wasn't supposed to rain today but it's Michigan and I couldn't wait so I put it together in my living room. Without beer but beer would definitely have made it more fun that's for sure. I'm giving this a 5 for easy assembly. I'll update after it stops raining when I can take it out of my living room and cook some food on it. Hope this helps at least for people who think they can't put this together because I did and you can too . And there are extra screws. I got nervous and immediately came here to see if others had the same experience and they have. You're not doing it wrong. There will be extra screws. Be patient. Don't rush it. Drink beer. Happy assembling
Thank you for the video I had a ? Do you have any opinions on the pitboss savanah onyx
I hope to get one soon John! Thanks for watching!!
Pit Boss sear zone will rust out, chip and deteriorate super fast due to the thin metal, along with the fire box. Super cheap internals on the Pit Boss units
Just got Pitt boss Austin xl onxy did 5 slabs ribs for first cook turn out great never had a smoker before
Awesome Troy!!!
I have a Pit Boss upright smoker. I already had a grill I love so I figured why get a smoker / grill. I wish someone would compare an upright vs the side hopper
Hopefully someday we can do that!!!
thanks for the break down...so tired of web searches that direct you to Amazon based on reimbursed reviewers analysis !
Glad it was helpful! I appreciate you watching!!
I’m a pit boss fan. At work I have a Traeger. Pit boss all the way. Traeger just doesn’t smoke enough for me.
I picked up the Pit Boss 820 Competition Series from Menards for $550. Same size, same features as the Sportsman, but I think the tray on the side of the Competition is better. It folds down and is solid like the front. Maybe not as convenient at times as the ability to take the tray from the side with you, but... Long story short, if you're looking for a pellet grill for under $700 and were thinking the Pit Boss was up your alley, think about the Competition exclusively from Menards or Academy Sports. The $150 in savings is a heck of a head start on getting pellets and accessories for it!
Does yours have the wifi?
WiFi and Bluetooth! Can adjust the temp on the grill and monitor temps on probes from my phone or tablet. Pretty slick. There is a slight delay in pulling up the app and getting a more recent reading, but it’s usually less than 5-10 seconds.
Now that you're 9 months in with your competition series, how you like it?
I'm eyeballing the 850 right now!
@@YoungFamAdventures I still love it. I’m in Wisconsin and used it all winter without issue. I’ve probably put 240-280 lbs of pellets through it. Menards sells 40lb bags for like $15. If I had been using gas, I guarantee 2 things. I would have grilled less and I would have spent more. Although, I guess I still spent more because of how much meat I’ve bought to support my grill habit… Smoker works really well and I love the fact that I can reverse sear with the direct flames!
is it 820 or 850? for competition series i only see 850. Your comment has sold me though!
My pro22 has a large front shelf that folds down?
Had the bullseye for almost 2 years. Only smoker I’ve owned and use weekly, at least. The inconsistent temp is the main issue for me - all temp settings swing 50 degrees. After “calibrating” the temp, I can get the swing to be 50 degrees above the temp I set, so when I put it at “low”, it swings between 200-250, which is fine for my low and slow. But the “actual” temp thermometer on the grill never shows a bigger swing than 3-5 degrees even though my external temp is located next to the recteq “actual” temp probe.
Ya that pit can be a little squirrelly!!
Hey brother! Do you think that Grill Grates would help with burgers on the Camp Chef DLX?
Yes they certainly would!
Trailer and Z grill used to be the same, until they split.
It looks like you are cooking indoors?
How far from my house does the smoker have to be? Or how high does my patio ceiling need to be? Thanks
OMG
Nice comparison Ricer!
Thanks for watching Troy!
Awesome review Jeff! Subbed to the channel, very informative. Not sure what I’m waiting for but these reviews will help me to decide sooner than later 😆. Cheers 🍻 buddy
How many pork butts do you estimate you can smoke on the pro 34? Do you gain cooking time when you have a lot of meat on?
I own the Z grill, it`s 6 years old now, I have the 700 D, I only have 2 complaints after 6 years, it does not hold 225 or 250 anymore, and I wish it smoked more. I am thinking about ordering a newer controller to see if that fixes it. But this thing is a workhorse, and on a slow cook, I just set it to 300 and prop the door slightly and i`m right at 250.
You certainly got your moneys worth!!! Thanks for watching!
The Camp Chef DLX 24 CANNOT be connected to wifi according to all literature that I have read. Regardless of that, what's your opinion on getting the black version at $399?
Overrated
Thanks for the video. I will admit I didn’t cover my pit boss very often, so it did get exposed to rain here in NC. I had the cover closed but still not covered you know what I mean. But I’ve owned both the 820 and the table top smoker units and both of them rotted out inside and didn’t last. I cook a steak every night on it and try to vacuum out the dust at least once a week. But still it didn’t last. I’m fed up with them. Do you have an ultimate cheap recommendation rather than pit boss? Is Z grill gonna be my best choice? It’s just my wife and I and I don’t need a large unit. Just enough to smoke and cook a large London broil or salmon every now and then. Thanks!!
Man that salty air!! Honestly sounds like you need a stainless steel chamber. Camp Chef or RecTeq would be a good option but probably RecTeq has the most SS models to choose from. If I was you, I would buy once and cry once because you certainly use your pit!!! Invest into something that will last but that comes at a higher price tag, or run'em until the wheels fall off!!! Good luck!!
@@SmokedBBQSource thanks brother!! It’s been so frustrating because I love my pellet smoker. I make a mean smoked salmon too. I use cedar planks, but the key is to soak them in white wine for a day instead of water. The salmon smokes on the wine soaked planks and it’s amazing. God help me I’ve been only using the stove for months now lol. I think I’ll take your advice. I need a pellet smoker I just didn’t want to spend on another one to have to rot out so fast.
My first pellet smoker was infact the treager pro 22. Everything worked fine on it, BUT every single cook I did, I had a back fire into the auger tube. no matter how I shut it down every single time I turned it off, or even some times mid cook, Id have smoke comming out of the pellet box and had to shut it down and clear everything out and I got so tired of it I sold it and bought a charcoal smoker. Also yes I cleaned the pro 22 out after every single cook. im a little ocd so I know that wasnt the issue. Fast forward years and I have a gas/charcoal combo (offset) smoker, and 2 charcoal smokers, im looking for another pellet grill. Im thinking ill prob end up going with the PitBoss smoker.
Weird never had problem with my 780 pro yet
I've never had an issue with my pro 22
Just got the camp chef. So now let's talk about cooking pellots. Which one should I use?
I buy what is available in my area. So typically it is, Pit Boss, Traeger, and Bear Mountain. I like Lumber Jack but they are hard for me to get these days.
I keep hearing about pellet grill out of control fires or explosions. Is this real ? Is this a cleaning problem or just quality problems? I just purchased a pit boss Lexington model. I hope it’s a good grill.
Are the z grills made by taeger?
No, but Z Grills use to build Traeger pits for Traeger.
Wonder what anyone thinks of the Recteq Patio Legend 410? Need to replace my old gas grill Holland Legacy. Going to use mainly for burgers, steaks, kabobs and veggies mostly.
From what I have seen it looks decent. Thanks for watching!
So you eluded to "the flat rock grill" what is that? I am a first timer to your channel.
I was talking about using the Traeger FlatRock Griddle to finish off a recipe. Thanks for watching and checking out the channel!
I would say that the treger and the z are made by the same company that or one reversed engineered the other.
Probably
It’s a shame you didn’t add Next grill Oakford series. It would probably be too 3 on this list. Number one in my opinion. It has side shelf and fold down front shelf included. It has 4 probe ports and is Wi-Fi ready. MSRP is 649.00 but you can find it on sale alot for 499.00
Z Grills manufactured Traeger Grills before they started making ther own.
What is the best pellet grill no matter what the price
IMO it is the Lone Star Grillz Pellet Grill. Hands down the best one I have ran to date. Thanks for watching!
i hate porcelain coated grates gimme cast iron, fortunately after market people sell them
Treager doesn't make a smoker. Z grills manufactures the smoker for the brand. Just like "safety clean" doesn't make a cabinet washer. JRI in Springfield MO makes them and puts a safety clean logo on it... while making the same machine for other brands
Thanks for watching!
Camp chef zg
What about camp chef having 10 smoke settings? Is that a game changer making it a smoker?
The game changer is the ability to add wood chips, chunk and charcoal to the fire box.
Are you saying you’d like to see this addition like the woodwind pro has?
@@victorvannatter312 that would be a wonderful addition, now that’s just my opinion.
@@jimswanny1193 ya I imagine that would be a nice addition to all grills.
@@victorvannatter312 I just upgraded my original pit boss 820D to the WI-FI and PID controller and it is a wonderful upgrade but the P setting was removed so it has no smoke settings.
Not long ago this video was under 500$
Agree!!
Wagon or wyagon?
Here in Wisconsin it is Wyaygon----sorry that you do not speak Norwegian American!!! ha ha
Traeger and Zgrill are made by the same company.
Use to be.
I have a ZGrill. I love it for anything cooked under 300F... BUT over 300 within 10 minutes the grill goes into error. The Company has been very good about trying to rectify the issue. They sent a new thermometer but that doesn't correct the problem. I wouldn't buy the ZGrill again UNLESS you want to use for SMOKING ONLY! Do not think you can do your Burgers or any sreaks on the unit. Otherwise it's fantastic for chicken or ribs...
just got my Z Grill 700 and came with a damaged barrel really cheap almost paper thin finally got a refund now its going to the scrap yard , damage not from shipping but from horrible quality control in CHINA but what do you expect from CHINA
Had the same issue...They sent a new probe...still had an issue. Then they sent everything but the barrel and wheels. Hard to complain about that.
380 inches. 😢
Bigger is better
Very true!! Thanks for watching!
traeger is a z grills lol
Those things always look like they will rust out within a year.
bologna!!! you should review every pellet smokers and compare dummy
Pitt boss grills and smokers are the worst options ever. Spend the extra few hundred more and save yourself alot of headaches. They're junk who don't stand behind their grills anymore
I think they make a decent product at an affordable price. Have you owned one?
Try a Camp Chef!
@@SmokedBBQSource I haven't tried a camp chef, I already have a pit boss. I have only used it once, so i cannot speak to durability, but I got it on clearance cheap, and thought it did good. I have a charcoal smoker also and thought the taste was pretty good as far as smoke level.
I've had a Pit Boss for 4 years and used it a lot. I would like a nicer one when it finally dies but it's been a champ.
@@417sparky I think they do a decent job.
Last Thursday I went to the local Lowe’s to purchase a PitBoss pellet smoker.
I paid cash for it and left. They offer FREE setup and delivery.
That evening I found an upgraded PitBoss model that had more features I wanted so I went back
to the store with my receipt and talked to one of the salesmen. He said that shouldn’t be
a problem. I went to customer service and told them I wanted to upgrade to a larger model with more features.
I stood around there what seemed like 30+ minutes while customer service employee after employee tried to figure this out. All I wanted to do is upgrade to a larger model, pay the difference. The delivery date was told it would be November 28th or the 30th.
The first thing they said is we will have to cancel the delivery date and reschedule. I thought that was kinds odd since I was there the day before and no one operates that fast. I agreed. The next problem was they told me since I paid cash for the first grill they just couldn’t give me back the money, let me pay the difference and re-schedule the delivery.
They told me that they would have to send me a Lowe’s gift card in the mail, have me come back and give it to them, pay the difference.
I just received a phone call from Lowe’s corporate office telling me the original grill was not canceled and would receive it on the original delivery date.
When you go to Walmart and return something they right then give you a store credit card if you had paid cash or reimburse you on your credit card if you used it.
What a fiasco.
I hate returning anything to any box stores. Thanks for watching and leaving this tip for a heads up for other people getting ready to purchase from Lowe's!
I sent a letter to Lowe's corporate office about the situation. the next day I received a phone call from them telling me that is not the way they do business and called the store to straighten things out. I went to the store and told them about the letter and they should get a phone call any time from Lowe's corporate office. The lady immediately refunded my money in which I turned around and added some to it and got the Pit Boss 1150 model. It supposed to be delivered on November 30th.@@SmokedBBQSource