Best hot tubs

Best Hot Tubs for your back yard

Best hot tubs

A few things you’ll want to consider when buying a hot tub.

First I want to congratulate you on even thinking of getting one. I’m a big fan of hot tubs and I can tell you, it makes all the difference to the experience, for big parties outside with friends and romantic getaways with the loved one alike.

I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something magical about hot tubs that makes them so special for some reason. I have people reminding me of the good times we had literally years after it happened.

Okay, let’s go over a few things you’ll want to pay attention to when buying your own hot tub.

Atmosphere. The hot tub will be out there and it will get noticed. If design is important to you and you believe it affects the experience then you’ll want to consider that and get one that fits with your taste and it’s probably not the inflatable one. I like how the lights make the water glow in the dark.

Capacity. A 4-person hot tub is enough for most small to medium sized families. It will fit 2 people very comfortably (including lying down), 4 adults sitting comfortably or 6 kids sitting or playing around. If you want more, there are models available that fit 8 people and more.

Heater.

Portability. Do you want to use it for camping or move it around a lot? You might want to consider the inflatable models.

Budget. Obvious point to consider, especially when there’s like a 5x price difference between a regular and an inflatable model.

 

Best Hot Tubs

 ImageBrand & modelCapacityPriceRatingReviews
1Top Rated
Lifesmart Rock Solid Simplicity Plug and Play 4 Person Spa With 12 Jets
4 people2499.004.664
2#1 bestseller
Lifesmart Rock Solid Luna Spa with Plug   Play Operation
4 people2268.604.479
3Home and Garden 4 Person 14 Jet Plug-and Play Spa4 people2218.704.614
4Fits 7 people
Lifesmart 450DX 7-Person Rock Solid Plug and Play Spa with 19 Jets Plus Bonus Waterfall Jet and Free Super Energy...
7 people2588.874.436
5American Spas AM-630LM 5-Person 30-Jet Lounger Spa with Backlit LED Waterfall, Tuscany Sun and Mahogany5 people3890.634.315
6Home and Garden 4 Person 14 Jet Plug-and Play Spa- Round4 people2004.49411
7Fits 7 people
Lifesmart 600DX 7-Person Rock Solid Spa with 65 Jets and Free Super Energy Saving Value Package
7 people3799.993.814
8Home and Garden Spas 3 Person 31 Jet Spa3 people3293.443.520

Best Inflatable Spas for Outdoors

ImageTitlePriceRatingReviews
Top Rated
Intex Portable 6-Person Inflatable PureSpa Plus Bubble Spa - 28409E
475.964.413
#1 bestseller
Intex 77in PureSpa Portable Bubble Massage Spa Set
395.003.71356
Coleman Lay Z Spa Inflatable Hot Tub399.004.3686
Coleman SaluSpa 4-Person Portable Inflatable Outdoor Spa Hot Tub, Black389.994.231
SaluSpa Palm Springs AirJet Inflatable 6-Person Hot Tub299.994.1193
SaluSpa Miami AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub329.994292
SaluSpa Paris AirJet Inflatable Hot Tub w/ LED Light Show434.603.860
Best snow blowers

Your Guide To Picking a Snow Blower (Winter of 2019)

Best snow blowers

Looking for the best snow blower for your needs?

First thing you’ll want to think about is the power source. These are the three main types:

  1. Gas powered snow blowers. They usually come with a 125-250cc engine. They’re really powerful and offer great mobility.
  2. Electric corded snow throwers. Most work off the normal 110V household outlet. They’re quite powerful but not as mobile as you’ll need to use an extension cord.
  3. Battery powered snow blowers. Not as big as the others but do offer great mobility.

Best gas snow blowers

Gas snow blowers are the most powerful and have no problem chewing through fresh, compressed and even wet snow.

Couple of things you’ll want to consider when buying a gas-powered snow thrower for you home use:

  1. Clearing path width or how wide of a walkway or runway will it allow you to clear in one go. It ranges from 21-30 inches depending on the model. A few inches might not matter you think but it you have a large area to clear then the few inches add up.
  2. Engine. Bigger engine = more power and usually less hassle.
  3. Starter. Does it come with an electric starter?
  4. Budget. The bigger you go with the engine and width, the more you pay. There’s one model in our table, though, that we’ve labelled “Best Value”. This is the 24-inch model that offers great value for the price, especially when compared to other models of the same size.
  5. Brand. You’ll want to go with a quality brand name like Husqvarna or Briggs & Stratton. There are a couple of no-names too but these machines have low ratings and bad customer reviews so you’ll want to keep away from these models.
ImageTitleEngineWidthPriceRatingReviews
Top rated
Husqvarna ST224P - 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start with Power Steering Snowthrower - 961930122
208cc24"949.994.439
#1 bestseller
Husqvarna ST224 - 24-Inch 208cc Two Stage Electric Start Snowthrower - 961930096
208cc24"864.004.379
Briggs and Stratton 1696619 Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with 250cc Engine and Electric Start250cc27"890.014.351
Best Value
Briggs and Stratton 1696614 Dual-Stage Snow Thrower with 208cc Engine and Electric Start
208cc24"639.994.342
Yard Machines 208cc OHV 4-Cycle Gas Powered 26-Inch Two-Stage Snow Thrower With Electric Start208cc26"917.914.113
Husqvarna 961930097 254cc 2-Stage Electric Start Snow Thrower, 27-Inch254cc27"999.954.064
Most powerful
Husqvarna ST230P - 30-Inch 291cc Two Stage Electric Start with Power Steering Snowthrower - 961930101
291cc30"1199.953.251

Best cordless battery snow blowers

Battery powered snow blowers are great for light to medium snow falls. They are not as powerful as gas blowers but do offer better mobility than electric corded models and there’s no hassle with extension cords. They cost about double what the electric corded models cost but 2-3 times less than the gas powered snow blowers.

You can expect about 30-45 minutes of work time on a single charge, depending on the battery, snow thickness, and the temperature. It takes about 2 hours to charge the battery.

ImageTitleWidthPriceRatingReviews
#1 bestseller
Snow Joe iON18SB Ion Cordless Single Stage Brushless Snow Blower with Rechargeable Ecosharp 40-volt Lithium-Ion...
18"299.993.8468
Top rated
GreenWorks Pro 2600602 80V 12-Inch Cordless Snow Shovel, 2Ah Battery and Charger Included
12"289.994.36
Snow Joe iON13SS 40-volt Cordless Snow Shovel with Rechargeable Ecosharp Lithium-ion Battery, 13-Inch13"199.993.792
Snow Joe iON21SB-PRO 21-Inch Cordless Single Stage Snow Blower w/ Rechargeable 40-V 5.0 Ah Lithium-Ion Battery21"383.833.791
GreenWorks 26272 G-MAX 40V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower, 4Ah Battery and Charger Included20"299.993.673
GreenWorks Pro 80V 20-Inch Cordless Snow Thrower, 2Ah Battery   Charger Included20"370.593.5149
Snow Joe iON24SB-XR 80V Max 5.0 Ah Cordless Self-Propelled Two-Stage 3-Speed + Reverse Digital Drive Snow Blower24"799.003.233

Best electric corded snow blowers

Electric snow blowers are 3-5 times less expensive than the gas snow blowers. They are lighter weight and smaller too so you might have a bit of trouble when chewing through compressed snow. They have no problems whatsoever displacing fresh snow, though.

You are somewhat limited in terms of how far you can take the blower because you’ll need an extension cord, and the machines don’t come with one but you probably already have a suitable extension cord in your household.

These are the top rated electric snow blowers:

ImageTitleWidthPriceRatingReviews
Top Rated
New Model
GreenWorks 2600502 13 Amp 20-Inch Corded Snow Thrower
20"167.274.3271
Snow Joe Ultra SJ620 18-Inch 13.5-Amp Electric Snow Thrower18"155.674.1636
Snow Joe Ultra SJ624E 21-Inch 14-Amp Electric Snow Thrower21"179.004.154
GreenWorks 26022 10 Amp 16-Inch Corded Snow Shovel16"99.993.8351
WORX WG650 18-Inch 13 Amp Electric Snow Thrower18"194.993.8235
GreenWorks 26012 8 Amp 12-Inch Corded Snow Thrower12"94.053.7136
traveling with a mobility scooter

Traveling with a mobility scooter

Mobility scooters can give you back your independence. Almost anywhere you used to visit or plan to visit can be accessible with a mobility scooter. However, you need to plan your trips a little more carefully when you have an electric powered scooter or a wheelchair.

traveling with a mobility scooter
Image credit: David Concepcion

Flying to a destination

If you’re going to fly to destination you will want to check with the individual airlines about their policies on shipping mobility scooters. You will likely need to send your power scooter in the cargo area of the plane. Batteries generally have specific shipping requirements for safety reasons. Read this article when traveling with American Airlines.

Most airports have wheelchairs available to transport you on and off the plane. You may also be able to access special transportation between terminals. If you have layovers, particularly in large airports, you may want to call ahead and see what services they offer. You don’t want to miss a flight or get injured trying to get to your plane on time.

Transporting your mobility scooter around

You also need to ensure that once you get to your destination you can transport your mobility scooter. If you’re going to rent a vehicle make sure you find one that’s large enough to accommodate your scooter. Some scooters fold down for easy transport. See this comparison table for easy reference when choosing a mobility scooter.

You might want to check with a few car rental agencies to see which ones offer vehicles that meet your needs. Some carry vehicles that are accessible and can accommodate wheelchairs and scooters.

Public transportation

 

If you plan to use public transportation many cities have accessible buses and vans. Some of these transportation services allow you to call from anywhere in the city and get a ride. You may also be able to access discounts for seniors and people with disabilities that can help lower the cost of transportation.

Protecting your power scooter

Even if you plan on taking your own vehicle, which is equipped to transport your mobility scooter you want to make sure your scooter is protected. If you’re transporting the scooter inside of the car secure it so that the scooter doesn’t spend the ride getting tossed about.

If your scooter is attached to a dock outside of the car you may want to invest in a cover. Long trips increase the chance of encountering extreme weather and flying rocks. You wouldn’t want your scooter to get damaged. You may want to remove the battery and place it inside the car if you think there’s a chance of encountering wet weather.

Be aware of your scooter’s range

Always be aware of your scooter’s range. Mobility scooters vary quite a lot in how far they can go on a single charge. You don’t want to be in the middle of the city or at the Grand Canyon and suddenly be without power.

Going to National Parks

 

You will need to consider where you will charge your scooter and how to maximize your traveling range. Some places, like the Grand Canyon, offer buses to transport you between sites of interest.

Rather than taking a mobility scooter the whole length you can see a certain area, hop on a bus, and go to another area saving yourself miles of travel that might require a charge.

Most national parks and monuments try to be as accessible as possible. Again it is always smart to call ahead and see what’s offered and if you need to make advanced arrangements. You may be able to request special tours or assistance reaching less accessible sites but only if you ask ahead of time.

Camp Chef Pellet Grill Review

Latest updates:

  • Nov 12, 2016updated pricing info

Camp Chef pellet grill

Welcome to the Camp Chef PG24 pellet grill and smoker review (more pellet grill reviews here)

Price: $802.00 $599.99 See current price »

Great for you if you’re busy and don’t want to babysit your smoker or grill. Just load it up with pellets, set the temperature dial to the heat you want and walk away.

Three reasons to like Camp Chef pellet grill and smoker:

  • The digital control unit lets you set the amount of smoke you like (from low smoke to high smoke)
  • Wide range of heat regulation: set a temperature between 175 degrees to over 450 degrees
  • My favorite: you can toggle between the internal temperature of the meat (with a meat probe) and the temperature of a pellet grill and smoker itself

This grill is suitable for cooking and smoking any kind of meat: from turkey to pork to beef to chicken – any kind of meat you can pick up. I’ve also had success with grilling pizza and vegetables.

Bonus: handy clean out feature – no need to open up the grill and get the vacuum to suck all the ashes out.  Just pull the knob and ashes drop into a clean-out can.

For a better overview of the Camp Chef pellet grill and smoker be sure to watch this video review:

Here’s another great video on how to smoke a turkey on a pellet grill:

 

Camp Chef PG24 pellet grill and smoker

Price: $802.00 $599.99 Buy on Amazon

GMG Davy Crocket pellet grill

Pellet Grills: The Ultimate Guide (2020)

In this guide, you’ll find:

(Click on the bullet links above to jump to that section in the article)

Pellet grills can smoke, bake, roast, braise and bbq.
Many uses of a pellet grill/smoker. Image source: Traeger Grills

Know exactly what to consider when buying a pellet grill, explore the many reasons pellet grills shine over other grills and discover which pellet smoker is the best for your lifestyle, cooking style and particular needs.

If you’re looking to purchase a pellet grill, this article will help you pick a good one that meets your needs and lasts for years. Check out the comparison tables below and read our honest pellet grill reviews to pick the best pellet smoker for your budget and needs.

Happy grilling and smoking!

 

Why pellet grill is a smart choice

According to research, food grilled with a wood pellet grill is healthier:

Wood-pellet-burning grills use an indirect cooking method, which reduces the formation of carcinogenic chemicals.

Another reason I like pellet grills is that it’s like having the benefits of a smoker, a gas grill, and a wood/charcoal grill all in one. If you’re reading this, you’ve probably decided to get one and that means you’re already ahead of the 95% of grilling enthusiasts. Congratulations!

  • Convenience of a gas grill

Set it and forget it. Fill the hopper with pellets, set your preferred temperature (and a timer if you need) and go prepare a side dish or drink beer with friends. No charcoal grill will give you that freedom.

  • Taste and flavor of a wood smoker

Pellets are made of wood and they come in a multitude of flavors to choose from. No gas grill will give your food that smoky taste and flavor. 

  • Not just grilling

Use your pellet grill for smoking, baking, roasting, braising, slow cooking, and even frying. No gas or charcoal grill will give you so many options.

 

Choosing the right pellet grill and smoker

The reviewed grills here are the best rated, most popular and most reviewed pellet grills and smokers in the United States (most of them are also available for delivery to outside of U.S). 

Looking for an electric smoker instead? Look at this article for electric smoker reviews

Only the best wood pellet grills with high-quality features and ones that have proven to be reliable to their owners made it to the list. Take a closer look:

Best pellet smokers under $1,000

ImageTitlePriceCooking areaReviews
Top Rated 2019 model
Z GRILLS ZPG-700D - 700 sq inch pellet grill with electric digital controls and a patio cover
$599.00694 sq in4.5 84
2019 model
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002B - 700 sq inch pellet grill with electric digital controls and a patio cover
$509.00694 sq in4.4 23
#1 Bestseller
Camp Chef PG24 Deluxe Pellet Grill and Smoker (with Digital Controls and Stainless Temp Probe)
$499.99573 sq in4.2 424
Wi-Fi controllable
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill – WIFI enabled
$329.00219 sq in4.1 350
New Upgraded Model
Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill without Sear Box
Digital temperature control
570 sq inch cooking area
Ash cleanout system
$699.99570 sq in4.2 29
Top Rated
REC TEC RT-700Wood Pellet Grill - Featuring Smart Grill TechnologyTM
$1499.00
702 sq in5.0 21
Traeger Pellet Grills BBQ155.01 19.5K BTU Pellet Grill$445.22292 sq in4.3 159
Camp Chef SmokePro Stainless DLX Pellet Grill$499.99570 sq in4.0 53

Best portable pellet grills (comparison)

Good news if you’re one of the pellet grill fans who needs to move your grill often or just prefers to have a smaller pellet grill that you can take with should the need arise. REC TEC has come out with a smaller and portable version of their best selling wood pellet grill.

ImageTitlePriceRatingReviews
Top Rated in Portable
Traeger TFB42LZBC Grills Lil Tex Elite 22 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
$699.994.5577
Wi-Fi controllable
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill – WIFI enabled
$329.004.1350
Currently Unavailable
REC TEC Grills™ Mini Portable Pellet Grill
$499.003.814
Traeger Portable Grill PTG$399.403.496

Best pellet grills for catering and professional chefs

The Memphis Grills Elite Series pellet grills and smokers are the absolute best you can have. They are more expensive than your backyard pellet grills but built to last and they come with Wi-Fi which gives you the freedom to control your grill from anywhere you desire.

Pellet GrillGrill Name and ModelPrice Features Rating
Top Rated
Wi-Fi controllable
Memphis Grills Elite 39-inch Pellet Grill Built In - Vgb0002s
$4,999.00844 sq in
180-700 F
24 lb hopper
5.0 (5)
1750 sq in capacity
Louisiana Grills LG-001000-1750 WH-1750 Country Smoker Whole Hog
$3,099.001750 sq in
180-500 F
4.0 (3)
Wi-Fi controllable
Memphis Grills Advantage Plus 26-inch Pellet Grill On Cart - Vg0050s4-p
$2,899.00427 sq in
180-600 F
12 lb hopper
5.0 (1)
Traeger Grills Pro Series 34 Grill$1,349.99884 sq in4.3 (20)

Pellet grill reviews

1. Camp Chef Woodwind Pellet Grill

New Upgraded Model

Camp Chef Woodwind Grill

Price: $699.99

Buy Camp Chef Woodwind

This is our favorite pellet grill today. The Woodwind is a new upgraded pellet grill from Camp Chef over their SmokePro, PG24, and PG24 Deluxe.

Compared to previous models, Woodwind comes with leg casters, a bottom shelf,​ blue LED screen read-out (easier to see in the sunlight), and thicker and more sturdy legs. It also has an enlarged and improved cover on the pellet hopper,  stainless steel burner pot​ and upgraded thermometer probe placement.

Note that the Woodwind comes in two versions: with sear box ($899) and without a sear box ($699).

Buy Camp Chef Woodwind​

2. Camp Chef PG24 Pellet Grill

#1 Bestseller

Camp Chef pellet grill

Price: $655.90

Buy Camp Chef PG24

Comes with a medium sized grilling area of 19.5″ x 22″ (430 square inches). The PG24 is our second favorite pellet grill under $1,000 but it landed on the first spot (before they introduced the Woodwind) because of its better price and free shipping compared to the Rec Tec. 

It’s not as large as the REC TEC and the construction is not as rock-hard sturdy but it’s still very solid and definitely gets the job done.

With the internal temperature sensor, meat temperature probe, and a digital temperature readout, the PG24 pellet smoker takes the guesswork out of your cooking process. An advanced digital temperature chip gives a more steady smoke and temperature, eliminating large temperature swings and giving a more consistent cooking temperature. The patented Ash Can Cleanout System makes clean up the easiest out there.

Click here to read the full review of Camp Chef PG24 pellet grill and smoker.

Buy Camp Chef PG24

3. REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill

Top Rated

REC TEC pellet grill

Price: $998.00 + shipping

Buy REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill

Comes with a large 19.5″ x 36″ (702 square inch) cooking area. Maintains precise temperature from 180ºF to 500ºF (5º increments). REC TEC will automatically light up with a push of a button and heat up to the temperature you have selected. REC TEC has a really good and precise temperature control so you can even use it for baking.

REC TEC grills are built of 304 stainless steel in America and come with a 6-year limited warranty. I have yet to meet a person that owns a REC TEC and isn’t happy with its performance. It’s super high quality and durable.

I love the features and I’m happy to pay a few hundred extra bucks for the highest quality and durability.

This, in my opinion and first-hand experience, is the best pellet grill out there for under $1,000. 

The only downside and the reason this landed on the second spot in our reviews is that when you order yours from Amazon, they make you pay $199 for shipping. 

Check out the video below or click to read my full review and experience with REC TEC pellet grill.

Price: $998.00 + shipping

Buy REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill

 

4. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill (WIFI enabled)

GMG Davy Crocket pellet grill

This is the ultimate portable grill. It can run off a 12V with no problem so plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter. It also works 120AC so it’s perfect for home or camping, tailgating, hunting, house-boating, music festivals or anywhere you can take it!

The legs are foldable and it weighs only 57 pounds so easily place in the trunk of any car.

Your Davy Crocket comes with a digital Wi-Fi controller so you can control it and monitor both with iOS and Android app.

Includes a meat probe, a peaked lid, a convenience tray with utensil hooks and our new open flame technology grease tray. Also included is Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor which constantly monitors grill temperature.

Buy GMG Davy Crocket Pellet Grill

 

5. Traeger BBQ155.01 Junior Pellet Grill

Traeger

This is a small and portable pellet grill from Traeger.

Comes with a small 292 square inch cooking surface, bronze lid finish, fully automatic auger, electronic auto start, digital control and a 10-pound pellet hopper.
With a weight of just 70 pounds and dimensions of 21 x 23 x 21 inches, it’s one of the smallest pellet grills there is.

Comes partially assembled, just attach the legs and the firebox (takes less than 30 minutes). All the necessary tools for assembly are included in the package.

Really easy to use and you don’t even have to clean it after every use.

Buy Traeger Pellet Grill

6. Camp Chef PG24S Pellet Grill and Smoker Deluxe

Camp Chef PG24S pellet grill

This is an exclusive model built for outdoor cooking. Comes with a stainless steel lid and the construction is very sturdy.

PG24S pellet grill comes with a built-in meat probe for temperature control, a 19.5 x 22 inches grilling area and an 18 lbs hopper. The unit itself weighs 131 pounds.

Offers full cooking range from low to high smoke or 160 to over 400 degrees Fahrenheit (depends on pellets used etc).

We like this grill a lot and another thing we like about Camp Chef is their excellent customer service.

If you want to store your grill outdoors when not using it you should also get the cover to protect it from the rain and such.

Buy Camp Chef PG24S Deluxe

 

7. Louisiana Grills LG 900 Pellet Grill

Lousiana Grills LG900 pellet grill

Comes with a 633 square inch main grilling surface, but also includes a 280 square inch removable upper cooking rack (total cooking area: 913 square inches). Includes a digital thermostat and gives you precise heat control from 170 Fahrenheit to 600 Fahrenheit (5 degree increments).

And by using the included programmable meat probe interface, you can cook and control automatically with precision. Comes with a Flame Broiler for Open Flame Grilling.

Made from heavy duty 14 gauge steel. Porcelain Cast Iron Main Grids.

Buy Louisiana LG900 Pellet Grill

8. Traeger TEXAS ELITE 34, Black and Bronze

Traeger Texas Elite 34 pellet grill

This is a huge pellet grill. Comes with a 646 square inch (34″ x 19″) grilling area which holds up to 24 burgers or 6 chickens or 32 hot dogs or 9 rib racks.

The wheels and legs have been upgraded for more stability.

Comes with porcelain grill grates which are easy to clean and a digital thermostat (means from low and slow to hot and fast grilling).

Note: Some people have noted problems with the temperature control.

Includes a 3-year warranty like all Traeger grills.

Buy Traeger Texas Elite 34

 

Note: more pellet grill reviews will be published soon but all our favorites have been listed above. Read below for some elite pellet grill reviews, portable pellet grill reviews and our list of pellet grill deals and packages.

 

Best portable pellet smokers (reviews)

1. REC TEC Grills™ Mini Portable Pellet Grill

Top Rated in Portable Pellet Grills
REC TEC mini portable pellet grill

Heats up real fast. Takes about 4 minutes to heat up to 225 degrees, 8 minutes to 400 degrees, and about 15 minutes to 600 degrees.

We were impressed with how steady it holds the temperature, max fluctuation around 3-4 degrees.

341 square inch grilling area. Big enough for one turkey or 3-4 ribs or about two briskets.

Efficient, you’ll go through only about 1 pound of pellets an hour when smoking at 225 F.

It’s got foldable legs so it’s easy to carry the thing from one place to another.

Solid construction like it’s big brother. Comes with a 2-year warranty.

Buy REC TEC Mini

2. Green Mountain Grills Davy Crocket

Wi-Fi controllable

GMG Davy Crocket pellet grill

As already discussed above, this is the ultimate portable grill.

It can run off a 12V with no problem so plug it into your car’s cigarette lighter. It also works 120AC so it’s perfect for home or camping, tailgating, hunting, house-boating, music festivals or anywhere you can take it!

The legs are foldable and it weighs only 57 pounds so easily place in the trunk of any car.

Your Davy Crocket comes with a digital Wi-Fi controller so you can control it and monitor both with iOS and Android app.

Includes a meat probe, a peaked lid, a convenience tray with utensil hooks and our new open flame technology grease tray. Also included is Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor which constantly monitors grill temperature.

Buy GMG Davy Crocket Pellet Grill

3. Traeger Junior Elite

Traeger Junior Elite pellet grill

300 square inch grilling area (20 x 15 inches), holds up to 12 burgers, 18 hot dogs, 4 chickens, 3 rib racks or 1 turkey.

Weighs 60 pounds.

Perfect for tailgating, small households and traveling.

Comes with a 3-year warranty.

Buy Traeger Junior Elite

Pellet Grill Deals and Packages

Every now and then the pellet grill manufacturers come out with deals and discount packages. It would be foolish to not take advantage of these offers. Take a look at some of the current offers available below.

Davy Crockett Online Package:

  • Wi-Fi controlled Green Mountain Grills Pellet Grill
  • Grill Cover and tote bag
  • 2 bags of Gourmet blend pellets (8lb)
  • 2 bottles of rubs and 2 bottles of sauces
pellet-grill-package-davy-crocket
 

More about pellet grills

What is a pellet grill (often called pellet smoker)

Wood pellet grill is a two-in-one mixture of a smoker and a grill. It doesn’t provide direct flame for your steaks or meat as a grill would which eliminates flare-ups. Since there’s no direct flame, searing meat isn’t an option and there’s a better choice if this is your desire. However, if you desire a great smoky flavor with an easy cooking process then a pellet smoker is an excellent choice.

Pellet grill is a type of grill that uses wood pellets as its fuel source. The pellets are made of compressed sawdust. These wooden pellets are used to fuel the grill instead of charcoal or gas. However, the pellet grill works almost the same way as charcoal and gas grills combined.

To cook food using a pellet grill, put the pellets into a hopper. When you turn it on, the igniting rod will burn pellets in the fire. The motor-driven auger will then supply the fire pot with pellets from the hopper. The ratio that auger delivers pellets to fire pot depends on the settings you control. If you set it at a high temperature for a longer period of time, the auger will keep on feeding the fire pot with pellets. However, if you are slow-cooking and set a low-temperature one, the feeding and delivery of pellets will also slow down.

Pellet grills are used not only for grilling but also in baking, smoking, roasting, and more. Nevertheless, the significance of pellet grill is to imitate how charcoal works in smoking and how gas grill regulates the temperature.

Why should I get a pellet grill

If you like grilling outdoors, you want to reduce the time and energy you spend using traditional and classic methods of grilling in an open air. The problem with traditional grills is that you keep on manually feeding the grill with charcoal or wood. In addition, you need to stay near the grill until the food is finally cooked.

Time is as precious as your energy. In conventional grills, your waiting period is much longer, and they require much attention. On top of that, you will need to exert so much effort in setting them up and keeping them work in the entire duration of cooking. If you are sick and tired of all this, it is high time you buy a pellet grill.

Pros of a Pellet Grill

Set it and forget it. It does not require you to stay while the food is being cooked as you can set a timer and temperature so you can do other things, like prepare the side dishes or drink beer with friends while the grill is doing its job. Most pellet grills use electronic controls to regulate the grilling according to your preferences. You have a choice to choose the level of smoke aside from choosing your desired temperature.

Choose your flavor. The good thing about pellet grills is that the pellets are flavored. Pellets may come from apple wood, cherry, pecan, mesquite, and hickory wood. You can also match a combination of wood flavor and food like using apple pellets when cooking fish or using hickory with beef.

Moreover, pellet smokers are safe. You won’t have to worry about fire and explosion because its temperature control prevents the grill from overheating even in prolonged use. It has a deflector plate between the fire pot and grill grate to ensure that grease, oil, or meat juices will not get in contact with fire so as to prevent a sudden flare-up.

Cons of a Pellet Grill

First pellet grills and older models with three-position controllers have disadvantages as it is hard to achieve your desired temperature in the winter. Pellet jams are also a problem with the old type of pellet grills.

Today, there is no general disadvantage that is present among all pellet grills. Each model or brand has its pros and cons. There are a lot of different pellet grill manufacturers in the market today, including some cheap Chinese ones that you should steer clear from.

Things to Consider When Choosing a Pellet Grill

Every pellet grill offers a lot of benefits, but choosing a better one will not make you regret it along the way. Although it is difficult to decide which one is better, you will have an idea what to choose if you know what you need.

Are you looking for a pellet grill for slow-cooking? The one with larger hopper would serve well. If you are looking for a much safer one, a stainless pellet grill is better.

Before you buy a pellet grill, check if it has a PID controller. This is a built-in electronic feature that uses an advanced algorithm to accurately and safely control the cooking process based on your preferences you set. Most pellet grills today have PID so it is good to buy what the one that many people already enjoy.

How Does It Compare to Other Grills?

There are several types of grills and these are charcoal, gas, wood, electric smokers, open fire grill, and pellet grill. Each of them offers different benefits. In terms of comparison, pellet grill is still superior because it is the combination of all such grills. You can use it to smoke that way charcoal grill does. You enjoy the wood flavor of wood grill using pellets, and it is also electrically and electronically-operated.

Types of Cooking Techniques You Can Use with a Pellet Grill

As mentioned above, pellet grill can be used for many types of cooking such as

  • grilling,
  • smoking,
  • baking,
  • roasting,
  • braising,
  • slow-cooking, and even
  • frying.

The only thing you may not do is steam your food as moisture may affect the grill itself.

Types of Food that is Best to Cook with the Pellet Grill

Chicken, beef, pork, and more are the ones that are ideal for a pellet grill. Fish is also good as long as you should clean the grill after use because the smell of a fish may affect the taste of meat you will cook next. Looking for inspiration? Take a look at these pellet grill recipes or these to get your juices flowing.

Best pellet grill manufacturers

Conclusion

More and more pellet grills are being manufactured now as the benefits of “pellet grilling” are being discovered and it’s a smart choice to go with if you want the taste and flavor of the wood grill and the convenience of a gas grill.

Just make sure to pick a grill that meets your needs (size, features, portability) and has good customer reviews. Do your research (hopefully this article helps) but don’t overthink it – a grill in your back yard is better than no grill.

Enjoy the BBQ and time with your friends and family!

Latest updates:

Apr 5, 2019 – introduced new models, reviewed whole article
Jan 1, 2019 – updated article for 2019
Jan 11th, 2018
pellet grill guide update for 2018
Jun 4th, 2017 – major comparison and reviews update
Jan 3rd, 2017 
updated for 2017
Nov 24th, 2016
added Elite section, updated pellet grill reviews
Nov 16th, 2016
added “Portable pellet grills” section
Nov 11th, 2016 
updated comparison table