This article will cover three very different pellet grills/smokers that fall under the category of small. We recommend each for different reasons. Affordability, portability and overall best. Let’s get started!
Before we dive into our list of the best small-sized pellet grills, let’s start by defining a pellet grill. A pellet grill, often referred to as a pellet smoker, combines elements of grilling, smoking, and ovens. Wood pellets stored in a hopper are fed to a fire pot with an auger. The fire pot is located under the grill. After a hot rod ignites the pellets, a fan stokes the fire creating a convection heat that cooks/smokes your food. However, it should be noted that ALL pellet grills need access to electricity the entire cooking process. The big advantage to pellet smoking over traditional grilling or smoking is allowing you to be little more hands off with your food. This method also offers a more subtle smoke flavor compared to traditional charcoal grills or charcoal smokers and versatility to allow you to grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and grill food.
Best Affordable Small Pellet Grill/Smoker
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513 sq. inches of grill space
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180 – 475 degree temperature range
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15 lb. hopper capacity
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65 lbs total weight
- 3 year warranty
This is the perfect pellet smoker for any beginner or experienced griller. It comes in at a more affordable price without sacrificing quality. It’s made of stainless steel and metal, and has the largest grilling surface area of any grill on this list. It has a decent heat range of 180 degrees – 475 degrees. This smoker has a 15 pound hopper capacity and weighs roughly 65 pounds. It has wheels for moving around, but is not very portable. This grill is my favorite grill for the cost. However, if you are choosing the Z Grill, consider this larger option for a few bucks more!
Best Portable Small Pellet Grill/Smoker
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219 sq. inches of grill space
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150 – 550 degree temperature range
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9 lb hopper capacity
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57 lbs total weight
- Wi-Fi Controller/App
- Internal meat probe
The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is a unique addition to this list. It is the smallest, however it is the most portable. One of the big selling points of the Davy Crockett is the folding legs, making it the perfect pellet grill for portability. It has a 9 pound hopper capacity, which is a bit on the smaller side. It has the smallest grilling surface area of the other grills on this list (219 sq. inches), Green Mountain Grills has an iOS application that will pair to your grill, allowing you to watch and control the heat in your grill from your smartphone. This makes the pellet grilling experience even more hands off, and could add a lot of value to the right buyer. As noted above, you will need access to electricity if you are taking this grill along on your camping trip or tailgate party. Consider an inverter to use the car battery if this is your intention.
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Overall Best Small Pellet Grill/Smoker
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418 sq. in. grilling area
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Roughly 180 – 450 degrees temperature range
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18 lb hopper capacity
- Digital controller
The Traeger Lil Tex Elite 22 Pellet Grill is the best pellet grill on this list. The Traeger name is to pellet smokers as the Weber name is to charcoal grills. They are reputable and of the highest quality. It comes in at a higher price than the other two grills listed, and has about a hundred less square inches of grilling surface area than the Z Grill. It’s made of steel with a powder coat finish. It weighs a hefty 98 pounds, but it has wheels for easier maneuverability. The hopper capacity is 18 pounds, the largest on this list. The Traeger is the best looking grill of the three grills if style is important to you.
In summation, all three of the pellet smokers serve three different types of buyers. The Z Grill is great for someone wanting to get into pellet smoking, or someone that is on a budget and still seeking quality. The Green Mountain Grills “Davy Crockett” is perfect for the “on-the-go” griller, whether a beginner or expert, and priced very reasonably. The Trager Lil Tex Elite 22 is perfect for someone looking to upgrade from their current pellet grill, or simply wants the best small pellet grill money can buy. Hopefully this list helps lead you in the right direction as you search for the best small pellet grill/smoker for you!
