As a seasoned outdoor and grilling enthusiast, I’ve had the opportunity to test and use various portable pellet grills. Light and easy to move around, these grills are perfect for camping and tailgating trips. While there are many good portable pellet grills out there, I must say the Z GRILLS ZPG-450A is my favorite. This grill is compact, yet powerful, with a 450-square inch cooking surface and easy to use digital control board.
Keep reading to learn more about the ZPG-450A and the other five options in my review of the best portable pellet grills. Whether you’re a camping enthusiast or a tailgating pro, you will find the perfect portable wood pellet grill.
Overall Best
The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A is an excellent pellet smoker if you’re really looking for a wood pellet grill that is both compact and powerful. With a cooking surface of 450 square inches, you’ll have plenty of room to cook for a small group of people. The ZPG-450A also has a grease management bucket that makes cleaning a breeze.
I also have to mention that the ZPG-450A is multi-functional. You can make BBQ, bake, roast, braise, smoke, grill, sear, or char-grill foods on it. Such is its versatility.
The wheels on the bottom of the portable grill make it easy to move around, and the size makes it storable when not in use.
The digital control board is another feature that I really appreciate. It makes setting the temperature and monitoring the cooking process simple. The automatic auger ensures that the pellets are fed into the wood pellet grill at a steady rate, which helps to maintain a consistent temperature.
One downside to the ZPG-450A is that it doesn’t have as wide a temp range as some portable wood pellet grills on the market. The ZPG-450A temp range is 180-450 degrees.
Runner-up
The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Portable Pellet Grill is a good model for those looking for a compact, portable, yet powerful camping grill.
With dimensions of 30 x 15 x 22 inches, the Davy Crockett is small enough to take with you on camping trips or tailgating events. It has a cooking surface of just 219 square inches, but you will have enough space to cook for a small group. It also has a digital control board for setting the grill’s temperature as the auger feeds pellets.
There is also a grease management system in the Davy Crockett, which helps with clean-up. This is a major plus point because cleaning a grill can be a hassle, especially if you’re out in the wilderness. The tray makes it easy to dispose of excess grease and keeps the grill clean and tidy.
The Davy Crockett is designed to be portable. It’s lightweight and small enough to go in the trunk of your car. Plus, it comes with a set of two wheels, so you can easily move it around. This makes it an ideal option for camping or tailgating. The grill is also very easy to assemble and disassemble, so you can set it up and take it down in no time.
The temperature range of 180-550F makes it a versatile grill that can be used for smoking, grilling, and even baking.
Additionally, the Davy Crockett has a built-in meat probe, which allows you to monitor the internal temperature of your food without having to open the lid. This can help you achieve the perfect cook every time.
Another great feature of the Davy Crockett is its WiFi capabilities. You can control and monitor the grill using the Green Mountain Grills app on your smartphone. So you can see the temperature and the cooking time from anywhere.
Best Value for Money
One of the things which gives the Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill a high value for money is that it has a total cooking surface of 501 square inches. That’s twice as large as the Davy Crocket.
The temperature range of this grill is 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, which gives you a lot of flexibility when it comes to cooking different types of food.
One of the things I love about this grill is its compact size. The Camp Chef Pursuit measures 38 x 19 x 32 inches and clearly fits the grill category for camping or tailgating.
The wheels on the bottom of the grill make it even easier to move around, and the built-in grease management system ensures easy clean-up. The grill also has a large ash pan that makes it easy to dispose of the ash after you finish cooking.
In terms of cooking performance, the Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill didn’t disappoint. I was able to get a nice sear on my steaks, and the burgers came out juicy and cooked to perfection.
The temperature control is also very accurate, and I maintained a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process.
One thing to keep in mind, however, is that the Camp Chef Pursuit is not the most budget-friendly option out there. It’s more expensive than the Davy Crockett and definitely on the pricier side.
However, I think the quality and performance of the grill are worth the price. All the features are balanced from a wider temperature range to a larger cooking capacity and extra features like the proportional integral derivative (PID) controller, ash cleanout system, and grease management system.
If you’re looking for a high-quality portable pellet grill that is powerful and easy to use, the Camp Chef Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill is definitely worth considering.
My Premium Pick
I recently had the opportunity to test out the Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 Pellet Grill, and I have to say, I was impressed. The first thing that stood out to me was its compact size when the folding legs are bent in. At 37 inches in length, 18 inches in width, and 34 inches in height, the Traeger pellet grill is small enough to take to tailgating events and camping trips. However, it still has a cooking surface of 300 square inches which is sufficient for on-the-go cooks.
The temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit is more than sufficient for most types of cooking.
Moreover, the Tailgater 20 has a system for grease management that helps with cleaning. The grease tray is easy to remove and empty, and the grill itself is easy to wipe down. This is a huge plus in my book, as cleaning up after a cookout is one of my least favorite parts of grilling.
The Traeger Tailgater 20 performs well when it comes to cooking efficiency. The grill heats up quickly and maintains a steady temperature throughout the cooking process. You can grill burgers, chicken, and vegetables, and each would come out delicious.
The food always comes out evenly cooked with a great smoky flavor. I especially like that I can just set the temperature and walk away. The grill takes care of the rest.
One minor downside to the Traeger Grills Tailgater 20 is that it doesn’t have a built-in thermometer. Additionally, the price point is on the higher side, but it’s worth it for the grill’s convenience and performance.
Best Tabletop Pellet Grill
With a 202-square-inch cooking surface, the Cruiser is, in my books, one of the best tabletop pellet grills on the market. The briefcase-style Z Grills Cruiser 200A grill has a dimension of 25 x 20 x 13 inches and is perfect for cooking for three to five people. At the same time, it’s the most affordable grill in this review of the best portable pellet grill smokers.
Don’t expect miracle features on this grill. First, it lacks a digital control board that would otherwise make setting the temperature manageable. Instead, there is a knob at the bottom left corner of the grill from the front. Just crank it up, and the auger will start feeding pellets into the grill.
Z Grills Cruiser 200A also doesn’t have any grease management tray. So, the clean-up is all up to you. It’s not a big grill that would be tasked to clean.
One of the things I like most about the Cruiser is its compact size. It’s small enough and designed like a suitcase for your camping trips, tailgating events, or other outdoor events.
The size of this tabletop pellet grill and the automatic temperature control system also makes it perfect for your cooking. There’s no temperature fluctuation whatsoever.
Largest Cooking Surface
The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Portable Pellet Grill is ideal if you want a grill that is easy to move around and can adapt to different cooking needs.
This model has a wide range of temperatures that can be varied from 160 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. So, you can cook anything a BBQ allows you to – smoke racks of ribs, bake pastries, roast, braise, or BBQ.
You can use it for low and slow cooking, as well as for high-heat grilling. The temperature control is also very accurate, so you can be sure your food will be perfectly cooked.
Thanks to the patented ash clean-out system under the grill, cleaning is easy. To vary the flavor profile of your food, you can even change the pellets easily, maybe from oak to apple.
The SmokePro DLX also has a cooking surface of 570 square inches, which can contain up to 20 burgers or – for rib rack lovers – up to four baby back ribs. The grilling area measures 19.5 x 22 inches, while the warming rack has a cooking space of 6 x 24 inches.
The SmokePro DLX is also relatively easy to assemble. It took me around 30 minutes to put it together, and the instructions were very clear. The grill is also very sturdy and well-built, so I do not doubt that it will last a long time.
Additionally, the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX has wheels, which makes it easy to move around. It’s not the lightest grill out there, but it’s still manageable.
In this buying guide, you’ll find all you need to know about portable pellet grills, how they work, and the benefits of these BBQ machines. I’ll also tell you what to consider when choosing.
There are several reasons why you should consider buying a portable pellet grill. However, the key reason is portable pellet grills are manufactured to be easy to transport and set up, which makes them perfect for camping trips, tailgating events, picnics, and other outdoor activities. They are small enough to fit in the trunk of a car, and many come with wheels, which makes them easy to move around.
A portable pellet grill is a must-have if you love outdoor cooking and want a versatile, convenient, and flavorful way to prepare food.
A portable pellet grill works by burning wood pellets into heat energy. First, the pellets are fed into the grill by electricity through a hopper. Then, they are lit in the grill where they burn consistently, producing a steady heat supply.
The grill is equipped with a digital control board, which allows you to set the temperature and monitor the cooking process.
Keep these factors in mind as you shop for your pellet grill, and you’ll be sure to find the best option for your needs.
There are a few potential negatives to consider when it comes to pellet grills:
Some high-quality pellet grill brands include Traeger, Green Mountain, Camp Chef, Z Grills, and Weber. These brands have a reputation for producing durable, well-designed grills that offer a range of features and capabilities. Additionally, these brands are known for their customer service and support.
Some popular pellets used in a portable pellet grill include mesquite, hickory, apple, and maple.
Each type of wood pellet will infuse your food with a unique flavor, so it’s a good idea to try a few different types to find your favorite.
Cleaning and maintaining your portable pellet grill is relatively simple.
It is also recommended to check the pellets hopper and clean it if needed. You can also check the manufacturer’s manual for specific cleaning.
When looking for the best portable pellet grill for camping and tailgating, one of the most important points to consider is the size and weight of the grill. Choose a grill that is compact and lightweight enough to transport easily. Keep in mind that it must also offer enough cooking space to accommodate your needs.
The Z GRILLS ZPG-450A is the overall best choice currently available on the market. This grill offers a spacious cooking surface, a wide temperature range, and is easy to transport and store. Additionally, it features built-in meat probes and a grease management system.
A close second is the Davy Crockett. While it ticks most of the boxes on my portable pellet grill checklist, its small cooking surface costs it a few points in my book. However, if you are looking to cook for a small crowd, then this grill will work just fine.
