Smoke, Sear, and Simmer Your Way to Grilling Glory
Pellet smokers have become a popular choice for outdoor enthusiasts. They offer the convenience of gas grills with the deep, smoky flavor of traditional smokers. They’re perfect for low and slow smoking of brisket or ribs but can also reach high enough temperatures for searing steaks. With so many models available, choosing the right one can be tricky. This blog post will explore the top 3 pellet smokers to consider in 2024, catering to different needs and budgets.
Choosing Your Perfect Pellet Smoker:
Consider these factors before making your decision:
- Budget: Pellet smokers range in price from budget-friendly to high-end.
- Cooking Space: How much food do you typically cook at once?
- Features: Do you need Wi-Fi connectivity, a large temperature range, or sear capability?
- Size & Portability: Do you have limited space, or do you plan to move the smoker around?
#1: Traeger Pro 780 Wifi Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker
Traeger is a household name in the pellet smoker world, and the Pro 780 lives up to the brand’s reputation. This feature-packed smoker boasts WiFIRE technology for remote temperature monitoring and control through your smartphone. It also has a D2 controller for precise temperature regulation, ensuring perfectly smoked meats every time.
Pros:
- WiFIRE Technology: Monitor and adjust smoker temperature from your phone for ultimate convenience.
- Large Capacity: With 780 square inches of cooking space, you can smoke a variety of foods simultaneously.
- Porcelain-coated Grates: Easy to clean and maintain, ensuring a frustration-free grilling experience.
- Super Smoke Mode: Infuse your food with an intense smoky flavor for that authentic barbecue taste.
- Durable Construction: Made from high-quality materials for long-lasting performance.
Cons:
- Price: At $999.99, the Traeger Pro 780 is one of the more expensive options on this list. (Get it at Amazon with a link here)
- Limited Customization: While compatible with some Traeger accessories, it may not integrate seamlessly with third-party products.
#2: Pit Boss Pro Series Combo Pellet Smoker with Gas Grill & Side Burner Combo from Lowe’s
Pit Boss Pro Series P4 Vertical Pellet Smoker with Gas Grill & Side Burner Combo
The Pit Boss Pro Series P4 Vertical Pellet Smoker with Gas Grill & Side Burner Combo offers a unique three-in-one solution for the ultimate grilling experience. This smoker boasts a vertical design that maximizes its 440 square inch cooking space in a smaller footprint, perfect for patios or balconies. But the real star of the show is the combo functionality. The smoker sits above a traditional two-burner gas grill, ideal for searing steaks or stir-frying veggies. The side burner adds even more versatility, allowing you to simmer sauces or boil corn on the cob.
Pros:
- Three-in-One Versatility: Smoke, grill with gas, and even simmer or boil with the side burner – all in one unit.
- Space-Saving Design: The vertical smoker maximizes cooking space without taking up a large footprint, making it ideal for smaller areas.
- Digital Controls: Easy-to-use digital controls and a wide temperature range (180°F to 500°F) for ultimate grilling flexibility.
- Warranty: Backed by a 5-year warranty for peace of mind.
Cons:
- Limited Smoker Capacity: The 440 square inch space may be limiting for very large gatherings.
- Smaller individual grill surface: This model doesn’t have a large capacity for doing multiple full briskets at a time. I have cooked 4 racks of ribs at the same time, but if you are doing a large event and trying to cook multiple full briskets, this will not be large enough
Price: $799.00 sold at this link (made exclusively for Lowe’s, but this is the best one I have seen)
#3: Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 Pellet Grill
Camp Chef offers a strong contender in the pellet smoker market with the Woodwind WiFi 24. This smoker boasts a spacious 700 square-inch cooking area, perfect for accommodating a variety of dishes for family cookouts or entertaining friends
Pros:
- Spacious Cooking Area: With 700 square inches of cooking space, you have ample room to smoke or grill a variety of dishes for family meals or gatherings.
- Wi-Fi Connectivity and App Control: Monitor and adjust smoker temperature remotely through your smartphone for ultimate convenience, especially for longer smoking sessions.
- Slide and Grill Functionality: This innovative feature allows you to easily convert the smoker into a direct-flame grill, perfect for searing steaks or burgers.
- Adjustable Smoke Levels: Fine-tune the smokiness of your food with a designated smoke control setting, offering you more control over the final flavor.
- Durable Stainless Steel Construction: Built to last with high-quality materials, ensuring years of reliable use.
- Ash Cleanout System: This convenient feature allows you to easily remove ashes after each cook, simplifying the cleaning process.
- Four Meat Probe Ports: Monitor the internal temperature of your food with multiple probes for precise cooking.
Cons:
- Price: While not quite as expensive as the Traeger Pro 780, the Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 still falls on the higher end of the price spectrum, typically costing around $999.99.
- Larger Footprint: The Camp Chef Woodwind WiFi 24 has a large footprint, so ensure you have adequate space on your patio or balcony.
The Winner is…
This is a personal choice, but I will tell you that we have the Pit Boss Pro Series Combo unit that has a Pellet smoker on one side, a Gas Grill on the other, and a gas side burner. We love this and can be seen cooking on it almost every weekend year-round. It has been going strong for over 4 years and we absolutely love it!
If I were cooking for a gathering of more than 20 people, I think this would be too small. However, for a family of 5 and having a few friends over, this is large enough to cook for those crowds. I can cook/smoke on one side, set the gas grill to “keep warm,” and cook sides on the burner. We absolutely love it, and you can find many of our videos here on our YouTube channel under the Pit Boss Playlist.