Best pellet stove 2018 – [Buyer’s Guide]

Last Updated September 1, 2023

Best pellet stove of 2018

However, after giving you the TOP list, I will also give you some of the benefits you stand to gains for using it. I have a variety of material used in the construction of pellet stove including metal, plastic, and glass. I must say I am quite a fan of pellet stove, so when the question “What are the best pellet stove available on the market?” came to my mind, I excitedly started gathering information together with personal experience to write this article in the hope that it may help you find the suitable pellet stove. Here are my top picks with detailed reviews, comparison charts and buying guides to help you purchase the perfect item for your needs.

Test Results and Ratings

Rank	№1	№2	№3
Product
Total	4.8	4.5	4.3
Design	5 points	4 points	5 points
Versatility	4 points	5 points	4 points
Construction	5 points	4 points	4 points
Price	5 points	5 points	4 points
Awards

 

 

 

 

 

 

№1 – After Market Version Of Quadrafire Pellet Stove Vauum Switch

Why did this pellet stove win the first place?

The material is stylish, but it smells for the first couple of days. I really enjoy the design. It is compact, comfortable and reliable. And it looks amazing! I am very happy with the purchase. It is definitely worth its money. The product is top-notch! I don’t know anything about other models from this brand, but I am fully satisfied with this product.

Design 5

Versatility 4

Construction 5

Price 5

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№2 – Englander Pellet Stove Bottom Auger Feed System Kit Including Auger Motor

Why did this pellet stove come in second place?

The material is pretty strong and easy to wash if needed. I like this product. For such a low price, I didn’t even hope it to be any better. It’s decently made. Managers explained me all the details about the product range, price, and delivery. The design quality is top notch and the color is nice.

Design 4

Versatility 5

Construction 4

Price 5

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№3 – MEECO’S RED DEVIL 84332 3-Inch Pellet Stove Cleaning Brush

Why did this pellet stove take third place?

We are very pleased with the purchase — the product is great! It is inconvenient to use due to the size. I am going to get something different next time. This price is appropriate since the product is very well built. It doesn’t squeaks nor bents. Looks great in my apartment.

Design 5

Versatility 4

Construction 4

Price 4

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pellet stove Buyer’s Guide

Here’s the real deal.

Additionally, the unit is EPA-certified and provides an 85-percent efficiency rating, meaning you won’t have to worry about the loss of heat transfer or polluting the environment.

We really liked the option to set the unit to minimum or maximum settings in addition to intermediate settings via Pleasant Hearth’s Comfort Control System. This gave us the option to really blast away the chill or keep things nice and toasty when things weren’t so cold outside.

Listen to this

Castle pellet stoves come with a smart controller, but compared to other options, the thermal efficiency doesn’t really add up. These stoves are good for smaller homes and dwellings that don’t receive very cold temperatures during the winter.

The ability to heat up to 1,500 square feet is nice for those who need it, but if you’re in a larger home and you demand efficiency, you’re likely going to need to consider other options. We did, however, like that this unit was EPA-certified and good for the environment.

Here’s what you need to know.

The Pelpro 50,000 BTU stove is a beast, providing tons of heat and offering a whopping 130-pound hopper. This means that you can load in over four normal bags of pellets and just let the unit run.

On top of that, due to its large capacity and high BTU output, the Pelpro can comfortably heat 2,200 square heat of space without a problem. If you have a large home with multiple levels, this unit can definitely handle the challenge.

How We Tested

Because pellet stoves require a constant amount of fuel, we decided to ensure quality and consistency in our reviews by using the same pellets. This was also done in order to ensure safety across the variety of stoves that we tested.

Please be advised that fuel pellets can vary in material by manufacturer and we always encourage you to make sure that the pellets you are using are compatible with your particular stove to avoid fires and injuries.

In order to measure temperature changes, which were the simplest measurement, we first took an indoor temperature using a digital thermometer. This thermometer was then used to measure heat changes as each stove was heating up and as each stove reached the temperature set on each stove’s thermostat.

We went the extra mile

Additionally, we made sure that each testing room was given a full day in between tests so that the room’s temperature could return to normal. This was done to prevent temperature contamination from the previous test.

Testing the efficiency of each stove, however, was a little bit more complicated. Without access to very expensive monitoring tools, we relied on equations to get an estimate of each model’s efficiency.

This was done by measuring the cost of the pellets used in each test against the time it took for each room to reach the temperature set on the thermostat. Additionally, we had to take into account outdoor temperatures, the size of the room, the room’s insulation and any window draft.

Without going into specifics, which would honestly be pretty boring, we were able, in most cases, to match the efficiency as provided by the manufacturer of each unit.

PowerSmith PAVC10Amp Ash Vacuum

The PowerSmith PAV101Amp Ash Vacuum is specifically designed to clean up ashes from pellet stoves, even if the ashes are still warm. This is a big benefit in that you don’t have to wait until your stove has completed cooled, leaving you in the cold, before cleaning.

This unit also includes a fire-resistant filter for added protection while filtering out fine particles that a traditional vacuum might miss.

Once you’re done vacuuming, the unit and its filter can be washed quickly and easily for repeated and frequent use. PowerSmith also claims that the unit is clog-resistant and that it includes an ash level indicator to ensure that customers know when it’s required to empty the collector for more efficient use.

Instead of trying to scoop out a soupy mess, you can simply use the VacMaster to clean out the burning chamber and get started with fresh pellets.

Due to its weather-resistant design, you can also count on the VacMaster to stand up to all kinds of conditions, and it also provides a seven-foot hose, so you won’t be limited in confined spaces.

Currently, this vacuum includes a two-year warranty, meaning you won’t have to worry about problems with craftsmanship. You can also roll the unit on included castors for easy access across a variety of flooring.

Care and Maintenance

Pellet stoves are typically low maintenance, but that doesn’t mean that you can ignore your unit. Cleaning out the ash left behind after consecutive use is important, both for safety purposes and for cleanliness. If too much ash builds up, it may cause a fire hazard.

Likewise, too much ash means some could spill out onto the floor once the door of the burning chamber is opened.

In order to clean out the ash, you could use a small hand brush, but a more efficient way to take care of the cleaning is to use a vacuum. A small ash vacuum makes the cleaning process a breeze by reducing the time needed to clean while reducing the potential for a mess.

Additionally, an ash vacuum will reduce the potential for ash particles to be thrown into the air where you or others may breathe them in.

In some circumstances, such as using the wrong pellets, the auger may not be able to properly churn out the right amount of fuel. When this happen, the risk of fire increases as the unit is warming up and receiving air without the fuel to burn off.

Likewise, if an air duct gets clogged within the unit, you may not experience proper heat. This may lead to the auger providing more pellets, and thus, you end up wasting fuel. If you ever hear any strange noises coming from your stove, or if you notice a sudden lack of heat or flame, turn the unit off and contact a repair professional in order to avoid damage to the unit or to yourself.

Listen to this!

Never try to lift a heavy pellet stove on your own. This goes for both installing and moving. Most units weigh hundreds of pounds and can lead to severe injuries.

Everything from sprains and strains to broken bones if a unit falls on you can be hazards that can occur when trying to move a stove on your own.

Only use approved pellets for your specific stove. Most pellet stoves use standard sizes and compositions of pellets, but to be on the safe side, only use the pellets recommended by your unit’s manufacturer.

Using improper pellets could lead to feeding issues from the hopper, potentially leading to a fire and damage to your stove. If you use the wrong pellets, even if they seem to be burning properly, you might be throwing away money because the unit isn’t operating as efficiently as it could be.

EPA certified 85% efficiency

Pleasant Hearth is a big player in the industry. You may have read about them in some of our other content, but we love them for making a great pellet stove at an affordable price. With this product their philosophy is no different-maximum value for minimum price. Overall, this mentality works out well, but there are some quality control issues we will cover below.

Powerful

The Comfortbilt pellet stove is very similar to the Pleasant Hearth in heat output and efficiency, but differs in its construction and reliability. Whereas the Pleasant Hearth had some complaints for poor quality parts, the Comfortbilt has received accolades for its hefty construction. Customers have raved about the high quality of certain components like the door’s rope gasket.

Extra Features

Aside from quality manufacturing, the product comes with the normal suite of electronic control features such as 24/automatic runtime and a programmable thermostat. These are fantastic, but some reviewers struggled to actually understand how to use them. The important thing to note is that even if you just limit your usage to the basic features this stove still fits the bill. There are also the classic pragmatic features such as a built in ash pan and automatic ignition.

Dangerous

Another issue with this item is a fire hazard caused by two holes on the bottom of the unit. There are supposed to be bolts inside those holes, but that is not always the case as one user found after his version started smoking.

Quality control errors as egregious as those outlined above should never be the most well known features of a product. If you want to save money then purchase a Castle Serenity or save up for a bigger model, but do not, I repeat DO NOT purchase the US 5500M King Pellet Burner. It is more like a peasant than a King.

Inconsistencies

We have a few qualms with it though. One is the high price, which does not make sense considering the size of the hopper. Another, is the unclear heat output. In a response to a customer’s inquiry the manufacturer stated that the model would heat 1,800 square feet easily, but could even go as high as 2,500 square feet based on the height of the room. This approximation is exceptionally wide, when you consider other manufacturers will give a single digit response. There is truth to the fact that heat output will vary based on room size, but the lack of a specific number seems odd to us.

Maintenance

Empty the ashpan once a week (average if you are using daily). Thankfully, most stoves sold are equipped with these. You simply remove it, dump the ash, and replace.

Professional cleaning/examination once a year. This will take care of hard to reach stuff like vent cleaning, and give you peace of mind.

Power Output

First measure the size of your room. Take measurement of the length, width and height. Then get its measurement in square foot size.

That determines the heating output that you need for your space. Read the specification on the pellet stove description to find out its heat output and its square feet size.

If you have a 2500 square foot room, then you need a pellet stove that gives out a 50, 000 btu of heat.

Heat output

Both of these heating solutions are excellent when it comes to heat output. There is no way I can compare them to electric heaters.

A standard pellet stove can ignite 8,000 to 90,000 BTU per hour. While the gas fireplace gives out 8,500 to 100,000 BTU per hour. However the most popular gas fireplace give out 20,000 to 60,000.

The question is how efficiency is this heat? Pellet stoves are more accurate in their heat output compared to gas fireplace. However, that does not mean there have no efficiency. When it comes to heat, you won’t be disappointment with the pellet stoves.

Burning duration

A typical gas fireplace is capable of running from 4hours to hours before the tank empties up. While a pellet stoves can run from 1hours to 70 hours non-stop before the next refill. That adds an extra convenience if you are going to stay during the night. Or if your decide to hold a party in your house. It is like a bonfire it burns nonstop.

Cost and run expense

Every day you have to remove the ashes from ash drawer and it is a must if you want to keep your stove long. After every months, you will need to have a professional inspect the working conditions of the gas fireplace or pellet stoves.

When it comes to the initial cost of purchase, a pellet stove is more expense compared to gel fireplace. You also have to replace the pellets twice or once a week depending on your usage. These little cost can pile up quickly at the end of the months when you run your expenses.

In case of power outages, you can use gas fireplace. a pellet stoves won’t work in case power outages although it doesn’t use electricity as a source of fuel. However, things like a hopper may need electricity to function properly.

Both of them are dangerous and safety must be exercised at all times. However, there is a certain degree of safety when it comes to owning a pellet stove.

Gas especially propane or natural gas can be dangerous when they leak out. Any time before you light it, you must exercise caution.

However, pellets are a safe compared to gas fireplace. There is one thing that you must do. You must make sure that children and pet stay away with it, especially if you bottom hopper on a stove. It can burn them.

From this comparison I hope you learned the difference between a gas fireplace and a pellet stove. And it can help you make a wise decision in your purchase.

Electric power

With a wooden stove, you only need a wood as the main source of fuel. In case of power outages, you can still enjoy the heat generated from the wooden stoves.

That is not possible with a pellet stove. You need to have electricity that powers the blower and auger. In case of power outages, you may be disadvantages.

Emission

Modern wooden stove are bound by strict regulation. You may need to check the local code before buying a wooden stove.

With a wooden stove you need enough clearance and enough ventilation to avoid the risk harmful gases.

Pellet stoves don’t emit smoke like wooden stoves and they are environment friendly with little restrictions.

Wooden stove produce large flames, because of that they give out sparks of light. If any sparks of fire get on your carpets, it can start fire any time.

Pellet stoves have a glass door where you can view the fire. There is zero risks of sparks coming out of the stove. For that reason, they are safer compared to gas wooden stove.

Less waste

Furthermore, the use of pellet stoves lessens your dependence on oil and electricity. The fact that this stove uses materials that would have been otherwise regarded as waste makes it very convenient. Wood shavings, corn, sawdust, peanut shells, walnuts and similar biomass wastes are ground up, compressed and extruded to provide reliable fuel. These pellets are a reliable source of energy and go a long way in conserving the environment.

Heat production is usually determined by the moisture content in the fuel. Just like in wood fuel, the higher the moisture content, the less heat you can expect to get from pellets. Pellets go through intense compression, which helps drop the moisture content below 8%. This is a very low moisture content compared to wood, which gets to 20% even with intense drying. The low moisture content, combined with the stoves’ combustion mechanics, makes it possible to produce high amounts of heat. Pellet stoves can give about gram of particulates per hour, compared to EPA certified wood stoves that give about grams per hour.

Burning flame

During its operation, a pellet stove produces a small fire, concentrated at the center of the unit. It burns very hot and produces a lot of heat. If you love viewing the flame as it burns, it is advisable that you get a stove with a large glass door and a good flame pattern. Some people even consider getting ceramic logs for their stoves. The logs help in dispersing the flames and giving a traditional look.

Lignocellulosic biomass

Standard grade pellets are made from wood chips, sawdust and a mixture of organic materials. Normally, people utilize agricultural byproducts. Premium grade pellets too have the same ingredients. The only difference is that they produce less ash. Nearly all stove models will burn the standard grade pellets, but not all stoves will burn premium pellets.

Castle 1232Serenity organic material (Lignocellulosic biomass), such as corn kernels and nutshells. This broadens fuel usage, making it easier for the consumer to obtain the appropriate fuel. It is advisable that you make your purchase based on the availability of pellet fuel. Finding pellets in some locations may be challenging and your options will be limited.

Castle 1232Serenity Wood Pellet Stove. This is a stove that will burn all the three pellet varieties. Though expensive, you will have alternative fuel in terms of price and availability.

Optional Features

Just like any other appliance, pellet stoves range from top-of-the-line to basic stoves. The difference is in the features. Some features are fundamental in the design of the stove, but it is the optional features that make all the difference. Some of the optional features include a thermostat, larger holding areas, and backup battery power. Most stoves will require some electric power to run the thermostat and heater. With a battery powered pellet stove, you will have a reliable heat supply even when there is no electricity.

Operation And Maintenance

Pellet stoves aren’t short of moving parts. Stove features such as the motor, electrical and electronic gadgetry require regular maintenance and servicing. Models should offer easy access to these parts. As an example, some pellet stoves allow you to clean the heat exchanger by simply moving the external rod handle back and forth. Other designs require more elaborate cleaning procedures. Regardless of the model you have, professional servicing once per year is recommended. Keep in mind, too, that you will be required to clean the ash tray once per week with a steady use.

Heating Area

When you intend to just heat room, such as an unheated bonus area or a large sitting room in which you spend the majority of your time, a more compact unit may satisfy your requirements. If you mean to heat a whole residence or a space, you will need to be certain you buy a stove which has a heating area that is larger.

How they work

Central to all pellet cookers is a digital controller similar to the controllers on modern indoor ovens. You select a temp you want, and there is an LED display that tells you the actual temp. Some of the controllers also are programmable so you can cook at a certain temp for a determined time. Some have leave-in meat probes that can dial back the ovento a holding temp when the meat hits its mark.

Pellet cookers usually have an auger or another feed mechanism that pushes the pellets into a burn pot typically about the size of a beer can ripped in half. An igniter rod sits in the bottom of the pot and when you turn on the grill it glows like the element on an electric stove. As the pellets ignite, a fan blows to feed them oxygen, and the igniter shuts off. The Traeger L’il Tex, an inexpensive model, draws 300 watts an hour while the igniter rod is on in the first four minutes, then it drops down to 50 watts an hour for the duration of the cook session, less than a standard light bulb.

Because the burn pot is small, there is usually a hot spot directly over it. Some units have an optional perforated section above the burn pot so you can put the meat over direct flame, but the ones I’ve tested still do not sear properly. And there is no way to set up a 2-zone cooking system with a cool zone. As with most other grills and smokers, the differences between lower and upper racks is not huge, so think of it as one heckuva indirect heat convection smoker with precision temperature control.

Controllers

On the better models, a temperature probe in the oven area tells the controller what the temperature is and if it is below the target it tells the controller to feed more pellets and air. The best manufacturers, like MAK and Memphis, have designed their own versatile custom controllers that are easy to use and can hold a temperature within 5°F, tighter than many indoor ovens.

The MAK Pellet Boss will increase or decrease with the press of a button in 5°F increments and has a probe in the oven that keeps the temp pretty solid. As with any thermostatically controlled oven, even your indoor oven, the thermostat cycles heat on or off as needed. So it you set it for 225°F it cycles on til it hits 225°F, then off until it drops to 220°F, then on to 225°F. There are three meat probes and the Boss can be programmed to change the cooker temp when the meat hits a target. I’ve had one for several years outdoors in the Chicago winters and summers without a cover and no problems.

You may need an extension cord and not any cord will do. Read this article to calculate the size and capacity of the cord you will need.

Beware of the LMH controllers

Some cheaper models, such as the Brinkmann, have a controller with only three settings, Low, Medium, High (LMH), and there is no temperature probe in the oven to create a feedback loop. We do not recommend these units. You actually have less control over temp than you do on a gas or charcoal smoker. The whole reason to buy a pellet grill is because it is set-it-forget-it and it hits a temp and holds it regardless of the ambient air temp outside, winter or summer. On these LMH controllers, the temp fluctuates widely and it cannot correct itself for the weather. They just aren’t as smart as a digital device. Whether you’re smoking a few slabs of ribs on a scorching summer day, or six pork butts during a blizzard, the three position controller only knows auger on and off times for Low, Medium, and High. It has no information on the temperature inside the cook chamber.

The good news is that if you are stuck with one of these dogs, Ortech makes a controller that can be used to upgrade Brinkmann and Traeger controllers. If you own another brand and are interested in upgrading to a digital controller, contact the manufacturer of your smoker or Ortech.

A few words of caution

Extension cords

500 ÷ 1= 4.5, so you need a cable that has a capacity of 4.amps.

For home models, get at least a amp, 1gauge, three prong cord (oddly, 1gauge is higher capacity than 1gauge). That’s more than you need, but better safe than sorry. Commercial models may have different requirements.

The best solution: Have an electrician custom make a cord the proper length for you. Don’t buy a cable much longer than you need it because the longer the cable, the higher the resistance and the power diminishes. You don’t want to see the equations for that.

There’s more to the cost of a pellet stove than the stove itself. The pellets themselves, called pellet fuel, and stove inserts are costs included in the overall cost of owning and operating a pellet stove.

Pellets/Pellet Fuel: Pellets are highly compressed biofuels made of organic materials such as wood scrap, food waste, and other biomass. Some are made to resemble coal, but most look more like rabbit food than anything else. They are extremely dense and have a low moisture content. This allows them to burn cleanly, often leaving behind nothing but fly-ash.

Pellet Stove Insert: A stove insert is an appliance installed in a regular fireplace. It essentially turns your fireplace into a pellet stove. While fireplaces are very inefficient, you won’t find much savings if the insert is not installed correctly. For this reason, it’s best to have a professional handle the installation.

Traditional fireplaces lose up to 80% of their energy through the chimney. With a fireplace insert you can lower that loss to an average of 30%, or about the same as a typical wood stove. While this is still not as good as a freestanding pellet stove, which has a dedicated ventilation and recovery system, it does have the advantage of fitting into your existing fireplace without taking up floor space.

Installation Costs and Considerations

The output of the stove, expressed as BTUs (British Thermal Units), will tell you how quickly the stove can heat up your space. Calculating how many BTUs you need to efficiently heat your room depends on the actual size of the room, the amount of window space, the insulation rating of your room, the expected outside temperatures and the desired inside temperature. There are many online calculators to help you get a good idea of what BTUs you need. If you get one that is too small, it will not heat your room sufficiently and will go through fuel much faster. If you get one that’s too large, you may find your room being heated to an uncomfortable temperature even on the lowest settings.

Efficiency

When looking at the listed efficiency rating for pellet stoves, it pays to do your research. Manufacturers are not required to list their efficiency ratings as of yet. New regulations are only just now starting to be implemented. Currently, many manufacturers list an efficiency rating higher than what is shown in third-party tests. This is the information you will often find on their web pages.

In general, a good pellet stove will have an energy efficiency rating of 65% to 75%. In order to receive an EPA certificate with an accurate efficiency rating, a stove must have an emissions rate of no more than 2.0 grams per hour of harmful particle pollution known as particulate matter (PM). To display compliance with EPA guidelines, some stoves will display a “hangtag” from the EPA’s Burn Wise program. This tag certifies that the EPA has tested and approved the energy efficiency of the stove.

Trouble Spots

Poor maintenance is the number one cause of failure for pellet stoves. Always follow your manufacturer’s recommended maintenance schedule.

Comfort control system

To ensure comfort, Pleasant Hearth has designed the best pellet stove with an easy to use dial. The dial controls the comfort system which allows homeowners like you to control the thermostat. Turning the dial ensures the home is filled with less or more heat. Furthermore, it comes with an alarm system which acts as a warning system.

Bautifully designed

As said earlier, Pleasant Hearth has a great reputation of building high-quality products. They have been building pellet stoves for several years. Thanks to their quality workmanship, homeowners are able to fit a well-designed pellet stove in a single family home or mobile.

Apart from its quality construction, the pellet stove has a great finish.The chrome finish improves the aesthetic value of the pellet stove. This makes it a perfect match in your home.

You don’t have to start remodeling your home in order to ensure the pellet stove matches with the home décor. All you need is to assemble the unit and voila! Your home is warm and toasty all night long.

Cat iron door

The 5,000 BTU pellet stove assures you of an effective indoor zone heating which can reach areas measuring 2,200 square feet.Thanks to the particulate emissions rating of 0.6g/hr, you are assured of clean air in your home.

The solid cast iron door has a ceramic glass viewing area giving you a glimpse of what is happening. While not much will be happening apart from the burning of pellets, it still allows home owners to know everything is ok.

US Stove 4840

It operates at 24,000 BTU in order to warm up smaller areas, and the small size is just right for home use. The wood pellets stove features a blower that allows the heat to be circulated around the room in a more efficient manner. Its design gives way to several beneficial aspects of this unit.

First, it is much more easy to clean and maintain than a freestanding pellet stove. Next, it is often attractive to families with kids or pets who have concern about them knocking over a stove or getting injured. The kit comes included with a mounting bracket, adapter and other needed equipment.

Important Features

There are numerous features for which you should look out in pellet stove reviews when buying a pellet stove.

Backup Battery – This will allow you to use the stove even if the electricity goes out.

12-Volt Fan – This helps to circulate the heated air, and it can be set up on a regular car or boat battery.

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In colder climates, heating accounts for about one-third of a homeowner’s annual utility bill, which is why many are seeking thriftier ways to stay toasty. Freestanding pellet stoves and inserts that fit inside an existing fireplace are an increasingly popular solution. They look like traditional woodstoves but operate more like a modern furnace. You need only fill the stove’s hopper with pellets made from compacted sawdust, set its thermostat, sit back, and get cozy. A mechanical auger deposits the pellets into a burn pot, where they are incinerated at such a high temperature that they create no vent-clogging creosote and very little ash or emissions, which keeps both indoor and outdoor air cleaner. The best part is that they are about twice as efficient at warming your home as older woodstoves that have not been certified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and are vastly more efficient than fireplaces.

Depending on your home’s size and layout, a pellet stove could supplement the current heating system or be used as the sole source. And, despite its workhorse reputation, pellet stoves come in a variety of designs to complement any interior style. Read on for This Old House’s expert advice on buying, installing, and firing up one of these energy-wise heaters.

At Grills Forever, we are passionate about outdoor cooking. We don’t just tell you things we’ve read rather we go the extra mile, making us the go-to team for all your smoker grill needs. Throughout our journey from four BBQ novices to barbecuing experts, we have developed some of the best strategies for picking a pellet grill and testing it before recommending it to our audience.

We are a completely independent team of four outdoor cooking buffs dedicated to helping you get the best BBQ experience. Throughout the years, we have had many adventures, while building our expertise in barbecuing and smoking. Our research also involves reading reviews and getting opinions from the renowned BBQ experts. We will go anywhere and be doing anything to bring you the newest and best information on smoker grills.

I can guarantee you, if a friend or family member has a smoker grill we’ve been there trying it out and getting their opinion on how it works. If the units are portable enough, we’ve been known to bring them to our place, where we personally smoke a brisket or grill a pork butt to get the first-hand experience. Let me share with you an experience I had doing exactly that.

My cousin and I went on a rowing trip at Tonto national forest, Arizona. He got a feet boat. Not much room for gear, but I insisted he take his grill along. Traeger BBQ 155.0Bronze Tailgater Pellet Grill w/EZ-Fold Legs& Digit Thermostat is small enough to fit into that small boat along with us. He was scared his smoker might get tipped into the lake, but that first night that we set it up and smoked a whole brisket he knew it was worth the extra weight. This is the length Grills Forever will go to test all the best smoker grills in every place we can think of so you don’t have to.

We are not affiliated with any particular brand. Our independence allows you to trust what we say so you can use the information we give you to buy your smoker grill with confidence.

Temperature control

As we’ve already said temperature control is the key to getting a moist succulent piece of meat. This pellet smoker comes with a built-in thermostatic control with a digital thermometer, so you can exclude any guesswork while barbecuing. If the temperature sensors detect a drop-in temperature they feed more wood pellets into the burner. This allows you to place your meat on the grill and then let the smoker do the work while you relax.

If that wasn’t enough, it features an electric dual ignition switch plus dual temperature LED displays to show you the cooking temperature at a glance.

Digital control

Camp Chef PG2Pellet Grill has an amazing digital controller. You simply have to set your preferred cooking temperature and the heat in the chamber will be automatically adjusted.

With this unit, meat can be smoked at a temperature of 150F for hours. You can also set the temperature to 500F for a searing and grilling. The heat is evenly spread using convection, thus removing cold and hot spots on the grill.

Meat Probe

With a temperature probe for the meat inside the chamber, this allows you to keep an eye on the temperature of your meat without opening the grill. Nothing ruins a brisket or roast faster than the grill who constantly fiddles with the meat on the grill. Opening the chamber lets the heat out and that can quickly make for some tough meat. This handy feature takes the guesswork out of how ready your meal is.

Convenience

Camp Chef PG2has a compact weight of 12pounds and a pellet hopper with a 20-pound capacity. That’s large enough that you don’t have to worry about getting more before your meal is done. This set it and forget approach to cooking gives you the ultimate cooking experience. Each time the temperature drops down, a wood pellet is dispensed. This convenience is impossible to find in a gas, wood or charcoal unit.

With this unit, not even a single pellet goes to waste. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about your pellets running out in the middle of cooking. The pellet hopper can hold up to 20 pounds of pellets and the digital thermostat control ensures that each pellet is efficiently used. Thus, it helps save a lot of money and allows you to smoke your food for a long time without refilling the pellets.

Camp Chef SmokePro SE

The second smoker we tested was the Pit Boss Grills 440 Deluxe Wood Pellet Grill, but we found that the thermostat on this smoker is not very accurate and actually stopped working after only a couple of grilling sessions. You can always buy an external thermostat, but this defeats the purpose of a budget pick.

REC TEC Smoker

All you need to do is select a temperature and press a button, and the REC TEC Wood Pellet Grill will heat up to the desired temperature itself. Once the desired temperature is reached, this grill will maintain it throughout the cooking process.

Durable and functional exterior

The exterior of this pellet grill smoker is made of a durable and high-temperature resistant powder coat finishing, along with stainless steel handles. It has tool hooks as well as large shelves on its sides and bottom to be more functional. Its lid stoppers are fail-proof and help lock and secure the lid firmly. Moreover, its hopper lid can be used as an additional warming surface. This lid also comes with handles that allow you to grip more easily.

Open Flame Technology

The Traeger Pellet Grill BBQ155.019.5K BTU Pellet Grill is one of the most trusted pellet smoker grill available in the market, and you can pick this one if you are looking for a large wood-pellet grill. It has dimensions of 44” x 19”, which come together to give you a cooking area of 83square inches. This area is sufficient for holding 1rib racks, 40 burgers or 1chickens at once without any difficulty! The Trager Pellet Grill comes with an electronic auto-start feature, which runs on regular 110V AC household current. The users only need to press a switch to ignite the grill.

This grill has a modern heating mechanism that adds to the convenience of using it. When the igniter is turned on, it heats the pellets that feed the fire pot via the auger. This auger creates a heat shield with the induction pan that evenly heats the surface as per the settings and ensures that the meat is thoroughly cooked. For efficient temperature management, this pellet smoker grill has a Digital Pro Controller that can be used to alter the temperature or keep it consistent while cooking as desired. The controller has a detector that keeps track of the number of pallets fed to the fire pot. There are also manual controls that can be used for setting the temperature to high, smoke and medium as desired.

We have all kinds of friends here at Grills Forever and one of those friends, who we shall not name for his own sake, is not a handyman. If something can be put together wrong or broken, he will find a way. He put together this grill in an afternoon and by late that night his family and friends were enjoying the best bbq chicken I’ve ever had.

There is no need to clean them thoroughly after every use. All the grease drippings from the meat go into the drip bucket that can be disposed of easily. It is also very economical to run. To control the amount of pellet that it will use, you can adjust the temperature once the grill is lit. Both beginners and experts can use this smoker grill to cook their favorite meats without any difficulty. The grill ignites easily without giving the users any troubles, and the controls ensure that you can set the desired temperature instantly and maintain it throughout the cooking cycle.

Camp Chef PG24S

The Camp Chef Pellet Grill & Smoker Deluxe is one of the most-trusted products currently available on the market. I would recommend this smoker grill who wants to invest in a grill that is made of heavy-duty materials that will last. It has dimensions of 19.x 2inches, which give you a cooking area of 42square inches- enough for cooking 20 burgers simultaneously. It also has a secondary rack that can be used for smoking or warming with the dimensions x 2inches or an area of 14square inches. It uses a match-free ignition that works with an electronic auto start.

This smoker has dual-LED temperature displays- one is for the internal cooking temperature while the other is to tell you the temperature of the food kept inside it. Selecting the desired temperature or smoke settings in this model can be done with ease. It automatically dispenses the pellets as they are required, which helps keep the smoker efficient and aids in the optimal utilization of pellets. Additionally, this is also what helps maintain the desired temperature so that you can set the smoker to the required setting and relax while it does the rest for you. The pellet hopper used in it has a large capacity, so you can spend less time refilling and more time smoking your favorite meat.

Its warming rack gives you an additional cooking or heating space in addition to the primary cooking area. The cooking height of 32.inches allows you to cook a variety of meats and foods, and makes full utilization of its large area. It can work in temperatures from 160F to 400F, which gives you a large range of cuisines and dishes to cook. Cleaning this smoker is easy due to the removable ash can and the grease drain system that collect the waste automatically.

This is perfect for someone who wants all the perks of the high-end grills and a reasonable price. It will be worth the money you spend. You will be feeding your friends and family from this smoker for years to come.

Traeger BBQ155.0Bronze Tailgater

Ever wanted to arrange your BBQ party at a friend’s place, but couldn’t? Well, Traeger BBQ 155.0Bronze Tailgater Pellet Grill w/EZ-Fold Legs& Digit Thermostat makes your dreams come true. The manufacturers of this grill designed it so you can bring the party anywhere. While at the beach, tailgating or even camping you can enjoy your favorite smoked meat.

Tailgater Pellet grill comes with folding legs which make it easy to load on a truck and take it with you anywhere you want. Transportation is also facilitated by its two wheels and a 61lbs weight.

The cooking temperature matters a lot for the flavor of your cooking, Tailgater makes it possible to regulate the temperature through its digital LED thermostat. The thermostat automatically controls the cooking temperature at each stage so that you can obtain the best flavor and even cooked barbecue. The heating mechanism of the grill is very innovative and modern. After turning on the igniter, the pellets get heated up and supply the heat to the fire pot through the auger. The auger then creates a shield of heat with an induction pan which then distributes the heat evenly according to the current settings for thoroughly cooked food.

Even though this grill is compact with a grill of about 30sq.ft., it’s still big enough to prepare enough food for the whole family and friends too.

Camp Chef SmokePro LUX

Camp Chef grill is not just any grill it comes with special features that will allow you to adjust the flavor of your meat with ease.

Camp Chef Pellet Grill and Smoker was designed purposely to suit home grillers through the inclusion of some unique features to make the grilling process much easier. It is equipped with a digital temperature display which eliminates the need for guesswork as witnessed in the typical grills. This has been made possible through the stainless-steel probe which measures the internal temperature of food as it cooks.

Additionally, it comes with an advanced digital temperature chip to provide a consistent temperature and smoke, hence reducing large temperature variations that can destroy the flavor of your barbecue. Starting the grill is quite easy since it comes with digital controls and an electronic auto-start ignition.

Grill cleanup has been made much easier and convenient through the Ash Can Cleanout System. This system is patented to ensure that only Camp Chef users will get the advantage of using it. The features of the smoker and the Pellet grill range from the dual temperature sensors to the digital smoker controls.

Grilling for a large group of people, such as family and friends, is possible with this grill through the ultra-wide grilling area, so everyone will get their bite once the cooking is done. To get the best grilling performance, Camp Chef Pellets are recommended since they produce better and convenient grilling heat. The pellets are pure wood, so it is assured that your flavor won’t be affected in any way.

Camp Chef Smoke Pro reveals the secret of the award-winning BBQ cooks so that you can be a grill king as well. Buy this smoker grill and make the perfect meal for your family and guests every time.

What to Look Forward to

The zest for barbequing is growing every year with more and more BBQ lovers venturing into the mystery of the myth-laden empire of smoking. We have spent years encouraging the outdoor cooking buffs to embrace pellet smokers, and until now, our efforts have brought about fruitful results. As new manufacturers are getting into the market to cater to the growing need for pellet smokers and they are coming up with unique features to help them stand out from their competitors. This is a great advantage for the users, since the competition is pushing for more innovation into the barbecuing industry. Many new developments are underway and soon will be released in the market. However, some are already with us! So here are some of the biggest things to look forward to while buying your next pellet smoker.

Wi-Fi control – Pellet grills use electronic circuit boards, which means they can feature a lot more functionalities to facilitate the outdoor experience. Wi-Fi control is already being included in pellet grills, such as in the Green Mountain Grill and Davy Crockett Pellet Grill.

PID Controller – Proportional Integral Derivative Controller is a recent technology that many manufacturers have yet to include in their products. It helps the smoker maintain an accurate and precise temperature while cooking.

Privacy Policy

There are a few things to look for and a few questions to ask before you commit to buy.  The first thing you want to know is when it was last professionally cleaned.  I cover what that involves in another blog.  The best scenario is that it has been cleaned at least once a year.

Next you should ask what parts have been replaced and keep a note of that.  Most parts have a year long warranty so get receipts if you can.  Getting receipts is also good if you need to buy another part.  Chances are you can use the same supplier in the future if something else goes wrong.

If you find a stove that is in good working condition but has a bad paint job or rust showing through don’t turn away from it.  As long as it’s in working condition it’s a good buy and you can use those cosmetic factors to bring down the price.  On your way home stop by your local stove shop (or buy online) for a can of stove paint.  Stove paint requires little or no prep work and you can have it looking brand new in just a few minutes.

Test It Out

Do not take their word for it that it runs.  Whether it’s inside or outside of the house you want to fire it up and let it run for at least 1minutes and then turn it off and see it shut down.  This whole process from startup to shut down takes about 30 minutes.

Hopper Location

Pellet stoves feed the pellets into the combustion chamber. The pellets are fed from the top, or from the bottom. Both have advantages and disadvantages.

A top fed stove has less of a chance of fire crossing over from the combustion chamber to the hopper store. However, in a top fed system the drawback is that the combustion chamber is more likely to be blocked up with ash and clinkers (reheated ash that has solidified). This problem is overcome by burning high quality wood pellets that produce little ash, but there is a cost implication to this.

Bottom fed stoves are not so dependent upon high quality fuel, but the unburnt ash will still need to be cleaned out at least once a week with continuous use. As noted above, there is a slight risk of burning pellets falling into the hopper.

Installing Your Stove

Pellet stoves are very heavy and will often require two people to move them into position. They also need to be properly vented to ensure safe use. For this reason we recommend you get a professional to install your new purchase.

In this section we will briefly cover the main factors to consider prior to installation and for the installation itself.

Room Survey

Take a look at the space you wish to heat. If you wish to heat your whole home then it should be relatively open plan or you will need some form of forced air heating system with ducting to be installed at the same time as your stove.

As noted in our buying guide above, you should ensure your unit is installed in close proximity to a 110-volt outlet in order to power the motor.

Make sure your stove output is sufficient for the space you want to heat.

The vent must be installed in accordance with the manufacturers’ recommendations. It is also important that the installation meets local code requirements. The safe operation of your heater may depend on the venting so do not skimp on this step.

Important: Plan out your venting prior to deciding on the position of your stove as it will have a significant impact on your decision.

Flooring and Walls

The stove should be positioned on a non-combustible hearth pad. This pad will protect the floor from the heat output of the stove. To ensure full safety it should extend further than the front and sides of the stove by at least inches.

In operation the outside of the stove does not actually become very hot. This means that your stove can be placed as close as an inch away from the rear wall without fear of heat damage occurring.

 

 

 

 

 

Final Word

First of all thanks for reading my article to the end! I hope you find my reviews listed here useful and that it allows you to make a proper comparison of what is best to fit your needs and budget. Don’t be afraid to try more than one product if your first pick doesn’t do the trick.

Most important, have fun and choose your pellet stove wisely! Good luck!

So, TOP3 of pellet stove

• №1 — After Market Version Of Quadrafire Pellet Stove Vauum Switch
• №2 — Englander Pellet Stove Bottom Auger Feed System Kit Including Auger Motor
• №3 — MEECO’S RED DEVIL 84332 3-Inch Pellet Stove Cleaning Brush