Portable pellet grills are a great way to take your love of outdoor cooking with you wherever you go, so you aren't tied down to one location. Whether you're tailgating, camping, or just want the flexibility to move your grill around, a portable pellet grill is a great solution.
In this blog post, we’ll discuss why owning a portable pellet grill is a great idea, as well as how to choose the best one for your needs so you can make an informed decision about which type of grill is best for you.
So, let’s get started!
What is a portable pellet grill and what are the benefits of owning one?
A portable pellet grill is a type of outdoor grill that uses small, wooden pellets as fuel, and is typically powered through electricity (either plugged into the mains or via an inverter/deep cycle battery combo). The pellets are fed into the grill via an automatic feeder, and they can be used to cook food at a variety of temperatures and also through infusing smoke into the food for unbeatable flavors.
Portable pellet grills are becoming increasingly popular due to their many benefits.
- For one, they are incredibly easy to use. Simply set the temperature and let the grill do the work. With some of the options available nowadays such as WiFi and the ability to pre-set recipes, some portable pellet grills cook your food including changing the temperature automatically so you really can set them and forget them.
- Flavor, flavor, flavor! Portable pellet grills really set themselves apart with the cuts of meat that they can cook better than any other grill type, such as ribs and brisket, and whole fillets of steak. They are great for producing smoke and cooking food at low temperatures.
- Additionally, portable pellet grills are very efficient, meaning that you can cook food very quickly if you need to, although low and slow is how you'll achieve flavors that set it apart from the rest.
- Since the pellets are made from 100% natural materials, they are a much healthier option than traditional charcoal grills.
- Finally, portable pellet grills are very compact, making them ideal for camping or tailgating, although they are typically quite heavy so you do need to consider that.
How to choose the best portable pellet grill for your needs
With so many models on the market, how do you choose the best portable pellet grill for your needs?
Here are a few things to keep in mind when shopping for a portable pellet grill:
- Size (and weight): How much space do you have for a grill, and how many people will you typically be cooking for? If you're limited on space or won't be cooking for many, then consider a compact model, and remember that these units, particularly the larger ones, can be very heavy!
- How it's powered: The majority of pellet grills are run on electricity direct from the mains, or batteries (e.g. from your car or RV) using an inverter, or portable generators. Consider what type of power will be available where you are going to be using your unit to ensure you get something right for your lifestyle or situation.
- Cooking surface: The cooking surface of a portable pellet grill can vary widely. Some models have multiple levels, while others have only one cooking grate. Choose the model that best suits your needs (thinking about what you will be cooking and how much of it).
- Features: Portable pellet grills come with a variety of features. Some have digital controls, built-in temperature probes, and WiFi, while others are more basic. Decide which features are most important to you and your budget.
- Price: This can range from $100 to upwards of $1,000 depending on the previous points to keep in mind and a few other factors. It's a good idea to have a budget in mind, and not to stray too far from that.
With these factors in mind, you're sure to find the perfect portable pellet grill for your needs!
To Sum Up
Portable pellet grills not only offer the convenience of being able to be taken anywhere (assuming you can power them), but they also provide the ability to infuse smoky flavor into your food and will cook more flavorful cuts of meat better than other grill types. Also, there are a few things to consider when looking at which portable pellet grill is right for you, as outlined in this blog post.
If you are in the market for a new portable pellet grill then consider our fully reviewed recommendations by clicking the link below, and happy grilling!