The Best Pellet Grills Under 500$ – Review Of 2021

Buying Guide

Still confused about the best pellet grills and smokers?

Continue reading this buying guide!

Temperature Range

Knowing the temperature range  is important for the final result of your food. What you’ll need will depend on what cooking techniques you plan on using. High-end pellet grills can reach to 180°F – 425°F which is enough for smoking, grilling, baking, and roasting.

However, if you want to sear meat, you’ll want a pellet grill that can reach 500°F – 550°F heating levels. A good thermometer is necessary. You’ll need an accurate and precise reading so you know that you’re cooking meat at the right temperature control.

Cooking Size, Area, Portability

The best Pellet grills under $500 can range from portable grills for tailgating to large grills for commercial usage.

If you’re someone that wants to take your pellet grill on the go, be it partying, camping or any event, you’ll want one with wheels and easy to lift.

If you have a lot of tailgating parties or you cook often at home, then you’ll want a larger pellet grill. Decide your needs before buying a pellet grill to ensure you buy one that properly sized.

When it comes to cooking, consistency is the key if you want better results. For instance, if you’re cooking brisket, the cooking temperature control needs to be around 250°F throughout its 12 hour cooking period.

3 Position Controller

The controller board is necessary for precision. The three types of position controllers are 3-position, non-PID one-touch, and PID multi-position. Check out the types of controllers and pick the one that works best for you.

Hopper Size

Your pellet cooker’s hopper container stores pellets ready for the device’s automatic auger to bring them to the firepot. Basically, the hopper capacity will determine how long the cooks will be.

So, buying a pellet grill with a smaller hopper capacity will be annoying because it will fail to go the distance while cooking.

Additional Accessories

Despite being more complicated than standard grilling equipment, these grills are easier to repair once you have the right parts.

It doesn’t matter if you need to replace the fan or the automatic auger; for most brands, you can find replacement parts easily. Here are the most common pellet grill smoker accessories that can be easily replaced.

• Auger Motors: Your pellet smoker needs this to run properly. If you need to get them replaced, then you can buy them online or your local hardware store for $30-$40.
• Fan Motors: Fan and motors come pre-bundled if your pellet grill isn’t working properly. You can easily replace these parts, and with the internet available, it won’t be difficult to find a video tutorial after buying one.
• PID controllers: PID controllers are replaceable, but you have to buy them separately. Sadly, there is no one size fit all PID controller for pellet grills. 
• Meat Probes: You’ll want to know the temperature of the meat you’re cooking. For pellet grills without meat probes, or if your current one is broken, then you can purchase meat probe to help you.
• Pellet Hopper: Some pellet grill smokers come with a hopper capacity extender, which allows you to hold a larger amount of wood pellets. This is useful as it increases your slow cooking time without needing supervision.
• Chimney, Body Parts, Hinges: Loose body parts like chimneys, screws, and hinges for pellet smokers are widely available online. Whether it’s a broken axle or the casters of your wheels, you won’t find many issues with replacing it.
• Direct Grill Gates: These protect the grill and pellet smoker from dust, moisture, and weather in general.

Should I Upgrade My Current Pellet Grill?

For best results, we suggest you get a pellet grill smoker that’s well-made and has a longer warranty. The key to keeping your grill for longer than five years is to maintain it properly. This means you should clean it thoroughly replace the components regularly, so it doesn’t wear out the full system.

Will Upgrading My Grill Fix My Problem?

Fixing your pellet smoker can be as simple as replacing a faulty part. Usually, you’ll spend $50 or less instead of shelling out hundreds of dollars for a new smoker. If issues still arise with the grill’s digital control operations, then you should hire a professional to help you.

When Should I Look For a New Wood Pellet Smoker?

The answer to this question will depend on the type of malfunction your grill or smoker is expecting. If the problem is fixable, then try repairing it before chucking out money and buying a new one.

Sometimes, you can easily replace the digital temperature control levels or changing the hopper capacity to maintain the smoke levels fully.

Are Pellet Grills Worth the Money?

Well, yes, we don’t see any reason why shouldn’t be investing in a pellet grill smoker. That said, a pellet grill is versatile and will allow you to barbecue, bake, and grill while also letting you explore other cooking methods. What’s more, they are pretty easy to use and inexpensive to own. 

Conclusion

To conclude, we believe that you can get the the right wood pellet grill with the help of this list. Although we did not include products from good companies like Pit Boss 700fb and Camp Chef Smokepro Dlx, If you want something that’s easy to use, try using the Camp Chef Pursuit 20.

But, for those wanting something more advanced, try the Green Mountain Davy Crockett or check reviews about Summerset grills . Whatever pellet smoker you choose, you’ll have a reliable pellet grill that will be the life of your next BBQ party.