If your outdoor space is limited or you like to grill on the go, a best small pellet grills is a worthy acquisition. A quality pellet grill can be used for low-temperature and high-temperature cooking. The unique thing about them is they are powered by pellets made of wood that you put in the hopper.
The downside is they can take up to 40 minutes to heat to the desired temperature and don’t come cheap. Nevertheless, they are convenient with numerous choices of pellet grills to buy.
We’ve researched the market for you, read hundreds of real user reviews, paired that with our own experience to select the best portable pellet grills. All the pellet smokers on this guide are durable, compact, and lightweight.
Read on to discover the top 5 pellet grills to buy in 2023.
Small Pellet Grill Comparison
Our Pick: Traeger Grills Ranger Grill and Smoker
After careful consideration of features, build quality, and user feedback, the Traeger Grills Ranger Grill and Smoker emerges as the top pick among the best small pellet grills for 2023. Renowned for its robust design and superior smoking capability, this model stands out for its precision temperature control, making it a favorite for both novice and seasoned grill masters. The Ranger Grill’s portability marries convenience with the legendary Traeger quality, ensuring that you can enjoy smoked delicacies whether you’re on a balcony or at a campsite.
Why Traeger Ranger Takes the Lead:
- Ease of Use: With a digital arc controller, it ensures consistent temperatures, allowing for the perfect cook every time.
- Versatility: Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ with ease—the Ranger is a true all-in-one outdoor cooking solution.
- Portability: Its compact size and solid construction make it a go-to choice for those who love to take their cooking adventures on the road.
Honorable Mentions
While the Traeger Ranger leads the pack, the other contenders on our list are not to be overlooked:
- Camp Chef 20″ Pursuit Portable Pellet Grill offers an innovative slide and grill feature, giving you the flexibility to switch between direct and indirect heat.
- Ozark Razorback Wood Pellet Grill is a budget-friendly option that doesn’t skimp on quality, providing consistent cooking with a user-friendly interface.
- GMG 2020 Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is tech-forward with Wi-Fi capabilities, allowing you to control your grill from anywhere.
- Camp Chef SmokePro Slide Smoker shines with its patented ash cleanout system, making post-BBQ cleanup a breeze.
Each of these grills has its own unique features that could make it the best choice for specific needs and preferences. Whether you prioritize innovative technology, ease of cleaning, or budget-friendliness, there is a small pellet grill on this list that will meet your criteria.
5 Best Small Pellet Grills
1. Ranger Pellet Grill and Smoker in Black
- It’s highly portable, featuring fold legs.
- It can be used for many functions like smoke, roast, grill, roast, bake, and BBQ.
- It has a large capacity.
- Offers precise temperature control.
- Some users say the fan may develop issues during the priming process.
Today, the Tailgater grill is among the most compact and lightweight pellet grills and an excellent option for small areas. The major fuel source is wood, with no gas or charcoal needed for its operation. Besides, the model has porcelain covering over the grates, making it straightforward to clean. Also, there’s an effective system to control the grease. You can use this grilling machine for other functions such as BBQ, grilling, baking, braising, roasting, and so much more.
As for the cooking space, the ranger offers 184 square inches to cook four steaks, small chickens, and six burgers at once. A nifty feature of this model is the Digital Arc Temperature controller that lets you set the head in 50F increments with an impressive temperature range of 180-45 degrees.
2. Camp Chef Woodwind 20-inch Wifi Pellet Grill
- It offers a larger cooking space.
- Has toggled display of temperatures.
- You can switch between direct and indirect flames.
- Offers additional side shelves as well as side shelf material.
- The drainage system could be better.
The major unique selling points for this Camp Chef woodwind 20-inch wifi pellet grill are the wheel’s availability and legs that fold at a push of a button. It’s a better option for those who want a portable option for camping and parties. The cooking area is about 253 square inches, plus an extra upper warming rack. The temperature range is fantastic at 160 – 500 degrees because you can cook and texturize to your liking.
Another unique feature of the Camp Chef 20 Pursuit is the Slide and Grill Technology that allows you to switch between direct and indirect flame. The display is advanced, allowing for the adjustment of internal food temperature.
3. Ozark Razorback Wood Small Pellet Grill
- It’s compact and small to fit in tight spaces.
- It’s easy to assemble and use.
- The material used is durable.
- Ozark is a well-known brand with a good reputation.
- The temperature may not stay accurate.
The Ozark wood pellet grill features alloy steel, which is durable and can withstand weathering. One of the things users love about this grilling machine is the easy assembly, as you don’t have to spend most of the time putting the parts together.
With the pellet grill, you can grill all kinds of meat, from beef and chicken to fish and sausages. You can even prepare club sandwiches and burgers with the grill. Albeit small, the Ozark Wood pellet grill offers lots of space, which allows you to prepare several dishes at once. There’s an LCD screen to monitor and adjust the temperature.
4. Green Mountain Grill Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
- Folding legs offer easy transportation.
- It has a thermal sensor to show the temperature of the grill.
- Can work with Wi-Fi.
- It has a water-resistant cover.
- Great customer support.
- Cleaning is complicated.
The Davy Crockett pellet grill and Smoker is among the most valuable options on this list. It boasts a sturdy stainless-steel construction, folding legs that double as handles, and a 9-pound hopper capacity. For its small size, it has an impressive cooking space of 219 square inches, which is enough to hold 6 steaks at a time or even two racks of rib.
The temperature controller is relatively accurate and reliable, and you can adjust in 5 degrees increments up to 5500F. The grill should offer up to 9 hours of unassisted low and slow smoking as long as the weather is conducive. And thanks to the Wi-Fi capabilities, you can monitor the cooking progress at your comfort. Other benefits include a thermal sensor, meat probe, utensils hooks, and cooking ribs.
5. Camp Chef SmokePro Pellet Smoker
- It’s highly versatile.
- It offers an intuitive digital control.
- Easy to clean with the ash cleanout system.
- Easy to assemble the model.
- The smoker lid doesn’t fit quite well.
Looking for the ideal grilling machine for the meat in the backyard or in an outdoor setting? Try the Camp Chef pellet grill that has a wide range of adjustment options and is straightforward to use. The best part about having this pellet grill is that you can even bake, amazing. The other pellet grills lack this option, so this one is one of a kind.
It primarily uses wood as fuel with a spacious cooking space to cook various meals simultaneously. Besides, it’s easy to clean after cooking with the exclusive ash cleanout system that you won’t find in any other grill. Furthermore, the SmokePro has wheels that assist with portability, as you can just push it to your spot of choice.
Buying Guide to Buy Best Small Pellet Grill
In addition to the list above, it’s important to know what to consider in a pellet grill. Check out factors to look for when buying a pellet grill.
Weight and Size
If you are looking for a pellet grill that can move from one place to another, you need a smaller one. This one is easier to move and fulfills everyday needs. A portable grill is also easier to take with you on picnics, camping, and house parties. Besides, a compact and lightweight grill looks more stylish and trendy than the bigger stationary ones.
However, ensure you check the cooking space and confirm it’s sufficient for at least two dishes, as this will save you time.
Moveable
Another important consideration in a pellet grill is the ability to move. Today, many grills come with wheels, which allows the user to push the grills easily from one place to another. Dragging grill damages the machine and can also scratch the floor and walls. One of the best options for this is the Camp Chef SmokePro that comes with wheels for convenience. Some lightweight grilling machines come with foldable wheels that make it easier to transport the grill or store it in tight spaces.
Quality construction
This seems obvious, but the best way to make sure your grill serves you for a long time is to consider the quality of construction. If you are buying from a local store, lift the lid and feel its weight – is it flimsy or heavy? Well, pellet grills don’t need to feel hefty but not delicate either. When you close the lid, make sure it can provide a good seal. Consider the hardware, joints, any welding and decide whether it’s solid enough for your liking.
When buying online, you may not have the chance to feel the product, so do your research. Compare reviews and specs of products to see what others say. The best pellet grills on the market feature steel, but the steel’s quality can vary from one model to the other.
Temperature range
Temperature range is another crucial factor as this will determine the kind of cooking you want to do. A range of 1800F to 4250F is adequate for grilling, baking, roasting and even smoking, but it’s not sufficient for searing because that would require at least 5000F. That said, the higher the temperature range in a grill, the more it can do.
Budget-friendly
Budget is a crucial factor to keep in mind because you want to get the best value for the features and benefits. If you do not see enough benefits in relation to the price of the pellet grill, then you should skip it. On the other hand, if the advantages are multiple, even a high price will be worth it. So, a wise approach is to weigh the features in relation to the cost and choose within your budget. No one wants to throw away money on a low-quality product. Fortunately, this guide is all about the best small pellet grills for the money.
Wrap up
Pellet grills will add the flavor of BBQ at parties in your home or even outdoors when camping. The above best small pellet grills are simply amazing and offer the best features for the price. So, what’s your choice for the best portable and small pellet smoker? Well, this will depend on your budget and preferences.
Good luck buying the best pellet grill for your needs!
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Hi! I'm Edmundas, a devoted minimalist and expert in making the most out of small spaces. Through years of experience in interior design and innovative space-saving solutions, I've mastered the art of transforming compact areas into functional, stylish havens. Here at GotinySpace, I share my insights and tips to help you embrace a simpler, more organized lifestyle. Join me on this journey to discover how less can indeed be more.