Best Competition Pellet Smoker

Pellet smokers are a great way to smoke meat, and many people think they are the best way to do it. However, there is a lot of competition in the pellet smoker market, so which one should you buy?

In this blog post, we will go through some of the best competitor pellet smokers on the market. These smokers are all top-of-the-line units with features that set them apart from the competition. So, which one is right for you? Keep reading to find out!

Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker Review

This smoker is the perfect choice for anyone looking to get into smoking meat. It’s easy to use and features digital control, so you can easily adjust the temperature.

Plus, it comes with a folding front shelf, making it easy to store when not in use. The direct flame mode allows you to cook your meat directly over the flames, while the convection style cooking takes advantage of dual top shelves that are fully adjustable.

This smoker also features two stainless steel meat probes that allow you to smoke your food to perfection, while the Hopper and Ash cleanout system makes cleanup a breeze.

The PID controller with 1-10 smoke settings lets you dial in the perfect smoke intensity, while the dishwasher-safe construction ensures easy cleaning.

With a three-year warranty, the Camp Chef PG24MZG SmokePro Slide Smoker is sure to be a favourite addition to your outdoor cooking arsenal.

Z Grills ZPG-7002E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker Review

Z Grills has outdone itself with the ZPG-7002E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker. Not only does this top-of-the-line grill have a wide cooking space and adjustable temperature range, but it also boasts eight different cooking functions!

Whether you’re looking to roast, smoke, bake, or braise your food, the ZPG-7002E has you covered.

And thanks to its internal temperature sensor and digital control panel, you can easily monitor and adjust your cooking settings for perfect results every time.

This bad boy has a 20-lb large-capacity pellet hopper, so you can cook for hours on end. Plus, it’s all stainless steel built – meaning it’s durable and easy to clean.

And did we mention there’s a 3-year warranty? So buy with confidence, knowing that your grill is in good hands.

Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker Review

The Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker is the best-selling smoker on the market.

With WiFiRE technology that connects to your home’s WiFi network, you can control your grill with the Traeger app.

You can also use Alexa voice commands to control your grill. This smoker has a 780 sq in cooking space, making it perfect for grilling 24 burgers at once, 5 rib racks, or 4 chickens.

The 6-in-1 versatility of this smoker lets you grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and barbecue food like a pro.

With porcelain grill grates that are easy to clean, precise temperature control, and a D2 drivetrain for quick startup and even heat distribution, this grill is sure to make all your smoked meats come out perfect every time.

The built-in meat probe ensures that your food will be cooked just the way you like it, without any guesswork on your part.

Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill Review

The Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill is perfect for the griller who wants to have total control over their smoked food.

The PID controller ensures that your food is cooked evenly at a consistent temperature, while the large surface area and 2 meat probes provide plenty of space to cook up a large feast.

And with adjustable smoke settings from 1-10, you can dial in the perfect level of smokiness for your dish. Plus, the 160º F – 500ºF temperature range means you can use this grill for everything from slow-smoked ribs to seared steaks.

This grill features an electronic auto-start ignition, dual-LED temperature readout, easy-to-use menu dial, large-capacity pellet hopper, and ash cleanout system.

The simple temperature selection system makes it easy to get your grill up to the desired temperature, and the ash cleanout system makes it easy to clean up after use.

The automatic auger dispenses pellets, so your smoker efficiency is always on point. Plus, the grease management system makes cleanup a breeze.

And if you want to add on to your cooking options, no problem! The side attachment compatible with the Sidekick or Sear Box will let you grill like a pro.

Green Mountain Davy Crockett Trek Portable Wood Pellet Grill Review

The Green Mountain Davy Crockett portable wood pellet grill is perfect for tailgating, camping, or just around the backyard.

This grill features an adjustable heat baffle to control the heat distribution, so you can get that perfect sear every time.

Plus, with precision control and a temperature range of 150-550 degrees F, you can cook whatever you like; however, you like it.

The GMG Smart Control app even lets you monitor your grill’s temperature from your phone!

Where Did Pellet Smokers Come From?

In the mid-1980s, a man named Robert Eytan put a wood chip box on his gas grill and discovered that the chips added a new depth of flavour to everything he cooked.

Soon after, Robert Eytan did some research and drew plans for a smoker with an auger-fed fire pot, along with a smoke generator.

He originally called his smoker the “Eytan Smoker”, but because of a dispute with another company, it is now known as the “A-Maze-N Pellet Tube Smoker.” Others have later taken similar approaches to pellet smokers, while some companies like Traeger got their start by copying earlier designs.

What is a Competition Pellet Smoker? 

There are several kinds of smokers available on the market today. Some harken back to last century’s pellet or offset wood or charcoal fires. Others are based on conventional gas or electric heat sources with smoke flavour added at the outset. What is generally accepted as a competition smoker works like this:

A very small firebox that allows the wood to burn quickly.

An offset firebox, typically 10-12 inches or more of steel or cast iron pipe. This allows air to enter below the fire and have time to combust with the smoke before exiting through an exhaust port at the opposite end. 

A ‘heat sink’, is a thick mass of steel that absorbs heat during the cooking process and radiates that heat back into the cooking chamber. This minimizes or even eliminates the need for combustion air during most of the cook, which means only preheating is required before getting started.

Very efficient use of wood – Fuel for a 12-hour cook may be as little as a tablespoon or two. This means that 100 pounds of pellets can last an entire weekend!

Is about the size and capacity of a typical family grill – just big enough to accommodate a whole hog, but it works well with any size of meat from pork shoulders to beef briskets.

Competition smokers are generally very expensive. Nevertheless, many who have owned one say it is well worth the investment because of its ease of use and ability to produce amazing barbecue with very little effort.

There are several manufacturers of quality competition smokers, but most are manufactured in the USA or England by passionate barbecuers who want the best for their customers.

Which Features and Capabilities are Important in a Competition Pellet Smoker?

– Ability for accurate temperature control. The ability to hold a consistent temperature is critical in competitive smokers.

– High-quality construction stainless steel components are easier to keep clean and in good shape. Stainless doesn’t hold heat like cast iron, so it will help to regulate the smoker’s internal temperature.

– Solid wheels for easily moving around your cooking space.

– A decent size cooking surface. You will want at least 550 or more.  

– Ability to easily add smoke flavour in the form of wood chunks or pellets. All pellet smokers are great for this, but some regular smokers can be more finicky with their heat control when adding smoke.

– Ability to use multiple fuel sources (wood chunks, chips, pellets, charcoal). This is one of the reasons to like pellet smokers; you can easily change from smoke to a higher temp cook by adding more pellets.

– Ability to easily upgrade or replace components as needed (adding a water pan, sear box, etc.).  

– Ability to remove ash easily and clean out the firepot between cooks. This is particularly important when cooking with wood because you will want to clear all of the old ash before adding new smoke.

Benefits of Smoking with Pellet Smokers

Smoking meat is an art and a skill that anyone can master. Smoked meats are low in fat and high in flavour—the perfect combination!

Wood pellets give you the power to choose how hot and fast your smoker will smoke. You can cook almost anything with heat and smoke, including vegetables! Smoking infuses food with smoky aromas and flavours, making it more delicious. Smoking is fun!

Smoking with pellets makes food taste great! There are many reasons why cooking with wood pellets is better than any other way you can cook outdoors, but here are the top ones:

Wood Pellets Are More Economical Than Other Forms of Fuel

You can save a lot of money by grilling with pellets. If you have ever purchased firewood for your pellet grill, then you know how expensive it can get!

A full-sized bag of hardwood chunks will last only 4 to 6 hours in most pellet smokers, so you can cut your long-term costs by 80% just by switching to pellets.

Also, there’s no need for a chimney starter when cooking with pellets. Simply plug in the smoker and set it to the desired temperature.

A family of four that wants to grill burgers and hot dogs can go through a 20-pound bag of pellets in less than 2 hours.

A local delivery company typically charges $20 to $30 per 100 pounds of pellets, so buying your fuel from an online retailer is definitely the most cost-effective choice.

Wood Pellets Heat Quickly and Hold Their Temperature Well

A full hopper of pellets will last about 4 hours in a large smoker, so you don’t have to refuel very often. Also, pellets are denser than wood chunks or logs.

A 20-pound bag of pellets will measure approximately 9″ x 13″ x 15″, while the same amount of natural lump charcoal measures approximately 10 1/2″ x 16 1/2″ x 14″.

For most backyard cooks, this is an advantage because it means they can cook more meat with less charcoal or wood.

When you factor in the time it takes to stack, transport, unload, and dispose of 20 pounds of charcoal briquettes, a bag of pellets starts to sound like the better choice. Not only that, but lower temperatures and longer cook times lead to more efficient pellet usage.

Pellets Make Your Life Easier and Food Tastier

Many backyard cooks use their old gas or charcoal grill for cold smoking, but pellet smokers make cold smoking easy and delicious!

It’s simple: just set the desired temperature in the smoker, place the food on the perforated cooking grate and close the lid.

Cold smoking usually takes between 6 to 12 hours, so you can load up your smoker with meat prior to going to bed at night, set it to smoke overnight, and have breakfast ready in the morning.

Pellets Are Better for Your Health and the Environment

BBQ is a great way to cook outdoors, but traditional charcoal grills produce harmful gasses during the cooking process.

When briquettes are burned, they release carbon monoxide (CO), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), and other toxins into the air.

When you cook with pellets, the combustion process starts when you turn on your smoker. That means that pellet grills emit much less toxic fumes during cooking than charcoal or gas grills do.

Pellets Make Cooking More Social and Exciting

With a bag of pellets, you can cook all day long without worrying about your food drying out.

The lower cooking temperatures used with wood pellet smokers allow you to relax and enjoy the company of family and friends instead of standing over hot coals for hours on end.

Tips on Maintaining Pellet Grills and Smokers

1. Regular cleaning of the smoker is important. Depending on how frequently you use your smoker, you should clean it each time before putting it back in service or after a cook. The more fatty meats you cook, the more often you should clean your pellet grill.

2. Regularly clean the inside of the pellet smoker with a damp cloth. Wipe up any ash and debris from the cooking area.

3. If you have a grill cover, wipe it down with a soapy rag to remove any grease or oil build-up on the outside of the unit.

4. If you’ve burned your pellets into a solid chunk or block, you need to clean out the tube of the grill before it clogs completely and affects airflow.

5. Never use water to clean the inside of your smoker. Only use soapy water on a rag for exterior surfaces of the unit.

6. Never spray water into the air vents of your pellet grill, as it can damage components inside that could lead to costly repairs.

7. Running a pellet smoker without pellets is ok, but run it 20 minutes to heat up, and then another 10 minutes with the hopper empty before adding your first round of pellets.

8. Always have a backup bag of pellets for your pellet smoker on hand, so you never run out of fuel during a cook.

Frequently Asked Questions About Pellet Grills and Smokers

Are wood pellet grills better than other types of outdoor cookers?

Pellet smokers are the best cooking appliances for a majority of outdoor cooks, including those who want to smoke beef brisket and pork ribs.

What is the difference between a pellet smoker and other types of grills?

With a pellet smoker, you just load your favourite wood pellets into the hopper, plug it in, and press the button to start smoking. The auger pushes pellets from the left hopper into the ignition chamber to set up for cooking.

Can I use wood pellets or chips inside my pellet grill?

You can add hardwood chips if you want more smoke flavour, but you don’t have to. Pellets will provide the same smoke flavour you love without all of the ash and char.

What is the best pellet smoker?

The best pellet smoker is one that meets your personal needs and preferences. We’ve compared the top options available on the market to help you make an informed decision when shopping for a new grill.

Where can I find the best deals on pellets and fuel?

Every pellet smoker owner needs to buy pellets and fuel for their smoker grill, so we recommend you visit a few different websites before making your purchase.

Can I use regular wood chunks or chips instead of wood pellets?

There are several types of hardwood chunks and chips available for order, but you can also buy them in small bags at your local hardware store. You’ll get more smoke flavour if you use wood chunks, but adding chips to your smoker is ok if you want less smoke flavour.

When should I replace my hopper?

If you’ve been smoking for a long time, the hopper may need replacing every few years because it can rust or corrode. You might experience inconsistent cooking results until the hopper is replaced.

What is the warranty on a pellet smoker?

The best pellet smokers have high-quality construction and produce consistent cooking results, so they usually come with a good warranty period. Some manufacturers offer lifetime warranties, while others will cover your grill for at least three years with limited coverage.

What are the drawbacks of using a pellet smoker?

1. Not all pellet smokers come with digital controllers, which can make it difficult to get an even cook without having to constantly adjust the temperature.
2. Pellets can be more expensive than other types of smoker fuel such as coals and wood chips.
3. Some pellet burners do not produce smoke at all, which can be a problem for some people who want that smoky flavour in their food.
4. Pellet smokers can be difficult to clean, as the ashes and soot from the pellets can accumulate in hard-to-reach places.
5. It takes time to get a pellet smoker hot enough to sear, which means that it may not work for fast-paced cooks who need their food urgently.

Conclusion

Competition smokers are an excellent investment for BBQ enthusiasts. There are many companies out there that sell competitive pellet smokers! You can also check our article on Best Pellet Grill Over $1000.

Pellet smokers are gaining popularity because they make great-tasting food and burn longer than traditional grills.

If you want to find the best smoker for your needs, be sure to do some research before making any decisions or purchases.

We hope this guide helps you find the right wood pellet grill for your backyard barbecue. Happy cooking!