Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze review and price compare 2025- fishinghub

Brand	Z GRILLS
Model Name	2020 Upgrade
Power Source	Wood Pellet
Color	450 sq in Bronze
Item Weight	84 Pounds
Item Dimensions LxWxH	45 x 28 x 49 inches
Fuel Type	Electric, Liquefied Petroleum Gas

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★ ULTIMATE 8-IN-1 (Cover included): Barbecue wood fire pellet grill: bbq✓bake✓roast✓braise✓smoke✓grill✓sear✓char-grill
★ Pellet Grill Technology: There isn't an easier way to get wood-smoked flavors than with a pellet grill. Try it, and you'll taste the difference from a GAS or CHARCOAL grill
★ Set the Temperature, Relax, and Enjoy: Z Grills pellet grills will do all the work for you once you set the temperature. No labor-intensive start-up. No babysitting the grill. Enjoy the cooking!
★ Consistent Results Every Time: The PID technology holds the tightest temperature possible throughout your cooking for consistent results.
★Smoke, Grill, and Everything in Between: With its 180° to 450° F temperature range, this pellet grill has 8-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, and char-grill with incredible hardwood flavor.
★Designed for Small Families, yet Big on Flavor: Perfectly sized for small households, the 450A features 452 sq. in of cooking space while infusing big flavors into your food.
★Built to Last: Sturdy steel construction with a high-temperature powder coating finish makes the pellet grill long-lasting, bringing you years of ultimate wood-fired grilling experience.
★Less Pellet Filling, More Smoking: The 15 lbs large-capacity pellet hopper offers longer cooking time, eliminating the need to refill the hopper constantly.

From the manufacturer

The ULTIMATE 8-in-1 Grill & Smoker


Advanced Wood Fire Technology Z Grills wood pellet technology gets you wood fire flavor at the convenience of propane or gas. You can cook for about 20 hours per 20 lbs. of pellets. Super versatile and wide temperature range from 180 to 450 degrees to grill, smoke, bake,roast, braise or BBQ.	Z Grills Technology Wood pellet grills are taking off in the market and quickly becoming the preferred choice over charcoal, propane, and gas grills. Z Grills stands out in the taste, versatility, and consistency among all the grills.	Consistent & Precisely Digital temperature control automatically adds pellets as needed to regulate the temperature. Most stay within 10 degrees of the set temperature. Convection heat distribution technology ensures food gets cooked evenly to perfection.	Huge Grilling Area & Hopper Capacity 450 Square inches grilling area; 15-pound hopper capacity. Foldable working shelf. Heavy duty all terrain wheels. Rust proof cover & racks.

WOOD PELLET GRILLS VS.TRADITIONAL GRILLS


The Flavor The reason professional barbecue chefs use wood is that it provides the best flavor. Pellet grills use all-natural hardwood as fuel, delivering unmatched pure, hardwood taste. Try it and taste the difference.	The Versatility Unlike gas or charcoal grills, pellet grills have an adjustable, wide temperature range, allowing for 8-in-1 versatility. That means you can smoke a rack of ribs low and slow, or grill a wood-fired pizza hot & fast, and even bake a berry cobbler, all with the same grill.	Cost-Effective Pellet cooking typically costs less than a comparably sized gas grill. A bag of pellets (20 lbs) costs about 25 dollars and can burn up to 50 hours. While propane gas tanks are usually 30 dollars for a full tank, and you’ll typically get 20 hours of cook time even when cooking on low.



Total Cooking Area	452 sq in	538 sq in	601 sq in	694 sq in	694 sq in	1060 sq in
Main Cooking Area	324 sq in 21.5" * 15.5"	399 sq in 26.1" * 15.1"	350 sq in 32.5" * 10.8"	504 sq in 19.2" * 26"	504 sq in 19.2" * 26"	432 sq in
Warming Rack Area	128 sq in 22.6" * 5.3"	139 sq in 27.4" * 5.1"	251 sq in 21.3" * 11.8"	190 sq in 6.9" * 27.5"	190 sq in 6.9" * 27.5"	374 + 255 sq in
Hopper Capacity	15 lbs	10 lbs	10 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs	20 lbs
Assembled Weight	84 lbs	84 lbs	83 lbs	112 lbs	146 lbs	145 lbs
Assembled Dimensions	45" x 28" x 49"	47" x 20" x 45"	47" x 21" x 49"	48" x 22" x 51"	48" x 22" x 51"	54" x 25" x 53"
Package	one package	one package	one package	one package	two packages	two packages
Cooking Grids	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron	Porcelain Coated Cast Iron

Style:ZPG-450A

SMART SMOKE TECHNOLOGY --- Set it and forget it, Automated electric feed system maintains temperature from 180ºF to 450ºF, Smart Digital Controller keeps temps within +/- 20 degrees F and makes setting the grill temperature as easy as turning a dial HUGE GRILLING AREA & HOPPRT CAPACITY--- Great for Home, party, and Tailgating: 450 Square inches grilling area; 15-pound hopper capacity. Foldable working shelf; heavy duty all terrain wheels ULTIMATE 8 IN 1 BARBECUE WOOD FIRE PELLET GRILL ---Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, barbeque food all in one grill . GREAT SMOKE FAVOR NOT ONLY GRILL EASIER--Fueled by premium 100% hardwood pellets to generate heat and smoke, infusing your food with a savory wood-fire taste that’ll make your taste buds sing 3 YEARS WARRANTY -- We GUARANTEE you that our grills are made from top quality materials.

Q:

Is the grill water proof, would it be ok to use in the rain?

Answer: The hopper is sealed, but I would not use it in the rain, in fear that the pellets would get wet. I suspect that trying to clean the hopper of wet and deteriorated pellets would be extremely time consuming.

Answer: It is not waterproof.

Q:

What is the lowest temp you can smoke at?

Answer: When I turn my ZGrill to smoke it averages from 190-220 degrees. It will produce a lot of smoke at first, then it will cycle smoke every 10 minutes or so. I have cooked all kinds of meat on the grill, and it works good on ribs using the 3-2-1 routine. (3 hrs smoke, 2 hrs wrapped, 1 hr with sauce)

Answer: Smoke setting is around 125. Just a hint, I found mine was cooking uneven but by screwing the chimney cap up or down, depending on what side was cooking hotter, I could even it out. My temps are now pretty consistent throughout the grill.

Answer: 125 for smoke only. 200+ for everything else

Answer: There is a smoke setting and it''s below . It runs at around 125.

Answer: 140 to 150

Answer: 250 degrees

Q:

Has anyone had trouble with the grill tripping a circuit breaker or GF outlet?

Answer: Never has happened to me. Try another supply and see what happens. GFI's are sometimes kinda finicky, but if it's tripping a circuit, it could be a bad smoker, or a weak circuit breaker.

Answer: It isn't your grill. GFI outlets are known to trip. I have changed my outlet out and have had no further issues.

Answer: Yes, but not on this specific unit. I ended up having to replace a faulty igniter.

Answer: No problems at all i Love the smoker

Answer: Nope

Q:

What are the grill grate measurements?

Answer: 15.5” x 21”

Q:

Does the z grill 550a have a removable heat diffuser for griling and smoking?

Answer: No, there is a dial that you set for smoking and then turn up the temp dial for grilling. If you don’t want smoke you put food in after the temp is turned up. Directions advise to start on smoke setting and from there dial in your selections on temperature.

Answer: Yes, the diffuser can be removed.

Q:

If you buy extended warranty for 4 years does that start after 3yr manufacturer warranty?

Answer: not sure, I'll have to check that out.

Q:

I've never owned a pellet wood smoker before. What are the differences between these and charcoal smokers? Besides wood and charcoal.

Answer: charcoal is harder to regulate temperature and cook times. with wood pellets its a breeze. even though wood pellets are more expensive u only use what u need so is cheaper in long run

Answer:

Answer: No flare ups, even heating, and the ability to smoke and grill. Different pellets can produce different tastes dependent upon what meat, fish, poultry you are cooking. Set the temp, walk away.

Answer: Also, unlike the others, you have to plug the WP Grill into an external electrical outlet which is not that convenient. But the taste is much better so it's worth it. You have to plan on where to place it so it's close to an outlet or you'll be running extension cords.

Q:

ZPG 550B outside dementions

Answer: Per the data in the product description, 45" x 28" x 49"

Q:

I want to place this on a table top with no legs and let the pellet box hang off the edge of the concrete table. Will this work?

Answer: Since the leg mounts are flat and below the round bottom this possibly could work. But the concrete could crack from the heat if there is mosture in it.

Q:

I have a wing and drumstick rack that measures 18"x7.5"high x 6"w. will this fit inside?

Answer: No, it will not fit inside. I just measured how high my drumstick and wing rack is and it's just under 6" high and makes it inside the Z-Grill with less than 1/2" to spare. My wing and drumstick rack measures 14"x5.5"high x 6"w

Answer: Inside dimensions 21” wide, 15” deep, 7” from grate to highest point.

Answer: Yes. it will be fit inside.

Answer: I don’t think so, I just measured from grill to top of smoker and it measures less than 7 inches tall.

Q:

Has anyone else had on going issues with the pellet auger constantly jamming?

Answer: Never had that issue and been using it almost weekly since before Thanksgiving. Gone through over 100 lbs of pellets. Contact their support for assistance.

Answer: When you add pellets be certain that you do not add the powdery dust from the bottom of the bag. You might try cleaning as others have suggested. Then scoop pellets from bag and add to the hopper. When you near the bottom of the bag, if it has powder, discard or use a slotted spoon to seperate the pellets from the powder.

Answer: I've used my Z-Grill for close to a year now, and never had any hang ups. Make sure you're using the recommended pellets. I ordered my pellets when I ordered my smoker from Amazon.

Answer: We are having that issue now. How did you fix it??

Answer: So far no issues with auger here.

Answer: No. You need to vacuum it out occasionally. You probably have something clogging it up

Q:

Is the 450A large enough to smoke a full sized brisket?

Answer: Yes. You can remove the small, upper rack and fit one in there. Awesome grill!

Q:

Do these not have a temperature gauge on them?

Answer: Digital readout on heat setting but no temperature probe.

Answer: Yes they do. With optional meat probe. Follow directions during initial setup, then afterwards its set tbe temp and wslk away.

Answer: Yes, it does. It's a digital temp reading. Works great. This is an awesome grill.

Answer: It has a digital temp Guage by the temp control knob

Answer: It does not have a built in thermometer for probing.

Q:

Hi. Can you build one with 220-240 volt power rating. shipping to Singapore. Thanks.

Answer: I have no idea but DO NOT BUY this grill! I bought and returned to of them for the exact same problem. I bought a Pit Boss instead.

Q:

What temperature will grill stay at on the smoke setting ?

Answer: 180°

Q:

does this have a PID controller?

Answer: Yes

Q:

How long should this take to reach maximum temperature? It’s already been 20 minutes and it’s only at 325°

Answer: My husband uses this to smoke briskets. He usually fills the hopper with the pellets and turns it on to preheat, which usually takes about 45 minutes to an hour. When he puts the brisket in, he inserts a meat thermometer to monitor the temperature of the meat. Close the door and do not open until it is done. You have to periodically check the hopper and level out the pellets and add more if necessary throughout the cooking process. Smoking is a slow process. My husband usually smokes our briskets for 8-10 hours, depending on the size of the brisket. Hope this helps.

Q:

There is a tan wire/cable/cord (very thin) between the hopper and the grill chamber. What is this? There is no mention of it in the instructions?

Answer: Temperature Sensor.

Q:

My grill will not hardly make any temperature above 250 and takes forever to get there. What Is wrong?

Answer: Be sure to start on smoke setting for 15 minutes with lid open, close lid. Set temp.. also be sure there is nothing causing the pellets to enter the hot box...

Q:

Z Gills vs Treager Grill, which’s one is better?

Answer: I haven't used Traeger, but our Z Grill is fantastic!

Answer: We have a ZGRILL and a Pit Boss the ZGrill is compatible, cooks well.

Q:

what tempdo you smoke ribs?

Answer: 200 for about 3 hours then I wrap with foil and use butter, apple cider, and brown sugar. Wrap and smoke another 2 hours. Then remove foil and turn smoker up to 225 putting them on the smoker for another hour with BBQ sauce. Perfect! I also put a rub on mine when I first put the ribs on. This is the 3-2-1 method. Can’t go wrong.

Answer: I used the 3-2-1 method at 250 degrees. They came out great.

Q:

Does this grill have the pellet purge door so I can change out he type of pellets? If not it is a 100% no go.

Answer: I don't think it has a purge door. I don't recall seeing anything in the manual about it either.

Answer: no you need to scoop out the pellets and let it run to burn out what is in auger that has been only thing i don't like otherwise love it

Answer: Looks like it is a "No Go"

Answer: not that I am aware of.

Answer: No, it does not

Q:

can you cold smoke on this grill?

Answer: No, I’m not sure if they make a box that would go between the smoker and the chimney.

Answer: Probably not.

Q:

Does the zpg-450a have a sear mode that heats over 450f? what's the max sear temperature?

Answer: No

Q:

What is the big difference between the older model and the one with the 2019 upgrade?

Answer: Not sure because I don’t have but one grill.

Q:

Which is cheaper to run, charcoal or pellets?

Answer: I bought 40 pounds of pellets at Walmart for $16.95 when I first got my grill. I have cooked 5 times on it with an average of 1 1/2 hours each time. I still have about 20 pounds (half a sack) of pellet and my pellet bin on my pit is still about half full. So I would definitely say that the pellets are cheaper overall. Most of my cooking was around 350 degrees. If you could at higher temperatures of course it will burn more pellets. Hope this helps.

Answer: It's not about price, although price of pellets per bag is $14 lasts longer than charcoal brickets. I fill the smoker hopper full and it takes about 1/3 bag, but when smoking it will burn all night long and you don't have to tend it.

Answer: I would say pellets, it is very economical on pellets. But you are missing the point. The pellet grill maintains the temp effortlessly. It makes it SO EASY to cook what ever. I cooked everything in it, brisket, turkey, chicken, ribs, port shoulder, prime rib, tritip, grilled steaks much easier than with my CharGriller with a Texas firebox. I've used it every week since before thanksgiving. Highly recommneded.

Answer: Pellets $15.00 for 40#

Answer: Charcoal is always cheaper, but the flavor for wood pellets when cooking is the best...shop around for pellets to get better deals

Answer: Thus far, I would have to say pellets. In addition, the pellets are no mess to clean up and a much cleaner process through out. I love it!

Q:

What’s does the “Deal” specify

Answer: You get the grill, that you need to assemble, and an all weather cover to protect it when it's not in use. The assembly is easy to follow. There is also the warranty you get for the grill.

Q:

Are the hood hinges reversible?

Answer: No they are hinges

Q:

How wide is the smoker with the shelf down?

Answer: 480 sq inches of cooking surface

Answer: Zgrills suck

Q:

Is this easily portable for camping?

Answer: No... it was hard to put together and would not be easy to disassemble for camping. Also it has to be plugged into a 110 v. power to run.

Answer: If you can lift 80lbs into your rig or trailer or camper, and have access to 110 electricity, you'll be good to go.

Answer: No

Answer: No, it is quite heavy and awkward.

Q:

What is the wattage of the electric motor to operate?

Q:

What is the dimension difference between the 450 grill size and the 550 grill size? I know one is 450 sq. & the other is 550 sq. Inches, so actual dim

Answer: ZPG-450A

Q:

Is this a propane grill?

Answer: This is an electric grill.

Answer: No. It is a pellet grill.

Answer: No it's electric and uses pellets

Answer: No, electric.

Answer: Electric

Q:

How well does this work for standard grilling, i.e steaks and burgers?

Answer: I find that if you are going to do a steak, use a standard grill. I did one last night and at 350 for about 15 min it ruined the steak, made it to tough, but maybe I need to adj. how I do it. I will still stick to the grill.

Answer: Personally I love my ZGrill. I have both smoked and grilled on it. Two problems, you have to keep a eye on the pellet hopper and if you want a Char on your burgers & steaks it won’t give you the same as a gas/charcoal grill. My wife loves a deep char so I bought a small grill to throw her steaks in for that. Bottom line for the price it’s a great grill. Suggestion get a remote thermometer to monitor internal meat temperature and inside grill temperature. The readout on the grill can be off as much as 25°.

Answer: It seems to work pretty well. On high I get to 500+ which is plenty to sear. What is a bit different is you do not get the char (or burning) from a direct flame.

Answer: STAY AWAY FROM ZGRILLS. Spend a few bucks more and get a grill that actually works

Answer: it is great for common grilling the only problem I am having is I am on my third temperature controler

Answer: no flame but smoke flavor. y

Q:

It’s made in the usa? one picture showing its highlights, number 6 in particular says it “keeps crease away...” really? at least proofread

Answer: all pellet grills are designed so as the grease funnells into a small pale . It works as described. Made in the USA??? I have my doubts. But the workmanship is of very good quality and assembling the unit was not too challenging.

Q:

Is it wifi?

Answer: Not my model.

Q:

Is the smoke setting for smoking or just preheat?

Answer: It’s for smoke also. Sits about 165-170 degrees

Q:

Is the zgc-02b grill cover compatible with the zpg-550b wood pellet grill?

Answer: No idea

Q:

How big of a brisket will this fit?

Answer: had a 10 pound brisket in mine. would probably take a 15 pound ok

Answer: It was a tight fit but I managed to smoke a 17 pound brisket.

Answer: It will hold a full-size brisket without the top rack

Q:

There is another similar one on Amazon for $100 more. The only difference are the words 2018 and upgrade. What's the difference?

Answer: The only difference is the the upgraded model has locking wheels. The actual grill is exactly the same , no difference! Buy it , it's a really good smoker grill and this one is a hundred bucks less than what I payed for mine

Answer: Not sure. All I know is that I have used mine more than anything else this last summer and it is great.

Q:

Can you use pit boss pellets in this?

Answer: Yes. I frequently use Pit Boss pellets in my smoker.

Answer: you can use any wood food pellet you want to

Answer: All pellets are basically made the same, if you exclude the flavor of the wood.

Answer: yes i use them all the time comp. pellets.

Answer: Pretty sure the pellets are all the same size

Answer: I would compare them and as long as there is not much difference they night be ok. However if you stick with what's recommended by the grill nanufacture the they can stand behind the warranty and cooking times. Any time you stray from the mfg recommended fuel how can you expect them to stand behind the product. Follow the directions until you are certain you can vary.

Answer: yes. i do with no problems.

Q:

Why does one description say, 20lb hopper capacity and the other says 15lb hopper capacity?

Answer: Theres screwed up info on both the new model and the old. The older model had a 10lb hopper but I believe the new model has a 15lb hopper. You wont be disappointed with the grill though.

Q:

It only works with hard wood pellets? I can only find pellets from pine wood or eucaliptus, use for heating systems. Those work too?

Answer: soft wood pellets will work, they will burn a little faster, with a different smoke flavor versa a hard wood pellet.

Answer: Most likely not, especially not the pine.

Answer: no wood pellets for home heating or full of plastic and glue do not use them in your barbecue grill

Q:

I purchased the 450a model. can anyone explain how the grease pan sits in the unit? i see there are two slots on one end. where does it sit?

Answer: You'll see a tab on the left hand side of your grill. The grease pan tabs fit in the end of this tab. This lets the grease pan sit with the tabbed end higher than the other so the grease will flow toward the bucket.

Answer: The slot go to the left, the notches fit into them. The pan does tilt downward to the right when you put it in.

Q:

What size tray liner should i purchase

Answer: Heavy weight aluminum foil works just fine.

Q:

can you cook on it like a normal grill for like burgers, hot dogs, food that does not take take time like smoking ribs, brisket etc

Answer: Yes, you can cook on it similar to a normal grill. The temperatures are not going to get as high as a gas or charcoal grill though.

Answer: You can cook anything you want on it, you will need to cook it on the pellets and not charcoal, but it's great with burgers and hot dogs.

Answer: Yes. Does not really get hot enough for searing steaks. (450 top temp) Other than that, it is wonderful.

Answer: Yes. It takes a little longer than a gas grill because of indirect heat but it will get to 450 degrees.

Answer: How long is the electrical cord?

Answer: yes you can

Answer: do you have to use a lighter to start this or what is the heat source that heats the wood pellets. Is it a gas flame, an electric coil or what?

Answer: O ya

Q:

What is the process to connect to natural gas ?

Answer: You can't hook to natural Gas. It uses wood pellets.

Q:

Does it a temperature probe to check temps on what your cooking?

Answer: No, you would get that separately. I got a 2 probe unit for about $25 as I recall. You can even get one that is blue tooth that reports to an app on your phone.

Answer: No I use my own Thermapen for meat but it has a temp probe for the interior or cavity monitor only. WHR

Answer: No

Q:

Where is this made?

Answer: They manufacture in china

Q:

New to barbecuing, completely. Can I use wood, no propane or gas, to Grill meats? If that's not possible with this unit, can you please recommend one?

Answer:

Answer: This grill uses "wood Pellets" to cook. It also uses 110V electric connection to run the feed auger and glow plug. It does not use any propane or other gas. add pellets plug in and set the temp.

Answer: This grill only uses wood pellets, 6mm in dia which any of the pellets for cooking are the correct size I’ve found. I’ve done it all gas, charcoal cooking so far I’m pretty excited about this grill not heavy on the smoke just right

Answer: This grill is electric and uses special wood pellets, you dont use any propane or gas. They sell them in different flavors.

Answer: This unit using 120V and wood pellets not wood chips.

Answer: This smoker uses pellets only , if you are looking for a smoker that uses wood chips this one is not for you.. Keep looking and you will find the right one for you.

TLT3GA : DO NOT BUY THIS!

I have had the biggest headache with this grill! The first one I received I assembled it exactly as the instructions detailed. Once assembled I went through all of the pre-cooking instructions to prepare the grill. The very last step did not work. I contacted the company and they said it might be the temperature probe - they sent me a how-to video in Chinese (I don't speak Chinese). I then had Amazon send me a replacement - which they did. After assembling it the very same problem occurred at the last step. After 45 minutes set on HIGH it was less than 100*.
Now I am having to deal with two defective grills. I was told (in writing) I didn't have to send the first grill back. Now they want both grills back - fine - they are defective. But now I am being told the only way to receive my refund is once they have confirmation the grills are on the way. But I HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE AND REPACKAGE THEM (which is impossible). So, now I am out my money, have two defective grills and am being further inconvenienced by having to try and figure out how to send these back. DO NOT BUY THIS GRILL!

Chris : Good but....

OK so, got the grill. Assembly was quick and easy. Did the first ignition as described in the manual. Went to use it the next day and that's when we had problems. When we set it on 180 the temp would stay above 220 and go as high as 250. It would never anywhere near 180.when we set it on 225 it would stay around 325 to 350. We called z grills and after 12 tries to get ahold of someone we finialy got a person. They said to loosen the smoke cap but that did no good. We even removed it with no luck. After 5 hours a rep from z grills called me back and said it was probably the controller but they were on back order and shipped from China. Not acceptable for me sorry. So I am still waiting on a call back for a resolution to this issue after 1 day. So I called the seller from Amazon and talked to a nice lady who initiated a return with no issusles what so ever. I'm going to wait one more day to see if u hear back from z grills before I disassemble the grill, try to get it back in the box and ship it back for a replacement. I hope z grills Valles back and fixes this problem. I really do not want to take it apart and shop it back. Would rather replace a part. Well see and I'll update the review as needed.

Tessawessa : Terrible experience, broken grill. DO NOT BUY.

I bought this smoker for my husband for Christmas after researching multiple different websites for making the best BBQ. He is a carpenter and very good with tools. He assembled the grill and the auger wouldn't spin. We called ZGrills and they said we had to let it run longer so we did and it didn’t work. We called again and then they sent us a new motor without instructions??! Then they sent us a video on how to replace the motor but it was for a different model. They do not offer in person or on the phone support. They rarely answer the phone. The only person who answers the phone is a young woman with an accent who acted as though she has never heard of us or our problem every time I spoke to her. We ended up returning it to Amazon but was stuck with a $75 restocking fee. The seemingly only have one employee and she is incompetent, mouthy, and worthless. She offered to reimburse us for our troubles with a bag of pellets?? People without functional grills do not need pellets. She literally asked me if I would give her a good review if she sent us a check for the $75 restocking fee.

gary grant : Great smoker for the money.

Had a electric wood chip smoker at first which I bought during warmer months and it was great, but once winter hit the wood chip smoker failed to get hot enough. Did a lot of research on pellet smokers, plus my neighbors have a Treager, so the smells coming over the fence was incredible. Decided to go with this smoker due to being so much cheaper than the big name brands. The first use of this smoker, the neighbors came over to see what the incredible smells coming over the fence were. Gets up to 400 even at below zero and has opened up so many opportunities for great tasting food. Just had great smoked ravioli, love this smoker. I did find that all pellets are not equal in taste and smoke intensity. Best I have found so far is Lowes competition blend.

TLT3GA : DO NOT BUY THIS!

I have had the biggest headache with this grill! The first one I received I assembled it exactly as the instructions detailed. Once assembled I went through all of the pre-cooking instructions to prepare the grill. The very last step did not work. I contacted the company and they said it might be the temperature probe - they sent me a how-to video in Chinese (I don't speak Chinese). I then had Amazon send me a replacement - which they did. After assembling it the very same problem occurred at the last step. After 45 minutes set on HIGH it was less than 100*.
Now I am having to deal with two defective grills. I was told (in writing) I didn't have to send the first grill back. Now they want both grills back - fine - they are defective. But now I am being told the only way to receive my refund is once they have confirmation the grills are on the way. But I HAVE TO DISASSEMBLE AND REPACKAGE THEM (which is impossible). So, now I am out my money, have two defective grills and am being further inconvenienced by having to try and figure out how to send these back. DO NOT BUY THIS GRILL!

Goob : Great for a month than up in flames. Updated!

This is my first Z Grill and 3rd pellet grill. Worked perfectly for a month. Today the grill went up in flames 3 hours into a cook. After the fire was put out and I gave it time to cool. I checked and it caught fire up the auger and started up into the hopper. The hopper fan is still currently working (so that shouldn't of happened) and I do exactly as instructions say to start it every time and I keep it clean. Now, I'm seeing error code 2 and HEr when just starting the grill. I wouldn't recommend this grill due to it being a hazard, I leave it on while we sleep at times, pretty scary it could of made us lose everything. Almost $400 down the drain. Before the major dangerous failure, it worked great, kept temp within 10 degrees of set temp. I had zero issues with it before today and would of given it a 5 star review.

(Update) I purchased a aftermarket temp probe from amazon which turned out to be much better made than the stock one that came with the z grill. Since installing this aftermarket temp probe, I have not had any issues. I updated my overall rating to 4 stars. Great product outside of the temp probe that comes with the grill, I recommend replacing it right away and enjoy your cooking because everything else about this grill is pretty awesome. I really enjoy using it.

drgrenthum : It cooks and adds a little smoke flavor, I do mean little

I really want to like this grill, I do, It just doesn't do anything great.

I had $150 propane smoker that I was able to produce amazing stuff with. It rusted out and a friend told me I needed to get a traeger. Being that this company used to make some of traeger stuff and it's a PIV grill, I figured I'd give it a go. Problem I'm having is it doesn't want to sear very well It just doesn't get hot enough. Next issue I have is it doesn't smoke very well. What used to take me 12 to 14 hours for a great product, I now put on the day before and cook for probably closer to 20 and still don't get a good bark.

I do like the flavor it gives chicken. It is very easy to turn on and very easy to clean. It's just not a good grill or smoker, it's something in between.

Terry & Christina McDaniel : Replaced controller, Do Research.

I gave 3 stars, do your research. I really like this grill. I wish I would of got the bigger one. But the electronics are junk. I tried to do 3 different cooks. 1st was ribs smoked they came out good not great, second tried as a grill didn’t work temp wouldn’t even get to grill temp. The 3rd was another rack of ribs 3-2-1 method. Grill wouldn’t keep temp, hopper was full but kept running out of Pellets would not feed correctly. The problem is not the smoker itself it’s electronic controller is flawed during the last cook I kept getting low temp errors which means below 60 degrees, I’m in the Galveston, tx area the temp that day was in the mid 90’s. So I modified the smoker first I replaced the controller temp issues fixed. The feeder issue is a safety grate I guess it’s there so you can’t put your fingers in the auger hole. Now it feeds properly. So if you buy I suggest replacing the controller board first. From research I did I found that most of the grills out don’t work properly. Hope it helps.

Amy J. Lindsey : Nothing but problems

We have had nothing but problems. We have used only 3-4 times since purchase in April. The company does answer eventually, but not satisfactorily in my opinion. And more problems keep popping up. Instructions were not complete for starting it -company responded by acknowledging that some steps missing. Thermometer not working - will send parts and a video for us to fix. Excessive smoking (see the pictures) -company offered to send part and a how to video. EITHER this unit defective, OR this is just a really sub-par grill.

Lane : Food is amazing, but its not perfect

Hopper design is poor; when you're grilling, the pellets dont fall in like they should. There will be a hole right in the middle and the outside pellets wont fall in like they should. Also the temperature regulation is all over the place. For example, you'll set the temp to 225 and it'll go way up to almost 400 if you dont keep an eye on it. Other than that, all the food I've cooked on it has been amazing. But you can't set it and forget it like you should be able to for the price.

Holly : Please don’t waste your money

Bought this a year ago. Did not have much success the entire season. Read some reviews and I have to agree with a lot. Mine is never consistent. Sometimes it works. Most of the time it does not. I paid over $400 less than a year ago for a piece of junk. I don’t know what my options are. Who repairs them ? Will they give me a refund.

Do not buy. Horrible decision. Bad product and it looks like the problems are consistent with other bad reviews

Amy J. Lindsey : Nothing but problems

We have had nothing but problems. We have used only 3-4 times since purchase in April. The company does answer eventually, but not satisfactorily in my opinion. And more problems keep popping up. Instructions were not complete for starting it -company responded by acknowledging that some steps missing. Thermometer not working - will send parts and a video for us to fix. Excessive smoking (see the pictures) -company offered to send part and a how to video. EITHER this unit defective, OR this is just a really sub-par grill.

Yu : Nice to have for first time buyers

It’s our first time to buy a grill. We thought it would be pretty hard to ensemble but it turned out straight forward! It has wheels on one side and it is easy to be moved around. Besides all the cool features a grill could possibly has, it also looks great! Also it has a nice cover that we can put on to prevent dust and stuff. All in all, this is a great grill and it’s portable, nice and neat, easy to assemble, etc. Strongly recommend it if you are looking for a great grill!

PDT : A great BBQ once you learn how to operate it

I've wanted a Traeger for years, but after seeing this grill at the price offered, I immediately purchased it. The construction of this grill is heavy duty, and thicker and heavier than I expected. The legs seem a little flimsy compared to the rest of the unit, but are adequate. Assembly consists of attaching the legs, wheels, handles, tray, and vent pipe.
Having never used a pellet BBQ before, it took me a couple runs to figure out how to cook with it. This is more of a convection cooker than a direct heat cooker. I used Traeger brand pellets and found the heat to be extremely variable. It can vary 50+ degrees from the target temperature. Also, on the highest setting it will hit 550 degrees and the safety system will shut off the BBQ. I also tried the Zgrill brand pellets and found the temperature to be less variable, but still varies widely from the target temp. Overall I don't think this really matters, the food I was cooking came out terrific. A whole chicken with the temp set to 400 took about an hour and came out perfect. The temp showed between 400-500 during cooking, but the variance in indicated temperature did not seem to do anything negative to the cooking process.
I also smoked a sockeye salmon filet for about 4 hours. This came out perfect with a very mild smokey flavor. Again, on the smoke setting the indicated temperature varied by about 50 degrees, the smoke was intermittent, but it got the job done.
Overall I'd say this BBQ is some what quirky, but once you learn how to use it, it can produce some excellent grilled or smoked meats.

country5 : holds temp consistenly

The grill came promptly and in good condition. I have some assembly experience so putting it together was not hard; having two people is a big help. The instruction are clear with lots of pictures and all the hard ware is clearly labeled and the grill came with all the tools needed to put it together. This is my first pellet grill so I cannot compare it to others but my cooking experiences have been very positive. Cooking the meat low and slow along with a good level of smoke has made for delicious meals. I have kept a close eye on the temperature the swings are easily within ten degrees. I have found that stepping up the temperature in increment works best. For reference I put a full untrimmed rack of pork ribs and two 1.5 lb ropes of sausage on the grill and it was full. ( 540 sq in grill size) The grill is built well and easy to use I would buy another Z Grill. The only frustration I found was there is no hole for a meat probe so I took a 3/16 drill bit and made my own. Hope I did not void my warranty of increase the risk of rust where I drilled.

Apasionado : Excitement turned to absolute disappointment.

I bought this grill in 2019. I was so excited to use this grill and the first two times I used it, it worked perfectly. Well, the next two times I used it, it didn’t go so well. The temp control doesn’t work. It never hits or gets close to the target temp and even when it gets kinda close, it starts to lose temp. I thought it was user error, so I pulled out all the pellets, cleaned out the burn box real good and tried again.. nope, exact same problem. I’m so very disappointed. I went from telling all my friends how awesome it worked to telling them it broke on me and I’m guessing I’m out hundreds of dollars.

So then I get on Amazon to see what the details say about warranty. Well well well, I see the new 2020 model FIXED a known problem which happens to be the exact problem I’m having. Wow! I truly hope they make this right for me somehow. I can’t afford to toss a grill that cost me a few hundred dollars.

Tim hackett : Australian Junk

Was excited to receive this grill as I have been eying it for quite some time. I ordered it the grill arrived in a few days on my porch. Opened it up found directions to put this hunk of copper trash together. Instructions were easy to follow setup took maybe 30 min. Junk the tools they give you and get some real ones off the shelf. In the box you will find the start up instructions simple to follow straight forward. There is a break in period to burn all the packing grease kangraroo droppings etc. Great that’s expected. After maybe 5 minutes into the break in period I noticed there was no smoke coming from the grill maybe no big deal it was set at 450 degrees per the instructions no one cooks anything at that temp anyways let it go through its break in time shut down the grill per the instructions. Several hours later I’m ready to cook so I follow the start up instructions the initial smoke setting it says to leave the grill open until you observe smoke then close the lid and set to your desired cook temp pretty normal. Within 2 minutes the grill stops producing smoke the heat stayed constant but no smoke. I followed the shut down procedure gave it an hour and repeated this twice same thing I even let the grill run for several hours to see if it would produce smoke and nothing. I contacted the manufacturer several times each time I was told that due to the liberal lefts pandemic they were not able to handle calls. Don’t waste your time on this oven of sorts that will clutter up your grill area and leave room for an American made product.

Drew : Awesome!

We purchased a smoker that uses the logs and it is so uneven in it's cooking and was super smokey. This smoker is the best! After reading the reviews was so excited to try it once it finally arrived and it does not disappoint. It cooks everything perfect from meats, to fish, to veggies. We use it about 5 times a week. My only recommendation is do not try to speed up the cooking by turning the temp up. Low and slow works best.

G. Snyder : Set it and forget it (mostly): so easy to cook meat outdoors, minimal checking, great results.

My husband loves his meat. He must eat large amounts of it at every meal, but cooking that much meat in the kitchen causes odors to build up and even with vent running some grease builds up on surfaces. He tried a regular BBQ but it required him to tend the fire and keep checking the meat. So when he asked for this grill for his birthday, I was curious how it worked.

Assembly: I helped him assemble it. It only took a few minutes. Instructions were good. No parts missing or damaged.

Initial set up: You will need to run it once before you use it to cook food, I assume to cook off any impurities in the paint/metal and to test it. Instructions were pretty easy on how to do this.

Use: Set it and forget it (mostly). Fill the hopper with pellets. Warm it. Then he adds whatever meat he wants. He can leave it alone for an hour or two, or sometimes more. Maybe all he does is wrap the item in aluminum foil. Let it cook awhile longer.

Results: he's been VERY happy with everything he's tried so far - ham, pork cuts, hamburger, you name it.

PROS
- So easy to use. The only cooking method that is less work for meat is probably a slow cooker. Very minimal checking.
- We've used it a month so far, cooking on it about 2x a week. So far no problems.
- For a smoker, it doesn't produce much visible smoke -- good if you have a tiny yard. And even if you're one of those who doesn't like the smell of all meats cooking, what you can smell is a mild wood scent.
- Included cover is very nice
- My house smells so much better because the meat is cooked outside. No greasy pans to clean up. Any grease that does come off the food is neatly captured in the little pail (included)

CONS
- Pellets are expensive, if you can't find them locally. We got lucky and found them at our local Walmart & Lowes. Walmart's brand worked out to be a third of the price of what I paid on Amazon for the first 20lb bag.
- Remember : this is still an outdoor product. Do not run it in a garage or any enclosed space. Yeah, I know it should be obvious. But with the electronic parts on it, there is the worry if rain is predicted it might get damaged.
- My personal worry: It does have electronics and a motor. Even with a cover, it's usually kept outdoors (in humidity and in temp extremes). I don't know yet if it will last as long as a regular propane or charcoal grill. It might... might not ...???

Melissa N Davis : YOU WILL REGRET PURCHASING. TAKE MY WORD FOR IT.

The hopper is beyond pointless. It either jams due to the pellet weight in the hopper or it empties and turns off because you are forced to underfill it. Meat gets ruined constantly due to the heat turning off and I have spent more money on wasted meat than I did purchasing the unit. Below is the letter to the manufacturer after their very pitiful response. Please do not waste your money.

First off, let me be clear, the temperature does not get too high, EVER. IT SHUTS OFF ENTIRELY when the pellets stop feeding either from becoming jammed or lack of pellets due to forced underfilling as your hopper design is UTTER CRAP. Let us just be clear on that in the first place. Second, I will NOT stand in front of the hopper AND STIR WITH A STICK. The entire purpose of my purchase of this grill was to be able to set the temp, fill the hopper, and WALK AWAY and check once every few hours. So NO thank you to that bit of advice. Finally, I will not make any attempt to procure, at my own expense, a weighted pan to fit the dimensions of your hopper. If your design does not work without a weight (and let me be frank, I don't think it will work at all) then you should have included that in the design to begin with. It is laughable that you even took the time to send that picture and expect me to reference as a design flaw fix. What kind of customer service representative are you? To be honest, I am surprised you didn't send me a picture of the stick with which you ever so kindly instructed me to use....

I expect you to replace this grill with one that WORKS PROPERLY when I turn on the device and with MINIMAL, I repeat MINIMAL interference from all humans in general. Barring a replacement, I expect a refund for which I will gladly send you this piece garbage which is cluttering my patio as it is not fit for use.

Attached you will find the orginal receipt, which by the way, includes shipping address, name, etc. and you will find the serial number of this "grill" although the term is being used very loosely as at this point its only a sculpture on my back patio. I expect word from you shortly on your plans for replacement of the unit or refund of the unit.

Their initial response below as well as the picture of the weight they want me to use:

Hi,

Don't worry. This is just an uncommon condition and may only happen when the temp reaches high.
We can ship you a new updated hopper cover which can better improve this issue.
While waiting, here are some suggestions if you meet this issue. You could have a try to remove the upper safety net in the hopper(it's ok to do that) and use a stick to stir up the pellets.
Meanwhile, you can place something heavy in it to help. (see attached pic for reference)
Sorry for the inconvenience to you.

Tim hackett : Australian Junk

Was excited to receive this grill as I have been eying it for quite some time. I ordered it the grill arrived in a few days on my porch. Opened it up found directions to put this hunk of copper trash together. Instructions were easy to follow setup took maybe 30 min. Junk the tools they give you and get some real ones off the shelf. In the box you will find the start up instructions simple to follow straight forward. There is a break in period to burn all the packing grease kangraroo droppings etc. Great that’s expected. After maybe 5 minutes into the break in period I noticed there was no smoke coming from the grill maybe no big deal it was set at 450 degrees per the instructions no one cooks anything at that temp anyways let it go through its break in time shut down the grill per the instructions. Several hours later I’m ready to cook so I follow the start up instructions the initial smoke setting it says to leave the grill open until you observe smoke then close the lid and set to your desired cook temp pretty normal. Within 2 minutes the grill stops producing smoke the heat stayed constant but no smoke. I followed the shut down procedure gave it an hour and repeated this twice same thing I even let the grill run for several hours to see if it would produce smoke and nothing. I contacted the manufacturer several times each time I was told that due to the liberal lefts pandemic they were not able to handle calls. Don’t waste your time on this oven of sorts that will clutter up your grill area and leave room for an American made product.

gary grant : Great smoker for the money.

Had a electric wood chip smoker at first which I bought during warmer months and it was great, but once winter hit the wood chip smoker failed to get hot enough. Did a lot of research on pellet smokers, plus my neighbors have a Treager, so the smells coming over the fence was incredible. Decided to go with this smoker due to being so much cheaper than the big name brands. The first use of this smoker, the neighbors came over to see what the incredible smells coming over the fence were. Gets up to 400 even at below zero and has opened up so many opportunities for great tasting food. Just had great smoked ravioli, love this smoker. I did find that all pellets are not equal in taste and smoke intensity. Best I have found so far is Lowes competition blend.

Charles Brueck : Best Grill Investment EVER!

I'm not really sure what to say about this grill other than it's taken my outdoor cooking to ANOTHER LEVEL. I love everything about it and at a fraction of the cost of other grills I have purchased over the years. Throw away the charcoal, propane and eggs. Don't believe me here's a testimonial from my finicky 15 yrld daughter..."dad these are the best ribs EVER." My response "the best I have ever cooked?" Her "NO the best ribs I have ever tasted in my life."

If that's not enough to sell you on this grill, how about after several months of wonderful service you come out and the grill just won't come on? Trouble shooting down to the master control unit. Email customer service and immediately get a response. After a couple of back and forth, "try this, try that emails, they ship FREE OF CHARGE a new control unit. 5 minute install later and grill is back to 100% operational.

GREAT GRILL, GREAT CUSTOMER SERVICE!

cpreis : DANGER! Burned Out of Control on Fourth Use!

Grill was used to cook chicken twice and hamburgers once. My wife started the grill to use it a fourth time and it ran out of control with fire shooting out of the side of the grill before any meat was even put on it! The finish on the grill is ruined and components in side are damaged from the excessive heat. Fortunately, my deck and house were no damaged.
Unfortunately, we are a week outside of Amazon's return policy and so far Z-Grills has been completely unresponsive to phone calls and emails. VERY DISAPPOINTED!

JWT : Get this junk out of my yard.

2 stars is being nice. But after my first 2hr experience cooking some chicken breasts I figured I would start simple and make a video of a simple grill cook of standard link sausage. I will post this 22 min video of over an hour of cooking time on You Tube. I wanted to give this thing a second chance which is what I did.----First off the temperature is all over the place with this thing and NEVER stays steady at all at any one point. You lose so much heat when you open the lid. I no I am not opening the lid all the time. Smoke setting doesnt smoke. Temp gets way to high for smoking meat on the smoking setting. Does not continue to smoke. High temp of what I would normal use to grill a burger gets too hot apparently and will shut off with an error. ---------Really really disappointed in this purchase. Thank gosh I still have my Weber but it comes down to this. Dont waste your money. This technology just isnt there yet for me. Im not going risk a Tregger just to get the same result. Basically. I dont need to be baby sitting my grill all the time and the food thats on it. Sorry ZGrills. Its Big fat 0 for me if I could give it.

P. Moody : Great entry level pellet grill

I got this as a step up from a electric smoker. I've wanted a better smoker, preferably pellet, for a while and finally got my chance to grab it, so I did.
I've used it a good amount so far. Pulled pork, burnt ends, hamburgers, hot dogs. Everything came out with great flavor. Heats up pretty quickly compared to what I expected and maintains temperature control within 10 degrees, usually closer to 5.
I saw many of the older reviews and was a bit worried, but it looks like they fixed the problems in this iteration. I can't stress enough to drop the temp a few times before going to the shut down cycle. Already had one burn back. But that I'll chalk up to my personal learning curve.

I wish I was able to get a larger one, just because. But for the money, I'm extremely happy with this one.

Brian Adamchuk : Updated: Nice introduction to the Pellet Smoker world...

The first unit that came in was defective. The seller was fast to ship out a replacement. The second unit has worked well the 3-4 times it's been used. Temperature has stayed consistent throughout the cooking time.
So far I'm happy with the purchase.
5/14: sometimes you get what you pay for...
Love the idea of a pellet grill for the price of this grill. As can be read above first unit came in defective. Second unit does function but is HORRIBLY inaccurate for temperature and never puts outs smoke. As can be seen in the photo, I have grill set for 375, temp on grill led is 477, actual temperature on grate is 283. The 283 temperature was verified with an infrared thermometer.

Paul H. : keep your grill clean and covered waterproof cover

When I first got the grill I found that it was easy to assemble, everything shipped and was packed very good.
Just make sure you follow the directions closely sit down and pre-read them before assembling so you understand lay out the parts get to know what is what most important take your time think it out.
after I assemble the grill I was anxious to go ahead and get it fired up.
I found that I needed to take the switch and move it to shut down and then back to smoke to get the fan to start once I figured this out it was easy to operate.
this is not a high-end Grill but A-Affordable grill.
and for me it is perfect I have a small family so I do not need a large Grill.
So overall I say this is a very good purchase the quality seems to be very good no problem so far have done many cooks.
Definitely invest in a cover to keep it dry.

Marcus P. : Temperature can be controlled if it’s off!!!

I personally like this smoker. It’s my first one ever. If the temperature is off, close the stack or open it to get it right. I’ve smoked a brisket in 30 degree weather in the snow and smoked a shoulder in 70 degree weather. When it’s cold bring the stack down a few turns and vice versa when it’s hot to let more heat escape. It is a solid smoker in my opinion. Well built but it is my first smoker so can’t compare to anything else.

Kirt : I would recommend

**UPDATE**
As I shared below, I was very impressed with the customer service at ZGrills. Today was no exception. I received a call after contacting CS meeting them know how much I want to love my Grill, but was loosing faith. She was sympathetic and eager to resolve my concerns. We agreed to a solution so I can once again be a happy griller. For this amazing level of service I bring my rating back up to 4 stars.

I bought this pellet grill in March. I had a few good meals and then out of nowhere the temperature control went haywire. I contacted ZGrills and the customer service was great. They sent a new controller out very quickly. Now within 60 days the temperature control went out again. I believe this model has a defect and now I’m stuck with a grill that doesn’t work. Very sad.

Chris : Good but....

OK so, got the grill. Assembly was quick and easy. Did the first ignition as described in the manual. Went to use it the next day and that's when we had problems. When we set it on 180 the temp would stay above 220 and go as high as 250. It would never anywhere near 180.when we set it on 225 it would stay around 325 to 350. We called z grills and after 12 tries to get ahold of someone we finialy got a person. They said to loosen the smoke cap but that did no good. We even removed it with no luck. After 5 hours a rep from z grills called me back and said it was probably the controller but they were on back order and shipped from China. Not acceptable for me sorry. So I am still waiting on a call back for a resolution to this issue after 1 day. So I called the seller from Amazon and talked to a nice lady who initiated a return with no issusles what so ever. I'm going to wait one more day to see if u hear back from z grills before I disassemble the grill, try to get it back in the box and ship it back for a replacement. I hope z grills Valles back and fixes this problem. I really do not want to take it apart and shop it back. Would rather replace a part. Well see and I'll update the review as needed.

abc-ct : We use this thing alot, never using a gas grill again..

So we got this grill, after a few weeks I sold my gas grill. These pellet grills are great. The Zgrill has worked just fine, and comes with a cover. Make sure you clean the ash out of the bottom as required. I did not on an overnight brisket and had to move it to the oven while I waited for the grill to cool down so I could clean the ash and restart. If you get the ER2 message on the display it means a probe error and you might not have been on the right setting when you turned it on. Their Customer Service was quick and sent me this message regarding the ER2 message:
If the ER2 disappears after these steps, there is nothing to worry about as this is just a default setting by the manufacturer.

To resolve the ER2 error on your first initiation of the grill.
1. Plug it in
2. Dial should be on SMOKE by default
3. Flip the switch and the display shows "ER2"
4. Turn the dial back to SHUT DOWN CYCLE and turn it back to SMOKE setting
5. Error code should be gone and the grill starts working

Geoffrey A. Sergeant : If you just want a pellet smoker this thing is perfect.

This Z grills works great. I've made, beef brisket, pork belly burnt ends, pulled pork, beef jerky and smoked turkey so far. I bought this back in January.

This grill will not get much hotter than 400 degrees, so if you're looking for something that gets 500+ you should expect to spend a couple hundred more. I already have a propane grill for higher temps.

Some tips, buy a pellet tube, a blow torch, heavy duty aluminum foil and a Thermoworks Thermometer and some BBQ gloves and a shop vac, and a water proof bucket.

Always clean up after each use, line your drip pan with foil and with a shop vac it'll be a fast cleanup.

Water proof bucket protects your pellets, blow torch lights your pellet tube quickly and they're fun and the pellet tube allows you to cold smoke fish or just get more smoke.

My grill has already survived cold weather and fired up like new. Treat it right and it should last a long time.

vincent : Easy to assemble. Just don’t rush :)

I assembled just over an hour . It would be easier with 2 people but 1 person can do it. I smoked my first ribs after researching it for days. I learned the 4-1-1 method dried out my ribs because I think my smoker runs hot since it’s a smaller unit. The temperature control ran great it’s just the way the smoker is. I was able to play with the smoke stack lid to get my correct temperature . You can adjust the cap up and down which heat or cools the interior and you can get it to match the digital temperature control knob. My next ribs will be the 3-2-1 method which should keep my ribs more moist on the bark. The smoker is a great deal and I read many reviews trying to pick what I need and can afford. It’s a perfect family smoker . If you plan on smoking for big groups or parties then get the bigger smokers . The quality Of materials was excellent and the free cover was a plus. I’m sure I’ll have many years of service with this smoker .

G. Snyder : Set it and forget it (mostly): so easy to cook meat outdoors, minimal checking, great results.

My husband loves his meat. He must eat large amounts of it at every meal, but cooking that much meat in the kitchen causes odors to build up and even with vent running some grease builds up on surfaces. He tried a regular BBQ but it required him to tend the fire and keep checking the meat. So when he asked for this grill for his birthday, I was curious how it worked.

Assembly: I helped him assemble it. It only took a few minutes. Instructions were good. No parts missing or damaged.

Initial set up: You will need to run it once before you use it to cook food, I assume to cook off any impurities in the paint/metal and to test it. Instructions were pretty easy on how to do this.

Use: Set it and forget it (mostly). Fill the hopper with pellets. Warm it. Then he adds whatever meat he wants. He can leave it alone for an hour or two, or sometimes more. Maybe all he does is wrap the item in aluminum foil. Let it cook awhile longer.

Results: he's been VERY happy with everything he's tried so far - ham, pork cuts, hamburger, you name it.

PROS
- So easy to use. The only cooking method that is less work for meat is probably a slow cooker. Very minimal checking.
- We've used it a month so far, cooking on it about 2x a week. So far no problems.
- For a smoker, it doesn't produce much visible smoke -- good if you have a tiny yard. And even if you're one of those who doesn't like the smell of all meats cooking, what you can smell is a mild wood scent.
- Included cover is very nice
- My house smells so much better because the meat is cooked outside. No greasy pans to clean up. Any grease that does come off the food is neatly captured in the little pail (included)

CONS
- Pellets are expensive, if you can't find them locally. We got lucky and found them at our local Walmart & Lowes. Walmart's brand worked out to be a third of the price of what I paid on Amazon for the first 20lb bag.
- Remember : this is still an outdoor product. Do not run it in a garage or any enclosed space. Yeah, I know it should be obvious. But with the electronic parts on it, there is the worry if rain is predicted it might get damaged.
- My personal worry: It does have electronics and a motor. Even with a cover, it's usually kept outdoors (in humidity and in temp extremes). I don't know yet if it will last as long as a regular propane or charcoal grill. It might... might not ...???

Sandi O : Looking forward to overcoming the learning curve

So far I’ve use basic pellets without any problems. Below is my review

Assembly; I easily assembled this alone. The “Quick” guide was useless as it offered no info on what screw, washers etc. we’re being used. The printed manual provided that info but due to poor print quality it was difficult to read. The inclusion of almost all the necessary tools was nice. I say almost as there was no wrench big enough for the wheel axels. Manual needs to be tweaked, it has you installing lid handles and then several steps later installing the lift handle??? The lack of a method to store the power cord when not in use was easily overcome with a Command Strip hook. Otherwise assembly was rather easy. I’m glad this unit included a cover. Living in SE AZ, I made not need it much, the question is, how long will it hold up in the AZ sun?

Startup; Followed instructions to the letter. One to two minutes for the pellets to reach the fire pot...... I didn’t time it, but it seemed like it was a lot longer than that. All went well and did the initial burn off as instructed. It does emit much more noise than I expected.

Actual use; Did. Say I there was a big learning curve? This is where things get frustrating. There is a big temp difference between the left and right side. Part of that could have been the unit not being level. Even after leveling, the temp swing was a bit much. Smoke leakage, yep leaks like mad via the lid. A starter roll of their high temp tape would have been nice. Temp front to back, not sure I want to check this as the grease pan is curved the higher temps will be in the middle. No problem due to the fan, you say, not sure I agree with that. Upper Rack, it’s there and mainly useless. If your cooking chicken or anything over a few inches high, it will need to be removed. Otherwise you cannot put much on it, what you can put on it has to be thin. Also this rack is s a little bothersome to put in and take out. The temp swing while cooking also varies widely. It could be that it’s spring and the wind is playing a bigger part than expected, even with a slight breeze. I haven’t tried smoking anything yet, but will very soon. Sadly I’m sure that will entail a somewhat complex and time consuming task of removing current pellets and refilling the hopper, yes I bought a basic model with no way to quickly change pellets, my bad. Smoking; haven’t tried it yet but I’m wondering, since the hat on the chimney is threaded can one adjust its height to help control the smoke and heat? I’ve seen such adjustments on other pellet smokers.

Speaking of all the wonderful functions this unit offers, how do you utilize them? I know I set the temp to what I want to in order to bake. What temp is recommended when grilling? Or the other functions? If the smoke is drastically reduced when the grill temp is over 180, how do you get the good smoky flavor? These questions should have already been answered in the manual, as we did buy a basic, beginners model smoker. Looking for some interesting recipes, they have them on their website with everything you need to know except the blend of pellets recommended to get the most flavor out of your food. Guess you need to check the pellet bags then do some trial and error.

With everything I’ve pointed out that may appear negative, I’m very happy with my ZGrill (Happy Birthday to me). Now if I could just get out of the habit of opening the lid while things are cooking.

Brad Groux : The Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2019 is an amazing smoker/grill for the price!

I've had this grill for a little over the week and am loving it. The assembly took about an hour, and that was only because I put the legs on the wrong way so the shelf holes were pointing out. Make sure you're in a well lit room, unlike me and you shouldn't make this mistake. The included "startup list" steps you through the first startup and tests perfectly, so make sure you follow the list and you'll be cooking in no-time!

The attached pictures are prime cut beef ribs I smoked on 275°F for 6 hours, and choice cut pork ribs I smoked for 4 hours on 275°F - they both came out amazing! I've also used the grill to reverse-seer prime NY Strip steaks, by cooking on 225°F for 45 minutes, then cranking up to high (nearly 500°F) and seering for 90 seconds on each side for a PERFECT medium-rare steak.

I've cooked beef and pork ribs many, many times and I've reverse seered NY Strips countless times, and the best I've ever cooked them all was on this grill, NO JOKE! It truly makes grilling and smoking idiot proof, just get yourself a nice digital thermometer and you'll never mess up. The perfect mix pellets also give a great flavor that isn't too overpowering like a 100% hickory or mesquite.

$9.99 Smoker Thermometer - https://amzn.to/2Gt9iRH
$37.00 40lb bag of Perfect Mix Pellets - https://amzn.to/2XdLcjg
$13.99 Grill Cover works great - https://amzn.to/2IrDS02

You could certainly pay more for a name brand grill, but with the extended warranty and a cheap grill cover, I should more than get my money out of it. I'm also happy with the overall size, as it fits nicely on my covered second story patio.

Chris : Good but....

OK so, got the grill. Assembly was quick and easy. Did the first ignition as described in the manual. Went to use it the next day and that's when we had problems. When we set it on 180 the temp would stay above 220 and go as high as 250. It would never anywhere near 180.when we set it on 225 it would stay around 325 to 350. We called z grills and after 12 tries to get ahold of someone we finialy got a person. They said to loosen the smoke cap but that did no good. We even removed it with no luck. After 5 hours a rep from z grills called me back and said it was probably the controller but they were on back order and shipped from China. Not acceptable for me sorry. So I am still waiting on a call back for a resolution to this issue after 1 day. So I called the seller from Amazon and talked to a nice lady who initiated a return with no issusles what so ever. I'm going to wait one more day to see if u hear back from z grills before I disassemble the grill, try to get it back in the box and ship it back for a replacement. I hope z grills Valles back and fixes this problem. I really do not want to take it apart and shop it back. Would rather replace a part. Well see and I'll update the review as needed.

Brad Groux : The Z GRILLS ZPG-550B 2019 is an amazing smoker/grill for the price!

I've had this grill for a little over the week and am loving it. The assembly took about an hour, and that was only because I put the legs on the wrong way so the shelf holes were pointing out. Make sure you're in a well lit room, unlike me and you shouldn't make this mistake. The included "startup list" steps you through the first startup and tests perfectly, so make sure you follow the list and you'll be cooking in no-time!

The attached pictures are prime cut beef ribs I smoked on 275°F for 6 hours, and choice cut pork ribs I smoked for 4 hours on 275°F - they both came out amazing! I've also used the grill to reverse-seer prime NY Strip steaks, by cooking on 225°F for 45 minutes, then cranking up to high (nearly 500°F) and seering for 90 seconds on each side for a PERFECT medium-rare steak.

I've cooked beef and pork ribs many, many times and I've reverse seered NY Strips countless times, and the best I've ever cooked them all was on this grill, NO JOKE! It truly makes grilling and smoking idiot proof, just get yourself a nice digital thermometer and you'll never mess up. The perfect mix pellets also give a great flavor that isn't too overpowering like a 100% hickory or mesquite.

$9.99 Smoker Thermometer - https://amzn.to/2Gt9iRH
$37.00 40lb bag of Perfect Mix Pellets - https://amzn.to/2XdLcjg
$13.99 Grill Cover works great - https://amzn.to/2IrDS02

You could certainly pay more for a name brand grill, but with the extended warranty and a cheap grill cover, I should more than get my money out of it. I'm also happy with the overall size, as it fits nicely on my covered second story patio.

Daedalus : Great starter smoker, but I regret not buying a larger one.

Very good starter smoker. If you want to get into smoking meats and you don’t have the time or desire to monitor the fire/temp for 8 hours, this is a great way to go. Easy to assemble, the instructions could be better, but it’s not hard to figure out. Extremely easy to use, but be sure you check out a few videos on how to set it up for the first time, which isn’t clearly explained in the instructions. Run it on high for 45 minutes to burn off factory oils. My only regret is that I didn’t buy a bigger model. 450 sq inches includes the tiny little 2nd tier rack. I was able to fit a full brisket packer in it, but nothing else. It’s worth the extra money to get a larger smoker.

john e. harvey : This is a find

Saw some negative reviews on older models but this was an upgrade to 2020. I took a chance and ordered one. I have really enjoyed this pellet smoker. It's a perfect size for my use, but may be a bit small if you entertain larger crowds. I only gave 4 stars for temperature control, but at 350 and below is does well and smokes like crazy. Ribs, burgers and steaks are so good. I still haven't challenged a brisket or pork butt, but have no doubt this grill will handle it!!!!

vincent : Easy to assemble. Just don’t rush :)

I assembled just over an hour . It would be easier with 2 people but 1 person can do it. I smoked my first ribs after researching it for days. I learned the 4-1-1 method dried out my ribs because I think my smoker runs hot since it’s a smaller unit. The temperature control ran great it’s just the way the smoker is. I was able to play with the smoke stack lid to get my correct temperature . You can adjust the cap up and down which heat or cools the interior and you can get it to match the digital temperature control knob. My next ribs will be the 3-2-1 method which should keep my ribs more moist on the bark. The smoker is a great deal and I read many reviews trying to pick what I need and can afford. It’s a perfect family smoker . If you plan on smoking for big groups or parties then get the bigger smokers . The quality Of materials was excellent and the free cover was a plus. I’m sure I’ll have many years of service with this smoker .

HF : A smoker it is not!

This is a pretty decent grill that burns wood pellets. It can cook juicy burgers and steaks just fine.
As a smoker, it falls way short. The temperature control is not perfect for smoking - 225 is more like anywhere between 230 and 260. But tuning around that, my biggest complaint is that id does not create enough smoke to smoke meats with flavor.
I'm coming from an electric smoker that burns wood ships to create smoke, and a charcoal smoker that does the same. If you want that smoked flavor in your pork spare ribs, get a _real_ smoker and pass on this. If you want a BBQ that burns wood pellets and has a slightly different flavor than a propane grill, then this might be for you.

Janet Lowe : Use the chimney stack.

So been tinkering with this thing all day, and based on the reviews I thought it may be hit or miss, but here is what I have found.

1. Lower the chimney stack pretty low. With it barely on, or a lot of space between the smoke exhaust port and the chimney stack, the temp is very high. Lowering the chimney stack lowers the internal cooking temperature.

2. Kinda a pain to put together. Not horrid, but not great. Typical 'oh man, I gotta assemble this' kinda thing.

3. Once you get the chimney stack where you like it, this thing is pretty boss.

I have a old school thermometer, and the one that comes with the unit, and they are very close on temperature gauges, within 10 degrees of each other.

The pellets form a well, so you need to check them about every 45 minutes and restir the pellets.

After adjusting the chimney stack, I get about a solid 225F at the 180F setting. Chimney stack adjustments could be finer tuned, but will take some time if desired. 225F is perfect for most of the low and slow I do. I do about 5 turns on the chimney stack, then wait a few minutes for the temp to adjust. A little up or down goes a decent ways, so don't turn too much.

This is a pretty solid little unit. This is day one, but I have a pork butt smoking as I type. And it is the first pellet smoker I have ever had. But overall, I am pleased with the price and performance.

It takes a little work, but any smoker around this price should, and should be expected. Can't wait to see how this future pulled pork comes out. :)

Lorrie : Pleased after the learning curve

I've had this for a little over a month and it's been pretty good. I've used it at least 6 times with good results. It does have some issues with temperature control, but I've learned not to open the lid as much and that helps. I've also learned not to let the pellets run out or you'll have to take 40 minutes to restart and get the darned thing back up to temperature. I dislike that the pellets kind of do a "sink hole" effect directly over the auger and will cause it to stop working. The pellets don't shift on their own very well, so you have to keep stirring them around every hour or so to keep them directly over the auger opening. They should redesign the hopper with sides that slope in to mimic a funnel and avoid that problem. Also, make it easier to empty so you can change pellet "flavors" with less hassle. How about making it with a removable box that you can pull out? Similar to how one removes and reattaches a dust bin on a bagless vacuum?

patrick chang : Had great promise and potential but flopped

I bought this grill about 6 months ago. Specifically I got the newer 2018 model thinking they had solved some of their past issues. The 2 main cons or issues I have been having are the temp control unit as the temperatures have been off by 50 degrees or more and the pellet hopper doesnt feed properly causing the grill to stall.
I contacted z grills support but they haven't been very helpful. They recommended that I stir the pellets so they will not stall during feeding? Am I suppose to stand their all day?

Brian Adamchuk : Updated: Nice introduction to the Pellet Smoker world...

The first unit that came in was defective. The seller was fast to ship out a replacement. The second unit has worked well the 3-4 times it's been used. Temperature has stayed consistent throughout the cooking time.
So far I'm happy with the purchase.
5/14: sometimes you get what you pay for...
Love the idea of a pellet grill for the price of this grill. As can be read above first unit came in defective. Second unit does function but is HORRIBLY inaccurate for temperature and never puts outs smoke. As can be seen in the photo, I have grill set for 375, temp on grill led is 477, actual temperature on grate is 283. The 283 temperature was verified with an infrared thermometer.

Goob : Great for a month than up in flames. Updated!

This is my first Z Grill and 3rd pellet grill. Worked perfectly for a month. Today the grill went up in flames 3 hours into a cook. After the fire was put out and I gave it time to cool. I checked and it caught fire up the auger and started up into the hopper. The hopper fan is still currently working (so that shouldn't of happened) and I do exactly as instructions say to start it every time and I keep it clean. Now, I'm seeing error code 2 and HEr when just starting the grill. I wouldn't recommend this grill due to it being a hazard, I leave it on while we sleep at times, pretty scary it could of made us lose everything. Almost $400 down the drain. Before the major dangerous failure, it worked great, kept temp within 10 degrees of set temp. I had zero issues with it before today and would of given it a 5 star review.

(Update) I purchased a aftermarket temp probe from amazon which turned out to be much better made than the stock one that came with the z grill. Since installing this aftermarket temp probe, I have not had any issues. I updated my overall rating to 4 stars. Great product outside of the temp probe that comes with the grill, I recommend replacing it right away and enjoy your cooking because everything else about this grill is pretty awesome. I really enjoy using it.

Joel S : Pellet feeding issues

Amazon got it here just a day and a half after I ordered! Was shocked to see it delivered so fast and 1 day ahead of earliest delivery. So far seems great. Came missing. Gasket for the smoke stack but not a huge deal. The temperature does jump around a little but for the price cant complain.
Update
Reducing to 3 stars. I have run into this reoccurring issue with the hopper. I fill the hopper for an overnight smoke and every 3 to 4 hours I have to get up to adjust the pellets or they will create a cavity and stop feeding. What's the point of a hopper size if it doesn't feed properly? Very frustrating if you miss fixing the pellets it may take a half hour or longer for the auger to catch up leading to low temps for half an hour or longer. Bad design very bad design.

Sir Nitro : Smoking has never been so easy

I love this smoker, I wish I would have went bigger, but this one will suffice.

I had a nice huge brisket going, I started it late at night to let it burn through the wee hours. I went to check it as soon as I woke up and the unit was off and my half cooked brisket was cold. The hopper was half full of pellets, but it was like an invisible wall keeping them from entering in to the auger. I have had this happen several times, with various types of pellets, now though I just keep an eye on things closer. One reason I bought a pellet smoker was so I could set it and forget it, well can't do that with this one.

The only other issue I have is the lack of a way to clean the hopper out to change pellets, which I knew before purchasing it. Still makes it a pain to change pellets.

Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze review and price compare 2025

Product overview

product features

From the manufacturer

The ULTIMATE 8-in-1 Grill & Smoker

Advanced Wood Fire Technology

Z Grills Technology

Consistent & Precisely

Huge Grilling Area & Hopper Capacity

WOOD PELLET GRILLS VS.TRADITIONAL GRILLS

The Flavor

The Versatility

Cost-Effective

product description

product details

important information

Questions about Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze

Is the grill water proof, would it be ok to use in the rain?

What is the lowest temp you can smoke at?

Has anyone had trouble with the grill tripping a circuit breaker or GF outlet?

What are the grill grate measurements?

Does the z grill 550a have a removable heat diffuser for griling and smoking?

If you buy extended warranty for 4 years does that start after 3yr manufacturer warranty?

I've never owned a pellet wood smoker before. What are the differences between these and charcoal smokers? Besides wood and charcoal.

ZPG 550B outside dementions

I want to place this on a table top with no legs and let the pellet box hang off the edge of the concrete table. Will this work?

I have a wing and drumstick rack that measures 18"x7.5"high x 6"w. will this fit inside?

Has anyone else had on going issues with the pellet auger constantly jamming?

Is the 450A large enough to smoke a full sized brisket?

Do these not have a temperature gauge on them?

Hi. Can you build one with 220-240 volt power rating. shipping to Singapore. Thanks.

What temperature will grill stay at on the smoke setting ?

does this have a PID controller?

How long should this take to reach maximum temperature? It’s already been 20 minutes and it’s only at 325°

There is a tan wire/cable/cord (very thin) between the hopper and the grill chamber. What is this? There is no mention of it in the instructions?

My grill will not hardly make any temperature above 250 and takes forever to get there. What Is wrong?

Z Gills vs Treager Grill, which’s one is better?

what tempdo you smoke ribs?

Does this grill have the pellet purge door so I can change out he type of pellets? If not it is a 100% no go.

can you cold smoke on this grill?

Does the zpg-450a have a sear mode that heats over 450f? what's the max sear temperature?

What is the big difference between the older model and the one with the 2019 upgrade?

Which is cheaper to run, charcoal or pellets?

What’s does the “Deal” specify

Are the hood hinges reversible?

How wide is the smoker with the shelf down?

Is this easily portable for camping?

What is the wattage of the electric motor to operate?

What is the dimension difference between the 450 grill size and the 550 grill size? I know one is 450 sq. & the other is 550 sq. Inches, so actual dim

Is this a propane grill?

How well does this work for standard grilling, i.e steaks and burgers?

It’s made in the usa? one picture showing its highlights, number 6 in particular says it “keeps crease away...” really? at least proofread

Is it wifi?

Is the smoke setting for smoking or just preheat?

Is the zgc-02b grill cover compatible with the zpg-550b wood pellet grill?

How big of a brisket will this fit?

There is another similar one on Amazon for $100 more. The only difference are the words 2018 and upgrade. What's the difference?

Can you use pit boss pellets in this?

Why does one description say, 20lb hopper capacity and the other says 15lb hopper capacity?

It only works with hard wood pellets? I can only find pellets from pine wood or eucaliptus, use for heating systems. Those work too?

I purchased the 450a model. can anyone explain how the grease pan sits in the unit? i see there are two slots on one end. where does it sit?

What size tray liner should i purchase

can you cook on it like a normal grill for like burgers, hot dogs, food that does not take take time like smoking ribs, brisket etc

What is the process to connect to natural gas ?

Does it a temperature probe to check temps on what your cooking?

Where is this made?

New to barbecuing, completely. Can I use wood, no propane or gas, to Grill meats? If that's not possible with this unit, can you please recommend one?

Product reviews of Z GRILLS ZPG-450A 2020 Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker 6 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Control, 450 Sq in Bronze