The best pellet barbecues in the UK 2023

If you are looking for a versatile and easy to use barbecue, you should seriously consider a pellet barbecue. In this guide, we will present you with a selection of the best pellet grills available on the market today. We will also review the criteria to consider when choosing the right pellet grill.

GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF 1
7/10

Editor's Choice

GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF

The best pellet barbecue

The Davy Crockett pellet grill from Green Mountain is convenient and portable, running on 12V and has 3 power sources. Its new open flame technology is a plus.

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SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue 2
8/10

The best entry-level barbecue

SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue

The cheapest pellet barbecue

The SUNNY pellet grill is lightweight and space-saving and easy to use. It has an autonomy of 1 hour and evacuates the heat evenly over the whole plate.

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Sunny offers its barbecue/plancha type pellet barbecue at low prices. Measuring 46 x 40.5 x 24.5 cm and weighing only 10 kilos, it takes up little space and will fit in the trunk of your car. This portable and practical barbecue is perfect for your picnics. It is easy to transport.
The device has a cast iron plate, enamelled and compact of 35 x 35cm. It is easy to clean and distributes the heat evenly over the entire cooking surface, maintaining this heat longer. The barbecue consumes 600 to 800 g of pellets per hour with an autonomy of just over 1 hour. It is quick and easy to light. The flame power can be controlled. The flame is secured inside a cone. The SUNNY barbecue features a pyrolysis system that destroys grease and residue at high temperatures, allowing for automatic cleaning of the appliance.

TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue 3
8/10

The best innovative barbecue

TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue

The range pellet barbecue

The Traeger Ironwood 650 pellet barbecue is both practical, easy to use and innovative: a 9kg tank, a heating power of 10.5kw and a digital control panel and can be connected by phone.

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Traeger was the first to invent pellet barbecues. It leads the world in reforming the way we cook. Its Ironwood 650 pellet grill delivers unparalleled wood-fired flavor to your dishes with ease. Pellets can be placed in its 9 kg capacity tank. Weighing 66 kg and with a cooking surface of 56 x 48cm with a grill of 56 x 26.5 cm in addition, the device is suitable for 14 people. Thanks to its 4 wheels, 2 of which are locking, the device is easy to move.
The barbecue has: a heating power of 10.5 Kw; a storage rack for practice; a small stainless steel table to place your meats; hooks to hang your utensils; a cleaning hatch and a frame that maintains the balance. The Ironwood 650 pellet barbecue is also designed with the latest technology: a digital panel for control; a wifire system to connect the appliance to the phone; a turbotemp ignition system for a quick and efficient start; a rotating heat and smoke exit system.

PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue 4
/10

The best value barbecue

PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue

The practical barbecue

The Pit Boss portable and foldable pellet grill combines convenience with the best price. Its adjustable temperature is maintained consistently and ensures the quality of the dishes thanks to the modernity of its grill.

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Pit Boss is an American brand specialized in pellet barbecues, and in strong growth in the United States. The brand offers products with the best quality-price ratio. Its Tan 340" barbecue has folding legs with wheels, allowing it to be moved easily. It measures 101.6 x 55.88 x 104.14 cm and weighs approximately 42.18 kg. This portable appliance has been designed so that you can take it with you wherever you want. It has a 340 cm² cooking surface; a rear exhaust convection system that keeps the right temperature selected; a digital control center with LED display; a hot start system for quick and easy start-up. Its modern flame grill is suitable for the preparation of your dishes: meat, chicken, hamburger, ...

Buying guide • November 2023

Best pellet barbecue

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The best pellet barbecue

The cheapest pellet barbecue

The range pellet barbecue

The practical barbecue

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Comparison table of the best pellet barbecues

THE BEST ENTRY LEVEL TOP OF THE RANGE QUALITY-PRICE RATIO
GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF 5
7/10
SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue 6
8/10
TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue 7
8/10
PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue 8
/10
OUR SELECTION
GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF
SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue
TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue
PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue
The Davy Crockett pellet grill from Green Mountain is convenient and portable, running on 12V and has 3 power sources. Its new open flame technology is a plus.
The SUNNY pellet grill is lightweight and space-saving and easy to use. It has an autonomy of 1 hour and evacuates the heat evenly over the whole plate.
The Traeger Ironwood 650 pellet barbecue is both practical, easy to use and innovative: a 9kg tank, a heating power of 10.5kw and a digital control panel and can be connected by phone.
The Pit Boss portable and foldable pellet grill combines convenience with the best price. Its adjustable temperature is maintained consistently and ensures the quality of the dishes thanks to the modernity of its grill.
Dimensions
76 x 38 x 55 cm
Measuring 46 x 40.5 x 24.5 cm
cooking surface 56 x 48cm - grill 56 x 26.5 cm
101.6 x 55.88 x 104.14 cm
Weight
30 kg
10 kg
66 kg
42.18 kg
Power
12 V
heating power 10.5kW
Technology
Bare flame
Pyrolysis system
wifire system, turbotemp and digital control panel
exhaust convection system - digital led control

Help us improve this table:
Report an error, request the addition of a feature to the table, or suggest another product. Thank you for your kindness!

Buying guide - pellet barbecue

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How to choose your pellet barbecue

It is no longer a problem to cook outside the house, even if you don't live in the country and don't have a big garden. Nowadays, it is possible to enjoy yourself while improving your cooking skills, either with your family or in the company of close friends. Especially since a barbecue does not take up much space. The pellet barbecue brings a whole new touch to your everyday life. Knowing how to cook using this new technology can be both a way to impress your loved ones, but also a plus to help you simply excel in the kitchen. Therefore, you should take the time to choose the best one, weighing the pros and cons.

#1 - The size of the grill

As a general rule, for a successful, time-saving barbecue, while ensuring the satisfaction of your guests, you need at least 250cm² per person.

  • For 4 to 6 persons: at least 2000cm² of cooking grid surface and 50cm of grid length are required.
  • For 6 to 8 people: you need between 2000cm² to 2500cm² of cooking grid surface and between 50 to 55cm of grid length
  • For 8 to 10 people: you need between 2500cm² to 3000cm² of grill surface and between 55 to 60cm of grill length
    For more than 10 people: you need a cooking surface of more than 3000cm² and more than 60cm of grid length.
  • For more than 10 people: you need a cooking surface of more than 3000 cm² and more than 60cm of grid length.

#2 - The location of the pellet grill

Before choosing the best barbecue, you should also think about the location where you would like to install it. As it is still a fire even though it is not the same with the wood fire directly, so you should be very careful about where you will place it.
A barbecue should be placed away from flammable products as well as dry vegetation. The support must be balanced to prevent falls and tilts. Preferably also, do not put it next to the table to prevent your guests from being bothered by the smoke. And to protect the wall from soot stains, it is better not to place it against the wall. And knowing that it plugs into an outlet, it should be placed near a mains supply. Otherwise, an extension cord should be provided.

#3 - The materials of the cooking grates

There are a multitude of barbecue cooking grills.

  • The metal grids are usually presented with fairly thin rods, with or without mesh porcelain. They are often found on entry-level products.
  • Cast iron grates are found on mid-range products and keep the heat well.
  • Stainless steel grates are usually found on high-end products.
  • Steel grills retain less heat. It is therefore necessary to increase the power of the burners. They rust easily if there is no porcelain on them.

Wide and less spaced rods keep food better and retain heat longer.

#4 - The features

It must be said that this is a criterion not to be neglected because you would need to know everything before getting one. So know that a pellet barbecue, also called grill or pellet smoker is a kind of stove but to be installed outside. It can grill, smoke, roast, braise and cook at the same time; far from a simple grilling equipment. So you'll have plenty of choice depending on the cooking mode you'd like to achieve.

#5 - The structure

For a quality, sturdy and durable pellet or granule barbecue, the structure is among the negligible points. Beware of dazzling, stainless steel-coated barbecues. The quality of the material is not convincing enough. There are two categories for this type of material:

  • The 304 grade: more enduring, quality and durable. In addition, it keeps the heat during cooking.
  • Grade 403: Iron is more abundant in this grade. It is more likely to rust and spoil quickly.

Enameled steel is light and can be moved and transported easily. Unfortunately, even though it is rust resistant, it has difficulty with temperature variations. Cast iron is quite fragile.

Which pellet to use?

Pellet barbecues use wood pellets as fuel. There are oak, beech, etc. However, there are some rules to follow in order to get the best results. The pellets of firewood are to be avoided. Indeed, they come from softwood and contain additives. These elements have no place in meat. Moreover, the meat will taste less tasty. For a more natural cooking, there are pellets specially designed for cooking.
There are pellets that are more suitable for certain types of meat and give them a unique taste.

  • Alder wood pellets: for chicken, seafood, beef and pork
  • Apple wood pellets: for chicken, seafood and lamb
  • Cherry and oak wood pellets: for chicken, seafood, lamb, beef and pork. They are the most interesting because they are suitable for all types of meat.
  • Hickory, mesquite and walnut pellets: for beef and pork
  • Maple wood pellets: for chicken and vegetables
  • Mulberry wood pellets: for chicken, seafood and pork
  • Peach and pear wood pellets: for white meat, chicken and pork
  • Pellets from pecan wood: for chicken, beef and porkIn
    all cases, you should not only rely on the type of fuel for successful cooking. The temperature must also be adapted according to the type of food to be cooked.

The different types of pellet barbecues

Each pellet barbecue is designed from the same model, and can have both advantages and disadvantages. It is mainly the size that differentiates the different types of pellet barbecue. But the choice depends solely on your taste and the way you want to cook your food. Here are some pellet barbecue ideas to help you choose what would be best for you.

Simple pellet barbecue

The simple pellet barbecue is known more for its quick heating. This tool is very easy to use. It is used like an oven, in a closed tank allowing the hot air that emanates to cook the food properly. It is easy to control the cooking and the temperature. Each pellet barbecue has :

  • A pellet tank where pellets are stored
  • An auger
  • A fan to ventilate the firebox of the barbecue
  • A spark plug to ensure the proper functioning of the device
  • The combustion chamber, where the fire is located
  • The cooking chamber where the food is placed to be cooked
  • The cooking grid with a thermal deflector located underneath, which plays a very important role in the good distribution of the heat.
  • The bucket or reservoir for the grease that flows out

The pellet barbecue can bring more flavor to your meats. It also avoids any danger of other barbecues with a propane tank.

Pellet barbecue with smoker

Exactly like the simple pellet barbecue, the smoker barbecue is only equipped with an additional mechanism to cook the meat differently than the grill. This type of cooking is especially recommended for smoked foods such as "smoked chickens or ducks". The smoker is mainly intended for cooking whole foods.

The operation of this tool is not at all different from the simple pellet grill. There should not be too many difficulties in its use. It is always this mechanism of an auger that ensures the smooth running of the barbecue in question. The cooking chamber is extremely well insulated, to keep the temperature well constant and a good result.

Portable pellet barbecue

This type of barbecue is ideal if you enjoy the pleasures of outdoor trips or weekend picnics. This other type of pellet barbecue, also called the "tailgating" is recommended especially for these types of activities because it is both easy to transport and does not require a large location. Moreover, it will easily fit in your car.

It is created especially for this purpose, therefore, smaller in size, lighter.

Pellet barbecue or charcoal barbecue

Whether it is with pellets or commonly called pellets or coal, the barbecue consists of cooking food, especially meat, placed on a grill and at a certain temperature. If at the beginning, the cooking method was mainly basic, the different innovations have brought about different sources of fire other than coal. Between the pellet barbecue and the charcoal barbecue, we will make a comparison in order to better guide our choices.

Pellet barbecue

Preparing with the pellets allows to give an aromatic and smoky taste to the food, depending on the type of tree used to make the pellets. It is easy to use and to light. A simple connection is enough and then set the desired temperature; the device takes care of the rest. For connected barbecues, you can even monitor the status via your phone. Thanks to the temperatures that can go up to more than 300°, the pellet barbecue allows you to smoke, roast, grill, braise on a single device, with a single fuel as a source of fire: wood; and at the same time ecological. However, it should be noted that this type of device is quite bulky and therefore not suitable for small spaces.

Charcoal barbecue

As the name suggests, this type of barbecue uses charcoal as fuel. It brings a flavor that characterizes barbecues. The charcoal barbecue is specially designed for grilling and for short, direct cooking. It is quite complicated to light and knowing that the heat is not adjustable, it is important to control the cooking. However, there are models that are quite compact, allowing this type of barbecue to be placed in the place of your choice, not requiring large spaces.

Verdict

In case of limited space, and far from an electrical connection, it is preferable to opt for a charcoal barbecue which is more autonomous and compact. Moreover, it brings this rather particular taste which characterizes the barbecues. On the other hand, for slower and more varied cooking, and without the need to keep a constant eye on the cooking, the pellet barbecue is the perfect device.

Tips

Maintaining your pellet barbecue

Use black soap, diluted in hot water and baking soda to clean the grates; a brass or steel brush will also help you remove food residue stuck to the grate by scrubbing vigorously, then washing with soapy water. You can also make a mixture of baking soda and white vinegar to clean your grill thoroughly, and don't forget to rinse. It is also possible to heat your barbecue thoroughly to remove food residue before brushing, oiling and washing. You can also use an oven cleaner if you don't want to scrub your barbecue to clean it. Besides, it doesn't cost much and can be found in almost any store.

Grandma's tip for maintaining a pellet barbecue

Newpaper: Completely char the food residue and scrub with newspaper.
Onion: Cut it in half and using the flesh, rub the still hot grill with it. This will make the barbecue shine again.
Wine vinegar: Whether white or red is necessary for the burners, just soak them overnight. Just rinse them and dry them the next day.

How to smoke hot with a pellet barbecue?

It is really very simple to smoke food in your barbecue but you just need to follow the right steps. You need to always keep the heat between 60°C and 120°C. You should know that the duration of a smoking will depend only on the temperature and the thickness of the meat to be cooked, knowing that this cooking can go up to 15 hours of time. The biggest plus of a pellet barbecue for smoking is the control of temperatures and the use of wood pellets. You can also experiment with different types of pellets to bring different flavors and aromas to your cooking.

To successfully cook prime rib

Take it out of the refrigerator half an hour before cooking to bring it to room temperature. Do the seasoning before you put it on the grill. If you want your meat medium-rare, allow 16 minutes of cooking time. If you prefer it rare, 12 to 13 minutes. And for a blue meat, 8 to 10 minutes is enough. Do not prick the meat to keep its juice inside. Don't forget to grease it during cooking.

Smoking cheese cold

Burn the wood pellets for 2 minutes on average then turn off the heat. Close the lid. When there is enough smoke inside, quickly place your cheese on the grill and close the lid as soon as possible. Let it smoke cold for 120 minutes. Once the smoking is done, try the cheese and place it in the refrigerator for 7 days, vacuum packed.

FAQ

What are the necessary accessories to have a good pellet barbecue?

Check that your equipment is well equipped with a pellet tank, an auger for the proper functioning of the grill, a fan to bring the necessary air in the cooking of food, a spark plug, without forgetting the combustion hearth, the cooking chamber, without forgetting the grills and lastly the bucket or grease trap. If your barbecue is equipped with all these accessories, you can have peace of mind in its use.

Can I expect to have a good pizza by cooking it in a pellet barbecue?

Quite frankly, you won't see any difference between cooking pizza on a wood fire and on a pellet barbecue. You still need to think about using the right toppings for your pizza.

How to succeed in cooking with a pellet barbecue?

First of all, you should know the size of the food you are going to cook. To achieve good and tasty smokings, opt for a low temperature cooking between 70°C to 120°C and with a cooking time between 3 hours to 15 hours. The main thing is the combination of low temperature and slow cooking. If you want to cook in the oven, keep the temperature between 160°C and 220°C. For a good prime rib, searing will be between 230°C to 300°C.

How to adjust the temperature of the barbecue that does not rise?

Open the lid of your barbecue and turn all the buttons off. Then turn it back on and put on high fort and close the lid. But first, you need to know what brand your barbecue is because each model may have a different operating mode.

My pellet barbecue changes abnormally in temperature, what should I do?

It is possible that the type of pellets you are using is the cause. Poor quality pellets can burn excessively and impact the sensors that regulate temperatures. Use better pellets that burn healthy and remember to remove ash residue in the grill.

Sources

Note: Below are some of the sources we have consulted in writing this article. Links to other sites are not continuously updated. It is therefore possible that a link may not be found. Please use a search engine to find the desired information.
  1. Everything about the pellet grill, passionfeu.com
  2. The advantages of the pellet barbecue, recettes.qc.ca
  3. The different types of barbecues, calltheone.com
  4. The pellet barbecue revolution, lamaisondubarbecue.fr
  5. Everything about pellet barbecues, gazettes.com
  6. Tip to avoid too much smoke on the barbecue, cuisineaz.com
  7. Succeeding with your barbecue cooking, smokengrill.be
  8. How to choose your pellet barbecue, boulanger.com
  9. Succeeding with a barbecue without a lid, spareka.fr
  10. Pellet barbecues : the American revolution, blog.adhauc.com
  11. Pellet barbecues - La Maison du Barbecue, lamaisondubarbecue.fr
  12. Pellet barbecues : Amazon.co.uk, amazon.co.uk
  13. Pellet and wood pellet barbecues | Barbecue-France, barbecue-france.fr
  14. Pellet Barbecues - The perfect combination of heat ..., barbecueagranules.net
  15. Pellet or pellet barbecues Z Grills - Delivery in ..., zgrills-shop.fr
  16. Best Pellet Barbecue 2021 Reviews and Buying Guide, observatoirecuisinespopulaires.fr
  17. Wood Pellet Barbecue - Poele Discount, poelediscount.com
  18. Pellet Barbecue, Pellet Barbecue, Traeger - Barbecue & Co, barbecue-co.com
  19. Pellet Barbecue, Pellet Barbecue - Poele Discount, poelediscount.com
  20. Pellet Barbecue - Pellet Barbecue, barbecueagranules.net
  21. SmokeFire Weber EX6 GBS Wood Pellet Barbecue, weber.com
  22. Barbecue-France | Pellet BBQ Sale, Smokers, Planchas ..., barbecue-france.fr
  23. Barbecue pellets : Garden : Amazon.co.uk, amazon.co.uk
  24. Pellet or pellet-fired barbecues Z Grills - Z Grills Shop, zgrills-shop.fr
  25. TRAEGER - The new generation wood-fired barbecue ...., lemarquier.com
  26. Pellet Barbecues, the best brands at the best ..., poeleplus.fr
  27. Wood Pellet Plancha Barbecue Grilly Rouge - LineaVz, monamenagementjardin.fr
  28. WiFi Pellet Barbecue | Barbecue Shop, barbecue-shop.fr
  29. Pellet Barbecue Accessories (Wood Pellets) | The ..., weber.com
  30. Barbecue Plancha à Granulés de Bois Grilly Inox - LineaVz, monamenagementjardin.fr
  31. Barbecue à pellets Traeger, Pit Boss ou Weber | Raviday ..., raviday-barbecue.com
  32. Bob et Leif GRILLSON, vos grills à granulés haut de gamme ..., cogra.fr
  33. Automatic pellet barbecue - GF Services, gfservices.fr
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Updates

March 2022 : Translation of this buying guide from our partner meilleurtest.fr

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Our selection
GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF 9
GREEN MOUNTAIN GRILLS - Barbecue à granulés Davy Crockett DCWF
SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue 10
SUNNY - Pellet Barbecue
TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue 11
TRAEGER IRONWOOD 650 - Pellet barbecue
PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue 12
PIT BOSS - Tan 340" Portable Folding Pellet Barbecue

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