Best Pellet Smoker under 400-{Top 7 Picks}
You would never like to lose your money bringing a garbage for the satisfaction of your grilling passions. Spending hard earned money must have a positive outcome. Get into home a pellet grill and smoker from your savings with the expectation that it will produce delicious and mouth watering food is not a crime. But, not everyone have enough time to search for the best product in the market under a strict budget limit. In this article, to realize your grilling dreams, we brought you some synopsis of the best pellet smoker under 400 dollars to save your time and money without compromising on much. Hopefully you will be able to get a grill clone to a high end pellet ones.
The Best Pellet Smoker under 400 and above 300
Read: Best Pellet Smoker under 500
1. Z GRILLS ZPG-6002B -Best Overall
|Advanced Wood Fire Technology|
|03 Years Warranty|
|46 x 22 x 46 inches Dimension|
|77.2 lbs Weight|
|10lbs Hopper Capacity|
|180ºF to 450ºF Temperature Range|
|Wood Pellet Power Source|
|Electric, Liquefied Petroleum Gas fuel Type|
|Searing Enabled 1000f|
|Automated Electric Feed System|
|Fan-Forced Convection Cooking|
Overview
With a new version of Z grills you can explore new horizon of grilling and smoking. With versatility of 8 in 1 you can Grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbeque and char-grill with this simple and easy to use apparatus.
For a quick dry out of your meat searing is featured with the highest temperature of 1000F. You will have a strong traditional smoky flavor to your food in such a suitable price and native brand.
You may need to fill in the pellets as the hopper size is only 10lbs, though the consumption cycle of the pellet grill is so amazing that a 20lbs bag is enough for a 20 hour continuous grill.
Temperature will be in your full control and do not variation more than 10F from the settled temperature. The Z Grill smoker can grill and smoker within the temperature range of 180F to 450F.
The LED control panel and digital control system with automatic ignition enables you grill your food without babysitting. You can cook for a party or for your family as this smoker and a pellet grill comprising an ample cooking area of 333 sq inches along with 240 sq inches grilling area for warming the food up.
Unlike other fragile grill, the Z Grill is built with a strong stainless steel which is long lasting and emits a sense of durability even after decades of use. Besides this the cover and the racks are 100 % rust proof spreading the sense of reliability.
Top Tip
To Burn all the oil make sure to heat the smoker at the highest temperature for 40 minutes. To clean the ashes of the grill, remove the grill grated and heat shield so the fire compartment is accessible then use stop vac to vacuum ashes & dust.
Editor’s Verdict
For the price, I will grade it as the top smoker and pellet grill. You can grill your meals like pork butt, brisket and ribs. The maximum variation I faced from the settled temperature was not more than +/-5 F, however the manufacturer said that it might be +/-10F. Over all it is the best pellet smoker and grill for the small family.
2. PK Grills PKO-SCAX -Runner Up
|16 x 35 x 35.5 inches dimension|
|45 lbs Weight|
|Aluminum Build|
|Charcoal|
|300 Sq in Cooking Surface|
|AWARD WINNING CHARCOAL GRILLS|
|180F-750F Temperature Range|
|03 Year Guarantee|
Overview
Bring back the 1950’s design, the PK manufacturers revert back in zone bring the best grill and a smoker in the market. With a complex anatomy the grill is there to shape your food which is highly appetizing and arousing your taste buds. Special to those who are veterans now and they would have personal attachments to this design for they may have seen their ancestors grilling with this in their childhood.
With PK grills you may be come to know the statement “2-Zone Cooking”. What in fact it is? Actually the 4 –point venting system with its unique shape is super ideal for both the direct and indirect cooking. The size of the vents is adaptable with any temperature. Those small vents keeps the internal air flow such as good as it keeps the internal temperature consistent and well maintained.
Additionally, the vents offer you to go either “slow or low” and “hot or fast”. In all cases the results will be exceptionally well as according to desires.
Aluminum is high tolerant to the rust and corrosion. So PK builds that up with that material. It is a nice old style built yet strong and durable which will lasts with you for over decades.
Within the applied price range a 300sq in. is an ample space to cook your meal in a better way. With an easy assembling, the dissembling is easiest in its way. You can disassemble the grill fully of the legs and tray to keep it with you for a trip and for tailgating.
Top Tip
Cleaning Ashes may be challenging as they may get out of the vents and may garbage your lawn. So you can use an aluminum foil for that. In case the ash remain stuck inside, you can either dispose the ash after every session by doing upside down or you can use a vacuum cleaner for that. The capsule type grill is lighter, you can save money and go for the first option.
Editor’s Verdict
The PK grill to me is the best for tradition grilling. Though not come up with the meat probe, you can buy one. At such a suitable price, it is a complete package. Easiest to assemble and long lasting for decades. This pellet smoker is the best under 400 quotation for traditional smoking and competition.
3. Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD -Best Value
|5 Degree Incremental Temperature Settings|
|Built in Meat Probe|
|Latched LID|
|20 x 21 x 13 inches|
|60 Pounds|
|Fuel Type Wood|
|Wood Pellet Power Source|
|8lbs Pellet Hopper Capacity|
|184 Sq in Cooking Area|
|Maximum Temperature 450F|
|Voltage 120V|
Overview
A pellet grill just like a briefcase, take it with you to your fishing point and set it to grill your fresh hunt. The Traeger Grill and Smoker is a little bomb with all qualities except the broad space. Easy fit into your truck seat, this small grill can be a partner to your new couple.
When you are so busy enjoying the party, set a timer and forget to set it again. The grill will grab your attention when it is half done.
Equipped with an advance grilling technology which keeps the temperature well maintained and never exceeds the settled limit but a small variation.
The porcelain coated grill reduces your cleaning job to one forth for its size and aesthetic friendly material.
You can check the internal meat’s temperature without the fear of losing the heat for lid opening. Just hover a look and you will take a quick sight for what’s going inside.
When you are done with the food and still your body needs more fun, stay there with your friend or family keeping the food at warm mode.
The hopper size of 8lbs doesn’t ask you to fill its stomach again till 8 straight hours atleast. You can cook your any favorite food with in the time limit.
With an amazing griddle you can give a final touch to your food by directly exposing the food to it.
With an average space of 176sq in you can still feed the grill with 1 whole rib rack or 6 burgers or 10 Hot Dogs.
Top Tip
At highest temperature the smoke quantity does down significantly. So, it is recommended to expect smoking at average temperature. It is an outstanding an pellet grill and smoker at 180F-185F.
Editor’s Verdict
Traeger Ranger a travelling smoker is linked by the tailgaters and party community. It looks just like a brief case, but not that small though. You can smoke and warm plenty of food outside your home or at some party destinations. The only problem I face is the heavy weight otherwise it is the best RV pellet smoker under 400.
4. Cuisinart CPG-4000 -Best for Party
|15lbs Hopper Capacity|
|1 Year Warranty|
|45 x 39.4 x 49 inches Dimension|
|103.6 lb Weight|
|Maximum Temperature 450F|
|Wood Pellet Power Source|
|Wood Fuel Type|
|Cast Iron Material|
|450 Square inch cooking area|
Overview
Cuisinart gives you liberty to keep the party goes on even in the worse weather. The grill is strong enough with a cover to bear the coldness of temperature without any hassle. The temperature will not be affected at all. The wind and water resistant material, the grill will make a distinction over various grills.
With a 405 sq in cooking area and 15lbs hopper capacity you can serve your gathering in a single go. With a 6-in-1 feature you can add a massive versatility in your cooking range. You can grill, smoke, roast, braise, barbecue and even bake with this simple single apparatus.
Side Shelf is there to aide you when you have a to place on during grilling. You can place your instant grilled meal to have a nice click. With this, there comes a front shelf which is collapsible and entirely on your need or desire.
With a grease bucket holder your solution to drain the grease solves completely. Though you need to buy the bucket separately yet it is convenient to have a bucket for your ease.
A thermostat LED display adds comforts to your job as it keeps the temperature maintain within the grilling area. It adds the pellets to the grill when needed.
The Cuisinart smoker and a grill as so smart that t can manage the fuel consumption and can produce more smoke full limited pellet intake.
Top Tip
With this Cuisinart model, one issue is common that the temperature hikes too quickly. For that never assume down-graded variation in the temperature, always anticipate that the temperature will come over turned resultantly.
Editor’s Verdict
For the price point this pellet grill is simple amazing. The Grill heats up quickly and saves your money for its good pellet consumption cycle. For the party, it is the complete package. Just buy a good quality meat probe and you have the best pellet grill for gathering under 400.
5. Ozark Grills – The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill -Best 6-in-1
|Digital Control Panel|
|Comes up with a meat probe|
|03 Years Warranty|
|35 x 37 x 19 inches|
|305 Sq in Cooking Area|
|165F-450F Temperature Range|
|80 Pounds|
|11lbs hipper capacity|
|Wood Pellet Power Source|
|Electric Fuel Type|
|Cast Iron Built|
|Auto Start & Auto Shut-Down Ignition System|
Overview
When you are tired of Z Grills, Cuisnarts and other top notch competitors in grilling industry. It is the time to give a try to Ozark Grills. With a cutting edge hardwood pellet cooking technology, you will have simple better results than the conventional charcoal or gas.
The temperature inside the grill will be consistent with just a slight variation of +/- 20F. With an ample space of 305 sq in you can grill at least 10 burgers at a time.
The simple built in meat probe gives you a reading of the meat’s temperature so that the food remains perfectly cooked. There is a silver button on the front of the controller that will change the readout from grill temp to temp probe.
No more worries for the consumption of pellets. The advanced algorithm will handle the matter alone. The precise sensors will feed fuel to the fire as much as needed. Besides this the grill will regulate the airflow and maintain constant cooking temperatures to ensure a perfectly put together meal whatever it is.
Top Tip
The grill does not have any ash removal system. You should use a shop vac for this purpose. No worries the grill will not require it after every session. You can do cleaning after 3-4 sessions.
Editor’s Verdict
You can give a try to a new branding industry. It is highly competitive and not way far than the top notch brands. The Ozark Grills are producing the high quality meals for their lovers. The 6 in 1 smoking strategy will do slow as well as high and fast grilling. You can do grilling, baking, roasting, and braising at higher temperature or can go slow and slow to the fish.
6. Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill BBQ Smoker 550A -Best Versatile
|8 in 1 Grill|
|Auto Electric Feed System|
|30 days money-back guarantee|
|03 year’s warranty|
|40 x 25 x 48 inches Dimension|
|590 sq in total cooking area|
|423 sq in Main Cooking Area|
|167 sq in Warming Area|
|16 lbs Hopper Capacity|
|105 Pounds Weight|
|180F to 450F Temperature Range|
|Porcelain Coated Cast Iron Cooking Grid|
|Electric, Liquefied Petroleum Gas Fuel Type|
|Wood Pellet Power Source|
Overview
Unlike the previous model of the Z grill, this model contains something amazing. Z Grill N-550A is more versatile as it can do 8 things to the food like Grilling, Barbecue, Smoke, Roast, Sear, Braise, Bake, Char-Grill. Whether you want to cook high and fast or low and slow, the pellet grill and smoker are here for your support.
In an ample cooking space of 590 sq. inches you can cook 24 burgers or 5 rib racks at the same time. This smoker is enough to feed 4-5 people at once.
The new tech-supported pellet grill is highly pellet friendly, it will carry your 10lbs pellets for 8 hours or more. It is not a thing to be underestimated.
The digital temperature control will help you in maintaining the inside temperature without any hassle. Amazingly the temperature will stay within the +/-10F whatever the weather is. It is least prone to the outside temperature.
Large bottom shelf in there to place your recipe belongings for the time being. Furthermore, you have a storage bucket for handy grease keeping.
Z Grill wood pellet technology provides you an amazing wood fire flavor at the convenience of propane or gas. The Auger system is so systematic that it can just consume the accurate quantity of pellets providing you an average of less than 1lbs pellets per hour.
Safety feature enables in the pellet grill as it has a protective grate in the hopper for keeping you away from the auger.
Top Tip
Since it does not comes up with a meat probe so you should get the one with wireless digital reading. It will be convenient for you and your pellet grill and smoker adopted to fully altered grill with just this single move.
Editor’s Verdict
With this simple and easy-to-use pellet grill, you can cook a meal for 4-5 people. This pellet grill may be seen as an expensive one but it is far better than just boxes of the same precise range. The grills which are available in the same price range are not that versatile than it is.
7. Ivation Automatic Wood Pellet Smoker & Grill -Editor’s Choice
|01 Year Warranty|
|Automatic Safety Shut off Enabled|
|28.9 x 21.9 x 23.7 inches dimension|
|116.8 pounds Weight|
|225F-650F Temperature Range|
|Stainless-steel Material|
|711 square inches of cooking space|
|Easy Read Digital LCD Dashboard|
|2 Separate Cooking Grates|
|4 Pre Set Smoke Levels|
|Easy Read Digital LCD Dashboard|
Overview
A pellet grill and smoker come up to serve you with a lot of features one can imagine. With an effortless grilling experience, you can set up any of the 4 pre-programmed smoke levels. A built-in thermometer will let you know the inside temperature of the food so that it may not burn out or remain undercooked.
The Electric feed system of the grill just let in the exact quantity of pellets and maintains an optimized level of grilling. The apparatus is versatile as you can explore the various dimensions of braising, baking, grilling, and smoking.
Smoker and Grill are built with cast iron which is a sign of extreme durability and efficiency. In the longer run the grill is going to be a deal of good value for you.
The automatic safety shutoff feature will shut the grill off whenever ever it exceeds the set limit to a certain extent. It will not flare up your food nor get too cold down entirely.
Top Tip
A vacuum is required to toss out ash out of the smoker. Wither to choose the grill which has some easy ash tossing out option or you have to go for a simple vacuum cleaner for that.
Editor’s Verdict
Simply a value for the money item. Now model ivation automatic smoker will fulfill your dreams of grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, and braising. Comes up with the additive you need like the cover and built-in probe. I will personally grade it as the best pellet grill under 400 for residential purposes.
What is the Best Pellet Smoker under 400? Wrap Up
Wrapping up all, the best pellet smoker and grills have been traced out for you. Each of the smoker has own bright side as well as own drawbacks. A smart buyer is one who knows his own priorities, but on the other hand you can’t compromise on basics for the pellet grill. To me, a good smoker must have an ample space to cook, nice temperature handling, consistent with the performance and above all it must have the value for the money. So, here again it is concluded list of the best pellet smoker under 400 for the money value are. If you are still struck whether to use wood chips or wood pellets in your pellet smoker; my take is “no wood chips” in this case.
- Z GRILLS ZPG-6002B– Best Overall
- PK Grills PKO-SCAX– Runner up
- Traeger Grills Ranger Grill TBT18KLD– Best Value
- Cuisinart CPG-4000– Best for Party
- Ozark Grills – The Razorback Wood Pellet Grill– Best 6-in-1
- Z GRILLS Wood Pellet Grill BBQ Smoker 550A– Best Versatile
- Ivation Automatic Wood Pellet Smoker & Grill– Best Choice
