Z Grills Review: Are These Bargain BBQs Top Performers? (2024)

• Very even temp control
• WiFi & Bluetooth
• App needs some work

• Fully insulated
• WiFi
• App needs some work

• Cooks great food
• 2 meat probes included
• No WiFi

Z Grills is one of the fastest growing pellet smoker manufacturers!

Since busting into the market in 2016, they’ve grown their market share by offering high quality pellet smokers for factory direct prices. And, it hasn’t taken long for people to realize that Z Grills aren’t a flimsy, budget option.

Yes, their range doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive pellet smokers on the market. And, you’re not looking at the premium product of say, a Traeger. But, when you try one, there’s no denying that Z Grills produce solid smokers that well out-perform their price tag!

They are incredible and we’re not just saying that to get a sale.

If you’re thinking about getting a Z Grills pellet smoker for yourself, you’ll find everything you need to know here in our comprehensive Z Grills review.

There’s a LOT of Z Grills smokers to choose from and the names and numbers can get overwhelming fast. So, we’ll explain what the different Z Grill ranges are, and the similarities and differences between models, as well as our experience with the range.

Ultimately when you ask which Z Grill is best, the answer will depend on what it is you’re looking for in a pellet grill or smoker.

But, whether you’re after something small and portable, large and powerful, or something in between, the extensive range of Z Grills’ product lineup means you will be able to find something that suits your needs.

Let’s jump in and help you find the best Z Grills barbecue for you.

Before selling direct to customers, the team behind Z Grills were actually manufacturing pellet smokers for several other top brands.

But, instead of just selling high-priced smokers for everyone else, they decided to set up their own brand with a single aim, to deliver the same top brand quality at a more affordable price by selling direct to customers.

And, their 30+ years of experience with pellet smokers shows.

In just a few short years of establishing their own brand, Z Grills have grown into a global team that employs more than 600 researchers, engineers and designers. And, they’re relentless when it comes to constantly improving their products to give customers affordable wood-fired flavor in their own backyard.

We’ve been using and reviewing Z Grills pellet smokers for years now.

There truly hasn’t been any other smoker manufacturer that’s exceeded our expectations as much as Z Grills has.

Now, I wouldn’t say that Z Grills is out there innovating before all the competitors do.

But, one thing that’s definitely helped with the success of this fast-growing brand is that Z Grills are constantly listening to customer feedback. They’ve taken the new features that other manufacturers have invented and incorporated these improvements into their own line-up as customers ask for them.

This has resulted in a constantly changing and updated range of Z Grills models with more features and improved user-friendliness which ultimately leads to better performance.

And, instead of just boosting their prices through the roof as their popularity has grown, Z Grills has remained one of the most affordable pellet grill manufacturers on the market.

Whether you’re shopping on a tight budget, or, just can’t resist really good value, a Z Grills smoker is an incredible choice that you can without a doubt make some incredible smoked and grilled food on.

The range of Z Grills pellet smokers is EXTENSIVE!

To identify the different models, Z Grills use a series of numbers and letters. They’ve also given some of their barbecues word names like the Flagship and the Backyard Warrior.

And, while the names do help out a little, when you’re trying to choose between something like the 7002C2E or the 7002E, it canget pretty confusing, very quickly.

So, is there a bit of a key to deciphering what the Z Grills model numbers actually mean?

A little…

It’s not 100% consistent across the range. But, following these guidelineswill give you a quick idea of what the model you’re looking at includes:

• The numbers – e.g. 450, 700, 1000 roughly refers to the size of the grill in square inches
• A 2 on the end of the size number part – Shows it’s a model without a built in cart. It’s got legs only. If there’s no 2 before any letters, the smoker is a cabinet style with storage doors below the cooking area.
• E at the end – Stainless steel lid
• B at the end – Is often a black-lid or colored version

The 700 series is the most popular Z Grills range.

Not because it’s ‘better’ than the rest. But, simply because pellet smokers that offer around about 700 square inches of cooking space are a good, medium size that suit most people’s everyday and entertaining needs.

As such, you’ll find the Z Grills 700 Series gives you the most choice when it comes to features, storage and color options. Or, to put it simply, there’s more 700 square inch Z Grills smokers to choose from than any other size in the Z Grills range.

We’re starting this review off with THE best-selling Z Grills smoker, the Flagship 700D4E which has just had a digital makeover. With an added WiFi controller for remote use via the Z Grills app, there’s not much that this value for money smoker doesn’t have anymore.

Underneath the stylish and durable stainless steel lid, and wrapped in double wall insulation, you’ll find a sizeable 697 square inches of cooking space with a large 20 pound pellet hopper.

The WiFi PID temperature controller does an excellent job of sticking to within about 5°F of your target throughout your cook. There’s two wired meat probes included so you can see exactly how cooked your meat is on the LCD control panel or through the app. And, there’s also a manual feed button for faster heating which is handy to get up to temp faster after you open the lid.

Smoking at low and slow temperatures in really cold and windy weather, our 700D4E has not struggled to reach or maintain a steady temperature at all. The insulation really does improve its performance and there’s noticeably better fuel efficiency in this insulated model vs uninsulated ones.

In terms of smoke production, the Z Grills Flagship produces good quality smoke. There’s actually a gasket that runs the full length of the lid, locking in the good stuff to where you want it.

The results are really well flavored with a good, thick smoke ring, and a nice crispy bark.

Like the rest of the Z Grills smokers reviewed here, the build quality is very impressive for the price. It’s solidly built with durable components that do last. They fit together well and don’t at all look budget.

We find the built-in storage cabinet really handy. It fits a lot of stuff and means everything you need is right there instead of taking up space in the garage instead.

But, you’ve got the same dual wall insulation, the same 697 square inches of cooking space, the same 20 pound pellet hopper, the same PID temperature controller, and the same storage cabinet at a cheaper price because there’s no WiFi.

So, if you’re not fussed about having control from your phone, this is the model for you. It’s got all the basics you need to smoke, bake, road, and grill for a really good price.

With the dual wall insulation, it’s very efficient on pellet usage and performs just as well in cold and windy conditions as on a fine day. The PID temperature controller keeps a very tight leash on the heat, keeping it within about 5°F of your target throughout your cook.

Included in the price, you also get two wired meat probes that plug into the LCD control panel so you can cook to temp without having to buy a separate unit. Plus, they throw a grill cover in as well.

In the past, our Z Grills covers have generally only lasted up to about a year before they wear through. We do keep them in the full sun and it rains a lot so they’re getting a lot of harsh weather thrown at them but, I’d expect to have to buy a replacement some time down the track.

Overall though, for a solidly performing pellet smoker at a really great price, the 700D4 and 700D6 are both great buys. We’ve smoked some incredible meals on ours, it never skips a beat, and apart from WiFi, leaves nothing to be wanted.

Another popular option that’s almost the same as but cheaper than our opener, the bestselling WiFi Flagship is this, the Z Grills Backyard Warrior with WiFi.

Without the built-in storage cabinet and side-wall insulation, you’ll save a bit of cash. But, you do get a slightly larger 24 pound pellet hopper with a viewing window so you can easily see when top-ups are needed.

This WiFi Backyard Warrior still has the same 697 square inches of cooking space, that’s enough to smoke 5 rib racks, 6 pork shoulders, or around 30 burger patties. Plus, the latest WiFi, PID temperature controller that does an impressive job of keeping the heat steady all the while sending the data to your smartphone for you to watch and change as needed.

There’s the manual feed button to bring the temperature up faster if/when you need it to, two meat probes, and the cover included in one attractive price.

Ideal as an all-round family smoker where cold weather performance isn’t an issue, the Backyard Warrior is so easy to use, and, durable enough to see you through a lot of years of everyday meals and entertaining.

Even cheaper again than the already great value for money 7002C2E Backyard Warrior WiFi is the non-WiFi version, the 7002C.

Obviously, it doesn’t have WiFi so you’re operating this grill from the temperature controller only. But, it’s still PID-style which, from our experience, will keep the temperature really steady for reliable results every single time. You’ve still got the manual feed button to speed up the heating up. And, you do get the two wired meat probes that show the internal temperature of your meat right on the control panel.

So, if you don’t care about having WiFi or want a good pellet smoker that’s even cheaper than the upgraded Backyard Warrior, grab this one.

I even do slightly prefer the powder-coated lids over the stainless as the stainless does get dirtier and can develop rust through the grains over time, and especially if it’s left in the rain.

The Z Grills 700D is the older version of the Flagship we reviewed at the top.

For a cheaper price, you get the same amount of cooking space, the same 20 pound pellet hopper, and, the built-in cabinet for convenient storage.

But, instead of the latest WiFi controller, or even the more basic but still PID-based system, the 700D’s got the earlier, regular temperature controller.

It still works well, although you will notice the temperature jumping around much more than the more recent models. The upside to that is that larger temperature fluctuations mean more smoke, and you’ll actually notice the up and down in the smoke production from the chimney throughout a cook on this pellet grill.

We’ve been cooking great food on this for years. You don’t have to have super tight temperature control for really good, consistent results. It can still be done on this baby.

With the 700D there’s also no side-wall insulation, or hopper clean out feature for the 20 pound hopper either. Basically, it’s got all the basics you need to cook well with none of the extras that add to the price.

Ours (with the no longer sold stainless steel lid) is going on 8 years old now, does not look anywhere near that old, and does not skip a beat. It’s a solid performer that yes, you can upgrade, or be perfectly happy with a cheap and workable pellet smoker that performs where it counts.

Read our full review of the Z Grills 700E (no longer sold stainless steel version) here.

These two smokers, the Z Grills 7002B2E and Z Grills 7002B are the cheapest options in the Z Grills 700 Series.

Like the rest of the options here, you’ve got the same 697 square inches of cooking space split over two levels with a good sized 20 pound pellet hopper to service it.

This one’s got the traditional digital control panel so your temperature will swing more than it would on the newer Flagship or Backyard Warrior models. But, from our experience with this grill, you’ll still be able to make incredible food, and on the plus side, it does turn out that much smokier with even deeper smoke rings.

At the moment, Z Grills are still selling the stainless steel lidded model, the 7002B2E, and, the black lidded model, the 7002B.

That’s the only difference between these two.

Also note that these two grills have the cheaper 2 wheel cart design. They are a lot more difficult to move around than the 4 castors on the 700D! We are not a fan but we do move our smokers around a lot. If this is staying in the one spot on your patio, you probably won’t even notice it. If you’re like us and will be moving it around a lot, go for the more expensive 700D for the wheels alone! It’s worth it.

For anyone who wants a serious amount of space to grill, smoke and bake, the Z Grills 1000 series should be your go-to line up.

These large pellet smokers give you the most bang for your buck in terms of cooking real estate. And, it’s usually spread over 2 or 3 racks so the actual unit doesn’t take up a whole lot more ground space.

With the 1000 Series, you’ve still got great features and some choice of color and setup. But, you won’t have quite so many smokers to choose from.

That will make choosing a little easier though.

If 700 square inches doesn’t give you quite as much smoking space as you’d like, the Z Grills 1000 Series offers the next step up.

And, the new 1000D4E is the most popular models in this extra large size.

With 1,056 square inches of cooking space, split over 3 racks, you can cook an impressive 7 chickens, 9 rib racks, or 43 burgers at any one time.

But, I will warn you that with all three racks in, you don’t have a lot of head height between the grates. In fact, I tend to take the middle rack out completely when I’m smoking taller cuts of meat like a large brisket, or whole chickens which does lose you a lot of square inches off what you thought it could handle.

All of Z Grills’ smokers of this size have this issue unfortunately and it is kind of awkward to get a lot of meat in there. Lots of ribs are all good though.

But, the latest update on this model of smoker is the WiFi controller. Use the app to connect it to your phone for remote management of your cook. It’s a PID-based system, the same as the other WiFi Z Grills smokers, and the temperature control is reliably even. There’s some insulation in this model too, giving you improved fuel efficiency, plus more effortless performance in cold weather.

As well as a lot of cooking space, you’re also getting an XL 28 pound pellet hopper which will give you at least the same number of low and slow smoking hours although we’ve never fully tested that out to it’s max.

One other thing we do love about the BBQ Legend 1000D4E is the easy ash cleanout system. You simply pull the lever under the firebox and the ash all dumps out. It saves a lot of time and effort compared to having to take the racks, and heat deflector out so you can get to the firepot to vacuum it out. We definitely clean this one more than a regular model just because it’s so easy.

With a grill cover included, a side table with hooks, two meat probes for the control panel, and, a large storage cabinet with the good rolling castors, there’s a lot of value packed into this big and popular smoker.

Take note – The 1000D4E is a Z Grills exclusive. It’s currently only available through their website.

To go big without the big price tag, and if you’re not fussed about WiFi for remote control, the Z Grills Smoke Beast 10502B is a solid option.

This very affordable bad boy gives you a huge 1,080 square inches of cooking space on 3 racks, a reliable, newly upgraded PID Digital LCD temperature controller, 2 meat probes, and, the awesome redesigned ash cleanout system!

The only area that the Smoke Beast really drops the ball is it’s smaller than expected 12 pound pellet hopper. I mean, 12 pounds?!? I’m not sure why they went that small. But, 12 pounds of pellets should see you through about 12 hours of low and slow smoking time. That’s going to be enough for most, and one top up will definitely be enough to smoke anything on here.

The plus side of the small hopper is you don’t have a lot of pellets sitting in the hopper absorbing moisture. Keeping them fresh is best to avoid the auger jamming due to moist pellets. There’s a pellet dump door as well. And, we appreciate the large window on the hopper so you really can see when/if a topup is needed.

The other difference we want to point out with the Smoker Beast is that it’s got the more basic wheel system. There’s two wheels plus two fixed legs.

Not at all a problem if you’ve got it set up somewhere permanent. But, if you’re wheeling it in and out, particularly over rough ground, the 4 castor wheels that the BBQ Legend 1000D4E is a lot better, you don’t want those plastic feet snapping off although ours hasn’t yet, I guess they’re stronger than they look.

Otherwise, this really big smoker is a steal! It performs really well, will let you cook up so much food, and, is just unbeatable in terms of value.

I’ve got this smoker sitting on my deck right now. And, while it’s nothing fancy, the Powerhouse 10002B2E is a solid workhorse that can produce some really great food, and a lot of it.

It’s cheap because it’s got one of the older, regular temperature controllers, there’s no storage cabinet, no WiFi, no hopper cleanout, and no ports to plug in wired meat probes (you have to use a wireless one)

But, for a low price, you do get a large 1,056 square inches of cooking space with a 20 pound pellet hopper to fuel it. The temperature stays fairly steady but it’s not PID so you do see some decent swings with the temperature fluctuating up to about 20°F north or south of your set target.

The good news about that is that the larger swings bring more smoke, and you’ll notice a variable amount of smoke coming out of the chimney throughout your cook. The meat turns out great though.

We can easily do a whole brisket, 2 racks of ribs, 2 large pork shoulders, and have space for some mac and cheese plus some veggies to go with it.

Just be mindful that, like the rest of the Z Grills 1000 Series, you’ve got 3 vertical racks which naturally limits the room you’ve got between each rack. For really large things, or for ease when we’re grilling, we take out the middle rack compeletely which does lose you quite a bit of real estate.

Our biggest pet peeve about the Z Grills Powerhouse is the wheels. It’s the cheaper two wheel, two leg setup which theoretically sounds find but does make it a lot more difficult to move around, particularly over rough ground. Still, the legs have held up alright over time and ours hasn’t had the easiest life.

On the plus side, the Powerhouse has an awesome ash cleanout system which really does make light work of emptying the ash before the next cook. The tray simply pulls out instead of having to remove your cooking grates and heat deflector to vacuum it out. I still do a proper clean sometimes but about half as often as I would another pellet smoker.

Overall, if you’re after a pellet smoker that’s got a BIG cooking capacity without the high price, the Z Grills Powerhousedelivers just that!

Not having the storage cabinet below saves you a decent amount of cash while meaning you’re still getting a quality barbecue with all the basics you need to cook incredible food.

The WiFi Series was, not too long ago, the only place you could find a WiFi pellet smoker in the Z Grill’s range. Now, they’ve upgraded the controller on some of their regular models, this range really just shines through as their top of the line smokers that are packed full of almost every feature you can think of.

Here you’ll find pellet grills that compare to the more expensive Traeger barbecues, Recteq and even Yoder. But, the Z Grills equivalents are a fraction of the cost one of those bad boys will set you back (and they make food just as good).

There’s two smokers to choose from here, and the only difference is in their size.

Either way, these smokers are great units that pack in so much value and quality that you just won’t find anywhere else.

The Multitasker 11002B is undeniably the biggest and the bestest pellet smoker in the Z Grills range.

With a capacity of 1,068 square inches, you can fit a lot of food! So much so that we normally pack ours with sides too and just cook up the whole meal in here.

But, this smoker pretty much incorporates every common request and upgrade that customers have asked for into a smoker that rivals much more expensive models. There’s WiFi connectivity for remote control, the latest PID controller for precise heat regulation that really does stay within 5°F of your target, a front shelf, bamboo cutting board and 2 meat probes all included.

But, there’s more to that fancy control panel you see as well.

The Multitasker gives you a one button auto-start, a prime mode to bring the temperature up faster after you’ve opened the lid, super smoke mode for, you guessed it, extra flavor, and, a keep warm setting too.

It comes with two wired meat probes that plug into the control panel so you can see the internal temperature of whatever you’re cooking through the LCD screen or the app. Being such a large smoker, it’d be nice if there were a couple more probe ports so you could monitor two more things.

You’d just need a separate unit to do more.

Yes, it’s a lot. But, that’s not all the features you get with the 11002B…

Fully insulated body? Let’s do a double-walled design. Extended heat range? Righty-oh. Pellet clean-out? You’ve got it. A huge hopper capacity? Sure thing. Even better grease management? Say hello to the external grease drawer that’s both easy to empty and minimizes flare-ups.

Z Grills has thrown the lot into this superstar pellet smoker. And, they’ve done it for such an incredibly value packed price.

My favorite feature is probably the insulation because, living somewhere that gets cold, we do notice the Multitasker uses less pellets to maintain the same temperature than an uninsulated model does when the mercury really dips.

Regardless of the weather, anything we cook in here turns out really well. With no smoke leakage, you’re getting the maximum flavor possible. The smoke rings are nice and deep, there’s plenty of moisture, and an impressive bark.

If you’re a sucker for getting your money’s worth. Or, just want the very best your money can buy, the Z Grills 11002B Multitasker won’t disappoint!

Yes, you’re right… same name, same smoker.

The Z Grills Multitasker 7052B is the same as the larger top of the line, 11002B, it’s just a little smaller.

Offering 709 square inches of cooking spaces spread over two cooking grates, you’ve still got all of the same great features, this one’s just better sized for regular families or couples.

There’s the insulated double walled design which really boosts fuel efficiency and cold weather performance, the PID temperature controller that keeps the steadiest temperature, a huge 28 pound pellet hopper with shoot to empty it, WiFi connectivity plus two meat probes for internal temperature monitoring, and an integrated bamboo cutting board.

Plus, the control panel on the 7052B has the same single button auto-start up, prime mode, super smoke mode and a keep warm setting too.

A little smaller than the ever popular Z Grills 700 Series, the pellet smokers in the 450 – 600 Series brings quite a bit of varation to the Z Grills range.

Ideal for smaller families, couples and individuals, we feel like these smaller smokers are often overlooked because they don’t fit so much.

But, because you’re heating a smaller space, they’re much for efficient any time you don’t feel like cooking a whole brisket, 2 pork shoulders, a couple of racks of ribs, and, what else should we put in the leftover space?!?

These smokers are also perfect for anyone who’s on a really tight budget but still wants a quality barbecue that will perform.

These two smokers take their place as the smallest non-portable barbecues in the Z Grills range.

And, although they’ve got different names, they’re the exact same grill.The Pioneer 450B is just the black powder-coated version while the slightly more expensive Smoke King 450E has a stainless steel lid.

Holding 459 square inches of cooking space, split over 2 racks, you can still fit a surprising 3 whole chickens, 4 racks of ribs, or, 18 burger patties on here at a time. The hopper holds 15 pounds of pellets which will give you about 15 hours of unassisted low and slow smoking time which is more than enough for most people too.

But, being smaller in size doesn’t mean you have to forgo the features. No.

Both the Pioneer and the Smoke King have the upgraded Z-Ultra PID V2.1 temperature controller for the most precise temperature control. There’s a manual feed button so you can help the grill get back up to temperature faster after opening the lid. And, there’s a hopper window and cleanout door for effortless monitoring and emptying after you’re done.

Basically, the Z Grills 450B and 450E are small but mighty making them perfect for individuals, couples, and small families. You could even throw it on the back of your truck for tailgating, camping or a friendly cook-off if you wanted a larger smoker than the portable Z Grills Cruiser 200A.

Thrown into it’s low price, you also get the weatherproof cover. They’re a seriously great deal and very efficient to use.

The Z Grills 450A is simply the older version of the super popularPioneer 450B.

It does look quite a bit different. But, it’s exactly the same size with 459 square inches of cooking space and a 15 pound pellet hopper.

The PID temperature controller on the 450A is a little different to that on the Pioneer. But, it’s still a really precise PID-based system.It’s also got the handy manual feed button. We love this feature to bring the temperature up quickly again after adding or wrapping your meat.

What doesn’t the 450A have?

There’s no pellet hopper cleanout feature, although there’s still a pellet window so you can see when you need to refill without opening the lid.

There’s also no locking castor wheels. It’s a 2 wheel and 2 leg setup which isn’t the easiest to move.But, you do get a handy folding front shelf and we do love that bonus workspace!

Next up in the 550 Series lineup is the recently upgraded 550B.

Like the rest of the smokers around this point in the Z Grills range, there’s nothing particularly special about it. That doesn’t mean it’s bad, just that the 550B is a pretty basic pellet smoker that smokes, grills, bakes, and roasts, does a pretty good job, and doesn’t have much else to say about it.

If you’re looking at this one, it’s probably because it’s price fits your budget and the capacity is large enough to handle what you need to do without being over the top.

In the 550B, you’ve got 560 square inches of cooking space split over two racks. It’s smaller than the average capacity but is really enough for most families to cook a meal with plenty to share with guests or to fill up the fridge.

The hopper only holds 10 pounds of pellets which will give you up to around about 10 hours of low and slow smoking time before you need to top it up. It’s not the best but also, not the worst. You should be able to get most stuff cooked within that time frame anyway.

Other than that, the Z Grills 550B is a solidly performing, smaller pellet smoker.

It’s got an upgraded PID temperature controller so the heat stays really even which helps to prevent the meat from drying out and makes it easier to cook great food consistently.

Again, I’m personally not a fan of the leg setup because I move my smokers around a lot. But, if it’s got a permanent spot in your backyard, or it’s all concrete, you won’t have any trouble with moving this smoker.

Nothing special but also perfectly fine, the 550B will do a great job of anything you throw at it.

The Z Grills 550C is very similar in spec to the 550B reviewed above. Pretty much the only difference is the look of the thing. Otherwise, it’s a basic but decently performing, affordable pellet grill and smoker.

It’s got the latest PID-based temperature controller so you’ve got good heat regulation for reliable performance. The compact design gives you 553 square inches of cooking space and the small, but adequate, 10 pound pellet hopper will fuel a low, smoking temperature for up to about 10 hours.

So what’s different about this smoker? Why buy this from the Z Grills range?

I’d personally only get the 550C if you like the look better than other smokers. With the bamboo front table and angular chimney, it’s a bit different from the norm.

If it’s between this and the 550B, the 550C does have some work space with the front table. But, I always have the worst time with bamboo molding and would be too concerned that the wood is going to get pretty rough looking in not that long. Am I the only one having that issue with all bamboo?

Anyway, if you like the look of this smoker, it will grill and smoke well. If that’s all you’re really after at the end of the day, and aren’t fussed about any extras, this will give you some good food to enjoy.

Again, we’ve got another really similar 550 Series smoker… This one’s the Z Grills Smoke Engine 5502H.

It’s got the same basic but precise, PID temperature controller as the 550B and 550C, the same 553 square inches of cooking space, and the same 10 pound pellet hopper.

Unlike the 550C, there’s no front shelf. But, it’s got the normal straight leg design that’s generally more popular than the more unique designs of the rest of the Z Grills 550 range.

In terms of performance, you’re looking at the same beast as the rest of them here and you’ll be able to make great food on this one too.

So, choose it if you like the look.

The Z Grills 600 series is a bit of a special one.

Instead of this being a regular pellet smoker that you can grill on by bumping the heat up to max and using the indirect heat to grill on, the 600D3E, like the other 600 Series smokers, has a flame broiler that lets you cook directly over the pellet fire flame.

Now, grilling on any of these Z Grills pellet smokers is, in my books, okay if you’re just doing it every now and then. But, having the ability to open up that heat deflector to get that pellet fire licking through the grates makes a whole heap of difference to how good your steak turns out.

You can still smoke low and slow too. Roasting, baking, and really cooking anything any way you want.

But, if you want a combination grill and smoker, instead of a smoker that can grill too, the Z Grills 600D3E is the best pick.

On it you’ve got 572 square inches of cooking space. That’s enough to do 4 chickens, 5 racks of ribs, or, 24 burgers on it’s double-levelled racks. But, be aware that when you’re using the open flame, you’ve got a very limited space where you’re actually getting that direct heat through. You can’t grill that much at once and it’s best to take the top grate out fully to give yourself space to work.

With it’s smaller cooking capacity, the pellet hopper on the 600D3E is a limited eight pound too. Eight pounds of pellets should see you through about the same number of hours of low and slow smoke time. But, will need to be refilled more frequently if you’re using high heat.

Performance wise, the Z Grills L600D3E can smoke and grill some really good food.

There’s the updated PID temperature controller for accurate automatic heat regulation, and the differential from one side to the other is very minimal as well. And, Z Grills recently added the double-walled design to this lid to insulate and get the maximum out of those pellets.

With a built-in storage cabinet, 4 quality castor wheels, and a side table with hooks, I feel like the Z Grills 600D3E is undervalued for what is a truly multi-purpose barbecue.

The Z Grills L600D is simply the older version of the 600D3E reviewed above.

Everything’s the same except for the color of the lid, the fact that there’s no insulation in that lid, and that the temperature controller is an older version.

The older temperature controller is still a PID based system, and when we used it we had no problems with it keeping a steady temperature as it should. But, it was replaced because of pellet chute issues which we’ve got to assume were common enough to warrant the change.

At the time of writing this review, the newer 600D3E was selling for the exact same price as this older model so, go check it out and go for the newer one unless the price has changed and this one is a cheaper option.

Just like the smoker above, check out the price of this one compared to the 600-series leader, the 600D3E because at the time of writing this, the price was the same. If that’s the case, definitely go for the more feature-filled smoker.

As for their performance though, with the same PID-based temperature controller and the same open flame grilling design, the smoking and grilling is on par on both of these models. One’s not better than the other, it’s literally a difference of the other features so check out the price and go from there.

When it comes to portable pellet smokers, Z Grills only do one.

But, it’s a really decent little piece of kit that’s just as good being used regularly at home as it is in an RV, camping or at a tailgate.

It might be the smallest pellet grill in the Z Grills range. But, the Z Grills Cruiser 200A is an awesome little barbecue!

We really love it.

Designed as a portable grill and smoker for camping, tailgating or RV life, the Cruiser 200A is ideal for cooking for just a few. But, if you load it up carefully, you can easily cater for quite a few people on it’s 202 square inches of cooking space.

The side handles make it so easy to pick up and move. The front latches make sure everything including a loaded pellet hopper is secured before you put it into your vehicle. And, the whole unit is a lot lighter than most comparible portable pellet smokers including the more expensive Traeger Ranger.

Although the Cruiser 200A doesn’t have a PID temperature controller, the heat stays impressively even (within about 10°F)throughout your cook.

Plus, because you’re heating a much smaller space than on a larger barbecue, the Cruiser is very efficient when it comes to pellet usage.

Smoke, grill, bake, roast or braise. You can cook a lot on this affordable piece of real estate.

Just keep in mind that the smaller cooking space means you’re that much closer to the heat.

Even with the heat deflector, we turn the meat mid-cook when using the Cruiser to prevent the bottom side from burning and/or drying out. But, if you’re doing that, you can cook some incredible food on the go with this one. We love it!

Read our full review of the Z Grills Cruiser.

If you’ve actually read through all of the Z Grills range review, one, good job, and two, you’ll probably be able to see that when it comes to which Z Grill is best, that’s going to depend on what features you want and what your budget is.

If I had to choose just one Z Grill smoker to name as the best, I’d have to go with the Z Grills Multitasker 11002B.

With a whole heap of features including WiFi, full body insulation, a precise PID temperature controller, super smoke mode, a front shelf, bamboo cutting board, 2 meat probes included, etc, etc, this model has so much stuff that makes smoking easy and great.

Coupled with it’s huge cooking capacity and massive pellet hopper, you simply won’t find a better value for money smoker on the market today.

Z Grills do an incredible job of packing in what you really need at an incredible price. And, if you go with the Multitasker 11002B, or the smaller 7052B, you’ll find that it performs just like other top of the line smokers from other brands but at a faction of the cost.

With our extensive experience using Z Grills smokers, and other brands pellet smokers, we never hesitate to recommend one of these to any buyer, even if you’re not on a tight budget. Z Grills are just so great!