The Best Pellet Grill Under $1,500? – Unbiased Analysis

Hi, I’m Chris. About Me

The internet is full of people providing subjective opinions on products and services; here I opt for a more scientific approach. To try and determine the best pellet grill/smoker under $1,500 currently on the market I took five models and objectively scored them through seven categories based purely on their specifications/features. Below you can review the results. Enjoy! 🙂

Our unbiased analysis of five pellet grills and smokers under $1,500

Results

  1. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: 29 Points
  2. Recteq Flagship 1100: 28 Points
  3. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 24 Points
  4. Weber Searwood XL 600: 22 Points
  5. Traeger Ironwood 885: 14 Points

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Analysis Introduction

I used the custom search filters on our database to narrow down the results to show any pellet grill or smoker currently on the market with a typical price point of more than $1,000, but less than $1,500.

The database produced 44 results. Of those results I selected five models, focusing on models from the main leading brands that most consumers will be considering at this price point.

These are the five pellet grills/smokers in this comparison

The five models from left to right are the Traeger Ironwood 885, Pit Boss Competition Series Titan, Weber Searwood XL 600, Recteq Flagship 1100, and the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36.

I then compared them through seven categories:

  • Total Cooking Area
  • Main Grate Size
  • Temperature Range
  • Controller Technology
  • Hopper Size
  • Construction
  • Miscellaneous

Each pellet grill/smoker was given a score in each category, with a maximum of five points up for grabs. With a draw, a model could share the same points as another pellet grill/smoker.

At the end, the points from each category were added up to give each pellet grill/smoker a final points score and to be able to rank them in order.


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Total Cooking Area

First I compared the total cooking areas of the five pellet grills. Hence, how much space is provided by all the cooking racks, not just the main grate.

1: Pit Boss Competiton Series Titan: 1,600 SQ.IN

The winner of this category was the Pit Boss Competition Series Titan. Notably, the Pit Boss is the only one of these five pellet grills with an additional third cooking rack.

Pit Boss Titan Total Cooking Area

2. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 1,236 SQ.IN

The pellet grill with the second largest overall cooking area was the Camp Chef. As you’ll notice its not that far behind the Pit Boss, hence the lack of the third rack is the reason for the lower overall cooking area.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Total Cooking Area

3. Recteq Flagship 1100:

Not too far behind the Camp Camp was the Recteq, with just over one hundred square inches less cooking area over its two racks. Hence, not really a significant difference in cooking area.

Recteq Flagship 1100 Total Cooking Area

4. Weber Searwood XL 600: 972 SQ.IN

Further down the pecking order came the Weber, again, it was just over one hundred square inches smaller than the Recteq above.

5. Traeger Ironwood 885: 885 SQ.IN

Finally, the smallest of these five pellet grills when it comes to the overall cooking area was the Traeger Ironwood. In this case, it is just under one hundred square inches smaller than the Weber, but more notably smaller than the Recteq, Camp Chef, and the Pit Boss.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Total Cooking Area

Total Cooking Area Points

With the results above, I gave out the following points allocation. With the Pit Boss offering the most space overall, it got the maximum five points. Next up was the Camp Chef with four points, three points for the Recteq, two points for the Weber, and finally just one point for the Traeger.

Total Cooking Area Points Allocation

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Main Grate Size

If you spend most of your time grilling and searing your foods, then the size of the main grate is probably more important to you because that cooking surface will get to higher temperatures.

1. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: 711 SQ.IN

Again, with this category, the Pit Boss comes out on top due to it being the largest of the five pellet grills/smokers. However, the other models were not that far behind.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Main Grate Size

2. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 663 SQ.IN

While the main cooking grate on the Camp Chef is indeed smaller than that of the Pits Boss, its not significantly smaller, there is only a difference of 48 square inches.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Main Grate Size

3. Recteq Flagship 1100: 655 SQ.IN

Again, the Recteq is not far behind, its within 56 square inches of the Pit Boss and just 8 square inches of the Camp Chef. Hence, we are talking about small margins here.

Recteq Flagship 1100 Main Grate Size

4. Weber Searwood XL 600: 630 SQ.IN

There is a more notable jump down in size going from the Recteq to the Weber with a loss of cooking area on the main grate of 25 square inches.

Weber Searwood XL 600 Main Grate Size

5. Traeger Ironwood 885:

Of these five pellet grills/smokers under $1,500, the Traeger is clearly the smallest of the models, which again is illustrated by its ranking in the size of its main grate. Compared to the Pit Boss, the Traeger offers 141 square inches less space on its main grate.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Main Grate Size

Main Grate Size Points

With the above results in mind I awarded the following points allocation. Again, the Pit Boss deserved the maximum five points, with the Camp Chef getting four points, the Recteq three points, the Weber two points, and again the Traeger only comes away with a single point.

Main Grate Size Points Allocation

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Temperature Range

When it comes to smoking foods the lower temperature setting is worth noting, as at lower temperatures with a less efficient pellet fire, you get more smoke production. However, when it comes to grilling and searing you’ll obviously want to pay attention to the higher temperature setting.

1. Recteq Flagship 1100: 180 to 700 Degrees

With this category, we have a new top dog, the Recteq, which wins this category not because of its pretty standard lower temperature setting of 180 degrees, but its less common maximum temperature setting of 700 degrees.

Recteq Flagship 1100 Temperature Range

2. Weber Searwood XL 600: 180 to 600 Degrees

The Weber comes away with the second spot in this category, it has the same lower temperature setting as the Recteq, and while its 600 degree max temp is very respectable, its not as high as that of the Recteq.

Weber Searwood XL 600 Temperature Range

3. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: 150 to 500 Degrees

For this category, the Pit Boss makes an appearance in third place. Now notably, it does have a lower temperature setting below that of the Recteq and Weber. However, its maximum temperature setting is only 500 degrees.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Temperature Range

Now, as many people would rightly point out at this point, the Pit Boss also has a flame broiler for higher temperatures, potentially 650 degrees plus, at the center of the grate.

This is true; however, the area of higher heat is only located in the center of the grate. Furthermore, direct-flame access does carry a higher risk of a grease fire.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Flame Broiler

4. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 160 to 500 Degrees

Next up we have the Camp Chef, which has a lower setting not quite a low at the Pit Boss at 160 degrees, and a maximum temperature setting of 500 degrees.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Temperature Range

Now, the Camp Chef, when it comes to being a smoker is actually the most capable of all the pellet grills/smokers in this comparison, as it benefits from an additional Smoke Box, which can be loaded with wood chips, chunks, and charcoal.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Smoke Box

However, in order for Camp Chef to include the Smoke Box they had to remove the flame broiler functionality originally found on their Woodwind pellet grills. Therefore, with the Woodwind Pro 36, its not possible to get the grate above the 500 degrees set by the controller.

I will note, it is possible to order an additional propane attachment called the SideKick, which can provide higher temperatures for searing etc. However, the cost of that accessory would push the total cost of the Woodwind Pro 36 above the $1,500 budget for this comparison.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro Optional Propane SideKick

5. Traeger Ironwood 885: 180 to 500 Degrees

Finally, we have the Traeger, which features the standard lower temperature setting of 180 degrees and a maximum temperature setting of 500 degrees. Furthermore, it doesn’t have a flame broiler.

Therefore, with regards to lower temperature smoking and high temperature grilling the Traeger cannot compete against the other pellet grills/smokers in this comparison.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Temperature Range

Temperature Range Points

For this category, I awarded the Recteq the maximum five points, followed by the Weber with four points, three points to the Pit Boss, two points for the Camp Chef, and again just one point for the Traeger.

Temperature Range Points Allocation

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Controller Technology

With this category, the points distribution is a little different. Many models have the same functionality and they are all very closely matched.

For instance, each of these five pellet grills/smokers features a controller running a modern PID algorithm for precise temperature managements, and they all offer 5 degree temperature adjustment.

Furthermore, all five of these pellet grills have WiFi connectivity that can link up to their respective Apps to give additional functionality, especially useful for monitoring an overnight cook. They also all have a dedicated smoke setting, so there is very little between them in controller technology.

Controller Technology

However, the Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 just has the edge in this category as its controller can be set to fan-only mode. Therefore, with the functionality of the Smoke Box on the Camp Chef, it can be used as a true cold smoker, which is not the case with any of the other pellet grills in this comparison.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Cold Smoker

Controller Technology Points

Therefore, with this category, the Camp Chef narrowly edges out the others and comes away with the maximum five points. However, the others are all so closely behind the Camp Chef and equivalent to each other, they all get four points each.

Controller Technology Points Allocation

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Hopper Size

The weight of pellets a pellet grill can hold is not relevant when it comes to grilling. After all, you’re standing next to the grill, you can easily see if the hopper needs more pellets.

Where hopper size is more relevant is on long, unattended smoking sessions that possibly run all day or overnight. This is particularly true during cold ambient temperatures when pellet consumption is increased.

1. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: 40 lb Pellet Hopper

Pit Boss pellet grills/smokers often have an above-average size of pellet hopper, and the Titan is no exception, and it comes out on top in this category with its 40 lb pellet hopper.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Pellet Hopper

A little feature that the Titan has that we have not seen before on a pellet grill/smoker is a divider in the hopper to add two pellet flavors at the same time. Granted, its just a piece of plastic.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Pellet Hopper Divider

2. Recteq Flagship 1100: 40 lb Pellet Hopper

While the Recteq may have the same pellet hopper capacity as the Pit Boss, I’ve placed it second in this category because it doesn’t have a pellet dump chute (which the Pit Boss has).

Recteq Flagship 1100 Pellet Hopper Capacity

3. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 22 lb Pellet Hopper

Going from the Pit Boss and Recteq down to the Camp Chef there is quite a considerable drop off in pellet hopper capacity to nearly half as much as those pellet grills above.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Pellet Hopper Capacity

4. Weber Searwood XL 600: 20 lb Pellet Hopper

Going from the Camp Chef down to the Weber the pellet hopper capacity drops another 2 lbs, obviously not a significant difference, but it is less capacity.

Weber Searwood XL 600 Pellet Hopper Capacity

5. Traeger Ironwood 885: 20 lb Pellet Hopper

The Traeger, like the Weber, also features a 20 lb pellet hopper which means it can take a full 20 lb bag of pellets (just). As these two pellet grills have the same hopper capacity, they’ll get the same points.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Hopper Capacity

Pellet Hopper Size Points

With this category, I’ve given the following points allocation. The Pit Boss comes out on top with five points with the Recteq closely behind, dropping a point due to the lack of a pellet dump feature. Next up is the Camp Chef with three points, and the Weber and Traeger, both get two points each for the same hopper capacity of 20 lbs.

Pellet Hopper Size Points Allocation

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Construction

The materials used to construct a pellet grill/smoker do vary, as do their construction techniques. For instance, features that stand out are stainless steel fabrication and twin-wall insulated construction.

1. Recteq Flagship 1100: Stainless Steel

The Recteq comes out as the winner of this category due to the fact it features a stainless steel cooking chamber along with stainless steel internals, cooking grate, drip pan etc.

Recteq Flagship 1100 Stainless Steel Fabrication

2. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36

The Camp Chef also features a stainless steel cooking chamber, and many components, such as the Smoke Box and its mechanism are also stainless steel. However, it drops a position and point due to the fact the main grates are not stainless steel.

Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36 Stainless Steel Cooking Chamber

3. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: Twin-Wall Construction

The Pit Boss gets the third position in this category. It does feature some nicely designed stainless steel slide out racks. However, its cooking chamber is not full stainless steel.

A feature of the Pit Boss, which is not the case with the other pellet grills in this comparison is the fully twin-wall insulated cooking chamber. Hence, the Pit Boss is the best suited to use in colder climates.

Pit Boss Competition Series Titan Fully Insulated Cooking Chamber

4. Weber Searwood XL 600: Aluminum Cooking Chamber

The Weber comes next, its main notable feature being that the lower half of the cooking chamber is an aluminum casting which will help it hold onto heat. While its lid is not fully insulated it does feature some twin-wall construction, and the enamel finish of the lid is good to see.

Weber Searwood XL 600 Construction

5. Traeger Ironwood 885: Some Twin-Wall

The most notable feature of the Traeger is that the side walls of the cooking chamber feature twin-wall construction. However, the lower half of the cooking chamber and the lid are not insulated.

Traeger Ironwood 885 Construction

Construction Points

For this category its the Recteq that comes away with the maximum five points, followed by the Camp Chef on four points, the Pit Boss on three points, two for the Weber, and again, a single point for the Traeger.

Construction Points Allocation

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Miscellaneous

The first thing to note with this category is that none of these five pellet grills/smokers are manufactured in the US. Weber used to ‘US assemble’ their previous generation SmokeFire pellet grills, but I checked with Weber, and with their Searwood models, that’s not the case.

But what about pricing? Sure, each of these pellet grills is under $1,500 but are their typical price points identical? Nope, there are some differences.

For instance, the Weber is the lowest priced of the five. Then the Traeger, Pit Boss, and Recteq all share the same typical price point. The Camp Chef is notably the most expensive option of the five, and the points allocation for this category will reflect their typical price points.

Typical Price Points

Miscellaneous Points

With this category its the Weber which comes away with the maximum five points due to its lower price point. The Traeger, Pit Boss, and Recteq all get four points each due to their identical typical price points. The Camp Chef comes next with three points being the most expensive option.

Miscellaneous Points Allocation

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Final Points & Rankings

So now we come down to it, the final scores will not be a surprise as I’ve already provided the results at the top of the article, but I’ll quickly discuss how we ended up with the following:

  1. Pit Boss Competition Series Titan: 29 Points
  2. Recteq Flagship 1100: 28 Points
  3. Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 36: 24 Points
  4. Weber Searwood XL 600: 22 Points
  5. Traeger Ironwood 885: 14 Points

The Pit Boss comes out on top with the most points after getting off to the best start possible with wins in the total cooking area and main grate categories, and it later won the hopper capacity category as well.

The Recteq closely followed the Pit Boss, coming in second only one point behind. It places in the middle of the pack with regards to cooking area, but scored highly with hopper capacity and it was the winner in the construction category due to its stainless steel construction. It also won the temperature range category with its impressive 700-degree maximum temp setting.

The Camp Chef did well overall. It scored highly on cooking area, main grate size, and construction. With its Smoke Box its the most capable smoker of the five. However, its higher price point means it lost points, along with its smaller hopper capacity.

The Weber is one of the smaller models, hence it lost points in the total cooking area and main grate categories, it also features one of the smallest pellet hoppers. It did pick up higher points though in temperature range and the Miscellaneous category due to its lower price point.

The Traeger struggled in most of the categories against its competition, though it got good points in Controller Technology. As this model is by far the oldest of the five, it didn’t surprise me with its current price point and features that it struggled to compete.

So is the Pit Boss Competition Series Titan the best pellet grill under $1,500? Well, it got the highest points total, but the best pellet grill for you will depend on your specific requirements. The point is, you can use our database to compare any pellet grills/smoker to find the best model for you. Enjoy 🙂


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