Wood pellet grills and smokers are a fantastic way to get that real wood fire flavor in a convenient, easy-to-use way. Pellet grills range in size and features and come in a variety of price points. But are they an affordable grilling option? Are pellet grills expensive to operate or are there hidden costs that make them too expensive?

The operational costs of a pellet grill or a pellet smoker beyond the unit itself include the wood pellets and a little bit of electricity. Additional expenses might include a grill cover, cooking utensils, seasonings, non-stick sprays, and a thermometer. The cost of pellets vary greatly from local or online outlets, and the quantity purchased. Typical pellet bags come in 20 lbs or 40 lbs sizes. Check wood pellet prices and availability here.

The History of Pellet Grills

The origins of wood pellet grills really go back to the early 1970s during the oil crises when people looked beyond oil and gas for more affordable ways to heat their homes. Small wood pellets, created from compressed sawdust, were invented along with wood pellet stoves. The basic design used a motorized auger to slow-feed the pellets from a hopper to a firebox. A small fan would blow warm air out from the stove to heat the room. This design is very similar to a pellet grill.

Joe Traeger developed the Traeger pellet grill in 1985 in Oregon and patented it in 1986. The first Traeger Grills began production in 1988. As the patent holder, Traeger was the only manufacturer of pellet grills for twenty years.

Heating Pellets vs Cooking Pellets

The real difference between a pellet stove and a pellet grill or smoker is the pellets that are used.

Pellets used for home heating use hardwoods but also contain softwoods, biomass, bark scrap and other elements which can be both harmful and bad tasting.

Food-grade wood pellets, on the other hand, are made entirely from hardwood and shouldn’t contain additives, although some manufacturers use soybean oil or vegetable oil as a lubricant during the production process. These food-grade pellets burn cleaner, producing a light smoky flavor. Wood pellets come in a number of varieties including oak, maple, apple, alder, mesquite, cherry, maple, hickory, pecan, and others.

After the Traeger patent expired in 2006, other pellet grill manufacturers surfaced to create different styles of pellet grills and smokers all based on the same design principles developed two decades earlier. New pellet grill makers include names like Pit Boss, Camp Chef, Z Grills, Green Mountain Grills, Cuisinart, Masterbuilt, Rec Tec, and of course Traeger. Compare features and prices here.

In September of 2018, pellet grill pioneer Joe Traeger joined the Thiessen family at Dansons to promote the Pit Boss brand and product line up. Together they will be developing new pellet grilling products for the rest of the world to enjoy. See the official press release here.

Are Pellet Grills Expensive to Operate?

Pellet grills themselves can range from a few hundred dollars to well over a thousand dollars but are very affordable to operate and maintain in my opinion. But what are the costs beyond that? “Expensive” is a relative term and will vary from person to person and how often you grill. Here are some things to consider especially if you’re just starting out:

• Cooking Pellets
• Grill Cover
• Tongs
• Non-Stick Spray
• Digital Thermometer

You will need electricity to run your pellet grill. Fortunately, it works with a standard 120 VAC. Just plug it in and you’re set. Need other options? You can use a power inverter or even a portable power station. Those could cost as much as your grill but may give you unlimited flexibility. Check prices and availability here: Power Inverters or Power Stations

How Much Do Pellets Cost?

I’ve seen wood pellets for cooking on sale for as little as $15 for a 40lbs bag and up from there. An average price might be around a dollar per pound. Be sure to get 100% hardwood pellets and avoid extra fillers, oils, flavorings, etc. The hotter you run your grill the more pellets you’ll go through. Compare prices here.

How Fast Will Wood Pellets Burn In a Smoker Grill?

If you run your grill on HIGH, you’ll probably go through up to 2 lbs of pellets per hour. On a MEDIUM setting about 1 lbs per hour. On low and slow smoking temperature, figure about ½ lbs of pellets per hour. Those are rough estimates that will depend on your grill and the type of pellets you’re grilling with.

Keep in mind that you’re getting great flavors and convenient cooking. Pellet grills and smokers are practically set it and forget it easy to operate. You can even monitor your grill temperatures from your phone! Check out these wireless digital thermometers.

Pellet Grill Accessories and Recommendations

Pellet Grills: First, let me recommend that you pick out a grill with the features you want and the size you think you’re going to need. Don’t pay extra just for a name but don’t let $50 keep you from getting the grill of your dreams. Also, pellet smoker grills are great combo units but if you’re really looking for a great smoker, get a vertical smoker. Check out the latest models, features, discounts and FREE SHIPPING here.

Grill Covers: I recommend getting a cover. Not only does it protect your grill, but it will also protect anyone from grease and soot if they brush up against it.

Digital Thermometers: I recommend getting one for quick food temperature checks. Your grill or smoker will probably have at least one thermometer built into it, but unless it also has built-in temperature probes, you won’t know what the food temperature is. Digital is the way to go.

Spatulas and Tongs: I prefer metal utensils with good grips. Using non-stick sprays before you place your food on the racks helps a lot too. Some people get magnetic utensil holders for the side of their units. They might get knocked off by the cover going on or coming off.

Scrapers: I’ve found the two-sided scrapers to be handy. One side has wire bristles. I don’t get the fancy kind that’s more expensive. I prefer the cheaper kind that I’ll use and replace at the end of the year. I hate cleaning greasy anything.

The Pellet Grill Experience

I’ve had pellet grills for several years now and I love the overall cooking experience especially low and slow meat smoking. It’s the most convenient way to get the smoky wood-fired flavors you typically find in classic upper scale restaurants to your own dinner table. It’s much cleaner than charcoal barbecuing, more flavorful than gas or electric cooking, and far easier and more accurate than working with rough cut logs. Pellets are far easier to acquire and store than logs too if you live in the city.

I recently added a Pit Boss Copphead Vertical smoker to my arsenal of pellet fired appliances. It is my go-to smoker now that’s even a little easier to use them my Austin XL. Both are great units.

There’s something peaceful and comforting about seeing smoke rise up out of a grill or smoker that’s got a beef brisket or rack of pork ribs cooking inside of it. A similar feeling to being near a campfire in the woods.  

Want to improve your grilling? Download secrets from competition grill masters here.