The Z Grills 700E was one of the models that helped establish Z Grills as a serious lower-cost alternative to brands such as Traeger.
The 700E itself is no longer available new, but the original 700D is essentially the same pellet grill with a different-colored lid. At the time of writing, the 700D may still be available through Amazon, although stock on these older models can change quickly.
I still own and regularly use my original 700-series Z Grill years after first reviewing it. It is basic by current standards, but it continues to work reliably and remains one of my favorite pellet smokers.
This review covers what the 700E and original 700D are genuinely like to cook on, whether buying the older version still makes sense and when you would be better off stepping up to the newer 700D4E.
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Table of Contents
Quick Verdict
The Z Grills 700E and original 700D are straightforward, mid-sized pellet smokers that do the important part well: holding a steady low-and-slow temperature and producing consistently tender, smoky barbecue without needing much attention.
They lack newer conveniences such as WiFi, a hopper cleanout and more advanced controls. The metal is also thinner than you will find on some premium pellet grills. But Z Grills put the money into a practical cooking chamber, reliable controller and useful enclosed storage rather than loading the grill with features.
After years of regular use, mine is still going strong. That long-term reliability is a major reason I remain such a fan of this model.
Consider the Z Grills 700E/700D if:
- You want a reliable pellet smoker without paying extra for WiFi
- You prefer a full cabinet rather than an open cart
- You value proven durability over having the latest controller
- You find one at a great price
Skip The Z Grills 700D/700D if:
- The price is close to that of the upgraded 700D4E
- You want WiFi control or an easy way to empty the hopper
- You need strong direct-heat searing
- You want plenty of built-in workspace
Compare to Z Grills 700D4E Price
At a Glance
Strengths
- Holds low smoking temperatures accurately and evenly.
- Very simple to operate.
- Produces noticeably smoky, moist barbecue.
- Useful split-rack cooking layout.
- Includes an enclosed storage cabinet.
- Original models have proven impressively durable.
- Can grill successfully when needed.
- Two built-in meat-probe connections.
Weaknesses
- No WiFi.
- Slow to reach its highest temperature.
- Indirect heat limits its searing ability.
- No standard front shelf.
- No simple hopper cleanout.
- Drip tray leaves gaps around the edges.
- Thinner, uninsulated body is more affected by cold weather.
Best Use Case
Someone who wants an affordable, uncomplicated pellet smoker mainly for set-and-forget ribs, pork, brisket and other low-and-slow cooking.
What Is the Difference Between the Z Grills 700E and 700D?
The original Z Grills 700E and 700D are effectively the same pellet grill in different finishes.
The 700E has a stainless-steel-colored lid, while the 700D has the darker bronze-colored lid. The cooking setup, controller, cabinet, hopper and overall experience are otherwise the same.
That means the hands-on observations in this review apply to either model. Someone looking at a used 700E can use this review to understand what they are buying, while someone who finds remaining stock of the 700D can expect the same basic performance.
Z Grills has upgraded this design several times since these models were released. The current 700D4E adds features such as newer controls, WiFi connectivity and easier pellet management.
But the basic reason the original 700E and 700D became so popular has not changed: they provide a useful amount of cooking room and dependable pellet-smoking performance without pushing into premium pricing.
My Long-Term Experience With the Z Grills 700E and 700D
I originally tested this 700-series design by smoking several racks of ribs, a whole brisket and a Boston butt, as well as grilling chicken wings and burger patties.
Those initial cooks went well from the beginning. More importantly, this was not a smoker that worked for a short review period and then disappeared from use.
I have continued using the original model regularly for years, and it is still running well. That matters more to me now than many of the features being added to newer pellet grills. The controller is basic, but it works. The cabinet and body have held up, and the grill continues to produce the same reliable results.
It has become one of the grills I know I can turn on, set to temperature and trust to handle a long cook without creating unnecessary work.
What it is like during a real cook
Starting the grill is simple. Fill the hopper, plug it in, switch it on and turn the dial to the smoke setting with the lid open.
The auger begins moving pellets into the firepot. Once the pellets ignite and smoke starts coming from the cooking chamber, close the lid and select the cooking temperature.
The controller then adjusts how quickly pellets are fed into the fire to keep the cooking chamber close to the selected temperature. There is no app, complicated menu or long list of settings to work through.
You can also leave it on the smoke setting for the beginning of a cook when you want more smoke. During my original testing, I generally used the standard temperature settings rather than relying heavily on smoke mode, and the finished meat still had a noticeable wood-smoked flavor.
The food it cooks best
Smoking is easily the strongest part of this grill.
The pork ribs and pulled pork I cooked during the original testing remain some of the best results I have produced in my backyard. The meat was smoky, tender and moist, with a good smoke ring.
Pellet smokers generally do not create quite as much heavy bark as a charcoal smoker or wood-burning offset. That was true here too. But the results did not taste weak or as though they had simply been cooked in an outdoor oven.
The one poor rack of ribs came from me being distracted and leaving them on too long. That was my mistake rather than a temperature-control problem with the grill. It was also a good reminder that set-and-forget does not mean forget completely.
How usable is the two-rack layout?
The split-rack system gives the grill useful capacity without making its footprint unnecessarily large.
Layering meat across the two racks works well for flatter foods such as ribs, chicken thighs and brisket. However, there is only about 3.5 inches of clearance between the lower and upper racks.
For taller cuts such as a whole chicken or a large Boston butt, you will probably need to remove the upper rack. Therefore, the advertised total cooking area does not always represent the amount of space you can use for every type of food.
In practice, it is a sensible family-sized smoker rather than something designed for very large-scale catering.
Original 700D vs Newer 700D4E: Which Should You Buy?
The original 700D is the better buy only when it is meaningfully cheaper than the newer 700D4E.
Both provide the same general cabinet-style 700-series layout, but the 700D4E modernizes the design with newer temperature controls, remote monitoring and easier pellet management.
The original 700D still makes sense for someone who does not care about checking the grill from a phone and wants a proven pellet smoker for the lowest reasonable price.
Its basic controller is not difficult to use, and mine has remained reliable for years. You do not need WiFi to produce good barbecue.
However, I would not buy the old model just because it has a slightly lower listed price. Remaining Amazon stock can fluctuate, and older products are not always discounted as heavily as they should be.
Choose the Original Z Grills 700D If:
- It is considerably cheaper
- You are happy checking the grill manually
- You do not change pellet flavors frequently
- Straightforward controls appeal to you
- You mainly care about dependable smoking performance
Choose the Original Z Grills 700D4E If:
- The price difference is relatively small
- You want WiFi monitoring
- You want the version with updated controls
- An easier hopper cleanout matters to you
- You would rather buy the currently supported model
You can see how the current version fits into the broader lineup in my Z Grills range review.
Performance Breakdown
Temperature Control
The original controller is basic but effective.
Temperature settings move in 25°F increments. Once the grill is running, its internal sensor monitors the cooking chamber and adjusts the pellet feed automatically.
During my original testing, I positioned three independent temperature probes across the lower grate to check accuracy and look for hot spots.
With the grill set to 225°F, all three independent probes measured about 221°F while the controller displayed 225°F. That is impressively even distribution across the cooking surface.
| Set Temperature | Z Grills Reading | Left Probe | Middle Probe | Right Probe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 225°F | 225°F | 221°F | 221°F | 221°F |
| 450°F | 450°F | 451°F | 437°F | 450°F |
At the maximum setting, the probes showed more variation. The left and right sides were around the selected temperature, while the center ran slightly cooler. That difference was not large enough to create a significant problem, especially since pellet grills commonly become less even at higher temperatures.
For low-and-slow barbecue—the main reason to buy this smoker—the heat distribution was one of its strongest qualities.
Heat-Up Time
The 700E reached 225°F in approximately eight minutes during my testing.
Getting to its maximum temperature was much slower. It took about 38 minutes to reach 450°F, with the grill climbing fairly quickly to around 390°F before slowly working through the final part.
That means it is convenient for starting a long smoke, but less appealing when you want to cook a quick weeknight meal at high heat.
The first time I tried to reach 450°F, the grill stalled at around 425°F despite reasonably warm weather. I initially suspected the slight wind was responsible.
After changing from blended pellets to pure oak pellets, it reached the full temperature in very similar weather. The type and condition of the pellets can make a real difference when trying to push this grill to its maximum heat.
Smoke Production and Flavor
The grill produces enough smoke to give the meat a clear wood-fired flavor, particularly during longer cooks.
The ribs, brisket and pulled pork developed visible smoke rings, and the flavor was noticeably smoky without becoming overpowering.
You can increase smoke production by starting the cook on the smoke setting. But even using the regular low-temperature settings, I was happy with the amount of smoke in the finished food.
As with most pellet grills, someone moving from an offset or charcoal smoker should expect a cleaner and generally milder smoke profile. That is a trade-off for gaining automatic temperature control and substantially reducing the amount of fire management required.
Using good pellets matters too. My guide to the best pellets for smoking explains the types I would consider.
Grilling
I did not expect much from the 700E as a grill because the food cooks over indirect heat rather than an exposed flame.
It performed better than expected.
After letting it heat for around 40 minutes, burger patties and chicken wings visibly sizzled when placed on the cooking grates. With the lid closed to retain heat, they cooked at a reasonable speed and stayed juicy.
The food also picked up more smoke flavor than I expected from such a short cook. Some pieces even developed light grill marks.
However, this does not replace a dedicated charcoal or gas grill for fast, intense searing. Reaching grilling temperature takes time, and running at maximum heat uses pellets quickly.
I would still fire up a charcoal grill for a small batch of burgers. But when cooking for more people or when this is the only grill available, the 700E and 700D are capable of doing the job.
Meat Probes and Remote Monitoring
The original 700E came with two meat probes that plug into the controller.
The probes pass through a rubber access hole in the side of the cooking chamber, which helps avoid crushing the wires under the lid. The controller has one temperature display, so you press the food-probe button to cycle between the cooking chamber and each piece of meat.
When I compared the included probes with independent thermometers, they read accurately.
The rubber covering around the probe connections is a small but genuinely useful detail because it makes them easier to handle without gloves.
What the original controller cannot do is send those readings to your phone. Anyone who wants remote monitoring can add an independent unit from my guide to the best wireless smoker thermometers.
Build Quality and Long-Term Durability
The metal is thinner than on more expensive pellet smokers, and the body does not have the same insulation as a premium cold-weather model.
Even so, the grill felt solid when assembled. The parts lined up properly, it was possible to achieve a tight fit and the enclosed cabinet helps make the entire structure feel more substantial than an open cart.
The finish also makes it look more expensive than it is.
More importantly, my original grill remains in regular use years later. It has outlasted the initial warranty period and continues to operate reliably.
That does not mean every unit will last indefinitely. However, this particular grill has given me much more confidence in Z Grills’ basic construction than a short-term unboxing review ever could.
Work and Storage Space
The enclosed cabinet is one of the best parts of the design.
It provides somewhere to keep the upper rack, meat probes and barbecue utensils out of sight. It also makes the grill look tidier and gives the base a more planted, sturdy feel.
The weakness is the lack of preparation space.
You can place tongs or a small tray on top of the pellet hopper, but there is no standard front shelf on these original models. That becomes inconvenient when transferring a brisket, wrapping meat or trying to manage a full tray.
A nearby table solves the problem, but it is something buyers should plan for rather than discovering during the first cook.
Cold and Windy Weather
The original 700E and 700D are not insulated pellet grills.
The thinner body can lose heat faster in cold or exposed conditions, increasing pellet use and making the controller work harder. The original burn-in also took longer than expected on a slightly windy day.
Mine has still been capable of cooking in varied weather, but it is not the model I would specifically choose for regular winter smoking in a very cold climate.
A compatible thermal blanket can improve efficiency. Pellet choice also matters, especially when trying to reach higher temperatures.
For more guidance on this trade-off, see my guide to choosing a pellet grill for cold weather.
Cleaning
Routine cleaning is straightforward, although it is not tool-free.
The porcelain-coated grates release most residue fairly easily when scraped while still warm. I line the grease tray with aluminum foil, which generally only needs changing every three or four cooks.
At the same time, I remove the grease tray and heat baffle to vacuum ash from the firepot and bottom of the cooking chamber. A shop vacuum makes this much quicker.
You could wipe the chamber out manually, but it takes longer and is messier.
The biggest issue is that the drip tray does not extend completely to the edges of the chamber. Ash can blow up through the gaps, while grease may drip past the tray when fatty meat is positioned too close to an edge.
Using low-ash pellets helps, and I try to keep particularly fatty cuts within the main area covered by the tray.
Emptying the Hopper
The original 700E and 700D do not have a convenient hopper cleanout.
When changing pellet flavors, you either need to scoop the remaining pellets out or continue running the grill until the hopper is sufficiently empty.
This is not a major problem if you normally use one general-purpose pellet blend. It becomes more frustrating if you frequently switch between woods.
The newer 700D4E is the more convenient choice for buyers who expect to change pellet types regularly.
What to Expect
The original Z Grills 700E and 700D make low-and-slow barbecue easier, but they are not completely without trade-offs.
Expect:
- Fast startup when smoking at around 225°F.
- Much slower heating when aiming for maximum temperature.
- Even temperatures across the grate during low-and-slow cooks.
- A milder smoke profile than a charcoal smoker or offset.
- Noticeable smoke flavor and good smoke rings on longer cooks.
- Enough space for family cooking and moderate entertaining.
- The need to remove the upper rack for tall cuts.
- Higher pellet use when grilling or cooking in cold weather.
- No remote monitoring unless you add a separate thermometer.
- Some ash entering around the edges of the drip tray.
- Periodic vacuuming around the firepot.
- Limited built-in workspace.
- Reliable, uncomplicated operation rather than the latest technology.
Pros and Cons
Pros
- Accurate and even low-temperature cooking.
- Simple controls with very little learning curve.
- Produces tender, moist and noticeably smoky barbecue.
- Proven long-term reliability from my own grill.
- Useful two-rack cooking arrangement.
- Enclosed storage cabinet.
- Two built-in meat-probe connections.
- Capable of grilling when needed.
- Compact footprint relative to its usable capacity.
- Solid overall construction for an older budget-focused model.
Cons
- No WiFi or app control.
- Slow to reach maximum temperature.
- Indirect heat limits strong searing.
- No convenient hopper cleanout.
- No standard front workspace.
- Drip tray leaves gaps around the edges.
- Upper-rack clearance limits taller foods.
- Thinner, uninsulated body is less efficient in cold weather.
- Remaining stock may not be discounted enough to justify buying an older controller.
Who This Is For (and Not For)
The Z Grills 700D or 700E is Best for:
- People who want to smoke instead of sear
- Anyone who values simplicity over WiFi and app features
- Families wanting a good amount of cooking room
- Buyers who want a cabinet-style pellet smoker with enclosed storage
- Someone looking for a model with proven real-world durability
Who should skip the Z Grills 700D and 700E:
- If you want the latest pellet-grill controls
- Anyone who expects direct-flame grilling
- People who often change pellet flavors
- Buyers who can get the 700D4E for only slightly more
Compare to Z Grills 700D4E Price
Alternatives to the Original Z Grills 700E and 700D
If you can’t get your hands on one of these original Z Grills models, or just want to see what paying a little more money could get you, here’s the best alternatives to consider.
Z Grills 700D4E
The 700D4E is the current upgraded version of this original 700-series design.
It keeps the same practical cabinet layout but adds WiFi, updated temperature controls and an easier way to empty the hopper.
Choose it if the price is close to the older 700D or you want the convenience of remote monitoring.
Other Value-Focused Pellet Smokers
The 700D is not automatically the best deal simply because it is an older model. Availability and pricing can move around substantially.
Before buying, I would compare it with the current recommendations in my guide to the best pellet smokers for the money.
That will show whether the remaining 700D price is genuinely competitive or whether a newer pellet smoker offers more for similar money.
Also, check out my round-up of the best Z Grills models currently being sold.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Z Grills 700E discontinued?
Yes. The original 700E is no longer part of the current Z Grills range.
The original 700D is essentially the same grill with a different lid color and may still be available through third-party retailers. Availability can change quickly because it is also an older model.
What is the difference between the Z Grills 700E and 700D?
The primary difference is the finish.
The 700E has a stainless-steel-colored lid, while the original 700D has a bronze-colored lid. Their cooking setup, controller, capacity and general performance are otherwise effectively the same.
Is the original Z Grills 700D still worth buying?
Yes, when it is meaningfully cheaper than the updated 700D4E.
The original design remains easy to use, cooks evenly at smoking temperatures and has proven durable in my long-term use. However, it does not make sense to pay close to the price of the newer model just to get remaining old stock.
Can the Z Grills 700E and 700D grill?
They can grill successfully, but all the heat is indirect.
Burger patties and chicken wings cooked well during my testing, with some light grill marks and good moisture retention. The grill takes close to 40 minutes to reach maximum heat, however, and it will not sear like a charcoal or direct-flame grill.
Does the Z Grills 700E have WiFi?
No. Neither the original 700E nor the original 700D has WiFi.
The built-in probes can display food temperatures on the controller, but you must walk out to the grill to check them. A separate wireless thermometer is an easy workaround.
How does the 700E perform in cold weather?
It can cook in cold weather, but its thinner, uninsulated body will lose more heat and use more pellets than a better-insulated grill.
A compatible thermal blanket can help. I would still consider another model if severe winter weather will be a regular part of how you use it.
Final Verdict
The Z Grills 700E and original 700D are no longer modern pellet smokers, but the fundamentals of the design have held up remarkably well.
They are easy to operate, hold low-and-slow temperatures evenly and produce consistently smoky, tender food. My original grill is still being used regularly after years of ownership, which says more about its quality than a long list of features could.
Buy the remaining 700D when the price reflects that it is an older model and you do not care about WiFi. When the cost is close to the newer 700D4E, choose the upgraded model instead.
Compare to Z Grills 700D4E Price
Kate Brown is the founder of Burning Brisket, where she shares hands-on smoker reviews, barbecue gear guides, and practical tips for backyard BBQ. She has cooked extensively on charcoal, pellet, electric, and kamado smokers, using real-world experience to help beginners choose the right equipment and make better barbecue at home. Her focus is honest, straightforward advice that makes smoking and grilling easier without unnecessary complexity.
