Z Grills is one of the fastest growing pellet smoker manufacturers of 2023!
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.
Before selling direct to customers, Z Grills were actually manufacturing pellet smokers for several other top brands. And, their 30+ years of experience shows. In fact, there hasn’t been any other smoker manufacturer that’s exceeded our expectations as much as Z Grills has.
Yes, their range doesn’t have all the bells and whistles of some of the more expensive pellet smokers on the market. None of their models have WiFi if that’s a must-have for you either. But, there’s no denying that Z Grills produce solid smokers that well out-perform their price tag.
One other thing that’s definitely helping with their success is that Z Grills are constantly listening to customer feedback, regularly releasing updated models with new features for increased performance and user-friendliness.
So, 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 reviews. We cover our experience, user feedback, the specs, and, similarities and differences between the different Z Grills models to help you choose the one that’s right for you.
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Table of Contents
A Quick Tip About Z Grills Model Numbers
There’s a lot of different Z Grills models now, all with different number and letter combinations to identify them.
And, while it’s not 100% consistent across their range, following this guide will give you a quick idea of what the model you’re looking at includes:
- Number e.g. 450, 700, 1000 roughly refers to the size of the grill in square inches
- 2 on the end of the size number part shows it’s a model without a built in cart, legs only
- E stainless steel lid
- B is often a black-colored version
- D is often a bronze-colored version
Note: You can also check out Z Grills easy comparison feature to see what the similarities and differences are between up to 3 models at a time.
Z Grills Reviews: The Complete 2022 Range
Z Grills 450B and 450A
Taking it’s place as the smallest of the Z Grills range is the ever-popular 450B.
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.
But, being smaller in size doesn’t mean you have to forgo the features. No, the 450B has the 2022 upgraded PID 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 is small but mighty and perfect for individuals, couples, small families, or, throwing on the back of your truck for tailgating, camping or a friendly cook-off.
Thrown into it’s low price, you also get the weatherproof cover. It’s a great deal!
If you’re looking at the 450A, it’s the 2020 version of the 450B. It looks a little different but has the same cooking and hopper size specs and still has a PID controller. You do get a front and side shelf for workspace. But, there’s no pellet hopper window, clean out door or locking castors.
Specs for the Z Grills ZPG-450B and 450A Pellet Smoker
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 459 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 15 lbs
Heat Range: 180-450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 450B / 450A
Assembled size (in): 43 L × 24 W × 47 H / 45 L × 28 W × 49 H
Weight: 75 lbs / 84 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 450B and 450A
- Precise PID temperature controller keeps the heat within +/- 5°F of your target
- Great for smaller families with enough space left for entertaining
- 450B has a manual feed button to heat the grill up faster after opening the lid
- Hopper window on the 450B lets you see when the pellets are low easily
- Hopper cleanout door on the 450B makes it fast to empty the pellets for storage or to change flavors
- Includes a waterproof cover
Z Grills 5502G and 5502H
Sizing up just a little from the Z Grills 450B, the 5502G and 5502H look a little different but have pretty much the same specs.
Holding 553 square inches of cooking space split over 2 racks, you’re looking at being able to fit 3 chickens, 4 racks of ribs or 22 burger patties on here. But, keep in mind, the pellet hopper is a little smaller than it is on the 450B. It only holds 10 pounds of pellets instead of 15. That’ll give you about 10 hours of smoke time without having to fill up. We think it’s enough for us, but, it’s worth mentioning that the hopper’s a bit smaller than you might expect.
Other than that, both the 5502G and 5502H have a precise PID temperature controller which does a great job at keeping the heat within about 5°F of your target. Because of that, the consistency of this smoker is spot on and it’s easy to recreate those perfect ribs again when you’ve got friends around.
There’s no storage cabinet on these models. But, the 5502G has a handy timber front shelf that matches nicely with it’s new, modern look.
Also note that the 5502G and 5502H models don’t come with a rain cover. It is available separately though.
Specs for the Z Grills 5502G and 5502H
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 553 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 10 lbs
Heat Range: 180°F – 450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 5502G / 5502H
Assembled size (in): 49 L × 24 W × 51 H / 47 L × 24 W × 48 H
Weight: 85 / 77 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 5502G and 5502H:
- PID temperature controller gives excellent temperature control for easily repeatable results
- Very reasonable cooking capacity for individuals, couples or smaller families
- Front table on the 5502G is a live-saver when you don’t have anywhere else to put trays while you get meat in/out and wrap it
- Low price
Cons of the Z Grills 5502G and 5502H:
- Doesn’t come with the grill cover
- Smaller pellet hopper capacity than the 450B even though it holds more food
Z Grills 700D4E (700D3) and 700D2
The 700D4E is THE current best-selling pellet smoker by Z Grills. With a more durable stainless steel lid, a sizeable 697 square inches of cooking space, double wall insulation, a large 20 pound pellet hopper, 2 meat probes, grease management system, and, storage cabinet, the value that’s packed into this model is simply unbeatable!
Coming in at a red hot price, the 700D4E also has the 2021 updated PID temperature controller for reliably accurate temperature control within about 5°F, a manual feed button for faster heating, and, a fan-forced convection system that helps to regulate the temperature from one side of the grill to the other.
It’s seriously unbeatable value for money! And, it well-outperforms all our expectations for a pellet smoker with this price tag.
But, if the 700D4E is a bit of a stretch budget-wise, you do have the option of the slightly cheaper 700D2 as well. The 700D2 has all the same features and specs. The only difference is it’s black powder-coated lids instead of the stainless steel. No, it’s not quite as durable as the stainless. But, it’s still very good quality and should see you through a lot of seasons of amazing meals.
Specs for the Z Grills 700D4E and 700D2
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 697 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 20 lbs
Heat Range: 180°F – 450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 700D4E (was known as 700D3) / 700D2
Assembled size (in): 48 L × 22 W × 51 H
Weight: 132 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 700D4E and 700D3:
- Precise temperature control thanks to PID-based system
- Convection fans circulate heat for even distribution throughout the cooking chamber
- Side-wall insulation for improved fuel efficiency, especially in cooler weather conditions
- Comes with 2 meat probes that plug into the controller for accurate information on how cooked your meat is
- Grease management system funnels fats into bucket efficiently
- Pellet hopper cleanout door lets you empty and change flavors easily
- Manual feed button lets you choose if you want to heat it up faster after opening the lid
- Large storage cabinet
- Price includes rain cover
Cons of the Z Grills 700D4E and 700D2:
- No WiFi for remote control is pretty much the only criticism we can give this smoker. And, it’s not a feature we think is that important in what’s a set and forget smoker anyway. But, some people do like the feature
Z Grills 7002C2E (7002F2) and 7002F
Another popular option that’s almost the same as the 700D4E bestseller is this, the Z Grills 7002C2E.
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.
It’s still got the same 697 square inches of cooking space, enough to fit 29 burgers, 5 rib racks or 5 whole chickens. The PID temperature controller keeps tight control of the heat for consistently great results, there’s a manual feed button to get the temp up faster after opening the lid, and, two meat probes take the guess work out of knowing when the meat’s perfectly cooked.
Ideal as an all-round family smoker, the 7002C2E is so easy to use, and, durable enough to see you through a lot of years of everyday meals and entertaining.
The 7002F option has a bronzed, powder-coated lid for anyone wanting an even-cheaper alternative that still ticks all the boxes. It’s unbelievable value and the results you’ll get on it are truly outstanding.
Plus, the waterproof cover is included with both color options.
Specs for the Z Grills 7002C2E and 7002F
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 697 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 24 lbs
Heat Range: 180°F – 450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 7002C2E (was known as 7002F2) / 7002F
Assembled size (in): 48 L × 26 W × 51 H
Weight: 113 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 7002C2E and 7002F:
- Great price for a well-sized smoker that’s got a lot of features
- Upgraded PID temperature controller gives you confidence in it’s reliability
- Convectional cooking creates a remarkably even temperature throughout the cooking chamber for consistent results from one side to the other
- Manual feed button pushes pellets into the firepot faster to get it back up to temperature quickly after opening the lid
- Includes 2 meat probes so you can monitor exactly when your meat is cooked
- Pellet hopper window and clean-out door lets you see and change pellets easily
- Comes with waterproof rain cover
Cons of the Z Grills 7002C2E and 7002F:
- There’s no storage space or working shelves
- Unlike the 700D4E, there’s no side wall insulation for better fuel efficiency in cooler conditions. But, you can get a separate thermal cover for these models
Z Grills 700E, 700D, 7002E and 7002B
The Z Grills 700E, 700D, 7002E and 7002B are the 2020 versions of the updated 700D4E.
So, while you’re looking at the same amount of cooking space, there’s no PID temperature controller, side-wall insulation, or hopper clean out. Don’t get us wrong, it’s still a great grill! We use ours regularly and the results are even better than some more expensive brands we’ve used. But, you’re looking at what’s a little bit more basic technology.
Even though it’s not a PID controller, the temperature stays remarkably stable in the 700E. The heat level from one side of the grill to the other is virtually the same, and, it’s never so much as skipped a beat over the years that we’ve owned one.
The 20 pound pellet hopper will give you around about 20 hours of cooking time. Plus, there’s two meat probes and a protective cover included in the one great price.
The 700D is a little cheaper than the 700E because of it’s powder-coated, not stainless steel lid. And, the 7002E and 7002B options will save you a bit more cash if you’re happy with the open storage rack instead of the closed in cabinet.
Specs for the Z Grills 700E, 700D, 7002E and 7002B
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel with stainless steel lids
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 697 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 20 lbs
Temperature Range: 180°F – 450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 700E / 700D / 7002E / 7002B
Dimensions: 48 L × 22 W × 51 H
Weight: 144 lbs / 112 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 700E, 700D, 7002E and 7002B:
- Very even temperature distribution across the grill means you don’t need to worry about some meat being done earlier than others
- Good cooking capacity suits most families with space for entertaining
- Large pellet hopper lets you smoke for about 20 hours without needing to top it up
- Options for more durable stainless steel lid, with or without the enclosed storage cabinet gives you flexibility with budget
Cons of the Z Grills 700E, 700D, 7002E and 7002B:
- Standard temperature controller varies a bit more than the updated PID on the newer 700D4E. But, we’re talking +/-20°F instead of 5, it’s not huge
- No easy way to get the pellets out
- No side-wall insulation like on the newer 700D4E. But, there’s an insulation blanket available
Z Grills 1000E, 1000D, 10002E and 10002B
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.
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. And, it’s going to be easy too.
Although there’s no 2021 PID update of the 1000E yet, we’ve found the temperature control to be very good. You can expect the it to stay within about 20°F of where you’ve set it. There’s a 20 pound pellet hopper which will give you about 20 hours of unassisted smoking time. And, there’s surprisingly little temperature variance from one side of this smoker to the other, so you don’t need to worry about hot spots and cooking time variances.
One other great thing about these models is the easy ash cleanout system. You simply pull the lever under the firebox and it’ll all dump out, without having to take the racks out.
With a choice of regular powder-coated or stainless steel lids, and an enclosed storage cabinet or not, there’s plenty of options to fit your budget if big is what you need to get.
Specs for the Z Grills 1000E, 1000D, 10002E and 10002B
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel with stainless steel lids
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 1,043 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 20 lbs
Temperature Range: 180°F – 450°F
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model: 1000E / 1000D / 10002E / 10002B
Dimensions: 54 L × 29 W × 53 H
Weight: 110 lbs / 95 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills 1000E, 1000D, 10002E and 10002B:
- Great temperature control and regulation across the grill for an even and effortless cook
- Very large cooking capacity suits larger families or those who love to entertain
- Large pellet hopper gives you around 20 hours of unassisted smoking time
- Lots of options for stainless steel or powder coated finishes, with, or without the storage cabinet to suit your needs and budget
Cons of the Z Grills 1000E, 1000D, 10002E and 10002B:
- Doesn’t have the ability to plug meat probes directly into the controller. So, you’ll need to get a separate meat thermometer if you want to know exactly when your meat is ready
- Regular temperature controller does mean the temperature will fluctuate more than it does on the newer PID models. But, we’re talking about +/-20°F instead of 5, so, it’s not a huge difference
- There’s no pellet hopper emptying door
Z Grills L600D3E, L600D, L6002E and L6002B
Now, the Z Grills 600 Series is a bit special. Because, although you can grill with indirect high heat on the rest of the Z Grills range, the L600D3E, L600D, L6002E and L6002B all have direct flame access so you can grill right over the pellet wood fire.
It’s a feature that definitely takes grilling on a pellet smoker to the next level. But, in order to get the direct flame grilling, you’ve only got one size option across the whole range. And, it’s a smaller 572 square inch cooking capacity. That’s enough to do 4 chickens, 5 racks of ribs, or, 24 burgers on it’s two racks.
If you’re grilling over the direct flame, remember that you can only use the bottom rack, so it reduces the total cooking space to 332 square inches.
The pellet hopper’s also smaller too, holding 8 pounds of pellets. That means you’re looking at refilling after about 8 hours of low and slow smoking, or, more frequently if using high heat.
But, performance is superb. 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.
The L600D3E and L600D models have a built in storage cabinet. And, while it looks like it might, the L6002E and L6002B just has a front plate with a bottom shelf that can be accessed from around the side.
Overall, all the options are great value for a direct flame pellet smoker. And, although the legs don’t fold, the 600 Series is compact enough to fit on the back of your truck while being rugged enough to handle a bit more abuse if you’re using it as a portable pellet smoker.
Specs for the Z Grills L600D3E, L600D, L6002E and L6002B
Barbecue material: Powder-coated steel with stainless steel lids
Grate material: Porcelain-coated steel
Cooking capacity: 572 sq. in.
Pellet hopper capacity: 8 lbs
Temperature Range: 180°F – 450°F for smoking, up to 750 °F in direct flame mode
WiFi: No
Fuel type: Wood pellets
Model:L600D3E / L600D / L6002E / L6002B
Dimensions: 46 L × 21 W × 49 H / 46 L × 22 W × 48 H
Weight: 84 lbs / 73 lbs
Warranty: 3 years
Pros of the Z Grills L600D3E, L600D, L6002E and L6002B:
- PID temperature controller for precise heat management
- Direct flame mode lets you grill over high heat up to 750 °F
- Sturdy and more compact design that can handle the tougher life of being a portable smoker
- Stainless steel vs powder-coated and cabinet vs no cabinet options give you a range of options to suit your budget
- Built in side shelf gives more working space
Cons of the Z Grills L600D3E, L600D, L6002E and L6002B:
- Smaller capacity than most of the Z Grills range
- Legs don’t actually fold if you’re looking at it as a portable option
- No easy way to get unused pellets out of the hopper. But, it’s smaller so faster to burn through them
