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When you’re preparing food on your grill, many would argue that the smoky taste and aroma are the most appealing aspects of cooking out. However not all smoker grills offer these features, leaving many to settle with the charcoal experience.
Fortunately, you have options to turn to that ensure true BBQ goodness. Thanks to the innovative inventions, you can turn up the flavor of all of your recipes for an experience that rivals wood-fired grills.
Of course, if you’re like most people, you don’t have a lot of free time to research the various types of grills on the market today. That’s where we come in. We’ve narrowed down the top-performing built-in pellet grills for your consideration.
Best Built-in Pellet Grills
Memphis Grills Elite Built-in Pellet Grill
When it comes to the top of the list, our title goes to the Memphis Grills Elite VGB0002S, which comes ready with Wi-Fi to ensure that you can keep a watchful eye on your grill activity.
And when your food has reached the right temperature and is finished grilling, you’ll get text or email alerts letting you know it’s ready to eat. And just like its little brother, the VGB0002S lets you control it using an Intelligent Temperature Control.
As long as you have one mounted near the VGB0002S, you’ll be able to keep your grill in check. Even better, your ITC will lower the VGB0002S’s temperature when peak temperature has been reached.
This kind of accessibility and control is what makes Memphis Grills such a beloved grill manufacturer. If you’re serious about the quality of your food, you’ll want to give this company a look.
So, what is it that makes the Elite VGB0002S more expensive than the VGB0001S? For starters, it’s significantly larger. Whereas the VGB0001S provided you with 562 square inches of grilling room, the Elite VGB0002S increases that to a staggering 844 square inches.
If you’re one who frequently entertains a lot of guests or you have a large family to feed, this may very well be the perfect grilling solution to your needs. Searing makes a return to the Elite VGB0002S, as well, but with even more heat than what was offered by the Pro VGB0001S.
Rather than getting a maximum searing temperature of 650°F, you can now look forward to 700°F! That’s some serious heating capabilities. What’s more, the convection heating system ensures faster cooking, even heating, and no hot spots in the grill.
Another improvement is the hopper area. Instead of 9-pound capacities in each auger, the Elite VGB0002S’s dual-augers hold 12 pounds of pellets for a total of 24 pounds of pellets! Enjoy continuous grilling action for 36 solid hours!
There is a considerable price increase to invest in the Elite VGB0002S. But when you factor in all of the extra perks, you’re looking at what many consider to be the king of built-in pellet grills. We find it hard to argue that point. However, we’re taking the VGB0002S down a notch due to its high price tag.
Unless you have a lot of guests to feed, you can likely get away with the Pro VGB0001S. It’s plenty spacious and delivers a stellar grilling experience from top to bottom.
Weight: 235 pounds
Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets
Best Features: Powerful heating
Louisiana Grills Estate 860B
Spacious grilling area? Check. Lots of grilling options? Check. High-temperature capabilities? Check. Louisiana Grills’ Estate Series 860BI delivers all of the notable features you’d hope to find in a built-in pellet grill – and then some.
Plus, if you don’t want to invest in a higher-priced grill such as the two previous entries, you’ll save a considerable amount of money by opting for the 860BI. But don’t let the lower price deter you from having a look.
The Estate Series 860BI offers many of the same conveniences and features found in more expensive units. Thanks to the versatile design of the 860BI, not only can you grill your food but also sear, smoke, braise, bake, and char-grill it.
With so many options to choose from, you can be sure to satisfy every guest’s needs. The build quality of the Estate Series 860BI is also on par with Memphis Grills’ units. Made with 304 stainless steel, the 860BI looks like a beauty yet is tough as a beast.
You’re also afforded an impressive amount of grilling space to hone your craft. In the main grilling area, you get 579 square inches of room. However, there’s also an additional upper rack built into the main level. This adds another 281 square inches, giving you a grand total of 860 square inches of grilling space.
And then there’s the heat. This baby can reach a searing-hot temperature of 600°F. But this amount of heat can only go so far on its own. You need an integrated fan system to ensure heat is evenly distributed throughout the grilling area.
Louisiana Grills has that covered. With the Estate Series 860BI comes a powerful proprietary exhaust that does precisely that, keeping your food perfectly prepared from the inside out. Smoking is consistent and provides robust flavor throughout your recipes.
We’re also fans of the electric igniter with auto-start. Simply activate the starter and let the 860BI take care of the rest. Your pellets are fed through automatically, so you don’t have to keep going back to check on them. This lets you focus on your food and spend more time with your friends and family.
If you’ve been hoping to nab a built-in pellet grill with a massive hopper, you’re going to appreciate the Estate Series 860BI. Its hopper supports up to 28 pounds of pellets at any given time, ensuring long-lasting grilling without interruption.
And thanks to the included Digital Control Center, you can set the desired temperature you want, and the grill will automatically maintain it throughout the grilling process. Louisiana Grills includes a handy meat probe that helps prevent possible overcooking. Plus, the lid comes with its own built-in thermometer.
With it, you’ll be sure to get perfect grilling every time. And when it’s time to clean up, a removable grease tray helps eliminate mess by catching run-off.
Weight: 194 pounds
Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets
Best Features: Massive hopper
Coyote 36-Inch Built-in Pellet Grill
Coyote rounds out our reviews with a built-in pellet grill that delivers the functionality, versatility, and luxury of a high-end oven range – but for the outdoors! As a luxury pellet grill, the coyote 36-inch built in pellet grill represents its title well.
On the face of the unit is an intuitive color touchscreen display. From here, you have full control over the performance and operation of your pellet grill. You can easily adjust the internal grilling temperature to your liking with the gentle tap of the screen.
The touchscreen display is bright and responsive, ensuring that you can clearly see what you’re doing while delivering accurate commands every time. The system is a breeze to learn, thanks to its simple yet inviting design.
We had no problem jumping right in and putting it to work. It offers a natural functionality that complements outdoor grilling for an easy yet enjoyable experience. What’s more, the C1P36 is built like a tank, with attractive yet highly-durable 304 stainless steel surrounding the unit.
Moreover, the hood is double-walled and lined with a gasket to trap heat for maximum grilling efficiency. You also get a convenient Smart Drop system that automatically feeds your pellets so you can focus on your food.
And although the hood is a heavy part of the C1P36 pellet grill, a built-in spring system makes opening and closing it a walk in the park. Coyote also included a wind guard to keep drafts from interrupting your grilling experience.
The Coyote C1P36 is capable of supporting up to 15 pounds of pellets at any given time. As such, you don’t have to worry about having to stop every so often to feed your grill. The dual-auger system accepts a wide variety of wood types, too, so you’ve got plenty of options to work with to keep your grill ignited.
Inside the grill, things get even better. Laser-cut cooking grates line the grilling area to provide your food with perfect sear marks. Not only that, but you’re treated to an additional Versa-Rack system, allowing you to expand the C1P36’s warming rack.
In doing so, you’ll have even more surface area to grill your meals. Converting the pellet grill from smoking mode to searing mode is made easy thanks to the included removal tool and interchangeable burn pot grates.
As with any luxury grill, you can look forward to getting the added benefit of a precision convection system. The Coyote C1P36 comes equipped with a dual-fan exhaust that allows you to cook with temperatures as high as 700°F. Searing has never been so easy!
Also included are three temperature probes, which allow you to easily monitor the internal food temperature via the digital control panel. And to further assist with keeping an eye on your food, the C1P36 features an interior grill light, as well as an LED temperature probe portlight.
Thanks to this handy addition, you can now grill in any environment. If you like to host events that extend into the cover of night, the Coyote C1P36 ensures that you’ll have plenty of light to grill in comfort.
Weight: 216 pounds
Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets
Best Features: Incredible heating
Memphis Grills Pro VGB0001S
The Memphis Grills Pro Series VGB0001S is made out of heavy-duty 304 stainless steel, giving you a tough and durable pellet grill that is built to last.
What’s more, it comes armed with 8mm stainless steel cooking rods for added strength and resiliency. All combined, you can look forward to the VGB0001S retaining heat better than lesser grills, as well as providing you with lasting longevity.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of the VGB0001S is that it comes equipped with built-in Wi-Fi technology. Why is this important? Because you can control your grill from afar via the free Memphis Mobile App (available for both iOS and Android smart devices).
Having the freedom to operate your grill while you mingle with friends and family is something that couldn’t be done until recently. Furthermore, you can set up the app to send you personalized alerts so you can keep a closer eye on your food.
And if you have an Intelligent Temperature Control system mounted near the grill, you can freely operate your unit that way, as well. Memphis Grills throws in a 10-foot wire to assist you in connecting your ITC system with the Pro Series VGB0001S built-in pellet grill.
Thanks to the clever and handy ITC system, your grill will automatically lower its heating temperature when it reaches your desired setting. These kinds of conveniences make the Pro Series VGB0001S the ideal pellet grill for the cook who wants to stay on the cutting edge of technology.
When using the Pro Series VGB0001S, your pellets ignite automatically upon being loaded into the burn pot. That means you don’t have to wrestle with heating your pellets and can get straight to grilling.
Not only that, but this grill comes equipped with two auto-feed augers. Each bin holds 9 pounds of pellets for a total of 18 pounds of pellets at any given time. That equals 36 hours of continuous grilling!
Heating is accomplished through a combination of wood pellets and dual-fan convection. This system works to distribute heat evenly throughout the grill, ensuring that your food is cooked to perfection every time.
Inside the main grilling area is an impressive 562 square inches of space, giving you tons of room to prepare and complete your masterpieces. What’s more, you’ll be assisted by the fan convection system, as it helps to cook food faster while eliminating rogue hot spots in the grilling area.
Are you looking for a built-in pellet grill that can sear? Memphis Grills has you covered, as the VGB0001S is capable of reaching a maximum temperature of 650°F thanks to an included Direct Flame Insert.
For added convenience, you also get a Genie Multi-Tool included with the VGB0001S, making it a breeze to remove your piping hot recipes when they’re ready to come off of the grill. You can even use this tool to keep the Pro Series grill spotless.
Yes, you’ll spend a pretty penny on the Pro Series VGB0001S. But you’re afforded some of the best luxuries a grill has to offer. If you want one of the very best built-in pellet grills available, you’ll definitely want to give Memphis Grills a look.
Weight: 175 pounds
Fuel Type: Hardwood pellets
Best Features: 18-pound capacity hopper
What to Look for in a Built-in Pellet Grill
The use of pellets as a fuel source is a revolutionary concept that works wonders to bring flavor to your recipes. And when you combine pellets with accurate temperature controls, you get a grilling experience unlike any other.
Sure, the end result is on par with wood-fired grills. But grilling your food with built-in pellet grills is something you won’t soon forget. Depending on your needs, you’ll be able to BBQ, grill, bake, smoke, and even sear with some grill models.
What’s more, the consistency of built-in pellet grills ensures that all of your foods come out evenly heated and thoroughly cooked. You can’t always say this about charcoal or propane. As such, built-in pellet grills are in a league of their own.
Let’s look at some essential factors you’re going to want to consider to ensure that you end up investing in the best unit for your grilling needs.
Configuration
Pellet grills come in all sorts of shapes and sizes. And with them are many different features, ranging from built-in Wi-Fi to automatic temperature settings. If you like to latest and greatest that technology has to offer, you’re likely going to want a luxury pellet grill.
These models are rich in features to ensure a comprehensive and complete grilling experience. With add-ons like Wi-Fi, you can adjust your pellet grill’s temperature from your smartphone! Now that’s handy!
What’s more, you typically get the added bonus of significant grilling space to prepare your meals. If you often serve a lot of guests, you’re probably going to want to stick with a luxury pellet grill just for the sheer amount of things you can accomplish.
That said, there are plenty of premium models that provide you with a lot of grilling space to hone your craft. Moreover, you can find units that are made to the highest standard, offering incredible durability and resiliency.
Even practical pellet grills have a lot to offer. You might not get the same bells and whistles on higher-end models, but you can be sure to get everything you need to deliver a smoky-rich dish. And even practical pellet grills have the ability to sear if you find the right model.
Grilling Area
This is going to be the most important part of a pellet grill for many people. Having a lot of grilling space is essential when you have a lot of mouths to feed. If you often host family gatherings or cookouts, you’re definitely going to want to check out pellet grills with plenty of square inches.
Conversely, if you just want a high-quality pellet grill to put dinner on the table throughout the week, you don’t necessarily need a lot of grilling space. You should easily be able to get by with a smaller unit.
Ask yourself how often you have guests over and gauge your family’s need for freshly-grilled meals. In doing so, you should have a pretty good idea as to how much grilling area you need. And because pellets grills famously work in cold weather, you and your family can enjoy exceptionally grilled foods all year long!
Build Quality
We know how important it is to invest in a pellet grill that will stand the test of time. After all, no one wants to buy a grill, only to have to replace it in a couple of years. Your grill needs to last, and you can ensure that by purchasing a unit that is made with premium materials.
That’s why we included only pellet grills with tough, durable bodies. As you’ll see below in our reviews, these units feature stainless steel to ensure lasting quality and performance. Sure, you can always save money on upfront costs and invest in a lesser unit made with cheap components. But you’re putting yourself at risk of breakage.
It’s better to invest in a high end unit now and save money in the long run. You’ll spend a little more upfront, but you won’t have to turn around and buy a whole new unit in a couple of years.
Temperature
The maximum temperature of your grill dictates what kind of food you can prepare and how quickly. If you want to sear your food, for example, you’re going to need a pellet grill that is capable of reaching higher temperatures.
As you will see below, the best built-in pellet grills are capable of reaching temperatures of 600°F to 700°F. With that kind of heat at your disposal, you’ll be able to prepare a litany of different dishes – and in record time!
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Final Thoughts
As you can see, the best built-in pellet grills have a lot to offer. Which model you ultimately choose will depend on what kind of features you need, how many people you plan on serving, and how you like to grill your food.
With the options we included above, you can trust that you’re investing in a quality unit that will serve you well for years to come.
