When it comes to grilling, pellet grills and kamado grills are considered the best there is. Both enable even the most inexperienced of cooks to produce meats with the most delicious flavor. In addition, they’re the most versatile of grills. You can use either one to grill, roast, smoke, or bake your favorite meals. Despite these similarities, these two grills couldn’t be anymore different. One is a traditional charcoal grill that has a history that’s 3,000 years long. The other, a marvel of modern technology. But should that be the deciding factor on which one is the better grill for you and me? There’s already plenty of debate among BBQ enthusiasts. To give you a clearer view on things, we’ve created an unbiased comparison of both grills in general as well as one-on-one comparisons of models in the market. So, let’s start cracking!
Pellet grills are the epitome of set-it-and-forget-it. All of the models in the market feature advanced technology that allows you to set your desired temperature and time, then let the grill do the cooking for you. Some brands even feature WiFi which enables you to remotely control and monitor your grill while you Netflix and chill. You can choose from a variety of sizes to meet your cooking needs, from small portable ones for tailgating to extra large ones that are perfect for feeding the local football team. Plus, you get the wood fire flavor we all look for when eating homemade BBQ. However, pellet grills require electricity, have a limited high heat capacity, and has a lot of electrical components that can be inconvenient and expensive to repair or replace.
In comparison, kamado grills run on charcoal alone and they’re efficient in their consumption of fuel. They are able to provide authentic BBQ flavor that we all know and love. Your food will always be tender and moist. Due to its design and material, a kamado grill can reach really high temperatures (up to 700 degrees Fahrenheit) which makes it perfect for cooking pizza. Plus, they take up a small amount of space compared to pellet grills. However, this type of grill does come with drawbacks. Kamado grills can get very hot AND stay hot for a long time. It’s easy to increase the temperature but it is difficult to lower it back. If pellet grills are vulnerable due to their electrical components, kamado grills are vulnerable due to their ceramic construction. Plus, they’re incredibly heavy and hard to move around if you don’t have a cart. The biggest drawback to a kamado grill is cooking space. Yes, they come in several sizes but the biggest size only offers around 450 square inches of cooking space. You’ll need grill extenders and extra racks if you want to be able to cook more. For large gatherings, the biggest kamado grill probably won’t be enough.
1. Kamado Joe Classic II vs Green Mountain Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
- Sales Rank is91
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.5 points
Main Features
- Premium 18″ Ceramic Grill with Cast Iron Cart & Locking Wheels – The Kamado Joe Classic II gives the perfect cooking size of 18 inches along with its Premium cart that comes with the purchase of your grill, including locking casters and wheels.
- 2-Tier Divide & Conquer - Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System transforms the humble grill grate into the most powerful cooking tool in your arsenal. The revolutionary multi-level, half-moon design frees you to cook different foods in different styles at different temperatures—all at the same time
- Kontrol Tower Top Vent - Maintains consistent air setting for precise airflow management during dome opening and closing. Constructed of powder coated cast aluminum, the patent pending dual-adjustment top vent is rain resistant and allows you to smoke from 225F all the way to searing at 750F.
- Air Lift Hinge – The air lift hinge significantly reduces dome weight. The grill dome can be lifted with a single finger giving the most comfortable grilling experience there is.
- AMP (Advanced Multi-Panel) FireBox – The patent pending six-piece design eliminates breakage and increases grill efficiency.
- Sales Rank is8040
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:0 Hundredths Pounds
Our Summary Score: 8.5 points
Main Features
- Includes Sense-Mate, a thermal sensor which constantly monitors grill temperature
- Portable, Folded Legs Double as Handles
- 110V or 12V with adaptors for 3 Power Options
- Ultimate Tailgating Grill
Comparison 1: The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is a pellet grill perfect for tailgating. It only weighs 57 pounds and features foldable legs that function as handles to help you take it from point A to point B as easy as 1,2,3. It comes with a digital WiFi controller so you can control and monitor your cooking through an app. Just sit back and relax with your friends while Sense-Mate, its thermal sensor, does the monitoring for you. There’s even a meat probe and a convenience tray with utensil hooks. Plus, you can easily power it using a 12v battery if necessary using jumper cables. In comparison, the Kamado Joe Classic II isn’t exactly a portable option despite the presence of wheels. However, if you’re not planning on taking this tailgating, we can safely say that this baby’s the better choice. It has more cooking space (around 240 square inches vs 219 square inches). This grill also offers more versatility due to its 2-Tier Divide & Conquer Flexible Cooking System. It’s easy to clean and maintain due to the patented ash drawer. Plus, you can use it even when the weather’s cold and raining due to the mold- and rain-resistant Kontrol Tower Top Vent. The only drawback is that it costs more. But this Kamado Joe Grill will be an investment that you’ll never regret.
2. Pit Boss 71240 Kamado BBQ vs Pit Boss Grills 71820FB PB820FB BBQ Pellet Grill
- Sales Rank is335
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.5 points
Main Features
- Featuring a heavy ceramic body the kamado is the ideal environment for efficiently burning charcoal
- The cast iron top tamper gives you full control over air flow allowing you to set the perfect cooking temperature
- The solid bamboo side shelves are sturdy and fold down for easy storage
- Dual tier cooking grates provide even more space to make the most of the encapsulated heat
- Sales Rank is840
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 8.5 points
Main Features
Comparison 2: In this battle, we’ve pitted one Pit Boss against another. The Pit Boss Pellet Smoker is not your average pellet grill. It has a unique design that provides the outdoor chef with a flame broiler for open flame searing. Like most pellet grills, this model has a temperature range of 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. It comes with porcelain coated, cast-iron cooking grates that offer 820 square inches of cooking space. It also features a dial-in temperature control with an LED display, a grease bucket, two wheels, a smoke stack, and a bottom shelf for storage. In comparison, the Pit Boss 71240 Kamado BBQ Ceramic Grill Cooker has a smaller cooking space – only 662 square inches of two-tiered, stainless steel cooking grates. However, it’s heavy-duty ceramic exterior makes it effective in holding in heat and maintaining a steady temperature. Plus, it can reach temperatures as high as over 700 degrees Fahrenheit which makes it more versatile. The grill comes with a built-in cart with wheels for easy portability. In addition, the folding shelves give you extra prep space if needed. Overall, we’d say that the Pit Boss Kamado won this round.
3. Broil King 911470 Keg 5000 Charcoal Barbecue Grill vs Z GRILLS ZPG-7002E Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
- Sales Rank is794
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 9.5 points
Main Features
- DESIGNED FOR DURABILITY AND PERFORMANCE - the Keg features an insulated double-walled steel grill body that retains heat and moisture more efficiently than ceramic grills, won't absorb moisture and odors like ceramic, and will not crack like ceramic can
- COOK MORE, USE LESS CHARCOAL - with its insulated steel design, cast iron top damper, aluminum lower damper, and heavy duty gasket, the Keg uses up to 2X less charcoal than a typical charcoal grill/smoker, so you can spend more on food and less on fuel
- QUICK & EASY CLEAN UP - a removable steel ash catcher makes it quick and easy to clean out excess ash from your grill; unlike most kamado grills that require you to scrape them out, the tray keeps the ash contained so it doesn't end up all over your deck
- PACKED WITH EXTRAS - unlike many kamado grills the Keg 5000 comes out of the box with accessories that make it more functional: chrome swing-away secondary rack, detachable resin side shelves, mobility cart, and multi-tool are all included with this grill
- BUILT TO LAST - with a 10-year warranty on the grill body and a 2-year warranty on the remaining parts and paint, you can be confident that your Keg will be ready for years of cookouts and delicious, savory, smoky BBQ meals with your whole family
- Sales Rank is5
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:
Our Summary Score: 8.5 points
Main Features
- HUGE CAPACITY - Features 700 sq inches of grilling space that allows you to place all at once and cook efficiently. Great for Home, party, and tailgating.
- BUILT TO LAST - Sturdy construction equipped with a stronger stainless steel lid retains heat, resists corrosion, and makes the pellet grill long-lasting.
- PELLET GRILL TECHNOLOGY - Infuse your food with rich smoky flavor. Just put enough pellets into the hopper, pick your desired temperature and let Z Grills do the rest.
- 8-IN-1 VERSATILITY - Offers more versatility to smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, barbecue, and char-grill food with healthy wood pellet.
- SUPERIOR MOBILITY - Rugged wheels easily conquer any backyard terrain. Quickly roll your grill over snow, mud, sand, dirt, and any other terrain without break a sweat.
Comparison 3: The Z Grills 8-in-1 Grill & Smoker looks like most pellet grills we’ve come across. It’s very easy to use; it features a digital auto temperature control, real-time LED temperature display, and an electronic auto-start ignition. It has a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit and it mostly stays within 10 degrees of your desired temperature. With this pellet grill, you get to pack in as much food as you’ll need to feed your neighborhood since it comes with 700 square inches of cooking space. For a first pellet grill, you can’t go wrong with this one. However, if you’re choosing between this Z Grills model and the Broil King Keg 5000, we have to go with the kamado grill. Yes, it doesn’t have as much cooking space with only 280 sq. in. of primary cooking space (cast iron cooking grate) and 200 square inches of secondary cooking space (swing-out chrome rack). But it is very easy to use. You are provided precise control on the temperature of the grill through the presence of two Roto-Draft dampers. These have metered markings so you can easily remember your preferred settings whenever you’re at the grill. More importantly, this kamado grill is made of insulated double-walled steel. Not only does this ensure that your meats will remain full of flavor and juice, it ensures the grill’s durability anytime, anywhere. As an added bonus, the grill comes with a 10-year warranty on the body and a 2-year warranty on the remaining parts and paint. If you’re going to go for a grill, it’s best you get one that’s built to last.