You’ve already decided that you’re getting a pellet grill. Who can blame you? It’s the modern evolution of the traditional charcoal grill. You get all the delicious smokey flavor in your meat without the inconvenience and mess caused by charcoal. Plus, pellet grills are incredibly versatile, allowing you to grill, roast, braise, and bake on it much to your stomach’s delight. Unfortunately, deciding what type of grill to buy is just the start of your battle. Now, you have to decide which pellet grill to get.
If you’ve done your research, then you already know that the competition is quite fierce between Traeger and Green Mountain. Each brand has a loyal fanbase which can make it difficult for anyone to make a choice between the two. Not to worry thought because we’ve got you covered. We’re going to give you enough background on these brands, so you can find out which one’s for you.
Now, in the world of pellet grills, only one name started it all – Traeger. They’ve been around since the 80s, the same time that Stranger Things is set. Yes, that long ago. But that doesn’t mean that Traeger has fallen behind the times. In fact, they’ve recently “revamped” their models to feature WiFi. Aside from this new evolution, there’s a lot of great things that can be said about Traeger. Their pellet grills come in a wide range of sizes and configurations to suit just about any outdoor chef. Plus, you can easily buy any of their models online.
Green Mountain Grills may be a relative newcomer (only since 2008) but they’ve had the edge in technology from the start. Their models feature WiFi as well which enables you to remotely control your pellet grill as needed via an app. Plus, their grills can reach a higher max temperature at 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Traeger grills only reach 500 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the model. Another great thing about this brand is that you can get their grills for a much lower price without the quality of the model suffering. You even get a meat probe along with the grill. The only drawback with this brand of grills is the smaller cooking capacity. Their grills offer less than 500 square inches of cooking space. Not a bad thing but for outdoor chefs who frequently feed their entire neighborhood, you may be hard-pressed to find a Green Mountain Grill that fits your needs.
Traeger TFB29LZA Junior Elite Pellet Grill vs Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill
- Sales Rank is8040
- Department:Lawn & Patio
- Weight:0 Hundredths Pounds
Our Summary Score: 9.4 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: The Traeger Junior Elite may be small but it’s mighty powerful. This little pellet grill is the perfect tailgating companion. It features the integrated Digital Elite Controller that allows you to set and maintain temperatures within +/- 20 degrees Fahrenheit. You can easily set the pellet grill to start cooking then go drink and be merry with your family and friends as you wait for the cooking session to end. It offers 300 square inches of cooking space provided by its porcelain enamel steel grates. You can fit as many as 12 burgers to feed yourself and your hungry horde. This pellet grill is as versatile as its big brothers. You can use it to grill, roast, bake, or braise your favorite foods. While this baby isn’t as light as the Davy Crockett Grill, it’s still quite portable due to its two legs and handle. Just make sure you use your truck to lug it around. However, one thing that we really dislike about this petite pellet grill is the hopper capacity. It can only hold a maximum of 8 lbs. It’s easy to run out of pellets during a long cooking session. While it’s not that big of a deal, having to refill the hopper means less convenience and a bit of babysitting on your end.
What about the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill then? First off, this is really a portable grill, especially if you compare it to the Junior Elite from Traeger. It’s THE pellet grill for those on-the-go. It features foldable legs that double as handles for easy transportation. It’s also just 57 pounds. Even better, when folded, you can easily fit this grill in the trunk of your car. Of course, that’s not why we love it. That’s just an added bonus. The best thing about this pellet grill is the presence of a digital WiFi controller that allows you to control and monitor your pellet grill through an app. No need to stay near it; you can spend your time having fun instead. In addition, the grill comes with a thermal sensor (called Sense-Mate) which monitors the temperature inside the cooking temperature constantly. You also get a meat probe, a convenience tray with utensil hooks, and a peaked lid that lets you grill chicken standing up if you want to. And you know what’s the icing on top of the cake? The price! It’s around $100 dollars cheaper. Yes, the Junior Elite has a slightly bigger cooking surface. But with all the bells and whistles you get with the Davy Crockett grill, it’s our preferred choice as best in this category.