Best Pellet Grills for Searing
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Are you looking for the best pellet grill for searing? If so, then you’ve come to the right place.
You’ll find various pellet grills designed to provide you with the best searing experience. But what makes a good pellet grill for searing?
Let’s find out!
Best Pellet Grills for Searing: Quick Summary
- Camp Chef Woodwind With Sear Box
- Pit Boss Navigator 1150
- Weber SmokeFire EX4
- Green Mountain Davy Crockett
- Pit Boss Sportsman 1230 Combo
Camp Chef Woodwind With Sear Box
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Camp Chef Woodwind is our top pick for the best pellet grills for searing. This grill ensures that your meat is perfectly cooked with a sear box attachment.
You can use the searing box without electricity because a propane tank powers it. High-temperature grilling is possible because the stainless steel burner can reach 900 degrees Fahrenheit.
The heavy gauge cast iron grates are ideal for slow smoking or searing in addition to their high-quality construction features. It features a PID controller, which regulates the temperature automatically.
You can control this pellet smoker thanks to its Bluetooth and Wi-Fi features. Cooking temperatures can be adjusted from 175 degrees Fahrenheit to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, and food can be monitored remotely using data from the meat probes.
The Slide and Grill technology enables direct flame grilling at temperatures as high as 650 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pros
- Sear Box
- Direct flame grilling
- Simple ash cleanout
- Wi-Fi controller
- Four meat probes are included.
Cons
- Pricey
Pit Boss Navigator 1150
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Pit Boss Navigator 1150 has a Slide Plate Flame Broiler, so you can open the drip tray to sear on the direct flame.
It is a terrific alternative for those who want excellent searing or grilling on a pellet smoker. Despite this, there is no propane-powered attachment, so you must cook on the same cooking grate.
The heavy-gauge steel construction of the Pit Boss Navigator is a plus. It provides excellent heat retention and durability.
In contrast to the Camp Chef Woodwind, the Navigator has a standard temperature gauge, resulting in slightly more significant temperature fluctuations.
Having a smokey flavor is a bonus for those who prefer a more robust flavor in their meat.
You’ll have plenty of room to work with the front and side shelves.
Unlike the Camp Chef, it doesn’t have Wi-Fi connectivity and has fewer meat probes. However, it’s a reasonably priced smoker for a high-quality piece of equipment.
Overall, the Navigator is a good pellet grill that does an excellent job of both low and slow smoking and high heat searing.
Pros
- Direct flame grilling
- Durable construction
- Large cooking space
- 32-pound hopper capacity
- Pellet door cleanout
Cons
- Temperature fluctuations
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
Weber SmokeFire EX4
Last update on 2024-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Weber represents excellent value and exceptional quality.
When it comes to quality and durability, the Weber SmokeFire EX4 is better than other pellet grills for searing.
In outdoor grilling, having an LCD to monitor the process and Wi-Fi access so that you can stay connected is essential.
This wood-fired pellet grill can reach temperatures of up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. You can sear and grill your meat to perfection.
An enamel coating on the Weber SmokeFire ensures it can withstand harsh weather conditions. In addition, this feature helps to prevent any corrosion that might occur if your Weber grill gets wet.
The SmokeFire EX4 comes with an ash and grease drawer, making cleanup even more effortless.
Pros
- High-quality construction
- Maximum 600 Fahrenheit degrees
- Large capacity hopper
- Low maintenance cleaning
- Weber Connect app
Cons
- Pricey
- Too many flare-ups
Green Mountain Davy Crockett
Last update on 2024-06-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
When it comes to camping and tailgating, the Green Mountain Davy Crockett is a top choice. It is due to the grill’s lighter weight and smaller size than other pellet barbecues.
The design of the Davy Crockett is excellent, making it simple to operate.
You’ll find it convenient because of the tray with utensil hooks. Additionally, you receive a grease drip tray and a meat probe for temperature control.
You can purchase an additional grease tray with open flame technology to get the perfect sear.
It’s a portable barbecue that’s great for those who enjoy the outdoors. Even in the tiniest of areas, you can set it up and operate it efficiently thanks to its modest footprint.
Only 256 square inches of grilling space makes it inconvenient for large parties or families. But it is ideal for gatherings of up to three people.
You can keep track of the grilling process via Wi-Fi connectivity, which is another helpful feature.
Smoking meats at low temperatures for extended periods may be difficult due to inconsistent temperature regulation.
Aside from that, it’s a great deal for first-time purchasers. The Green Mountain Davy Crockett weighs only 68 lbs. You can use it wherever you want to without needing a lot of space to carry it.
Pros
- Affordable
- Portable for camping and tailgating
- Wi-Fi controller
Cons
- Small cooking space
Pit Boss Sportsman 1230 Combo
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’re hesitant to buy a single pellet smoker that claims to be able to do everything, consider a pellet and gas combo grill instead, such as the Pit Boss Sportsman 1230 Combo.
With 630 square inches of wood-smoked cooking space on one side, you can set it and forget it. Another 630 square inches is available for grilling and searing on the other side of the grill.
This robust and long-lasting pellet grill gives you the best of both worlds.
On the pellet side, a sizeable 21-pound hopper powers a standard temperature controller, and there are two meat probes to check on your cooking progress.
For the gas grilling side, three separate burners add up to 30,000 BTUs. The cooking area is divided into two cooking grates, the same as the smoking side.
The top is suitable for warming food or side dishes, but you can only grill on just over 300 square inches of space.
The Pit Boss Sportsman 1230 Combo provides a powerful grilling experience with wood pellets and gas. You can enjoy the flavor of natural wood while having the convenience of gas grilling.
Pros
- Pellet and gas combo
- Excellent cooking capacity
- Large pellet hopper
- Two Pit Boss meat probes are included
Cons
- No Wi-Fi connectivity
- It’s a fairly large grill.
How to Pick the Best Searing Pellet Grills?
Unlike other grills, a pellet grill uses wood to cook food instead of gas or charcoal. Here are a few things to keep in mind while looking for the best pellet grill for searing meats.
Temperature Range
Pellet grills typically have temperature ranges that don’t allow for proper searing. They are your best option if you’re looking for a smoky flavor in your food.
A wide range of temperatures can be reached on most pellet grills, from 150 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. It would be best if you had a temperature of 500 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit to get a decent sear.
Temperature Control
Your pellet grill should be able to reach the appropriate maximum temperature while you’re searing your meat. It will make sure that your food always gets a good sear.
Temperature settings on a pellet grill can help you ensure that your food is cooked to the correct level of doneness. In general, getting a grill with digital temperature control is preferable.
Cooking Space
You should consider the cooking space if you cook for a large group or have a small patio or deck.
The amount of cooking space within a pellet grill may easily be measured by the grill’s size. Typically, this measurement is given in square inches.
It would help if you had a pellet grill with at least 400 square inches of cooking space for a family of four. Cooking space needs to be 600 to 700 square inches if you have a big family.
Some pellet grills have a cooking area of more than 800 square inches.
Maintenance
Many pellet grills for searing have features such as ash control systems, grease management, etc. These features make cleaning and maintaining your grill easier.
Cooking Grates
If you want to sear meat on a pellet grill, we suggest looking at models that feature cast iron cooking grates.
Cast iron maintains heat better than stainless steel and heats up much faster than stainless steel. It’s possible to sear food as soon as it’s placed on the grill grates if the grill has reached the proper temperature.
In addition to preventing meals from sticking to the grate, the cast iron construction also makes flipping food easier.
Is Purchasing a Pellet Grill for Searing Worth It?
Although there is a discussion regarding whether or not pellet grills can effectively sear, most grill enthusiasts think investing in a pellet grill for searing is well worth the money.
Their versatility, usability, and ease of maintenance make them extremely popular.
Why Are Some Pellet Grills Better Than Others at Searing?
As a general guideline, the surface temperature of the cooking grate should be at least 450 degrees Fahrenheit when searing food.
Because early versions could only barely reach 450 degrees, pellet grills have had a bad reputation for grilling and searing.
Maximum Temperature on Pellet Grills
Pellet grills with a maximum temperature setting of at least 500 degrees are becoming more common. It includes grills from the popular Traeger Grills, such as the Ironwood Series and the second generation of the Pro Series.
You may get a pellet grill with a maximum temperature of 500 degrees at a lower price point from brands like Camp Chef and Pit Boss.
The Weber SmokeFire, on the other hand, has a maximum temperature setting of 600 degrees.
How to Improve Searing Performance on a Pellet Grill?
There is a product called GrillGrate available on the market that you can use to improve the searing performance of these pellet grills.
The GrillGrate is made of hard-anodized aluminum panels that fit together and sit on top of the cooking grate you already have.
They have a more significant surface area to absorb heat from the pellet fire and can make the cooking surface 100–200 degrees hotter.
Last update on 2024-06-10 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
When looking for the best pellet grill for searing, you should check the maximum temperature setting, such as 500 or 600 degrees.
If you’re concerned about searing performance, a smoker grill combo or gas grill might be a choice, or you can look for some grills that are better for steaks.