Table of Contents
Z Grill vs Traeger – Introduction
This comparison of Z Grill vs Traeger will help you choose the right smoker for your home. This comparison compares the similarities and differences between the brands in terms of construction, performance, as well as other features. We will compare Z grill & Treager to show you how much value you will get, after making a choice within the two.
When people are looking for their first pellet grill, Traeger is the brand most familiar. Traeger is the clear market leader for pellet smokers. They invented them and made them very popular. Today, Traeger is one of the Best Brands when comes to pellet Grill. They promise quality, reliability and performance. We don’t doubt that they deliver. However, you will pay more for a high-quality smoker than other brands.
Z Grills is a brand new company in the pellet smoker market. They are cheaper than Traeger, and offer many of the same features, but it’s still a waste of cash if they don’t perform as well and you need to upgrade.
Z Grills Overview
Z Grills is relatively new when it comes to direct selling to customers. They have been making pellet barbecues since over 30 years. How is this possible? Many of the grills you know and love are made by this manufacturer. It was simple to make a solid pellet grill that can compete with top-quality pellet grill brands. Z Grill was born in 2016 after a crowdfunding campaign that was a huge success.
Despite its short history, the brand is well-known in the BBQ industry. Z Grills has a wide range of pellet smokers. There are many pellet grill brands out there that sell good pellet smokers at a fair price. But Z Grills is the best.
Z Grills was a new player in the pellet smoking industry. And, yes, that’s true. Z Grills launched its own grill line in 2017 after a successful crowdfunding campaign. It has been building barbecues for companies for more than 30 years.
They are offering one of the most affordable pellet smoking devices on the market. Value for money doesn’t necessarily have to be expensive or unsanitary. Z Grills is a company that focuses on multi-purpose grills of high quality, which can be used for many purposes. They are durable and long-lasting. Z Grills believes you don’t have to spend a lot in order to enjoy the best barbecue. This philosophy has helped Z Grills build their reputation, and thousands of reviews have been posted about all their products.
Traeger Overview
Traeger was the first company to create pellet grills. In the 1980’s, they invented the technology that enabled the setting-and-forget wood smoker. Traeger patented this invention in 1985. Traeger was able to market their promise quality and reliability as well as consistent amazing results which virtually anyone could achieve, thanks to this patent.
Traeger’s success with pellet smoke prompted other barbecue companies to follow suit, creating healthy competition and encouraging innovation. Despite this, Traeger is still one of the top-selling brands in the world. Traeger pellet grills were the first pellet grills. Yes, that’s right. Traeger was the original pellet grill. It was introduced in the 1980s. The technology was also patentable by Traeger. The industry is well-versed in Traeger’s high quality technology, PID controls, and advanced technology. It is the ORIGINAL wood pellet smoker. Traeger’s patent expired on June 6, 2006. This allowed other grill manufacturers to make their own wood pellet grills. People don’t realize Joe Traeger started his company selling pellet stoves before Trager Grills were even created. Traeger is distinguished by its quality and advanced features. Salt Lake City is the headquarters of Traeger.
Z Grill vs Traeger – Grill Comparisons
Below you will find a comparison of Z Grill and Traeger, along with their prices. Z Grills is an economical brand while Traeger is focused more on its premium products. Z Grills offers premium features such as PID/WiFi pellet grills, so they are trying directly to compete with Traeger.
Please note that the “Typical price” figures I provide are directly taken from the manufacturer’s website. There may be an alternative store that offers a lower price than the one I listed.
Traeger Pro Series 22 Gen 1 VS Z Grills 7002C2E
We have two pellet grills that are about the same size as your average backyard grill, and at an average price of $500-$600. These are your family’s typical pellet grill/smoker.
First, I want to let you know that there are two Traeger Pro Series versions on sale. The Gen 2 versions of the Z Grills 7002C2E are considerably more expensive than the Gen 1. This is not an accurate or relevant comparison. Traeger’s Pro Series 22 has been a popular product for many years. The question is, though, if it is still affordable and features competitive?
The 7002C2E, while not the most memorable or well-known model name, is Z Grill’s latest PID pellet grill. There are many Z Grills models that look similar, but the 7002C2E is the closest model to Traeger Pro Series 22, in terms of size, features, and price.
Z Grills Multitasker 11002B vs Traeger Ironwood 650
Next is the Comparison between Z Grill Model 11002B along with Traeger Ironwood 650.
The mid-range Traeger pellet grills are the Ironwood range. The Ironwood range is a significant upgrade to the Gen 2 Pro Series in two key areas. The Ironwood range has sidewall insulation that helps keep heat inside the grill. Second, the Ironwood 650 is the cheapest Traeger, with their downdraught exhaust.
Traeger’s downdraught exhaust design makes it stand out from other pellet grills. The downdraught exhaust design forces smoke and heat upwards, under and above the cooking grates, before it exits at the back. This allows for better heat and smoke circulation in the pellet grill.
Z Grills 550B vs Traeger Pro Series 575
It’s best to check the particular model you’re looking at. But, there’s a lot of extra features that help to make smoking even easier. With Traeger Pro 575 you get a Good Hopper Capacity at reasonable price. With Hopper Capacity you also have a fairly good Cooking Surface Area that can be used when there is a party of around 8-10 people in your Backyard. Other Distinguished Features are described below.
Z Grills 1000E vs Traeger Timberline 850
It’s best to check the particular model you’re looking at. But, there’s a lot of extra features that help to make smoking even easier. These are premium Grills with Huge Hopper Capacity and are most used when there is a huge party, you have to cook at great speed to serve people.
What to look for in Best Pellet Grills
Alongside the kind of smoker you choose and the type of smoker, it is important to consider the construction of the smoker and the cooking space it can provide. Learn more about these, and other vital aspects of smokers.
Material and Build Quality
The smoker must be able to keep the same temperature throughout the all day. In order to achieve this criteria smokers are made from high-quality components. The majority of smokers are made of steel that has a strong powder-coat finish, which protects it from corrosion.
The smoker should have a tight fit, without noticeable seams that let heat escape. Doors and lids must be free of gaps around the opening where heat could escape. Smokers made of pellets and charcoal should have multiple flues to permit the user to regulate the temperature by closing and opening them to control how much oxygen is delivered through the firebox.
Size and Cooking Space
Smokers come in a range of sizes and shapes which affects not just the amount of cooking space they have, but also the space they’ll consume on patios or decks. Vertical and bullet smokers produce the smallest footprints as they’re shaped like a tower. You can expect this kind of smoker to be about 20 inches in width and 20 inches in depth. It will comprise between 500-700 sq inches cooking space.
Pellet smokers are broader and shorter, which gives them the ability to store larger pieces of meat. The smallest pellet smokers are 41 inches in length and 22 inches in depth, with 60 sq inches cooking space.
Portability
Smokers of full size weigh between 50 to 100 pounds and are large in weight. They aren’t transportable and require a fixed place on the patio or back deck. There are lighter smokers that weigh under 20 pounds and are compact enough to fit into the car’s trunk and are ideal to carry to tailgating events.
Heat Retention and Distribution
Best smoked meat requires a temperature ranging from 200-220 degrees. Best smokers should have the same heating capacity. Smokers made of charcoal and wood pellets come with vents that permit the user to alter the airflow through the firebox, thereby altering how hot the chamber cooks.
The top of the cooker has thermometers in smokers. These thermometers let the cook to check the temperature. These thermometers are not accurate. Smokers who have experience typically uses an off-the-shelf thermometer which is present within the cooking area to obtain more precise readings of temperature.
Conclusion- What is better Z Grill vs Traeger ?
There has been a clear division between Z Grills and Traeger product lines in the past. Traeger is establishing itself as a premium brand with premium features like WiFi integration and PID, while Z Grills has been a more affordable option.
The Z Grills product line has grown, and some Z Grills products now include WiFi integration and PID. The Z Grills 7002C2E is the best value option overall, while the Z Grills Multitasker11002B is the more expensive.
Do Read
FAQ’s
Camp Chef is a company that is full of outdoor enthusiasts and food enthusiasts that has been around the same amount of time as Traeger and has recently expanded its offerings into pellet grills. If you’re comparing Camp Chef to Traeger then you should look at those from the Camp Chef Woodwind series in comparison to those of the Traeger Pro 575 and 780.
It’s obvious that other popular brands of pellet grills/smokers that you are aware of, like Pit Boss, Louisiana Grills, Camp Chef and Z Grills that aren’t listed above aren’t made in the US They’re manufactured in China.
The right wood pellets for different kinds of meats is just part of the procedure. Making sure you have the proper accessories like a smoker tube can aid in controlling the temperature, and take you closer to a perfect smoking experience.
Although Traeger produces excellent grills, there are many other companies that produce similar or superior pellet grills that are more affordable. There is one notable exception: Traeger grills do not justify considering the prices of products from other top quality pellet grill makers
