5 Best Pellet Grills for Searing – the Juiciest Meats Done Right

By
Jeremy Bivens
Jeremy Bivens
Research Writer
Jeremy Bivens is a passionate writer and grilling enthusiast. He's been working as a freelance journalist for over 15 years now and has a particular interest in food writing read more
reviewed
Reviewed By
Bruce Williams
Bruce Williams
Expert Consultant
Claims that grilling is the art that he has been learning all his life long and is not planning to stop. Has been grilling for as long as he can remember. Author of numerous read more
Last updated: September 06, 2023
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Did you know that not every grill has searing capabilities? Yet nothing beats that mouth-watering sight of well grilled steak seared on the outside with the grill marks to show for it. But that is not a result every grill can achieve for you, no matter your culinary skills. You need the best pellet grill for searing to get to that level of culinary accomplishment.

There are a myriad models of pellet grills in the market but a lot of them are not fit for your grilling ambitions especially if searing is on your check list. For a searing grill you need higher temperatures than the average pellet grill. For the best pellet grill for searing, however, you will need to consider other features that are especially ideal to your circumstance. That includes features such as dimensions, warranty, cooking surface area, weight, portability and so on. That is why we have taken this opportunity to handle the hard part, having done research on the best pellet grills for searing to guide your purchase process.

Quick Summary

  • "Excellent pellet grill for searing that makes all the searing for you – just set the temperature and enjoy. Wi-Fi connection. Digital thermometer. 81-pound hopper capacity."
  • Premium Pick: Cookshack PG500
    "Deluxe pellet grill for searing fit for big BBQ parties. 600º F maximum heat. Digital thermostat control. Autostart."
  • Best Value: Z GRILLS-700D
    "Moderately priced pellet grill for searing with generous cooking space. 700 in2 cooking area. Comes with rainproof cover. 23,000 BTU heat output."
  • Best Portable Model: Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20
    "Travel-friendly pellet grill for searing – tailgating has never been so easy. 10-pound hopper capacity. Digital thermometer. 500º F max heating."
  • Best Grill with Searing Box: Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL
    "Durable pellet grill with a searing box attached, for you to cook two meats at once. 1236 in2 cooking area. 22 lbs hopper capacity. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection."

Top 5 Pellet Grills for Searing Review 2024

?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5332 people in the past 30 days
9.7
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.2
9.7
Features
  • Cooking area: 780 sq. in
  • Dimensions: 49 x 27 x 55 in
  • Max temperature: 450º F
  • Weight: 146 lbs
  • Warranty: 3-year limited

More features: Wi-Fi connection, 18 lb hopper capacity, powder coated steel, digital thermometer, caster wheels

The Traeger Pellet Grill TFB78GLE Pro 780 does it all for a pellet searing grill. As one of the most-high valued pellet grills in this compilation the Traeger Pellet Grill TFB78GLE Pro 780 is equipped with nifty features that are meant to enhance your meat cooking experience. Spotting a ProD2 controller, for this all you need to do is set the temperature at your desired range and press ignite and that’s it. The Pro D2 feature has also been advanced to allow you to cook at both extremes (low and slow or high and fast) to improve the searing effect with its Pro D2 direct drive.

It is also fitted with the Wifire technology which is a nifty piece of tech that allows you to monitor your cooking remotely using your smartphone phone. With this you can now adjust the temperature of the grill while cooking without actually being by the grill.

What’s more, the Traeger Pellet Grill TFB78GLE Pro 780 is not only big on usable efficiency but also grilling efficiency. Having being designed with a combination of hickory, cherry hardwoods and maple this pellet grill gives an enhanced flavor to your searing grilled beef. Still on flavor, the Traeger Pellet Grills TFB78GLE Pro 780 uses wood pellets that not only effectively fuels your grill but also adds a pure hardwood flavor that enhances the taste of your grilled meat.

    Why did it make our list?
  • Pro D2 controller that eases the cooking process
  • Wifire technology that allows for remote cooking
  • The Pro D2 direct drive that enables a more efficient control of grilling and searing temperatures
    What is not ideal about it?
  • The Wifire technology may be challenging to apply
Also Product Ranking:
Read full review: traeger pro 780
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 5432 people in the past 30 days
9.4
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.1
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.2
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.0
9.4
2
Premium Pick

Cookshack PG500

Features
  • Cooking area: 784 sq. in
  • Dimensions: 56 x 25 x 54 in
  • Max temperature: 600º F
  • Weight: 330 lbs
  • Warranty: 2-year limited

More features: stainless steel construction, stainless steel grates, automatic start, draft fan, electronically controlled thermostat

The Cookshack PG500 is a top pellet grill noteworthy especially for its comparatively high temperatures. Reaching a maximum temperature of 600 Fahrenheit this pellet grill is the ultimate grill for a barbecue party. Such temperature heights makes the Cookshack PG500 not only efficient at grilling and searing meat but doing so when the outward temperatures are unfavorable for grilling. That is right, with the Cookshack PG500 you can now comfortably grill during winter.

This stainless steel built pellet grill boasts of a high efficiency as it is designed to withstand extremely high levels of heat for a relatively longer time period. It is also designed with a wider cooking surface spotting dimensions of 56 x 25 x 54 inches. With such dimensions this grill allows you to cook more meet than you would on an average sized pellet grill.

It is however, not left behind on the technological aspect spotting features that will enable a more convenient grilling experience. We are talking about its electronic based thermostat which allows you to easily adjust the temperatures. It is also spots an automatic start for easy use.

The manufacturers of the Cookshack PG500 ingeniously added a draft fan to this pellet searing grill. This enables the pellet grill to supply itself with pressurized air that not only improves your grilling options but also betters the searing effect.

    What stands out?
  • Max temperature of up to 600 º F
  • Draft fan feature that improves heat
  • Stainless steel interior that is durable
  • Wide cooking surface area of 56 x 25 x 54 inches
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Relatively heavy
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 7050 people in the past 30 days
9.3
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
9.2
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.0
Features & Benefits
Product Review
9.1
9.3
3
Best Value

Z GRILLS-700D

Features
  • Cooking area: 700 sq. in.
  • Dimensions: 48 x 22 x 51 in
  • Max temperature: 450º F
  • Weight: 112 lb
  • Warranty: 3-year limited

More features: 20 lb hopper capacity, locking caster wheels, 23,000 BTU output, cover included

If you are looking for quality and efficiency, then the Z GRILLS-700D is the grill for you. This pellet cooking grill does more than just grill. Spotting an eight in one feature the Z GRILLS-700D allows you to bake, roast, grill, smoke, braise, sear, char-grill or barbeque. This is due to its fan forced convection cooking feature. You also get to enjoy an efficient cost effective cooking experience with its pellet technology that is a relatively sustainable fuel source compared to gas or charcoal. This technology also adds that wood smoke flavor that does all the right things to your taste glands when having grilled or seared beef.

And that’s not all. The Z GRILLS-700D also boasts of convenience having been fitted with pellet grill technology that makes it easy to use. An electric auto start ignition makes this grill just one click away from blastoff. The digital auto temperature control alongside the LED temperature display enables you to easily monitor and adjust your cooking temperature to favorable levels.

This uniquely designed pellet grill is also fitted with an automatic electric feed which maintains the heating temperature at 10 degrees of the temperature you set, so you no longer need to stand by the grill as it cooks. It would be unfair not to mention it’s built in enclosed storage cabinet which is a unique feature for a pellet grill.

    What stands out?
  • Eight in one cooking options
  • Automatic electric feed that monitors the cooking heat for you
  • In-built storage cabinet
  • Easy to clean with its waste oil collector feature
  • 3 year warranty
    What cons did we manage to find?
  • Quite heavy
  • Temperature panel is tricky to use
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 4342 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.7
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
8.9
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.9
9.2
4
Best Portable Model

Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20

Features
  • Cooking area: 501 sq in
  • Dimensions: 38 x 18.5 x 32 in
  • Max temperature: 500º F
  • Weight: 82 lbs
  • Warranty: 3-year limited

More features: stainless steel construction, 10 lb hopper capacity, digital thermometer, Smart Smoke technology, meat probes included, caster wheels

The Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 is a relatively petite pellet grill but that does not limit its performance as a pellet grill. Having been equipped with technology that improves its efficiency and convenience factors this pellet grill deserves its spot within this compilation.

The Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 spots a PID controller that allows for a steady temperature and smoke control. This also allows you to monitor the smoke and temperature better while your meat cooks giving extremely accurate figures. And there is more, the PID controller also gives you adjustable smoke settings that range from one to ten.

The Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 is one of the few grills that come with a meat probe. This means that you can monitor the internal temperature of the meat while it cooks. This is one feature that changes the game for searing especially, helping your grill or sear to the best quality in terms of taste. Also, it does not get any easier than its slide and grill feature for searing or grilling. This enables you to conveniently change the flame mode between direct and indirect while cooking.

Of course not forgetting the Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20’s easy to clean feature as it spots an ash cleanout system to help you easily get read of all the used up wood pellets.

    What makes it special?
  • Weighs 82 pounds which makes very portable
  • PID controller
  • Easy to clean with the ash clean out system
  • Slide and grill feature
    What cons did we find?
  • Relatively smaller cooking surface area
  • Relatively expensive
Also Product Ranking:
?
Consumer Engagement
Chosen by 9889 people in the past 30 days
9.2
Customer Feedback
Customer Feedback
8.9
Brand Reputation
Based onweb analytics
9.1
Features & Benefits
Product Review
8.7
9.2
5
Best Grill with Searing Box

Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL

Features
  • Cooking area: 1236 sq. inches
  • Dimensions: 64 x 30 x 49 in
  • Max temperature: 500º F
  • Weight: 187 lbs
  • Warranty: not specified

More features: stainless steel construction, caster wheels, 22 lb hopper, 20 lb propane tank holding braket for searing box, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connection, PID controller

The Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL is on this list with good reason. This is a pellet grill designed for convenience at its best as it is packed with features that make it smart and versatile. It spots a WIFI and Bluetooth enabled PID controller which is perhaps its most endearing feature. This is added to its Camp Chef Connect feature that innovatively connects your grill to your smart phone. This means that the Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL allows you to digitally maintain cooking temperature and smoke levels remotely and away from the grill.

The Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL has been designed to be compatible to a sear box that enables this pellet grill to reach temperatures as high as 900 Fahrenheit, to get you that relish worthy professional style seared beef.

That’s not all, get to cook in more volumes with the Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL’s expandable chamber that allows for 405 more cooking room. It also comes with not one but four meat probes and four meat probe spots alongside a digital display that gives you the ultimate control over your cooking temperatures. And the readings are quite precise.

Of course we cannot fail to mention this grill’s innovative slide and grill and ash cleaning features that enhance the flame adjustment and cleaning aspects of this grill respectively.

    Why are we impressed?
  • Sear box compatibility
  • WIFI and Bluetooth technology
  • 4 meat probes to best monitor meat cooking temperatures
  • Slide and grill mechanism for ease in adjusting flame modes
  • Easier cleaning with its Ash-Kickin’ cleanout feature
  • Camp Chef Connect that connects your grill to your mobile device
    What negatives must you be aware of?
  • It is quite weighty
  • Comparatively costly

Things to Consider

Getting the best pellet grill for searing can be quite a challenge especially if all you know about them is that they are used for grilling meat and they use pellets. It gets harder if you get to read our top picks above. However, this is where it gets easier with the following buying guide. The following are the fundamental features that you should focus on so as to make the right purchase for the best pellet grill for searing.

Why searing on pellet grills is the way?

5 Best Pellet Grills for Searing - the Juiciest Meats Done Right

As professional chef or the go-to guy for that family barbeque,  the end game is the same, to create good food. With a searing pellet grill, enabling this goal just became a lot easier and a lot safer. Searing with pellet grills allows for a more hands-off cooking process allowing you time to yourself, your friends and family. No more messing with charcoal, or lighter fluid, no more standing by the grill babysitting the fire. All you need to do is fill the hopper with some pellets turn it on, set the desired searing temperature, press the ignition button and let the grill do the rest.

Pellet grills have also made searing meat a lot safer. No more grease fires, flare-ups or the smoldering effect of charcoal logs. You do not have to worry about an explosion as you would for gas because pellet grills unlike the rest cook indirectly, means no visible flames.

 

However, the reason why pellet grills are taking over the searing cooking scene is their remarkable wood smoke flavor. You will not want to taste seared steak that does not have that pellet wood smoke flavor once you have tried it.

How to sear a steak on a pellet grill

Searing a proper steak on a pellet grill is not a hard process, but you need to consider some tricks to the trade to help you achieve that great flavored taste of well-cooked seared steak. To start you will need to get an accurate thermometer, but if your pellet grill comes with a meat probe like the Camp Chef pellet grill models then you are good to go. Also, if your grill doesn’t have grill grates you should get some. The next pick is on the steak. This is a matter of preference seeing as how varied steak types are ranging are from ribeye, strip steak, sirloin, t-bone to four other primal cuts of beef. At this point you should also consider how rare and well done you would like your steak to be for thickness.

5 Best Pellet Grills for Searing - the Juiciest Meats Done Right

The next step is all about the flavor as you decide whether or not you want to marinate your steak. A dry surface is however ideal for a proper sear so all you need to do to your steak is throw in some salt and pepper (preferably black pepper). Salt both sides of the steak slightly prior to the searing event giving it a time frame of at least two hours. You could rub in other ingredients such as garlic and even ground coffee. This is the point that you get to pick pellet flavors as well.

Now you can get to searing by first pre-heating the pellet grill. At this stage make sure that the gill is set at smoke and the lid is open until the smoke forms. Then you can shut the lid and wait between 10 to 15 minutes after which your pellet grill will be ready for searing. Once you have placed the steak, let it cook and avoid flipping it ever so often. If possible, only flip it once and your taste glands will be glad for it. Also, ensure that you use cast iron for even heat distribution and fine searing.

Thoughts about brands

Pellet grill brands have outdone themselves in creating products that are value for money, efficient and convenient to use. This is why we focus on the specific features that make the best pellet grill for searing. However, some pellet grill brands have over the years been consistent in producing top of the line products as they continue to build a reputation for the level of innovation they put in their products.

The Camp Chef is one such brand. This brand will never miss a pellet grill in any review as they focus on innovation and convenience in the making of their pellet grills. You can always expect a Camp Chef pellet grill to be fitted with the latest technology of its time that improves your grill and searing experience.

The Traeger brand is another renowned make known for its top-quality pellet grill. The Traeger brand offers top-performing pellet grills and has been doing so for quite a while. It is known for its efficiency in reaching relatively maximum heat levels a wider cooking surface area and is also never left behind in the application of the latest technology to their products.

Features to consider while buying the best pellet grill for searing

5 Best Pellet Grills for Searing - the Juiciest Meats Done Right

At this point, it has already been established that the best pellet grill for searing is determined by more than just how well it looks in your backyard. There is more to enjoy the usability and convenient efficiency of a pellet grill. Here are some of the key factors to consider before placing an order so that you can enjoy the best pellet grill for searing.

Dimensions and weight

These two factors are important because they are unique to you as the buyer. The dimensions for the pellet grill you buy should be favorable to your cooking space. And if you are going to move it around much probably from the yard to the garage when you are not using it then the weight is a factor you should consider too. These are considerations that basically improve your general experience and personal relationship with your grill. If you are thinking small and light then you must be thinking about the Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20.

Temperature control

For pellet grills it is all about the heat and maintaining it at optimal conditions throughout the entire cooking process despite the elements that may interfere including the weather. The best pellet grill for searing maintains required temperatures for your cooking and adjusts accordingly as you cook. Pellet grills such as the Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 and Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL are equipped with PID controllers which are innovative additions that aid a pellet grill to improve its temperature control as they provide accurate and timely temperature readings.

Material

For pellet grills it is more about what it is made off than what it looks like. So, don’t be misled by that charming stainless-steel exterior if it does not apply the same on the inside. A good pellet grill will be fitted with a durable stainless-steel material in important parts such as; grates, fire pot, drip pan and flame deflector. These parts are vulnerable to rust and will thus lead to a short life span for your grill if they are not made from durable material. The Cookshack PG500 is a classic example of a durable pellet grill made from sturdy material.

Mobility

Before you buy that pellet grill, picture the set-up it is going to be in and if this set-up is suitable for a mobile or stationary pellet grill. If it is the kind of home where the grill only comes out when there is a barbeque party, then you may need a pellet grill that will not drain all of your strength before the party starts. Lighter weight and functional wheels are the features to look out for her.

Grilling space

For this feature, it is as simple as the bigger the grilling space the more you get in a single cook. The best pellet grill for searing will therefore be the one that offers you more space to sear more meat in a single session.

Hopper capacity

5 Best Pellet Grills for Searing - the Juiciest Meats Done Right

The hopper is the compartment that holds the pellets before they get into the auger to facilitate your cooking. This basically means the that bigger the hopper the longer your cooks will run. When buying a pellet grill therefore it important to consider your intended use. For instance, if it is going to be a party pellet grill then you will need a big hopper attached to it.

Warranty

The Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 is the one pellet grill that best expresses this feature’s importance. A pellet grill is designed with parts that may break down or dysfunction over time, which is commonly experienced for the technological components. The warranty is the manufacturer’s assurance that this will not happen. And the longer it is the more you are assured of the quality and durability of the product you are putting your money on.

Easy to use

The pellet grill is relatively the easiest type of grill to use. They are designed for convenience, though some more than others. Therefore, before making a purchase do a little research on its usability lest you find yourself with a pellet grill equipped with technology that is beyond your understanding and all you want to do is sear some beef.

Easy to clean

The Camp Chef Woodwind PG36CL and the Camp Chef Pursuit PPG20 are pellet grills that best portray this feature with their Ash-Kickin cleanout feature. The Z GRILLS-700D also fits the bill with its waste oil collector compartment. The oil the ash and the gunk form the frustrating experience of the aftermath of using a pellet grill. But with such features on a pellet grill, it surely makes the experience worthwhile.

Extra features

The best pellet grill for searing today is fitted with more than just meat cooking components which innovatively improve your cooking experience. A pellet grill could surely do without these features but does better with them. These include;

  • WIFI connectivity: which is a nifty addition to the computerized design of current pellet grills that allows you to remotely operate your grill in igniting, and controlling smoke and temperatures.
  • Meat probes: some advanced pellet grills are fitted with this innovative piece of equipment that allows you to get reading displays of meat temperatures while it cooks. So you no longer have to carry a thermometer to the grill.

FAQ

What is safety advice for searing with a pellet grill?

No matter the type of pellet grill you are using it still remains a fact that you are dealing with heat and fire and therefore caution and responsible action should be considered when searing with a pellet grill. The most fundamental safety measure is to ensure that you never use your pellet grill indoors or even near the house. Ventilation is very important while grilling because smoke can be a real menace to your health. Also, always ensure that your grill is never left unmonitored and that you keep your children and pets away from a working grill to avoid heat related injuries.

How to clean pellet grills after searing?

To clean your pellet grill efficiently the fundamental focus should be on the oil and the ash as well as the gunk of course. First things first, ensure that the pellet grill has cooled to ice cold if possible. The next course of action is to empty the grease bucket and rid the grill of ash. Then with a suitable brush scrub off stuck food from the surface of the grill’s grates. The flame boiler plate should also be taken off and given a good scrub. You could use a heavy-duty grill scrapper for the tougher to clean gunk. Finally clear the ash from the burn pot using a shop vac.

How to choose pellets for a pellet grill?

There are various types of pellets to choose from for your pellet grill, which come in unique flavors. Every type of pellet produces different levels and flavor of smoke. So, your choice should depend on how much smoke flavor you like on your seared meat. The mesquite wood pellets are one of the most dominating smoke flavored pellets. The hickory pellets are less strong while the cherry and apple pellets are good for meat color but still maintain a mild dominance. All in all, it simply boils down to your preference, however, make sure that you pick food grade pellets.

Our verdict

The Traeger Pellet Grill TFB78GLE Pro 780 is undoubtedly our top pick featuring nifty efficiency features that sets it apart as a searing pellet grill. What we loved most about this pellet grill is its Pro D2 feature that allows you to conveniently control your searing temperature and cooking speed. The Wi-fi technology is also quite handy for a pellet grill.

Our premium pick was the Cookshack PG500 and for good reason. Its high temperatures of up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit make it quite ideal for searing especially. Spotting dimensions that measure 56 x 25 x 54 inches alongside its incredible heat makes this the ideal pellet grill for a party with a bigger food cooking capacity.

And last but very much not the least the Z GRILLS-700D is our best value pick. With features such as its eight in one cooking options, in built storage compartment that is lockable, 3-year warranty, and automatic electric feed this is without a doubt one of the best pellet grill for searing.

9,7
Total Score
Traeger Pellet Grills TFB78GLE Pro 780 - Editor’s Choice
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