A fantastic pellet grill available at half the price of some of the competing models? Surely it’s too good to be true? A lot of people are skeptical when they see just how much cheaper this model is, compared to Traeger grills, for instance. So does it do a good job?
Our Z Grills 550A review explores more. Is this the sort of grill that can be a perfect backyard addition, or are you better off paying more for a different model?
The good news is that we love this grill, and its ability to grill, bbq, smoke, bake, roast, braise and sear sets it apart as one of the better models available at the price. It has a pellet smoking design and the main difference when compared to some of the other models on the market is the fact that it is a little bit smaller. It still has more than enough space to cook for a lot of guests at your BBQ. It’s also got some upgrades over previous models.
In 2020, Z Grills made some changes to their range. Some problems were fixed, and there were some controls changed to give users an easier time. Using the Z Grills 550A has become much simpler. It has a precise temperature control and a pellet feed system that automatically controls the flow of the wood going into the grill. If you want to cook “low and slow” then this is a good way to do so. You don’t have to worry too much about whether your grill is getting enough fuel.
It also has a digital control board. This lets you ignite automatically at the push of a button, and then set the temperature. You can totally control the temperature to within 10 degrees of what you set. It has a bit of fluctuation when cooking outside, but not enough to cause any issues around safe cooking. The temperature range is 180°f to 450°f.
The price tag is one of the most impressive aspects of this grill. For the size, you will struggle to find a competing grill that has such good features available under the $500 mark. It has a lot of grill space for that price, too.
This is a pellet grill, so it uses wooden pellets to fuel the heat. This is great for a few reasons; the wood imports a beautiful smokey flavor and lets you experiment with more cooking methods. It also means that you can cook slowly and smoke things on your Z Grills cooker over long time slots. People want the “low and slow” option from their home grills.
The hopper capacity is 16KG which is suitable for about 15-18 hours of smoking or grilling so you don’t have to worry too much about refilling during cooking.
The main cooking surface is 423 sq in, you can fit plenty of food on there to braise or cook in other methods. Some people have even reported over 20 burgers easily fitting on the grill. A 167 sq in secondary rack is also great for smoking and keeping things warm.
The heat output and temperature controls of the Z grills is undeniably one of the best features. It allows you to control the temperature precisely, from low and slow settings at 180F to braising and searing temperatures way up to 450F. If you are worried about how reliable this heat is, you don’t need to be. The grill stays within around 10 degrees of the set temperature and retains this automatically.
The grates are porcelain coated stainless steel, so they’re easy to clean but also incredibly durable and long-lasting. You can rely on these for many years to come. You can clean them in-situ or choose to remove them to clean.
One of the best features when it comes to safety is the option to “set and forget” with this grill. Simply set it to the temperature you want, close the steel lid and let it do its thing. The steel design and safely-made hopper keeps everything enclosed to help to prevent fire risks. If you are cautious with this grill you will have no problems with safety.
Using your grill couldn’t be much simpler. The auto-start ignition makes it easy to get your grill going, and you don’t have to mess around trying to start fire. Auto temperature Control & Real-time LED temperature display also make it simple to check on progress and safely ensure that your food is cooking to the desired temperature. No more undercooked meat.
Of course, the experienced grillers and BBQ lovers out there will probably have a load of accessories already. However, it is important that you get some specific accessories. Well, one in particular stands out. The 550A grill cover is made specifically to sit on top of the grill and protect it from the elements, even if you need to store it outdoors.
There are four wheels on the grill, which are designed to be “all-terrain” so you can move the grill however you want, if you store it in a garage and need to take it out on a camping trip or just move it to the section of the garden you want to grill.
Durability and warrantyAs well as a 30-day money-back guarantee, this grill also comes with a 3-year warranty. This shows that the manufacturer is confident in the quality they are offering from their grill! If anything breaks without explanation in that time, you should be covered, but because of the fact that the Z Grills are so well made, don’t expect this to be an issue.
What are some of the key features of the Z Grills 550A that set it apart from competing options?
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The Z Grills 550A is a superb option for those who want a large, home grill that can be used for everything from grilling to baking, and is a favorite among people who want to cook low and slow or smoke their food. The grill is much cheaper than similarly sized and spec’d grills from other brands, meaning that people who are on a budget can opt for this as an alternative to Traeger and other famous brands. Our Z Grills 550A review will show you that we love this model, and for slow cooking and reliable temperature control, you’ll struggle to find a better option for the money.
