What Are Pellet Grills? An Choice for RV Tenting?

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A tenting grill is a superb addition to any RV packing checklist, however there are a number of varieties to select from. Propane and charcoal grills are customary, however the finest pellet grills have distinctive benefits for RV tenting. What are pellet grills, and are they an inexpensive various to burning gasoline or charcoal when tenting? Let’s discover.

Key Takeaways

  • Pellet grills provide flavorful, protected, and user-friendly cooking by combining the advantages of conventional grilling and smoking. They use compressed hardwood pellets for constant warmth and a smoky style with out the dangers of propane or the trouble of charcoal.
  • Drawbacks embrace energy necessities, bigger dimension, and better value, making them much less excellent for off-grid campers, these tight on area, or consumers on a finances.
  • American-made choices like Yoder, MAK, and Blaz’n Grill Works present high-quality, sturdy pellet grills, whereas different fashionable manufacturers are designed within the US however manufactured abroad. 

What Is a Pellet Grill?

Man cooking at the Great American Cook Off
Picture by Tenting World

The time period ”grill” usually describes any easy outside cooking equipment, however there are lots of varieties. A standard grill makes use of propane or charcoal for gasoline. A griddle makes use of propane however has a clean, chilly metal rolled floor as a substitute of grates. A smoker doesn’t use propane or charcoal. As an alternative, it makes use of an electrical heating component to burn wooden pellets. 

A tenting pellet grill combines conventional grilling with smoking. It makes use of an electrical heating component to burn compressed wooden pellets. The grill can smoke meals at low temperatures and grill it at excessive temperatures. You set the temperature digitally and by no means need to guess.

Within the temper for a smoked brisket or a juicy grilled burger? With a pellet grill, you don’t have to decide on. Let’s evaluation every thing you have to find out about pellet grills, from the differing types to which is finest for tenting to tasty pellet grill recipes.

What Are Pellet Grills Good For?

Different meats and veggies on a barbecue
Picture by Pit Boss

There are various advantages to utilizing pellets versus gasoline or charcoal. They are often higher than different grill varieties for the next causes:

  • Taste: When burned, wooden pellets depart your meals with a singular, scrumptious, smoky taste. Pairing the correct taste together with your particular meal is vital.
  • Security: Pellet grills are additionally a lot safer than gasoline grills, as you don’t have to fret about utilizing and storing propane. We’ve all heard not less than one gasoline grill horror story in our lifetime, however they’re beginning to grow to be a factor of the previous, because of electrical grills. The worry of singeing your eyebrows off from leaving the propane valve open too lengthy is not.
  • Ease of Use: Lastly, pellet grills are simpler to make use of, particularly in comparison with charcoal grills. I’ve a love-hate relationship with charcoal grills. They style nice, however take perpetually to warmth up, and it’s all the time a guessing sport on whether or not you’ve gotten sufficient sizzling coals to prepare dinner your meals totally. 

Are There Negatives of a Pellet Grill?

Pit Boss pellet grill outside a tent
Picture by Tenting World

Though tenting pellet grills have many advantages, they aren’t for everybody. Let’s take into account why it may not be a good selection for you.

  • Energy: There are alternatives for pellet grills that don’t require a plug-in, however for those who genuinely plan to camp off-grid for an prolonged interval, a pellet grill may not be just right for you, and also you’d be higher off with a gasoline or charcoal grill.
  • Area and Weight: It is a massive situation for a lot of campers, particularly these with a household. Whereas there are undoubtedly compact pellet grills, most can be larger and bulkier than your common gasoline or charcoal grill. In different phrases, for those who’re extraordinarily tight on area and weight, you would possibly wish to take into account different grilling choices. 
  • Value: As pellet grills are rather more advanced than your customary gasoline or charcoal grill, you’ll pay the next premium. They might not be for you for those who’re on a good finances. Charcoal grills are probably the most inexpensive alternative for campsite cooking. 

Are Pellet Grills Price It?

There’s no definitive winner within the ongoing debate over the finest tenting grill. Nonetheless, you may’t beat a pellet smoker relating to versatility and comfort. They’re simpler to make use of than most different grills and permit for quick cooking if you simply desire a fast sizzling canine or gradual cooking when you’ve gotten all day to take a seat across the campsite for that scrumptious smoked brisket.

How To Use a Pellet Grill

Man cooking on pellet grill
Picture by Tenting World

It doesn’t get a lot simpler than utilizing a pellet grill. In contrast to charcoal, you don’t need to pile up coals and hope all of them mild. You don’t have to fret about operating to the shop for extra propane. Use a pellet grill like a professional with these 5 straightforward steps:

  1. Fill the hopper to the suitable degree. You’ll want extra pellets for grilling and fewer for smoking. Regulate your hopper capability and add extra as wanted. The extra you utilize your grill, the higher you’ll get an thought of your pellet consumption.
  1. Flip the grill on and set the temperature to your required setting. That is all performed digitally, so there’s no guesswork. 
  1. Wait to your grill to succeed in the set temperature. The period of time varies by the dimensions of your grill and the temperature setting, however most take 10-Quarter-hour. 
  1. Place your meals straight on the rack and permit it to prepare dinner for the required time. When you’re utilizing temperature probes, insert them now so that you don’t need to open the grill till completed, sealing within the taste. 
  1. Take away your meals from the grill, let it cool, then get pleasure from!

What Are Grill Pellets Made Of?

Pellet grill gasoline isn’t your common firewood. It provides constant, food-safe combustion. Grill pellets are comprised of 100% compressed hardwood sawdust, with no added binders, glues, or chemical substances. Throughout manufacturing, warmth and stress compress the sawdust into small cylindrical pellets. The result’s a clean-burning gasoline supply that infuses your meals with genuine wood-smoked taste.

Are a Sure Sort of Pellets Higher for Grilling?

Person adding pellets to pellet grill
Picture by Pit Boss

Widespread wooden pellet varieties embrace hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite, and oak. Every selection delivers a definite taste profile that enhances completely different meats, greens, and seafood. Sure pellets pair higher with particular meals, and selecting the best one can elevate your dish. Listed here are a couple of fashionable pellet flavors and their finest makes use of:

  • Apple: Gentle and barely candy—excellent for pork, poultry, and baked sides like smoked mac and cheese.
  • Hickory: Sturdy and savory—a wonderful match for ribs, brisket, and crimson meats.
  • Cherry: Provides a refined fruity tang—excellent for pork and rooster.
  • Mesquite: Daring and earthy—nice for beef and hearty cuts, however finest used sparingly.
  • Pecan: Wealthy and nutty—glorious for pork, poultry, and even smoked desserts.

For the perfect grilling outcomes, use food-grade pellets particularly labeled for cooking, not heating pellets meant for stoves or fireplaces.

What Pellet Grills are Made in the USA?

Among the many pellet grills you’ll discover on-line at Tenting World, Broil King stands out for manufacturing pellet grills in North America. Their manufacturing services are in Huntington, Indiana, Dickson, Tennessee, and Waterloo, Ontario. Broil King grills are constructed utilizing American-sourced metal for parts just like the prepare dinner field and cupboard, making certain sturdiness and high quality.

Manufacturers similar to Blackstone, Pit Boss, Cuisinart, and TYTUS design their grills within the US however manufacture them abroad. Whereas these manufacturers might not be American-made, they provide a variety of options and value factors appropriate for varied grilling wants.

If shopping for American-made is crucial, a number of respected pellet grill manufacturers are manufactured within the US:

  • Traeger (Choose Fashions) – Whereas not all fashions are US-made, Traeger nonetheless assembles some higher-end traces stateside.
  • Yoder People who smoke – Identified for his or her heavy-duty construct and pro-level efficiency, Yoder pellet grills are proudly made in Kansas.
  • MAK Grills – Inbuilt Oregon, these grills are prized for his or her precision temperature management and all-metal building.
  • Blaz’n Grill Works – Manufactured in Nebraska, they provide customizable pellet grills with stainless-steel upgrades.

Shopping for an American-made pellet grill is an effective way to help US manufacturing and get a sturdy product constructed for years of campsite cooking.


RV grilling is considered one of our favourite components of tenting. From fresh-caught seafood on coastal journeys to grass-fed burgers anytime, we love cooking outside. Take pleasure in these extra grilling and cooking recipes to your subsequent journey: 

Do you’ve gotten expertise with pellet grills? Tell us what you want or dislike about them within the feedback under!


  • Tucker Ballister headshot

    Tucker Ballister is our Content material Strategist. He grew up RV tenting in a Fleetwood Bounder along with his dad and mom and has lived and camped in two motorhomes and two journey trailers of his personal. His present RV is a 2025 Forest River Campsite Extremely 26BW, which he loves taking over adventures along with his fantastic associate and furry companion from their residence base in Western North Carolina. Take a look at his adventures, gear evaluations, and outside recommendation at thebackpackguide.com.



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