Z Grills 5ZPG-450A 450 Sq. in. Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker (Bronze, 2020)

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05-13-2021 at 04:55 AM #3

Do these have the new PID controllers?

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05-13-2021 at 05:02 AM #4

Quote from karrun

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Do these have the new PID controllers?

Consistent Results Every Time: The PID technology holds the tightest temperature possible throughout your cooking for consistent results

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05-13-2021 at 06:59 AM #5

Anyone have this, that can comment on quality and performance?

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05-13-2021 at 07:11 AM #6

I cannot comment on the performance, but they have sold these at our local Jewel-Osco for the last couple years and they look very solid. I bought a pit boss last year on clearance at Walmart and when I saw the Z Grille 550 go on sale, I was not happy as everything about this grill feels heavier than the pit boss. It does not help in the month of May but in September Jewel will clearance them out at $199 for the big one.

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05-13-2021 at 07:20 AM #7

Quote from emr323

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Anyone have this, that can comment on quality and performance?

I researched these a little when I was buying. I went from a masterbuilt electric smoker to a pellet smoker. Traeger was crossed off my list pretty early. I was down to this and camp chef. For me, the camp chef is a much better product with a small price increase, plus they have very good customer service. You can find good ones in the $400 range with the PID and updated controller. These would be comparable to the larger 550A, which looks small to begin with. Plus, it only has a 10lb hopper, which is pretty tiny. The CC will have a 20lb hopper. Pretty important with overnight cooks.

Here is one on sale for $399 with the new controller https://www.sportsmans.com/outdoo...94QAvD_BwE.

Now, if you were considering getting an entry level one with the intent to upgrade to something nicer in the near future (like a RecTec), I would say the Z Grill might not be bad. But if you are looking more long term, I would go with a Camp Chef.

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05-13-2021 at 07:46 AM #8

Quote from mrayray09

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I researched these a little when I was buying. I went from a masterbuilt electric smoker to a pellet smoker. Traeger was crossed off my list pretty early. I was down to this and camp chef. For me, the camp chef is a much better product with a small price increase, plus they have very good customer service. You can find good ones in the $400 range with the PID and updated controller. These would be comparable to the larger 550A, which looks small to begin with. Plus, it only has a 10lb hopper, which is pretty tiny. The CC will have a 20lb hopper. Pretty important with overnight cooks.

Here is one on sale for $399 with the new controller https://www.sportsmans.com/outdoo...94QAvD_BwE.

Now, if you were considering getting an entry level one with the intent to upgrade to something nicer in the near future (like a RecTec), I would say the Z Grill might not be bad. But if you are looking more long term, I would go with a Camp Chef.

I'm curious - why did you switch from the masterbuilt to pellet? I've had my masterbuilt 560 for about a year now and love it. It has some advantages over pellet smokers in my opinion.

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05-13-2021 at 08:08 AM #9

Quote from mrayray09

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I researched these a little when I was buying. I went from a masterbuilt electric smoker to a pellet smoker. Traeger was crossed off my list pretty early. I was down to this and camp chef. For me, the camp chef is a much better product with a small price increase, plus they have very good customer service. You can find good ones in the $400 range with the PID and updated controller. These would be comparable to the larger 550A, which looks small to begin with. Plus, it only has a 10lb hopper, which is pretty tiny. The CC will have a 20lb hopper. Pretty important with overnight cooks.

Here is one on sale for $399 with the new controller https://www.sportsmans.com/outdoo...94QAvD_BwE [sportsmans.com].

Now, if you were considering getting an entry level one with the intent to upgrade to something nicer in the near future (like a RecTec), I would say the Z Grill might not be bad. But if you are looking more long term, I would go with a Camp Chef.

What about Traeger crossed them off your list so quickly?

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05-13-2021 at 08:21 AM #10

Quote from emr323

:

Anyone have this, that can comment on quality and performance?

My mother-in-law has one. I cooked some chicken on it once and it was a little different than my traditional gas grill. The main difference I noticed is temperature control. On a gas grill if I turn it down or up the result is pretty quick. With a wood pellet grill it has to feed less or more fuel (pellets) so you have to wait longer to see the result.

Once I got the hang of it I liked it but it does take a little getting used to.

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05-13-2021 at 08:30 AM #11

Quote from gamstutz

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I'm curious - why did you switch from the masterbuilt to pellet? I've had my masterbuilt 560 for about a year now and love it. It has some advantages over pellet smokers in my opinion.

I was using pellets to create the smoke, and I felt the very slow burning gave off an overly strong smoke-flavor, almost unbearable. Just made the food taste weird. Again, could have been the pellets.

I also didnt like the mini-fridge feel. Not enough room for a brisket, ribs were tight. It was just too small and I found myself not using it much, and when I did it was only for pulled pork.

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05-13-2021 at 08:32 AM #12

Quote from tacituskilg0re

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What about Traeger crossed them off your list so quickly?

Didnt like the allegations about their pellets containing oils, didnt like that many people suggested you only use their pellets. Had a friend who had one and said it was ok. These few things just made me not really consider them.

If I was going Traeger vs CC, it was going to be CC hands down. The only reason I considered these Z Grills was because of price, but seeing the price was basically the same, the CC became a no brainer for me.

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05-13-2021 at 09:21 AM #13

Quote from mrayray09

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I was using pellets to create the smoke, and I felt the very slow burning gave off an overly strong smoke-flavor, almost unbearable. Just made the food taste weird. Again, could have been the pellets.

I also didnt like the mini-fridge feel. Not enough room for a brisket, ribs were tight. It was just too small and I found myself not using it much, and when I did it was only for pulled pork.

Ah, so you had a masterbuilt pellet smoker? I was referring to my gravity series 560 which is a charcoal smoker.

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05-13-2021 at 10:33 AM #14

Quote from mrayray09

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Didnt like the allegations about their pellets containing oils, didnt like that many people suggested you only use their pellets. Had a friend who had one and said it was ok. These few things just made me not really consider them.

If I was going Traeger vs CC, it was going to be CC hands down. The only reason I considered these Z Grills was because of price, but seeing the price was basically the same, the CC became a no brainer for me.

Ah, so none of your issues were with Traeger themselves, just things you read about pellets. Yeah, you can use whatever pellets you want with whatever BBQ you want.

I've used Traeger for years and they are extremely reliable. It produces a consistent, reliable temp and smoke every single time.

However, they are a little spendier, so if the investment isn't worth it to someone, that's totally understandable, and it makes sense to go with a less expensive brand.

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05-13-2021 at 10:53 AM #15

Quote from mrayray09

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I researched these a little when I was buying. I went from a masterbuilt electric smoker to a pellet smoker. Traeger was crossed off my list pretty early. I was down to this and camp chef. For me, the camp chef is a much better product with a small price increase, plus they have very good customer service. You can find good ones in the $400 range with the PID and updated controller. These would be comparable to the larger 550A, which looks small to begin with. Plus, it only has a 10lb hopper, which is pretty tiny. The CC will have a 20lb hopper. Pretty important with overnight cooks.

Here is one on sale for $399 with the new controller https://www.sportsmans.com/outdoo...94QAvD_BwE.

Now, if you were considering getting an entry level one with the intent to upgrade to something nicer in the near future (like a RecTec), I would say the Z Grill might not be bad. But if you are looking more long term, I would go with a Camp Chef.

Agree with everything you said. I got the stxx from sportsmans around Christmas for 250. Same as the stxs only no side shelf.

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