Z Grill Blind Box Review

How To Start Your Z Grills The First Time

Z Grills Blind Box Pellet Grill Unboxing and Review- why I chose Z Grills.
  • Remove everything. Open the hopper and grill lids. Take out the grilling racks, the grease tray and the plate that sits over the fire pot.
  • Turn the controller dial to the shut-down cycle. Turn the switch on.
  • Turn the dial to smoke and wait for the fan to start up.
  • The auger should now slowly rotate, check to make sure. It might turn on or off a couple of times when you turn the dial to smoke. This is normal in the first minute or so. When the auger motor is on you might also be able to hear it.
  • Make sure that air is blowing out of the fire pot by holding your hand over the top of it.
  • Check that the ignition rod, which is at the bottom of the fire pot, is getting hot. Dont touch it, it should be hot, but you should be able to see it turning slightly red after a few minutes of being on the smoke setting. There might be some smoke too, this is normal during first operation.
  • Time to add wood pellets! Pour the pellets into the hopper. You dont need to fully fill it, 4.5lb will do for the first burn-in. Pour enough pellets in to reach the safety grate. Your wood pellets as best kept in a sealed container or bag when youre not using them, so only fill the hopper completely when youre using your grill for a long time.
  • Close the lid of the hopper.
  • Run the augur a bit longer to push wood pellets into the fire pot by turning the controller dial to high.
  • Weber Made In Huntley Illinois

    Being the biggest name in BBQ, Weber came into the pellet grill game with their SmokeFire range much later than many people expected .

    There are features of the Weber SmokeFire range I like, and there are some features which Im not a fan of. Some of these issues were addressed with the Gen 2 SmokeFire, however, when it comes to its smoking capabilities, I still think theres room for improvement.

    Anyway, what we are talking about here is where are the Weber SmokeFire pellet grills made? Well, Weber states they are made in Chicago , specifically in Huntley, Illinois, just outside of Chicago.

    The Weber SmokeFire EX4 and the EX6 are stated by Weber to be made in Chicago: Images BBQGuys.com

    If thats the case why have I written Sort Of in the title? Well, Weber states their SmokeFire pellet grills are made in Chicago from U.S. and globally sourced components.

    Hence, its not actually clear if the Chicago plant is simply an assembly line, or if like the other brands below actual fabrication of the pellet grills is being carried out in the US.

    The Weber SmokeFire range is priced at around $1,000 to $1,200, as other brands around that price point are not able to produce a grill in the US for that price point, how are Weber able to?

    You could say its because Weber is the largest BBQ manufacturer, hence through scale, they have cracked the code of making a pellet grill in the US for that price point, and that might very well be the case.

    Besides A Pellet Grill What Else You Get In The Blind Box

    You get mostly accessories some months, Z Grills include pellets, but mostly you get accessories. Things like grease bucket lines, cleaning brushes, and cooking tools are often included.

    Z Grills is now offering a mission card, which is a clever way of getting you to join their social media and share your experiences with others, but at the end of your mission, you get a free grill cover!

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    I Have Had My Zgrill 1000e For 2 Years

    I have had my Zgrill 1000E for 2 years and have noticed that its rusting out quickly the bracket the holds the drip pan, the drip pan and the fire box. I just replaced the fire box, but can not find the bracket the holds up the drip pan or I would have replaced it too. My Treager was a much better grill. Would not recommend the Zgrill. The grill has always been stored on my open porch and not it the open elements.

    Date of experience:November 22, 2022

    Reply from Z Grills

    Hi John! We are so sorry to hear that your experience with our company has not met your expectations. While we’d love the opportunity to regain your trust, we understand how frustrated you must be. Our deepest apologies for any inconvenience we have caused you. We wish you all the best in the future. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you need further assistance. Thank you for taking the time to provide us with valuable feedback.Best regards,

    What I Dont Like

    Z Grills Ambassador

    The first thing that set me back was the Pellet Restrictions in the Owners Manuel. It states that it is recommended to only use Z Grills wood pellets as they cant guarantee that other brands are suitable. Well, my husband and I already scoured the local stores for wood pellets and bought a brisket.

    Much to my surprise, it wasnt as easy to find bags of wood pellets in my area compared to propane tanks, and when we did, my first choice of flavor, apple, wasnt available. Anyway, since we already made those purchases, we used the PitBoss Cherry Blend Pellets. Luckily, we didnt experience any problems but now know to use Z Grills pellets.

    Pellet grills do require electricity as well as the pellets.

    While I cant say there was anything in particular about this specific grill and smoker that I wasnt pleased with, in general, pellet grills do require electricity as well as the pellets. We havent received our electric bill yet, but since the electricity is only used to power the auger and fan and not as a heating element, we dont expect it to be much more expensive.

    Lastly, the all-terrain wheels arent so all-terrain. Wheeling through the grass at a slight incline was a bit challenging. I also feared tipping the grill on its side as the wheels went over uneven surfaces.

      Z Grills 550c Pellet Grill and Smoker

      Beautiful, heavy-gauge steel pellet grill and smoker featuring bronze details. Get delicious wood-fired flavor on a range of food with ease!

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    A To Z List Of Pellet Grill/smoker Brands

    Back in 2007 when I first become aware of pellet grills and smokers the only brand I was really aware of was Traeger. Traeger is really where this whole concept of cooking with pellets started in the 1980s. It was a slow burner but since the 2010s is really when pellet grills and smokers started to get mainstream awareness, discussed alongside gas and charcoal grills. There are now over 30 pellet grill/smoker brands that Im aware of, and the link above goes to my A to Z list of brands article.

    Now, you may already be aware of a few of the other brands such as Pit Boss, Camp Chef, Z Grills and Im sure you are aware of Weber, though you may not have known they have entered the pellet grill game. However, they are now many, many more brands to look into. Some may be what are commonly referred to as Traeger clones, but many others are offering their own unique designs and features.

    Z Grills 1000e Storage:

    The Z Grills 1000E comes with a cover included in the box, and we suggest you use it if youre going to store the pellet grill outside. We store the grill in the garage and just pull it out into the driveway when were planning to cook on it, so we havent really exposed this wood pellet grill to the elements to see how it would hold up. We like that theres stainless steel built throughout the construction, so were sure that those parts would stand up to the weather if it were kept outside.

    Be sure to use code: ZGRILLS to save 5% off on your order!

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    Cheapest Smokin Brothers Pellet Grill/smoker Little Brother

    The Little Brother is Smokin Brothers portable pellet grill, hence its definitely not the largest pellet grill/smoker you will find in this article. Its primarily designed for camping/tailgating. However, there is still quite a bit of weight to it at 100 lbs.

    To my knowledge, the Little Brother from Smokin Brothers is the cheapest made-in-the-USA pellet grill/smoker currently on the market: Image Smokinbrothers.com

    The Little Brother from Smokin Brothers is not the most advanced pellet grill on this list, as it features no PID or WiFi technology within its control panel. However, it is indeed a true made-in-the-US pellet grill.

    Total Cooking Area = 370 sq.in Pellet Hopper Capacity = 10 lbsTemperature Range = 160 to 500 degreesDirect-Flame Access? = No

    Availability = BlaznGrillWorks.com

    Cheapest Myron Mixon Barq Pellet Grill/smoker Barq

    Unboxing & Reviews on blind box | Z Grills

    The cooking chamber on the BARQ pellet smokers is very boxy and with four racks. Hence, the cooking chamber is well suited to smoking lots of food in trays. Hence, these could also be suitable for commercial smokers.

    The BARQ 1700 from Myron Mixon Smokers is made from powered coated steel and stainless steel: Image Lowes.com

    With the use of stainless steel, twin-wall insulation and gasket lid, these all point towards excellent smoking performance. However, the 450-degree maximum temperature setting and lack of direct-flame access mean that the grilling performance is not going to be the best.

    Total Cooking Area = 1,588 sq.in Temperature Range = 160 to 450 degreesDirect-Flame Access? = NoAvailability = Lowes.com

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    Cheapest Royall Pellet Grill/smoker The Tailgater

    If you want to buy American, but youre quite limited on your budget, then you might want to consider the Royall Tailgater, as its available for just $500.

    The Royall Tailgater is one of the cheapest made-in-the-US pellet grills/smokers available: Image RoyallGrills.com

    Is this the most advanced pellet grill/smoker currently on the market? No, it features an earlier generation PID control and no WiFi or direct-flame access for grilling.

    However, if you only want to purchase an American-made product and you have limited funds, then really there is no lower-cost option available.

    Total Cooking Area = 270 sq.in Pellet Hopper Capacity = 10 lbsTemperature Range = 180 to 450 degreesDirect-Flame Access? = NoAvailability = RoyallGrills.com

    The Fire Beast 6002b2

    MSRP: $499.00

    Our most versatile pellet grill is back and better than ever with an upgraded open bottom shelf. This new model is being pre-launched in the Blind Box and is currently exclusively available through the Blind Box.

    With advanced grilling technology, premium-grade steel builds, and 100% all-natural hardwood pellet fuel, enjoy a powerful grilling experience only available with a Z Grills pellet grill.

    • Total cooking area: 697 sq. in.
    • Hopper capacity: 8 lbs.Temperature range: 180ºF to 450ºF
    • Dimensions: 46 x 22 x 48
    • Weight: 73 lbs.

    The Ultimate 8-in-1 Versatility: Grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, barbecue, char, or even sear all your favorite foods! The 6002B Pellet Grill is also designed with a slide plate flame broiler for easy access to direct flame searing.

    Authentic Smoky Flavor Achieved Easy: The Z Grills pellet grill features a one-button start-up. Just set the temperature and step away to have fun! The PID technology precisely maintains the temperature at your set point anywhere between 180 to 450 °F for the most consistent results possible.

    Cook on Your Grill, Your Way: An upper warming rack expands the grilling area to 573 square inches, providing additional space to cook more food. Or simply remove it when you need the extra height for the main surface to expand your cooking options.

    What we like

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    What Customer Service Switching Back To Charcoal

    What customer service? ALL THE REVIEWS THAT SAY CUSTOMER SERVICE SUCKS, IS TRUE!! The instructions for burning the grill in is VERY POORLY WRITTEN and different from website. I’m concerned that the pellets in the hopper smoked more than anything else

    Date of experience:July 29, 2022

    Reply from Z Grills

    Hi Kevin, thank you for your heads up. We would like to apologize for the frustration you’ve been experiencing recently. if the phone call had no response, it’s probably during the weekend. To help us route your complaint to the appropriate department that can address your concerns, we’d be grateful if you can provide us with additional details regarding your experience by emailing [email protected] are truly sorry for the inconvenience and hope to offer you better services in the future. Z Grills Service Team

    A Few Advantages Of Z Grill s Blind Box

    Z Grills 550c Wood Pellet Grill &  Smoker Review
    • You get a grill for under 500 bucks.
    • These grills are standard size grills, offer appropriate temperature output to cook a wide range of meals, and have enough space for cooking large meals.
    • These are new grills with a three-year warranty.
    • A pellet grill produces more smoke and better flavor than a gas grill, which is why they are so popular.
    • You get most of the accessories you need for grilling in one single box.
    • You get accessories for your grill and everything you need to start grilling.

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    Long Time Customer With Z

    Long time customer with z-grill!!! Purchased my grill back in 2017. Recently started having issue when starting grill it would keep heating to high temperature. Called the z-grill customer support and they diagnosed problem and sent me out a new control board. Definitely will purchase a new z-grill when time comes!!! Thanks again for the excellent service….

    Date of experience:July 28, 2021

    My Z Grill Got A Code 1 And Would Not Start

    My z grill got a code 1 and would not turn on . Call Z Grill support for help and got help to trouble shot problem. They were very helpful and set me on right path to fix. It was still under warranty and sent me the part required. They were very professional sent the part witch i got in 3 days . I would recommend buying .

    Date of experience:September 04, 2022

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    Cheapest Weber Smokefire Pellet Grill/smoker Ex4

    The EX4 share exactly the same core features and functionality as its larger sibling the EX6, it just features a smaller cooking chamber. One of the standout features of the SmokeFire is its one of the fastest pellet grills to heat up.

    At around a thousand dollars, the Weber SmokeFire EX4 is the cheapest full-sized pellet grill/smoker made in the US : Images BBQGuys.com

    When it comes to grilling and searing for its price point, the SmokeFire EX4 is one of the best options for its price currently on the market. However, when smoking to avoid grease fires I do recommend the use of a water pan under the grates.

    • Total Cooking Area = 672 sq.in
    • Pellet Hopper Capacity = 20 lbs
    • Temperature Range = 200 to 600 degrees
    • Direct-Flame Access? = Yes

    Availability = BBQGuys.com

    Where Are Z Grills Made

    Z Grills Blind Box Promotion 2021 | Is It Worth It?

    This is a tricky one actually. There is no info on the Z Grills website that I could find, which is a little dubious because it seems like they are maybe trying to hide it?

    However, I did find a post by BBQdryrubs who was clever enough to grab a screenshot a while back when the company did mention that

    we are a US-based brand that has been making high-quality grills and smoker for 30 years.

    And:

    Weve made grills for other brands you may have heard of: Traeger, Rankam, Landmann, and Kenmore.

    So, despite this still not mentioning where z grills are made, if you think the Traeger is a good-quality grill , youre in pretty safe hands with the z grill.

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    How Z Grills Work

    If you know how pellet grills work, feel free to skip ahead.

    The Z Grills design is very similar to brands like Pit Boss and Traeger. The grill works by burning wood pellets to create heat and smoke to flavor your food.

    In our video review of the Z Grills 700D4E we show how this popular design works, and what we think of it after smoking on it.

    The pellets are stored in a hopper located on the side of the grill. A mechanical auger feeds the pellets into a firebox where a rod ignites them.

    A sensor keeps track of the temperature and works with the digital controls to maintain the temperature you set by controlling the flow of pellets and airflow.

    This design allows you to load up your hopper, set the temperature and effectively set it and forget it.

    While they are often called pellet grills, I really think of them as smokers or ovens since they specialize in maintaining steady temperatures over long hours.

    Pellet Grills are great for people who dont want the hassle or mess of cooking with charcoal but want more smoke flavor, and convenience than gas or electric smokers can provide.

    We have a more detailed guide that includes our favorite pellet grills for every budget here.

    What You Get In Z Grills Blind Box

    As mentioned before, you get a few accessories, but the main point here is that you get a pellet grill. Z Grills changes their deals often, but you can get a grill as big as 800 square inches or the 550B2 with about 500 square inches of space. Depending on the season, Z grills might include a pellet bag or two!

    These grills typically cost between $500 and $900, but with the box special pay under $400 bucks and you get a pellet grill.

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    The Smoke Engine 550b2

    MSRP: $479.00

    The NEW 2021 model 550B2 delivers an unrivaled grilling experience that produces restaurant-quality meals every time. Its built with durable, high-quality materials to ensure you can entertain your family year after year and season after season.

    • Total cooking area: 538 sq. in.
    • Hopper capacity: 10 lbs.Temperature range: 180ºF to 450ºF
    • Dimensions: 47 x 24 x 48
    • Weight: 77 lbs.

    538 sq. in. Cooking Area: Two tiers of grill racks offer 538 sq. in. of total cooking area to feed 4 to 5 people. The removable upper rack gives the extra height for the main surface when removed.

    Incredibly Steady Temperature: The PID technology holds the tightest temperature possible throughout your cook for consistent results.

    Set It and Step Away Operation: Simply select the desired cooking temperature and let the smoker do the rest. Grilling has never been so easier.

    8-in-1 Versatility: A wide temperature range from 180 to 450 °F allows you to bake, grill, smoke, BBQ, roast, braise, barbeque, and char-grill a seemingly unlimited amount of recipes.

    Built to Last: Sturdy steel construction with a high-temperature powder coat finish makes the pellet grill long-lasting, bringing you years of ultimate wood-fired grilling experience.

    Bottom Storage Shelf: The bottom shelf provides the space to place your grilling tools, condiments, etc., keeping what you need within reach.

    What we like

    • no shelves to work off of

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