Bluetooth technology has won the BBQ world by storm, and with so many high-tech smokers with temperature controllers available, it’s difficult to know which ones to choose.
I’ve been on a carnivore diet for over a decade, and smoking is my favorite way of cooking meat. I usually use a smoker at least once a week.
Having tried countless smokers over the years, I’ll give you my selection of the top seven smokers with a PID controller.
Our Top 7 Smokers with a PID Controller
1 - Traeger Pellet Grill Pro 575
- Set It & Forget it feature means there’s no need to stay next to the smoker
- PID temperature control for consistent temperatures during cooking
- Creates even smoke
- All-terrain wheels make it easy to move
- No low-pellet alert system
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Beginner grillers
Who is it not for?
- Advanced grillers wanting higher temperatures
Final Verdict
Great for beginners looking for an easy-to-use, reliable pellet grill. Limited to lower temperature ranges.
My top choice for a smoker with a PID controller is Traeger 575. This smoker has a TurboTemp feature that lets you preheat quickly — it goes to 350 degrees in less than ten minutes. Moreover, it quickly compensates for lost heat when opening the lid.
My favorite feature is the WiFi control. I could monitor and change the temperature, shut down the grill, and keep it warm from the app on my phone. Essentially, you can control the grill without having to hover over it.
Traeger 575 has a sensor probe measuring actual temperature and sending the info to your app, so you can know for sure when the meat is done.
Of all the pellet grill brands I’ve tried, this one was the easiest to clean. A drip tray catches the oil and drains it into a grease bucket. I never had any caked-on grease to clean after cooking.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 575 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 18 lbs
- Dimensions : 41 x 27 x 53 inches
- Max temperature : 500 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel
2 - Traeger Pro 780
- Large cooking area
- Pellet grill control via app
- Easy pellet loading and accurate temperature control
- Has to be kept close to a plug
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Intermediate grillers
Who is it not for?
- Those needing portability
Final Verdict
Ideal for intermediate grillers needing a larger grilling area. Not suitable for those who need portability.
Traeger Pro 780 is a larger version of Traeger Pro 575. The biggest difference between them is the cooking area — Traeger Pro 780 has 780 square inches of cooking space. This is enough to fit 34 burgers, 6 rib racks, or 6 chickens.
It also has a Set it & Forget if feature, which lets you control the pellet grill from anywhere. This is one of my favorite PID-controlled pellet grills because it has stable temperature controllers for even smoking results.
You can open the lid as much as you want, and the desired temperature will remain the same.
Overall, this is one of the easiest pellet grills to set up and use. But keep in mind it’s an electric smoker, so you need to keep it somewhere close to an electric plug.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 780 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 18 lbs
- Dimensions : 48.7 x 26.7 x 54.4 inches
- Max temperature : 500 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel
3 - Z Grills 550B
- High-temperature powder coat and steel body make it durable
- Multiple cooking options
- PID controller produces even temperature
- Small pellet hopper capacity
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Budget-conscious grillers
Who is it not for?
- Users needing a large hopper capacity
Final Verdict
A budget-friendly option with decent features for casual grilling. Limited hopper capacity requires refilling.
Z Grills 550B has an advanced PID controller, which ensures there aren’t any temperature swings, no matter if you smoke in winter or summer. The PID controller provides excellent regulation for more consistent temperatures.
You can walk away and go about your business while the smoker does all the work.
This pellet grill is on the smaller side, so it’s ideal for couples and medium-sized families. You can cook 22 burgers, 4 rib racks, or 3 chickens.
My favorite part of this pellet grill was the eight cooking styles: sear, smoke, BBQ, roast, char-grill, braise, bake, and grill. This makes it one of the most versatile pellet grills on the market and one of the rare smokers that can smoke and sear food.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 553 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 10 lbs
- Dimensions : 47 x 20 x 45 inches
- Max temperature : 450 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel
4 - Weber SmokeFire EX4 Second Generation
- SmookeBoost option for more smoke
- Open grill design for grilling at low temperatures
- Quick heat time
- App doesn’t always allow customization
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Versatile grillers
Who is it not for?
- Those looking for compact grills
Final Verdict
A versatile grill with a wide temperature range suitable for various cooking styles. Its larger size may not fit smaller spaces.
Webber SmokeFire EX4 is another pellet grill with smart technology. You can use WiFi or Bluetooth to connect to the Webber Connect app, which lets you monitor the temperature remotely, change the temperature, activate the SmokeBoost option, or shut down the grill.
My favorite feature of this pellet grill is the option for the smoke setting called SmokeBoost.
When turned on, Smoke Boost smokes pellets at a lower-than-normal heat, which causes a boost in smoke. I found it’s best to use it for the first two hours to enhance the smoke flavor in food.
Overall, I didn’t have any issues with the temperature accuracy and stability. Thanks to the PID controller, the pellet grill maintained a stable desired temperature for the entire cooking time.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 672 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 20 lbs
- Dimensions : 47 x 43 x 33 inches
- Max temperature : 600 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel and porcelain enamel finish
5 - Camp Chef SmokePro DLX Pellet Grill
- Impressive temperature control
- Easy ash cleanout
- Simple interface
- Pellet feed issues
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Enthusiast grillers
Who is it not for?
- People with limited outdoor space
Final Verdict
Perfect for enthusiasts looking for precise control over cooking temperatures. Its size might be a drawback for those with small patios.
SmokePro DLX is my favorite of all Camp Chef pellet grills, mostly because of the attention to detail that makes the use easier.
This pellet grill has a primary enamel-coated grill grate and a second stainless steel side shelf that’s great for leaving trays and tools. Also, the magnetic latch on the hopper lid keeps it from flopping around when you move the grill.
Camp Chef included a second-generation PID controller with this pellet grill, which means more advanced and precise control.
The PID keeps the temperature within five degrees of the temperature you set. The highest deviation from my set temperature was 10 degrees. This is impressive and useful when smoking delicate meats, like salmon or ribs.
The only thing I didn’t like is that the pellet hopper doesn’t feed pellets when low, so you have to keep the pellet hopper well-stocked at all times.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 573 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 18 lbs
- Dimensions : 45 x 21 x 51 inches
- Max temperature : 500 degrees
- Material : Stainless steel
6 - Memphis Grills Elite Wood Fire Pellet Smoker Grill
- Reaches 700 degrees for grilling and searing
- Quality build
- Massive cooking space
- Very heavy and not easily movable
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Professional grillers
Who is it not for?
- Budget-conscious buyers
Final Verdict
Top-of-the-line pellet grill with professional-grade features and performance. Its high price point makes it less accessible for budget shoppers.
Memphis Grills Elite pellet grill is made from 304 stainless steel. It’s thick and heavy but extremely durable.
It has a 24 lbs hopper that lets you smoke for up to 24 hours and a massive cooking area of 1252 square inches. You can smoke for a party or a large family gathering.
This pellet grill has a PID controller, which Memphis Grills markets as Intelligent Temperature Control in the form of a digital control panel. It’s extremely easy to use. You can choose between several programming options.
There’s also a meat probe that lets you know the meat temperature during cooking via the app. There’s no need to go outside to control or check the temperature.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 1252 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 24 lbs
- Dimensions : 47 x 29 x 69 inches
- Max temperature : 700 degrees
- Material : 304 stainless steel
7 - Green Mountain Trek Pellet Grill
- Portable pellet grill
- Fits large cuts
- Smart connectivity and pellet grill control
- Small cooking space and a hopper capacity
Who is it for?
Who is it for?
- Portable grillers
Who is it not for?
- Large families
Final Verdict
Excellent for those needing a portable grill with good features. Limited grilling area makes it less suitable for large gatherings.
Green Mountain Trek is one of the most portable pellet grills. It’s small and relatively light, which makes it a tabletop smoker.
This pellet grill has a digital PID-based WiFi controller, which means you can control the pellet grill via an app and get temperature readings.
The material is powder-coated stainless steel, so even though this is a portable pellet grill, it’s durable.
My favorite part of the design is the tall cooking chamber because I could easily fit larger cuts. Also, the hopper is accessible externally. There’s no need to open the cooking chamber to add wood pellets and let the heat out.
Quick Facts:
- Total cooking space : 219 square inches
- Pellet hopper capacity : 9 lbs
- Dimensions : 16 x 32 x 24 inches
- Max temperature : 500 degrees
- Material : Powder-coated steel with a stainless steel lid
Buying Guide for Smokers with PID Controllers
Here’s everything you need to know about PID control when buying a new pellet grill.
1. What is a PID Controller?
A PID Controller stands for Proportional, Integral, and Derivative [1]. This means PID Controllers are advanced tools that control the actual temperature in the pellet grills.
PID controllers produce a stable desired temperature while cooking food. They do this by constantly making adjustments to the pellet feed auger and fan speed.
Some of the most advanced PID controllers can maintain a temperature within five degrees of the temperature you set (for example, Camp Chef pellet grills).
“A PID controller makes sure that the temperature swings are minimal or nonexistent. They’re ideal if you want consistent, perfect results each time you use your grill or want to be as hands-free as possible during the cooking time.”
- Z Grills Blog
PID controllers are especially useful when you grill in cold winter months because they can deal with external temperature and compensate for lost heat when you open the pellet grill lid. They adjust the airflow and fuel to maintain the temperature.
Overall, PID controllers use a lot of math to control the timing of the feed, so pellet grill smokers have stable temperatures in all conditions.
2. PID Controllers and Smoke
PID controllers affect smoke. The more efficient combustion in pellet grills, the less smoke you get.
PID controllers balance pellets through the auger speed very efficiently, so you get less smoke. However, you can set PID controllers to produce more smoke. For example, some pellet grills have Super Smoke (Traeger) or SmokeBoost (Weber) features.
These options make the pellet grills produce more smoke for a certain amount of time.
To sum up: a PID controller maintains a stable temperature but can affect the smoke output. That’s why you should choose pellet grill smokers with options to boost smoke production.
3. Smart Technology
PID Controllers and WiFi or Bluetooth connectivity go hand in hand. Most pellet grill smokers that have a PID controller also have a WiFi connectivity option.
You download the corresponding app and control pellet grills from your smartphone. You can set the temperature and check the internal temperature of the cooking chamber or the meat.
Probes constantly measure actual temperature and let you know if there’s an unexpected change. But, even if a change happens, the PID controller can make adjustments to maintain correct heat and smoke levels.
You can relax and monitor the pellet grill from your phone.
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FAQs
Which Pellet Grills Use a PID Controller?
Most pellet grills use a PID controller. Traeger PRO series pellet grills have PID controllers; most Camp Chef, Webber, Memphis Grill, Green Mountain, and Grilla Grills have it too.
What is a PID Controller Smoker?
A PID controller smoker is a tool that provides stable temperature in pellet grills. Some pellet grills with PID controllers can keep the temperature from variating more than five degrees.
Do Z Grills Have PID Controllers?
Yes, some Z Grills have PID controllers. These are Z Grills Pioneer 450B, Z Grills 600D3E, Z Grills 7002C2E, and Z Grills 700D4E [2].
Is Traeger PID Controller?
Yes, Traeger is PID controller. Traeger has the PRO series, which comes with PID controllers.
Does Pit Boss Make a PID Controller?
Yes, Pit Boss makes a PID controller. Pit Boss has a Platinum series of pellet grills with Smoke IT controllers with PID technology.
Do Green Mountain Grills Have a PID Controller?
Yes, Green Mountain Grills have a PID Controller on all of their grills.
What’s the Best Pellet Grill with a PID Controller for You?
Although all of the grills I’ve mentioned will give you a unique BBQ experience, my vote for the best pellet grill with a PID controller goes to Traeger PRO 575.
This pellet grill lets you preheat the grill quickly.
WiFi control lets you set the temperature and walk away from the smoker. You can check the internal grill temperature anytime via a smartphone app.
Finally, the PID keeps the temperature stable and creates even smoke for delicious, smoke-infused food. Check it out, and get your pellet grill today.
Traeger Pellet Grill Pro 575
Our #1 Recommendation
- Set It & Forget it feature means there’s no need to stay next to the smoker
- PID temperature control for consistent temperatures during cooking
- Creates even smoke
- All-terrain wheels make it easy to move
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