As a carnivore lifestyle adherent, I spend a lot of time with my pellet grill and smoker.
With the wear and tear that I put on my equipment to get the perfect smoke flavor, it is important to me to have a warranty that provides the best coverage. Therefore, I have spent a lot of time researching warranties from the top pellet grill companies, and this article will tell you what I have found.
Quick Summary
- Warranties give a purchaser protection against defects and breakage of their pellet grills.
- The best pellet smoker warranty provides comprehensive coverage, a long duration, and few exclusions.
- Pellet grill/smoker warranties range from 2-years of coverage to 6-years, depending on the manufacturer.
What Is a Pellet Grill/Smoker Warranty?
A pellet grill/smoker warranty is a contract between the purchaser and the manufacturer that describes what parts of the pellet grills they cover in case of malfunction or breakage.
It also outlines how long the coverage lasts and what the customer can expect from the company in terms of customer service.
Warranties generally come with limitations, such as not covering damage from negligence or misuse.
They expect pellet grills or smokers to undergo 'normal use' and have 'fair wear and tear.' They do not cover damage that is due to mistreatment, such as dropping your grill or leaving it out in the rain.
It is essential to read the warranty thoroughly before you purchase pellet grills or smokers to understand what may or may not be covered. It is important to read the fine print before purchase.
Reasons For A Good Warranty
The environment of a wood pellet grill/smoker is one that invites damage.
Pellet grills spend most of their time outdoors - in the rain, sun, snow, humidity, and freezing temperatures. None of those changes in the elements are suitable for smokers or pellet grills.
Then, inside pellet grills, there is fire. Not only do the BBQ pellets heat to the desired temperature across the square inches of cooking space, but they also leave behind acidic ashes and soot.
Like in gas grills and charcoal grills, the burnt-on fat and grease from direct flame grilling eat away at the materials if left there. On the other hand, constant cleaning and scraping are not much better.
All of these elements take their toll on the equipment, and that is why pellet grills require a good warranty.
How to Select the Best Pellet Grill/Smoker Warranty?
The most reliable method to select the best pellet grill/smoker warranty is to compare things such as pellet hopper capacity, whether it comes with a meat probe, whether you can use it as a pizza oven, and the size of the grilling space or cooking surface.
“[In 2019] after gas options, pellet grills drove the most dollar gains, reaching $189 million in sales with 52% growth over the prior year.”
- The NPD Group, Retail Tracking Service
You may also look at the pellet grill brand, size of the cooking chamber, ease of temperature control, or if there is a removable upper warming rack.
After all, you want a great grilling and smoking experience with a reasonable pellet consumption rate.
But when finding the pellet grill manufacturer with the best warranty, there are three things to consider:
- What parts of the grill does the warranty cover?
- For how long does the warranty cover those parts?
- How easy is it to make a claim?
1. Parts of the Grill
The first thing to think about is what parts of the grill are guaranteed.
Most companies cover individual parts of their pellet grills but cover different parts for various lengths of time.
However, their warranty on the right pellet grill may be different than an indirect heat infrared model or an electric smoker by the same manufacturer.
The highest quality pellet grill warranties are the ones that do not have a bunch of excepted parts.
For example, some companies exclude paint, powder coat, rust, or oxidation of their wood pellet grills. Other companies do not cover labor or don't pay for shipping.
Also, electrical parts may have a shorter warranty than the frame or interior construction. Meat probes likewise may have more limited warranties than the exterior cosmetic parts.
2. Length Of Warranty
The next thing to think about is the length of the warranty. Obviously, the more extended the warranty, the better. Unfortunately, no company offers a lifetime guarantee on all parts and workmanship for its pellet grills.
Even within a company, various products may have different lengths of warranty.
A gas or charcoal grill may not have the same warranty as a the pellet grill models. Thus, you really do need to compare manufacturers and products to determine the best coverage.
3. Ease of Claiming
The last thing to look at is how easy it is to make a claim.
You need to find a company that is easy to work with, and that will not give you the run-around when you have a problem with its pellet grills, so you can get back to grilling steaks quickly.
The best way to determine this is to read online reviews of the companies.
Look for companies with good customer service ratings and that people say are easy to work with.
Pellet Grill/Smoker Warranties Compared
When it comes to pellet grills and smoker warranties, we will cover the companies that really stand out.
All of these companies offer solid warranties on their pellet grills that cover a wide range of parts for an extended period of time. They also all have good customer service ratings.
However, they do have some differences in their warranties.
1. Traeger Grills
Traeger offers a 3-year warranty on all pellet grill parts against defects and workmanship errors under regular use. It is important to note that this is for personal use only. Under commercial use, the warranty is only for one year.
Traeger also expects you to use only pellets that are compatible with their smokers. That may mean Traeger branded wood pellets only since other brands may clog the augurs in their pellet grills.
Traeger does not cover shipping or labor costs associated with the repair. Shipping can add up to nearly the complete pellet grills worth for their full-sized pellet grills. And labor can do the same for a portable grill.
Read More: Best Traeger Grills Reviewed in Detail
2. Pit Boss Grills
Pit Boss pellet grills have a 5-year warranty on the grill structure, meaning the firepot, burn grate, sear box, and augur.
Pit Boss does not guarantee the cosmetics of their pellet grills - meaning that the powder coat and paint are not covered.
Additionally, corrosion and rust are not covered unless they lead to structural failure.
Simple oxidation due to weathering is not covered for portable grills or a high-end pellet smoker with stainless steel construction.
3. Camp Chef Grills
Camp Chef offers a 3-year warranty against defects in materials and workmanship on its pellet grills. This includes parts and labor. Camp Chef calls it a 'no-hassle' warranty, but paint and exterior coatings are not covered.
4. Weber Grills
Weber provides a 3-year warranty on cooking grates, the heat baffle, burn pot, pellet slide, and electrical controller components of its pellet grills.
The rest of the wood pellet grill has an even more impressive 5-year warranty, including parts like the firebox, lid, etc. This is more than the budget pellet grill brands and more than most pellet smokers overall.
5. REC TEQ Grills
REC TEQ gives you a different warranty depending on the model of versatile pellet grill or smoker you buy.
The lower-end portable pellet grill has only a 2-year warranty, but their top-end pellet grills have an industry-leading 6-year warranty.
That said, the warranties on pellet grills do not cover oxidation or rust.
And neither do they apply to commercial usage of these smokers.
6. Grilla Grills
A metalsmith started Grilla Grills, and it stands behind its pellet grills with a 4-year warranty. The warranty on pellet grills is for all manufacturing defects and most other problems that could occur.
7. Green Mountain Grills
Green Mountain Grills offers a relatively standard 3-year warranty that covers everything on its pellet grills except cosmetic components, paint, and powder coat.
The warranty does not cover abuse or misuse - a common language for most pellet grill warranties.
8. Z Grills
The Z Grill company provides a 3-year warranty that is pretty standard for most pellet grills.
It covers defects in materials and workmanship on pellet cookers but not corrosion, rusting, or normal wear and tear.
9. Memphis Grills
A wood-based company, Memphis does not have a gas grill or propane grill in its lineup.
But it does have a 5-year limited warranty on the firebox, burn pot, and digital controller.
This does not include the meat internal temperature probe, grill cover gaskets, or damage caused by corrosion.
All the electrical pellet cooker components have a 2-year warranty.
FAQs
What Does a Pellet Grill Warranty Not Cover?
A pellet grill warranty will often not cover:
- normal wear and tear
- labor to install a replacement part
- paint defects
- accessories like shelves or covers
- modifications or non-standard parts
- corrosion or oxidation
- shipping a returned product
How Do You Register a Warranty?
You can register your warranty on the website of most companies or by sending in a form by mail. This generally requires your name, address, contact information, and the product's serial number [1].
Some companies may require a copy of your sales receipt, but many do not.
Many manufacturers require that you register your pellet grill warranty within a specific time period, typically 30 days of purchase.
Once your warranty is registered, you will be able to take advantage of its benefits if something goes wrong with your purchase.
Should You Register Your Grill?
Yes, you should register your grill. One reason is that registering your grill helps to ensure that you will be covered in case of a recall. If there is a problem with the grill, the company will send you a notice so that you can get it replaced or refurbished.
Additionally, registering your grill allows you to take advantage of any warranties that they may offer.
If anything goes wrong within the warranty period, you'll be able to get it fixed without having to pay for repairs yourself.
Finally, if you ever have any questions or problems with your grill, the company's customer service representatives will be able to quickly look up your account and provide assistance [2].
How Long Do Pellet Smokers Last?
The best pellet grills and best pellet smokers last from 6-10 years before needing to be replaced. However, with proper maintenance, some pellet smokers can last even longer.
The key to prolonging the life of your pellet smoker is to make sure that it's always clean and well-maintained.
That means regular cleaning of the fire pot, hopper, and grill grates. It also means ensuring that the unit is protected from the elements when not in use.
Additionally, you should inspect the unit regularly for any signs of damage and replace worn parts as needed.
Finally, choosing a high-quality pellet smoker from a reputable brand is essential. Other pellet grills and low-end smokers tend not to last as long and may be more likely to have problems.
Instructions on Using the Warranty
There are several things you need to use a warranty successfully:
- Know what is covered. Make sure you understand what is included in your warranty before you make a purchase.
- Keep track of coverage. Keep your warranty information in a safe place so that you can easily find it when you need it. This will save you frustration and time if something goes wrong with your purchase.
- Claim it if necessary. If something does go wrong with your purchase, you should not be afraid to use your warranty. This is what it's there for.
- Contact the company's customer service department to help you with your claim. If you purchased the product from a store, you might need to go through the store's customer service department. Provide proof of purchase.
- The company will then choose whether or not to honor your claim. If your claim is approved, you will usually be given a replacement product or a refund. In some cases, you may be required to ship the product back for repair.
My experience is that all the reputable pellet grill companies I listed above have responsive customer service departments. I found that they all accepted my warranty claims without any pushback.
The Best Warranty for Your Pellet Grill/Smoker
When choosing a pellet grill/smoker, it is important to consider the type of coverage offered by the manufacturer.
There are many pellet grills/smokers on the market today, and each one provides a different warranty.
If you are interested in learning more about additional features of the most popular grills and which one you should buy, check out how Traeger and Pit Boss compare to each other on criteria other than warranty.
References:
- https://nexgrill.com/blogs/grilling-tips/grill-warranty-tips
- https://www.weber.com/US/en/blog/burning-questions/why-should-i-register-my-grill/weber-30065.html
