Z Grills Vs Traeger: Which Is Better?

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Which Is Better?

Summer is rapidly approaching, which means it’s time to start planning barbecues! If you’re looking for a new grill, you may be debating the Z Grills Vs Traeger, which is the best option for you. In fact, the two grills are among the most popular among smokers. As a result, choosing one of them is difficult.

We’ll compare and contrast these two smokers – Z Grills vs Traeger – in this blog article to help you determine which is ideal for your requirements. We’ll go through the benefits and drawbacks of each type, as well as their pricing ranges, so you can make an educated decision before buying a smoker. Let’s get this party started!

What Is The Z Grills?

The Z Grills is a relatively new product on the market. It’s comprised of a steel cooking chamber and body, as well as a heavy-duty steel base that holds the pellets. The price point is higher than some other competitors, but it does appear to be backed by great customer service and support.

The History Of The Z Grills

The Z Grills is a revolutionary grill that has been designed to cook up to 30% faster than other grills. It was created by Duane and Kelly Bickel, the owners of Twisted Fire Wood Company, who realized that they needed an easier way to transport their firewood products across the USA. Determined to find a faster means of transportation rather than put in more hours on the road themselves, they launched an innovative side project: take one old barbecue grill and add multiple propane tanks in order for it to become motorized and mobile. And so The Z Grills concept was born!

What Is The Traeger?

The Traeger brand of pellet grills seems to be popular with BBQ teams and competitive cooks, as well as casual backyard grillers. The company is based in the USA and markets its products worldwide. Traeger’s pellet grills feature modern designs with even heat cooking grids and convenient digital temperature controls. Their features include: “Infinity Ignition” auger-based ignition system for easy start-up, dual-LED temperature readout so you can monitor internal meat temp from the unit or through the app on your phone, continuous hopper cleanout from a sliding drawer at the bottom that makes getting rid of ash quickly and easy, porcelain-coated removable cast iron grate, heavy-duty steel firebox, bottom loading auger for easy filling of pellets, simple folding legs, “Traeger Assurance” 10-year warranty.

The History Of The Traeger

The company was founded in 1984, and the name is derived from “Traeger Grills,” which were originally manufactured by a small family-run business in Texas. Today, many of their products are manufactured in China. And while Traeger does still manufacture pellet grills in its Texas facility, there are several other locations where they manufacture their other products such as wood pellets used to smoke food and manage the ash created during the process.

In 2008, The Virginia-based Marubeni Corp., an international trading firm that supplies steel pipe and coal to Japanese power companies, bought a stake in privately held electric smoker maker Traeger for $13 million. They did this to get access to Traeger’s e-commerce business, according to a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

At the time, Traeger was in talks to sell itself for $20 million to $30 million, according to the SEC filing. After doing their due diligence, Marubeni decided not to buy Traeger after all, but they ended up buying a majority stake in 2012 through an investment unit.

In this current market, Trager still has a popular reputation with a high rate of users.

Where Do Z Grills Come From?

The Z Grills brand, a division of Global Trading Inc., has been manufacturing pellet grills in China since 2004. According to the company’s website, they started as a manufacturer and importer of pellet stoves for home heating and then launched their own line of pellet smokers in 2010 as one of the first companies to mass-market these types of units. 

They now offer a full line-up from basic entry-level units all the way up to high-end premium grills. The website mentions that they use U.S.-made materials whenever possible, including “stainless steel is used wherever possible; metal components are made from 300 series stainless; paint is powder-coated; wood components are American hardwoods.”

Where Are Traeger Grills Manufactured?

According to the company’s website, Traeger Grills are handmade at their plant in Pitman, Texas. The old plant was destroyed by fire along with several other buildings in 2010 and had to be rebuilt. They now manufacture pellet grills at their new facility which is based out of an industrial park near Waco, TX.

How Do Z Grills Work?

Before coming to the main comparison of Z Grills vs Traeger, we should know about the definition and origin of the two brands of grill. And, in this part, we mention the operating process of these grills from both brands – z grills vs Traeger.

You start the grill by turning on the propane tank and setting up all your equipment, putting coals in the firebox, and adding wood chips or other types of flavor to make it easier to get that smoky taste. Next, you open the damper to heat up the inside of your smoker; this can take about 10 minutes. 

Once it starts getting hot enough (with no smoke), you close the damper again. This will keep your food moist while smoking; less moisture means more flavorful results. While cooking, if you want to add additional smoke flavoring to your meat, you should simply lift one end of the lid off its hinges and pour in some pellets right into the firebox while slowly closing the lid again.

How Do Traeger’s Grills Work?

You will need to choose a temperature and set it accordingly (low or high). Next, you can add some pellets into the firebox and wait for them to start smoking. Once there’s smoke coming from the grill, place your meat on the grilling surface and see if you need to open/close any vents for more or less heat. Use the 2 leather-coated gloves that come with your grill to get your food out of the smoker once done cooking.

Z Grills Vs Traeger: The Comparison Between Z Grills And Traeger Pellet Grills

There are some differences between Z grills and Traeger grills we can see below:

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Price

• Z Grills:

The price is depending on the model and features of these models, but you can buy a good smoker for around $350 – $700.

• Traeger Grills:

You can buy a new Traeger pellet grill starting at $500 – $899. Pellet grills from this brand are available in all price points and sizes (from extra-small to XXL), which means everyone will find an appropriate model to meet their needs and budget. 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Construction

• Z Grills:

The Z Grills grills and smokers are made from high-quality American steel and cast iron. They use 304-grade stainless steel in all areas where the food will touch so you won’t have any problems with corrosion or rust down the road. We also like that they used a porcelain coating on the cast iron grates, which is one of our top favorite cooking surface materials because it provides a superior nonstick cooking surface that’s very durable.

• Traeger Grill:

The Traeger grills are made from powder-coated sheet metal which helps to prevent rusting but may not hold up as well over time since it’s a thinner material. The firebox is constructed out of heavy-duty 11-gauge steel, and there is a 14-gauge stainless steel U-shaped channel for the cooking grates. This steel is thick enough to prevent warping over time, like some other brands that use thinner metal.

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Temperature Range

• Z Grills:

The smoking temperature is adjustable from 180 to 450 degrees F.

• Traeger Grills:

The best pellet smokers can reach temperatures of up to 500 degrees F, giving you plenty of room to grill a wide range of meats and other foods. There are a few models that can achieve even higher temperatures, which makes them suitable for cooking pizzas or heating your food on the stovetop as well. 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Direct-Flame Access

• Z Grills:

On Z Grills, you can easily access the firebox for a quick start or to add more pellets.

• Traeger Grills:

You’ll find that Traeger makes it very easy to access any of its heat zones directly by placing them adjacent to the firebox. This makes it easy to transfer hot coals from a small pile on one side of your grill directly into the firebox without disrupting your cook. 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Temperature Control

• Z Grills:

The temperature can be adjusted in 5-degree increments. The control panel includes a “No-Burn” feature that ensures no ash will come out of the firebox for at least ten minutes after you turn off the grill which is good if you don’t want to leave any charcoal behind.

• Traeger Grills:

You’ll find an advanced pellet grill with precise temperature control. It has four large LED indicator lights, which make it easy to see what condition your pellet grill is in, even when it’s dark outside or rainy and foggy. You can expect 4 to 6 hours of cooking time when using the low setting (180 degrees F) and 3 to 4 hours when using the high setting (500 degrees F).

Z Grills Vs Traeger: WiFi/ App Control 

• Z Grills:

There is no function in all models of Z Grills.

• Traeger Grills:

You can control your Traeger pellet cooker using different methods. There’s an application you can download to your mobile device, there’s also the Traeger Junior Elite that even lets you manage temps from your child’s phone. This grill smoker has WiFi capability; therefore, you can monitor the cooking process remotely with another phone or tablet. This is a very cool feature that could prove useful when it comes to home security too. 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Cooking Space

• Z Grills:

You’ll get 400 square inches of cooking space, which is enough to cook for an entire family.

• Traeger Grills:

The pellet grills from Traeger are available in dimensions of 34 x 24 x 45 inches and 48 x 20 x 52 inches. The cooking surface inside the grill has a total area of 878 square inches. You can fit up to 12 burgers on this grill at once, or 7 pork butts, 2 whole chickens, 18 hot dogs, 4 rib racks, or 4 pizzas (each pan holds 16-inch pizza). 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Pellet Hopper Size

• Z Grills:

The hopper capacity for this grill is 30 pounds.

• Traeger Grills:

Each model from Traeger has a large pellet hopper, which can hold up to 18 pounds of pellets at one time. This means you will have to refill the hopper only once per grilling session, and it will last for hours before you have to do that again. 

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Warranty

• Z Grills:

The company provides 2 years limited warranty on materials and workmanship; 3 months limited warranty against corrosion; a 1-year free service contract with every unit purchased. They will only replace or repair your product if it is deemed defective by one of our authorized dealers upon purchase.

• Traeger Grills:

This brand offers a low-price guarantee. They are very confident in their products, which is why they offer 10 years warranty on the steel components and a 1-year warranty on all other parts. You can expect unmatched durability from these grills which means you won’t have to buy another one for at least ten years if not more.

Z Grills Vs Traeger: Extra Features

• Z Grills: 

There are standard features on Z Grills that you may find useful as well, such as a side table where you can place tools or your food; a built-in Thermometer; ash catcher; stove that lets you cook food with natural gas or Liquid Propane Gas (LPG). The smoker also includes 2 wheels, 2 hooks, a fuse, and a blower.

• Traeger Grills:

The grill includes a convenient side shelf that mounts to the left or right of the grill’s main body. You can also find 2 leather-coated nylon searing gloves with this model which is another great feature for those who want to move their food around while cooking without burning themselves. On other models from Traeger, you may get other features such as an auto-start ignition system, non-stick grate surface, and an ash-removal system.    

Z Grills Vs Traeger: The Real Comparisons 

• Z Grills 7002B Wood Pellet Grill:

The Z Grills 7002B is the most popular grill in the Z Grills lineup by a significant amount, and it was recently modified in 2021 to accommodate 24 pounds of pellets. You’ll be hard pushed to find a better grill that straddles the line between performance and cost in terms of value for money.

You’ll have a total of 697 square inches of cooking space to deal with here. This grill also has a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing you to perform just about everything on the grill! On this grill, you can do anything from smoking to searing to grilling to even baking cookies.

In addition, this grill is well-made and comes with a three-year warranty, ensuring that your investment is safe. There’s a large cabinet where you can keep your equipment, and the grill also comes with a cover, which is a must-have.

• Traeger Grills Ironwood Series 885 Pellet Grill:

The Traeger Ironwood 885 Pellet Grill is part of Traeger’s premium grill range and is jam-packed with features. Regardless of its name, it is without a doubt one of the best pellet grills on the market.

The disadvantage is that these added capabilities come at a price — this grill is on the higher end of the pricing range.

If that’s the case, you’ll be rewarded with a stunning grill with 885 square inches of cooking surface space.

Furthermore, it is equipped with the WiFIRE technology that we explained previously. From the comfort of your smartphone, you can manage and monitor every element of your kitchen. You can also control your barbecue with Alexa voice commands!

The Ironwood 885 also receives a considerable update “behind the hood.” It comes with Traeger’s revolutionary D2 Direct Drive, which works on direct current (DC) and allows the grill to control the auger speed. If it senses a jam, it can even reverse!

In practice, this implies that the grill will have an easier time keeping a consistent temperature. The difference is most obvious when the weather is cold or windy. Whereas other inexpensive barbecues (such as Z Grills) may struggle to maintain temperature, the Ironwood Traegers will function admirably.

• Z GRILLS ZPG-10002B:

The Z Grills ZPG-1000 Pellet Grill is an excellent choice if you want to maximize your cooking surface area. You’ll get 1,000 square inches of cooking surface area spread across three cooking racks, which is enough to feed a large crowd.

The hopper will be improved as well, with a capacity of 20 pounds. You won’t have to replenish it as often. For all of your smoking and grilling needs, the temperature can be regulated anywhere between 180 and 450°F, much like the other Z Grills models.

A built-in front shelf and a side shelf provide additional storage space for your cookware. When not in use, you may also store BBQ equipment or supplies. In general, the ZPG-1000B is a practical and cheap option for everyday cooking requirements.

• Traeger Grills Pro Series 575 Grill:

You’d be hard pushed to find a better overall choice in the Z Grills vs Traeger debate than the Traeger Pro Series 575 Grill. It’s a little more expensive, but it gives you a far better grilling experience.

The integration with Amazon’s Alexa and Traeger’s phone app, WiFIRE, is perhaps the most notable feature. You can set your grill’s temperature and timings, as well as check pellet levels and the interior temperature of your meal, all from the comfort of your phone or using vocal instructions.

These are characteristics you won’t find on a more budget-friendly barbecue like the Z Grills.

This Traeger grill has a 575-square-inch cooking surface, an 18-pound hopper, stainless steel cooking grates, and a rust-resistant exterior.

• Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker:

The Z Grills 450B Wood Pellet Grill is one of Z Grills’ best-selling models, owing to its high-quality construction and inexpensive pricing.

To begin, you’ll have 459 square inches of cooking surface space to deal with, as well as a temperature range of 180 to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s plenty of room and power to accomplish almost any task you might throw at a grill or smoker.

You can effortlessly adjust your temperature and forget about it thanks to an automatic electronic feed system and an easy LED display. Your grill doesn’t require any babysitting, which is wonderful whether you’re a total novice or a seasoned veteran.

A ten-pound hopper, a foldable side shelf, heavy-duty wheels, and a rust-proof stainless steel cooking chamber with stainless steel cooking racks are all included in this grill.

What Is The Life Expectancy Of A Z Grill?

Z Grills boasts about their outstanding build quality and the use of premium materials in their products on their website. The grills are composed of strong gauge steel, which means they will last a long time.

Z Grills offers a specialized customer support staff that can help you with any problems you might have with your barbecue. Their items are all covered by a three-year warranty.

Before being released for sale and shipment, each grill must pass a series of stringent quality control tests. Each grill is backed by a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee and may be returned or refunded.

If the temperature rises over 356 degrees Fahrenheit, 2.2 pounds of wood pellets will last about an hour on the grill.

Your grill will burn 0.66 to 0.88 pounds of wood pellets per hour when set to smoke or at a temperature below 225 degrees Fahrenheit. This implies that a 22-pound bag of wood pellets can last anywhere from 10 to 25 hours.

How Long Do The Traeger Grills Last?

Traeger Grills also boasts about its quality materials and assembly. The grills are composed of stainless steel and high-grade enamel or powder-coat finishes, meaning they will last a long time as well.

As with all other types of pellet grills, there is no direct heating element on this product. The heat it generates comes from the pellets themselves and by convection within the grill (the hot air creating the heat). This means that the temperature inside the firebox should remain fairly consistent throughout your cooking session.

Traeger Grills offers a one-year warranty for their items under normal use and proper maintenance. If you have any problems with your grill, you should contact customer service as soon as possible so they can arrange for a replacement.

You will also find an owner’s manual that comes with your grill. The first step of the manual is assembling your grill, which should be straightforward if you can follow some basic directions. Before cooking, you need to set up the temperature on the control panel before loading wood pellets into the firepot and lighting them according to instructions in the Owner’s Manual that came with your Traeger Grill.

So, Z Grills Vs Traeger, Which Is Better?

Z Grills’ grills are made of heavy-duty steel, cast iron, and stainless steel. Their cooking surfaces are porcelain-enameled cast iron for durability and ease of cleaning. They do not have the ability to maintain a very consistent temperature as electric smokers can.

As such, these types of grills might not be best for those who like the consistency in temperature that comes with electric smokers or even propane grills. Electric grills require no lighting at all; just plug them into an electrical outlet and you’re ready to go. On the other hand, Z Grills are also much more efficient than propane grills because it does not waste any energy on lighting up their pellets; instead, it heats directly from the electricity.

Z Grills also offers a much better customer support service than Traeger Grills. You can call their toll-free number to get you through any problems you might have with your grill. In addition, Z Grills provides a three-year warranty for its grills under normal use and proper maintenance — twice as long as what Traeger Grills offers.

When we talk about the price of pellet grills, we cannot ignore Traeger Grills’ main competitor: Char-Broil. It costs approximately $200 less than the average cost of a Traeger Grill and has similar features and design (however, it is not electric). Another cheaper alternative would be to purchase an electric smoker instead.

While all-electric pellet grills are much more costly than their gas counterparts, they are still reasonable investments.

Finally, it can see clearly that Z Grills will be the better choice for your need, but it’s depending much more on your preference. 

Conclusion Z Grills Vs Traeger

Lastly, Z Grills vs Traeger, which grill is the best? The answer to that question really depends on what you are looking for in a grill. If you want something with a lot of features and accessories, then the Z Grill is probably the better option. However, if you are looking for something with more of a classic flavor and don’t mind spending a little extra time prepping your food, then the Traeger might be the better choice. Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.