Best Large Pellet Grills: Six Big Grills for Crowds, Brisket and Entertaining

A large pellet grill earns its keep when you cook for people. Think holidays, birthday parties, tailgates and weekends when the family comes over. The extra space lets you cook the main dish and the sides at once, or smoke two or three big cuts in the same session.

But large does not mean better for everyone. A bigger grill costs more, takes more room and uses more pellets. If you cook for two, you will pay for space you rarely use. This guide is for people who cook for crowds, smoke big cuts, or simply want room to grow. Prices move, so the table shows typical ranges. Confirm the current price on Amazon.

How much cooking area do you need?

Cooking area is measured in square inches, and it is the number that tells you how much food fits.

450 to 600 square inches: two racks of ribs, a whole chicken or burgers for six. Plenty for a family of four.

700 to 800 square inches: a full brisket, a couple of pork butts or three to four racks of ribs.

850 to 970 square inches: several large cuts at once, plus sides. This is the range for hosting.

Remember that the usable space depends on the layout. A tall rack gives you more total area, but the top tier runs hotter in some grills. Spread food thinly and rotate when needed.

What to look for in a large grill

Hopper size. A big grill with a small hopper is a bad match, because long cooks burn through pellets. A 30 pound hopper, like the one on the Pit Boss Navigator 850, can run for many hours at low temperatures.

Controller. PID controllers hold steadier temperatures than basic ones, which matters more on a large chamber.

Build. Thicker steel and a tight lid seal hold heat better, especially in wind and cold.

Support. For a grill this size, easy access to parts and help is worth a premium.

Footprint. Check the width and depth with the lid open before you buy.

Our six picks

Pit Boss Navigator 850: best large grill for the money

About 932 square inches, WiFi and Bluetooth app control and a 30 pound hopper. That is a lot of grill and a big hopper at a mid-range price, which makes it the best value in this group.

Few buyers have rated it so far, and it has a large footprint.

Buy it if you want the most space and the longest cooks per hopper for the price. Skip it if you want a long track record on this exact model.

Traeger Woodridge: best large Traeger value

An 860 square inch grill with WiFi app control. It is a current-generation Traeger, so you get the established app and the large support network. It costs less than the top-tier models, with plenty of room for big cooks.

It carries a premium over similar-size rivals, and it needs patio space.

Buy it if you want a large grill from the best supported brand. Skip it if price per square inch is your top concern. See also our Traeger guide.

Traeger Woodridge Pro: largest cooking area

The Woodridge Pro offers 970 square inches, the largest in our list, with WiFi app control. It has room for multiple big cuts at once, which suits large families and frequent entertainers.

It carries a premium price and needs a lot of space.

Buy it if you host often and want maximum room. Skip it if you rarely cook for more than six.

Traeger Ironwood 885: best premium large grill

Traeger's upper-tier model, with 885 square inches, WiFi app control and extra features over the entry grills. Hundreds of buyers have rated it, and it is a polished product.

It is expensive, and the cooking area is similar to the cheaper Woodridge, so you are paying for features, not space.

Buy it if you want the upper-tier Traeger experience. Skip it if you want the most grill per dollar.

Z Grills 7002B: best value large grill

About 700 square inches of cooking area, a digital controller and a strong ratings base of thousands of buyers. It is often priced well below the premium grills, and it is popular with first-time buyers.

It is a less established name than Traeger, and it has fewer premium touches.

Buy it if you want a roomy grill without paying for WiFi. Skip it if you want app control. It also appears in our guide to pellet grills under $1,000.

Pit Boss 700 Carbon: best low-cost large grill

About 718 square inches, a 13.5 pound hopper and a digital controller with a meat probe, at a low price. It is a newer listing with fewer ratings, but it is a lot of grill for the money.

It has no app control.

Buy it if you want space on a tight budget. Skip it if you want WiFi or a long record on this model. See our guide to pellet grills under $500 for more low-cost options.

The cost of going large

A large pellet grill costs more up front, and it costs more to run. You will burn more pellets on long cooks, so buy pellets in bulk when they are on sale and store them in a sealed bin. A fitted cover matters more on a big grill, since it protects a larger investment.

Clean it regularly. A large grease tray and fire pot collect more residue, and a dirty grill is the main cause of ignition and temperature problems. Plan to empty the tray often and vacuum the fire pot every few cooks.

Is a large grill right for you?

Ask yourself how often you cook for more than six people. If it is a few times a year, a mid-size grill and a little planning handle those days fine. If it is every month, a large grill makes life easier. If you smoke brisket or multiple pork butts regularly, our guide to pellet grills for brisket goes deeper.

For smaller households, see our main guide, and our WiFi guide covers app control in detail.

Common mistakes

Buying a huge grill for a small patio, ignoring hopper size, skipping the cover and forgetting to measure clearance for the open lid. Another common mistake is paying for a premium name when a value grill would cook just as well for your needs.

Using the space well

A big grate invites big cooks, but cramming it hurts results. Leave gaps between pieces so air and smoke can move. Put thicker cuts nearer the hotter side, usually closer to the fire pot, and thinner pieces farther away. If the top rack runs hotter or cooler than the main grate, learn the difference by checking with a thermometer, and plan around it.

For parties, stage the cook. Start the long items first, such as pork shoulder or brisket, then add ribs and chicken later. Use the space for sides too: baked beans in a pan, cornbread, vegetables. A large grill lets the whole meal share the same smoke.

Hosting tips

Plan your timing backward from the serving time. Rest large cuts in a cooler and hold them warm while the rest finishes. Keep a second thermometer or two on hand, so you can monitor several items at once. If you serve a crowd, a WiFi grill lets you check temperatures without leaving your guests. Keep pellets stocked, and fill the hopper before guests arrive.

Safety counts more with a crowd. Keep children and pets away from the grill, clear a path around it and keep a fire extinguisher nearby.

Bottom line

For most people who want a big grill, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 is the best value, with a 30 pound hopper and WiFi. Choose the Traeger Woodridge for support, the Woodridge Pro for maximum room and the Z Grills 7002B if you want value without app control. Measure your space, confirm the price and buy a cover.