Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 vs Z Grills 7002C3E
Quick take: The Z Grills 7002C3E costs $119 less; the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 offers more cooking space (1,150 vs 697 sq in); the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 reaches a higher max temp (500 vs 450°F).
| Spec | Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 | Z Grills 7002C3E |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $699 | $580 |
| Rating | 4.3★ (4,200) | 4.5★ (850) |
| Type | Pellet Grill | Pellet Grill |
| Cooking Area | 1150 sq in | 697 sq in |
| Max Temp | 500°F | 450°F |
| Fuel Type | Wood Pellets | Wood Pellets |
| Build Material | Powder-Coated Steel | Powder-Coated Steel |
| Hopper Capacity | 32 lb | 28 lb |
| Burners | — | — |
| WiFi / App | Yes | No |
| App control | Yes | No |
| Meat probe | Yes | Yes |
| PID controller | Yes | Yes |
| Side burner | No | No |
| Rotisserie | No | No |
| Searing | Yes | No |
| Dimensions | 55 x 27 x 49 in | 48 x 26 x 51 in |
| Weight | 150 lbs | 114 lbs |
| Warranty | 5 years | 3 years |
Pros & cons
Pit Boss Pro Series 1150
- ✓You get a massive 1150 sq in of cooking space for around $700, by far the most square inches per dollar of any name-brand pellet grill
- ✓The sliding Flame Broiler plate exposes direct flame for searing up to ~1000°F, so it actually sears steaks better than most pellet grills
- ✓The 32 lb hopper is large enough for long overnight cooks without refilling
- ✓It comes with two meat probes included, which is more generous than Traeger's single probe at this price
- ✓The 5-year warranty is excellent for a budget grill and beats Traeger's 3 years
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates hold heat well and leave nice sear marks
- ✓The removable ash and grease management makes cleanup between cooks quick and tidy
- ✓It heats up fast and the wide temp range covers everything from 180°F smoking to high-heat grilling
- ✗Temperature swings are wider than premium grills - expect 25-40°F fluctuations, so it's less precise for delicate low-and-slow cooks
- ✗Build quality is noticeably thinner powder-coated steel that can rust and warp, and fit-and-finish feels budget
- ✗The WiFi and Pit Boss app are the weak point - buggy, slow to connect, and prone to dropping the grill
- ✗Smoke output is lighter than Traeger's, so some owners add a smoke tube to get the bark and ring they want
- ✗Single-wall body loses heat in cold weather and burns through pellets quickly in winter
- ✗The controller and electronics are a common failure point, with owners reporting board replacements within a couple seasons
- ✗Customer service through Pit Boss/Dansons is hit-or-miss compared to Recteq's stellar reputation
- ✗It's heavy and bulky, and the casters can feel flimsy when rolling a fully loaded grill across rough patio surfaces
Z Grills 7002C3E
- ✓Dollar-for-dollar capacity is the headline - 697 sq in and a 28 lb hopper for roughly half the price of a comparable Traeger
- ✓The upgraded PID controller holds set temps within about 10°F in fair weather, a genuine step up from the swingy older Z Grills controllers
- ✓The 28 lb hopper runs long overnight briskets without a refill, and the pellet view window lets you check fuel level at a glance
- ✓The hopper cleanout chute makes swapping pellet flavors or emptying for storage a 30-second job that many pricier grills still lack
- ✓Two meat probes are included in the box rather than sold as accessories
- ✓The manual feed button primes the auger for faster, more reliable startups
- ✓Simple electronics with no WiFi to break means fewer failure points, and owners consistently praise how easy it is to just turn on and cook
- ✓A 3-year warranty is solid coverage at this price, matching Traeger's coverage on grills costing twice as much
- ✗Tops out at 450°F with no direct-flame sear option, so steaks need a cast-iron finish indoors or on a separate grill
- ✗No WiFi or app monitoring at a time when Traeger, Pit Boss, and Recteq offer it in the same price neighborhood on sale
- ✗The steel body is thinner than premium pellet grills, so cold or windy weather increases pellet consumption and temp swings noticeably
- ✗There's no super-smoke mode, and like most budget pellet grills the smoke flavor is mild at temps above 250°F
- ✗The lid thermometer routinely reads far off from grate temperature - trust the controller and probes instead
- ✗Quality control is hit-or-miss, with shipping dents and misaligned holes during the 45-plus-minute assembly a recurring complaint
- ✗Grease routing works but is messier to clean than Traeger's or Recteq's collection systems
- ✗Z Grills' US customer support is slower and harder to reach than the big brands if you do need warranty parts