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Do you need WiFi on a pellet grill?
Updated
WiFi lets you watch the grill and meat temperature from your phone and change the set temperature without walking outside. It is most useful on long smokes. It does not refill the hopper, and it does not replace being nearby. NFPA says never leave a grill unattended while it is in use.
Which picks have it
| Grill | WiFi or app | Probes | Pellet level |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Woodridge | Yes, WiFIRE app | Wired probe included, wireless probe compatible | No pellet sensor on the base model |
| Green Mountain Trek Prime 2.0 | Yes, iOS and Android app | Not stated on the listing | Not stated |
| Traeger Pro 22 | Not mentioned on the listing | 2 wired probes per the listing | Look in the hopper |
| Z Grills 7002C | Not mentioned on the listing | 2 probes | Pellet view window |
| Pit Boss 700FB2 | Not mentioned | 2 ports, 1 probe | Look in the hopper |
| recteq Bullseye RT-B380 | No, a non-WiFi model per recteq | Not stated | Look in the hopper |
The feature people miss: a pellet sensor
An app can show you the grill is at 225°F. It cannot tell you the hopper is almost empty unless the grill has a pellet sensor. Traeger's comparison page lists a pellet sensor on the Woodridge Pro and not on the base Woodridge. On a grill without one, the hours per fill estimate on the hopper page is your alarm clock. The Z Grills 7002C has a window on the hopper, which is the low-tech version.
What WiFi is good for
- Checking a brisket at 2 a.m. from bed, instead of going outside
- Getting an alert when the meat probe hits your number
- Turning the heat down when the cook is running ahead
What it does not do
- Refill pellets or clear a jammed auger
- Watch for grease fires, kids or pets near a hot grill
- Tell you the meat is safe. Check the thickest part with a food thermometer. The USDA smoking guide recommends one thermometer for the smoker air and one for the food
Before you rely on it
- Check that your home WiFi reaches the spot where the grill will sit.
- Set up the app and run a short test cook before the big one.
- Test the probe in boiling water or against a second thermometer.
Check your own grill and food with the what fits calculator, or see all six picks on the best pellet grills page.
Before you light it
- Outdoors only. NFPA says to place the grill well away from the home and deck railings, and out from under eaves and overhanging branches.
- Kid-free zone. Keep children and pets at least 3 feet from the grill.
- Stay with it. NFPA says never leave a grill unattended while it is in use. An app is not a substitute for being nearby.
- Clean out grease. Remove grease and fat buildup from the grates and the trays below.
- Use a food thermometer. Cook to USDA safe minimum internal temperatures. See the temperature page.