Welcome to an in-depth review of the Z Grills 700E Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker. After extensive hands-on experience, including the assembly process and three weeks of continuous use, I’m ready to share a comprehensive overview detailing both its remarkable advantages and minor drawbacks. Stay tuned, as we’re also giving away one of these fantastic grills!
Z Grills 700E: A Deep Dive into Wood Pellet Grilling and Smoking Excellence
Having observed the growing buzz around Z Grills and explored numerous video reviews of their product line, I personally reached out to the company to request a unit for an honest, unbiased assessment. This review is not a sponsored post; my aim is to provide a transparent account of the Z Grills 700E’s performance, covering both its strengths and any areas for improvement. My goal is to equip you with all the information you need to make an informed decision.
The model under review is the Z GRILLS 2019 Model ZPG-700E 8-in-1 BBQ Grill with Auto Temperature Control. Currently available at a competitive price of $559 (with significant sales often found directly on the ZGrills website), this grill boasts impressive specifications:
- Generous Cooking Area: 700 square inches, providing ample space for large family meals or entertaining guests.
- Large Hopper Capacity: A 20-pound pellet hopper ensures extended cooking sessions without constant refilling.
- 8-in-1 Versatility: Master various cooking techniques including grilling, smoking, baking, roasting, searing, braising, barbecuing, and char-grilling.
- Reliable Warranty: A 3-year warranty offers peace of mind regarding your investment.
To give you a visual overview of the Z Grills 700E in action, here’s a helpful video:
My journey with wood pellet grills spans over eight years, long before they became the sensation they are today. During this time, I’ve owned several prominent models, ranging from the high-end Memphis Wood Fired Grill (a premium choice costing around $5,500.00) to a Member’s Mark Hybrid Wood Pellet & Propane Grill from Sam’s Club, acquired earlier this year. Each experience has shaped my appreciation for pellet grilling, culminating in my current assessment of the Z Grills 700E.
From the very first moment I tasted food cooked on a wood pellet grill, I knew there was no turning back to gas or charcoal. The superior flavor profile and ease of use captivated me completely. This conviction was so strong that I even parted ways with my beloved Big Green Egg, gifting it to my brother and personally delivering it across the country from Florida to Nevada. The convenience and consistent results of pellet smoking have truly revolutionized my approach to outdoor cooking.
Z Grills 700E Assembly: A Detailed Insight
The Z Grills 700E arrived securely packaged in multiple boxes, with all the necessary tools thoughtfully included for assembly. Unpacking was the first minor hurdle. The main body of the grill was designed to safely house the hopper during shipping, but this tight fit made extracting it a considerable challenge. It took us a solid 20 minutes of wrestling and considerable effort to free all the components from their cleverly, if somewhat overly secure, packing.
The entire assembly process typically takes a couple of hours. We tackled it in the evening, and I suspect a bit more daylight and perhaps a bit less celebratory wine might have expedited the process. Nevertheless, the instructions were clear, and with a bit of patience, the grill gradually took shape.
Here’s a glimpse of the assembly approximately halfway through:
During assembly, I did have a momentary concern regarding a thin cable connecting the thermostat to the hopper mechanism. However, I learned that this cable is specifically designed to be heat-resistant and tucks neatly into the space between the hopper and the main grill body, ensuring its safety and functionality. This thoughtful design detail highlights the engineering behind the Z Grills 700E.
One minor constructive criticism I have is the reliance primarily on screws for assembly. While adequate, I personally would have preferred more washers and nuts in certain areas to provide a slightly more robust and secure feeling to the overall structure. This is a subtle preference, but it speaks to potential longevity and stability, particularly for a grill designed for frequent outdoor use.
Mastering the Art of Cooking with the Z Grills 700E
Getting started with the Z Grills 700E is wonderfully straightforward. The first step involves filling the spacious 20-pound hopper with your chosen wood pellets. This generous capacity is ideal, allowing for extended cooking periods without the need for constant supervision or refilling, a significant convenience for long smoking sessions.
Another practical feature is the ample storage space located underneath the grill. I’ve found this area perfectly suited for keeping extra bags of wood pellets close at hand, ensuring I’m always prepared for my next grilling adventure.
The control panel of the Z Grills 700E is designed with simplicity and efficiency in mind. It provides all the essential functions you need to manage your cooking process—nothing more, nothing less. This minimalist approach contributes to the grill’s user-friendly nature, making it accessible even for those new to pellet grilling.
After assembly, a crucial first step is to “pre-season” the grill by running it for an hour. This process burns off any manufacturing residues and ensures your food won’t pick up any metallic or off-flavors. Skipping this step, especially when cooking something as exquisite as Wagyu Tri-Tip, would be a culinary misstep.
Our inaugural cooking session on the Z Grills 700E Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker was an unqualified success. I was particularly impressed by how quickly the grill reached its target temperature—it outpaced even my more expensive Memphis Grill and significantly outperformed the Member’s Mark hybrid, which, while versatile, tends to be a jack-of-all-trades but master of none.
This grill produces an incredibly robust and aromatic smoke, almost overwhelmingly so in the first few minutes as it ignites and stabilizes (a friendly tip: keep windows and doors closed for those initial 10 minutes!). The Z Grills 700E is also remarkably efficient with its pellet consumption. Despite the indirect heat inherent to pellet grilling, the firebox generates intense heat, allowing for a good sear on meats when operated at maximum temperature—a notable achievement for a wood pellet grill.
Burger night quickly followed, and the Z Grills 700E continued to impress. The initial burst of smoke as the grill heats up ensures that even thin, fast-cooking items like burgers are infused with an incredible depth of smoky flavor that far surpasses other wood pellet grills I’ve used. The consistent smokiness throughout the cook is truly a game-changer.
The grill features two distinct cooking zones: the main grates for direct cooking and a convenient warming rack. This setup is perfect for toasting buns or keeping cooked food warm while other items finish. Simply butter your buns, place them on the warming rack, and let the gentle smoke work its magic!
It’s worth noting that grilling on a wood pellet grill is generally a bit slower than on a propane grill due to the indirect heat method. Patience is key, and you’ll need to adjust your cooking times accordingly. However, this extended cooking time is precisely what allows for a deeper, more delicious smoke flavor to permeate your food. While the heat is indirect, the Z Grills 700E undeniably gets hot enough for effective grilling, and I certainly have no complaints about the results.
From succulent burgers and perfectly seared steaks to juicy chicken thighs and vibrant vegetable kabobs, everything we cooked on the Z Grills 700E turned out to be some of the best we’ve ever prepared. As seen in the photos, you’ll still achieve beautiful grill marks, even if you don’t get the same “blackened” crust that some (including myself!) adore on steaks. The trade-off for incredible smoky flavor is well worth it.
Unlocking Rich Flavors: Smoking with the Z Grills 700E
My first smoking experiment with the Z Grills 700E involved a supermarket pork butt for a last-minute dinner invite. While I usually advocate for overnight dry-brining (and could easily list dozens of expert BBQ recipes for pork butt!), my kitchen philosophy prioritizes simplicity, ease, and efficiency—except, of course, when it comes to crafting handmade Chinese dumplings. For this occasion, I wanted a fuss-free approach to highlight the smoker’s capabilities.
I started with a regular, on-sale pork butt. My preparation was minimal: I simply wet the surface of the pork to help the seasoning adhere, then smothered it in a store-bought dry rub spice blend and a generous amount of extra salt. The moisture ensures the rub forms a beautiful crust and delivers maximum flavor during the long smoke.
One of the most appealing aspects of smoking with the Z Grills 700E is its hands-off nature. The electronic temperature control and automated pellet feeding system mean you don’t have to constantly monitor the fire or adjust vents, unlike traditional smokers. Your primary responsibility is to ensure the hopper contains enough wood pellets. It’s important to remember that there’s no sensor to alert you when pellets are running low, so periodic checks are advised.
In fact, during this 6-hour smoke, I did run out of pellets briefly. Fortunately, I caught it just in time and had to “borrow” pellets from my Member’s Mark hybrid grill to complete the cook. This highlights the importance of checking your pellet supply, especially for longer smoking durations.
A quick peek at the progress:
The Z Grills 700E maintained temperature remarkably well. While it occasionally saw minor fluctuations of about +8°F, the intelligent control system quickly adjusted itself. My observation is that these brief swings occurred as new wood pellets were fed into the burn pot, causing a temporary surge in heat. Crucially, these temperature variations never lasted more than a few minutes, ensuring consistent cooking.
Six hours later, the result was nothing short of gorgeous.
The pork butt featured a beautiful, flavorful bark and a distinct smoke ring—the hallmark of perfectly smoked meat. Unfortunately, hungry guests meant I wasn’t able to capture more detailed photos of the final product!
The next day, those leftovers transformed into incredible pulled pork sandwiches, a testament to the versatility and quality of meat produced by the Z Grills 700E.
You might wonder why this particular smoked pork butt stands out as the best I’ve ever made. Let me compare it to my experiences with other popular smoking methods:
- Member’s Mark Hybrid Grill: While it attempts to do everything, it excels at nothing. It’s a massive piece of equipment, but its wood pellet section takes an eternity to reach temperature and never quite gets hot enough. The smoke production is present but consistently insufficient.
- Big Green Egg: Legendary, yes, but also a significant commitment. You’re constantly babysitting charcoal, meticulously monitoring temperatures, and repeatedly adding soaked wood chips. I felt like a hovering parent, tethered to the Egg, which doesn’t suit my generally hands-off cooking style (though my kids might argue otherwise!).
- Memphis Grill (High-End): An impressive machine, but its sheer size made it inefficient for typical family use. Heating such a vast cooking area consumed a large quantity of pellets. While it produced great smoke, it didn’t match the exceptional quality and intensity I experienced with the Z Grills 700E.
- Electric Smoker: My electric smoker, currently gathering dust in the backyard, offers convenience by eliminating live fire worries. However, the limited smoke from a small box of soaked wood chips simply cannot compare to the rich, authentic smoke quality delivered by the Z Grills.
- My Brother’s Endorsement: Even my brother, the recipient of my Big Green Egg, was so captivated by the Z Grills that he offered to buy it from me. A firm “nope” was my response! I even suggested he take my Member’s Mark grill or the electric smoker, but his gaze was fixed on the Z Grills. I playfully told him he should swipe my ex-husband’s Memphis Grill (yes, the ex got that one!). This unsolicited endorsement speaks volumes about the Z Grills’ appeal.
As I was finalizing this review, I realized I couldn’t forget to share my experience smoking a turkey for Thanksgiving. When you smoke, deep-fry, or use an oil-less fryer like the Char-Broil Big Easy for turkey, you typically miss out on the valuable drippings needed for gravy.
To circumvent this, I opted to spatchcock the turkey. This method not only ensures faster and more even cooking but also provides the backbone and neck for making a rich, flavorful gravy. The day before smoking, I injected the turkey with a simple brine solution and then applied a no-salt rub, given the prior brining. This preparation ensures maximum moisture and flavor without over-salting.
The neck and back pieces were then simmered down to create a foundational gravy, maximizing the turkey’s flavor profile.
For poultry, which can sometimes dry out more easily than fattier meats like pork butt, I added a small foil container filled with water to the grill. This simple addition helps to maintain a moist environment, preventing the turkey from drying out during the long smoking process. Pork butt, being inherently fatty, rarely requires this extra step, as its thick bark is often considered one of the best parts of smoked pork!
Thus, for all poultry smoking, a small pan of water is a recommended practice.
While a spatchcocked turkey may not offer the same dramatic presentation as a whole roasted bird at the dinner table, the results are undeniably superior: incredibly moist, profoundly smoky, and richly savory. The flavor experience truly made up for any perceived lack of traditional aesthetics.
Next time, I plan to enhance the turkey further by brushing on a touch of molasses before smoking to deepen the color and sweetness. Periodically basting with butter throughout the cook will also help achieve a beautifully shiny and glossy skin.
While I thoroughly tested and reviewed the Z Grills 700E model, it’s worth noting that Z Grills offers a diverse range of models to suit various needs and budgets. You can explore their entire product line and find the perfect wood pellet grill for your outdoor cooking adventures directly on the ZGrills website.
For those interested in exploring similar products, here’s an option available:
Z Grills 700E Giveaway!
As a special thank you for reading this comprehensive review, we’re excited to announce a giveaway for a Z Grills 700E! This fantastic wood pellet grill can be shipped directly to any valid U.S. address. For our friends in Canada, you won’t be left out – you’ll receive a Z Grills gift certificate, though shipping costs to Canada will apply. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience the Z Grills difference yourself!