Pellet Smoker Grill Gift: A Splurge for the Backyard Cook

Who will love it

Dad, if he has talked about smoking a brisket for years. A husband who grills every weekend. A grandpa who cooks for big family gatherings. A retiree with time to spend outside on a Saturday afternoon. Anyone who watches barbecue shows and takes notes.

Think twice for someone with a tiny balcony or a building that bans grills. A pellet grill also needs a power outlet, which rules out some campsites and patios. And a person who loves grilling over charcoal may see it as cheating.

What to look for

Size the cooking area to their crowd. A modest grill handles a family dinner. A big one suits someone who hosts. Check the hopper size, since a larger hopper means longer cooks without refilling. A digital controller that holds temperature steadily is the main reason to buy a pellet grill, so do not skip it.

Look for solid steel construction, a sturdy lid and wheels that roll on grass. A meat probe port helps them track temperature without opening the lid. Easy ash cleanout makes maintenance less of a chore. If they cook in cold weather, a thicker body or an insulated cover helps the grill hold heat.

Mistakes to avoid

Do not surprise someone with a grill that fills their whole patio. Measure the space. Do not give it without pellets either, since the first cook should be the same day. Ask their family whether they already have one hiding in the garage.

Round it out with a couple of bags of hardwood pellets in different flavors, a digital meat thermometer, heat-proof gloves and a weatherproof cover. A beginner smoking cookbook helps someone new to low and slow cooking.

If it is not quite right

A grill tool set suits someone who already has a grill. A grill basket set makes vegetables and fish easier. A backyard pizza oven gives the same outdoor cooking fun in a different style, and a cast iron skillet works on any grill.