GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus Review

Quick Take

Sixty-eight pounds. That is what the GMG Daniel Boone Prime Plus weighs. For context, most WiFi pellet grills weigh 130 to 180 lbs. This thing is in a different category. I have lifted it into my truck bed by myself, driven it to a tailgate, and cooked pulled pork for 20 people. Try that with a Traeger Ironwood.

But lightweight does not mean lightweight performance. After 6 months of testing, the Daniel Boone has impressed me with consistent temps, clean smoke flavor, and one of the best grill apps I have used. It is not perfect. The cooking area is tight for big cooks, and the 2 year warranty is shorter than I would like. But for anyone who needs a WiFi pellet grill they can actually move, this is the answer.

How Hard Is Assembly?

I assembled the Daniel Boone in about 45 minutes. By myself. That alone tells you something about this grill. The parts are light enough to handle solo, the instructions are clear, and everything fit together without the usual wrestling match. This was the easiest pellet grill assembly I have done.

Out of the box, the Daniel Boone looks compact. Almost surprisingly so. If you are used to the imposing size of a Traeger or RecTeq, this grill feels small. But do not confuse size with capability. The peaked lid design gives more vertical clearance than a flat top grill of the same footprint, and the 458 sq in main grate is enough for most family cooks.

First cook was baby back ribs at 225F. The WiFi connected to my home network on the first try (I have had connectivity struggles with other brands). I set the temp from my phone, monitored the meat probe from my couch, and pulled the ribs after 5 hours. Good bark. Nice smoke ring. Tender but with a bit of pull off the bone. Exactly what I was going for.

Specs at a Glance

Cooking Area	458 sq in (658 total)
Temp Range	150-500F
WiFi	Yes
Weight	68 lbs
Hopper Capacity	18 lbs
Warranty	2 years
Controller	Prime PID with WiFi
Construction	Steel with powder coat
Wheels	Two locking casters
peakedLid	Yes
openFlameZone	No
senseMateThermalSensor	Yes

How Does the GMG Daniel Boone Handle Temperature?

The Prime Plus controller on the Daniel Boone holds temps within about 5 to 10 degrees of your set point. That is impressive for this price range. I have done long brisket cooks where the temp graph on the app stayed remarkably flat for 12 hours straight. On windy days, I see slightly larger swings, maybe 10 to 15 degrees. But the peaked lid design helps here. It creates a convection effect that circulates heat more evenly than a standard flat top pellet grill.

Smoke production surprised me. At 225F, the Daniel Boone puts out a clean, thin blue smoke that translates to great flavor without bitterness. My pork shoulders come out with a solid smoke ring every time. The SenseMate thermal sensor inside the cooking chamber gives the controller accurate feedback, which helps maintain consistent smoke output.

The 458 sq in main grate is the trade off for portability. I can fit one pork butt, one full rack of ribs, or about 16 burger patties. Two pork butts? That is a squeeze. For a family of four, the space is fine. For hosting a big party, you are going to be cooking in batches. The upper rack adds another 200 sq in for things like smoked beans, jalapeño poppers, or warming buns.

At higher temps, the Daniel Boone does a credible job with roasted chicken (375F) and even hot wings (400F). Max temp is 500F. It will not replace a gas grill for hard searing, but for pellet grill roasting, it handles the task well.

Check Current Price at GMG

What Features Does the GMG Daniel Boone Offer?

The GMG app is the standout. I have tested apps from Traeger, Weber, RecTeq, Pit Boss, and several others. Green Mountain Grills' app ranks near the top. It loads fast. It connects reliably. And the server mode feature lets you control your grill from anywhere, not just within WiFi range. I adjusted my smoker temp from a grocery store parking lot once when a brisket was running ahead of schedule. That kind of flexibility matters.

The peaked lid is more than cosmetic. That dome shape creates convection airflow inside the cooking chamber. Hot air rises to the peak and circulates down the sides, which means more even temperatures from front to back. On most flat top pellet grills, I see a 10 to 20 degree difference between the left and right sides of the grate. On the Daniel Boone, the variance was about 5 to 8 degrees. Noticeable improvement.

The 18 lb hopper is a little smaller than the standard 20 lb hopper on most competitors. At smoking temps, I get about 8 to 10 hours from a full hopper. For most cooks, that is plenty. For overnight briskets, you will need to top it off before bed or set your alarm. The hopper does not have a pellet dump door, which is a minor annoyance when switching flavors.

One underrated feature: the grill comes apart easily for transport. Remove two pins, fold the legs, and the whole unit fits in a compact space. Green Mountain Grills clearly designed this for people who move their grill. That thoughtfulness shows throughout the build.

Is the GMG Daniel Boone Built to Last?

Let me be honest: at 68 lbs, the Daniel Boone is not built from the thickest steel. It is lighter gauge than a RecTeq or Grilla Grills unit, and you can feel that when you close the lid. It does not have that heavy "thunk" you get with a premium grill. It feels more like a well made mid range cooker, which is exactly what it is.

After 6 months of regular use, the powder coat finish is holding up well. No rust, no peeling. I keep a cover on it when not in use, and I recommend you do the same. The grates are porcelain coated and cleaning up fine with a standard grill brush. The locking casters work well, though they are on the smaller side.

The 2 year warranty is my biggest concern. Most competitors offer 3 years (Camp Chef, Z Grills, Weber) and some go to 4, 5, or 6 years (Grilla Grills, Pit Boss, RecTeq). Two years is short. GMG's customer service has a decent reputation, but I would feel better with a longer warranty period. It does not suggest the company lacks confidence in the product, but it does limit your protection.

Who Should Buy the GMG Daniel Boone?

Buy the Daniel Boone Prime Plus if: You tailgate, camp, or want to bring your pellet grill to friends' cookouts. You want WiFi without spending premium prices. You cook for a small to medium family and do not need massive capacity. You value a great app experience. Or you live in an apartment and need a grill you can store compactly.

Skip this if: You regularly cook for crowds of 10 or more (the grate is too small). You want the heaviest, most durable build possible. You need a long warranty for peace of mind. Or you never plan to move your grill and would rather have the larger cooking area that a stationary model provides.