Z Grills 700E Review (2026)

Quick Take

The Z Grills 700E is proof that you do not need to spend a fortune to make great BBQ. I have been using this grill for 10 months, and it consistently turns out food that impresses guests. No WiFi, no fancy app, no bells and whistles. Just a reliable PID controller, a solid cooking chamber, and a price that leaves money in your wallet for brisket.

Buy this if you want to start pellet grilling without a huge investment. Skip it if you need WiFi, high temp searing, or premium build materials.

How Hard Is Assembly?

The 700E arrived in a single box. At 106 lbs, I could handle it with one other person. Assembly took about an hour and a half. The instructions are basic but functional. A couple of the bolt holes needed some persuasion to line up, but nothing that a rubber mallet did not fix.

Out of the box, the 700E looks exactly like what it is: a budget pellet grill. The steel is thinner than premium models, the paint is not as thick, and the hardware is lighter. But everything fits together properly and nothing feels flimsy. Z Grills also includes a cover in the box, which is a nice bonus that competitors charge $40 to $60 for separately.

First cook was pulled pork at 225F for 8 hours. The controller held steady. The pork had good smoke flavor and a nice bark. I remember thinking: "This tastes way better than the price suggests." That feeling has held up over 10 months of regular use.

Specs at a Glance

Cooking Area	694 sq in
Temp Range	180-450F
WiFi	No
Weight	106 lbs
Hopper Capacity	20 lbs
Warranty	3 years
Controller	PID
Construction	Steel
Wheels	Two locking casters
Grease Bucket	Yes
Cover Included	Yes
Upper Rack	Yes

How Does the Z Grills 700E Handle Temperature?

The PID controller on the 700E holds temperature within about 10 to 15 degrees of your set point. Is that as tight as a RecTeq or Traeger? No. But for the price, it is very good. On calm days, I see swings of 10 degrees. On windy days, it stretches to 15 or occasionally 20 degrees. For smoking, that variance does not hurt your final product.

Smoke production at 225F is solid. I get a visible smoke ring on briskets and ribs every time. The flavor profile is clean, not acrid. I have done pork shoulders, baby backs, chicken quarters, and even smoked mac and cheese. Everything comes out well. The 700E is not going to win a competition, but for backyard cooking, it delivers.

The 694 sq in cooking surface handles a full rack of ribs without cutting, or two pork butts side by side. The upper warming rack adds extra space for sides or smaller items. For a family of four with occasional larger cookouts, the space is adequate.

The max temperature of 450F is the biggest limitation. You can roast a chicken nicely at 400F, but searing is not really possible. I recommend having a cast iron pan on your kitchen stove for a quick sear after smoking. It is an extra step, but it works.

Check Current Price at Z Grills

What Features Does the Z Grills 700E Offer?

There is not a long features list here, and that is actually a selling point. The 700E has a PID controller with a simple digital display. Set your temp. Set your meat probe target. Cook. That is it. No WiFi to disconnect. No app to crash. No firmware to update. For some people, that simplicity is exactly what they want.

The 20 lb hopper is standard for this size grill. It lasts about 10 hours at smoking temps, which covers most cooks. For an overnight brisket, you will need to top it off once. The hopper has a cleanout door on the side so you can switch pellet flavors without emptying from the top. Handy feature.

The grease management system uses a grease bucket on the back of the grill. It works, but it is basic. The bucket is small and needs emptying frequently if you cook fatty cuts. I swapped mine for a larger disposable aluminum pan. Problem solved.

Is the Z Grills 700E Built to Last?

Let me be straight: the 700E is not going to win awards for build quality. The steel is thinner than premium grills. The paint is adequate but not exceptional. After 10 months, I have one small spot on the firebox where the paint has thinned from heat cycles. No rust yet, and the included cover has helped protect the exterior.

The grates are porcelain coated and holding up fine with regular cleaning. The wheels are basic but functional. The hopper lid seal is decent. For a grill at this price, the durability is exactly what I expected: good enough for several years of regular use, with the understanding that it will not last as long as a stainless steel unit.

The 3 year warranty covers defects. Z Grills' customer service has been responsive in my experience. They shipped a replacement temperature probe within three days when mine started reading 15 degrees high around the 6 month mark.

Who Should Buy the Z Grills 700E?

Buy the 700E if: You want to try pellet grilling without spending over $500. You value simplicity over smart features. You want solid smoking results at an unbeatable price. You are a beginner who is not sure how much you will use a pellet grill.

Skip this if: WiFi monitoring is a must have for your cooking style. You want to sear at high temps on the same grill. You cook overnight briskets regularly (the hopper needs a refill). Or you want premium build quality that lasts 10+ years.