There’s something special about barbecuing at a tailgate or campsite, so it’s only natural that we would want to find the best grills for the job. While there are several travel grill options, finding the best pellet smoker for camping and tailgating is challenging. The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett wants to bring the ease and versatility of a pellet smoker to a wider variety of people, regardless of space or power restrictions.
Why We Like It – Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett
If you don’t want the hassle of cooking over an open fire on your next camping trip, the Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett may be the right choice for you. This pellet smoker packs in the power of its larger-sized counterparts but can be taken with you for an excellent cooking experience wherever you go.
[su_row]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Pros” box_color=”#4DB227″ radius=”0″]
[su_list icon=”icon: check” icon_color=”#4DB227″]
- Small size perfect for travel and newcomers
- Wifi compatible
- Several power options
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[su_column size=”1/2″][su_box title=”Cons” box_color=”#B2B9C3″ radius=”0″][su_list icon=”icon: ban” icon_color=”#B2B9C3″]
- Uneven heat distribution
- Awkward flip-out legs
[/su_list][/su_box][/su_column]
[/su_row]
Power/Heating
It’s important to remember exactly what the Green Mountain Davy Crockett is before you start tallying how it can’t compare to full-size pellet grills like the Camp Chef Smokepro 36 SGX or the Camp Chef Woodwind pellet grill. That being said, this portable pellet grill packs quite a punch despite its size: this thing can reach up to 550 degrees Fahrenheit. Unfortunately, several reviewers claim the temperature variance between the display temperature and the actual temperature is relatively high, which can negatively affect the outcome of whatever you’re cooking. A good chunk of reviewers also claims that the cooking area has some major hot spots, which can be pretty frustrating if you want to avoid checking your cook too much throughout the process. On a more positive note, Davy Crocket comes with a wide variety of power options that make this stand out from other portable pellet grills. Not only does it come with a 120v power source, but it also comes with cables to power the grill through your car or a separate 12v battery.
Size/Versatility
The small size of the Davy Crocket Pellet Grill is likely to be divisive, so it’s important to know what size you want before you buy. It’s no Z Grills 700D, but the 219 square inches of cooking space are plenty for 4-6 people. But, the Pit Boss 700GB offers 700 sq. in. of cooking space if you need more.
Not only is this grill’s compact size ideal for traveling and tailgating, but it also makes it an excellent option for anyone with less space that still wants to get into the craft of smoking their food. You will also need to keep a close eye on the wood pellet hopper: the 9-pound capacity means you’ll likely be adding pellets reasonably frequently. Surprisingly, the Davy Crocket Grill is close to 60 pounds, so setting it up and moving it may require a helping hand.
Durability
On the subject of durability, many reviewers claim this grill can last with the best: through years of cooking, the Davy Crockett stays strong. At least, for some people. Others encountered issues relating to poor quality control, like a malfunctioning circuit board that one reviewer replaced four times before getting a working one. Otherwise, though, the construction is solid, including the heat shield and stainless steel grates. Things get iffy with the Davy Crockett grill in the legs: some found that setting up the grill using the legs left the whole unit feeling unstable. If you want a grill that will let you focus on grilling, the Kamado Joe Classic 3 has an airlift hinge and heat deflector.
Ease of Use
Pellet grilling is widely known for being an easy alternative to traditional smoking methods. The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Pellet Grill is easy to use, but it’s not without drawbacks. These relate to the size; it’s challenging to set and forget this machine when you have to refill the pellet hopper regularly. Another potential issue comes in the uneven heat distribution, as failing to rotate your food could result in a burnt mess. This grill is equipped with wifi like the Traeger Pro 575, so it is nice that you can keep an eye on your cook without even having to go near the grill. Cleanup is relatively standard: line your grease tray with foil and keep a small vacuum on hand for getting out any errant ashes.
Value
The Davy Crockett is one of the least expensive pellet smokers out there, making it not only a good choice for travelers and apartment-dwellers but newbies too. The low price is mostly due to this grill’s small size, so the features are the same high-quality ones you’d expect on a pricier grill. Things like wifi integration and an in-unit meat thermometer will be a big help for newcomers. The potential for uneven and inaccurate temperature may make this less user-friendly, but neither are uncommon issues on larger, more expensive grills.
Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett Wrap Up
The Green Mountain Grills Davy Crockett is the definition of small-but-mighty: it’s not the largest pellet grill on the market on purpose. This smoker is especially great for campers, tailgaters, apartment-dwellers, and anyone that wants to try out smoking without the huge price tag. The multitude of power options and wifi compatibility make using this grill easy wherever you are. Using the attached legs might feel awkward for some, and the temperature within the unit can be inaccurate at times. The latter of these is likely to turn off prospective buyers, but they should be aware that many reviewers love this grill.
