The first time I fired a pellet grill up, I was honestly skeptical. “How could something with a digital controller possibly compete with the very Argentine ritual of tending coals?” Meanwhile, I’m happy to say my brisket was developing a bark that could compete with any Argentine Asado. After testing what feels like every pellet […]
The first time I fired a pellet grill up, I was honestly skeptical. “How could something with a digital controller possibly compete with the very Argentine ritual of tending coals?” Meanwhile, I’m happy to say my brisket was developing a bark that could compete with any Argentine Asado.
After testing what feels like every pellet grill under the sun—burning my fingers, confusing myself with wildly different interfaces, and occasionally cursing at poorly designed hoppers—I’ve narrowed down the absolute 5 best pellet grills for your asado. Shall we?
We Tested These Pellet Grills The Argentine Asado Way: This Is What We Learnt
Smoking Performance (Low & Slow) – We smoked Argentine-style beef ribs (asado de tira) at 225°F, evaluating smoke output, bark formation, and the depth of the smoke ring, essential for authentic wood-fired flavor.
Grilling & Searing Power – We tested vacío and entraña (flank and skirt steak) at high heat (450-500°F) to assess sear quality, grill marks, and whether the grill could achieve a proper Argentine-style crust without overcooking the interior.
Heat Consistency for Large Cuts – We slow-cooked a whole lechón (suckling pig) or a large cut of beef to see how well the grill maintained a stable temperature over hours, crucial for traditional asado.
Chorizo & Achuras Test – Argentine asados aren’t just about beef. We grilled chorizos, morcillas, and mollejas (sweetbreads) to evaluate fat rendering, crispiness, and even cooking across the grate.
Ease of Use & Pellet Efficiency – We assessed how easy it was to control temperature, adjust for indirect cooking, and how efficiently the grill used pellets, ensuring it was practical for long Argentine asados without constant refueling.
The Traeger Pro Series 34 is a solid choice for those who love the depth of wood-fired flavor in their asado but prefer a more automated approach. With 884 square inches of cooking space, it can handle everything from whole costillares to multiple racks of asado de tira, making it ideal for feeding a crowd.
The Digital Pro Controller keeps temperatures steady, so you can achieve slow-smoked perfection without constantly tending the fire. While it doesn’t reach the intense heat of a parrilla a leña for the ultimate sear on bife de chorizo, its versatility extends beyond grilling—you can roast torta a la parrilla or smoke morcillas and chorizos.
Pros
Unlike gas or charcoal, this grill uses 100% hardwood pellets, adding rich, smoky depth to your meats—ideal for replicating the traditional Argentine leña or quebracho flavor.
The Digital Pro Controller maintains a steady temperature with minimal effort, so you won’t have to tend the fire all night like a classic parrilla.
With 884 sq. inches, you can fit whole chickens, racks of ribs, or multiple cuts of beef, making it perfect for big gatherings.
Unlike a standard parrilla, you can grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, and BBQ, meaning you can cook empanadas, provoleta, and even desserts.
Cons
While it can reach 450°F, it won’t give you the same intense direct heat needed for the perfect bife a la parrilla with a deep sear. You may need a cast-iron skillet or separate grill for that.
Wood pellets aren’t as easy to find as charcoal, and using the wrong type can impact performance and flavor.
Extra info
Weight: 152.11 lb
Cooking area: 49x53x27 in
Special Features: Dual Meat Probe Ports, All-Terrain Wheels
The Ninja Woodfire Pro Outdoor Grill & Smoker brings impressive versatility to the asado experience, delivering solid grilling performance with authentic wood-smoked flavor—all powered by electricity. It reaches high searing temperatures comparable to a traditional parrilla, producing a rich crust on bife de chorizo and other classic cuts. While its compact size won’t replace a full asador, it smokes efficiently with just 1/2 cup of hardwood pellets, creating a deep, even bark on meats like vacío or tira de asado.
I think this grill is perfect for those who want an easy-to-use, compact electric grill with the added bonus of woodfire smoke flavor. It’s a great choice for apartment dwellers, RV travelers, or anyone who wants to simplify grilling without sacrificing taste.
Pros
Delivers the same char and searing as a traditional propane grill, giving your asado meats the crust and flavor expected from a proper parrilla.
Uses just 1/2 cup of hardwood pellets for authentic smoky aromas, making it easier to replicate the traditional Argentine smoke-infused asado without needing a full wood-fired setup.
I’ve discovered it excels as an outdoor air fryer—something I never anticipated needing until I tasted papas fritas with a subtle wood-fired essence.
The precision of the built-in thermometer has fundamentally changed my cooking experience. Gone are the days of anxiously hovering over cuts of meat, repeatedly checking for doneness.
Cons
The cooking surface simply doesn’t compare to a full-size parrilla, creating real constraints when hosting larger gatherings.
While it provides real wood smoke, traditionalists might miss the ritual and control of tending to a proper wood fire like in a classic Argentine asado.
Extra info
Weight: 30.6 lb
Cooking area: 141 square ins
Special Features: Built-in thermometer
3- Best Pellet Grill for Wood-Fired Flavor Enthusiasts
I initially approached the Traeger Pro 22 with reservations. As someone deeply appreciative of traditional asado, I questioned whether an electric wood pellet grill could capture the essence of this cooking method. Yet, this machine has proven its worth through consistent results. I’ve had my morcillas come out with that perfect snap and briskets develop a bark that would make my Argentinian neighbor nod in approval.
Built like a tank with enough space to feed a hungry crowd, it’s my go-to when I want those authentic wood-fired flavors but can’t be bothered with the traditional ritual. Is it genuine parrilla cooking? Not quite. But the results speak for themselves, and my taste buds honestly can’t tell the difference.
Pros
With 572 sq. in. of cooking space, you can fit multiple cuts of meat at once, making it perfect for slow-cooked tira de asado, whole chickens, or a full round of choripanes.
No more babysitting the fire like a traditional parrilla. The Digital Pro Controller keeps the temperature steady, ensuring your vacío or ribs cook evenly without constantly adjusting the heat.
Unlike managing a full wood fire, this grill is easy to set up and maintain. Just load the pellets, set the temperature, and let it do the work—ideal for an asado without the hassle.
This grill is durable enough for long-term use, whether you’re grilling under the hot sun or a cool evening breeze. It has been proven to withstand tough conditions (including harsh winters).
Cons
Unlike a traditional parrilla where you can simply remove ashes with a shovel, this grill requires multiple steps to clean the fire pot, making maintenance a bit tedious.
If pellets aren’t fed properly, they can pile up and cause issues, which isn’t something you’d worry about with a classic wood-burning asado. Regular maintenance is crucial to avoid problems.
The Cookout Portable Pellet Grill delivers a true Argentine asado experience with the convenience of modern grilling technology. Designed for both backyard gatherings and on-the-go grilling, it uses all-natural hardwood pellets to infuse meats with an authentic smoky flavor. With a wide temperature range from 180°F to 500°F, it handles everything from slow-cooked vacío to high-heat searing for bife de chorizo.
Its spacious 690-square-inch cooking area makes it possible to grill multiple cuts at once, while the secure lid helps maintain consistent heat—no need to constantly adjust for flare-ups. The large 20-lb hopper means you won’t have to reload pellets mid-cook, ensuring uninterrupted grilling.
Pros
With a large cooking surface, this grill can handle multiple cuts at once, making it ideal for an asado with friends and family.
The griddle heats evenly from back to front, ensuring every piece of meat gets a proper sear. No more worrying about hot and cold spots.
The built-in grease trap works well, and the disposable trays make post-asado cleanup easy. You’ll spend less time scrubbing and more time enjoying a Fernet with friends.
While it’s perfect for grilling beef, you can also use it for cooking traditional sides like provoleta, grilled vegetables, or even flatbreads like fugazza.
Cons
The grill is built solid, but that means it’s not easy to move around. If you plan on assembling it yourself, you’ll need an extra set of hands to lift the griddle top into place.
Just like a well-seasoned parrilla, this grill needs proper care to last.
The Traeger Ranger is a suitable option for anyone looking for a portable pellet grill with temperature control. The Digital Arc Controller provides a consistent heat, which makes it easy to cook without having to constantly make adjustments. While it will never be able to match the smoky depth of a full-size charcoal or wood grill, it does offer great wood-fired flavor in a travel-sized, compact package. The porcelain-coated grates and the cast-iron griddle are a plus point—easy to clean and even heat up.
Pros
Delivers excellent wood-fired flavor and prevents flare-ups.
Compact and sturdy—great for tailgating or RV trips.
The Digital Arc Controller keeps temperatures consistent for reliable results.
Built tough with heavy-gauge metal and a cast iron griddle.
Cons
The controller can be glitchy—some units have issues with the temp probe or timer.
At nearly 60 pounds, it’s a bit heavy for a “portable” grill.
Extra info
Weight: 54 pounds
Cooking area: 21×13 in
Special Features: digital arc controller, porcelain-coated grates.
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