If you’ve never used a pellet grill before, you might be apprehensive about the technology. For a long time, that’s why I shied away from making the leap into this intriguing cooking style. However, once I got started, I realized that there was nothing to be afraid of. The secret is to find the right equipment. That’s when I decided to create this Louisiana pellet grill review to determine how well it holds up against the competition.
In this article, we’re going to review the following Louisiana pellet grills:
Investing in a Pellet Grill: What You Need To Know
Even if this isn’t your first time dealing with a pellet grill, there’s plenty to learn about this nifty invention. Keep the following criteria in mind when you’re considering whether the Louisiana pellet grill will be right for you. Remember that some of your answers might be subjective, and that only you can decide which model will best suit your grilling needs.
Size
Everyone has different needs when it comes to the grilling surface. Singles, couples, or smaller families could get by on as few as 450 square inches. Larger groups, on the other hand, could easily utilize three times as much space. Also bear in mind how often you grill, and how many components of the meal will require a spot on the cooking surface. There’s no sense in investing in a large unit if you aren’t taking advantage of all it has to offer.
Technology
Does the unit feature state-of-the-art controls? If so, are they clear and easy to operate? Some modern grills are even equipped with Wi-Fi, so you can operate the controls using your smartphone or tablet. If this feature is important to you, it could help you narrow down your search.
Temperature Control
Whether you’re looking for a high sear or a low and slow barbecue experience, the grill should be able to maintain the correct temperature throughout the cooking process.
Construction
Check the list of materials to ensure that they’re high quality. The best pellet grills will be constructed of commercial-grade stainless steel, which is both durable and rust-resistant. If possible, look for a grill that advertises either 304- or 430-grade stainless steel in its construction.
Reliability
Does the ignition work every time you fire up the grill? Is the ignition system built to last? How long does the unit take to reach the desired temperature?
Efficiency
Pellet grills will typically go through about 1/2 pound of pellets per hour on the low setting, and up to 2-1/2 pounds per hour when grilling at high heat. Use this rule of thumb to determine whether the unit is operating at the desired efficiency.
Warranty
Some manufacturers will back up their products with warranties, usually for one or two years. While this is only a major concern if the product happens to be defective, it can be nice to have the insurance in place. Check the specifications to see what is and isn’t covered.
Louisiana Pellet Grill Review: The Basics
- Lg 700 Series wood pellet grill
- 707 sq. In cooking surface (497 main 210 upper)
- Porcelain cast iron main grids
- Porcelain steel removable upper cooking grid
- Digital control center
- LG 900 Series Wood Pellet Grill
- 913 Sq. In Cooking Surface (633 Main 280 Upper)
- Porcelain Cast Iron Main Grids
- Porcelain Steel Removable Upper Cooking Grid
- Digital Control Center
- LG 1100 Series Wood Pellet Grill
- 1061 Sq. In Cooking Surface (731 Main 330 Upper)
- Porcelain Cast Iron Main Grids
- Porcelain Steel Removable Upper Cooking Grid
- Digital Control Center
To keep it simple, we’ve limited this review to the Louisiana LG series. Be aware that the company offers a variety of sizes and styles. In the Features & Benefits section below, we’ll provide additional information on how they vary.
When you purchase a Louisiana LG grill, you receive the following: A quality stainless steel grill with porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates, a pellet hopper with a total capacity of 14 pounds, a digital control station, and a small bucket meant to catch drippings and ash during cooking. A five-year warranty for parts and mechanical components is also included.
Pros:
- State-of-the-art digital controls
- Generous sizes available
- Durable construct
- Reasonable price point
Cons:
- Hopper can be insufficient for the amount of cooking space
- Control station can be finicky
- Insufficient prep space
Features & Benefits of the Louisiana Pellet Grill
How well does the Louisiana LG series stand up to the criteria we listed earlier? Let’s take a look.
Size
The LG is available in three generous sizes: the 700, 900, and 1100. The 700 offers a total of 707 square inches of cooking space, with 497 on the main grill and an additional 210 square inches on the removable upper rack. Similarly, the 900 has a total of 914 square inches, with 633 below and 280 above. The 1100 model, meanwhile, kicks it up to 731 square inches on the main cooking surface and 330 on the upper rack for a grand total of 1061.
Which one you choose depends on the size of your crew, the amount of food you’re preparing, and how often you use your grill. All of these models feature a generous amount of cooking space, especially considering the prices.
Technology
The LG series has an electric ignition system, with fans installed to keep the air circulating during cooking. This will keep the smoke from becoming too dense, thereby ensuring a cleaner, richer flavor. The digital control center is easy to use, and includes a “Flame Broiler” function for both direct and indirect heat. When you’re done cooking, you can simply press the power button, and the unit will gradually cool down before switching off entirely.
Temperature Control
You can use the digital controls to adjust the temperature in 5-degree increments, anywhere from 170 to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. The control station also features a programmable meat probe. This will automatically adjust the temperature inside the grill once the inside of the meat has reached the desired temperature.
Construction
Louisiana pellet grills are constructed of 304-grade, 14-gauge stainless steel for quality and durability. Both the main grilling rack and the smaller removable upper grate are made of porcelain-coated stainless steel, which makes cleanup that much easier. As long as you perform the proper routine maintenance on these grills, they should last for years.
It should be noted that while the construction is certainly sturdy enough, these grills don’t offer a lot of additional space for prep work. The top of the hopper is the only place available for storing things, and it isn’t all that large. Fortunately, the company offers side shelving at an additional cost if needed.
Reliability
The electric ignition is generally reliable, at least in my own experience. More good news: The cooking surface is capable of reaching optimum grilling temperatures in as little as 30 minutes, and holds its heat well throughout the cooking time. The downside to this? The unit isn’t nearly as effective at low settings. The temperature tends to rise or fall dramatically when used for slow southern-style barbecue applications. Only you can decide whether or not this is a deal-breaker, but if you plan on using your pellet grill to make pulled pork or smoked brisket on a regular basis, this might not be the best one to consider.
Efficiency
I have noticed that the LG grills tend to go through pellets fairly quickly—at a rate of about one-and-a-half times faster than what’s recommended. Some consumers claim to have gotten around this by investing in the hopper extension, which is sold separately. While this is certainly an option, it seems like something of a cash-grab on the part of the company, especially if you’re investing in their pellets as well.
Warranty
Louisiana pellet grills carry a five-year warranty on its parts and electrical components, which is quite generous by industry standards. The wheels, thermometer, and ceramic parts are not covered. Bear in mind that the warranty will usually be considered null and void in instances of misuse or neglect.
Firing Up the Louisiana Pellet Grill: Social Proof
While the above information represents my own experience, I was curious to find out whether any other consumers agreed. After scanning the Web, I found a number of other rather positive reviews. Some praised the unit’s low and slow capabilities, suggesting that my own issues in this department might have been a fluke. Others were pleased with how easy the unit was to set up and to clean, especially compared with some of the competition. Several were quick to point out their positive experiences with the customer service department, even if they did have problems with the unit initially.
Possible Alternatives
If you’ve considered all the available information and would still prefer to keep your options open, here’s a basic guide to three comparable models.
#1 Camp Chef SmokePro DLX
This combination pellet grill and smoker offers a gas alternative for convenience, as well as an additional lidded side burner. There’s also a patented ash removal system that helps give it a competitive edge. It doesn’t have as much cooking space as its counterpart in the LG series, but it is slightly less expensive.
Louisiana vs. Camp Chef
- Size—Louisiana
- Technology—Camp Chef
- Temperature Control—Louisiana
- Construction—Tie
- Reliability—Camp Chef
- Efficiency—Camp Chef
- Warranty—Louisiana
If you’re hoping to save a few dollars as well as a bit of time on cleanup and maintenance, check out the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX today.
Read our full review of the Camp Chef SmokePro DLX.
More on Camp Chef pellet smokers.
#2 Green Mountain Davy Crockett
This budget option is Wi-Fi enabled, with an impressive temperature control system and a side rack for additional prep space. The foldable legs double as handles, making this a good choice for tailgating events.
Louisiana vs. Green Mountain
- Size—Louisiana
- Technology—Tie
- Temperature Control—Louisiana
- Construction—Louisiana
- Reliability—Louisiana
- Efficiency—Green Mountain
- Warranty—Louisiana
The low price tag, along with the portability and efficiency of this unit, are the best reasons to give it a closer look.
You can also read our full review of this grill here.
#3 Z Grills 8-in-1 BBQ Grill
The “8-in-1” refers to the eight cooking techniques you can expect to enjoy with this unit: grilling, smoking, braising, baking, roasting, searing, char-grilling or barbecuing. It offers an adequate amount of cooking space, and a pellet hopper with a 20-pound capacity. The larger hopper will also give you more freedom during the cooking process, thereby increasing the versatility of the offering from Z Grills.
Louisiana vs. Z Grills
- Size—Louisiana
- Technology—Tie
- Temperature Control—Z Grills
- Construction—Louisiana
- Reliability—Tie
- Efficiency—Z Grills
- Warranty—Louisiana
You should consider this alternative if you’d prefer a larger hopper size without having to invest in additional equipment.
Conclusion
While pellet grills represent a big investment, the Louisiana LG series provides consumers with a decent return. They offer a lot of cooking space at a reasonable price, and their technology is impressive enough to entice first-time buyers to give the technique a try. Click here to take the next step in your journey toward grilling with a pellet stove.
You want to know how Louisiana Grills perform compared to Traeger? Read our review here.
I purchased the upright Louisiana smoker through Costco in 2020.
Overall it provided excellent smoking once a few quirks were worked out. The digital display was off most of the time unless I compressed the small screen. The main internal temperature probe had to be polished to get rid of an error message.
Sadly the smoker now is DEAD due to complete lockup of the auger (rust). Using it in San Diego was its death warrant. San Diego is moist (fog – but little rain). In spite of keeping it covered continuously, the auger is attached to the bottom which is not protected from moist air. The only way to protect it would be to have easy access to the auger for removal and storage – that ain’t happenin since it requires turning the unit upside down.
I had the lousiana LG900, bought three years ago. Had issues with the ignitor, it blew apart. Louisiana did replace it under warranty, handle broke off. Had totally talk them into replacing as they told me warranty could not be found as they just changed systems. now year three thermostat went out, and would.not hold a temp. Went straight high heat. 450+ ignitor quit and auger would not stop running unloaded the full hopper into the grill. Unfortunately. Could not recommend.