Memphis Grill Review

In all the grills we’ve tested, we’ve always come across models that either fail early or perform terribly. Memphis Grills isn’t one of those models, but are their pellet grills really worth the hype? After hours of testing and cooking with multiple units, we’ve documented our full results below.

Best Memphis Grills Reviews

1. Memphis VG0001S Pro 57" Stainless Steel Freestanding Pellet Grill - Best Overall

Summed up in two words, this grill has some of the best technology and performance in the market.

Right off the bat, the heavy-duty stainless steel construction is a clear sign of durability. Plus, the hood is double-walled and sealed with an oven-grade gasket, effectively preventing heat from escaping while cooking.

You can set the temperature anywhere between 180-650°F, making it easy to cook a wide variety of dishes with just one grill. So whether you’re serving meat, veggies, or baked goods, this Pro pellet grill can handle it. 

But getting into the nitty-gritty, this model packs a ton of features. You get a spacious 834 square inches of cooking space, an 18 lb. pellet hopper, dual convection fans, and shelves for storage.

And with Wi-Fi, the Intelligent Temperature Control allows you to monitor and control the temperature even if you’ve stepped away from the grill. 

With all these features, this is the best grill in our review.

Interested in more pellet grills? We also reviewed the PG500 from Cookshack.

Pros:

• Extremely durable
• Wide temperature range
• Large 18 lb. hopper for mixing and matching flavors
• Proprietary smart temperature control
• Dual convection fans for heat circulation
• Comes with direct flame insert and one meat probe
• Included genie tool for cleaning

Cons:

• Some may prefer a smaller model

2. Memphis BGSS26 Beale Street 51" Stainless Steel Freestanding Pellet Grill - Best Budget

Memphis Grills usually produce high-end models with a premium price. But for the value-seekers out there, Beale Street is an equally great option.

Like other wood-fired grills, this model allows you to grill, smoke, roast, sear, and even bake food. It doesn’t reach temperatures as high as the Memphis Pro pellet grill, but the range is still at 180-550°F, enough for most uses.

Beale Street has a large 558-square inch cooking area, and if you decide to have the optional grate, you can expand it to 817 square inches. The pellet hopper has a good capacity at 12 lbs., which still gives more than enough room for experimenting with different flavors.

Despite being the budget option, Beale Street is equipped with the signature intelligent controls. With the compatible app, you can wirelessly monitor the status of your grill.

In our experience, this Memphis wood-fired grill performed well and it sure didn’t cut corners despite the low price.

Pros:

• Corrosion-resistant 430 stainless steel
• 12 lb. pellet hopper capacity
• Convection cooking system
• Spacious cooking area
• Cloud-based Wi-Fi
• Accessible price

Cons:

• May still be too big for small cookouts

3. Memphis VGB0001S Pro 28" Stainless Steel Built-In Pellet Grill w/ Wifi - Best Small

If you don’t have the space for a large grill or you just don’t need to serve that many people, this compact Memphis Pro pellet grill is one that doesn’t disappoint.

Even at 28 inches, this grill is still made of 304 stainless steel. The 304-grade construction is durable and stronger than the 430 grade, but more on this later.

The 18 lb. dual pellet hopper is a great feature. It allows you to mix and match flavors as you like, letting you experiment and achieve the perfect taste for whatever is on the menu. And with an expandable 562-square inch cooking area, you can still serve family and friends with ease.

In our cooking sessions with this grill, we found that it does an incredible job of circulating and maintaining the heat. The dual convection fans work effectively for heat circulation, and the double-walled hood traps it all in. 

On the whole, this pro pellet grill is a small but high-performing model that meets our expectations.

Pros:

• Durable 304 stainless steel construction
• High-capacity dual bin pellet hopper
• 180-650°F temperature range
• Indirect and Direct Flame mode
• Intelligent temperature control
• Dual convection fans for heat circulation

Cons:

• Not enough space for a larger crowd

4. Memphis VG0002S Elite 69" Stainless Steel Freestanding Grill w/ Wifi - Best Large Option

For those of you who are expecting a large number of guests on the reg, the Elite 69” is the wood-fired pellet grill that fits the bill.

This backyard beast has 1252 square inches of cooking surface and a large 24 lb. pellet hopper. So whether you’re using it commercially or for huge BBQ parties, it’s more than capable of cooking big batches of food.

Since it’s much larger than our previous options, the max temperature is a bit higher at 700°F. The lowest temperature is still at 180° though, so you still have a ton of flexibility with this grill.

Handling a large model like this can be tough, so the intelligent temperature control comes in handy. Even if you step out for a bit, you can monitor the temperatures of the grill to make sure everything’s going well.

Overall, this is the ultimate grill for those who need a massive cooking space for parties or businesses.

Pros:

• 304 stainless steel
• Double-walled hood
• 1252 square inches of cooking space
• 180-700° temperature range
• Smart temperature control
• Includes genie tool and a meat probe

Cons:

• Too big for the average party

How to Choose the Best Memphis Grill

If you’re a first-time buyer, our reviews of pellet grills above may be too overwhelming. What you need to figure out first is your needs, so you don’t end up buying something too much or too little.

Here, we discuss all the factors you need to consider before finally deciding on the one model you should buy. Alternatively, you can also read our comparison of the top grills manufacturers of grills, such as SmokinTex and Cookshack.

Durability

When buying any product, you want to make sure it’s going to be there for the long haul. For pellet grills, buy something that’s made out of stainless steel. It’s undoubtedly the most common yet most durable material used for grills.

We previously mentioned the difference between two stainless steel grades: the 304 and 430. Both grades are widely used in the best grills, and Memphis Grills uses them both depending on the model. Because it’s a lower grade, the 304 is more durable than the 430.

However, the 430 is also a great choice because of its corrosion-resistant properties and formability. The 304’s formula is also resistant to corrosion, but it tends to be more expensive.

Nevertheless, whichever you choose, both are good and durable materials that will last decades if well taken care of.

Size

It’s important to consider the grill size for a lot of reasons. One, you need to know if it fits the space you have in your backyard so you’re not buying something too big or too little. Two, you need to match it to your needs, whether you’ll be serving a large crowd or just a few people.

In the pellet grill reviews above, you’ll see a small, mid-size, and large grill. We include varying options in every review so you can get to choose the proper option that matches your needs. Alternatively, you can also learn how to transform your existing grill into a pellet smoker.

Classification

There are also different types of grills you can choose from, but the two most common ones are the freestanding and the built-in grill.

The freestanding option is great if you want mobility and storage. They have wheels and locking casters that allow you to have more flexibility in terms of placement. So if you want to be able to move your grill around in the backyard, the freestanding grill is ideal.

Additionally, a freestanding model usually has some form of storage for your cooking tools and other paraphernalia. Some have drawers, bottom shelver, or side shelves where you can conveniently put all your grilling needs so they’re always ready at hand.

But if you already have a designated spot for your grill, a built-in option would be excellent. In contrast to the mobility of the freestanding grill, a built-in is a more permanent installation. You need to have a cutout ready that matches the dimensions of the grill you want to buy.

There are also portable grills you can carry around with you for picnics, camping, or other outdoor get-togethers. 

Temperature Control

Every backyard griller knows the importance of controlling the temperature when cooking different types of food. Different types of meat don’t use the same temps for cooking [1], plus there’s the challenge of maintaining the proper heat against the outside elements.

An advantage of Memphis Grills over other brands is its intelligent temperature control. It works like an indoor oven, maintaining your set temperature automatically through constant monitoring. 

The ITC is a two-way logic information system. It will add pellets as needed so your grill is always kept at the temp you want. When your food is done, the grill quiets down to warm mode so it stays ready-to-eat instead of burning to a crisp.

Aside from monitoring temps, the app adds another useful feature: automated recipes. This is a database of info that allows the grill to automatically cook the meat at the best settings according to a recipe. 

The ITC is accessed through Wi-Fi or data, so you can easily monitor your grill even when you’re at work or in your car. Other grills don’t work like this, allowing only localized access where you have to be within the range of your home’s Wi-Fi.

A programmable meat probe is also included with your purchase, making it even easier to get your temps at the precise point. When you’re able to monitor the internal temperature of the meat, you can cook it to the exact doneness that you want.

With the ITC and the meat probe working together, any Memphis grill is capable of reaching and holding your desired temperature. So even if you’re a beginner to outdoor grilling, you won’t have a hard time figuring out the proper settings and techniques by yourself.

Pellet-Burning Efficiency

Out of the many grills we’ve tested, Memphis remains to be the most efficient one on our list. Aside from the fact that it only uses 1.5 lb. of pellets per hour at 350 degrees, the PID controller does an effective job of controlling the dual fans and the auger.

That said, each model makes the most use out of the pellets by really circulating the heat throughout the grill and maintaining the right temperatures.

Reviews

A great source of knowledge for research is pellet grills reviews. As with any other product, reading a customer review gives you an insight into the grill’s actual performance in the backyard. 

After all, learning about the experience of others lets you know if something is really worth buying. That’s actually the main reason why we created this Memphis Grill review—to let you know how this brand delivers with hours of testing.

Wonder how Memphis performs against other brands? You can read how it holds up against Traeger here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are Memphis Grills worth the money?

Memphis Grills are worth the money because they produce some of the best all-around grills in the market. They combine versatility and good design with innovation and functionality for the best outdoor grilling experience.

Where are Memphis Grills manufactured?

Memphis Grills are manufactured in a world-class 135,000 square-foot facility in Bloomington, Minnesota, USA. 

Our Top Pick - Memphis VG0001S Pro 57" Stainless Steel Freestanding Pellet Grill

Our winning pick for the best Memphis grill is the VG0001S Pro. From construction to function, this gives a great all-around performance that can satisfy even the pros.

This heavy-duty grill is equipped with 834 square inches of cooking space, wide-ranging temps, a large 18 lb. pellet hopper, and dual convection fans for effective heat circulation. 

And for the ultimate precision, the meat probe and the Intelligent Temperature Control both work to hit and hold desired temperatures all throughout. 

Overall, this grill is an excellent addition to any backyard.

Want to know more options? We also reviewed the Cookshack PG500 here.