Smoking and BBQ — Gear Guide
If you've been thinking about getting into pellet smoking, there's never been a better time to buy in Canada. The market has matured, prices have come down, and there are some genuinely excellent options under $1,000 that'll produce competition-level results in your backyard. Here's what's worth your money right now.
🔥 First — Why Pellet?
Pellet smokers bridge the gap between a set-it-and-forget-it electric smoker and the hands-on craft of offset smoking. You load hardwood pellets into a hopper, set your temperature digitally, and the auger feeds pellets into the firepot automatically to maintain consistent heat. Real wood smoke, real bark, real flavor — without babysitting a fire for 12 hours.
For a home cook who wants to produce great smoked meat without taking a course, pellet is the move.
1. 🏆 Weber Searwood 600 — Best Overall Under $1,000
Price in Canada: ~$1,199 CAD
Weber finally got pellet smoking right with the Searwood. It runs hotter than most pellet smokers — up to 600°F — which means you can actually sear a steak after you smoke it without switching grills. The build quality is pure Weber: thick steel, solid welds, nothing flimsy.
- Cooking area: 648 sq inches
- Temp range: 180°F–600°F
- WiFi: Yes — Weber Connect app
- Best for: Someone who wants one grill that does everything
👉 Buy on Weber Canada | Buy at Home Depot Canada
2. 💨 Broil King Crown Pellet 400 — Best Canadian Buy Right Now
Price: ~$899 CAD | Costco ~$599–$699 CAD (seasonal)
Broil King is a Canadian company out of Waterloo, Ontario. Their Crown Pellet 400 is one of the best deals going right now — well-built, reliable, and backed by Canadian service and parts. If something goes wrong you're not waiting on a cross-border warranty claim.
- Cooking area: 445 sq inches primary + 195 warming rack
- Temp range: 180°F–500°F
- WiFi: Yes — iQue Bluetooth/WiFi controller
- Best for: First-time buyers who want Canadian-backed reliability
👉 Buy on Broil King Canada | Buy at Home Depot Canada | Buy at Costco Canada
3. 🎯 Pit Boss Navigator 1300 — Best Bang for Buck
Price in Canada: ~$1,299 CAD
The Navigator 1300 gives you more cooking space than anything else at this price — 1,300 square inches across two racks. If you're cooking for a large family or want to run multiple briskets at once, nothing comes close for the money. The flame broiler slider opens direct flame for searing too.
- Cooking area: 1,300 sq inches
- Temp range: 180°F–500°F
- WiFi: Yes on connected models
- Best for: Families and big cooks who want maximum space per dollar
👉 Buy on Pit Boss Canada | Buy at IntoCooking.ca
4. 📱 Traeger Pro 780 — Best for Tech Lovers
Price in Canada: ~$999 CAD at Home Depot
Traeger invented the pellet smoker category and the Pro 780 is their sweet spot model. The WiFIRE app is the best in the business — monitor and adjust your cook from your phone, get alerts when your meat hits temp, follow guided cook programs. If you want to geek out on your cook data, this is your smoker.
- Cooking area: 780 sq inches
- Temp range: 165°F–500°F
- WiFi: Yes — best app in the category
- Best for: Tech-forward cooks who want full remote control
👉 Buy on Traeger Canada | Buy at Home Depot Canada
🛒 Where to Buy in Canada
- Costco Canada — Best prices, especially on Broil King. Check seasonally for deals.
- Home Depot Canada — Carries Traeger, Pit Boss, and Broil King with in-store pickup.
- Canadian Tire — Good for Pit Boss and Napoleon, often runs seasonal sales.
- TheBBQHQ.com — Canadian specialty BBQ retailer with a wide selection and knowledgeable staff.
The Bottom Line
Under $1,000 in Canada, the Weber Searwood 600 is the best all-around pellet smoker if you can stretch the budget. If you want to keep it under $700, the Broil King Crown 400 is the smart Canadian buy — especially if Costco has it in stock. And if you need maximum cooking real estate, the Pit Boss Navigator 1300 wins on space per dollar — no contest.
Published every Wednesday by the Smoking and BBQ blog at Meat With Me. Got a smoker you love? Drop it in the comments.