Today we are considering the best Z Grills recipes to smoke on your smoker.

If you haven’t heard of Z Grills, they are one of the best alternative to Traeger grills and much more cost effective.

Obviously you can smoke or sear these Z Grills recipes on any BBQ or smoker, but this article is specifically about Z Grills cooking.

Some of the recipes come from Z Grills themselves, and some are our own.

Setting Up Your Z Grills Smoker For Cooking

Like any pellet grill you will need to make sure your Z Grill is properly set up for cooking. If it’s the first time you are using the grill you’ll need to check all the parts are working properly and season it to burn off any chemical residue from manufacturing.

The process is pretty straightforward.

• Open the grill lids and the hopper then take out the racks, grease tray and baffle plate (this sits on top of the fire-pot
• Turn the grills on and move the dial to the smoke setting (you should hear the fan starting up)
• Check the auger is turning (it should make a whirring noise) – the auger stops and starts every 30 seconds or so
• Add the wood pellets (if you are doing the burn-in you’ll only need around 2kg or so – use more if you intend to cook straightaway
• Turn the dial to high and wait for the pellets to fall into the fire-pot (around 7-8 minutes)
• Start the ignition rod up again by turning the dial to Shut Down and then to Smoke (your grill will fire up in around 3-5 mins)
• Start the Burning In Process – Place the baffle plate back over the fire-pot, return the grease and grill racks and then close the grill lid – set the dial to High
• Let the grill burn off oil and chemicals for around 40 minutes or so until the smoke is no longer oily
• Turn the dial to the Smoke setting and let it run for another 10-15 mins until the fire has died down then turn the dial to Shut Down but leave the power on for 10 mins until it automatically turns off
• When the grill has automatically shut down you can unplug your Z Grills or start your very first smoke

Z Grills Initial Startup & Burning In Video

The video below outlines the Initial Startup and Burn-in Process.

7 Best Z Grills Recipes to Smoke and Sear Today

1 Z Grills Smoked Brisket Sandwiches

If you wanting to make your first (or 100th!) smoke special there are few better ways to do it than smoking brisket.

This straightforward and delicious recipe from Z Grills themselves is a great way to enjoy beef brisket.

The 4 pound brisket will take you around 6 hours to smoke over hickory wood and feed 8-10 people.

2 Z Grills Ribeye Steaks

Ribeye steaks are surely one of the best cuts of steak, and smoking them on a wood pellet grill is definitely one of the best ways to enjoy them.

All you need is a ribeye steak, your favourite steak seasoning and your trusty Z grills (or whatever smoker you have) for this wonderful recipe.

If you really want to go all out try a steak compound butter recipe to top it off.

3 Smoked Jerk Chicken Breast

This one of our own recipes and easily adapted for whatever smoker you have.

It has a delicious homemade Jamaican jerk seasoning to go on your chicken which is then smoked over cherry wood for 1-2 hours with a target internal temperature of 165F (74C).

If you like you can watch the video of the smoking process on the Instagram link below as well.

4 Smoked Rabbit on the Z Grills

Rabbit tastes like chicken but with a gamey flavour, and like most things it tastes better smoked.

It isn’t one of the most popular meats to smoke, but if you’re looking for something a bit out of the ordinary to throw on your wood pellet grill then this could be for you. The video from Z Grills TV is informative and entertaining too.

5 Grilled Butterflied Leg of Lamb

This Z Grills recipe is delicious and a little decadent.

The leg of lamb is marinated in Mediterranean flavours and then cooked on the grills for around 1 hour 10 minutes until medium rare.

Crispy on the outside and tender and unctious on the inside.

Great for special occasions or the perfect Sunday Roast.

6 Spicy Al Pastor Sliders

The reason this Z Grills recipe tastes so good is the delicious combination of savoury, spicy heat and sweet from the Hawaaian rolls and pineapple.

Once you add red onion for crunch you’re really in for a treat.

The meat is marinated overnight in herbs and spices and then cooked on the pellet grills in a cast iron skillet.

7 Smoked Tomahawk Steak with Garlic Parmesan Crust

This another showstopper recipe to smoke on your Z Grills – the mighty Tomahawk steak (or bone-in ribeye) with a crispy garlic and parmesan crust.

If you haven’t heard of the Tomahawk cut before, it’s essentially a ribeye steak with the bone left in for effect. It looks like a Tomahawk axe and it’s a fantastic centrepiece for any occasion.

Serve it with your favourite sides such as mash, fries, roast potatoes or a nice green salad. Or better still, will all of them plus more.

FAQ’s About Z Grills Recipes For the Pellet Smoker

How Long to Cook Steak on Z Grills?

Provided your Z Grills smoker is at high heat (400F+) it will take 4 to 5 minutes initially before turning and then 3-5 minutes for medium rare (135F internal temp), 5-7 minutes for medium (internal temp 140F), and 8-10 minutes for medium well further grilling.

Altogether medium rare will take around 7-10 minutes, medium will take around 10-12 minutes, and medium rare will take between 12-15 minutes to cook at high heat on your Z Grills pellet smoker.

Z Grill Recipes for Chicken Wings

For a great recipe for pellet smoker chicken wings try here.

Z Grill Recipes for Ribs

If you would like to try smoking ribs on your smoker you could try this recipe.

FAQ’S About Z Grills and Z Grills Recipes

Can I use any Pellets in my Z Grill?

Like many brands, Z Grills recommend using their own pellets. However you can use whatever kind of hardwood pellets you like in a pellet grill, according to your preference.

How do you Cook Burgers on a Z Grill?

To cook burgers quickly on a Z Grill (ie grill them), make sure you are on the high setting of at least 400F (204C) and cook them until the internal temperature is 160F (71C).

Alternatively smoke them for up to an hour first at 225-250F (74-121C) until the internal temperature is around 135F (57C) then sear them at high heat to finish for a couple of minutes a side at the end.

How do you BBQ on a Z Grill?

First of all, fill the hopper with the wood pellets of your choice. Second set the grills to your desired temperature, then grill or smoke your food.

You will want to stay at 225-250F (74-121C) for low and slow BBQ cooking and high heat of 400+F (204+C) for grilling hot and fast on your Z Grills.

What not to do on a Pellet Grill?

Here are some ideas for what not to do on a Pellet Grill:

• Don’t Over-smoke Your Food
• Don’t Undercook Your Food
• Do Not Forget to Preheat Your Pellet Grill
• Don’t Forget to Let Meat Rest After Smoking
• Don’t Forget to Research the Right Type of Pellets
• Don’t Forget to Clean and Maintain Your Pellet Grill Properly

You might also enjoy our ‘Z Grills Smoked Turkey Breast,’ article too.