Expert Grill Commodore Pellet Grill And Smoker

Your New Go-To for Smoky BBQ Flavor

As an avid griller and smoker, I’m always on the lookout for the next great grill to take my barbecue skills to the next level. After hearing rave reviews about the Expert Grill Commodore Pellet Grill and Smoker, I decided it was time to upgrade my setup and see what this grill could really do. After spending the past grilling season putting the Commodore through its paces, I can confidently say this is one of the best pellet grills I’ve ever used – it’s versatile, high-performing, and built to last.

In this in-depth buying guide, I’ll walk through everything you need to know about the features, benefits, and downsides of the Expert Grill Commodore Pellet Smoker. As a long-time BBQ enthusiast, I’ll provide plenty of tips and insight to help you determine if this is the right grill to fulfill your cooking needs. Let’s dive in!

An Impressive 900 Square Inches of Total Cooking Area

One of the Expert Grill Commodore’s strongest selling points is its massive cooking surface. With 695 square inches of primary cooking space and an additional 205 square inches in the upper warming rack, this grill provides the ample room needed to handle large cookouts and parties.

I love having the flexibility to cook a full rack of ribs down below while keeping buns, side dishes, or sliced meat warm up top. The spacious main cooking chamber makes it easy to smoke multiple racks of ribs, whole chickens, roasts, and other large cuts of meat simultaneously.

For a family barbecue, you can grill up a full arsenal of steaks, burgers, veggies, and more all at once. The Expert Grill Commodore’s expansive grilling surface significantly cuts down on cook time when handling lots of food for big groups.

A Breeze to Assemble Right Out of the Box

Despite its large capacity, the Expert Grill Commodore doesn’t take long to assemble right out of the box. It arrives with detailed visual instructions that clearly illustrate each step required to get the grill put together.

All of the major components like the legs, barrel, hopper, warming rack, and more come pre-assembled. You simply have to attach each of these pieces together with nuts and bolts, which are conveniently included. With basic tools like a wrench and screwdriver, I was able to get the entire grill assembled and ready to cook on in under 30 minutes.

The straightforward assembly instructions combined with pre-fabricated components help you avoid frustrating headaches or complications when first setting up your Expert Grill Commodore. This grill provides an easy, user-friendly setup process.

Delivers Authentic Wood Pellet Flavor

What really makes the Expert Grill Commodore stand out is its wood pellet fuel system. Instead of relying on gas or charcoal, the Commodore uses 100% natural hardwood pellets to cook your food, infusing it with those beloved smoky barbecue flavors.

The wood pellets load into the grill’s hopper, then automatically feed into the firepot where they’re ignited by the heating element. As the pellets burn, smoky fumes circulate throughout the cooking chamber to coat your food. You can use various wood pellet varieties like hickory, maple, apple, cherry, mesquite and more to add different smokey notes.

Unlike cheap pellet grills, the Expert Grill Commodore is designed to maximize smoke production and flavor. The generous 10 pound pellet hopper provides long hours of continuous smoke, while the variable speed fan lets you adjust the smoke density. With proper pellet selection and smoke settings, you can achieve competition-level BBQ taste.

Functions as Both a Grill and Smoker

The Expert Grill Commodore isn’t limited to just one cooking method – this grill offers serious versatility with both grilling and smoking capabilities.

The pellet fuel system generates temperatures between 180°F on the low end up to 550°F at max heat. This wide temperature range lets you smoke low and slow for perfect pulled pork and brisket, or crank up the heat for steaks, burgers and other grilled favorites.

The Commodore comes with a meat probe thermometer to monitor internal food temperature. Place the probe in roasts, whole birds, or other large cuts, and the thermometer displays their core temp on the digital control panel. This takes the guesswork out of cooking so your food turns out perfect every time.

Whether you prefer smoking, grilling, or both – the Expert Grill Commodore has you covered. Its flexibility makes it easy to pull off a huge variety of recipes.

Precise Temperature Control and Heat Distribution

Delivering consistent heat is crucial when smoking or grilling, and the Expert Grill Commodore offers stellar temperature control and heat distribution.

The digital control panel makes it simple to set your target cooking temp – just turn the dial to your desired setting between 180°F to 550°F. The smart PID technology then works to automatically adjust the pellet feed rate and fan speed to reach and maintain that ideal temperature within +/- 20 degrees.

Once it reaches the set temp, the Commodore delivers even heat across the entire cooking surface. The grill is designed for maximum airflow and heat circulation, preventing cold or hot spots.

You don’t have to stress over temperature fluctuations or uneven cooking. The Commodore’s advanced PID controller and optimized airflow provides precision temperature management for perfect results every time.

Compatible with a Wide Range of Pellet Types

The Expert Grill Commodore gives you flexibility in the wood pellets you use. This grill is designed to work with all types of 1/4 inch BBQ wood pellets made from quality hardwoods like hickory, apple, cherry, mesquite, oak and more.

Buying a 20 pound bag of certified 100% oak wood pellets online generally costs around $20-$25. A bag this size will last for several longer cooking sessions. I recommend having two bags of your favorite pellet variety on hand so you never have to worry about running out mid-cook.

Look for food-grade wood pellets without artificial flavors, fillers or binders that could impact the flavor. Lower quality pellets can also potentially jam the auger. Sticking with reputable pellet brands recommended for the Commodore ensures the best performance and taste.

Hopper Holds Up to 10 Pounds of Pellets

The Expert Grill Commodore eliminates one of the most annoying parts of pellet grilling – constantly having to refill your fuel. This grill’s extra large 10 pound pellet hopper can hold huge loads of pellets to enable hours of continuous cooking.

Filling the hopper completely full gets you 12-15 hours of runtime depending on your temperature setting. This is outstanding capacity compared to cheaper pellet grills with 5-7 pound hoppers. You can smoke overnight at low temps or spend all day grilling without running out.

The huge pellet capacity is ideal when cooking large quantities of food or longer recipes like brisket that require steady low heat over many hours. Reloading pellets mid-cook is minimized.

Included Meat Probe Simplifies Cooking

Taking the guesswork out of cooking, the Expert Grill Commodore comes standard with a built-in meat probe thermometer.

Simply plug the stainless steel probe into the port on the control panel, then insert it into the thickest part of your meat like a roast, whole bird, or other large cut. The digital display shows the real-time internal temperature so you can easily monitor doneness.

Set your food’s target temp, and the Commodore alerts you when it’s reached. For example, insert the probe in a pork shoulder, set the thermometer to 200°F, and wait for the beeps letting you know it’s ready to come off.

The meat probe makes cooking foolproof for perfect doneness every time. No more slicing into meat prematurely or overcooking.

A True Set-It-and-Forget-It Smoking Experience

The Expert Grill Commodore excels when it comes to low and slow smoking thanks to its seriously user-friendly design. The pellet hopper automatically feeds pellets into the firepot to sustain heat, while the built-in probe monitors food temp.

Once your food is loaded in the grill, choose your target temperature, add smoking wood, and let the Commodore do the work. As long as you have enough pellets, you barely have to touch the grill until your brisket, ribs, or other smoked eats are ready.

For overnight cooks, the Commodore offers effortless, reliable performance. Set the temperature before bed and sleep easy knowing you’ll wake up to perfectly smoked barbecue ready for eating. Its genuine “set-it-and-forget-it experience” makes smoking extremely convenient.

Available for Purchase Online or In Stores

The Expert Grill Commodore makes upgrading your outdoor cooking setup more convenient with multiple purchasing options.

This pellet grill is sold at big box stores like Home Depot and Lowe’s where you can see it on display in person. Both retailers offer free in-store pickup if you order online.

The Commodore is also available for direct online purchase through Expert Grill’s website and can be shipped nationwide. Online prices are very competitive with major retailers.

In store or online – there are plenty of purchasing avenues enabling you to get your new Commodore grill conveniently delivered straight to your backyard.

Automatic Pellet Auger System Prevents Flare-Ups

Unhappy flare-ups from grease fires are an annoying downside of grilling, but the Expert Grill Commodore’s pellet design prevents this issue. Pellets burn much cleaner than charcoal and the automatic auger system delivers a controlled, even heat.

The auger dispenses pellets from the hopper into the fire pot in a pre-set quantity based on your target temperature. This avoids sudden surges of unregulated heat like you get with charcoal. The consistent pellet burn and smart PID technology keeps temps steady.

Without temperature spikes, grease isn’t likely to combust. The pellets burn up collected grease and residue during the normal cook cycle so flare-ups don’t occur. You can confidently grill a variety of foods without the threat of flames.

Thick, Powder Coated Steel Construction

The heaviest, thickest materials are used in constructing the Expert Grill Commodore’s barrel, firebox, legs and other components. The grill shell consists of thick 12-gauge steel coated in durable powder coat paint that resists corrosion, scratches and fading.

Stainless steel makes up the interior cooking racks which easily handle frequent grilling and smoking at high heats without warping. The sturdy materials and rock-solid construction give the Commodore superior longevity compared to cheaper grills.

Despite its rugged build, the Commodore still manages to weigh just 140 pounds – light enough for one person to maneuver but heavy-duty where it counts. Expect this grill to provide season after season of flawless cooking performance.

Simplified Cleaning Process

Maintaining your grill between cookouts is imperative for proper function, and the Expert Grill Commodore makes this easy.

The grease drip bucket conveniently catches fat drippings so they don’t accumulate in the bottom of the grill. Periodically change out the bucket to keep it clean.

Removing the grates and heat baffle exposes the interior for access to clear ash out from the firebox and grease any build-up. Use a grill brush to scrub the grates clean. The Commodore’s smart design and semi-open body simplify the cleaning process.

Make it a habit to clear ashes, clean the grease tray, and brush the grates after multiple long cooks. Basic maintenance keeps the Commodore running like new.

Includes a 3-Year Parts Warranty

Expert Grill shows outstanding confidence in the Commodore’s quality by backing this grill with an impressive 3-year warranty on parts. That’s one of the longest warranties in its class.

The company pledges to provide free replacements for any defective or damaged parts within the first 3 years of ownership – no questions asked. All you pay is minimal shipping and handling fees.

Considering the substantial materials and precise PID technology, it’s unlikely you’ll encounter issues as long as you properly care for the grill. But if any parts fail prematurely, the excellent warranty has you well covered.

Delivers Authentic Smoky Flavor at a Reasonable Price

For its large size, sturdy construction, and pro-grade PID controller, the Expert Grill Commodore is very reasonably priced compared to competitors.

The Commodore is sold between $500-$600 at major retailers and from Expert Grill’s site. Considering comparable pellet grills from leading brands like Traeger and Camp Chef cost upwards of $1,000 or more, the Commodore provides serious value.

If you want the authentic wood-fired flavor and hands-off convenience of pellet smoking without the sky-high price, the Commodore is a stellar option. You get professional quality and performance at a cost most backyard BBQ fans can afford.

Low and Slow Smoking Capabilities

A pellet grill needs to excel at smoking low and slow, and the Commodore completely delivers here. Its temperature range goes down to 180°F – ideal for true, low temperature smoking.

The accurate PID technology maintains consistent heat within 20 degrees even at the lowest temps. Fluctuating temps don’t stall or dry out briskets, ribs and other BBQ requiring precise low heat over many hours.

During overnight cooks, the Commodore provides unwavering temperature control. Set it to 225°F before bed to wake up to perfectly smoked meat ready for eating without any babysitting.

For brisket with gorgeous smoke rings, juicy ribs that fall off the bone, and pulled pork that pulls apart with ease – rely on the Expert Grill Commodore’s stellar low and slow abilities.

Cold Weather Performance

Many pellet grills falter once the mercury drops, struggling to maintain stable heat in frigid conditions. But the Expert Grill Commodore is built for all-weather grilling and smoking.

Its heavy-gauge steel, insulation, and sealed lid lock in heat so cold air doesn’t sap the cooking temperatures. The strong PID controller automatically adjusts pellet feed and fan speed to balance out any heat lost through the walls.

I’ve used my Commodore in below freezing winter temps without any significant temperature fluctuations or loss of smoke quality. As long as you keep it sheltered from the wind, expect exceptional cold weather performance.

Don’t let cold snaps stop your grilling plans! The Commodore delivers reliable, consistent cooking year-round regardless of outside temperatures.

Decent Portability for Tailgating

Weighing 140 pounds on a wheeled cart, the Expert Grill Commodore isn’t the most portable grill out there. But its solid tires and two side handles offer enough maneuverability to take this grill on the road for certain occasions.

I find the Commodore works great for larger tailgates where I have help transporting it or for RV camping. It’s bulky compared to a small portable pellet grill but offers way more cooking capacity.

Just folding the hopper lid down cuts the grill’s height roughly in half, making it easier to load in a vehicle. Remove the chimney for extra clearance.

While not ultra-mobile, the Commodore still provides versatility to use on-the-go when needed. Its power and capacity justify taking it to select events.

Low-Maintenance Operation

Like cleaning, maintaining the Expert Grill Commodore for optimal performance doesn’t require much time or effort either. Here are a few tips:

• Use a grill cover when not in use to protect from weather and debris.
• Empty ashes from the firebox before each cook.
• Every few uses, vacuum dust from the fan and interior.
• Brush and oil grates before/after each cook.
• Inspect for loose bolts or damaged components and replace if needed.
• Check the grease bucket regularly and empty when half full.

Simple weekly maintenance keeps the Commodore running flawlessly all season. It’s one of the lowest-effort pellet grills to own long-term.

Included Accessories Add Functionality

The Expert Grill Commodore comes with a few handy accessories right in the box:

• Meat probes – Monitor doneness of large cuts
• Removable grease/ash pan – Catches drippings and debris
• Grill cover – Protects from weather and dirt
• Spatula/tongs – For safely handling food
• Extra grill grates – Expand cooking surface
• Heat deflector – Distributes heat evenly

These included tools and extras help you get full use from the Commodore’s capabilities. The cover, grease pan, grates and utensils especially make using and maintaining the grill more convenient.

My Verdict on the Expert Grill Commodore Pellet Grill

For both novice backyard grillers and seasoned smoking enthusiasts, the Expert Grill Commodore pellet grill delivers exceptional versatility and performance.

The expansive cooking space, thorough temperature range, and savory wood pellet flavor produce incredibly satisfying barbecue that’s hard to beat. Smoking, grilling, searing – no matter your preferred cooking method, the Commodore excels.

Topped off with sturdy construction, hassle-free maintenance, and thoughtful extras, this grill provides the total package. If you’re looking for pro-level cooking abilities in a reasonably priced pellet grill, the Commodore is a phenomenal choice.

After grilling on mine all last season, I can confidently recommend the Expert Grill Commodore as one of the finest pellet smokers around. This grill is built to handle your backyard barbecue needs for years of mouthwatering cooking results. The Commodore is absolutely worth the investment – your taste buds will thank you!