The catch
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
A 500 F setpoint is out of reach, and so is direct flame.
Side by side
Z GRILLS ZPG-7002C vs Z GRILLS ZPG-600D3E: 600D3E finishes over direct flame, while 7002C adds batch room
Quick verdict
7002C is the pick for 125 more square inches. If direct-flame finishing outranks maximum capacity, 600D3E is the one to get.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller is the better match for “Feed eight or more people” and “Hold three racks of ribs”. Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access is the better match for “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Give burgers a direct-flame finish”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
The catch
Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
The controller setpoint stops around 450 F, although direct flame can give a hotter finish in one spot.
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Why pick it
- Feed eight or more people
- The catch
- A 500 F setpoint is out of reach, and so is direct flame.
Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Why pick it
- Make weeknight dinners for two
- Give burgers a direct-flame finish
- The catch
- The controller setpoint stops around 450 F, although direct flame can give a hotter finish in one spot.
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What this page compares
How the Z GRILLS ZPG-7002C and Z GRILLS ZPG-600D3E compare on cooking area, heat and hopper, controls and portability.
This one comes down to cooking area and heat and hopper first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Make weeknight dinners for two
Lean toward a compact grate so you aren’t heating a large barrel.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Depends
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Better fit
Hold three racks of ribs
Offer enough rectangular grate area, or work with a documented rib rack.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Better fit
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Good
Roast a turkey whole
Both models list “Controls stay at the grill. Full-size patio model” for controls and portability. Both models show the same result for “Controls and portability”, so this row won't decide between them.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Better fit
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Good
Give burgers a direct-flame finish
Rely on a documented flame-broiler or direct-flame access in addition to air temperature.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Depends
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Better fit
Feed eight or more people
Offer a published total area of at least about 700 square inches, laid out in usable racks.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Better fit
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Depends
Cook for a family of four
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller lists “697 sq in cooking area” for cooking area, while Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access lists “572 sq in cooking area”. This is how much food or material fits in one usable batch, which tells you more than the headline size.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- Similar
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Similar
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller is the better match for “Feed eight or more people” and “Hold three racks of ribs”. Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access is the better match for “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Give burgers a direct-flame finish”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
One of them covers more of your list
Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access meets 3 of the 3 needs this comparison is built around. Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller meets 2 and misses “Make weeknight dinners for two”.
How we worked this out
The count uses the current strong and useful fit ratings for these two products. Each need counts once, with no made-up score added on top.
How many models fit “Make weeknight dinners for two”
9 of the 22 pellet grills and smokers checked fit this need. Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access makes the cut. Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller does not.
How we worked this out
The count filters every model in the current category for a strong or useful fit on this single need.
Models that handle “Run a brisket overnight” and “Make weeknight dinners for two”
5 of the 22 pellet grills and smokers checked handle both “Run a brisket overnight” and “Make weeknight dinners for two”. Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access makes the cut. Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller does not.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Z GRILLS, ZPG-7002C
7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
You get 697 square inches of cooking area and a pellet hopper that holds 28 pounds.
- Best for
- feed a family of four, with a brisket smoking overnight
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 697 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 28 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 450°F.
Option B
Z GRILLS, ZPG-600D3E
600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
Cooking area measures 572 square inches, and the pellet hopper holds 20 pounds.
- Best for
- cook weeknight dinners for two or feed a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 572 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 20 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 450°F.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller | Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | 697 sq in cooking area | 572 sq in cooking area | What counts is how much food or material fits in one usable batch, and that says more than the headline size does. |
| Heat and hopper | 450°F setting. 28 lb hopper. Indirect heat only | 450°F setting. 20 lb hopper. Direct flame available | It determines how frequently you have to refill, empty or begin a new batch. |
| Controls and portability | Controls stay at the grill. Full-size patio model | Controls stay at the grill. Full-size patio model | Both models show the same result for “Controls and portability”, so this row won't decide between them. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- App monitoring isn't offered.
With Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- Wi-Fi monitoring is not available.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with 7002C when you want 125 more square inches, or with 600D3E when direct-flame finishing counts for more than maximum capacity.
Where they really differ
Both use PID control. 7002C comes with a 28-pound hopper, and 600D3E holds 20 pounds.
How the numbers matter
Direct-flame access belongs to 600D3E alone.
What you give up
7002C is listed at 697 square inches.
What this page can’t tell you
- Weather and temperature change pellet use.
- Upper racks may be counted in published grate area.
- Searing performance can't be read from maximum temperature alone.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the pellet grills and smokers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
Only 5 of the 22 models checked meet every need here: “Cook for a family of four”, “Run a brisket overnight”, and “Make weeknight dinners for two”.
5 models fit, out of 22 checkedThe gap in numbers
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller lists 697 sq in for listed cooking area, 22% more than the 572 sq in on Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access.
- Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
- 697 sq in
- Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
- 572 sq in
- Models with this figure
- 17 of 22
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Cook for a family of four”, “Run a brisket overnight”, and “Make weeknight dinners for two”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedFigures are the maker's total cooking area. Upper racks and odd-shaped layouts do not give you the same direct-grate space. For context, 17 of 22 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller |
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| Z GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Z GRILLS 7002C Pellet Grill with PID Controller
Feed eight or more people
See price & reviews on AmazonZ GRILLS 600D3E Pellet Grill with Direct Flame Access
Make weeknight dinners for two
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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