ASMOKE Essential Pellet Grill Review: The Best Portable Battery-Powered Grill of 2025

ASMOKE Essential Pellet Grill Review: The Best Portable Battery-Powered Grill of 2025

ASMOKE Essential Pellet Grill Review: The Best Portable Battery-Powered Grill of 2025

Front view of the ASMOKE Essential pellet grill with lid closed

Hey everybody, welcome back to BBQ by Biggs! Today we’re diving into one of the most innovative pellet grills on the market — the ASMOKE Essential Pellet Grill. This portable, battery-powered pellet grill is packed with smart features and modern tech, all in a compact design that fits in the back of a truck or the trunk of a car. Whether you’re tailgating, camping, or just want to grill without cords, this unit might be what you’ve been waiting for.

👉 Interested in getting your own ASMOKE Essential Pellet Grill?

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📦 Unboxing & Assembly

The grill came extremely well-packaged. Assembly took about 10 minutes and only required a Phillips #2 screwdriver. There are NO instructions in the box, so be sure to check:

👉 Want one? You can grab the ASMOKE Essential here with a special discount!

🔋 Powering Up — Charger Required

The ASMOKE Essential includes a 95Wh removable battery rated for up to 10 hours of cook time. It does not come with a USB-C charging block, but any charger that supports PD 3.0 or PD 3.1 will work.

USB-C Power Delivery charging block compatible with PD 3.0 and PD 3.1 for ASMOKE grill

⚡ Need a Charger?
Use any USB-C charger with PD 3.0 or PD 3.1. Most fast-charging phone blocks work great.

Get the Right Charger on Amazon

📱 App Setup — Do the Firmware Update First

Be sure to update the firmware before trying to pair the grill with the ASMOKE app. Once updated, the app works great for controlling temps and checking presets.

ASMOKE Essential pellet grill shown behind a phone displaying the app's grill control screen

🧳 Portability

This grill fits in the back of our truck and even in the trunk with baseball gear. We used it during long ballgames and tailgates — a real advantage for BBQ on the go.

ASMOKE grill in truck bed ASMOKE grill in car trunk

🍗 Chicken Thighs on the Menu

After the 350°F burn-in, I trimmed and seasoned bone-in chicken thighs with olive oil and BBQ by Biggs SPG Gold.

SPG Gold seasoning on chicken thighs Seasoned chicken on rack

I used a cooling/smoking rack and smoked at 250°F to 155°F internal (about an hour), then finished at 375°F to 183–185°F (about 18 minutes).

Thermapen instant-read thermometer for checking meat temperatures

🌡️ Instant Temp Check:
I use the Thermapen instant-read thermometer for perfect internal temps every time.

Chicken thighs on grill Final smoked chicken on rack

🔥 Performance & Cleanup

The grill held temps within ±5°F thanks to its smart PID controller. The ASCA™ system adds moisture during cooking, helps reduce flare-ups, and collects ash efficiently. Cleanup was quick with the slide-out grease tray and ash catch.

🧠 Final Thoughts

This grill is compact, powerful, and performs like a champ. From firmware upgrades and touchscreen presets to reliable smoke control and portability, it’s a full-featured pellet grill that runs completely off the grid. I’ll be using it for camping, fishing trips, long ballgames, and wherever I can fire it up!

Thinking about adding a portable pellet grill to your setup? 👉 Check out the ASMOKE Essential here — plus get a special offer through my link!

🎣 Bonus Tip

If you love the outdoors as much as BBQ, be sure to check out our sister site:

🔥 Also into fishing and the great outdoors?
Check out Texas Rod & Reel — our sister site where we dive into fishing tips, gear reviews, and fresh-from-the-water recipes that pair perfectly with a slab of Texas sheet cake.

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❓ Frequently Asked Questions

Does the ASMOKE Essential come with a charger?

No, it includes a USB-C charging cable, but you’ll need your own PD 3.0 or PD 3.1 compatible charging block. Most modern fast phone chargers will work.

Are there instructions in the box?

No printed instructions are included. ASMOKE provides a PDF manual and an assembly video online.

How long does the battery last?

Once preheated, the 95Wh battery powers the grill for 8–10 hours depending on cook temp. Startup typically uses 40–50% of the battery.

What does the ASCA system do?

ASCA™ (Automatic Steam Clean Active) is ASMOKE's patented technology that enhances your grilling experience by:

  • Faster Heating: Superheated steam heats the grill 15% faster than traditional methods.
  • Moisture Retention: Keeps food moist and flavorful during cooking.
  • Flavor Enhancement: Allows infusion of flavors by adding liquids like sauces or wines to the designated tray.
  • Efficient Cooking: Cooks food up to 3 times faster than traditional grills.
  • Automatic Ash Disposal: After cooking, cooled steam helps sweep pellet ash into a removable ash tray for easy cleanup.

Learn more on the ASMOKE ASCA System page.