Sportsman 850 Wood Pellet Grill Review (2026)
By Ben Carter
8.6
Consumer's Best Score
Consumers Best Verdict: Sportsman 850 Wood Pellet Grill Highlights
From our Consumer's Best testing notes, the sportsman 850 feels purpose‑built for folks who want reliable heat, balanced smoke flavor, and enough cooking area to handle game day without juggling batches. Controls are straightforward, start‑up is quick, and heat holds steady once you dial things in. It won’t replace a 700°F sear machine and, depending on your unit, you may not get app control—but for everyday smoking, roasting, baking, and the occasional reverse‑sear, it punches above its weight.
Look, after a stack of weekend cooks and a few weeknight sprints, my honest take is this: the Sportsman 850 Wood Pellet Grill just gets it done. It’s roomy, steady on temps, and easy to live with. If you’re chasing set‑it‑and‑forget‑it smoke with backyard‑friendly versatility, the sportsman 850 hits a really comfortable sweet spot in 2026. It’s not the fanciest kid on the block—true—but for the price, it’s a workhorse I’d happily recommend.
In-Depth Look: Sportsman 850 Wood Pellet Grill Features & Considerations
Core Features & Consumer Benefits
Here’s what stood out to me as I cooked through the classics—ribs, chickens, burgers, even a brisket for good measure.
Generous capacity
Around 850 sq. in. of total cooking space gives you room for multiple racks of ribs, several chickens, or a big brisket without awkward Tetris.
Steady temp control
Set your target and relax—once warmed up, it holds temperature with minimal fuss, so you get repeatable results instead of fire‑tending.
User‑friendly controls
Clear, simple digital interface and quick ignition make it approachable for new pellet grillers and pleasantly low‑maintenance for veterans.
Versatile cooking modes
Smoke low and slow, roast veggies at mid‑heat, bake sides, and finish steaks with a reverse‑sear using a hot grate or cast iron.
Practical build touches
Sturdy cart, useful shelf space, and a weather‑resistant finish add day‑to‑day convenience and a feeling of durability.
Important Considerations & Potential Downsides
- Connectivity caveat
Some units in this class skip Wi‑Fi/app control—if remote monitoring matters, double‑check the exact configuration before buying.
- Top‑end heat
Like many pellet grills, max temps often cap around the mid‑400s to ~500°F, so true, fast searing needs a cast‑iron pan or sear plate technique.
- Fuel use in weather
Expect higher pellet consumption in cold or windy conditions; keeping a weather cover and wind break helps.
- Routine cleanup
Grease channels help, but you’ll still want to vacuum ash regularly and mind pellet storage—moisture is the silent flavor killer.
Who Is the Sportsman 850 Wood Pellet Grill Best For?
Backyard hosts
Feed families and game‑day crews with fewer batches and more consistency.
New pellet grillers
A gentle learning curve with forgiving results—confidence comes fast.
Meal preppers
Smoke bulk proteins on Sunday and coast through the week.
Flavor chasers
Clean, even hardwood smoke without the acrid bite of over‑smoldering.
Value seekers
Strong performance without paying a premium for bells‑and‑whistles you may not use.
