All extension cords aren’t created equal. Some extension cords are manufactured and rated for outdoor use while others can only be used indoors.
There are also extension cords that are rated for heavy-duty use such as powering construction equipment and appliances.
So choosing the right extension cord for a pellet grill is important to ensure that the grill stays powered regardless of the weather outside.
The best extension cord for a pellet grill needs to safely transmit at least 700 watts of power, contain weatherproofing, and have an SJTW rating for safe outdoor use.
When powering outdoor appliances like pellet grills, the general rule of thumb is to use the shortest-length cord possible. Try not to use a 100ft extension cord if a 25ft cord is sufficient.
Longer extension cords have more electrical resistance due to the distance the electricity has to travel to reach the pellet grill.
Recommended Extension Cord for Pellet Grills
Here is the extension cord that we recommend using for pellet grills and other outdoor appliances.
Best Overall: US Wire & Cable 74050 50-ft Heavy Duty Extension Cord
Features:
- Lengths: 25 ft, 50 ft, or 100 ft
- Rating: SJTW
- Wire gauge: 12
This is a 12 wire gauge extension cord, which is better to have when powering outdoor appliances. The reason why this is so significant is that this extension cord will have the highest capacity when it comes to providing power so multiple devices could safely get plugged into this extension cord.
Not to mention the double insulation and the outer jacket made of vinyl will protect the cord from breaking, moisture, and temperatures as low as -35°F.
See this list for more extension cords for pellet grills.
The list of extension cords has more options including retractable extension cords and even extension cords with multiple outlets. So make sure to select an extension cord that will work for your pellet grill and any other outdoor device such as electric mowers and leaf blowers.
Now let’s dive into the criteria to look for when selecting an extension cord for a pellet grill.
Pellet Grills Wattage Requirements
A pellet grill needs between 300 watts and 700 watts when igniting the fire during the first 5-10 minutes. Most of the electricity used during startup is powering the igniter to light the pellets and the fan to build the fire in the firepot. After the pellet grill is ignited, the pellet grill only requires about 30 to 50 watts of power to continue operating.
So an extension cord must be able to transmit peak wattage of up to 700 watts in order for a pellet grill to ignite.
Now let’s dive into the 5 things to look for when purchasing an extension cord before diving into the best extension cords for pellet grills.
5 Important Factors for Extension Cords
1. Rating
The extension cord should be rated for outdoor use, which is indicated with a ‘W’ in the rating.
Any extension cord being used to power a pellet grill should have a ‘W’ rating.
Extension cords are generally rated SJT or SJTW. Here is what these ratings mean:
| Rating | Meaning |
| S | Service grade and means Heavy-Durty when not followed by J (600 V) |
| J | Junior hard service. Same construction as S but 300V |
| T | The cord has a vinyl-thermoplastic jacket |
| W | Outdoor use extension cord |
So look for an extension cord rated SJTW when powering a pellet grill.
2. Length
Select an extension cord that has enough length to reach the pellet grill from the electrical socket.
However, try not to use a 100-foot extension cord if a 25-foot extension cord can reach the pellet grill.
Longer extension cords have more electrical resistance due to the distance the electricity has to travel to reach the pellet grill. Electrical resistance means less power to the grill.
If a longer electrical cord is needed to reach the pellet grill then choose an electrical cord with a larger gauge wire (e.g. 12-gauge instead of a 14-gauge) since larger gauge wires can transmit more electrical power.
3. Wire Gauge
A lower wire gauge indicates a larger wire diameter which can transmit more power. So a 10-gauge wire will transmit for more power than a 14-gauge wire over the same length.
Generally, a pellet grill can be safely powered with a 14 gauge or 12 gauge extension cord since these are the most common wire gauges for home use.
If the extension cord has multiple outlets and is going to power multiple things such as the pellet grill, speakers, and lights then use a 12-gauge extension cord since this will transmit more power than a 14-gauge or 16-gauge wire.
4. Three-prong Extension Cord
The extension cord for your pellet grill should have a 3-prong plug that looks similar to modern outlets in US homes.
The third prong is the ground which will protect you and your property from electrical fire or shock by grounding excess power.
Although pellet grills can be powered by two-prong extension cords, the ground will be missing from these two-prong extension cords.
Three-prong cords are safer than two-prong cords so I strongly advise using a three-prong extension cord when powering a pellet grill.
5. Resistant to Water and Outdoor Weather
The extension cord that powers a pellet grill must be resistant to water and outdoor weather.
Most outdoor-rated extension cords are resistant to water, UV rays, and extreme temperatures which are needed to safely power a pellet grill.
Generally, SJTW rated extension cords will be able to safely power any pellet grill outdoors since they will have reinforced prongs, strong jackets made of plastic or vinyl, and insulation to withstand harsh weather.
Best Extension Cords for Pellet Grills
The best extension cords for pellet grills have the following criteria:
- SJTW rating
- 25 feet to 100 feet in length
- 12 gauge wire
- Three-prong male and female ends
Any extension cord that meets the criteria listed above will be able to safely power any pellet grill outdoors in any weather.
See the best extension cords for pellet grills list for more recommendations.
