Broil King Regal Pellet 500
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Broil King is a Canadian brand that gas grill enthusiasts know well. Their entry into the pellet space with the Regal Pellet 500 brings features you won't find on any other pellet grill — including a dedicated sear zone.
What We Love
- +Cast iron sear plate for direct flame grilling
- +Dual-zone cooking (pellet + direct)
- +Heavy-duty steel construction
- +Good temperature control ±10°F
- +Side shelf and tool hooks included
- +5-year warranty
Watch Out For
- −Sear zone is small (fits 2-3 steaks)
- −WiFi adapter sold separately ($99)
- −Less brand recognition than Traeger/Weber
- −Software app is clunky
Specifications
Cooking Area
500 sq in main + sear zone
Hopper
20 lbs
Controller
PID with optional WiFi
Material
Heavy-gauge steel
Sear Zone
Cast iron, direct flame
Warranty
5-year limited
The Full Review
The Broil King Regal Pellet 500 solves the biggest complaint about pellet grills: you can't sear properly. The built-in cast iron sear plate opens to expose direct flame from the firepot, giving you a genuine sear zone.
I tested this extensively — reverse seared a tomahawk ribeye at 225°F for 90 minutes, then opened the sear plate and hit it with direct flame. The result was as good as my gas grill sear and better than any other pellet grill I've tested.
General smoking performance is solid. The PID controller holds ±10°F, which is acceptable but not best-in-class. Smoke flavor at 225°F is good, though not as pronounced as a Yoder or RecTeq.
Build quality reflects Broil King's gas grill heritage — heavy steel, solid welds, and a substantial feel. The 20 lb hopper is on the small side for overnight cooks but adequate for most sessions.
The WiFi adapter being sold separately for $99 is annoying in this price range. It should be included.
How Does It Compare?
At a glance against its closest pellet grill rivals.
| Grill | Rating | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Broil King Regal Pellet 500 (this) | 4.5 | $1,199 | The Canadian-engineered pellet grill with a cast iron sear plate and dual-zone cooking that bridges the gap between pellet and gas. |
| Camp Chef Woodwind Pro 24 | 4.6 | $999 | Innovative Sidekick smoke box. |
| Weber SmokeFire EX4 | 4.4 | $999 | Weber's second-gen pellet grill fixed the first gen's issues. |
Who Is It For?
Pellet grill shoppers who also want to sear steaks properly. Gas grill owners who want to add smoking capability. Cooks who want one grill that does both low-and-slow and high-heat grilling.
Final Verdict
The Broil King Regal Pellet 500 is the best pellet grill for people who also want to sear. That cast iron sear plate is a genuine differentiator. At $1,199, it's competitively priced for what you get.
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