Memphis Pro vs Elite: Memphis Pro vs Memphis Elite Pellet Grill Comparison
Written by: Matthew Jackson
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Published on
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Time to read 12 min
When people search Memphis Pro vs Elite, theyâre not wondering if Memphis makes good grills. They already know that part. What they really want to know is which Memphis pellet grill makes more sense for the way they cook.
Both the Memphis Pro and Memphis Elite are premium pellet grills from Memphis Grills, built for real BBQâsteady heat, clean wood smoke, and enough room to cook more than just a couple of hot dogs. The difference isnât quality. Itâs how much space you want when the ribs are on, the burgers are piling up, and nobody wants to wait.
This guide breaks down the Memphis Pro vs Elite in plain language, with real BBQ examples, so you can pick the grill that fits how you actually cook.
What Is the Difference Between the Memphis Pro vs Elite?
The difference between the Memphis Pro vs Elite comes down to size, cooking space, and how hard you like to push the grill. Both are premium pellet grills from Memphis Grills, but the Elite is larger and built for higher-heat, high-volume cooking, while the Pro is sized for serious everyday grilling without taking over your patio.
In simple BBQ terms:
The Memphis Pro feels right for family cooks, weekend ribs, and weeknight burgers.
The Memphis Elite gives you almost 50% more grilling capacity and a little more heat when the grill is packed and running hot.
Why Memphis Grills Cook Differently
Both the Memphis Wood Fire Pro and Memphis Elite wood fire pellet grills use Intelligent Temperature Control, or ITC, to cook like an outdoor oven that runs on wood pellets. Memphis Grills are designed to constantly adjust the pellet feed and airflow to hold temperature steady with ease, even when the lid is open.Â
Intelliburn technology for BBQ, that means ribs donât spike, briskets cook evenly, and smoke stays clean instead of bitter. Itâs one reason Memphis pellet grills products are some of the most versatile pellet grills than anything else on the market.
Memphis Grills Intelligent Temperature Control (ITC)
Since both grills cook the same way, the real question in the Memphis Pro vs Elite comparison is how much space you want when the grill is full.
Memphis Pro vs Elite: Side-by-Side Comparison
If youâre comparing Memphis Pro vs Elite, youâre already past the âAre Memphis pellet grills good?â stage. You want the real difference that changes your cookout: how much cooking space you get, how it fits in your outdoor setup, and which model matches how you cook when the grill is actually full.Â
Below is a quick, side-by-side look at Memphis Pro vs Eliteâthe two grills cook like premium pellet smoker pellet grill hybrids, but the experience changes once you start loading the grate.
Memphis Pro
Big capability in a size that fits more patios.
Memphis Elite
More room when you cook for a crowd.
Best For
Regular grilling plus low-and-slow weekend cooks.
Hosting, holidays, and big weekend BBQ cooks.
Cooking Space
569 sq. inches holding up to 24 burgers, perfect for small gatherings.
848 sq. inches holding up to 35 burgers for large BBQ cookouts.
High-Heat Grilling
Heats up to 650°F, great for steaks and burgers in a tighter footprint.
Heats up to 700°F, making it easier to sear multiple steaks at the same time.
Pellet Smoker Use
Excellent indirect heat for ribs, pork shoulder, and brisket.
Same indirect-heat styleâjust more breathing room on the grate.
Hopper Capacity
18 lb dual bin hopper.
24 lbs. dual bin hopper.
Build
Premium 304 stainless steel made for outdoor use.
Premium 304 stainless steel scaled for volume cooking.
Quick Take
Pro: Serious Memphis cooking without needing the biggest footprint.
Elite: The pick when you hate running out of grate space.
Memphis Pro
Big capability in a size that fits more patios.
Best For
Regular grilling plus low-and-slow weekend cooks.
Cooking Space
569 sq. inches holding up to 24 burgers, perfect for small gatherings.
High-Heat Grilling
Heats up to 650°F, great for steaks and burgers in a tighter footprint.
Pellet Smoker Use
Excellent indirect heat for ribs, pork shoulder, and brisket.
Hopper Capacity
18 lb hopper.
Build
Premium 304 stainless steel made for outdoor use.
Quick take: Serious Memphis cooking without needing the biggest footprint.
Memphis Elite
More room when you cook for a crowd.
Best For
Hosting, holidays, and big weekend BBQ cooks.
Cooking Space
848 sq. inches holding up to 35 burgers for large BBQ cookouts.
High-Heat Grilling
Heats up to 700°F, making it easier to sear multiple steaks at the same time.
Pellet Smoker Use
Same indirect-heat styleâjust more breathing room on the grate.
Hopper Capacity
Two 12 lb bins totaling 24 lbs.
Build
Premium 304 stainless steel scaled for volume cooking.
Quick take: The pick when you hate running out of grate space.
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Which Grill Fits the Way You Cook?
Choose the Memphis Pro if:
You cook for your household most of the time, with occasional guests
Weeknight grilling matters just as much as weekend BBQ
You want strong searing and reliable low-and-slow without taking over your patio
You like efficiency â enough space to cook comfortably, without extra bulk
Think of the Pro as the grill thatâs always ready. Burgers on Tuesday. Ribs on Saturday. No wasted space.
This is the part most buyers actually care about: how much food fits on the grill at one time. Both grills cook the same way. The difference is how crowded things get once the food starts piling on.
Memphis Pro
Everyday family cooks + weekend BBQ.
Memphis Elite
Bigger cooks when you want more grate space.
Main Grilling Area
Around 569 sq. inches.
Around 644 sq. inches.
Secondary Area
274 sq. inches (warming rack).
204 sq. inches (warming rack).
Total Cooking Area
About 843 sq. inches (varies by rack configuration).
About 848 sq. inches standard (more with optional grates).
Burger Capacity
About 24 burgers.
About 35 burgers.
Quick Take
Pro: Plenty of room without going oversized.
Elite: More space when you want to cook it all at once.
Memphis Pro
Everyday family cooks + weekend BBQ.
Main Grilling Area
Around 569 sq. inches.
Secondary Area
274 sq. inches (often a warming rack).
Total Cooking Area
About 843 sq. inches (varies by rack configuration).
Burger Capacity
About 24 burgers.
Quick take: Plenty of room without going oversized.
Memphis Elite
Bigger cooks when you want to cook it all at once.
Main Grilling Area
Around 644 sq. inches.
Secondary Area
204 sq. inches (often a warming rack).
Total Cooking Area
About 848 sq. inches standard (more with optional grates).
Burger Capacity
About 35 burgers.
Quick take: More space when you want to cook it all at once.
Final Take: Memphis Pro Vs Elite Grill Capacity
Both grills cook the same way and deliver the same Memphis results. The real difference comes down to space and scale.
Choose the Memphis Pro for those small gathering family BBQsâ 24 burgers, 2 racks of ribs, a dozen wings, a few steaks, and vegetablesâwithout feeling crowded. Itâs ideal for weeknight dinners, weekend cooks, and the occasional backyard get-together.
Choose the Memphis Elite if you host larger gatherings or like larger BBQ favorites The added grill space makes it easier to run brisket, 35 burgers,ribs, chicken, sausages, and sides all at once, without waiting for space to open up. Itâs built for parties and long BBQ cookouts where everything needs to be ready together.
Same build quality. Same control. Same flavor. The right choice is simply the one that matches how full your grill usually gets.
Pellet Smoker Performance and Heat Control
Pellet grills are all about control. Both the Memphis Pro and Memphis Elite use the same digital system to manage heat, airflow, and smoke, which is why they work as true pellet smokers and high-heat grills. The difference isnât how the system cooksâitâs how much heat and space each grill gives you once everything is fired up.
Intelligent Temperature Control (ITC)
Digital control system manages pellet feed and airflow automatically.
Wide cooking range for smoking, roasting, baking, and grilling.
Convection cooking powered by a DC motor and variable-speed blower.
Wi-Fi app allows remote monitoring of grill and food temperatures.
Three meat probe ports for precise internal temperature tracking.
Built-in halogen lights for clear visibility during nighttime cooks.
Indirect Smoking and Direct-Flame Grilling
Indirect heat circulates smoke evenly for ribs, brisket, and pork shoulder.
Direct-flame insert allows heat from the fire pot to reach the grates.
Sealed, gasketed lid keeps wind from disrupting the burn pot.
Whatâs the Difference Between Pro and Elite Here?
Both grills use the same ITC system, airflow design, and cooking modes. The difference comes at the top end. The Memphis Pro reaches up to 650°F, while the Memphis Elite pushes higher, up to 700°F, giving the Elite more headroom for high-heat grilling when youâre cooking a lot of food at once. Otherwise, control, precision, and pellet smoker performance are the same.
Pellet Hopper Design and Fuel Management
When you compare Memphis Pro vs Elite, the pellet hopper isnât just a âstorage bin.â Itâs what decides how often you refill, whether you can mix pellet flavors, and how hands-off an overnight smoke can feel.
Memphis Pro
18 lb dual-bin hopper for steady cooks.
Memphis Elite
24 lb dual-bin hopper for longer runway.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
18 lb dual-bin hopper (manufacturer spec).
24 lb dual-bin hopper (manufacturer spec).
Best Used For
Weeknight grilling + weekend low-and-slow without constant refills.
Longer smoke sessions and bigger cooks where you want fewer refill stops.
Overnight Smoking
Works for long cooks, but the smaller hopper means youâll want to start full and keep pellets nearby.
More pellet capacity gives extra cushion for long, unattended-style smoking (temperature still drives burn rate).
Fuel Burn Reality Check
Manufacturer note: Memphis states ~1.3 lb/hr at 350°F, so a full hopper is roughly 13â14 hours at that temp (18 á 1.3 â 13.8).
Manufacturer note: Using the same ~1.3 lb/hr at 350°F, a full hopper is roughly 18â19 hours at that temp (24 á 1.3 â 18.5).
Memphis Pro
18 lb dual-bin hopper for steady cooks.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
18 lb dual-bin hopper (manufacturer spec).
Best Used For
Weeknight grilling + weekend low-and-slow without constant refills.
Overnight Smoking
Start full and keep a backup bag nearby for extra-long cooks.
Fuel Burn Reality Check
Memphis states ~1.3 lb/hr at 350°F, so 18 á 1.3 â 13.8 hours at that temp.
Quick take: Great when you want premium pellet control without needing the biggest hopper.
Memphis Elite
24 lb dual-bin hopper for longer runway.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
24 lb dual-bin hopper (manufacturer spec).
Best Used For
Longer smoke sessions and bigger cooks where you want fewer refill stops.
Overnight Smoking
More pellet capacity gives extra cushion for long smoking sessions (temp still drives burn rate).
Fuel Burn Reality Check
Using ~1.3 lb/hr at 350°F, 24 á 1.3 â 18.5 hours at that temp.
Quick take: More pellet capacity for longer cooks and fewer âhopper checkâ moments.
Choosing Between Pro & Elite Based on Pellet Hopper Size
Memphis Pro (18 lb hopper) Best for long everyday cooks where starting with a full hopper covers most smoking sessions, with the option to check pellets on extra-long runs.
Memphis Elite (24 lb hopper) Better suited for extended and overnight-style smoking, thanks to the added pellet capacity that reduces how often you need to refill.
Stainless Steel Construction & Build Quality
Both the Memphis Pro and Memphis Elite are built using the same double-walled, sealed304 stainless steel construction. This section isnât about picking a winnerâitâs about understanding how that shared build quality affects durability, heat retention, and long-term outdoor cooking performance on each grill.
Stainless Steel Components on Memphis Pro
Built to hold steady heat for low-and-slow cooking.
Sealed cooking chamber helps reduce wind impact.
304 stainless resists rust and weather over time.
Stainless Steel Construction on Memphis Elite
Same 304 stainless build, scaled for a larger cook chamber.
More room makes big cooks feel less crowded on the grates.
Heat retention stays consistent even when the grill is loaded.
Quick take: The materials and construction are the same. The âdifferenceâ is comfortâElite gives more space for high-volume cooking, while Pro delivers the same build quality in a smaller footprint.
Pros and Cons: Memphis Pro vs Memphis Elite
This section compresses the decision. No specs, no marketingâjust the real tradeoffs that tend to matter once youâve seen all the details.
Memphis Pro
Same core performance in a smaller footprint.
Memphis Elite
More room and fuel capacity for bigger cooks.
Pros
More compact footprint for more patios and outdoor kitchens.
Same ITC control system and pellet smoker performance as Elite.
Strong cooking space for everyday grilling and most weekend BBQ.
Cons
Less main grate space when cooking for a crowd.
Smaller hopper means you may need to check pellets on extra-long cooks.
Less room to spread out multiple proteins at once.
Quick Read
Pick Pro when you want premium Memphis performance in a tighter footprint.
Memphis Elite
More room and fuel capacity for bigger cooks.
Pros
Larger cooking surface for multiple proteins at once.
Bigger pellet hopper adds margin for longer cooks.
More high-heat headroom when the grill is fully loaded.
Extra space reduces food shuffling during parties.
Cons
Larger footprint requires more space in your outdoor setup.
More volume to heat can mean more pellet use over long sessions.
Can be more grill than you need if you rarely cook big.
Quick Read
Pick Elite when you want more space and fewer compromises on big cooks.
Which Memphis Grill Is Right for You?
At this point, the difference between the Memphis Pro vs Elite isnât about build quality or controlâthey share the same premium pellet grill DNA. Itâs about how much space you need and how you cook.
Choose the Memphis Pro Pellet Grill if:
You cook for family meals, small get-togethers, and weekend BBQs. The Pro delivers full Memphis performanceâprecise temperature control, indirect heat for smoking, and strong high-heat grillingâwithout taking over your patio or outdoor kitchen.
You regularly cook for larger groups or like running multiple proteins at once. The Eliteâs added cooking space and larger pellet hopper make long cooks, parties, and holiday grilling easier with less food shuffling and fewer pellet checks.
If you want to see the full lineup of Memphis wood pellet grillsâincluding built-in and freestanding optionsâyou can view all current models in our pellet grills collection.
