What is Memphis, and what does it actually make?
Memphis Wood Fire Grills makes wood pellet grills — not offset smokers and not charcoal grills. A Memphis burns hardwood pellets and does four jobs in one appliance: grilling, wood-fire searing over open flame, low-and-slow smoking, and convection baking. The brand was acquired in December 2023 by Superior Equipment Solutions, the same parent company behind Alfresco and Artisan, which put Memphis into the same manufacturing group as two established built-in grill brands. Browse what we stock in the Memphis collection.
Where are Memphis grills made?
The manufacturer's own claim is that Memphis grills are "designed, engineered, and tested in the USA." That is the precise wording, and it is what we will repeat. Memphis does not claim its grills are manufactured in the USA, so neither do we. If country of origin is a deciding factor for you, ask us at 843-212-7209 and we will point you to the manufacturer's current documentation rather than guess. NorthwoodsGrills is a retailer in Charleston, South Carolina and an authorized dealer; we do not build any of the equipment we sell.
What is the difference between the Elevate, Pro and Elite series?
The three series differ in controller generation and stainless grade — those two things drive most of the price difference.
The 430-versus-304 stainless distinction is the one to weigh in a coastal climate like ours: 304 resists salt-air corrosion noticeably better, which is a real argument for the Elite if the grill lives near the water.
What is ITC3, and is it worth paying for?
ITC stands for Intelligent Temperature Control — the system that regulates pellet feed and airflow to hold a set temperature. ITC3 is the newer generation, used on the Pro and Elite series; the Elevate uses ITC2. If you mostly grill and sear, ITC2 is sufficient. If you run long overnight briskets and pork shoulders where a 15-degree drift over eight hours matters, ITC3 is the reason to move up to a Pro or Elite.
Which Memphis should I buy?
Answer three questions in this order — where it will live, how many people you cook for, and how close you are to salt air.
-
Building an outdoor kitchen island: choose a built-in head from Memphis built-in grills.
-
Cooking on an existing patio or deck: choose a cart from Memphis cart grills.
-
Cooking for four to six people: the Pro 28 is the sensible middle of the range.
-
Cooking for a crowd, or running multiple briskets: the Elite 39 is the better choice, with roughly double the grate space of a 28-inch model.
-
Wanting the highest searing temperature for the least money: the Elevate 30 reaches 900°F in direct-flame mode.
What fuel does a Memphis use, and do pellets matter?
Hardwood pellets only — there is no gas or charcoal option, and there is no propane conversion. Use food-grade hardwood BBQ pellets and keep them dry; pellets that absorb moisture swell, feed unevenly and can jam an auger. Wood species changes the smoke profile more than most people expect: hickory and mesquite for beef, apple and cherry for pork and poultry, oak as a neutral all-rounder. If you are weighing pellet against gas generally, our pellet grills FAQ and natural gas and propane grills FAQ cover the tradeoffs.
Can a pellet grill really sear?
Yes, but the mechanism matters. Memphis grills reach searing temperatures by opening a direct-flame path to the fire pot rather than relying on convection heat alone — the Elevate models are rated to 900°F in that mode. That is a genuine sear, though it covers a defined zone rather than the whole grate. If steak searing is your primary use rather than smoking, a dedicated gas grill with an infrared burner will still out-sear a pellet grill; look at built-in gas grills for that comparison.
Do Memphis grills need electricity?
Yes. Every pellet grill needs power for the auger, fan, igniter and controller, so a built-in installation needs a GFCI outlet inside the island and a cart needs a nearby outdoor receptacle. Plan the electrical run at the same time you plan the cutout, not afterward.
What is the Memphis warranty?
These are the manufacturer's terms, to the original owner:
-
7-year limited warranty on the grill against defects in material and workmanship.
-
3-year replacement warranty on electronic and electrical components under normal residential use.
-
30 days on the meat probe.
Excluded from coverage: the burn pot, the meat probe (beyond 30 days), grill cover gaskets, and corrosion damage. The corrosion exclusion is the practical reason to keep the grill covered and to consider 304 stainless on the Elite if you are near the coast. Buying from an authorized dealer keeps the factory warranty intact.
How do I maintain a pellet grill?
Pellet grills need more routine attention than gas grills, mostly around ash. Vacuum ash out of the fire pot regularly — a choked burn pot is the most common cause of ignition failures and temperature swings. Empty the hopper if the grill will sit unused for weeks, clean the grease drain and drip tray on a schedule, and keep a fitted cover on it between cooks. Covers are in the grill covers collection, and if the grill is going into a combustible enclosure you will also need a liner — see grill liners and our insulating grill liners FAQ.
How much should I budget?
Memphis is at the upper end of the pellet grill market — closer in price to a good built-in gas grill than to a mass-market pellet cooker, which reflects the stainless construction and the controller. Compare the full field in pellet grills and pellet cart grills to see where Memphis sits against the alternatives. Shipping is free on our orders and we do not add credit card fees.
Which brands should I cross-shop against Memphis?
Within pellet, browse the whole pellet grills collection to compare build quality and controller features head to head. If you are open to changing fuel, the natural comparison is a high-end built-in gas grill — Alfresco, Coyote and American Made Grills are the usual alternatives at similar money. Many outdoor kitchens end up with both: a gas grill for weeknights and a Memphis for weekends.
How do I get help choosing or find parts?
Call NorthwoodsGrills at 843-212-7209 with your island cutout dimensions, your electrical situation, and how you cook. We will confirm the right series, the right size, and the correct liner or cover before you order, and we can source Memphis parts and accessories that are not listed on the site.
Related resources
