Louisiana Grills recently introduced a premium line of pellet smokers, and I had the opportunity to test the new Louisiana Grills Black Label 800. After previously reviewing the company’s kamado, I was eager to see how their pellet smoker would perform. The Black Label 800 impressed across the board, offering a blend of thoughtful design, versatile cooking options, and precise control that should satisfy most home cooks and barbecue enthusiasts.
Premium Look and Build
From the moment you see it, the Black Label line reads like a higher-end grill. The finish includes black metal handles, robust 14-gauge steel construction, and large caster wheels that lock on every leg for stability and mobility. The unit stands a bit taller than many other grills, giving it a clean, commanding presence. A proprietary exhaust system replaces the traditional smokestack and works effectively without detracting from the grill’s sleek lines.
Generous Hopper Capacity
The hopper holds a substantial amount of pellets—listed as 18 pounds—enough for extended cooks. During a roughly 15-hour low-and-slow session, I still had about 20% of the hopper remaining when it had been filled to the top. A clear pellet viewing window gives a quick visual check, and a pellet sensor warns when levels are getting low, which is helpful for planning long cooks.
Quick, Simple Startup
Starting the Black Label is straightforward: power on, preheat, and set your target temperature. The controls remove much of the guesswork, letting you get cooking quickly and reliably.
Ample Cooking Area
The Black Label 800 offers 809 square inches of cooking surface, enough to handle several pork shoulders or a brisket and a shoulder at once without relying on the top rack. This size is suitable for most households and backyard gatherings. If you need more capacity, larger models in the series—such as the 1000BL or 1200BL—are available.
One minor gripe: the upper rack only covers about half of the cooking area. Many grills use a smaller top shelf, but I’d prefer a fuller-sized upper grate to maximize space. I also found the top grate a bit awkward to insert and remove; it’s slightly wider than the opening, which requires tilting and maneuvering. A slightly smaller width would make handling easier, especially when hot.
Adjustable Sear Plate
A standout feature is the adjustable sear plate that slides externally, allowing you to switch between indirect and direct heat quickly. This adds real versatility. I smoked steaks and finished them with a reverse sear over direct flame, producing excellent results. The external handle makes opening and closing the sear plate easy and safe.
Precise Temperature Control
Temperature control is critical for reliable barbecue, and the Black Label delivers a wide operating range from roughly 180°F up to 600°F or more. I was able to maintain very low temps for long periods—good enough to make jerky at 180°F—and I also pushed the grill above 625°F during high-heat testing. For everyday cooking I typically stay in the medium-rare range, but having that headroom is valuable.
What sets this grill apart is the fine-grain control: temperature adjustments can be made in 5-degree increments. Many competitors limit you to coarse presets (e.g., 200, 225, 250) or simple low/medium/high settings. With the Black Label, you can dial in the exact temperature you want. I compared the controller readout with secondary probes and found the reported temperatures to be very accurate.
The large, high-contrast display is readable from a distance—visible from across the yard or through a window. The panel also includes icons showing fire and fan intensity, auger status, pellet warnings, and other operational indicators. Premium features let you feed extra pellets to boost smoke intensity or quickly raise temperature before opening the lid.
You can also program multi-stage recipes directly into the unit. For example, set smoking chicken quarters at 180°F for 60 minutes, then have the grill automatically increase to 350°F to crisp the skin. The controller supports up to nine stages, making it easy to automate complex cooks.
WiFi and Bluetooth Connectivity
The Black Label connects to the Smoke IT app, allowing full control from a smartphone. Pairing was straightforward, and once connected I could monitor and adjust the grill from the house or while away from home. The app did occasionally need to be closed and reopened to refresh its readout—a minor annoyance that I expect will be resolved with future updates. When connected, the app worked reliably.
Final Thoughts
Overall, the Louisiana Grills Black Label 800 is a feature-rich pellet smoker offered at a competitive price point—$799 MSRP—against rivals with similar specifications. Its refined appearance, practical details, and cooking flexibility make it a strong choice for anyone looking for a capable pellet grill.
Small touches like the external sear plate control, lockable wheels on every leg, and precise temperature adjustment elevate the user experience. During testing I cooked brisket, jerky, mac and cheese, chicken, steaks, queso, brats, and even bacon-wrapped Oreos, using a variety of methods and temperatures. Results were consistently excellent, delivering balanced smoke without overpowering the food.
In my opinion, the Louisiana Grills Black Label 800 is an underrated option in the pellet smoker market. It earned a final rating of 4.8 out of 5 meat hooks for its performance, versatility, and value.
