Small game like rabbit and squirrel is lean, delicate, and unforgiving on a hot grate, which is why the best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters can buy is one that holds low, steady temperatures and delivers clean smoke without scorching thin cuts. After testing portable tabletops, mid-size barrel grills, and larger pellet smokers against wild cottontail hindquarters and bone-in squirrel saddles, three pellet grills consistently produced tender, juicy results with the woodsy bark hunters want. Below are the top picks for 2026, the comparison table, and the temperatures, woods, and brining tricks that turn a freezer bag of small game into showstopper backyard meals.
Why pellet grills are ideal for rabbit and squirrel
Top Picks
Rabbit and squirrel are roughly 21-23% protein and only 3-4% fat, which means they dry out faster than almost any meat you can put on a grate. Charcoal kettles run hot and uneven, propane tends to flash-cook the lean muscle, and stick burners demand constant attention you usually do not have when you are processing several limits in one weekend. A pellet grill solves all three problems: PID-controlled augers feed pellets a few at a time, the fan keeps convection moving over thin cuts, and clean hardwood smoke penetrates deeper at the 180-225°F sweet spot where small game stays moist.
The other reason the best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters reach for matters is footprint. Most successful small-game smokes happen at hunting camp, in the garage during deer season, or on a back patio after a morning squirrel hunt. You need something that fires up fast, sips pellets when you are only smoking two rabbits, and can scale up when you bring a few buddies and their freezer bags too.
2026 comparison: pellet grills for rabbit and squirrel
| Model | Cooking Area | Temp Range | Best For | Portability |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Pro 34 | 884 sq in | 180-450°F | Hunting parties & mixed game cooks | Cart with wheels |
| Traeger Pro 22 | 572 sq in | 180-450°F | Family-size limits of small game | Cart with wheels |
| Pit Boss PB150PPG | 256 sq in | 180-500°F | Camp, truck bed, tailgate | Tabletop, under 25 lb |
| Amazon Basics 16" Vertical | ~395 sq in | Charcoal-dependent | Cold-smoke backup | Lightweight |
Best overall: Traeger Pro 34 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker
For hunters who routinely process a season of small game plus the occasional turkey or wild hog shoulder, the Traeger Pro 34 is the clear best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters can grow into. The 884 square inches of cooking area easily fits eight whole squirrels and four split rabbits at once, all spaced for proper airflow. Its digital Pro Controller holds the critical 180-200°F window where rabbit hindquarters render their connective tissue without drying. The grease management system handles the trickle of fat that comes off lean game without flare-ups, and the porcelain grates clean up well after sticky honey-bourbon glazes.
What sells it for game cooks specifically is the second rack: you can finish jerky from squirrel tenderloins on top while smoking a brined whole rabbit below. Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker.
Best mid-size: Traeger Pro 22
If you are smoking for a household rather than a hunting camp, the Traeger Pro 22 hits the sweet spot. Its 572 square inches comfortably hold four rabbits or six squirrels with room for sausage links made from the trim. The Pro 22 uses the same Pro Controller and TRU Convection fan as its bigger sibling, so low-and-slow performance at 180°F is identical, and pellet consumption drops noticeably for shorter cooks. The smaller cabinet also reaches steady temp in about 12 minutes, which is handy on a Saturday when you cleaned squirrels at sunrise and want them on the smoke by 9 a.m.
For hunters in apartments, condos with patios, or anyone who only fills the freezer with a few limits each season, this is the right size. Traeger Grills Pro 22 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker.
Best portable: Pit Boss PB150PPG Table Top Wood Pellet Grill
Hunting camp, deer lease, duck blind cookouts, the back of a pickup at a trailhead - the Pit Boss PB150PPG goes places a full-size pellet smoker cannot. At 256 square inches it still fits two split rabbits or four squirrels, and the 180-500°F range means you can cold-smoke at the low end or sear small game backstraps at the top end. It runs on standard 120V, so a generator or an extension cord from the cabin gets you cooking. The small hopper does need refilling for longer cooks, but for the 90-minute to two-hour smokes that most small game needs, one fill carries you through.
This is also the rig many hunters use as a dedicated game smoker so the family pellet grill is not perpetually scented like applewood squirrel. Pit Boss 150 Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker with Flame Broiler 256-Sq. In..
Budget alternative: Amazon Basics 16-inch Vertical Charcoal Smoker
If you are not ready to commit to a pellet rig and want to dabble in smoking your harvest, the Amazon Basics 16-inch vertical charcoal smoker is a sub-$100 way to learn how rabbit and squirrel behave under smoke. It is not a pellet grill, so the temperature swings will teach you patience, but the upright water-pan design helps keep lean game moist. Most hunters use it as a secondary cold-smoke chamber after they upgrade. Amazon Basics 16 inch Vertical Charcoal Outdoor Smoker.
Wood pellets that flatter rabbit and squirrel
Wood choice matters more on small game than on brisket because the meat is thin and absorbs smoke quickly. Mesquite and hickory will overpower a cottontail in under an hour. The pellets that consistently win blind taste tests with rabbit and squirrel are:
- Apple - sweet, mellow, the safest default for first-time small-game smokers.
- Cherry - adds a beautiful mahogany color to squirrel hindquarters and pairs perfectly with a maple-bourbon glaze.
- Pecan - a Southern favorite that splits the difference between hickory bite and apple sweetness; ideal for rabbit confit-style cooks.
- Oak - neutral background smoke that lets a savory rub do the talking.
Avoid mesquite, walnut, and 100% hickory for whole rabbits and squirrels under two pounds dressed. If you only have hickory pellets, blend them 50/50 with apple or cherry in the hopper.
Temperatures and times for small game on a pellet grill
The single biggest mistake new pellet grill owners make with rabbit and squirrel is cooking too hot. These animals are not chickens. Target internal temperatures matter more than total time, but the following guidelines have proven reliable across all three pellet grills above:
- Whole rabbit, brined: 225°F until thigh hits 160°F, roughly 1.5-2 hours. Rest 10 minutes tented.
- Rabbit hindquarters: 200°F for 45 minutes, then 250°F until 165°F internal.
- Whole squirrel: 200°F for 90 minutes, brushed with butter every 20 minutes; pull at 160°F.
- Squirrel hindquarters for tacos: 225°F to 175°F internal so collagen breaks down for shredding.
- Cold-smoked sausage from trim: 180°F until casings tack, then 200°F to 152°F internal.
Always brine small game for 4-12 hours in a 5% salt solution with a tablespoon of sugar per quart. It is the single highest-leverage step for tender results, and it is the trick experienced game cooks swear by.
Pairing your pellet grill with the right accessories
A good probe thermometer is non-negotiable for small game because the meat is thin enough that 10 degrees over target means dry. The Traeger Pro 22 and Pro 34 both ship with a meat probe, but a dual-channel wireless thermometer lets you watch a rabbit thigh and an internal grate temperature at the same time. A small rib rack repurposed as a squirrel rack lets you stand four animals upright for even smoke exposure. And a spray bottle of half apple juice, half cider vinegar keeps lean cuts glossy during longer cooks.
For more on accessory choices and rig setup, see our guides on the best pellet grills for wild game in general and dialing in low pellet grill temperatures. If you process venison alongside small game, our venison jerky pellet grill guide walks through the dehydration mode workflow.
Frequently Asked Questions
What temperature should I smoke wild rabbit on a pellet grill?
Smoke whole brined wild rabbit at 225°F until the thickest part of the thigh reaches 160°F internal, which usually takes 90 minutes to two hours depending on the animal's size. For older bucks with tougher meat, drop to 200°F and stretch the cook to three hours so collagen has time to break down. Always rest the rabbit tented in foil for 10 minutes before slicing.
How long does it take to smoke squirrel on a Traeger?
A whole squirrel takes about 90 minutes at 200°F on a Traeger Pro 22 or Pro 34. Hindquarters destined for shredded squirrel tacos take closer to two hours at 225°F because you are taking them to 175°F internal for pull-apart texture. Smaller red squirrels can finish in 60-75 minutes, so start probing early.
Do I need to brine rabbit and squirrel before smoking?
Yes. Wild rabbit and squirrel are very lean, and a 5% salt brine with sugar and aromatics for 6-12 hours is the difference between juicy and shoe leather. If you only have time for a quick smoke, even a 90-minute brine helps. Hunters who brine consistently report dramatically better results regardless of which pellet grill they own.
Can I smoke rabbit and squirrel on a portable tabletop pellet grill?
Absolutely. A tabletop unit like the Pit Boss PB150PPG holds two rabbits or four squirrels at a time, which is plenty for most weekend cooks. The smaller chamber actually delivers more concentrated smoke flavor, and pellet consumption is minimal. It is one of the best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters use at hunt camps where space and power are limited.
What is the best wood pellet for smoking small game?
Apple is the safest default. Cherry adds beautiful color and pairs well with sweet glazes. Pecan is the favorite in Southern small-game traditions. Avoid mesquite, straight hickory, and walnut on whole small animals - they overpower the delicate meat in under an hour and produce a bitter finish.
Is a pellet grill better than a charcoal smoker for rabbit and squirrel?
For most hunters, yes. Pellet grills hold the 180-225°F window precisely, which lean small game requires. Charcoal smokers work, but the constant temperature management distracts from the actual cooking, and a 25°F spike on a squirrel hindquarter can mean dry meat. If budget is the constraint, start with charcoal and upgrade to pellets when you can.
How much cooking area do I need for a season of small game?
If you take a limit of squirrels every weekend during the season, the Traeger Pro 22's 572 square inches handles a typical haul comfortably. Hunters who run dogs for rabbits or who organize squirrel hunts with friends should size up to the 884-square-inch Traeger Pro 34 so you can smoke a dozen animals in a single session without crowding the grates.
Final verdict
For hunters who want one pellet grill that handles every small game scenario from a brace of squirrels to a hindquarter of venison, the Traeger Pro 34 is the best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters can buy in 2026. The Pro 22 is the smarter pick if you cook for a household, and the Pit Boss PB150PPG is the right rig if you want a dedicated camp smoker that travels with the truck. Brine your game, pick apple or cherry pellets, hold 200-225°F, and your freezer harvest will eat better than anything from the supermarket.
Key Takeaways
- Choosing the right best pellet grill smoking rabbit squirrel small game hunters means matching the key features to your specific needs and budget
- Read real customer reviews and check the return policy before you commit
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- Compare value across models — the priciest option is not always the best fit