Pit Boss Pellet Grills: Complete Model Comparison Guide

Pit Boss makes six pellet grill models spanning 256-2,224 sq in of cooking space, from the portable PB150PPG tabletop to the Navigator 6-Series Vertical smoker with a 75 lb hopper. All horizontal models include the Flame Broiler Lever for direct-flame searing up to 1,000°F. The core decision is horizontal (8-in-1 cooking, 180-1,000°F) versus vertical (dedicated smoking, 150-420°F, 24+ hour unattended capacity). In this guide, we evaluate six Pit Boss models to help you make an informed decision:

Quick Comparison

Quick comparison of Pit Boss Pellet Grills: Complete Model Comparison Guide products.

Grill	Cooking Area	Temp Range	Hopper	Group Size	Where to Buy
Pit Boss PB440FB1	518 sq in	180-500°F	5 lb	4-6 people	See at Amazon
Pit Boss PB150PPG Table Top Wood Pellet Grill	256 sq in	180-500°F	7 lb	1-2 people	See at Amazon
Pit Boss Navigator 850 PB850M	932 sq in	180-500°F	30 lb	8-15 people	See at Amazon
Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker PBV6M	2,224 sq in	130-420°F	75 lb	15+ / batch smoking	See at Amazon
Pit Boss Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill	465 sq in	180-500°F	5 lb	Portable / tailgate	See at Amazon
Pit Boss Battery Powered Portable Pellet Grill	256 sq in	180-500°F	7 lb	Off-grid portable	See at Amazon

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Best Overall

Pit Boss PB440FB1

518 square inches of cooking space

Editor's Top Pick

See at Amazon

Understanding Pit Boss Pellet Grills: Key Concepts

A Pit Boss pellet grill uses compressed hardwood pellets as fuel. An auger feeds pellets from the hopper into a fire pot, where an igniter starts combustion. A fan controls airflow to maintain your target temperature. The digital controller handles startup, temperature regulation, and shutdown automatically - no manual fire management required.

What Makes Pit Boss Different: The Flame Broiler Lever

The Flame Broiler Lever is Pit Boss's signature innovation - a slide-plate system beneath the cooking grates with two distinct modes:

• Closed (indirect): The plate deflects heat upward, creating convection cooking at 180-500°F - ideal for smoking, roasting, and baking
• Open (direct flame): A section of grate is exposed directly to the fire pot, enabling searing temperatures up to 1,000°F - perfect for steaks, burgers, and chops with restaurant-quality char marks

You can run both positions simultaneously - smoke ribs on the indirect side while searing steaks over direct flame. This is what makes Pit Boss horizontal grills true 8-in-1 cooking machines.

Horizontal Grills vs. Vertical Smokers

Pit Boss offers two distinct pellet grill designs, each optimized for a different cooking style. Understanding the difference before you buy is the single most important decision in this guide.

How to Choose the Right Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Choose your Pit Boss based on group size and cooking style. For 1-2 people, 256-387 sq in handles everyday cooks. For 4-6 people, 518 sq in covers a full family meal. For 8 or more, 932+ sq in fits multiple proteins simultaneously. If your primary goal is large-batch low-and-slow smoking, the vertical smoker's 2,224 sq in and 75 lb hopper is the purpose-built option.

Cooking Area by Group Size

What Wood Pellets Work With Pit Boss Grills

Pit Boss grills run on any food-grade 100% hardwood pellets. Wood choice controls the flavor profile of the finished cook. Pit Boss sells their own branded pellets, but any food-grade hardwood pellet without binding agents or fillers works. Avoid heating pellets - they are not food-safe and will produce off-flavors. For a deeper look at pellet options, see our guide to the best wood pellets.

Product Reviews

Best Overall

Pit Boss PB440FB1

4.2BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 518 square inches of cooking space
• Temperature range: 180-500°F (direct flame searing up to 1,000°F)
• Dial-in digital control with LCD screen
• Porcelain coated steel cooking grids
• Built-in flame broiler for searing
• Automatic start and cool down

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss PB440FB1 delivers 518 square inches of cooking space, covering regular family cookouts and weekend BBQs with room for chicken, ribs, and vegetables simultaneously. This model includes a dial-in digital control board with an easy-to-read LCD screen, giving you precise temperature management from 180-500°F plus direct flame searing capability up to 1,000°F. Porcelain coated steel cooking grids provide excellent heat retention and make cleanup effortless — a practical feature for busy households.

The automatic start and cool down functions add convenience, while the 5-pound hopper provides 4-6 hours of unattended cooking time at moderate temperatures. Backed by a 5-year warranty.

See at Amazon

Best for Beginners

Pit Boss PB150PPG Table Top Wood Pellet Grill

4.5BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 256 square inches of cooking space on porcelain-coated cast iron grates
• Temperature range: 180-500°F, with direct flame searing up to 1,000°F
• 7-pound hopper capacity for compact low-and-slow cooks
• Dial-in digital control board with automatic startup and shutdown

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss PB150PPG Table Top Wood Pellet Grill is a compact tabletop pellet grill designed for beginners and portable cooks who want real pellet smoke without committing to a full patio setup. Its compact tabletop body keeps the footprint manageable, while the digital controller, porcelain-coated cast iron grates, and Flame Broiler give new pellet-grill owners the same core cooking experience found on larger Pit Boss models.

The 256-square-inch cooking area is sized for small families, couples, camping trips, and apartment patios where a larger cart grill would be too much. A 7-pound hopper gives it more runtime than many compact pellet grills, and the lock-tight latches make it practical to move between the patio, RV, campsite, or tailgate.

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Best Large Capacity

Pit Boss Navigator 850 PB850M

4.8BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 932 sq in cooking space - fits 7 racks of ribs or 2 full briskets simultaneously
• Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity with Pit Boss app for remote monitoring
• Flame Broiler Lever for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F
• 30 lb hopper capacity for extended cooks without refills
• M Line premium construction: heavier gauge steel, improved heat retention
• Full 180-500°F range for smoke, roast, bake, grill, and sear

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss Navigator 850 PB850M is the largest horizontal grill in this comparison, built around four core features: 932 square inches of cooking space, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity via the Pit Boss app, a Flame Broiler Lever for direct-flame access up to 1,000°F, and a 30-pound hopper for extended low-and-slow cooks without babysitting. The M Line designation reflects a premium build step-up — heavier gauge steel, a tighter lid seal, and improved heat deflection for more consistent temperatures across the full grate.

Remote monitoring via the app means you can track an overnight brisket from bed without leaving the house.

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Best Vertical Smoker

Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker PBV6M

4.7BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 2,224 sq in across 5 removable porcelain-coated steel racks
• Each rack holds 2 full-size foil pans - maximum batch cooking capacity
• 75 lb hopper with cleanout - 24+ hours of unattended smoking
• Wi-Fi + Bluetooth connectivity for remote temperature monitoring
• 3 meat probe ports (1 probe included) for multi-protein sessions
• 130-420°F range optimized for low-and-slow smoking precision

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker PBV6M is purpose-built for competition-prep cooks and backyard pitmasters who need maximum protein capacity in a compact vertical footprint. Five porcelain-coated steel racks — each measuring 25.7" x 17.3" and capable of holding two full-size foil pans — add up to 2,224 square inches of total cooking space. That translates to 6 full briskets, 20+ racks of ribs, or enough pulled pork to feed a neighborhood in a single cook.

The 75-pound hopper with cleanout enables 24+ hours of unattended low-and-slow smoking at 150-420°F without opening the door to refuel. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth via the Pit Boss app handle remote temperature monitoring. Three meat probe ports (one probe included) let you track multiple proteins simultaneously.

See at Amazon

Best for Tailgating

Pit Boss Tailgater Portable Pellet Grill

4.6BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 465 sq in cooking space — enough for ribs, a pork butt, or a full chicken
• Collapsing legs for fast setup and breakdown at any location
• Flame Broiler Lever for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F
• 5 lb hopper for portable cooks without constant refilling
• Fan-forced convection for even heat across the full grate
• Digital temperature controller (180-500°F) with automatic startup and shutdown

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss Tailgater delivers 465 square inches of cooking space on a portable frame with collapsing legs — set up in seconds at the tailgate, campsite, or back deck. The 5-pound hopper and Flame Broiler Lever for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F give it the same core capabilities as the stationary Pit Boss lineup in a form factor that fits in a truck bed.

Fan-forced convection heat distributes evenly across the full grate, and the digital temperature controller manages the full 180-500°F range automatically. The collapsing legs and locking lid make it a genuine grab-and-go solution for anyone who wants real wood-fired pellet flavor on location.

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Best Portable

Pit Boss Battery Powered Portable Pellet Grill

4.9BBQ Report Score

At a glance

• 256 sq in across 2 porcelain-coated steel grates
• 7 lb hopper capacity for extended portable sessions
• Flame Broiler Lever for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F
• Automatic start and cool down for easy operation
• Charges via wall outlet or 12V vehicle adapter

Why we picked it

The Pit Boss Portable Battery Powered Wood Pellet Grill is the only pellet grill in this lineup that runs on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery, making it the only option for off-grid cooking where no power outlet is available. With 256 square inches of cooking space across two porcelain-coated steel grates, it handles up to 10 burgers, a full rack of ribs, or a small pork shoulder. The battery powers the auger, fan, and igniter for approximately 6-8 hours on a single charge at smoking temperatures.

You can recharge via a standard wall outlet or 12V vehicle adapter between cooks. The 7-pound hopper holds enough pellets for extended sessions without refilling, and the Flame Broiler Lever is included for direct flame searing up to 1,000°F.

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Wi-Fi and App Connectivity: Which Models Have It

Two of the six models here connect to Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for remote monitoring: the Navigator 850 PB850M pairs with the Pit Boss app for remote temperature monitoring, and the Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker PBV6M offers the same Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The other four models—the PB440FB1, the PB150PPG Table Top, the Tailgater Portable, and the Battery Powered Portable—use standalone dial-in or digital controllers with no app pairing, which keeps setup simpler but means you'll need to check the grill in person rather than from your phone.

How to Season a New Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Season a new Pit Boss by running it empty at 350°F for 45-60 minutes before the first cook. This burns off manufacturing residue, oils the interior steel, and coats the cooking surfaces with a protective layer of smoke. The process takes less than one hour and requires only a full hopper of hardwood pellets.

Initial Seasoning Steps

1. Fill the hopper with 100% hardwood pellets - hickory or competition blend recommended for the initial burn.
2. Set the digital controller to 350°F and close the lid. Do not add food.
3. Run at 350°F for 45-60 minutes. Smoke will appear initially as manufacturing residue burns off; this is normal and clears within 15-20 minutes.
4. After 45-60 minutes, increase temperature to 400°F for a final 15 minutes to fully season the grates and interior walls.
5. Initiate the cool-down cycle via the digital controller. Allow the grill to cool completely - typically 30-45 minutes - before the first cook.
6. Wipe grates lightly with a food-safe oil (canola or vegetable) before the first cook to prevent sticking.

Pitmaster Tip

For the initial seasoning burn, use hickory or competition blend pellets. These produce the richest smoke coating for the interior walls and establish a strong baseline seasoning that protects the steel through future cooks.

Re-seasoning After Deep Cleaning

After any deep clean that removes built-up seasoning, run a shorter re-seasoning cycle: 30 minutes at 300°F with the lid closed. This restores the protective smoke coating before the next cook.

Common Pit Boss Pellet Grill Problems and Fixes

The most common Pit Boss issues are temperature fluctuations, auger jams, and pellet bridging in the hopper. Temperature swings of ±25°F are normal during pellet combustion cycles. Swings beyond 50°F usually indicate a dirty fire pot, low-quality pellets, or a failing temperature probe. Most problems are solved with routine cleaning and dry pellet storage.

Temperature Fluctuations

A swing of ±25°F around your set temperature is normal - pellet grills cycle pellets to maintain heat, creating slight natural variation. If swings exceed 50°F:

• Clean the fire pot of accumulated ash - a blocked fire pot restricts airflow and causes temperature spikes
• Switch to a higher-quality 100% hardwood pellet - pellets with fillers or moisture burn unevenly
• Check the RTD temperature probe for grease buildup and wipe clean with a dry cloth
• Ensure the lid seal is intact - a damaged gasket allows heat to escape

Auger Jams

An auger jam occurs when the auger motor stops turning and pellets stop feeding to the fire pot. The grill will drop temperature and eventually extinguish. Causes and fixes:

• Wet or swollen pellets: Pellets that have absorbed moisture expand and jam the auger. Empty the hopper completely, remove stuck pellets, and refill with fresh dry pellets.
• Running the hopper empty: If the auger runs without pellets it can jam on residual dust. Always refill before the hopper runs completely dry.
• Foreign object in hopper: Inspect the hopper for debris before each use.

To clear a jam: power off the grill, remove all pellets from the hopper, and manually clear the auger opening before restarting.

Pellet Bridging in the Hopper

Pellet bridging happens when pellets compact together above the auger opening and stop feeding, even though pellets remain in the hopper. This is more common with older or damp pellets.

• Stir the pellets in the hopper with a long spoon or rod to break up the bridge
• Store pellets in an airtight container away from humidity - avoid leaving pellets in the hopper for more than 1-2 weeks in humid climates

Grill Won't Ignite

If the grill runs through the startup cycle but the fire pot never ignites:

• Check for excess ash in the fire pot - a pot clogged with ash from a previous cook can smother the igniter. Empty and clean the fire pot before restarting.
• Verify the igniter rod is functioning - after startup, check the fire pot for a small glow within 3-5 minutes. No glow after 5 minutes indicates a failed igniter that needs replacement.
• Confirm pellets are actually reaching the fire pot - listen for the auger motor turning and check that pellets are dropping in.

Low Smoke Output

If the grill runs at temperature but produces less smoke than expected:

• Use the "S" (Smoke) or lowest temperature setting - smoke output is highest at low temperatures (180-200°F) and decreases at high heat settings
• Check for ash buildup on the heat deflector plate, which can redirect smoke away from the cooking chamber
• Switch to a more aromatic pellet variety - hickory and competition blends produce more visible smoke than lighter woods like apple at the same temperature

PID Controllers vs. Standard Digital Boards

Not every pellet grill control board works the same way. Older and budget boards cycle the auger on and off in fixed intervals, which can let temperatures drift 15–20°F above and below your set point. A PID (proportional-integral-derivative) controller instead adjusts auger feed and fan speed continuously in small increments, holding temperature within about 5°F of the target and reacting faster to lid-open heat loss or cold weather. If tight temperature control matters more to you than price, check which control board a specific model uses rather than assuming every model in a lineup performs the same.

Conclusion

Our Top Pick · Best Overall

Pit Boss PB440FB1

4.2 our overall score

518 square inches of cooking space

See at Amazon

Pit Boss covers every outdoor cooking scenario with these six models. The right choice depends entirely on how and where you cook:

• PB440FB1 - 518 sq in for families who want reliable weekly pellet grilling without premium complexity
• PB150PPG Table Top - 256 sq in tabletop grill for beginners and portable cooks who want real pellet flavor in a compact, moveable footprint
• Navigator 850 PB850M - 932 sq in with a 30 lb hopper and Wi-Fi for large gatherings and overnight briskets
• Navigator 6-Series Vertical PBV6M - 2,224 sq in across 5 racks with a 75 lb hopper that runs 24+ hours unattended
• Pit Stop Portable - 387 sq in portable grill with cart stand and cover for tailgating and camping
• Battery Powered Portable - 256 sq in, the only model that runs completely off-grid on a rechargeable lithium-ion battery

Every model uses 100% natural hardwood pellets and includes the Flame Broiler Lever for direct flame searing - except the vertical smoker, which is dedicated to low-and-slow. All horizontal models operate from 180-500°F with Flame Broiler searing up to 1,000°F.