I own the Pit Boss 820 and base my Pit Boss pellet grill reviews on my experience with this pellet grill.
when I started on my research for the Pit Boss pellet grill reviews I soon found out that they offer more pellet grills than I expected to find.
Not only sells Pit Boss on their own website but they have several lines of pellet grills that are only available at Lowe’s. Walmart and even the Tractor Supply Company.
“Pit Boss is at this moment the most searched for pellet grill as you can see in this overview I made on Google Trends.”
About Pit Boss
The Pit Boss is owned by Damsons Inc. They were one of the first to start competing in the pellet grill market.
The Pit Boss pellet grills are most known for their high quality and still affordable prices. They manufacture all kinds of grills and BBQs. From charcoal grills to all types of gas grills.
Are you in a hurry to see all the Pit Boss pellet grills?
If you are looking for deals on the Pit Boss website I suggest you have a look at this page https://pitboss-grills.com/featured/specials.
I know that to make a well-informed decision you probably need to check on more brands. So, If you like to have a look at other brands first you can have a look at all the pellet grill brands I reviewed here.
There are too many models to write a whole review for in the Pit Boss arsenal so I choose to pick some of the 3 most popular models and dive a little deeper into what they have to offer.
Pit Boss Sportsman 820
This is the model I have and have used many times. The size of the 820 fits my family size and way of cooking.
Sportsman 820 Features
- 21-pound hopper
- Hopper clean-out
- Temp ranges from 180 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Folding front shelf
- 849 square inches of cooking surface
- Removable side shelf
- Two meat probe options
- Porcelain-coated grill grate
- 5 years warranty
What I found during all my use of the Sportsman 820 is that it is a pretty sturdy robust model. Especially the body and the heat diverter plate got some nice ratings for being made of thick steel.
I think that the 849 square inches is a perfect size. Large enough for some big pieces of meat and still small enough to reduce the wood pellet consumption.
Searing on the flame broiler works but if you are thinking of grilling more steaks at the same time it is not the best option. The surface that reaches the desired temperature is too small for more than one steak.
The grill has some leaks that can be fixed with some aftermarket gaskets and doing so might also have an effect on the temperature fluctuations.
Pit Boss 700FB
Sportsman 700FB features
- 700 square inches of cooking surface
- 21 pounds hopper
- Porcelain-coated grill grate
- Dome thermometer
- 5 years warranty
- Temperature range 180 – 500 degrees Fahrenheit
- Flame broiler
Searing on the Sportsman 700FB can be done right above the flame broiler and I found that this actually works pretty well compared to other brands.
What this model is missing compared to the 820 is the side shelf but that is available as an add-on. It also misses the storage cabinet under the grill that I like so much to store all my utensils.
The temperature swings on this particular model seem to be better. I read about swings of 10 degrees Fahrenheit.
Pit Boss PB440
Pit boss 440 features
- 518 square inches cooking area
- 2 temperature probes
- 5 pounds hopper
- Porcelain-coated grill grate
- Flame broiler
- Side shelf
- Bottom shelf
With a 16 gauge solid steel construction, you can call this really a DeLuxe model. With its smaller size, I read that many people use it as a portable pellet grill to bring to the campground.
I read that the temperature swings stay within 15 degrees Fahrenheit and the backlighting makes it very easy to see in daylight
The small 5lbs hopper will tell you that this is not a pellet grill for long smoke sessions but it works great if you have the time to fill it up when it runs low.
FAQ About Pit Boss Pellet Grills
Q: Is Pit Boss Worth it?
A: Pit Boss is definitely worth it. It is one of the top selling pellet grill brands.
Q: What is the life expectancy of a Pit Boss pellet grill?
A: In general the more expensive Pit Boss models should last between 6 – 10 years when taking car of.
Q: Can you use a Pit Boss pellet grill in the winter?
Yes, you can use a Pit Boss pellet grill in the winter if you find a location to protect it from the elements as much as possible.
Pit Boss Pellet Grill Reviews – My Opinion
When I go through all the pellet grills I reviewed and after having a good look at all the Pit Boss pellet grills I think it is safe to say that they offer pretty good grills.
I was not able to find a lot of negative customer ratings.
I read that compared to the older regulators the new ones perform much better. Someone mentioned that he send back the old one and received the upgraded one at no cost. That is what I call customer service.
Where are Pit Boss grills made?
The Pit Boss pellet smokers I discussed here are made in China.
Pit Boss Prices
As I mentioned above the reputation that Pit Boss has built up is that they offer affordable prices but can be compared to the Traeger pellet grills in quality.
Temperature Swings
In general, the Pit Boss has the same temperature swings that most brands have unless you update your unit to one of the PID regulators.
I read temperature swings between 20 and 45 degrees. You have to play with the so-called P-settings to find the settings for your temperature and this might take a while to figure out.
More stores to buy Pit Boss pellet grills
Lowe’s
- Pro Series Elite 1600 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series II 600 Wood Pellet Grill
- Platinum Laredo 1000 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series II 1150 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series II 600 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series Elite 1600 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series II 600 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series II 850 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series I 1100 Wood Pellet Grill
- Pro Series I 820 Wood Pellet Grill
Walmart (Find them here on this page)
- Portable 150 Tabletop Wood Pellet Grill
- Portable Wood Pellet Grill (Copper Top)
- Lexington Wood Pellet Grill
- AUSTIN XL Wood Pellet Grill
- CLASSIC Wood Pellet Grill
- TAILGATER Wood Pellet Grill
Tractor Supply Company
- 1000 TRADITIONS 2 wood pellet grill
- 1000T4 Wood Pellet Grill
- 700T1 Wood Pellet Grill
Menards
- 1000XL Wood Pellet Grill
- PB820XL Wood Pellet Grill
Pit Boss Pellet Grills – My Experience
I have used my Pit Boss 820 for a while and have not experienced any problems with it.
Although mine still has to older controller I have no problems with the temperature swings that bother many others.
As long as during the cook it stays around the temperature I have it set on I have no problems with the result of my smoke sessions.
My flame broiler starts to rust out a little and I read suggestions to replace it with a stainless steel one. I am looking into that and will update it here.
For me, Pit Boss comes highly recommended and if it ever goes out I will probably buy a new one the same day.
If you are looking for ideas on what to smoke or grill on your Pit Boss pellet smoker you can have a look at my smoker recipes.
Eddie van Aken
Eddie van Aken brings years of experience from running a full-service restaurant, where he honed his skills with all types of kitchen equipment. His expertise extends to mastering the art of outdoor cooking, utilizing the right recipes to enhance flavors on grills and smokers. Eddie’s in-depth knowledge allows him to provide comprehensive grill reviews and valuable outdoor cooking tips, helping enthusiasts make the most of their grilling adventures. You can read more on the About page for Eddie van Aken