Pit Boss vs Traeger
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Pellet grills like Pit Boss and Traeger are among the most popular on the market right now.
To help you decide which pellet grill is best for you, we’ve laid out the main differences between Pit Boss and Traeger and shown you some of their most popular models.
Pit Boss vs Traeger: Wood Pellet Grills
- Pit Boss Sportsman 820
- Pit Boss Navigator 850
- Pit Boss Sportsman Portable
- Traeger Grills Pro Series 575
- Traeger Grills Ironwood 885
- Traeger Grills Tailgater 20
The Difference Between Pit Boss and Traeger
Before we get into specific models, there are a few things to consider when choosing a pellet barbecue from Pit Boss or Traeger.
Construction
High-quality construction lasts longer, but it also aids in maintaining a consistent temperature throughout the cooking process. All Traeger pellet smokers are made of high-quality materials, ranging from powder-coated steel to 304-grade stainless steel on the interior of Timberline models. The painted steel of the Pit Boss is a little step back, but the high-heat coating and porcelain-coated grilling grates are helpful additions to strengthen the structure.
Some Traeger grills feature double-wall insulation for better heat retention and precise temperature regulation.
The grill’s quality is vital, but it also raises its price. The more expensive the grill is, the better the materials and quality.
However, if the quality is a priority for you, Traeger pellet grills have the edge over Pit Boss in terms of overall quality and price.
Cooking Space
How much cooking space you need depends on how many people you usually cook for, but we can still compare each brand’s features.
Since both Pit Boss and Traeger make pellet grills, they have many size options.
A Pit Boss has the largest cooking surface, while a Traeger pellet grill is more likely to fulfill your demands if you’re looking for something in the middle. When it comes to cooking space, Pit Boss takes the cake.
If you plan to use your wood pellet grill as a smoker, you’ll need a large grill because smoking meats takes up a lot of room for a long time, making it difficult to fit other things like vegetables or side dishes.
Temperature Range
Smoking is usually done between 225°F and 275°F, and both brands have you covered there.
Most pellet grill manufacturers design their grills’ fireboxes with a cover or heat shield to protect the flames. It is advantageous since indirect heat will not touch or burn the meat, but it may make searing a steak tough.
A movable plate in the middle of the heat deflector of Pit Boss grills solves this problem. You can cook directly over a wood-fired flame.
Due to a recent drivetrain update by Traeger, pellet smokers by Traeger and Pit Boss have increased their maximum temperature to around 500°F currently.
Thanks to their similar temperature ranges, smoking and roasting can be accomplished on both the Traeger and the Pit Boss. On the other hand, Pit Boss is the clear winner because of its open-flame grilling feature.
Temperature Control
One of the most important aspects of a wood pellet smoker’s performance is its ability to maintain a steady temperature. A grill’s insulation plays an essential role in determining how well it supports stable heat levels throughout low-and-slow cooking processes.
Several pellet smokers on the market have double-walled, cold-rolled steel smoking chambers to trap heat and smoke efficiently, such as Traeger’s Timberline and Ironwood grills.
The smaller increment settings and more accurate heat management for the duration of a meal give Traeger a slight advantage in temperature control.
Traeger’s Wi-Fi compatibility with smartphone apps and other smart devices is a feature Traeger has, but Pit Boss does not.
Pellet Hopper Capacity
Even though pellet grills are modern marvels that make cooking more accessible, you still have to make sure they have enough fuel.
A hopper with a higher capacity will allow you to spend more time with your friends or relax on the patio rather than constantly refilling.
The hopper capacity of Traeger pellet smokers ranges from 18 to 24 pounds; the Pit Boss Copperhead 7 weighs 60 pounds, and the Copperhead 3 pellet grill can hold 35 pounds of pellets.
Most Traegers come equipped with a hopper clean-out mechanism for easy emptying and an integrated pellet sensor, so you can always keep an eye on fuel levels.
On the other hand, Pit Boss provides merely a side pane for monitoring pellets.
Additional Features
Pit Boss grills usually come with lower storage racks, which is always a benefit in a grill. On the other hand, Traeger emphasizes high-tech features like meat probes and digital controllers.
Some of Traeger’s unique features include Super Smoke mode, Turbo Temp, a pellet sensor, a Downdraft Exhaust System, and WiFIRE Technology.
Traeger has more extra features that make smoking easier than Pit Boss.
Warranty
If you buy a BBQ grill with a solid, reliable warranty, you can rest assured that you won’t have to pay extra money if the product doesn’t work as expected, even if it needs expensive repairs. Traeger pellet grills come with a 3-year warranty on materials and craftsmanship, while Pit Boss pellet grills have a 5-year limited warranty on all parts and electrical components.
If the warranty is a big deal for you, Pit Boss’s two extra years of guaranteed coverage might be enough to make you choose them.
Price
Pit Boss has earned a reputation for being more affordable than Traeger.
Traeger’s price includes some extra features. On the other hand, Pit Boss can give you more options on a smaller budget.
Pit Boss Sportsman 820
Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you want a large, reliable pellet grill that strikes the perfect balance between good performance and a reasonable price, the Pit Boss Sportsman 820 is a great choice.
The grill has a massive 849 square inches of cooking space so that you can feed a lot of people without much trouble.
One of the advantages of this grill is that it allows you to cook several rib eyes and pork butts simultaneously.
The huge 21-pound hopper fits the large cooking surface nicely.
The grates are made of porcelain-enameled cast iron, which is easy to clean to ensure proper heat transfer. The cleanup of the pellets is made simple by the presence of a clean-out plate at the bottom.
The grill comes with a lot of useful accessories, too.
A spice rack is attached to the unit and may be removed for storage or preparation. The side shelf is removable.
You can easily open a cold beer thanks to a built-in bottle opener. The long-term durability of the heavy-gauge steel construction is guaranteed.
The side plate flame broiler is the way to go for rapid searing.
Pit Boss Navigator 850
Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Pit Boss Navigator 850 is the ideal pellet smoker if you’re searching for various cooking options.
Pit Boss’s revolutionary flame broiler adds versatility to the 879-square-inch cooking surface.
With a 28-pound hopper capacity and a pellet clean-out door, you can cook for an extended period with only one load of pellets.
One meat probe is included in the Navigator 850 since it is critical to get the proper internal temperature while cooking the perfect cuts of meat. It also comes with a dial-in digital control with an LED display so that you can keep track of the temperature in the cooking chamber.
The Navigator delivers authentic wood-fired smokiness in a well-built, simple pellet smoker at a reasonable price.
Pit Boss Sportsman Portable
Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Pit Boss Sportsman Portable can be an excellent option if you want a pellet grill that is both portable and practical.
Pellet grills may be taken outside and used for outdoor BBQs, making this an appealing option.
The robust, collapsible legs allow you to wheel the grill away, and the quality stainless steel construction instills trust in the grill’s portability.
The 387-square-inch cooking area is enough space to prepare a whole meal for two people.
With a temperature range of 180 °F to 500 °F, the grill offers a wide range of cooking options. Low temperatures and the vast 19-pound hopper capacity make it simple to cook slowly and thoroughly.
In addition to an LED-equipped digital control board, automatic start and cooldown, convection cooking, and the ability to use both direct and indirect heat, this grill is very simple to use.
In addition to the heat transfer, the porcelain-coated cast-iron grates and a specific grease management system avoid flare-ups.
The package comes with a meat probe that you can use to check the interior temperature of your meat during cooking.
Traeger Grills Pro Series 575
Last update on 2024-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
If you’ve never used a Traeger pellet grill before, the Pro 575 gives you a taste of what makes these barbecues so wonderful.
Traeger’s entry-level line of goods, the Pro Series, has very few compromises regarding features and performance.
Between the 418 square-inch main grates and the 157 square-inch upper grates, the grill provides 575 square inches of cooking space.
Brushless DC motors are used in the D2 Direct Drive system to provide trouble-free auger operation. Hot smoke is distributed around the cooking area using a variable-speed fan. The fan speed is automatically adjusted depending on the settings you select.
The outstanding new generation PID controller on this grill allows for significant versatility while also helping to maintain the grill’s temperature reliably.
One of the grill’s most significant features is Wi-Fi connectivity with Traeger’s famous WiFIRE Technology. You can use a smartphone app to set and monitor temperatures.
Traeger Grills Ironwood 885
Last update on 2024-06-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Ironwood 885 from Traeger is a significant step up from its other models, even though it isn’t the company’s largest pellet grill.
More significant cuts of meat, like a brisket or a couple of racks of ribs, have no problem fitting in there.
Like Traeger’s other high-end models, Traeger’s D2 motor and Wi-Fi connectivity are standard on the Ironwood series.
In addition, a fan-assisted super smoke mode and a pellet sensor that sends notifications to the smartphone when the hopper is running low on pellets are included.
When it’s time for a change in flavor, a chute on the hopper makes it simple.
Traeger Grills Tailgater 20
Last update on 2024-07-05 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Traeger Tailgater 20 is well-made and dependable, but it doesn’t go overboard with the bells and whistles.
It is a 62-pound pellet barbecue with a cooking surface of 300 square inches and is yet another excellent portable pellet grill choice.
The highest temperature setting is 450 degrees Fahrenheit. The construction of heavy-gauge steel ensures long-term dependability.
The Traeger Tailgater’s new controller has an LCD screen and a slew of buttons for fine-grained control, enhancing the user experience.
It has a capacity of 8 pounds of pellets. Porcelain-coated cooking grates effectively distribute heat while also being easy to clean.
Using the instructions provided, it is also relatively simple to set it up. In the end, this is a fantastic product that you can take anywhere you go.
Alternative brands to consider
If you haven’t made up your mind between Traeger and Pit Boss, you may be able to find a pellet grill from one of the many other manufacturers.
There are a few options you might want to think about before deciding.
Z Grills
If cost is a significant consideration for you, you should look at Z Grills.
For many years, they have been producing pellet grills for other firms (including Traeger) but have only recently begun to sell directly to consumers. When you look at the design, you can see the similarity.
We have an article about how the Z Grills are similar to the Traeger.
Camp Chef
One of the best pellet grill manufacturers is Camp Chef.
For the price, you get a high-quality, easy-to-clean grill with exceptional pellet usage efficiency.
Searing is another area in which Camp Chef excels.
They provide the opportunity to purchase an optional searing box. It is the best method of searing we’ve seen on a pellet grill, despite how simple it appears.
Unlike Traeger and Pit Boss, the Camp Chef product line is more straightforward.
You can learn more about Camp Chef and Traeger differences by reading our Camp Chef vs. Traeger comparison.
About Pit Boss
Pit Boss was founded in 1999 as a subsidiary of Dansons Ltd.
They were one of the first manufacturers to compete with Traeger in pellet grills after Traeger’s patent expired in 2006.
While they have a wide variety of grills, they are most known for their pellet grills, focusing on durability, quality, and excellent customer service.
Pit Boss Grills are made in China and imported into the United States. On the other hand, Pit Boss provides high-quality grills at reasonable prices.
About Traeger
After years of making and marketing wood pellet stoves, Joe Traeger developed his original concept, leading to the establishment of Traeger Grills in 1985 and obtaining a license in 1986.
Traeger built a premium brand and dominated the pellet grill market because of his revolutionary grill design patenting.
In 2006, after their patent expired, additional BBQ grill manufacturers entered the market, resulting in price competition and innovation. Traeger maintains its position as a leader in the pellet grill business by delivering high-quality products.
Trager grills were initially made in the United States, but they shifted production to China like most of their competitors. Traeger is the most well-known pellet grill producer, with roughly $300 million yearly sales volume.
As soon as Jeremy Andrus joined Traeger in 2014, the company’s popularity skyrocketed. In Salt Lake City, Utah, the corporation has established itself as a significant player in the industry.
In 1988, the company released the first Traeger grill. Grills of the present day are far more advanced, using the latest features and Wi-Fi technology for a more automated and user-friendly cooking process.
Traeger is no longer a family-owned and operated enterprise. Joe Traeger, the company’s founder, sold it in 2006 and now works for Dansons, the company that owns Pit Boss.
Conclusion
If you haven’t figured it out yet, we think Traeger and Pit Boss are excellent pellet grill brands.
Each provides a great combination of quality, performance, and features ideal for slow-cooking BBQ chefs who value ease and wood-fired taste.
It’s tough, but Traeger gets a little edge for its heritage as the first pellet grill producer and many different models at various pricing points.
However, the Pit Boss is a great budget pellet grill depending on your budget.