Best Pit Boss Grills: Maximum Value in Pellet Cooking

The Pit Boss Philosophy

Pit Boss's strategy is simple: deliver more cooking area, larger hoppers, and more features than the competition at a lower price. The trade-offs are real — app polish is weaker than Traeger, temperature swings are slightly wider, and customer service can be slow. But the cooking results are genuinely competitive with grills costing twice as much.

The lineup breaks into three tiers: Sportsman (entry), Pro Series (mid), and Platinum (premium). Within each tier, models differ mainly in cooking area and hopper size.

Best Value: Pro Series II 850

The Pro Series II 850 ($599) is the best value in pellet grilling. PID controller, 850 sq in of cooking area, a 26-lb hopper, and WiFi connectivity — all for $200 less than the equivalent Traeger Pro 575.

The 850 sq in handles two pork butts or four racks of ribs with room to spare. The 26-lb hopper runs 18+ hours at 225°F without refilling — enough for an overnight brisket. And the flame broiler (a slide-plate that exposes direct flame) gives you 500°F+ searing that most pellet grills can't achieve.

The WiFi app is basic but functional. You'll set temperatures and monitor cooks from your phone, just without Traeger's polished recipe integration. For most buyers, that's a fair trade for $200+ in savings.

Best for Crowds: Platinum Laredo 1000

The Platinum Laredo 1000 ($699) is the entertainer's choice. 1,006 sq in of total cooking area, a 26-lb hopper, and the same PID + flame broiler combo as the Pro Series.

The Laredo's standout feature is the massive cooking area per dollar. At $0.70 per sq in, it's the cheapest premium cooking space in pellet grilling. The Traeger Ironwood 885 costs $1.70 per sq in by comparison.

Build quality is a step above the Pro Series — thicker steel, better wheels, and a more stable cart. If you regularly cook for 8+ people, the Laredo is the right Pit Boss.

Best Entry: Sportsman 820

The Sportsman 820 ($449) is Pit Boss's entry point. 820 sq in, basic PID, and no WiFi. It's a stripped-down pellet grill that still cooks excellent barbecue.

What you give up: WiFi (you walk to the grill to check temps), the flame broiler (no direct searing), and the heavier build of the Pro Series. What you keep: PID temperature control, a respectable hopper, and the same smoke flavor as grills costing $300 more.

If you're pellet-curious and want to test the category without a major investment, the Sportsman 820 is the safest entry point.

The Flame Broiler Advantage

Pit Boss's slide-plate flame broiler is the feature that separates them from Traeger and most other budget brands. Pull the plate aside and your burgers or steaks cook directly over the firepot — real flame, real grill marks, real searing.

It's not as good as a dedicated infrared sear station or a charcoal sear. But it's genuinely functional. Most pellet grills produce 500°F indirect heat that browns meat slowly. The Pit Boss flame broiler hits 650°F+ direct — enough for Maillard reaction and proper crust formation.

If searing matters to you, Pit Boss is the budget pellet brand to beat.

The Verdict

**Best value**: Pro Series II 850. The sweet spot of features, size, and price.

**Entertainer**: Platinum Laredo 1000. Maximum cooking area per dollar.

**First-time pellet buyer**: Sportsman 820. Low-risk entry into pellet smoking.

**Skip**: The smallest Sportsman models (500/550). You'll outgrow them within a year if you smoke regularly.