You’ve decided to buy a wood pellet grill, but you’re not sure which brand to buy.
Some of the most popular pellet grills on the market today are made by Traeger and Pit Boss smoker.
When you talk to a lot of people, you hear a lot of different ideas about which is better.
People always defend the grill they buy and speak ill of others, so it’s hard to get a fair opinion.
In this guide, we’ll explain the differences between Traeger and Pit Boss smoker, and look at some of the best grills from each company to help you decide which pellet grill is right for you.
Traeger Brand History and Overview
When Traeger started his business in Oregon, the first products were stoves that burned wood pellets produced in the factory. From there, it was suggested that the idea of slow-burning pellets could be used to smoke and grill food in the backyard.
In 1988, the first Traeger grill went on sale. This is the first ever pellet grill.
They patented the idea and dominated the market for a long time. Even with other pellet grills out there, Traeger is still the best. Today, that title is up for grabs as the game gets better, like the Camp Chef pellet grill.
Philosophically, not much has changed in over 30 years. But today’s Traeger grills are much more complicated. They have the latest electronics, Wi-Fi and other features that make them easy to use and automate.
Now, Salt Lake City-based Traeger has a site with more than 25 grills, ranging from portable grills weighing up to 45 pounds to large grills that can be towed behind a trailer hitch. Don’t forget Lil’ Pig, a bright pink wood pellet grill in the shape of a sow with curled ears, long eyelashes and two teats. I’m not kidding.
The Traeger Pro Series, Ironwood Series, and Timberline Series grills are all new for 2019, and this article is all about them. Between the three series, there are a total of six grills, two in each group. We’ll talk about this again.
Pit Boss smoker Brand History and Overview
Founded in 1999 as a subsidiary of Dansons, Inc., Pit Boss smoker is the brainchild of a man named Dan and his two sons. Dan – son.
Pit Boss Smoker Company started in Alberta, Canada. You may not immediately think of Canada when you think of BBQ, but they do grow specialty beef on the prairie.
Now based in Phoenix, it is a family-owned business that focuses on quality craftsmanship and long-lasting grills.
Their impressive stable of rigs features over 20 pellet grills, including combination pellet and gas grills and vertical pellet smokers.
They also build gas grills, griddles, and smokers; charcoal grills; electric smokers; kamado-style ceramic grills; and an insane 3-in-1 monster with gas on a cart Grill, charcoal grill and electric smoker.
Pit Boss has always strived to be an innovator with something for everyone. That’s to make pellet grilling more affordable for the average consumer without sacrificing quality.
They claim their grills are “bigger. Hotter. Heavier”.
Pit Boss smoker Vs Traeger – The Main Difference Between Them
Now that you know a little bit about each company, let’s see how Pit Boss and Traeger stack up against each other.
Build quality and construction
I put this category in the first place because it is so important; how well built your pellet grill is directly related to how well and how long you enjoy it.
It can be difficult to find out information about the Pit Boss grill at first.
While researching a unit on their website, between the main product page and the owner’s manual, I was presented with three different cooking surface numbers and two wood pellet hopper capacities.
It’s also hard to tell what they’re made of, but it seems to be 14 gauge steel, sometimes stainless steel, sometimes not. That’s premium heavy duty steel for their “bigger” “heavier” parts. hotter. heavier. “motto.
The six Traeger grills in this article use a mix of powder-coated steel and stainless steel construction.
The middle grill has double walls and the upper cabinet has a full double wall for better heat retention.
Of the Pit Boss grills we’ve seen, only one vertical smoker has double walls.
Overall, the fit and finish seem to favor the Traeger, which generally has a sturdier design and better functionality. Some Pit Boss models are significantly better than others, they lack Traeger’s consistency.
Cooking Area
You are not short of options when it comes to the size of the Pit Boss. Even in the small portion of our product line, we have a vertical smoker with over 1600 square inches of cooking space, a medium-sized home grill, and a small portable.
Six Traegers are available in six different sizes, from medium low-end to 1,300 square inches of cooking space backyard beasts.
All the grills here have multi-level racks: your choice is 2, 3 or 5. This increases versatility and capacity.
The gap between the top and main racks on the reviewed Pit Boss grill is minimal and makes getting to the back of the bottom rack a pain.
While both manufacturers offer a ton of variety, the Pit Boss has a slight advantage over the Traeger, mainly thanks to its vertical smoker and pint portability.
Temperature Range
The actual temperature ranges for all Traeger and pit Boss grills in this article are very similar with little to no difference. Whatever you choose, expect low-end numbers around 180F and high-end numbers around 500F.
However, that’s the problem with wood pellet grills. They get hot enough to sear, but because they use indirect heat, you can’t really sear no matter what anyone says. When you get the grid hot enough, you can sear the meat with black lines. However, this is not the same as real searing and there is almost no Maillard reaction.
Pit Boss solves this problem with a simple solution.
Most models have a sliding panel in the center of the heat deflector. When you open it, you will see a series of slots just above the fondue. As the temperature rises, flames shoot out of the crevices, like charcoal or gas grills. Now you can grill and grill to your heart’s content!
Both Pit Boss and Traeger offer ultra-low “smoke” settings. It’s not low enough for cold smoking, but it’s a great way to add a lot of smoke to cooked food, fish or to keep food warm.
In terms of controls, the Pit Boss has a serious drawback. The easy-to-use temperature knob goes up in 25-degree increments, but skips a few settings. It goes like this: 200, 225, 250, 300, 350, 400, 450, 475. Want to cook on 275? that’s horrible. This may not be a big deal, but control freaks beware.
The Traeger controller, on the other hand, increases in 5 degree increments, allowing precise control of your target temperature.
There is no clear winner here, although both have pros and cons. It’s up to you to decide what’s more important to you – precise temperature control, or really sear without buying a searing kit or using a frying pan.
Funnel Size
A typical bag of wood pellets is 20 pounds. Therefore, a 20lb or larger hopper is the best choice.
Of the six Traegers shown here, two have 18lb hoppers, two have 20lbs, and two have 24lbs. Filling 18 or 24 will leave you with a bag of odd-sized servings of grains. not ideal.
Looking at our Pit Boss range, we have 20, 31, 5 and 55. The 20 is off the shelf and the 31 is basically half a bag. not bad.
Five sucks, but it’s on a portable pellet grill, so we forgive that. (I recommend dividing some of the pellets into airtight containers for travel.)
This 55-pound thing is a bit of an exaggeration, but you can More than 30 kilos of wood pellets is enough for a whole day of smoking.
New features, bells and whistles
The benefits you get with your Pit Boss grill really depend on the model you buy.
Some have really basic thermostats and digital controls, while others offer extra features like a meat probe port.
For Traeger, all six models come standard with one port and include a probe. In fact, the entire control unit on every Traeger is identical.
Most Pit Boss grills come standard with lower storage racks. Not only does it help keep gears and particles off the ground, but it also increases cart stability.
None of the Traeger grills in this article have lower racks. If you prefer, you can purchase one as an accessory for the Timberline 1300.
Overall, though, newer Traeger grills are better and more functional than older models.
As mentioned above, all new Traeger models feature D2 direct drive controllers with variable speed fans and augers and built-in Wi-Fire technology. Using Wi-Fire, your grill can connect to your home Wi-Fi. Using the free app on your phone, you can take full control of your smoker from anywhere you can connect to a Wi-Fi network.
Both Traeger and Pit Boss offer a range of add-ons, gear and accessories that you can pick up to enhance your grilling experience. Or, as far as hats and clothing are concerned, just your BBQ image.
A useful add-on to the Traeger is the Pro or Ironwood range of particle sensors. It tells you through the app that it has a built-in light for checking the hopper after dark.
Buying a suitable cover to protect your grill is recommended, and every model has one, although 3rd square grill covers are usually cheaper and just as good. They have all the necessary barbecue tools, flavor enhancers and clothing.
Pit Boss also sells grill covers, as well as insulation blankets for winter grilling. Magnetic hooks, wing mounts and flexible LED lights are all great ideas, along with a huge selection of grilling tools, clothing and decorations.
Price
The actual dollar figure you pay for the grill isn’t the key factor here. What matters is the money you get.
Prices vary by model, but overall, the Pit Boss lineup is more affordable than the Traeger, with many grills priced well under $1,000.
That being said, the extra money you spend on Traeger can get you better construction and electronics.
Judgment?
Pit Boss gives you great value for money without breaking the bank. If budget is an issue, Pit Boss is a great option.
However, if you invest your extra cash in Traeger, you’ll get what you pay for.
In our opinion, this is close to Pit Boss and Traeger, both of which represent great value for money, so it’s really up to you.
Top Pit Boss smoker
Here’s a brief look at the facts and a few thoughts on some of Pit Boss’s most popular grills.
700FB Wood Pellet Grill
This is a very basic wood pellet grill, you could even call it an “entry level grill”.
The functionality is simple, with no meat probe ports, and it comes with a stripped-down thermostat. Setting the temperature is easy – you just choose the preset you want.
There is also a “smoke” setting based on a timer rather than temperature. Eight timer settings create a range of low-temperature, high-smoke environments.
Anecdotal evidence suggests that you need to use this setting multiple times to master it, but it can be very useful.
The best feature of the 700FB is the sliding panel in the center of the heat deflector. Open it for direct access to the flame below. Now you can grill and flame grill like you would on a charcoal or gas barbecue.
Features
- Main cooking area: 442 square inches of cooking space
- Secondary cooking surface: 225 square inches cooking space
- Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs. wood pellets
- Temperature range: 180F to 500F
- 14 gauge steel structure
- Ceramic Coated Cast Iron Grid
- LCD Display
- 5 years warranty
Pross
- Option to flame broil and sear
- Bottom storage shelf
- Cast iron grates
Cons
- Uneven degree increments on thermostat prevent precise control over 250F
- Low clearance under the upper grate
- No option to connect meat probe thermometers
- Fixed steel wheels will be noisy on pavers
Austin XL Pellet Grill with Flame Broiler
Looks aren’t everything – but they do matter!
The Austin XL is a stylish looking grill with matching copper colored funnel, hob and chimney caps. It also features a robust four-wheel cart for easy positioning, including two large hob-style wheels for smooth movement.
Connected to the large funnel is a more powerful digital controller than what the Pit Boss offers on lower-end models.
There are two ports for meat probes built in and two probes are included in the box.
It retains a simple dial for selecting preset temperatures, including an adjustable “smoke” setting for intense smoking at low temperatures.
You also get a scorch that separates the Pit Boss grill. Simply slide the panel into the center of the heat deflector to grill directly over the flame.
Features:
- Main cooking area: 649 square inches of cooking space
- Secondary cooking zone: square centimeters cooking space
- Hopper Capacity: 31 lbs.
- Temperature range: 180F to 500F
- 14 gauge steel structure
- Ceramic Coated Cast Iron Grid
- LCD Display
- four-wheel cart
- 5 years warranty
Pross
- Option to flame broil and sear
- Bottom storage shelf
- Side shelf for workspace
- Cast iron grates
- 4 wheels, including 2 locking casters and 2 roller blade-style wheels
Coss
- Uneven degree increments on thermostat prevent precise control over 250F
- There’s smoke and heat leakage via the door during use…though this is common to most pellet grills, for efficiency of pellet use it would help to add a gasket to seal it off.
Tailgater Wood Pellet Grill
Grill and smoke pellets on the go? this is possible! If you want to smoke while tailgating, camping or camping, you can choose to take this portable barbecue with you.
The folding outriggers allow it to stand at full height or be nice and short for easy use in the back of the truck. Be warned though – it’s designed to be portable, but it still weighs close to 90 pounds!
You get most of the features that come standard with the Pit Boss smoker Bigger on this little grill, including the option to connect up to two meat probes to a digital thermostat.
In addition, in the center of the heat deflector you will find the searing area.
You do, however, throw away the cast-iron grid in favor of steel.
The hopper also weighs only 5 pounds, so keep extra pellets on hand if you plan on smoking long cigarettes.
This setup is best for grilling steaks and burgers, with the option to add some smoke to chicken wings, a small rib or the catch of the day.
Features
- Main cooking surface: 341 square inches. cooking area
- Extra cooking zone: not applicable
- Funnel Capacity: 5 lbs.
- Temperature range: 180F to 500F
- 14 gauge steel structure
- Enamelled Steel Grating
- LCD Display
- 5 years warranty
what we like
Optional flame grilling and searing
cast iron grid
Foldable legs for easy transport
what can be improved?
Uneven degrees on the thermostat prevent precise control of 250F
Two ports, but only one probe included
no chassis
small hopper
heavy portable
5 Series Vertical Smoker
If smoking is your first priority, this may be your preferred unit. Pit Boss smoker offers something here that the Traeger does not: a vertical smoker.
The vertical benefits of this pit boss smoker are countless: they don’t take up much space, and they provide plenty of vertical space for large birds, hanging sausages, or using all the racks to smoke a ton you know and meat to eat at the same time.
Unlike some dedicated smokers, it can reach the higher temperatures required for baking and baking, making it very versatile.
What they don’t do, of course, is allow cooking or searing on an open flame. However, if you already have your favorite grill, you probably prefer a dedicated smoker anyway.
Features
- Main cooking surface: 1,657 square inches. Cooking space divided into 5 shelves
- Hopper Capacity: 55 lbs.
- Temperature range: 150F to 420F
- Double-walled cupboard
- Enamelled Steel Grating
- LCD Display
- 5 years warranty
what we like
- Space-saving vertical design
Glass front panel for monitoring your meat
Huge funnel for longer smoking time
what can be improved?
- Uneven degrees on the thermostat prevent precise control of 250F
- Two ports, but only one probe included
Top Traeger Grills
In 2019, Traeger introduced six new grills in three series with two grills each: Pro, Ironwood and Timberline.
Within each series there is a larger grill and a smaller grill, and functionality increases as you switch from one series to another (and so does the price tag).
Let’s break it down and see what you get on each level to help you narrow it down and find your best bet.
Pro Series
They offer the same controls and Wi-Fi capabilities as Ironwood and Timberline, but you sacrifice an adjustable grille system and double insulation.
Both are excellent “entry level” pellet grills with plenty of cooking space and plenty of power.
Size (575 and 780)
- Main cooking surface: 418 square inches. & 570 square inches
- Secondary cooking surface: 154 square inches. & 210 square inches
- Hopper Capacity: 18 lbs.
- Temperature range: 160°F to 450°F +
- PRO D2 controller
- single meat probe
- Wi-Fi Wi-Fi enabled
- Patented Traeger App
- 3 year warranty
what we like
- Powder-coated steel structure
- Have a cool stovepipe chimney
what can be improved?
- Shorter warranty period than Pit Boss smoker
- Lacks the double insulation provided by the other two series
- Hopper cannot be filled with a bag of pellets
- no lower storage shelves
Ironwood Series
Upgrade to Traeger’s mid-level grill and you’ll benefit from a larger hopper and double sidewall insulation.
The extra wall helps stabilize the temperature by keeping heat and cold weather out. Plus, you can enjoy extra space and flexibility with the adjustable auxiliary cooking rack.
Specifications (650 and 885)
- Main cooking area: 418 square inches. & 570 square inches
- Secondary cooking area: 231 square inches. & 315 square inches
- Hopper Capacity: 20 lbs.
- Temperature Range: 160°F to 450°F+
- Ironwood D2 Controller
- single meat probe
- Wi-Fire Wi-Fi enabled
- Proprietary Traeger app
- 3 year warranty
what we like
- Powder Coated Steel Structure
- Adjustable auxiliary rack
- Double side walls for improved thermal insulation
what can be improved
- Shorter warranty period than Pit Boss smoker
- The main cooking surface dimensions are identical to the Pro Series appliances
- Bottomless storage rack
Timberline Series
Do you want top products? Check out these big and beautiful grills with all the high-end features.
They have a full double-layer construction, magnetic cutting boards, particle sensors, stainless steel grids and stainless steel front shelves.
Specifications (850 and 1300)
- Main cooking surface: 352 square inches. & 544 square inches
- Secondary cooking surface: 308 square inches. & 476 square inches
- Level 3 cooking surface: 198 square inches. & 198 square inches
- Hopper Capacity: 24 lbs.
- Temperature range: 160°F to 450°F +
- Timberline D2 Controller
- single meat probe
- Wi-Fi Wi-Fi enabled
- Patented Traeger App
- 3 year warranty
what we like
- Powder-coated steel structure
- Two additional adjustable racks
- All walls are stainless steel double-sided (not just the side walls) for better heat retention
- Huge capacity of 1300
what can be improved?
- Shorter warranty period than Pit Boss smoker
- The main cooking surface is actually smaller than an iron wood grill
- no lower storage shelves
Pit Boss Smoker vs Traeger – Which One Should You Pick?
Is there an overall winner for our showdown between Pit Boss and Traeger?
While Traegers are generally better grills, Pit Boss smoker also has a lot to offer. I mean, you must love the ability to have a real flame on the pellet grill.
So the winner is… yours!
Based on what you’ve read here today, you should be able to decide what’s right for you and pick your own winner.
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