Pit Boss Pellet Grill Troubleshooting: What To Look For

The Pit Boss pellet grill is an excellent choice for outdoor cooking.

Not only does it provide a fantastic wood flavor, but it can also be used for anything from rapid grilling to extensive tasks such as smoking a whole brisket.

However, when you grill as often as we do, certain technical difficulties may arise. That is why we wrote this post on how to troubleshoot a Pit Boss pellet grill.

What Is A Pellet Grill?

Pellet grilling is popular, but it is still a relatively new concept for the majority of the grilling industry.

While generations of grillers are accustomed to how gas and charcoal grills function, only a select few are comfortable using pellet grills.

This article will cover every aspect of pellet grills, from the hopper to the chimney, and will address some of the most often asked concerns about them.

Let’s start by answering the question: what is a pellet grill? Pellet grills, also known as pellet smokers, are outdoor barbecues that burn wood pellets of food-grade quality.

They combine the advantages of charcoal and gas grills with convection ovens.

They may be used to smoke, roast, bake, or sear, providing the flexibility and performance required by any griller.

Do Pellet Grills Work Like Gas Grills?

You cannot approach learning a pellet barbecue in the same way you would a gas grill for three critical reasons.

Gas grills feature numerous burners and heat up quickly. As with a conventional oven, your pellet grill will pre-heat in the same manner: it will reach the correct temperature, but it will take longer.

Respect the pre-heat phase: it is critical to the barbecue’s success.

Cleaning is critical, but it becomes even more critical if your cooking method changes. Keep in mind that a clean grill performs better and creates a richer flavor.

With a pellet grill, there is little to modify.

When cooking on a gas or charcoal grill, you may find yourself fine-tuning the controls or vents: increasing the heat a little here, decreasing it slightly there.

A pellet grill’s temperature management is equivalent to that of a conventional oven: set it and forget it.

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If you go with either one of these pellet grills you will not be disappointed. Time to get an upgrade now! It’s been proven over and over again that having the right equipment is the only way to bring out that juicy taste that we all crave.

With that being said let’s get back into it here and talk more about some wood pellets.

Are Wood Pellets For Flavor Or Heat?

Pellet grills create heat using an electric element; they, like other electric heat appliances, are plugged in.

Pellet grills use an electric starter called a Hot Rod to ignite a wood pellet-fueled fire in the burn pot.

Once the fire is started, it is extinguished and the wood fire continues to expand and provide heat.

While the barbeque heats up, pellet fuel continues to fall into the fire, generating more heat and smoke.

Additionally, pellet grills circulate a lot of air, which helps produce clean smoke.

A healthy fire creates a fine blue smoke, about which further information may be found here.

Consider a pellet grill’s burn pot to be a single huge wood-burning burner, as opposed to a gas grill’s several gas-fed burners.

The quality and size of the pellets are crucial; a higher-grade fuel has a more delightful flavor.

Broil King pellet fuel blends have been precisely engineered to provide unmatched heat and flavor.

Since wood pellets absorb water and expand rapidly, newly manufactured pellets burn more effectively than pellets exposed to the elements for weeks or months.

Pit Boss Pellet Grill Problems And Solutions

Due to the auger being powered by electricity, pellet grills are more prone to failure than charcoal or gas-fired ones.

This section will cover the most prevalent ones, from Pit Boss temperature difficulties to smoke discoloration.

Error Messages

The dreaded “Er” sign is a pellet grill enthusiast’s worst nightmare. Pit Boss models have two separate error messages, each with a unique cause and solution.

ErH

This notification indicates that there is an issue with the pellet grill’s heat and temperature management.

This might indicate one of two things: either the grill was set too high or the temperature probe wire was not properly attached.

Excess fuel may result in overheating, which may be remedied by turning off the grill and emptying the firebox of pellets.

Before trying to remove the pellets, ensure that the grill has cooled fully. While you’re at it, clean the rest of the inside and inspect for correct component placement.

Additionally, you may get an ErH notification if a grease fire occurs in the cooking chamber. If this happens, switch off the grill immediately and wait for the flames to subside.

Sprinkle them with baking soda or kosher salt if they do not self-extinguish.

Switch the dial to OFF to eliminate the error message and remove the grill cover after curing the overheating issue. Allow a few moments before adjusting the thermostat to the proper setting.

If the grill is not overheating, an erroneous connection of the probe wire to the temperature control system may trigger the ErH indication.

In this case, check the cable for damage and make that it is securely connected to the control panel.

ErP

This message comes directly from the source: This indicates that the temperature dial remained active when the grill was connected to AC power.

This is a key safety feature that prevents the device from starting accidentally.

By switching the temperature dial to the OFF position, you may disable the ErP indication. Allow two minutes before adjusting the dial to the desired temperature.

Flashing Temperature

When the numbers on the LCD begin to flicker, this signals that the grill’s ambient temperature has dropped too low.

The temperature has dropped below 110 degrees Fahrenheit while the grill is set to “SMOKE.” The numerals flash when the temperature in “COOK” mode is less than 150 degrees.

Fortunately, this is not a significant issue; rather, it is a function that supports the cook by notifying them when their fire is about to burn out.

When this occurs, inspect the hopper and, if required, replace the pellet supply. Additionally, you should check for obstructions.

Following that, clean the pot or burn the grate of any ash accumulation. Ascertain that the fan and auger are running at the proper speeds.

If they move slowly, the fire will be unable to get the necessary fuel.

Flashing Dots

The grill igniter is actuated when the LCD panel displays flashing dots. As Pit Boss pellet grill issues go, this one is a nice one to have—it just signals that the equipment is operating correctly.

Blank LCD Screen

There are various probable reasons for a black LCD display.

To begin, detach the pellet grill from the power source. You’d be surprised how often this happens – people are so focused on getting their grill started that they miss this critical first step.

Before you begin, double-check that the plug is securely connected to a working outlet.

If the grill is plugged in but the screen remains blank, the circuit board fuse may have blown and must be replaced.

Consult the directions in your user’s manual—there should be a diagram to aid you.

Additionally, a blank screen might indicate that the GFI (Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) has triggered.

When connected to a device, the GFI outlet safeguards you against electrocution.

You should properly verify any electrical connections in this circumstance to ensure they are entirely secure. Furthermore, the wires must be completely dry.

Additionally, verify the amperage requirement for your GFI service. To run the Pit Boss pellet grill, a minimum of 15 amps is required.

Finally, visually inspect the extension cable. Never use a cable longer than 25 feet with pellet grills. If it is more than that, the grill may be receiving insufficient energy.

Long wires are also a fire hazard, so if you haven’t already, shorten yours.

Grill Will Not Start

This unpleasant condition might be caused by any component of the grill. Reconnect the gadget to the outlet and turn it on.

Following that, unplug the grill and any other things that are connected to the GFI circuit.

Reconnect the grill and check to see if the GFI trips again. If this happens, you should tell customer service.

If not, another appliance on the circuit may have triggered the GFI. Continue plugging them in one at a time to see whether any trip the outlet.

Bear in mind that a GFI may trip as a result of an electrical system abnormality, so your grill may not be to blame.

If the GFI does not reset, inspect the circuit breakers. The system will not reset if there is insufficient electricity.

Following that, put the temperature dial to OFF, followed by SMOKE. The LCD panel should light to indicate that everything is OK.

If this does not address the issue, remove the frying grates and grease tray and conduct a thorough examination of the igniter.

If the machine does not start, replace the 5 amp fuse located on the rear of the control panel. Contact customer care if the igniter continues to fail.

Examine the auger while the grates and grease pan are removed. This is the component that needs to be changed if the firebox is not receiving pellets.

After excluding all other possible explanations, the control panel is almost certainly at fault. Notify Pit Boss about the occurrence and they will take your position.

Temperature Is Too High At SMOKE Level

When the grill gets too hot when in SMOKE mode, the P setting is set too low. Ascertain that the temperature dial is set to SMOKE before increasing the amount with the P setting button.

Grill Is Not Heating To Set Temperature

The Pit Boss’s temperature issues are often caused by a shortage of oxygen reaching or sustaining the proper temperature in the burn pot.

Examine the burn pot, the air intake, and the fan for blockages.

If the burn pot is rusted or has holes, it must be replaced. Additionally, you should inspect the fan to guarantee good operation.

Please be advised that this may require removing the frying grates and oil tray.

Alternatively, the pellets themselves might be the source of the problem. Examine the hopper and add more pellets if required.

Replace them if they are wet to the touch or exhibit visible signs of degradation.

Additionally, using a moist clean cloth, you may inspect and clean the temperature probe.

Finally, make certain that the P setting is set appropriately. The “P” stands for “pause,” and you may modify the time between cycles by altering the setting.

The P option limits the delivery of pellets, resulting in more smoke and a cooler grill temperature. On the other side, lowering the setting results in less smoke and hotter fire.

Temperature Fluctuations

These may be caused by a variety of factors, including ambient weather conditions (whether it is very hot or cold outdoors) or a temperature sensor that is obstructed.

Avoid grilling in direct sunlight and windy or damp circumstances. If you like cooking all year, consider investing in a grill cover to give extra insulation.

Additionally, regularly clean the probes, cooking grates, and a dome thermometer.

Finally, it is important to understand that oscillations are a natural part of wood burning.

When they occur, keep a watch on the thermometer, as the temperature may soon return to normal.

Smoke Signals

If the smoke is yellow or greenish, or if the grill produces a large amount of it, there is most likely an excessive buildup of oil inside the cooking chamber.

Avoid this issue by properly cleaning the cooking grates and the inside of the lid after each usage, particularly if you cooked fatty foods such as burgers or chicken thighs.

Additionally, examine the hopper and burn pot for blockages. While examining the hopper, discard any damp pellets and replace them with a new supply of dry pellets.

Flare-Ups

Flare-ups are inconvenient and hazardous, made all the more so when they have the potential to develop into a full-fledged grease fire.

Cook meals with a high-fat content at or below 350 degrees Fahrenheit to avoid them.

How Often Do I Need To Clean My Pit Boss Pellet Grill?

This varies according to the quantity of food cooked and the duration of the cooking.

While a 45-minute cycle may produce little ash when cooking many burgers and sausages, a 24-hour smoke will.

Additionally, ash is not your friend: when it builds up, it might hamper performance. When ash builds upon a pellet grill, the grill may take longer to heat or may fail to heat at all.

When we cook with gas, the burners produce carbon dioxide and water as byproducts of combustion. Fortunately, these gasses do not gather in gigantic mounds on the grill.

Consider the impact of progressively burying your gas grill burners in an increasing layer of ash: it won’t be long until they stop working correctly.

Empty the ash management system situated at the bottom of your Broil King pellet grill after each grilling session.

This ensures that performance is maintained at a high level during the starting process.

After completely emptying a bag of pellets, check the inside of the grill, paying special attention to the area around the burn pot.

Over time, fly ash – ash that is carried away from the burn pot – builds in mounds surrounding the burn pot, limiting airflow.

This procedure takes just a few minutes and ensures that your pellet grill cooks evenly each time you grill.

Cleaning is not limited to the burn pot; the whole system must be in excellent condition to run smoothly. Rainwater and ambient moisture may be absorbed by wood pellets. 

This may cause them to develop and form a concrete-like mass within your grill, impeding proper combustion and perhaps clogging the auger.

Final Thoughts

Troubleshooting The Pit Boss’s Pellet Grill is rather straightforward if you know what you’re doing.

Hopefully, with the aid of this article, you will be able to smoothly operate your Pit Boss Pellet Grill.

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