Pit Boss vs Traeger Pellet Grill

Wood pellet grills are a great addition to any home because they combine everything you love about a smoker with a standard grill. Depending on the model that you buy, you can make smoked dishes like brisket and sausage at the same time that you make burgers, hot dogs and other dishes on the grill. These grills are great for family dinners in the summer and for parties and special occasion celebrations.

Many people just buy a pellet grill that looks nice without thinking about how much use they’ll get out of it or even how long the grill will last. Smart shoppers know that they should pick one from one of the top manufacturers around. The top two companies making wood pellet grills today are Traeger and Pit Boss.

To help you more easily pick out a wood pellet grill, we created a comparison of Pit Boss vs Traeger that will help you see how these companies stack up against each other. You can then get a look at some of the top models from each company that you can buy online today.

Comparing Pit Boss vs Traeger Wood Pellet Grills

Wood pellet grills look like standard barbecue grills but some with a separate firebox for making smoked meats that will also let you smoke vegetables and other ingredients. As Traeger and Pit Boss both get good reviews from customers, it’s important that you look at the top features of this grills and how each company compares in relation to those features.

Price

Price is important to many shoppers because they want to get a grill for a good price. While you can find a standard charcoal grill or even a propane grill that sits on the table for $100 or less, you need to spend a little more to find one that also functions like a smoker. Some of the top wood pellet grills cost at least $1,000.

If you look at price alone, Pit Boss will come out on top. Pit Boss makes wood pellet grills that cost under $1,000, and many of its more popular models cost in the $500 to $700 range. Those on a budget might not think twice about investing in a Pit Boss wood pellet grill.

Before you hand over your money though, keep in mind that Traeger also has some affordable models. Top models like its Select Elite Grill will set you back at least $1,000, but the company also makes grills in the range of $500 or less. Both companies offer grills to fit different budgets.

Grill Construction

Construction is just as important as price and may be even more important. No matter how much you spend, you want a grill that will last for years and not just a single summer.

When it comes to construction, few companies can beat Traeger. Its grills come with construction features like cast-iron grates with a clear and nontoxic coating that prevents food from sticking to the grill and fireboxes made from a similar material. Though Pit Boss grills feature similar elements, many look flimsy, and most will not keep up with your grilling and smoking demands.

Temperature Range

If you compare Pit Boss and Traeger based on temperature range, you’ll find that the two are pretty equal. Both have grills with a maximum temperature range of 500 degrees Fahrenheit and a minimum temperature in the 100 degrees Fahrenheit range.

Cooking Space

In a head-to-head competition in terms of cooking space, Traeger wipes the floor with Pit Boss. Its Pro Series 34 Grill Burnz has an impressive 884 square inches of cooking space, which does not include the amount of space in the firebox. Many of its top models have at least 600 square inches of interior space too.

When you look at the top and most expensive models from Pit Boss, you’ll find that those grills give you less cooking space. Many have as little as 500 square inches of space for grilling.

Hopper Size

The hopper, also called the wood pellet hopper, is a large canister or container on the grill that holds the wood pellets. As the grill heats up, those wood pellets burn to create smoke. The more pellets the hopper can hold, the more smoke you’ll get without needing to refill that container.

Pit Boss makes quite a few smokers that come with a hopper that can hold up to 10 or even 12 pounds of wood pellets, but Traeger makes several models that can hold even more. Some can hold up to 18 pounds and come with a system that collects the ash from those pellets.

Top Pit Boss Wood Pellet Grills

1. Pit Boss 72700S Pellet Grill with Upgraded Cart

The top Pit Boss wood pellet grill that money can buy is the 72700S, which now comes with an upgraded cart. That cart is more dependable than previous carts and comes with rugged wheels for pushing or moving the grill across any type of floor or ground and a small area for storage. Though it comes with a more standard temperature knob, it does have a digital screen that shows you the temperature you selected.

Cast-iron grids coated in porcelain sit directly over the heat for even cooking and further from the heat for warming. You’ll get 700 square inches of cooking room too.

2. Pit Boss 700SC Wood Pellet Grill

This 700SC Wood Pellet Grill from Pit Boss is well worth the money. Though it comes with the same 700 square inches of space, it also features a cabinet on the base that lets you store cooking equipment, extra ingredients and other supplies away from the heat. The cart also has a small bottle opener for added convenience.

A built-in flame broiler inside makes it easy to create burgers that taste like restaurant burgers. Caster wheels on the base glide smoothly but also come with locking mechanisms that keep the grill stable while you cook and use the wood pellet smoker.