If you are looking for a great outdoor cooking appliance, the Pit Boss Pellet Grill is a pretty amazing choice. It can not only get some incredible woody flavours infused into the meat, but it can also cook quickly or slowly – making it ideal for anyone and anything.
Unfortunately, like anything, the Pit Boss Pellet Grill does come with its own set of issues. It is pretty common for customers with this grill to experience a number of issues that need troubleshooting, but don’t worry.
We will be going through each of the common troubleshooting issues in this article, so hopefully, you will be using your grill again in no time.
While these steps could also apply to many other similar grills, we are specifically focusing on the Pit Boss Pellet Grill. As each grill may have subtle differences, the solutions that work for this product may not work for others. With that being said, let’s jump into the article and find out everything we need to know.
What Is the Pit Boss Pellet Grill, And How Does It Work?
Pellet grills work differently to gas-fired or charcoal grills since they use electricity. Unfortunately, because of this, they tend to have more problems. The Pit Boss Pellet Grill works by burning pellets, which are basically small pieces of compressed sawdust.
They are then fed into a hopper where they are mixed with air and ignited. This creates a flame that cooks the food as it passes over it. The food comes out perfectly cooked and the smoke from the pellet grill dissipates within seconds. Instead of a chimney, the electric grill has an electric burner underneath.
The Pit Boss Pellet Grill is a pretty amazing piece of equipment because it allows people who hate having to prepare their own fire and ash to simply use something that needs very little maintenance.
Because it works so well, there are plenty of people who enjoy using the Pellet Grill even when they aren’t camping, since it doesn’t require any kind of external fuel source (and the ability to add wood chips or chunks).
Another reason why Pit Boss Pellet Grills are so popular is the fact that they’re able to cook up to 10 different meats at once. You’ll find that most pellet grills allow you to choose between low heat cooking and high temperature cooking.
When choosing which type of meat you want to cook, most pit bosses include a chart so that you have guidelines to follow when trying new things.
The Pit Boss Pellet Grill – Problems And How To Fix Them
So, despite this pellet grill being amazing, it is prone to its own set of problems. As mentioned, since it is an electric grill, there are new issues to face when using this device. While Other grills, like the ones that need charcoal or wood, are manual, this one is a little more complex.
Below are the main concerns you might face, and how to deal with them. If you can get past these issues and learn how your pellet grill works, you will not be disappointed by the results.
The Error Messages
Your electric Pit Boss Pellet Grill might display an “Er” symbol. There are two error messages that could show up, and each will be caused by a different issue.
While these might be irritating, they do have solutions. The first error message you may experience is ErH, and the second is the ErP.
ErH Error Code
The ErH error code on your Pit Boss Pellet Grill means that the heating element is faulty. There is likely to be a problem with the temperature control of the grill, and either the temperature probe is not connected securely, or the grill is overheating.
If the pellet grill is overheating, the cause might be excess fuel. This can be fixed by switching off the grill for 15 minutes to cool down before attempting to restart it again. Once it has cooled down, the pellets should be removed and the interior should be cleaned.
When cleaning, you should check to see if the grill components are in the right places and working correctly. Grease fire could also be a reason that your Pit Boss Pellet Grill is displaying the ErH message. This could happen if there is a grease fire in the cooking chamber.
If this happens, you need to switch the grill off and allow the flames to die. If they take too long to extinguish on their own, you may need to use something like kosher salt or baking soda to help them go out.
Remember to remove all the racks, clean the cooking chamber thoroughly, and make sure the lid closes properly. You can fix the issue by cleaning the cooking chamber after every usage. However, keep in mind that removing and replacing the racks takes some time.
It’s possible that a component in the combustion area might be damaged. In order to determine this, take your Pit Boss Pellet Fire outside and start adding more pellets over a period of about ten minutes.
The pellets will gradually increase until you’ve got enough food inside the grill to last about five hours. Make sure that the lid is closed firmly on top.
When everything is done, wait another 20 minutes before checking the temperature gauge. If the temperature gauge still reads at 200-250 degrees F, this means that the heating element needs replacing. It is best if you replace the element as soon as possible because you don’t want to risk burning yourself when operating a gas grill.
As a last resort, you can try swapping the element. You’ll know which element to swap if you notice any other problems while trying to cook. It would also be helpful to measure the resistance between the elements and batteries in case you swapped the wrong element.
When you have figured out the problem, all you need to do is turn the dial to “OFF”. This will clear the message and the grill lid will open. To use your Pit Boss Pellet Grill, wait a couple of minutes before turning it on and setting it to the temperature you would like to use.
However, if you find that your grill is not overheating, there is a chance that the error message is showing due to the fault connection between the temperature control system and the probe wire. You will need to check if there is any damage to the wire and ensure that it is properly connected.
ErP Error Code
The second error code you may come across with your Pit Boss Pellet Grill is the ErP message. When this message crops up, it means that the temperature dial was turned off when the grill was still connected to the AC power. As this is a safety feature, this is nothing to be concerned about.
This is simply to ensure that the unit does not accidentally start. To get rid of this symbol, all you need to do is turn the temperature dial so that it is in the “OFF” position. When, you need to wait a couple of minutes (two minutes should do), and then turn the dial back on to whatever temperature you would like to use.
Temperature Is Flashing
Your Pit Boss Pellet Grill will have an LCD screen. If this screen is flashing with numbers, it is indicative that the temperature inside the grill has become too low. This could happen at different temperatures depending on the mode that the device is in. For “COOK” mode.
The numbers on the LCD screen will flash if the temperature inside dips below 150ºF On the other hand, if the Pit Boss Pellet Grill is being used in “SMOKE” mode, the numbers on the screen will flash if the temperature is below 110ºF.
Since this is not a serious problem, it is nothing to worry about. The only thing at stake is how quickly your food cooks – this is not a warning that your grill is on its way out. If anything, this is a great feature since it will warn you if and when the temperature gets too low, so you can remedy the situation.
All you should need to do is check inside the grill and feed is more pellets so that it can keep cooking. While you’re at it, you should also check to see if there are any blockages inside, just to be safe.
There might be ash build-up in the grill, too. The ash could build up in the burn grate or the pot. You should check the auger motor and the fan to ensure that both are working properly and at the right speed.
If either of them are not moving as fast as they should be, there is a good chance that the fire you need is not getting the fuel that it needs.
LCD Screen Is Blank
If the LCD screen of your Pit Boss Grill is blank, there could be a number of causes and issues. The first and simplest concern could be that the grill is unplugged. Surprisingly, this is a pretty common issue.
The grill is powered but is not receiving a signal from the controller. In order to rectify this, you need to make sure that the plug is securely plugged into the wall outlet.
It’s also a good idea to go ahead and test whether the remote works by pressing the button on and seeing is anything happens.
You can try plugging a different device into the outlet to see if it powers that, too. If it is only your grill that is not being powered, there may be something wrong with the connection in the cord or the grill itself.
The dreaded blank screen could also indicate that the Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter (GFCI or GFI) has been tripped. This outlet is there to protect you from being electrocuted when it is plugged in, so all the wire connections should be checked.
Every wire should be dry and secure. If this is not the problem, there is a chance that the grill is not getting enough power. The minimum amount of power that the Pit Boss Pellet Grill required is 15 amps, so if it is not getting enough, it will not turn on.
Finally, the extension cord you are using could be to blame. You should not use an extension cord that is longer than 25 feet for pellet grills because it can cause issues. The main issue for this is that the grill will not receive enough power.
Longer extension cords lose power, and by the time the electricity reaches the grill, it is not powerful enough. On top of that, long extension cords can also be a fire hazard. If you are able to, you should use a shorter extension cord to power your grill and make sure that it gets all the power that it needs.
Dots Are Flashing
If the dots on your Pit Boss Pellet Grill are flashing, it just means that the grill is working. The flashing dots tell us that the grill igniter is on. This isn’t really a problem to have, but many people may get concerned about it. It’s nothing to worry about.
Clogged Auger
What is an auger? An auger is what feeds the charcoal through the bottom of the Pit Boss Pellet Grills. It moves the charcoal into the burn pot and keeps it moving until you want it to stop. That’s why it is important to clean the auger regularly.
The auger of your Pit Boss Grill could get clogged because of the way that the pellets fall through. Try cleaning out the auger channel regularly. Just remember not to force anything down the auger that may damage the mechanism.
If the auger does become damaged, it will cost you quite a bit to fix it. Check the manual carefully to know what tool you need to be repairing your auger. Using wet pellets could black the auger. To combat this problem, you should always ensure that the pellets you use are dry and will not clump together.
No Smoke Is Being Produced
If your Pit Boss Grill is not producing smoke, it may be because you haven’t got enough pellets down below. You may even want to look at upgrading your hopper to one that allows more holes. Regardless of what you do, make sure that you don’t fill your hopper more than half full.
Once you reach that point, then you won’t be able to put any more pellets into the grill. Additionally, you should always make sure that the pellets you use are dry. If your pellets are not dry, then they will clump together and form a ball, which prevents them from going through the augers properly.
When this occurs, your grill will not work correctly. Damp pellets will also not burn, so if you are not getting any smoke when you should, they could be damp.
The Grill Will Not Ignite
If your grill is not igniting, you will need to check the igniter. This issue is usually pretty straightforward, but you should check the auger to make sure it is feeding pellets into the firebox.
If your Pit Boss Pellet grill is fairly new (less than 18 months old), you can get in contact with Pit Boss to find out what is going on. However, if it is older, checking the auger and igniter is the best option.
The Pit Boss Pellet Grill Won’t Start
Many people experience issues while trying to get their Pit Boss Grill to start. The first things you need to do to get this electric grill to start is make sure that it is getting power.
It needs to be connected to a power outlet by an extension cord that is shorter than 25 feet, and it needs to get 15 amps or more. If your grill does not start, and you are sure that is it getting enough power, there are some troubleshooting things you can try to get it to work.
1) Unplug the grill, as well as everything on the GFI circuit. After a minute, plug the grill back in and see whether the GFI trips again or not.
If the circuit does trip, the best thing you can do is contact customer service and explain the issue you are experiencing to them. They will hopefully be able to help you and direct you as to what you should do next.
2) If it doesn’t trip after trying the above, there may be something else that is causing the GFI to trip. Plug every appliance on the circuit in one by one and see which one trips the GFI.
None of them may trip it, but if one does, you have found your problem. There is also the chance that the GFI will trip because of a fault or anomaly in the electrical system.
3) The circuit breakers should be the next thing you look at if the GFI does not reset.
4) Check the igniter. To do this, you will need to remove the cooking grates and the grease tray. Then grab a screwdriver with a small head to loosen up any screws that might be holding down the burner plate.
Once you are done loosening those up, take an old towel or rag and clean off the burners and replace the grate. If none of those things fix it, you will need to call customer support, and they will assist.
You may need to get a replacement part to get the device working again. While you have the grease tray and cooking crates out of the way, you can also beck the auger.
You need to ensure that it is feeding pellets into the firebox. If the auger is not doing what it is supposed to, it will probably need to be replaced.
5) If you have gone through each of these issues and the problem has not been found, the control panel is most likely to be a problem. To fox this issue, you will need to contact Pit Boss to explain what is happening. They will be able to help and issue you with a replacement to get your device working again.
Something To Consider Before Grilling
Like any kind of grill, the weather is an important factor to consider before starting. If you want to grill successfully, the weather should be warm and. Humidity prevents your food from drying out and will prevent your meat from sticking to your grill’s surface.
Although wind is less significant in some cases, it is still best to grill on calm days. Rain is not ideal for a number of reasons, so if you are planning on a family grill, take a look at the forecast before doing anything.
Final Thoughts On Pit Boss Pellet Grill Problems
The Pit Boss Pellet Grill works great for many users. However, when problems arise, it is important to know how to troubleshoot it. Hopefully the steps mentioned above will be helpful to you and your issues can be resolved without resorting to desperate measures.
While these grills are great in so many ways, they are prone to their unique concerns, and we need to know how to deal with them effectively. If this article helped you, hopefully you are back in the sun and grilling to your heart’s content. Good luck!
