It’s an ordeal for customers always to choose between the two best brands in the business. Both the companies offer one of the best pellet grill smokers in the market at different price points and various models.
The article highlights Pitboss vs Traeger as a brand and their features. It aims to help anybody wishing to have the best BBQ party and requires the perfect smoker.
Traeger Pro 575
Pit Boss Classic 700
Comparison of Pit Boss vs Traeger
Before buying the products or delving into the model specifications of the brands, it becomes essential to analyze the general features. A clear understanding of the primary differences in the brand helps the customer to make the correct choice.
Price
Price is a deciding factor for anybody who has limited use of pellet grill smokers. Depending upon the affordability of the user, one needs to choose the best brand.
Pit Boss is more prevalent in the market due to its low price. They are more affordable than Traeger, with models ranging between $500 – $700 mark.
Their portable models are much cheaper, while the top-line models are priced at a $700+ mark.
Traeger, on the other hand, has a more expensive set of models. The brand utilizes its premium marketing and market value to escalate its price.
Their basic models are past the $600+ mark, while the more prominent models cost a minimum of $2000.
For users who prefer cheaper products, Pit Boss is an obvious choice.
Also Read:
Construction
The quality of the model is always an essential factor in terms of durability. The choice of model is heavily dependent on it.
Traeger has been the premium brand in the market known for its durable models. Their models have been market leaders for years.
Recently, their production base has shifted to China. This has caused a minor decrease in their construction control.
Pit Boss grills are not as durable in comparison to Traeger.
Both the brands have fully insulated models. The high-end pellet grills have stainless steel bodies and high-temperature controllers too. The quality of types of wood also forms a major parameter for choosing the perfect model.
Temperature Range
The perfect grill requires a temperature of more than 400°F. Most pellet grills achieve a maximum of this temperature.
The recently updated models of both companies, however, can go up to 500°F. That provides enough temperature to get a good grill.
The minimum temperature of both brands are similar and achieve immense success in cold smoking of fish.
Pit Boss has an added advantage over Traeger. They have a slide open sear plate, which grills over the open wood flame and not just indirect heat. It gives better results.
Temperature Control
Two of the most significant factors determining the temperature control facility of a pellet grill are their digital controller and insulation. These two factors determine whether the smoker can maintain a regular temperature.
Traeger’s high-end models provide double-side insulation for better heat retention in colder conditions. The digital controllers are regularly updated too.
They pump out good quality smoke and stay in the range.
Pit Boss grills also have a design to regulate temperature and don’t leak smoke. Contrary to Traeger, lesser models provide double-wall insulation.
Their digital controllers are not as precise as Traeger.
Cooking Space
The size of the model you buy is highly dependent on the need. While some prefer small portable models, others like the massive grills at home.
Both the companies have enough models for all sizes to cater to needs.
Pit Boss has a solid range of vertical pellet smokers as well to reduce space. The compact design uses less space and gives the same taste.
Pellet Hopper Size
The hopper capacity decides the amount of time one needs to smoke without external touch. Refueling is an ordeal that should be kept in mind when buying.
Traeger models have an 18-pound hopper that lets you smoke with one refill at max. They are sustainable for BBQs.
The Pit Boss Brand, on the other hand, has more variety. The larger models have mammoth 55-pound hoppers to give 24 hours of unaided cook time.
Thus cooking time and oil consumption are essential parameters.
Warranty
The warranty of a model often decides the future sale of the model. Confident companies often increase their warranty to ensure belief in customers.
Traeger pellet smokers have a three-year warranty, while Pit Boss has a five-year warranty on all their grills.
Extra Features
Traeger has been a premium in the market for a long time. Despite giving stellar performances, these models have their specialties.
Traeger models are now controlled by your smartphone using WiFIRE technology. This helps in the remote handling of the smoker without having to touch it.
The Traeger models are thus more preferable due to these extra features added to them.
Also Read:
Overview of Traeger Brand
The Traeger Brand has been a monopoly in the market for a long time. They are the innovators of the original wood pellet grill.
It was designed as early as 1985 and patented in 1986. The design changed the landscape of smokers and barbecues in the market at that point.
Traeger solidified their position as a premium brand in the market due to its patent. These products got rid of the ancient process of smoking at home.
Post the expiry of the patent in 2006; other companies ventured into the market with newer designs and features. Despite various brands in the market, Traeger is still one of the highest selling brands, best known for its long-standing reputation in the field.
Overview of Pit Boss Brand
The Pit Boss Brand was founded in 1999 and is a subsidiary of Dansons, Inc. The company is known for its durable products and family-style approach to business.
They specialize in all types of grills, from portable grills to massive grills. Their products are known to satisfy customer needs majorly.
They are steadily growing in the market of pellet smoker grills, with their breakthrough being having the Godfather of pellet grills on board.
Best Traeger Pellet Grills
Top Pick
Traeger Pro 575
It is a high end model and costly. The design is made of powder-coated steel with porcelain-coated steel grates.
Traeger Pro 575 works in the range of 150-500°F. It has a cooking Space of 575 square inches.
Pellet Hopper capacity of Pro is 18 pounds. It provides 3 years of warranty. Pro 575 has WiFIRE® connectivity and is Alexa enabled.
Traeger Ironwood 885
It is a high end model and costly. The Ironwood model is Double side walled, insulated and powder-coated steel with porcelain-coated steel grates.
It works in the temperature range of 150-500°F. Cooking space of 885 square inches is provided by Traeger.
Pellet Hopper capacity of Ironwood is 20 pounds. Comes with 3 years of warranty.
Ironwood 885 has WiFIRE connectivity and is Alexa enabled. It has a built-in meat probe and low pellet sensor alert.
Its features include super smoke mode, Turbo Temp, Downdraft exhaust system, and a Pellet purge system.
Traeger Timberline 850
It is a high end model and costly. The Traeger model is double side walled, insulated, and has powder-coated steel with stainless steel grates.
Timberline 850 works in the temperature range of 150-500°F. It has a cooking space of 885 square inches.
Traeger model has 24 pounds pellet hopper capacity. Provides 3 years of warranty.
Timberline 850 has WiFIRE connectivity and is Alexa enabled. It has a built-in meat probe and low pellet sensor alert.
Its features include super smoke mode, Turbo Temp, Downdraft exhaust system, and a Pellet purge system. It also has a magnetic bamboo cutting board and an Integrated Grease Management System.
Best Pit Boss Pellet Grills
Our Pick
Pit Boss Classic 700
It is an quite an affordable model. The structure is made of powder-coated steel with porcelain-coated steel grates.
Pit Boss Classic 700 works in the temperature range of 180-500° F. It has a cooking Space of 700 square inches.
Pellet Hopper capacity of Classic is 21 pounds. Comes with 5 years of warranty.
Classic 700 has a slide-out sear plate for frame grilling and a meat probe.
Pit Boss Austin XL
Austin XL model is Powder-coated steel with porcelain-coated steel grates. It works in the temperature range of 150-500°F.
Pit Boss offers 930 square inches of cooking space. Pellet Hopper capacity of Austin XL is 31 pounds.
It provides 5 years of warranty.
Austin XL has a slide-out sear plate for open-flame grilling and a meat probe. It also has auto start and stops, a pellet purge system, and a stainless side shelf with a removable serving tray.
Pit Boss Sportsman 820
Quite an affordable model, the Pit Boss model is porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates.
Sportsman 820 works at a temperature range of 180-500°F. It has a cooking space of 849 square inches.
Pit Boss has a 21-pound pellet hopper capacity. Issues 5 years of warranty.
Sportsman 820 has an Adjustable Flame Broiler Lever for direct and indirect heat cooking and one meat probe. It also has features of fan-forced convection cooking and a dial-in digital control board with LED readout.
Concluding Remarks
The Pit Boss Brand and the Traeger Brand have been the leading companies in the field for a long time. Their variety of pellet grill smokers is unmatched and provides excellent service too.
Despite Traeger being slightly costlier than Pit Boss, both have their worth in the market. The wait is just for you to buy the perfect model you need and enjoy your BBQ weekend at home!
Related Topics:
