If you have a Pit Boss pellet grill, there is no need to tell you how great this thing is in your household! This type of grill is just perfect for outdoor cooking applications of all sorts.
Everyone loves it for the superb wood flavor that this grill gives to the foods being cooked on it, as well as for its versatility. This pellet grill can be used for nearly anything from quick grilling to all-day affairs, such as smoking a whole brisket!
However, if you tend to grill often enough, you might one day realise that you sometimes need to correct certain mechanical issues that this appliance might have. Especially if you suddenly notice that your Pit Boss pellet grill keeps shutting off.
If you have never had to deal with any issues of that kind, you might feel a bit frustrated and lost regarding what to do and how to fix your unit.
This is why we decided to help you guys out and share a brief yet informative trouble-shooting guide with you today. So from this article, you are going to learn about the most common problems and issues that may come into your way when you are using a Pit Boss pellet grill. In addition, we will explain how each of these problems is supposed to be solved.
Finally, we will tell you how to maintain this handy device so that you could always enjoy your grilled foods alone or with your family and friends.
Pit Boss Smoker Temperature Problems
You might not be aware of this, but due to the fact that pellet grills make use of electricity to power the auger, they are usually prone to more issues than charcoal or gas-fired units.
So if your grilling unit is not too old, but you have already noticed certain flaws in its work, or if your Pit Boss grill has problems with temperature, we recommend you check it for any issues.
The sooner you spot the problem, the easier and faster it will be solved, maybe, even without the help of a professional.
So below we will take a look at some of the most prevalent problems that your Pit Boss grill may experience, from Pit Boss temperature problems to smoke discoloration.
With all this in mind, you will be able to diagnose the issue early and prevent the upcoming collapse quickly and effectively with minimal effort.
ErH
This is one of the most common and frequently experienced Pit Boss grill temperature problems. If you see such a message, it indicates that there is an issue with the heat and temperature control of the pellet grill.
When you see these letters, it could mean one of two things: either the grill is overheating, or the temperature probe wire isn’t properly connected.
As for the overheating, it may be caused by excess fuel. To resolve this issue, just turn the grill off and clear the pellets from the firebox. Also, make sure that your grill has had enough time to cool down before you try to remove the pellets.
While you are at it, clean the rest of the interior of the unit and check it in order to ensure that all the components are placed correctly.
You might also see the ErH message because of a grease fire in the cooking chamber.
Again, if this happens, switch the grill off immediately and wait until the flames go out. You may need to bring them down with baking soda or kosher salt, however, if they do not extinguish on their own.
Related: How to Clean Cast-Iron Grill
ErP
This message has a simpler cause. It simply means that the temperature dial was still switched on when the grill connected to AC power. It is a basic safety feature that keeps the pellet grill from starting by accident.
So in order to get rid of the ErP symbol, turn the temperature dial to the OFF position. Wait for two minutes, then set the dial to the temperature you need to cook.
Related: How to Keep a Charcoal Grill Lit?
Why Is My Pit Boss Temperature Blinking?
If you see that your Pit Boss temperature is blinking, you have one of the most common Pit Boss temperature problems. However, there is no need to worry!
When the numbers on the LCD screen are flashing, it usually indicates that the ambient temperature inside of the grill unit has dipped too low.
If your grill is in “smoke” mode, it means that the temperature has gone below 110 degrees Fahrenheit. As for the “cook” mode, the numbers will be flashing in case the heat is below 150 degrees.
Fortunately, this is not a serious problem! It is actually a feature that can be beneficial for the chef since it is drawing your attention to the fact that your fire might be going out. When something like this happens, look inside the hopper and replenish the pellet supply, if necessary.
You should also check for any blockages. Next, remove any ash buildup from the pot or the burn grate.
Check the fan as well, and the auger motor, too, in order to make sure they are both operating at the correct speed.
If these two are moving too slowly, the fire is not receiving the fuel it needs.
Related: How to Clean a Flat Top Grill?
Flashing Dots
If you notice flashing dots, this is another frequent Pit Boss smoker problem. However, just like all the other issues that we have mentioned above already, this one can hardly be considered really bad or serious!
When you see flashing dots on the LCD screen of the frilling unit, it usually means that the grill igniter is on.
As Pit Boss pellet grill problems go, this is a good one to have, it simply indicates that the unit is working properly.
Why Do I See a Blank LCD Screen?
This is probably one of the scariest Pit Boss grill problems that the owners of the unit might have! Seeing a blank screen is definitely not something you would like to experience. However, this does not mean that something bad happened. There are in fact several different causes for this to happen.
First of all, it could be because the pellet grill just is not plugged in. You would be very surprised at how often this happens! People are so excited about getting their grill fired up that they forget to take this simple first step!
Sounds funny and ridiculous, but this is how it is. So always make sure the plug is properly secured to a working outlet before you do anything else.
However, if the grill is plugged in but the screen still remains blank, it could indicate that the circuit board fuse has been tripped and needs to be replaced. Check your user’s manual for instructions. There should be a diagram that provides you with a visual aid needed exactly in this situation.
Finally, a blank screen could also mean that the GFI (also known as the GFCI, or Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter) has been tripped. In case you don’t know, the GFI outlet is designed to protect you against electrical shock when plugging in a device.
So if this is the problem, you should check all your wire connections to make sure that they are fully secure. The wires should also be completely dry, so keep that in mind, too.
In addition, we would recommend you take a look at the minimum amperage for your GFI service. It needs to be at least fifteen amps in order to power the Pit Boss pellet grill.
And last but not least, remember to check your extension cord. For pellet grills like yours, you should never use a cord that measures more than twenty five feet in length. If it is longer, the grill could be receiving insufficient voltage.
Long cords also pose a fire hazard, so switch yours out for a shorter model if you haven’t already done so.
My Grill Won’t Start
What if your pellet grill unit just won’t start at all? This could be a rather frustrating issue, we know that, and it could be caused by any of the grill components. Again, make sure the unit is plugged in and that the outlet has power.
Next, unplug the grill and everything else on the GFI circuit. Plug the grill back in and see if the GFI trips again. If it does, then you should contact customer service to explain the problem.
If not, then another appliance on the circuit may have caused the GFI to trip.
Keep plugging these in one by one to see if any of them trips the outlet. And always remember that a GFI might also trip due to an anomaly in the electrical system itself, so your grill might not be at fault. Should the GFI fail to reset, take a look at the circuit breakers.
The system will not reset without sufficient power! Next, move the temperature dial to the OFF position, then switch it to the “smoke” function. The LCD screen should light up, indicating that all is well.
If this does not work, remove the cooking grates and grease tray so you can take a good look at the igniter. If still nothing happens when you turn the unit on, replace the 5 amp fuse on the back of the control panel. In case the igniter continue to fail, you will need to contact customer service for a replacement part.
While the grates and grease tray are out of the way, we would also suggest you check the auger. If it is not feeding pellets into the firebox, then this is the part that needs to be replaced.
Once all the other probable causes have been ruled out, it is most likely that the control panel is at fault. In this case, you will have to get in touch with Pit Boss and explain the situation so that they can help you with a replacement.
Temperature Is Too High At Smoke Level
When the grill is too hot during the “smoke” function, it means that the P level is set too low.
Make sure the temperature dial is set to “smoke”, then push the P setting button to boost the level.
My Grill Is Not Heating to Set Temperature
What if the issue you face is about the fact that your grilling unit simply can’t heat to the temperature you have set for it? What could be the reason for that? Is it because you are doing anything wrong?
Well, Pit Boss temperature problems typically appear because the burn pot is not getting enough oxygen for achieving or maintaining the desired temperature levels.
To fix this issue, check the burn pot, the air intake, and the fan to make sure there are no obstructions. Of course, if the burn pot has holes or severe corrosion, it needs to be replaced.
You should also ensure that the fan is in a good working state. We would recommend you be ready that you might need to remove the cooking grates and grease tray for this, by the way!
As an alternative solution, the pellets themselves could be causing the issue.
To check whether this is the issue, look inside the hopper and add more pellets, if necessary. Replace them if they are damp to the touch or if they have visibly deteriorated in any way. You can also check the temperature probe and wipe it thoroughly with a damp clean cloth.
Finally, another thing that you can do is to take a look at the P setting to ensure that it is set to the level you want. The “P” means “pause” here so as you adjust the setting, you are controlling the amount of pause time between cycles.
When you increase the P setting, you are decreasing the pellet supply. It results in more smoke and a lower grill temperature. Conversely, bringing down the setting will give you less smoke and a hotter fire.
Temperature Fluctuations Take Place
If you face such an issue when temperature fluctuates up and down all the time, be aware that this can be caused by basically anything from ambient weather conditions when it is too hot or too cold outside, to a dirty temperature probe!
To fix this flaw, we recommend you keep the grilling unit away from the direct sunlight, as well as avoid grilling on windy rainy days.
But if you prefer grilling all year round, then consider buying a special grill blanket to provide the unit with the extra insulation and protection. In addition, remember to clean the probes, cooking grates, and dome thermometer regularly!
However, there might be another reason for those temperature fluctuations.
If they take place irregularly, this may happen because you are burning wood instead of pellets. So if this is the reason, keep an eye on the grill thermometer when you see that the temperature is unstable. Anyway, it will most likely become leveled pretty soon.
Smoke Signals
Smoke can also show you that there is something wrong with the grill. For example, if you see that the smoke has a yellow or greenish hue, or if the grill is producing a great deal of smoke, there is probably too much greasy buildup inside the cooking chamber.
You can deal with the problem by thoroughly cleaning the cooking grates and the inside of the lid after each use, especially if you prepared greasy foods like burgers or chicken thighs.
However, it is also a good idea to inspect the hopper just in case, as well as the burn pot for any malfunctions. And while you are checking the hopper, be sure to discard any wet pellets and replace them with a fresh dry batch.
Flare-Ups
Flare-ups come as another widespread issue with the pellet grills, and they are both annoying and potentially dangerous. Especially if they have a chance to escalate into a full-blown grease fire!
This is why, in order to avoid this scenario, keep the temperature at or below 350 degrees Fahrenheit when you are cooking foods that contain a lot of grease on your grill.
Well, now you are informed about all the most frequent problems and issues that one may have with the pellet grill unit.
And since you know what causes those issues and how to deal with them, we are sure that grilling will only be a great pleasure for you from now on!
The Best Way to Clean Your Pellet Grill
Even though you are now informed about the most common flaws in a pellet grill work, it is still necessary to maintain the unit properly. This way, you will extend its lifespan and prolong its service term.
In addition, a properly cleaned grill will be working much better and grill your foods more effectively and thoroughly!
Fortunately, we know a very simple and efficient way of cleaning your Pit Boss like a pro! It will take you only a few easy steps.
- Clean the lid using a putty knife and a nylon scrubber to deal with the buildup.
- Empty the unit out removing the grates, drip pan, and the deflector plate.
- With a putty knife and scrubber, rub them down and get the gunk off.
- Scrape the insides of the barrel and clean the chimney.
- Clean the grates either in a dishwasher or manually with a nylon scrubber.
- Clean the thermometer and the grease chute.
- Vacuum all the gunk out.
- Clean the exterior to get your smoker sparkling clean.
- And reassemble it back again.
Like this, your grill will be working even better than before!
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