It’s not uncommon for Pit Boss users to have their grill turned off during a cook. This happens occasionally, but it’s nothing to worry about. Here’s why this happens with Pit Boss grills and how you can fix it.
What Is Flame Out?
A flame out is when your smoker completely shuts down with no clear indication of why. You won’t know the cause until after it happens; by then, it will be too late.
You won’t realize it’s happening in real-time because prerequisites must occur first. For example, the temperature inside your smoker has to reach 100° Fahrenheit before the fire starts dying out slowly.
If your smoker turns off, it can ruin your meat, so keep an eye on it. Monitoring the smoker constantly will help you catch any problems early.
Why Does My Pit Boss Smoker Keep Shutting Off?
If you’ve been having trouble with your Pit Boss smoker shutting off, there are a few potential causes. It could be that you’re using low-temperature, faulty P-settings, or worn-out smoker parts.
Fortunately, we have solutions for all of these issues. With these tips in mind, you should be able to keep your Pit Boss smoker running smoothly.
1. Bad Pellet Quality
If your Pit Boss keeps shutting off, it may be because of bad pellet quality. Too big or too small pellet size or damp pellets can cause flame out. In addition, such bad pellets often produce too much smoke in your pit boss, which ruins the taste of your cooked food.
Use 100% hardwood pellets in your Pit Boss grill for the best results. The natural fuel will make the fire burn more brightly and for a longer period. Remember to dry the pellets before using them; leaving them in direct sunlight for an hour should do the trick.
For optimal moisture levels, store your pellets with humidity below 10%.
Related: Pit Boss vs Traeger
2. Clogged Dirt
Over time, dirt will slowly accumulate inside your pellet smoker. This clogged dirt can cause your pellet stove to shut off, resulting in too much smoke from the Pit Boss.
Your pellet stove will work best and last longer if you clean it regularly. You should clear the grease and ashes after each cooking session and do a deeper cleaning at least twice per season.
3. Low Temperature
Smoking at a low temperature will cause your Pit Boss smoker to shut off. When you use your smoker at a low temperature, the fire needs more fuel to generate enough heat.
As a result, if you cook for too long, your pellets will burn out quickly and shut off the whole system.
The ideal temperature to cook your food would be 80-100℃ for the perfect amount of time.
4. Faulty P-Settings
The P-setting is an important component of a Pit Boss smoker and can help alleviate temperature issues. Making small adjustments to this setting could cause your smoker to shut down while it’s in use.
The P-Setting on your smoker regulates the temperature. You should use it when smoking in cold weather, humid atmospheres, or windy climates. Increasing the auger speed with this setting allows you to get to your desired temperature more quickly.
5. System Is Too Old
Worn-out smoker parts can cause your Pit Boss to shut down while cooking.
The average lifespan of a Pit Boss smoker is 10 years. However, after that time, you may experience different issues, such as the continuous shut-off of the system.
6. Bad Outlet or Electrical Cord
Something that is often overlooked but easy to fix is your electrical outlets. If you notice your smoker shuts off every time you use the same outlet, it may be time to test and see if it needs replacing.
Check the electrical cord you’re using to ensure it isn’t damaged. Good cords will have all their ground prongs, no insulation damage, and no heat damage.
I recommend replacing the cord if you believe it to be damaged. They’re not expensive, and you’ll feel much better not having to constantly worry about whether your outdoor cord is safe.
7. Loss of Electricity
If there’s an issue with your Pit Boss smoker’s electricity connection, it will intermittently turn off and on. If the power supply is lost, the smoker will stay off.
This can be a problem with the outlet you’re using for your smoker or if the whole house has poor electrical wiring.
Begin by examining the smoker’s connection to their assigned outlet. If the power source for your smoker keeps turning on and off, the wiring may be an issue.
Fluctuating electricity typically means that there is something wrong with the wiring. If this persists, replace the entire outlet; however, we advise contacting an electrician as they can handle any potential complications best.
8. Blown Fuse
A blown fuse is the reason your Pit Boss won’t turn on. Your smoker uses a 120V, 5 AMP fuse that can usually be blamed on an unreliable electricity supply.
You can get your Pit Boss smoker back and run by replacing the fuse.
9. Hopper Design
One of the cons of Pit Boss smokers is their hopper design. The hopper is designed to leave a void after a certain amount of pellets are fed into the auger.
This means that after a certain amount of time, the auger doesn’t convey any pellets to feed the fire, and as a result, the fire burns out and shuts off the system.
Although it may seem daunting, this problem can be easily fixed. To help the pellets reach the auger, spread them out with your hands.
10. Meat Probes
Meat probes are the most likely cause if your Pit Boss smoker continues working after you remove them. Electrical discharge from the probes can cause the system to go out when plugged in.
If you’re encountering this issue, switch out the probes. A defect in the probe causes this. Your smoker is just fine.
If you keep these easy solutions for common causes in mind, you’ll be able to fix your Pit Boss smoker shut-off problem without difficulty.
Related: How To Use Pit Boss Meat Probe
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Is My Pellet Grill Not Getting Hot Enough?
If your pellet grill isn’t getting hot enough, there are a few potential causes. The most common cause is poor pellet quality. If your pellets are old or of poor quality, they may not ignite properly or produce enough heat.
Another potential cause is a build-up of sawdust in the hopper or auger tube. If too much sawdust is present, it can impede the flow of pellets and prevent them from igniting properly. Vacuuming out the hopper and auger tube can help to clear any blockages and improve performance.
Finally, make sure that all vents are open and unobstructed. If air cannot circulate properly, it can lead to temperature issues. By troubleshooting these potential causes, you should be able to identify and fix the problem.
