Pellet grills are one of the best options for outdoor cooking. They use wood pellets as fuel and are ideal for baking, smoking and grilling. Today, Pit Boss and Traeger are two of the most popular brands that produce a wide variety of pellet grills. 

The problem is that most people find it difficult to choose between the two. A lot of those that buy one end up slamming the other. This makes it hard to find an objective opinion. This guide will highlight the differences between the two brands to help you decide which one is better. 

Pit Boss Description

Pit Boss was among the first brands to compete with Traeger. It’s based in Alberta and is owned by its parent company, Dansons, Inc. The brand positions itself as a provider of affordable and cost-friendly pellet grills. 

These options are sold under different model names. A lot of them look almost identical and only vary slightly when it comes to their features. For example, the Pit Boss 700SC offers a cabinet and side table while the 700S only comes with a side table. The 700FB offers none of these. 

What you’ll get across the board is plenty of cooking space and maximum capability. This allows you to cook whatever you want on a Pit Boss pellet grill. Unlike some manufacturers, Pit Boss does not limit buyers to the type and brand of pellets they should use. Owners can try different types to improve taste and get maximum satisfaction from their grills. 

Pit Boss is also perfect for those buying or owning a pellet grill for the first time. They offer a lot of power and functionality. Newer models feature digital controls for adjusting temperature and choosing the type of cooking they’d like. 

All of these features are offered at a lower price when compared to Traeger grills. But this does not mean that they offer less than their rivals and neither do they have subpar performance or cheap construction.  

In fact, it’s easy to find a Pit Boss grill that is about the same size as that from Traeger but costs about $100 less. Some options also come with more features. 

Strong Sides

1. Excellent value for money
2. More affordable
3. Easy to use and clean
4. Provides a wide temperature range
5. Comes with enough cooking space

Weak Sides

1. Short warranty
2. Varied temperatures that do not stay constant

Traeger Description

Traeger is arguably the largest manufacturer of pellet grills in America. It accumulates more than $300 million worth of sales every year. The company also has a rich history when it comes to producing grills. 

The first Traeger grill was manufactured by Joe Traeger in 1985. For almost 20 years, the company enjoyed a total monopoly in the market. Today, it remains to be a major player in the industry. 

The company produces four lineups of pellet grills. These include:

1. Traeger Pro series – The most popular brand which is available in two sizes and comes with Wi-Fi connectivity. 
2. Traeger Ironwood Series – This lineup builds on the Pro Series and features larger sizes and plenty of new features such as TRU convection, Super Smoke mode, and DownDraft Exhaust. 
3. Traeger Timberline Series – This is the most expensive and largest series of pellet grills. It incorporates all features found in the Ironwood series. Its pellet sensing technology allows you to check on your pellet levels via an app. 
4. Traeger Tailgater – This is the portable model of pellet grills from Traeger. It comes with less features and is only 300 sq. inches in size. 

Most of the Traeger pellet grills use electric heating to produce heat for cooking. They are also sturdy enough for tough heating. Most are designed well and have an aesthetic appeal that can be compared to very few pellet grills on the market. 

Where Traeger falls short is in its requirement for users to only use the official Traeger pellets. These cost about $19 for a bag. Unlike Pit Boss, you cannot experiment using pellets from other brands. Some users have reported bad things happening after doing so. 

Nevertheless, Traeger grills are easy to use, durable and reliable. You can use them to cook, roast, boil or bake your favorite foods. 

Strong Sides

1. Consistent temperature – You can easily achieve consistent temperatures on a Traeger grill by simply dialing in a specific temperature that you’d like the grill to produce. 
2. Great flavor from the wood pellets – Traeger wood pellets produce some of the best flavors available on the market today. Their wide range also ensures that you get something that appeals uniquely to your taste buds. 
3. Less poking and adjusting – With Traeger, you do not need to poke and adjust the wood while cooking. You can simply configure your grill the way you want and come back later when your food is ready. 

Weak Sides

1. Specific wood pellets – You need to buy Traeger pellets in order to use a Traeger pellet grill. Unfortunately, you cannot experiment with cheaper options from other brands. 
2. No high heat cooking – Most Traeger grills top at 500 degrees. While this is enough for most cooking, it may not be adequate for blazing hot grills. 
3. Electric heating means that you need to have the grill plugged in in order to use it. If you’re far from the outlet, you may have to buy an extension cord.

Overview and Conclusion

When it comes to Pit Boss vs Traeger, Pit Boss wins in this comparison. This is because it offers better value for money. Buyers get additional features and the same functionality at way less. It’s also the better brand for those that are on a budget.

When it comes to Traeger, it offers a wide array of models that are a bit more sophisticated than those from Pit Boss.  If you don’t mind spending more for powerful steel construction and also on pellets, Traeger may be a great option.