• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Mad Backyard

menu icon
go to homepage
  • BBQ
  • Lawn
  • Patio
  • About
  • Shop
  • Pool
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • BBQ
    • Lawn
    • Patio
    • About
    • Shop
    • Pool
    • Facebook
    • Pinterest
    • TikTok
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Pit Boss Guides

    Published: Nov 30, 2023 · Modified: May 21, 2024 by Mads Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill: Step-by-Step

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Learn how to start a Pit Boss pellet grill the RIGHT way, whether it is new, empty, or full of pellets, as each scenario requires its own procedure.

    Let's go!

    Starting up a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    Jump to:
    • How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill for the First Time
    • Video
    • How to Start a Pit Boss that Already has Pellets in it
    • How to Safely Turn Off a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill for the First Time

    Starting up an empty Pit Boss pellet grill is slightly different than starting up one that is already full of pellets.

    If your Pit Boss pellet grill is truly BRAND new, you should go through the full process of seasoning it before cooking on it for the first time.

    You can also find our Step-by-Step Instructions on How to Season a New Pit Boss Pellet Grill here.

    Otherwise follow these steps as follows:

    1. Fill your hopper with pellets.
    2. Plug in and start up the pellet grill, keeping the lid open.  Set the temperature dial to "Smoke" and press the "Power" button.powering on a pit boss pellet grill
    3. Since there are no pellets in the auger or firepot yet you need to now hold the "Prime" button until you hear pellets begin to drop into the firepot.pushing the prime button on a pit boss pellet grill
    4. The "Prime" feature on a Pit Boss pellet grill speeds up the auger so that pellets fill it quickly and get to your fire pot before the pellet grill "times out" from a lack of pellets coming into the fire pot.pellets falling into ash pot
    5. Once pellets are in the firepot, stop holding the "Prime" button and wait about 5-7 minutes with the lid open for a torchy burner lighting sound. This means the fire rod has come up to temperature and has ignited the pellets.  At this point, a more significant amount of smoke will begin coming out of the pellet grill.  This means the pellets are ignited and the pellet grill is working.  Now you can close the lid.the direct heat flame on a pit boss pellet grill
    6. Close the lid and change temperature setting to about 350°F.
    7. This will take about 10-15 minutes to preheat the grill.
    8. Using a good bristle free grill brush, clean off the grill grates.
    9. Now adjust the temperature to where you need it to cook your food.

    Video

    Rather Watch than READ?

    Check out our Video on How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill on our YouTube Channel!

    How to Start a Pit Boss that Already has Pellets in it

    Preparing the Grill

    • Clean out your fire pot from any leftover ashes from the previous cook.  Make sure there are no obstructions in it.
    • Leave the lid of the grill open.
    • Add pellets to the hopper.

    Note: It is always best to empty the hopper and the auger each time you use your Pit Boss pellet grill rather than leaving the pellets to sit in there.

    Pellets will not last very long if left in the hopper where, even when covered will be exposed to humidity and temperature fluctuations.

    Keep your pellets in an airtight resealable container where they will remain dry and fresh.

    You will get better quality smoke out of them and they will last a lot longer.

    Start Up

    • Plug in the grill
    • Make sure the temperature dial is set to the "Smoke" position and press "Power" on the control panel.
    • You will hear the fan kick on and the auger start to move.
    • Leave the lid open for about 5-7 minutes until you hear the firepot ignite.  This will sound kind of like a torch lighting or a gas burner igniting.
    • Close the lid and change temperature setting to about 350°F.
    • This will take about 10-15 minutes to preheat the grill.
    • Using a good bristle free grill brush, clean off the grill grates.
    • Now adjust the temperature to where you need it to cook your food.

    HAVING ISSUES WITH UNEVEN COOKING TEMPERATURES ACROSS YOUR PIT BOSS? Check out our article (and video) How to Fix the Most Common Pit Boss Temperature Issues.

    How to Safely Turn Off a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    After you have finished cooking your food, turn off the pellet grill using the power button.

    Leave it plugged in as the fan needs to continue spinning to burn off the remaining pellets in the firepot.

    This is NORMAL.

    Do not unplug the pellet grill or this process cannot happen. The fan will turn off automatically when it is done.

    If you unplug the pellet grill the lit pellets will sit and smolder for a LONG time (kind of like lit charcoal) and leave you with a big pile of ash rather than quickly burning up and leaving you with a nice clean fire pot for your next cook.

    Once the remaining pellets have burned off, the fan has stopped, and the grill is cool again, empty the remaining pellets left in the auger and the hopper and put them in a nice dry resealable bucket you keep inside.

    Yes, we know how tempting it is to just throw the cover back on and leave the unused pellets in the Pit Boss.

    However, you will quickly find out how poorly thos pellets absorb moisture and can expand, rot, and even mold if left in there too long.

    Pellets do not last forever, but will definitely last a LOT longer if stored indoors in a quality airtight container.

    pouring pellets in a bucket

    We have a bucket for each type of pellet to keep them organized.

    4 Oklahoma Joe's pellet buckets
    Oklahoma Joe's Pellet Bucket Kit, Black
    • Store up to 20 pounds of hardwood pellets in the heavy-duty plastic pellet bucket.
    • Weatherproof, airtight lid protects pellets from the elements, keeping them fresh and dry
    • Wire-mesh filter separates wood dust from the pellets for a clean burn
    • Heavy-duty plastic scoop to easily transfer pellets
    Check Price on Amazon


    Starting up a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    Mads Martigan
    Learn step by step exactly How to Start a Pit Boss pellet grill for the first time and how to prime the auger to avoid it timing out.
    No ratings yet
    PRINT PIN SHARE SAVE Saved Recipe
    Prep Time 10 minutes mins
    Startup Time 10 minutes mins
    Total Time 20 minutes mins

    Equipment

    • Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 Bag of Wood Pellets
    • Electrical Outlet (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Fill the hopper with wood pellets.
      a hopper filled with pellets
    • Empty out the ash pot if there is any ash in it from previous cooks.
      a dirty ash pot
    • Plug in and press the power button until the Pit Boss turns on, keeping the lid open.
      powering on a pit boss pellet grill
    • Hold the “Prime” button until you hear pellets begin to drop into the firepot. This may take up to 5 minutes if the auger is empty when you start.
      pushing the prime button on a pit boss pellet grill
    • Once pellets are in the firepot, stop holding the “Prime” button and wait about 5-7 minutes continuing with the lid open for a torchy burner lighting sound. Thsi means the pellets are igniting.
      pellets falling into fire pot
    • Close the lid and turn the heat up to 350 degress to preheat the Pit Boss before cooking.
      setting a pit boss pellet grill to 400 degrees
    • Once the Pit Boss has gotten up to 350 degrees to preheat, you can change the temperature to your desired cooking temperature.
      the white start up smoke on a pit boss
    • After 20-30 minutes, turn off the pellet grill.  Leave it plugged in as the fan needs to continue spinning to burn off the remaining pellets in the firepot. This is NORMAL.  Do not unplug the pellet grill or this process cannot happen. The fan will turn off automatically when it is done.
      shutting down a pit boss pellet grill

    Video

    Keyword how to fill emtpy pellet grill, how to start a new pit boss, how to start an empty pit boss, how to start empty pellet grill, new grills, pellet grill, Pit Boss, Prime a Pit Boss, prime auger, Prime Button, start a new pit boss, starting a pit boss, starting pellet grill
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Pit Boss How-to Guides

    • Mad's gloved hands installing the top rack into the Pit Boss Pellet Grill Pro Series 1150
      How to Install and Remove the Top Rack of a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • firebox filled with wood in an aluminum foil loaf pan
      How to Get More Smoke Flavor on a Pellet Grill using Real Wood
    • a blow torch lighting pellets in a pellet tube
      How to Light a Pellet Tube for More Smoke Flavor
    • two grates of a pit boss pellet grill: one on the left is before cleaning and one on the right is after cleaning
      How to Easily Clean the Grates on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    About Mads Martigan

    Mads is the founder of Madbackyard.com and has been a BBQ and Grilling enthusiast for the past 15 years. He loves to write about and make videos on smoking and barbecuing all kinds of great food.

    Primary Sidebar

    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

    More about me →

    Trending Recipes

    • pork shoulder on the grates of a pit boss pellet grill with a probe thermometer inserted in the meat
      Pulled Pork on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • slices of smoked beef brisket on a cutting board
      Smoked Beef Brisket on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • baby back ribs on the grates of a pit boss pellet grill
      Baby Back Ribs on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • boston butt on the shelf of a masterbuilt electric smoker with a water pan beneath
      Smoked Boston Butt in a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker

    AFFILIATE DISCLAIMER

    Thanks for visiting Madbackyard.com!  As outdoor living enthusiasts, we love to mention and link to various products we have used or researched.  Assume those links are affiliate links which means we may earn a small commission if you click and buy.  As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Seasonal Recipes

    • slices of smoked corned beef brisket on a wooden cutting board
      Smoked Corned Beef Brisket
    • smoked cabbage cut open on a cutting board
      Smoked Cabbage
    • Double smoked ham with a cherry glaze on a cutting board to show the slices of ham
      Pit Boss Smoked Ham with Cherry Fig Glaze
    • sliced leg of lamb roast on a white plate
      Smoked Leg of Lamb on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    For great baking recipes, visit our partner site You're Gonna Bake It After All.

    About

    • About Us
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer
    • Terms and Conditions

    More

    • Newsletter Sign Up
    • Shop our Store

    Contact

    • Contact Us

    As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2020-2025 Mad Backyard

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required