When the talk is about grills and smokers, Pit Boss rightfully earned its name at the top of the list. Being one of the industry's most renowned manufacturers, the company proved to be a formidable opponent.
Pit Boss’ products range from small, portable grills like the Tailgater all the way to massive, stationary grills like the Austin XL.
In this article, we’ll be shedding some light on the best Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers on the market. When we talk about our favorite pellet smokers, Pit Boss are always on the list.
You can find detailed reviews of Pit Boss smokers in our guides to pellet smokers:
Reviews of Pellet Smokers Under 300
In this guide, we're going to help you find the best pit boss pellet smoker to suit your needs, but we're going to focus on vertical pellet smokers.
Vertical pellet smokers are a great way to get a large cooking area, but maximize your back yard space, and they are becoming increasingly popular.
The 4 Best Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smokers for 2021
Here’s a shortlist of the best Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers. The models vary in terms of performance, power, and budget so that you can meet your match according to your preference.
Now we are going to dive deeper on these Pit Boss models to help you pick the best one for your needs.
Pit Boss Grills 77550
If you’re aiming at a large size, this 5 Series Pit Boss smoker may be your best bet. Bear in mind that you’ll pay a hefty amount of money, though. The smoker has nearly the same features as the 3 Series smokers, but its surface area is much larger. Additionally, the hopper size gets a lot bigger to offer you an extensive space for pellets.
The 77550 comes bearing a probe meat thermometer, specifically designed for Pit Boss smokers. That way, you don’t have to resort to one of the market’s low-quality options.
Moreover, the smoker features five cooking racks coated with porcelain. Put together; they offer nearly 1550 square inches of surface area, which is quite impressive for a smoker this size.
The hopper has a capacity of 40 pounds of pellets, so you can pack as many pellets as you’d like. You won’t use this amount in one cooking session, but it’ll save you the hassle of refilling the pellets every day. Forty pounds can keep you going for multiple days of long cooking sessions.
This beast isn’t only efficient for smoking. Its temperature range goes from 150 F to 450 F. If you wish to try a couple of roasting or braising recipes, by all means, go for it.
If it’s your first time buying a smoker, you won’t face any difficulty operating the 77550. The control panel is user-friendly and simple. All you’ll have to do is press on the starting button, adjust your temperature, and start smoking your pellets away!
Pros
- Great value for money
- Large hopper capacity
- The wide temperature ranges allow for roasting and braising recipes
- User-friendly control panel for beginners
Cons
- Some users reported issues with the temperature, which leads to the smoker shutting off
Get more information on Pit Boss Grills 77550
PIT BOSS PBV3P1
If the 77550 is too costly for your budget, you may want to consider this 3 Series pellet smoker. The PBV3P1 is one of the most affordable smokers Pit Boss makes. Despite this, it comes packing a bunch of impressive features for its price range.
For starters, The cooking chamber holds four porcelain coated grids, offering a total of 900 square inches. The grids are fully adjustable, and they come with a heat deflector and a water pan. Both items help you achieve better smoking tastes at specific temperatures.
The PBV3P1 comes with a LED readout to give you easy access to the temperature and heat settings. On top of that, the control panel is pretty easy to operate, like the one on the 77550. Monitoring your cooking will be a breeze with this smoker, even if it’s your first time using one.
One of the best features of the PBV3P1 is the temperature range. Despite the substantial price gap, it’s the same as the 77550. The 150–450 F range doesn’t only allow for smoking, but it also lets you carry out baking, roasting, and braising recipes perfectly well.
As for the hopper, it’s capable of carrying 40 pounds of pellets, which allows you multiple days of using the smoker without refilling. There’s also a side window that lets you see inside the hopper. That way, you know when it’s time to refill without having to open it.
The PBV3P1 is a bit similar to the 77550. The price gap between them is mostly for the surface area, which is close to double in the latter.
Pros
- The hopper has a side-viewing window
- Wide temperature range
- Relatively affordable
- 5-year warranty
Cons
- Some customers encountered temperature swings
Get more information on PIT BOSS PBV3P1
PIT BOSS 77435 Gas Smoker
The dashing red color isn’t the best feature in the Pit Boss 77435, although it’ll surely attract some eyes to your backyard! The sleek vertical smoker, which you may call ‘the new Boss in town,’ is an ideal choice for users who want to pay and get innovation in return. The design is far from traditional, and the gas powering is much easier to deal with than electric cables.
The 77435 is highly versatile when it comes to temperatures. It allows you to reach low temperatures, starting from 100 F and all the way to 350 F, thanks to the dual burner system. Its size is a bit small, though, so it’s only suitable for small families.
There’s a big front door on the smoker to give you visibility inside. That way, you don’t have to open it to adjust the internal temperature. You no longer need to play peek-a-boo with your food.
In addition to that, the elevated build of the 77435 makes it easier to transfer meals in and out. There’s a total of three cooking grids coated with porcelain, along with stainless steel burners. Besides, you get external access to the wood chip drawer and the grease tray.
For the price this smoker comes with, we’d say it’s quite the bargain.
The price gap between this smoker and the ones before it is alarming. It’s pretty justified, though, considering the previous options are electric, and this one is gas-powered.
Pros
- Affordable
- Compact size to save floor space
- Lightweight and easy to transport
- Versatile temperature ranges
Cons
- The small size isn’t suitable for large gatherings
Get more information on PIT BOSS 77435 Gas Smoker
PIT BOSS PB7000SP (Sportsman)
The PB7000SP is nearly the best smoker in Pit Boss' series, the Sportsman. The smoker isn’t made for the faint-hearted; it’s targeted at the real outdoorsmen. With nearly 1980 square inches of cooking space and more than 55 pounds of hooper capacity, it’s giving the competitors a run for their money.
The PB7000SP comes with six fully adjustable cooking grids, supported by top-notch stainless steel construction. The one downside to the build is the heavy size. At 142 pounds, you won’t be able to move the smoker around as much as you’d like. However, the durability makes up for it. The stainless steel can withstand harsh wind and heavy rain like a champion.
The Sportsman smoker comes with a large view window for the pellets. That way, you don’t have to use your sixth sense to know when to refill. Additionally, the four caster wheels are lockable, so you’re at no risk of the smoker running down a hill!
The 7 Series smoker comes with a dial-in traditional control that’s pretty easy to use. Besides, you receive meat probes for monitoring the meat without peeking inside the smoker. The temperature range goes from 150 F to 420 F, which is quite decent. It’s not as wide as the 77550’s, but the 30-degree difference isn’t noteworthy.
Pros
- Highly versatile for smoking, baking, roasting, and braising
- Huge surface area for cooking
- Large hopper capacity
- Lockable caster wheels
Cons
- The heavyweight doesn’t allow for transportation.
Get more information on PIT BOSS PB7000SP
How to Choose the Best Pit Boss Vertical Pellet Smoker
With so many different models on the market, it’s easy to get mixed up and make the wrong choice. People usually fall into this trap when they don’t know what features to look for.
Here’s a roundup of each feature you should consider when buying your vertical pellet smoker.
Weight & Size
Do you have enough space for a large smoker? The answer should be easy enough, and your choice should depend on it. While large smokers typically allow for more cooking, and they’re the better option for large gatherings, they won’t work if you don’t have enough space.
Gas-powered smokers, in particular, aren’t safe to operate in tight spaces. You want your smoker to have enough space to breathe, so a small space won’t suffice.
When it comes to weight, there’s some controversy around the topic. Typically, people want the lightest option available, so they can move it around when they need to. However, the good options on the market are almost always heavyweight. Why is that?
Most efficient options are made out of stainless steel, which gives them an edge over opponents. Stainless steel is highly durable, and it allows for even heat distribution and good retention, but it’s way heavier than porcelain. So, a heavyweight smoker isn’t necessarily a disadvantage.
We know you’d prefer a smoker that you can move around easily, but the heavier options are more durable. That’s partially why the
PIT BOSS PB7000SP Sportsman costs nearly three times the PIT BOSS 77435 Gas Smoker.
Temperature Range
If you’re a frequent smoker, you’ll need a device capable of high temperatures so it endures your long cooking sessions. The best range in the above options goes to the Pit Boss Grills 77550 and the PIT BOSS PBV3P1 ; both go up to 450 F.
On the other hand, if you cook slowly at low temperatures, any range would do.
Surface Area for Cooking
Will you be hosting large gatherings or simple meals with your small family? If your answer is the latter, you don't need a large surface area. A smoker with three cooking grids will do, such as the PIT BOSS 77435 Gas Smoker.
On the other hand, if you host large parties regularly, you’ll need a sufficient cooking area. The Sportsman PB7000SP fulfills this category just fine with its six cooking grids and 1980 square inches area. A small smoker will only allow you to cook in bits, and smoking takes a lot of time as it is. There’s no need to add to it by getting a small device.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some questions about Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers, these answers may clear out your confusion.
Are Pit Boss vertical smokers good?
Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers are fantastic. Pit boss has a long heritage of making high quality BBQ grills and smokers, and their vertical pellet smokers are no exception. Best of all, they come at a great price point.
Is Pit Boss as good as Traeger?
Pit Boss is better than Traeger in my opinion. While I've never used a Traeger, I have been steered away from them by almost everyone I asked this too. Traeger are also very expensive for what you are getting.
Does pit boss vertical smoker have WIFI?
Unfortunately Pit Boss vertical pellet smokers do not have Wifi. They only make Wifi thermostats for their pellet grills, which are an additional purchase.
Are vertical smokers difficult to assemble?
It depends on your smoker of choice, but no, most smokers are actually easy to assemble. All Pit Boss smokers come with instruction manuals, so you won’t have to find out anything by yourself.
The only smokers that are considered hard to assemble are the ones in need of nuts and bolts, and even these aren’t challenging. You’ll see the steps of everything in the manual.
Why are vertical smokers the better option?
Vertical smokers are easier to use than their counterparts because of their innovative design. They’re also much easier to clean, thanks to the vertical assortment of the cooking racks. On top of that, they don’t produce a lot of smoke, making them ideal for neighborhoods.
Bear in mind that vertical smokers can’t grill, though, while horizontal smokers can. In general, horizontal smokers are capable of carrying out more cooking tasks, including grilling and broiling.
It all boils down to your usage. If you don’t want the grilling option, vertical smokers are the obvious better choice.
How are vertical smokers cleaned?
Vertical smokers are a piece of cake to clean. All you have to do is wait for the temperature to go down, then start removing and cleaning the racks. They only need some soap and water, but it’s always better to check the manufacturer's recommendations.
As for the ash, you can simply pile it in the ashtray after you’re done, along with the burnt pellets.
Choosing the Best Pit Boss Pellet Smoker - Vertical Configuration
You can’t lose with Pit Boss; all chefs should bid their hats to the company for manufacturing such affordable, reliable products.
Let's take a look at these options one more time.
If you prefer having a gas-powered smoker that won’t break your bank, the PIT BOSS 77435 Gas Smoker is an ideal choice.
If you are looking for the more standard, electric models, you have the Pit Boss Grills 77550 and PIT BOSS PBV3P1 to choose from.
On the other hand, there’s the Pit Boss Sportsman PB7000SP , which is your best bet if you’re a professional smoker.
While the size, temperature, and weight will dictate your choice, all Pit Boss smokers are equally reliable and efficient, and you can't go wrong with any model on this list.
Last update on 2022-08-03 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
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