Pit Boss Navigator Series Pellet Grill Review

Overview

The Pit Boss Navigator Series represents the company’s mid-to-high tier pellet grill offering, designed to deliver versatile cooking capabilities at a value-conscious price point. This series has positioned itself as a compelling alternative to higher-priced competitors while maintaining features that serious grillers demand.

Key Specifications

• Total Cooking Area: Varies from 879 sq. in. to 1593 sq. in.
• Hopper Capacity: 30 pounds
• Temperature Range: 180°F to 500°F
• Weight: Approximately 193 pounds
• Dimensions: 53″ W × 27″ D × 57″ H
• Construction: Heavy-gauge steel with porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates
• Fuel Type: Wood pellets
• Power Source: Standard 120V electrical outlet
• Controller Type: PID digital control board with meat probes
• Warranty: 5-year limited warranty

Build Quality and Design

The Navigator Series presents a robust, industrial appearance that communicates durability rather than premium aesthetics. The steel construction provides excellent heat retention and promises years of service, though the finish lacks some of the refinement found in more expensive grills.

The porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates strike a good balance between heat retention and food release properties. The multi-tiered cooking system maximizes space efficiency and creates distinct temperature zones for simultaneous cooking of different foods.

Cooking Technology

Pellet Management System

The Navigator’s 30-pound hopper capacity stands out in this price range, offering extended cooking sessions without refilling—particularly valuable for longer smoking sessions. The auger system delivers pellets reliably in most conditions, though it lacks the variable-speed precision found in premium models.

A distinctive feature is the quick-release hopper cleanout door, which allows for convenient pellet changes when switching wood flavors. This practical addition demonstrates thoughtful engineering for real-world use.

Temperature Control

The PID (Proportional-Integral-Derivative) controller represents a significant upgrade from standard time-based controllers. This technology continuously calculates the optimal pellet feed rate based on temperature feedback, resulting in improved temperature stability within approximately ±10°F of the target.

The stated temperature range of 180°F-500°F accommodates everything from low-and-slow smoking to higher-temperature grilling, though it falls short of the extreme heat needed for steakhouse-quality searing.

Cooking Performance

The Navigator Series delivers consistent results across various cooking styles:

Smoking Capability

Low-temperature smoking is where the Navigator truly excels. The combination of good insulation, effective smoke circulation, and reliable temperature control creates ideal conditions for traditional barbecue cuts. Pork shoulders and ribs develop excellent bark and smoke penetration with minimal supervision required.

Grilling Performance

At higher temperatures (400°F+), the Navigator performs adequately for direct grilling, producing acceptable caramelization on burgers and chicken. However, the indirect heating nature of pellet grills means searing performance inevitably lags behind dedicated gas or charcoal grills. The optional slide-plate flame broiler partially addresses this limitation by allowing direct flame access, which is a nice touch for a pellet grill

Versatility

The Navigator’s temperature range and spacious cooking area make it remarkably versatile. Beyond traditional smoking and grilling, it handles baking tasks impressively—turning out everything from crisp-bottomed pizzas to evenly browned dinner rolls. This multi-functionality helps justify the investment for many buyers.

User Experience

Control Interface

The digital control panel features an LCD display that clearly presents temperature settings and probe readings. While not as visually sophisticated as touchscreen interfaces found on premium models, the simple dial and button controls prove intuitive and reliable in various weather conditions.

The inclusion of multiple meat probe ports allows simultaneous monitoring of different foods—a thoughtful feature for complex meals. Temperature readings have proven reasonably accurate when verified against independent thermometers.

Connectivity

Select Navigator models include Bluetooth connectivity, allowing basic remote monitoring and control through Pit Boss’s smartphone app. While functional, the app experience and connection stability fall somewhat short of competitors’ offerings. The connection range typically extends 30-50 feet, sufficient for monitoring from inside nearby homes but not for longer distances.

Maintenance and Cleaning

Pit Boss has incorporated several features to simplify maintenance:

• The sliding burn pot clean-out mechanism reduces the frequency of complete shutdowns for cleaning
• A large capacity grease bucket is positioned for easy access
• The porcelain-coated grates resist food build-up and clean relatively easily

However, like all pellet grills, regular maintenance remains necessary. The fire pot requires cleaning every 3-5 cooks to prevent ash accumulation that can affect ignition and temperature performance. The chimney and interior surfaces need periodic attention to prevent creosote buildup.

Fuel Efficiency

The Navigator demonstrates respectable pellet efficiency, using approximately:

• 1-2 pounds per hour at smoking temperatures (225°F)
• 2.5-3.5 pounds per hour at grilling temperatures (400°F+)

These consumption rates are comparable to most pellet grills in this class, though slightly less efficient than premium insulated models during cold weather operation.

Value Proposition

With a typical price range of $699-$1,099 (depending on specific model and retailer promotions), the Navigator Series presents a compelling value proposition. It delivers approximately 80% of the cooking performance of grills costing twice as much, making it particularly attractive for enthusiastic home cooks who want pellet grill versatility without premium-tier investment.

The 5-year warranty exceeds industry standards at this price point, reflecting Pit Boss’s confidence in the product’s durability and providing buyers with additional purchase security.

Summary

The Pit Boss Navigator Series strikes an effective balance between affordability and performance in the competitive pellet grill market. While lacking some refinements of premium-priced competitors, it delivers consistently good results across various cooking styles and offers impressive durability.

Key Strengths:

• Exceptional value for feature set and build quality
• Generous cooking capacity and hopper size
• Reliable PID temperature control
• Versatile cooking capabilities
• Strong warranty coverage

Considerations:

• Limited searing capability compared to dedicated grills
• Basic connectivity features with limited range
• Heavier construction makes movement challenging
• Less refined fit and finish than premium competitors

For buyers seeking pellet grill versatility without premium pricing, the Navigator Series delivers impressive overall performance and durability, making it an excellent option for barbecue enthusiasts on a moderate budget who prioritize cooking results over premium features. If you’re interested in how Pit Boss compares to Traeger check out our comparison here.