Pit Boss P Setting: What Does The Pellet Grill P Setting Do?
You want to see a return on your investment when you invest in a Pit Boss pellet barbecue. Knowing the differences between settings will help you reach your goal.
Let’s look at Pit Boss P Setting to help you get started on a rewarding and efficient journey.
About Pellet Grills:
These clever inventions transfer wood pellets from an attached hopper to the main unit. An auger component feeds the pellets into the firebox, where they are ignited to heat the grill to desired temperatures. They also produce the smoke flavor that we all love.
The grill will automatically cut off the fuel supply when it reaches the desired temperature. The auger will turn on again if the temperature drops, so the fire can continue to heat.
Minor fluctuations are normal because of the nature of the system. It could be a sign of a problem in the system if your pellet grill is experiencing greater temperature swings.
See Also:
- Using The Smoke Setting on a Pit Boss
- How To Use Pit Boss Electric Smoker or Pellet Grill?
- Pit Boss Brisket Recipe: Smoking a Beef Brisket on a Pit Boss
What is the Pit Boss P Setting, and what are its benefits?
Simply put, the “P” in the Pit Boss Grill’s P setting means “pause.” This increases the time between each pellet cycle.
What does this all mean? This means that the grill’s ambient temperature will drop if the pellet supply is reduced.
This will also mean that the firebox will produce more smoking, as the pellets already in the box will have the chance to smolder rather than ignite with a quick burst.
You will, however, be providing the firebox with steady pellets if you lower the P setting. They will ignite faster, increasing the temperature of your grill.
This feature allows you to control the temperature and humidity of your cooking environment. You can adjust for extreme temperatures, wind gusts, and humidity if you are familiar with the P setting. You can use it to compensate for wood pellets of poor quality.
See Also: Louisiana Grills Vertical Pellet Smoker Review
Recommendations for the Initial Setting
Pit Boss recommends that you start your first cooking session at 4 with the P setting. This factory default setting allows the auger to run at an 18-second interval with 115 seconds between each cycle. This will get you the temperature you want.
Pit Boss P Setting: Making the adjustments
You don’t need to worry about accidentally hitting the P set button while you cook. It can be accessed with a toothpick or a shish kabob knife skewer.
It is essential not to press too hard. Usually, you can get the job done with light pressure.
The P setting will flash when the button is pressed. After that, the displayed number will increase in value.
If it is set to default P4, it will change to P5 when you press the button. It will then reset to P0 after it reaches the highest setting of PS7.
See Also: Pit Boss Pellet Grill Reviews
How to Adjust the Pit Boss P Setting
If the Pit Boss grill has been set to the SMOKE function (at a temperature below 200 degrees Fahrenheit) and the temperature starts to fluctuate, you need to adjust the P setting.
Because the SMOKE mode is the only one that can be controlled solely by timing, the P setting was created for it. You might find it useful to set the grill to temperatures between 200 and 250 degrees. However, this setting is only for the smoking function.
What does this mean? The auger will run in manual mode if the temperature dial is set to the SMOKE position. The auger will start and feed pellets for four minutes. After that, it will switch to the chosen cycle. It will run for 18 seconds and then stop.
Adjusting the Pit Boss P Setting.
You can interfere with the auger system by changing the P setting. This vital component can be damaged by rapid increases or decreases of pellet flow. When making the switch, be careful.
You should adjust the settings one by one, and wait about 30 minutes between each adjustment. You should not move too fast or make changes too often.
The flame could go out completely and you will have to start over. This can ruin a well-planned barbecue, especially if you slow-cook Boston butt for pulled pork.
You should lower the P setting if you feel the flame is going out or the temperature drops quickly and then rises again. Please do not increase the P setting in the hope of lowering it.
For maximum smoke flavor
To extract the best wood flavor from your pellets, you can increase the P setting. This will allow you to get that smokey smoke ring on your beef brisket and pork butt. This will increase the cooking time, so please plan ahead.
When you use the P6 and P7 settings, be sure to monitor the temperature. The fire is at high risk of burning because it’s so low.
For Maximum Heat
The grill’s internal temperature can soar at low P settings. This will result in a higher pellet consumption as the auger will repeat its on/off cycle more often.
After preheating the grill to a higher temperature, switch to the SMOKE setting. The auger will continue to feed pellets for four more minutes. Do not panic if the temperature starts rising. It will settle once the grill has adjusted to the P setting.
A Temperature Dial Preset
The P setting can be used on a Pit Boss pellet barbecue with a temperature dial preset. To get the best results, heat the grill first on the SMOKE setting.
After the grill has had time to heat up, adjust the temperature dial presets. The auger will then continue running until it reaches the desired temperature.
At that point, it will start the feed cycle according to the selected P setting. The temperature of the grill should be maintained at that temperature throughout the cooking process.
Here are some more tips for temperature control
Although the P setting is an essential component of any Pit Boss pellet grill it is not the only way to control the temperature. These are just a few of the other helpful tips.
Get a Grill Blanket
Insulated grill blankets can be a wonderful invention. A well-made blanket will help protect your pellet grill from the elements and maintain constant temperatures.
A pellet grill will burn less pellets at its peak efficiency, which can help you save money over the long-term.
A Dome Thermometer is a good choice
A dome thermometer can give you a quick and accurate reading. However, the reading will only be accurate if taken at the highest point on the grill.
This means that it cannot give you any information about the progress of your meat. A meat probe (see below) is recommended for this purpose.
To get the best results, make sure to clean your dome thermometer every so often.
See Also: Soraken Wireless Meat Thermometer Review
Use the Meat Probe
To check the internal temperature of your grill, you can use a meat probe. If the accessory is not included with your unit, you can search for it on the company’s website. You can also purchase digital meat probes from Amazon.
Use Quality Pellets to Cook
Pit Boss pellets are the best for maximum results. They will last longer and burn evenly, which gives you greater control over the temperature of your grill.
Another tip: Store the pellets in an airtight container and keep them dry.
Keep the door closed.
The pellet grill will quickly lose heat if you keep closing and opening the door constantly. Be patient and resist the temptation to see visual updates about the progress of the barbecue.
You will be rewarded with quicker and more delicious results.
Check The Burn Pot
Heat can escape from the burn pot if there are cracks. If you have an older Pit Boss model, it’s crucial to monitor the condition of your burn pot. [pdf]
Make adjustments to the Smoke Cap.
Adjust the chimney cap to ensure the correct amount of airflow. The grill will not heat up to the right temperature because it isn’t receiving enough air. The temperature could also be too high if the cap is not closed tightly.
Last Thoughts
You now know how to adjust your Pit Boss P setting. This will allow you to fine-tune temperature and smoke output for the best results.
happy grilling!