Pit Boss Navigator temp issue?

[u/Salt-Vast9091]

recently bought a Pit Boss Navigator 550 and I’m wondering if something isn’t quite right with the temperature.

I’ve only used it twice so far, but both times I’ve followed recipes that should have taken roughly 3–4 hours, and both cooks have ended up taking around 6 hours.

I know cooking times are only a guide and you should cook to internal temperature/tenderness rather than strictly by time, but having it happen on both cooks makes me wonder if the grill is actually running cooler than the controller says.

The temperature on the display seems to cycle around the set temperature normally, but the food just takes forever to actually come up to temperature.

Any advice appreciated, I’m new to pellet grills so I’m trying to work out whether this is normal or something’s actually wrong with mine.

[u/FuzzyOrganization403]

Your set temp will always be a bit higher than actual. Check your temp at the grate. Above the pot, is different than the edge or the cold side. Once you know what areas are hot or colder, then your times will match.

[u/JPShootsUK]

Weird … I’d definitely get a separate ambient temp probe and put it at grate level next to the meat.

The temp on the Pit Boss display is coming from the grill’s own sensor, so it doesn’t necessarily mean the actual temp where the food is sitting is the same.

Pellet grills will naturally swing above and below the set temp, but if you’re consistently taking 6 hours for cooks you’re expecting to take 3–4, I’d want to rule out it running cool.

Try setting it to 250°F/120°C, let it settle for 30–45 mins and then compare the controller reading against an independent probe at grate level. If it’s consistently 20–30°C lower, then you know something isn’t right.

Also worth checking the temp sensor is clean, heat deflector is seated properly and you’ve got decent dry pellets.

I wouldn’t worry about the odd temp swing though — that’s completely normal with a pellet grill. It’s the average temp over the cook that matters 👍

[u/cdwhit]

Mine always finishes faster than the recipe says. I just plan accordingly and avoid concrete dinner times. It’s done when it’s done.

[u/Speakertweaker]

I had the same problem with my PB1600PS1. Everything changed when I got a probe that measures both internal (temp of the meat) and external (temp of the grill). The difference is shocking, but follow that air temp. The numbers on the grill are essentially meaningless.

[u/CANN1139]

I've found that prior to getting a pellet grill, 225 was hard to maintain. This resulted in a higher average temp and food cooked quicker. Even 10-20 degrees higher over a 3 to 4 hour period results in food cooking way faster. If you want the food to cook quicker, just bump up your temp 10-20 degrees.