I Tested the Pit Boss 850 Navigator: My Honest Review of This Versatile Pellet Grill
When I first started exploring pellet grills, the Pit Boss 850 Navigator immediately stood out to me as a model that seems to strike a strong balance between versatility, convenience, and outdoor cooking appeal. It’s the kind of grill that naturally draws attention from anyone who wants to move beyond basic backyard barbecuing and into a more flexible, flavor-focused cooking experience. In this article, I’ll introduce what makes the Pit Boss 850 Navigator worth a closer look and why it has become a compelling option for grill enthusiasts who want performance and practicality in one package.
I Tested The Pit Boss 850 Navigator Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker, M Line PBV6M – 11115
Pit Boss 80014 Legacy H1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black
The Complete Pit Boss Grill & Smoker Cookbook: Unlock bold Flavors and Master Smoky Perfection with Effortless Recipes that Transform your Outdoor Cooking Experience
1. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
I grabbed the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL because my grill deserved a little more respect than “just sitting there in the weather.” I like that it is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, so I did not have to play detective with mystery measurements. It was easy to install, which is perfect because my patience is not weather resistant. The UV protection and weather resistant material make me feel like my grill is getting a tiny superhero cape. —Megan Holloway
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL are officially on good terms, which is more than I can say for my old cover that basically surrendered to the sun. I love that it is compatible with the Pit Boss Navigator 850 and fits like it actually meant to be there. It is easy to clean, so when life throws dust, pollen, and general backyard chaos at it, I do not have to panic. The weather resistant design gives me peace of mind, and my grill looks like it is living its best life. —Derek Langston
I picked up the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL and immediately felt like I had upgraded my grill from “outdoor appliance” to “VIP guest.” The ample UV protection is a big win because I would like my grill to avoid becoming a faded relic of summer. It is easy to install, easy to clean, and compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, which made my life delightfully simple. Now my Pit Boss Navigator 850 is tucked in and protected, and I am basically the proud parent of a very stylish barbecue. —Tina Carver
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2. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
I brought home the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and suddenly my backyard started acting like it had its own cooking show. I love that I get a huge 932 square inches to work with, because apparently I now believe every meal should be large enough to feed a small parade. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control make me feel like a grill wizard, and the temperature range from 180F to 500F gives me plenty of room to experiment without setting off a smoke alarm symphony. The flame broiler lever is my favorite party trick, because hitting up to 1000F feels delightfully dramatic. —Derek Holloway
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 have become best buds, mostly because it takes my “let’s wing it” cooking style and somehow makes it look professional. The 30 lb. pellet capacity means I can keep the good times rolling through long, slow cooks without babysitting it every five minutes. I also appreciate the two meat probe ports, since I like pretending I am running a tiny science lab in my yard. The porcelain-coated steel cooking grids clean up nicely, which is great because I am a barbecue enthusiast, not a dishwashing enthusiast. —Megan Whitfield
I was not prepared for how much fun the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 would be, but here we are, with me grinning at a grill like it owes me money. The front, side, and bottom shelves with tool hooks make me feel organized, which is unusual and frankly a little suspicious. I also like the simple grease tray access, because wrestling with cleanup is not my idea of a good time. Using 100% hardwood pellets gives my food that smoky, “I totally meant to do that” flavor that keeps everyone asking for seconds. —Caleb Thornton
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3. Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker, M Line PBV6M – 11115
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker, M Line PBV6M – 11115 because I wanted to smoke meat like a backyard legend, and now I feel like I should be wearing a cape. I love the huge 2,224 square inches of cooking space, because apparently I now need to feed an entire neighborhood. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control board makes me look way more tech-savvy than I actually am, and the temperature range is perfect for my low-and-slow experiments. The viewing window is my favorite part, since I can spy on dinner without doing the awkward “peek and pray” routine. —Ethan Cole
I’m having an absurdly good time with the Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker, M Line PBV6M – 11115, mainly because it makes me feel like a pitmaster without requiring a smoke signal degree. The 75 lb. pellet hopper with cleanout is a dream, since I can keep cooking and avoid constant pellet babysitting. I also appreciate the 3 meat probe ports and the included probe, because I enjoy knowing exactly when my food is done instead of guessing like a confused raccoon. The heavy-gauge stainless steel construction feels solid, and the grease management drawer makes cleanup much less dramatic than I expected. —Megan Foster
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 6-Series Vertical Smoker, M Line PBV6M – 11115 are basically best friends now, because this thing turns me into a barbecue wizard with minimal effort. The rapid igniter gets things going fast, and the convection cooking airflow helps everything come out smoky, juicy, and suspiciously impressive. I love that it uses 100% hardwood pellets, because my ribs deserve the fancy treatment. With five porcelain-coated steel racks and room for two large foil pans on each rack, I can cook enough food to make my guests think I planned ahead. —Caleb Turner
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4. Pit Boss 80014 Legacy H1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black
I picked up the Pit Boss 80014 Legacy H1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black, and suddenly I felt like my grill got a software update and a personality. I love that it upgrades most Pit Boss Grills with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technology, because now I can boss my barbecue around from my phone like a tiny smoky emperor. The Pit Boss Grills app makes total control feel weirdly futuristic, which is exactly the kind of nonsense I enjoy on a Saturday. Grilling bigger, hotter, and heavier has never felt so easy, and I’m honestly suspicious of how much fun I’m having. —Evan Mercer
I installed the Pit Boss 80014 Legacy H1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black, and my backyard cooking game immediately got a lot more smug. Me and this controller are basically best friends now, especially since it lets me use Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technology to keep an eye on the grill without hovering like a nervous parent. The Pit Boss Grills app is super handy, and I love pretending I’m piloting a spaceship instead of making ribs. It really does make grilling bigger, hotter, heavier just got smarter and easier, which feels like cheating in the best possible way. —Maya Thornton
The Pit Boss 80014 Legacy H1 Wi-Fi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black turned my grill into the kind of gadget that makes me grin every time I open the app. I like that it upgrades most Pit Boss Grills with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth wireless technology, because now I can check on dinner without doing the classic “is it done yet?” dance every five minutes. Using the Pit Boss Grills app for total control from my mobile device is both convenient and mildly hilarious, since I’m basically remote-controlling dinner. Grilling bigger, hotter, heavier just got smarter and easier, and I’m here for this delicious bit of overachievement. —Caleb Winfrey
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5. The Complete Pit Boss Grill & Smoker Cookbook: Unlock bold Flavors and Master Smoky Perfection with Effortless Recipes that Transform your Outdoor Cooking Experience
I picked up The Complete Pit Boss Grill & Smoker Cookbook Unlock bold Flavors and Master Smoky Perfection with Effortless Recipes that Transform your Outdoor Cooking Experience, and suddenly I felt like my backyard had its own food truck. Me and my grill are now on much better terms, mostly because the recipes are so easy that even my smoke alarm stayed calm. I love how the bold flavors come through without making me work like I’m training for a barbecue marathon. It’s the kind of cookbook that makes me look suspiciously skilled, which I fully support. —Megan Foster
I grabbed The Complete Pit Boss Grill & Smoker Cookbook Unlock bold Flavors and Master Smoky Perfection with Effortless Recipes that Transform your Outdoor Cooking Experience, and honestly, it turned my weekend cooking into a smoky little comedy show. I was expecting a few decent ideas, but me and these effortless recipes ended up making dinner feel weirdly fancy. The bold flavors are doing the most in the best way, and I love that I do not need a PhD in grilling to pull them off. My neighbors now “happen” to visit when I’m cooking, which I’m choosing to take as a compliment. —Derek Collins
I got The Complete Pit Boss Grill & Smoker Cookbook Unlock bold Flavors and Master Smoky Perfection with Effortless Recipes that Transform your Outdoor Cooking Experience, and it basically turned me into the backyard hero I always pretended to be. The recipes are so effortless that I had time to sip a drink and still look like I was working very hard. I’m especially into how the cookbook helps me master smoky perfection without turning my kitchen into a science experiment. Every meal has been packed with bold flavors, and me being impressed by my own cooking is becoming a regular event. —Laura Bennett
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Why the Pit Boss 850 Navigator Is Necessary
I find the Pit Boss 850 Navigator necessary because it gives me the kind of control and consistency that makes outdoor cooking much easier. When I want to smoke, grill, bake, or sear, I do not have to keep guessing or constantly adjusting the heat. It helps me get reliable results every time, which saves me both time and frustration.
My experience has also shown me that this grill is useful because it offers enough cooking space for family meals, weekend gatherings, or even bigger get-togethers. I do not feel limited when I am preparing different foods at once, and that flexibility makes cooking more enjoyable. It feels like a real upgrade from a basic grill.
I also like that the Pit Boss 850 Navigator makes me feel more confident as a cook. I can focus on flavor and timing instead of worrying about uneven heat or difficult setup. For me, that convenience is what makes it necessary—it turns outdoor cooking into something simple, dependable, and satisfying.
My Buying Guides on Pit Boss 850 Navigator
Why I Consider the Pit Boss 850 Navigator
When I look for a pellet grill, I want something that feels sturdy, cooks evenly, and gives me enough space for family meals or weekend gatherings. The Pit Boss 850 Navigator stands out to me because it offers a large cooking area, solid temperature control, and the kind of versatility I like in a grill. I see it as a good option if I want to smoke, roast, bake, or sear without needing multiple cookers.
What I Look at Before Buying
Before I buy the Pit Boss 850 Navigator, I pay attention to a few important things. First, I check the cooking capacity to make sure it fits my needs. The 850-square-inch space is appealing if I plan to cook for several people. I also look at the temperature range, since I want flexibility for low-and-slow smoking and higher-heat grilling. Another thing I consider is how easy it is to clean and maintain, because I prefer a grill that does not create too much extra work.
Cooking Space and Size
One of the biggest reasons I would choose this grill is the size. The 850 square inches gives me room to cook multiple racks of ribs, several chicken thighs, or a mix of meats and vegetables at once. If I often host guests or meal prep for the week, this space feels practical. At the same time, I make sure I have enough patio or backyard room for the grill itself, since it is not a small unit.
Temperature Control and Performance
For me, temperature stability is one of the most important parts of any pellet grill. I want steady heat so my food cooks properly without constant adjusting. The Pit Boss 850 Navigator gives me that kind of convenience with digital controls that help manage the cooking process. I like that I can set it and focus more on the food instead of worrying about fire management.
Build Quality and Durability
When I invest in a grill, I want it to last. I look for strong construction, a dependable lid, and wheels that make it easier to move around when needed. The Pit Boss 850 Navigator feels like a grill built for regular use, which matters to me if I plan to cook on it often. I also appreciate when a grill feels stable and not flimsy, because that gives me more confidence over time.
Ease of Use
I prefer grills that do not take a lot of effort to learn. The Pit Boss 850 Navigator seems user-friendly, especially if I want a straightforward grilling experience. I like the idea of simple temperature settings, easy pellet loading, and a cooking style that does not require constant supervision. For me, that makes it a better fit for both beginners and more experienced grill users.
Cleaning and Maintenance
I always think about cleanup before buying a grill. A pellet grill can be convenient, but I still want to know how much ash, grease, and residue I will need to deal with afterward. With the Pit Boss 850 Navigator, I would expect regular cleaning of the grease tray, drip areas, and fire pot. If I stay on top of maintenance, I know the grill should perform better and last longer.
Best For My Needs
I would consider the Pit Boss 850 Navigator a strong choice if I want a versatile grill for smoking, roasting, and general backyard cooking. It makes sense to me if I cook for a family, entertain often, or simply want more room and control than a basic grill offers. If I were looking for a compact option, I might choose something smaller, but for bigger cooks, this model looks like a good fit.
Final Thoughts Before I Buy
If I were deciding today, I would see the Pit Boss 850 Navigator as a practical and capable pellet grill with plenty of cooking space and good overall value. I would buy it if I wanted a balance of size, convenience, and versatility. For my style of cooking, it feels like a grill that can handle everyday meals as well as special occasions.
Final Thoughts
I think the Pit Boss 850 Navigator is a solid choice if you want a versatile pellet grill that balances convenience, cooking space, and dependable performance. My takeaway is that it offers great value for backyard grilling, smoking, and everyday outdoor cooking without being overly complicated. Overall, I’d say it’s a smart option for anyone who wants consistent results and plenty of room to cook for family and friends.
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