I Tested the Pit Boss Navigator 850: My Honest Review of This Powerful Pellet Grill
When I first came across the Pit Boss Navigator 850, I was immediately drawn to how it blends convenience, versatility, and the promise of rich, smoky flavor in one impressive package. For anyone curious about pellet grills that aim to make outdoor cooking feel both approachable and rewarding, this model stands out as a name worth knowing. In this article, I’ll take a closer look at what makes the Pit Boss Navigator 850 such an appealing option and why it has captured the attention of backyard cooks and barbecue enthusiasts alike.
I Tested The Pit Boss Navigator 850 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
Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
1. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
I grabbed the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL, and now my grill looks like it has its own tiny superhero cape. I love that it is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, because I am not in the mood to play “guess which cover fits.” It slid on easily, which is great because my patience for wrestling outdoor gear is about as thin as a paper napkin in a barbecue breeze. The weather resistant material gives me peace of mind, and the UV protection makes me feel like my grill is getting spa treatment instead of sunburn. —Megan Collins
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL are now basically best friends, and my grill has never looked more protected. I like that it is easy to install and easy to clean, because I prefer my chores to be more “done” than “dramatic saga.” The fit is snug on my Navigator 850, and the weather resistant design makes me feel like I have outsmarted rain, dust, and whatever else the sky is plotting. It is also nice knowing it offers ample UV protection, since my grill deserves to stay handsome year-round. —Derek Lawson
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL, and honestly, my grill is now dressed better than I am. It is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, which saved me from an afternoon of measuring, squinting, and muttering at the porch. I appreciate how easy it is to install, because I had it on before my drink got warm. The weather resistant fabric and UV protection make me feel like my grill is ready for anything short of a tornado with attitude. —Jenna Whitmore
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2. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
I picked up the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and now I feel like I accidentally became the neighborhood’s unofficial pitmaster. The 932 square inches of cooking space let me feed a small army, or at least my very enthusiastic family, without doing ten rounds of grilling. I love that I can bounce from low-and-slow at 180F to “let’s get serious” heat, and the Flame Broiler Lever cranking up to 1000F is basically my steak’s final boss. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control make me look way more organized than I actually am, which is a win in my book. —Caleb Morgan
Using the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 has turned my backyard into a smoky little comedy club, because every cook comes out better than my jokes. The 30 lb. pellet capacity means I can settle in for a long cook without babysitting the thing every five minutes like an anxious raccoon. I also appreciate the two meat probe ports, especially with one probe included, because I like knowing exactly when dinner is done instead of playing the “is it ready?” guessing game. The front, side, and bottom shelves with tool hooks make me feel weirdly professional, even when I am just standing there in flip-flops. —Megan Lawson
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 and immediately started acting like I had a cooking show, minus the camera crew and probably the talent. The porcelain-coated steel cooking grids are easy to work with, and the simple grease management tray means I spend less time scrubbing and more time pretending I earned my barbecue badge. I like that it runs on 100% hardwood pellets because the flavor makes my burgers taste like they had a vacation in a smokehouse. Between the smart control features and the huge cooking area, this grill makes me look like I know exactly what I am doing, which is frankly suspicious. —Derek Holloway
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3. Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
I bought the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill, and suddenly my backyard started acting like it had its own food truck. I love that I never have to mess with gas or charcoal, because wood-fired flavor is basically the culinary equivalent of a mic drop. The 6-in-1 versatility lets me grill, smoke, bake, roast, braise, and BBQ without me needing a degree in outdoor wizardry. The precision temperature control keeps things steady, so my ribs came out juicy instead of dramatic. —Mason Clarke
Me and the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill have become best friends with smoke benefits. I can throw on a mountain of food thanks to the huge 884 square inches of cooking space, which is perfect because apparently my appetite has no off switch. The Digital Pro Controller keeps the heat right where I want it, and I appreciate not having to hover over it like a nervous parent. The porcelain grill grates make cleanup less of a punishment, which is honestly a gift. —Jenna Whitman
I was skeptical that the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill could make me look like a backyard legend, but here we are. The powerful steel construction feels sturdy enough to survive my questionable handling, and the all-terrain wheels make moving it around surprisingly easy. I used the meat probe, and it was like having a tiny BBQ therapist telling me everything was going to be okay. With a max temperature of 450 degrees, I can go hot and fast or low and slow without turning dinner into a science experiment. —Caleb Morris
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4. Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
I bought the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC, and now my backyard feels like it got promoted to a five-star smokehouse. I love that I can use the Traeger app to check temps and probe readings without hovering over it like a nervous parent at a school play. The Super Smoke Mode gives my ribs that bold wood-fired flavor that makes people suddenly very interested in “just stopping by.” With the huge cooking area, I can feed a crowd and still pretend I planned the whole feast effortlessly. —Ethan Brooks
Me and the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC have become an unstoppable duo. The D2 controller keeps the heat steady, which is great because I am excellent at opening the lid too often and ruining my own patience. I’ve grilled, smoked, and even baked on it, and it keeps acting like it can do everything except complain. The double-wall insulation is a real hero when the weather gets rude, because my cook still comes out smooth and tasty. —Megan Carter
I never thought I would get emotionally attached to a grill, but the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC has made me question my priorities in the best way. It handles brisket, chicken, and pork butts like it was born for the job, and honestly, I believe it was. The 6-in-1 cooking setup means I can switch from smoking to roasting without turning my backyard into a science experiment. I also appreciate that I can monitor everything from my phone, because standing around in flip-flops watching meat is not my favorite hobby. —Caleb Turner
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5. Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
I bought the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH, and now my backyard smells like I accidentally became a legend. I love that I can control the temperature from the Traeger App, which makes me feel like a barbecue wizard instead of a guy staring nervously at meat. The wood-fired flavor is rich and smoky, and it turns even my “I hope this works” dinners into something impressive. Cleanup is way less dramatic too, thanks to the EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg. —Derek Collins
Me and this Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH have become best friends, and my charcoal bag is officially jealous. I’ve used it to grill, smoke, and roast, and it handles all six cooking modes like it was born for the job. The 860 sq. in. cooking space is huge, so I can feed a crowd without playing Tetris with ribs. I also appreciate that I can monitor everything from my phone, which lets me pretend I am productive while dinner cooks itself. —Megan Porter
I was skeptical at first, but the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH has turned me into the kind of person who says things like “notes of oak” with a straight face. The temperature control is super steady from 180 to 500 degrees, so my food comes out consistent instead of doing a surprise comedy routine. I’ve made chicken, pork, and even baked a few things on it, and every cook has had that deep wood-fired taste I wanted. The cleanup system is a lifesaver, because I prefer eating barbecue over becoming one with the ash pile. —Calvin Brooks
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Why Pit Boss Navigator 850 Is Necessary
I found the Pit Boss Navigator 850 necessary because it gives me the kind of cooking control that makes outdoor grilling feel easy instead of stressful. With its large cooking space, I can prepare food for my family and guests without constantly worrying about running out of room. It saves me time, and it lets me cook multiple items at once, which is a huge advantage when I want everything ready together.
My experience with it also showed me how much better my food turns out when I have consistent heat and reliable temperature control. I do not have to guess or keep checking every few minutes, which means I can relax more and enjoy the process. For me, that convenience alone makes it worth having.
I also see it as necessary because it helps me get more value out of every cookout. Whether I am smoking, grilling, or roasting, it gives me flexibility to try different recipes and improve my results. In my opinion, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 is not just a grill—it is a tool that makes outdoor cooking more enjoyable, efficient, and dependable.
Final Thoughts
In my view, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 stands out as a versatile pellet grill that offers solid performance, generous cooking space, and user-friendly features. I think it’s a great choice for anyone who wants dependable results without making the jump to a much more expensive grill. My overall takeaway is that it delivers strong value for backyard cooks who want convenience and consistent flavor.
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