There was a time when I struggled to get that perfect smoky flavor or consistently grilled meats right in my backyard. Spending hours managing charcoal temperatures or constantly battling flare-ups on a gas grill was just frustrating. Finding a reliable way to smoke *and* grill versatilely was a problem that needed solving, otherwise, my ambitions for amazing barbecue and easy weeknight grilling would remain unfulfilled, leaving me stuck with less flavorful, less consistent results. A quality pellet grill would have significantly helped me achieve those goals.
- 700 sq. in. total cooking surface.
- Porcelain coated wire grids with upper cooking rack
- Digitally controlled burn system.
Important Points Before Choosing a Pellet Grill
So, why even consider a pellet grill in the first place? These units are designed to take the guesswork out of outdoor cooking, offering the distinct flavor of wood smoke without the constant tending required by traditional smokers or charcoal grills. They’re perfect for the backyard enthusiast who wants versatility – someone who loves low-and-slow smoking but also wants the ability to grill burgers and sear steaks. However, if you’re someone who enjoys the tactile process of managing a fire, or if you need extreme portability, a pellet grill might not be the right fit. For those who prioritize ease of use, consistent temperatures, and authentic wood flavor with minimal effort, a pellet grill is a fantastic choice. Before diving in, consider the cooking area you need, the temperature range you’ll use most often, features like direct flame searing capabilities, and the overall build quality and hopper size.
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Introducing the Pit Boss 71700FB
Enter the Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill. This grill promises versatile outdoor cooking, allowing you to smoke, grill, sear, bake, and even roast, all fueled by 100% natural wood pellets. When you purchase the Pit Boss 700FB, you get the grill unit itself, featuring porcelain-coated wire grids and an upper cooking rack, all controlled by a digital system. This model is a solid option for families and small gatherings looking for a step up from basic grilling, offering the distinctive Pit Boss feature of the Flame Broiler for direct searing, something not always standard on every pellet grill on the market. It’s perhaps less suited for someone needing massive capacity for large parties or competitive smoking requiring pinpoint temperature control in extreme conditions without modification.
Here’s a quick rundown of the pros and cons:
Pros:
* Excellent wood-fired flavor
* Versatile cooking methods (smoke, grill, sear, bake)
* Easy-to-use digital control
* Unique Flame Broiler for direct searing
* Decent cooking area for families
Cons:
* Assembly can be tricky, sometimes with imperfect parts
* Cosmetic flaws (scratches, chips) have been reported on arrival
* Temperature fluctuations can occur, particularly in extreme weather
* Instructions could be clearer for beginners
* Initial priming might require online research for best results
Key Features and What They Offer
Having used the Pit Boss 71700FB for quite a while now, I’ve really come to appreciate its core features and how they translate into real-world cooking benefits. The experience has been mostly positive, with a few learning curves along the way, particularly in the initial stages.
Ample Cooking Surface
One of the first things you notice is the cooking space. With 700 square inches of total cooking surface, including the main grate and an upper cooking rack, this grill provides enough room for family cookouts and small gatherings. For me, this means I can easily fit a couple of briskets or pork shoulders, or load it up with burgers and hot dogs when friends come over. The upper rack is great for things like chicken wings, vegetables, or even keeping cooked food warm while the rest finishes. This generous space means less cooking in batches and more time enjoying the company – a definite plus when you’re hosting. It comfortably handles everything from a weeknight dinner to a modest weekend smoking project.
Porcelain Coated Wire Grids
The cooking grids are porcelain coated wire. This type of coating is known for being relatively non-stick and easy to clean. While not as heavy-duty or heat-retaining as cast iron, they do a solid job for most grilling and smoking tasks. Food doesn’t stick excessively, and cleanup after a cook is usually manageable with a good grill brush. I’ve found that maintaining the coating by cleaning after each use helps preserve its integrity over time. However, it’s worth noting that porcelain can chip if hit too hard, which could potentially expose the metal underneath to rust over time, so care is needed.
Digitally Controlled Burn System
The heart of this wood pellet grill is the digitally controlled burn system. This is what makes pellet grills so appealing for many. You simply dial in your desired temperature, and the grill’s auger feeds pellets into the fire pot, while a fan regulates the air flow to maintain that temperature. The temperature range goes from a low of around 170°F for slow smoking all the way up to 600°F for higher-temp grilling and searing. This digital control takes away the constant monitoring and adjustment needed for charcoal or stick burners. For smoking, it holds temperatures reasonably well, allowing you to set it and walk away for hours, which is incredibly convenient for those long cooks. While it might not hold temps with absolute precision in windy or very cold weather without some effort, for everyday use, it’s remarkably stable.
Fueled by 100% Natural Wood Pellets
The fuel source is, of course, wood pellets. The Pit Boss 71700FB is designed to be fueled by 100% natural wood pellets. This is where the authentic smoky flavor comes from. You can choose from various wood types (hickory, apple, mesquite, etc.) to impart different flavors to your food. Loading the hopper is easy, and an 18-pound hopper capacity means you can get several hours of smoking done without needing to refill constantly, though very long smokes might require topping up. The smell of burning wood is fantastic, and the flavor infused into meats, poultry, and even vegetables is a game-changer compared to gas or even some charcoal methods.
Pit Boss Versatility and the Flame Broiler
One of the standout features unique to Pit Boss models like the 71700FB pellet grill is the innovative Flame Broiler. This is a sliding plate located directly above the fire pot. For indirect cooking (smoking, baking, roasting), you keep the plate closed. But for direct flame grilling or searing, you slide the plate open, exposing your food directly to the flame from the burning pellets below. This allows you to get a nice char on steaks, burgers, or chops right on the pellet grill, something that many other pellet grills struggle with. This feature truly makes the grill versatile, bridging the gap between a dedicated smoker and a traditional grill. Being able to smoke a brisket low and slow for hours and then quickly crank up the heat and sear it for that perfect crust is incredibly convenient and produces amazing results. It’s this duality that makes the Pit Boss pellet grill a true all-rounder for the backyard chef.
Build and Construction
The grill has an outer material of alloy steel and an inner material of stainless steel. While it’s sturdy once assembled (it weighs 118 pounds, so it’s substantial), the initial impression can sometimes be marred by cosmetic issues like chipped paint or scuffs, as I’ve seen reported. The dimensions (22.05″D x 24.8″W x 43.11″H) make it a good size for a patio or deck without taking up excessive space. The overall build feels solid for its price point, though assembly can sometimes reveal minor imperfections in alignment or finishing. Despite potential initial assembly hurdles, the grill holds up well to regular use outdoors, assuming it’s properly maintained and ideally covered.
Ease of Use and Initial Setup
Getting the Pit Boss 700FB up and running is generally straightforward, although the assembly instructions aren’t always the clearest, as noted by some users. It’s definitely easier with two people, and some steps might require a bit of patience or problem-solving. Once assembled, the electric ignition makes starting the grill as simple as plugging it in and turning the dial. There’s a specific priming process to get pellets flowing to the fire pot for the first use, and understanding this step is crucial for success (and preventing potential issues like auger jams or temperature spikes). I found that supplementing the manual with online videos or forums was helpful for troubleshooting initial startup and understanding best practices for different cooks.
Overall, my long-term experience with the Pit Boss 71700FB has been positive. It delivers on the promise of easy, versatile, wood-fired cooking. While it had a few initial bumps, the core performance – its ability to smoke low and slow and then sear directly – makes it a valuable addition to my backyard cooking setup. The flavor it imparts is consistently excellent, and the convenience of the digital controls means I spend less time fussing with the grill and more time enjoying the food and the company.
What Other Users Are Saying
I’ve checked around online, and it seems many users share my general sentiment about the Pit Boss 71700FB. While some folks encountered frustrating cosmetic issues or slightly bent parts upon delivery, many report excellent experiences with customer service resolving these problems, even offering replacement parts or touch-up paint. Users frequently praise the grill’s ease of use, especially compared to charcoal or gas, and highlight the fantastic wood-fired flavor achieved. The unique Flame Broiler feature is often called a “game changer” for adding searing capabilities. Despite some minor assembly quirks or the need for DIY modifications for ultimate smoke retention, the overwhelming consensus is that this pellet grill offers great performance and value for its price, making backyard smoking and grilling accessible and enjoyable for beginners and experienced cooks alike.
Wrapping Up Your Grill Decision
If you’ve been struggling to get consistent results, true smoky flavor, or just want an easier way to handle both low-and-slow and high-heat cooking without buying multiple units, the complications are clear – you miss out on amazing barbecue and convenient weeknight meals. The Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill is a great fit to solve that problem for several reasons: its digital control simplifies temperature management, the wood pellets infuse authentic flavor easily, and the unique Flame Broiler adds crucial direct-searing capability. It offers fantastic versatility for a reasonable investment. Ready to elevate your outdoor cooking? Click here to check out the Pit Boss 71700FB Pellet Grill and start enjoying the benefits of wood-fired flavor.
Last update on 2025-08-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API