Pit Boss Classic 700 Reviews: To Buy or Not to Buy?

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pellets burning

Pellet grills have risen in popularity for two reasons: They’re easy to use, and they deliver excellent smoke flavor.

In the past, grilling enthusiasts had to choose between one or the other. With products like the Pit Boss Classic 700, that’s no longer true.

This cart-style pellet grill is outfitted with all the gear you might expect: a pellet hopper with digital control panel, an effective ash management system, and an impressive amount of cooking space. But what sets it apart from the competition?

The company was founded in 1999, just as pellet-fueled units were making a splash in the grilling community. The Classic 700 can be compared to the Traeger Pro Series 780, with one notable difference: It’s much easier on the wallet.

Pros:

  • Great heat retention
  • Reliable temperature control
  • Delivers authentic smoke flavor
  • Reasonable price point

Cons:

  • Ash bucket is awkwardly configured
  • Auger is prone to jamming if the unit isn’t cleaned regularly
  • Minimal storage space

These Pit Boss Classic 700 reviews should give you a better idea of what the product has to offer.

Things to Consider Before Buying a Pellet Grill

Why should you consider buying a pellet grill in the first place?

First of all, they’re very easy to use. The auger system does all the hard work for you. Just fill the hopper with wood pellets, set the temperature, and wait for the unit to heat up. You’ll get plenty of authentic wood flavor, with none of the hassle that comes with tending a charcoal fire.

On the other hand, it does take a while for the pellets to generate enough heat for cooking. If you’re frequently pressed for time, you might be happier with a gas grill.

Before committing to a pellet grill, ask yourself the following questions:

  • How much money am I willing to invest in a new grill?
  • How often will I use the grill, and how much cooking space will I need?
  • Will I use the grill for various cooking applications, or stick to burgers and hot dogs?
  • How long will it be before I can afford to purchase a replacement?

Your answers will help you determine which of the following features are the most relevant in your search.

Pit Boss Classic 700: Features & Benefits

Pit Boss Classic 700 sq. in. Wood Fired Pellet Grill & Smoker, Smoke, Bake, Roast, Braise and BBQ

Is the Pit Boss Classic 700 worth a closer look? Let’s go over a few of the key factors to see how this particular model stacks up.

Affordability

pellet grill affordability

Price should always be the guiding factor in any purchasing decision. For a big investment like a pellet grill, it’s even more important.

The Pit Boss Classic 700 is a good option if your budget is limited. While it offers a generous amount of cooking space (see Cooking Surface, below), it’s set at a lower price point than many of its competitors.

Durability

Now for the other side of the coin. While Pit Boss units are constructed of powder-coated steel that’s capable of withstanding high temperatures, the grills tend to last for only a season or two.

To be fair, it’s usually the electrical components that wear out the fastest. However, this is something to be aware of if you grill on a regular basis. Year-round grillers are more likely to be affected, particularly if they use the unit in cold weather.

Cooking Surface

This model offers 700 square inches of grilling space. That’s enough to accommodate about 32 regular-sized hamburger patties at once.

The company advertises this unit as the ideal size for families of four to six. However, couples or smaller families might also appreciate the extra space. If you like to experiment with recipes, this could be the grill for you.

grilled chicken with potatoes

Grilling Grates

The Pit Boss Classic 700 features wire cooking grids with a porcelain coating. The wire is sturdy enough, but it doesn’t retain heat as well as cast iron. The porcelain coating makes the grates easier to clean, which should help to extend their lifespan.

A second-tier rack provides space for warming buns or heating sauces. It can also be used as a holding station for ingredients that need to be moved to a cooler section of the grill.

Hopper Capacity

wood pellets box

How many pellets can the hopper hold? That’s a debatable issue with this unit.

While Pit Boss advertises a 21-pound capacity, it’s difficult to fit more than 18 pounds of pellets into the hopper. While this is a misleading advertisement, it’s not that big of a deal.

Even if the hopper only holds 18 pounds, that’s still enough for at least 24 hours of low-and-slow cooking. If you turn the temperature up for grilling or searing, those same 18 pounds should last around 7 hours.

Temperature Range

The broader the temperature range, the more versatile the pellet grill will be. Lower temps are great for smoking and braising. A blazing hot fire can be used to turn out grilled pizza and flatbread.

The Pit Boss Classic 700 has a temperature range of 180 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. That’s low enough to prepare smoked meats like pulled pork and brisket, but not quite high enough to get a hard sear on steaks.

However, if you want to stick to smoking and traditional grilling, this unit should fit the bill.

Heat Retention

This is an interesting category for the Pit Boss Classic 700. The steel construction is sturdy and holds up well to the heat. That allows the cooking chamber to stay nice and hot while the fire is burning.

On the other hand, the electrical components are prone to malfunctioning. The auger also tends to jam up, which causes the temperature to fluctuate more than it should. The auger issue usually stems from improper cleaning, but there’s not much that can be done for a faulty electrical system.

Warranty

In this regard, Pit Boss stands out from the crowd. The company offers a five-year warranty on its pellet grills. This is generous by industry standards.

Be forewarned, however, that the warranty doesn’t cover rust and oxidization caused by normal wear and tear. Since this is true of most warranties, it shouldn’t be a major issue.

Pit Boss Classic 700: Social Proof

We took to the internet to find out what other consumers had to say about the Pit Boss Classic 700. Here’s what we found out.

Most responses were positive. People claimed that the grill was easy to put together and very user-friendly, even for beginners. They enjoyed the carefree nature of the digital temperature control panel and reported tasty results.

A few dissatisfied customers asserted that the company refused to stand by their product. This is worrisome for anyone who wound up with a faulty unit, especially considering that the warranty is built into the purchase price.

Possible Alternatives

Want to keep your options open? Here’s a look at three models that share a few characteristics with the Pit Boss Classic 700.

#1 Z Grills ZPG-7002B Pellet Grill

Z GRILLS ZPG-7002B Newly Upgrade Wood Pellet Grill & Smoker, 8 in 1 BBQ Grill Auto Temperature Controls, inch Cooking Area, 700 sq in Black

With this unit, Z Grills presents an affordable alternative to the Pit Boss unit. Though it’s set at a slightly higher price, it offers the same amount of cooking space. The 20-pound hopper allows for a full day of low-and-slow cooking.

  • Affordability—Pit Boss
  • Durability—Z Grills
  • Cooking Surface—Tie
  • Grilling Grates—Tie
  • Hopper Capacity—Z Grills
  • Temperature Range—Pit Boss
  • Heat Retention—Z Grills
  • Warranty—Pit Boss

If you can’t find a Pit Boss Classic 700, consider investing in the Z Grills ZPG-7002B instead.

#2 Traeger Pro Series 780 Pellet Grill & Smoker

Traeger Grills Pro 780 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 780 Square Inches Cook Area, 500 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill with WiFi and app connectivity

Looking for a little more space? Traeger’s Pro Series 780 offers an additional 80 inches of surface area. It’s also compatible with Wi-Fi and Amazon’s Alexa smart home device.

  • Affordability—Pit Boss
  • Durability—Traeger
  • Cooking Surface—Traeger
  • Grilling Grates—Traeger
  • Hopper Capacity—Pit Boss
  • Temperature Range—Pit Boss
  • Heat Retention—Traeger
  • Warranty—Pit Boss

The Traeger Pro Series 780 is worth a closer look if you’re willing to spend a bit more for higher quality.

#3 Green Mountain Davy Crockett Portable Wood Pellet Grill

Hoping to take your pellet grill on your next camping trip? The Davy Crockett from Green Mountain is a lightweight and portable outdoor kitchen. Though it has less space than the Pit Boss Classic 700, it offers Wi-Fi compatibility.

  • Affordability—Green Mountain
  • Durability—Pit Boss
  • Cooking Surface—Pit Boss
  • Grilling Grates—Pit Boss
  • Hopper Capacity—Pit Boss
  • Temperature Range—Green Mountain
  • Heat Retention—Green Mountain
  • Warranty—Pit Boss

If you want an affordable grill that can be used anywhere, consider the Green Mountain Davy Crockett model.

Final Thoughts

After going over these Pit Boss Classic 700 reviews, what’s the final word?

The grill earns high marks for affordability and ease of assembly. It offers a generous amount of cooking space, and it’s simple enough for beginners to use. Since pellet grills are designed for versatility and convenience, we’d say that this model fits the bill.

Click here to check out the Pit Boss Classic 700.

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