Pit Boss 700FB2 Pellet Grill review

?Want a clear, honest review to help you decide whether the Pit Boss 700FB2 Pellet Grill – Matte Black – PB700FB2 is right for your backyard cooking?

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Overview of the Pit Boss 700FB2 Pellet Grill – Matte Black – PB700FB2

You’re looking at a versatile pellet grill that combines smoker-style flavor with grill-style convenience. The Pit Boss 700FB2 offers 747 square inches of cooking space, a 21 lb. hopper, and a digital control board that sets temperatures from 180° to 500°F in 5°F increments, making it easy to run everything from low-and-slow cooks to hotter searing sessions.

Quick specifications at a glance

This quick table gives you the essential specs so you can compare at a glance. You’ll find capacity, temperature range, and included features all summarized for faster decisions.

Feature	Specification
Model	Pit Boss 700FB2 Pellet Grill – Matte Black – PB700FB2
Total cooking space	747 sq. in. (2-tier porcelain-coated cooking racks)
Temperature range	180°–500°F (digital control board, 5°F increments)
Flame Broiler searing	Direct flame searing up to 1,000°F via Flame Broiler Lever
Hopper capacity	21 lb.
Meat probe ports	2 ports; 1 meat probe included
Storage	Solid bottom shelf
Warranty	5-year limited warranty
Finish	Matte Black

First impressions: looks and packaging

When you first see the Pit Boss 700FB2, you’ll notice the matte black finish and a straightforward, no-frills design. The unit shows up relatively compact for what it offers, and the solid bottom shelf gives a sturdy visual cue that it’s built for regular use.

Assembly and setup experience

You’ll likely spend around 45–90 minutes assembling the grill, depending on your experience with similar products. The instructions are generally clear, most parts are pre-drilled or pre-attached, and you’ll appreciate that common tools are all that’s required.

What to expect during assembly

You’ll bolt on legs, shelf, side handles, and cooking racks, and you’ll also attach the hopper and plug in a few electrical connections. If you have a helper, the process is faster and easier, especially when aligning the heavy pieces.

Design and build quality

The Pit Boss PB700FB2 balances cost and durability by using steel construction and porcelain-coated steel cooking grates. The Matte Black finish hides wear fairly well, and the overall fit-and-finish feels solid for a mid-range pellet grill.

Materials and construction details

You’ll find that the porcelain-coated racks resist sticking and are easier to clean than raw steel. The body is steel, which gives good thermal stability, but like most grills in this class, regular maintenance will be important to prevent rust over time.

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Cooking space and rack configuration

With 747 square inches across two tiers, you’ll have plenty of room for family gatherings and multi-item cooks. The two-tier porcelain-coated racks allow you to cook multiple items at different levels, which helps when you want to smoke ribs while baking side dishes on the top rack.

Practical capacity notes

You can comfortably cook multiple large cuts—like a brisket and a rack of ribs—or several trays of vegetables at once. If you routinely entertain large groups, this capacity hits a sweet spot between portability and performance.

Temperature control and the digital control board

The PB700FB2’s digital control board is precise, allowing temperature adjustments in 5°F increments between 180° and 500°F. You’ll appreciate how it stabilizes temps for long smokes and gives you the control needed for more exact cooking jobs.

How stable is the temperature?

Once dialed in, the unit holds temperature consistently for most cooks, though you may notice small swings during windy or very cold weather. Positioning the grill out of strong wind and giving it a preheat cycle of 10–15 minutes helps accuracy.

Flame Broiler Lever and searing capability

This model’s standout feature is the Flame Broiler Lever, which opens a plate to expose the fire directly so you can sear with direct flame heat. You can get searing temperatures up to around 1,000°F when the broiler is open, making it possible to reverse-sear steaks and get char marks that pellet grills typically struggle with.

Using the Flame Broiler effectively

You’ll want to preheat with the broiler closed to stabilize temp, then open it briefly to sear at high heat. Keep a close eye on flare-ups; the exposed flame is powerful but demands active attention during intense searing sessions.

Pellet hopper capacity and fuel consumption

The 21 lb. hopper is large enough to handle long smokes without constant refilling, so you’ll spend more time cooking and less time topping up. Pellet consumption varies widely by temperature: low-and-slow cooks at 225°F might use 1–1.5 lb/hour, while hotter searing cooks can push usage toward 3+ lb/hour.

How long can you grill or smoke on a full hopper?

On average, plan for 8–20 hours depending on set temperature and outside conditions. For example, at 225°F you can expect many hours of run time, but if you’re running prolonged high-heat searing, that runtime decreases accordingly.

Smoke flavor and pellet choices

You control smoke intensity primarily through temperature selection and pellet type. Since pellet grills rely on compressed wood pellets, choosing quality hardwood pellets (hickory, apple, mesquite, oak) will change flavor profile significantly.

Tips for better smoke flavor

You’ll get more smoke flavor at lower temps and during initial start-up when the smoker is oxygen-limited and burning pellets with more smoke. Use fresh pellets and avoid pellets that contain fillers or softwood to keep flavor clean and consistent.

Included meat probe(s) and monitoring

The Pit Boss 700FB2 includes one meat probe and has two meat probe ports, so you can add a second probe for multi-item cooks. This helps when you’re tracking internal temps for multiple pieces of meat, giving you flexibility without relying on guesswork.

Practical monitoring tips

You’ll want to use the included probe for your primary cut and consider investing in a wireless dual-probe thermometer for remote monitoring. If you’re doing long overnight smokes, remote monitoring brings peace of mind.

Cleaning and maintenance routine

Routine cleaning involves emptying the grease tray, brushing the grates, and removing ash from the firepot as needed. Monthly checks to clean the auger area and firepot, plus an annual deep clean and inspection, will keep your grill running longer and more reliably.

Easier maintenance habits

You’ll reduce long-term work by using a drip tray liner, sweeping ash after heavy use, and storing the grill covered when not in use. A simple vacuum or ash scraper will make firepot cleaning straightforward.

Storage, footprint, and placement

The PB700FB2’s footprint makes it suitable for typical patios and decks, and the solid bottom shelf offers convenient storage for tools and small bags of pellets. Be mindful of clearances; keep the back and sides away from combustible walls and do not enclose the grill in tight spaces.

Mobility and portability

While the unit is not ultra-light, you’ll find it movable with two caster wheels and two stationary legs. You’ll want to lock the wheels during cooking and use a cover if you expect prolonged outdoor exposure.

Accessories to consider

You’ll benefit from a few accessories: a high-quality grill cover, a second meat probe or wireless thermometer, a pellet storage bucket, a searing grate, and a heavy-duty grill brush. These add convenience and extend the unit’s functionality.

Recommended accessory specifics

You’ll get the most mileage from a multi-probe wireless thermometer and a durable cover sized for the PB700FB2. If you plan on frequent searing, a cast-iron sear grate can improve contact and marks.

Real-world cooking performance: low-and-slow

When you set the grill for long cooks like brisket or pork shoulder, it maintains stable temperatures and produces consistent smoke ring and flavor. You’ll likely find extended cooks require occasional pellet top-ups but otherwise run reliably.

Example: brisket cook

You’ll want to set the grill to 225–250°F for a brisket cook and plan a 10–16 hour window depending on size. The unit handles these long cooks well if you keep the hopper filled and periodically check the firepot for ash build-up.

Real-world cooking performance: high-heat grilling and searing

With the Flame Broiler open, you can sear steaks and create authentic crusts that many pellet grills miss. You’ll get superior results when you use thick cuts and reverse-sear techniques: smoke first at low temp, then close to finish with the flame broiler open for a quick sear.

Searing tips specific to Pit Boss 700FB2

You’ll achieve best results by preheating with the broiler closed, then timing your open-flame sear for short bursts to develop crust without overcooking. Use tongs and a fast rhythm to flip and sear to safe internal temps.

Troubleshooting common issues

If the grill won’t light or maintain heat, check pellet quality, the auger for jams, and the firepot for excessive ash. Temperature swings often come from ambient conditions, pellet type, or a dirty firepot and auger; addressing those will restore stability.

Quick fixes you can do yourself

You’ll often solve problems by cleaning the firepot and auger, ensuring pellets are dry, and checking electrical connections. If the digital controller acts erratically, rebooting by unplugging and restarting sometimes clears temporary glitches.

Safety considerations

You’ll always want to use the grill in a well-ventilated outdoor area, away from structures, and keep a fire extinguisher nearby for emergencies. The Flame Broiler exposes direct fire, so stay cautious and avoid loose clothing while searing at high temperatures.

How to reduce flare-up risk

You’ll control flare-ups by trimming excessive fat, using drip trays correctly, and not leaving the Flame Broiler open longer than necessary for searing. Keeping the grease management system clean prevents large flare events.

Pros and cons table

This table puts the major advantages and drawbacks side-by-side so you can quickly weigh the trade-offs before you buy.

Pros	Cons
Large 747 sq. in. cooking area for families and gatherings	Not as lightweight or compact as small portable smokers
Precise digital control with 5°F increments	Requires regular cleaning for best performance
Flame Broiler for near-1,000°F searing capability	Exposed flame requires active watching during sears
21 lb. hopper supports long cooks without refilling	Pellet consumption can rise quickly at high temps
Two meat probe ports; 1 probe included	Some assembly required out of the box
Backed by a 5-year warranty	Steel body needs care to prevent rust over years

How the PB700FB2 compares to similar grills

If you’re comparing to other mid-range pellet grills, the Pit Boss stands out for the built-in Flame Broiler and larger hopper. You’ll find other brands sometimes require aftermarket searing add-ons or smaller hopper capacities to reach similar flexibility.

What makes it different in practice

You’ll appreciate that Pit Boss focuses on combining smoker and sear capabilities in a single unit—meaning fewer additional purchases if you like mixed cooking styles. The 5-year warranty is also a reassuring backing point in this price category.

Ideal users and use cases

This grill works best for home cooks who want the convenience of pellets with the option to sear like a traditional gas/charcoal grill. You’ll particularly benefit if you cook a mix of briskets, ribs, vegetables, and steaks and want the flexibility in a single machine.

Not ideal if…

You won’t be thrilled with this model if you need a highly portable campsite grill or you never plan to sear at high temps. If you only smoke occasional tiny batches, a smaller unit might suit your needs and budget better.

Tips for getting the most from your grill

You’ll get better results by using seasoned hardwood pellets, preheating for 10–15 minutes, monitoring internal meat temps, and cleaning the firepot periodically. Also, practice your searing timing with the Flame Broiler to learn how fast it develops char on different cuts.

A simple workflow for consistent cooks

You’ll preheat, stabilize, smoke at low temps for flavor, and then finish with a higher-heat sear or reverse-sear if you want crust. Keep a small notebook or use your phone to log pellet brand, temperature, and times—this helps repeat great results.

Recipes and cooking ideas to try first

Try a smoked brisket (225°F for many hours), reverse-seared ribeyes (smoke then open the Flame Broiler to sear), cedar-smoked salmon, or baby back ribs with a 3-2-1 approach. You’ll enjoy the variety of dishes the PB700FB2 can handle without needing a second grill.

Simple starter recipe: reverse-seared steaks

You’ll smoke steaks at 225–250°F until internal temp is about 10–15°F below target, then open the Flame Broiler and sear each side quickly to finish. That method gives you smoke, tenderness, and an excellent crust.

Maintenance schedule and checklist

Weekly: brush grates, empty grease tray, and check pellet level. Monthly: vacuum firepot area, inspect auger, and wipe surfaces. Annually: deep clean the chamber, check gaskets, and examine the grill for corrosion.

Spare parts and when to replace them

You’ll eventually replace items like probes, gaskets, and grates; keeping spare probes and a stash of quality pellets is smart. Buying genuine parts ensures compatibility and reliability for long-term use.

Final verdict

If you want a flexible pellet grill that combines ample cooking space, long hopper capacity, precise temperature control, and real searing ability, the Pit Boss 700FB2 Pellet Grill – Matte Black – PB700FB2 is a strong candidate. You’ll find it an excellent backyard companion whether you’re smoking low-and-slow or finishing steaks with high-heat sears, and the 5-year warranty adds confidence to the purchase.

Who should buy it

You should buy this grill if you’re a home cook who values versatility and wants a single unit capable of smoking, grilling, and searing without adding heavy upgrades. The combination of 747 sq. in., a 21 lb. hopper, and the Flame Broiler makes it a smart choice for most households.

If you want more specific advice—like which pellets to choose for particular recipes, or how to set up a reverse-sear timeline for a 2.5 lb steak—tell me what you plan to cook and I’ll tailor guidance and a step-by-step plan for your first cook.

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