Pit Boss PB150PPB: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-19

Summary

The problems owners report most are battery life falling short of the 15-hour claim at high heat or in cold weather, temperature swings of about ±25°F that Pit Boss calls normal for pellet grills, and igniter failures, a recurring brand-wide complaint. Running costs are hardwood pellets plus the occasional meat probe and, if it ever fails, a battery charger pack. Below about $400 it is a strong buy for a cordless pellet grill; above $600 it is hard to justify unless battery power is essential.

Common problems and fixes

Battery dies sooner than the 15-hour claim — common at higher temperatures and in cold weather, and the battery also discharges if it sits unused or off a charger for a long stretch. Recharging takes about 7 hours with the supplied 16.8 V charger, and the grill can be plugged into a standard 110–120V outlet while the battery is down. The battery carries a 1-year warranty against 5 years on the grill. [1][3]
Igniter failures — a recurring brand-wide complaint across Pit Boss grills. The igniter stays hot only for the first five minutes and then shuts off; even after priming, the grill may need to be switched off and back on to restart it within that window. [5][9]
Temperature swings of about ±25°F — owners report swings around this range and Pit Boss states this is normal for pellet grills. [3][10]
Flame Broiler slide left open — heat escapes when the slide is open and you are not searing; keep it closed except when you want the direct flame path for searing up to 1,000°F. [3][4]
Auger blockages and ash build-up — routine upkeep is cleaning the firepot, vacuuming ash and clearing the auger of blockages; store the grill with the hopper empty so pellets do not absorb moisture. [1][11]
Pellets rated poorly — some owners complain about minimal flavor and high filler and bark content in Pit Boss pellets. [6]
7 lb hopper needs refills on long cooks — small next to full-size pellet grills, which often have 18–30 lb hoppers; plan refills for long sessions. [1]

Parts and consumables

Hardwood pellets — the only fuel; consumed every cook, and some owners rate Pit Boss pellets poorly. [1][6]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data for an annual figure. Recurring spend is hardwood pellets on every cook, the occasional meat probe, and the battery charger pack if it is ever needed; no prices for these are reported in the inputs.

When it is a good buy

Pit Boss lists the original PB150PPB at $549.99 and the Black Handle PB150PSB at $499.99 on its own site at the October 2026 check. [1][2]
CookOut News reported a $499 retail price at Lowe’s in February 2023. [7]
Below about $400: strong value for a portable battery pellet grill with 256 sq. in. of cooking space, a 15-hour runtime claim and a 5-year warranty. [1]
$401–$500: still good value, especially for tailgaters and campers who need cordless operation. [1]
$501–$600: fair; weigh whether battery power is essential against a plug-in model. [1]
Above $600: hard to justify unless the cordless form factor is the whole point. [1]