Pit Boss 500FB2: problems, parts and running costs

Checked: 2026-10-05

Summary

The recurring complaint is the 5 lb hopper, which is far smaller than the roughly 20 lb class on many pellet grills and makes long unattended cooks a refill job. Other exact-model owner signals include a grease-baked Flame Broiler slider that stuck, one fan failure after a single use, missing cooking grates at delivery and ash cleanup that needs the internals removed. Around $330–$350 it is good value if compact size and real direct flame matter, below $300 it is a strong deal, and above $400 the small hopper and lack of app control make larger or connected grills easier to justify.

Common problems and fixes

5 lb hopper is small — repeatedly called out by owners; it holds far less than the roughly 20 lb class common on larger pellet grills, so brisket-length cooks need checking and refilling. One owner notes pellets need checking rather than assuming they always slide toward the auger. Treat it as a core limitation of the design, not a defect. [1][3]
Flame Broiler sear slider sticks after grease exposure — one owner reported the slider becoming grease-baked and stuck after the first use. Keep the lever and slide plate clean and clear grease before it bakes on. [3]
Fan failure — one owner reported a fan failure after a single successful use. This is an isolated signal, not a defect rate, and it falls under the 5-year limited warranty. [3][1]
Missing parts on delivery — one buyer received the grill without cooking grates; support shipped replacements but the buyer was unhappy with the delay and reimbursement handling. Check the box contents on arrival and keep the claim open until resolved. [3]
Ash cleanup needs internal components removed — there is no external ash dump, so cleaning means removing internals to reach the burn pot and firebox. Plan for the extra time. [1]
No Wi-Fi or Bluetooth — Pit Boss’s current product filters do not list the 500FB2 as connected, so there is no app monitoring. Buyers who want phone control should price that absence in. [1]

Parts and consumables

Hardwood pellets — Lowe’s showed Pit Boss Competition Blend 40 lb at $17.98 when checked in September 2026. Burn rate for this exact model was not verified, so per-cook fuel cost cannot be worked out. [2]
Grease bucket foil liners — Lowe’s showed a 6-pack at $9.98; disposable liners are not included with the grill. [2]
Cover — Pit Boss’s 340–500 cover was shown at $34.99 sale from $49.99 regular on the exact product page. [1]
Fixed side shelf upgrade (SKU 40211) — a compatible accessory listed at $35.99 and observed discounted to $26.99, out of stock when checked. The base configuration has no side prep shelf. [5]
Controller, fan, auger, igniter and probe parts — discrete components make the grill more repairable than a sealed appliance, but exact replacement-part availability for model 11086 was not comprehensively confirmed. [1]

Yearly running cost

Not enough data for a firm annual figure, because the pellet burn rate for this exact model was not verified. Fuel is the dominant cost: Lowe’s showed a 40 lb bag of Pit Boss Competition Blend at $17.98 in September 2026, so a heavy cook buys more than one bag a season, but per-cook consumption cannot be computed from the research. Optional extras add up once: grease-bucket foil liners at $9.98 for a 6-pack, a cover at $34.99 sale or $49.99 regular, and the fixed side shelf at $35.99 when available.

When it is a good buy

Value thresholds from the observed $310–$400 market and feature set: at $300 or less it is an excellent deal; $301–$330 very good; $331–$350 a good sweet spot; $351–$400 acceptable if compact size and the Flame Broiler matter; above $400 weak value unless bundled with useful accessories or assembly. Exact-model store prices checked September 29, 2026: Pit Boss’s own store $399.99, Lowe’s $339, McCoy’s $329.99, Home Hardware Florida $349.99, Shell Lumber $379.38 and Outdoor Home Store $399.99, so the mainstream band is about $330–$400. If long unattended cooks matter, a larger-hopper grill is the better choice; if phone monitoring matters, a connected grill is. Nearby alternatives already on the site’s comparison include the KingChii 456, Z GRILLS ZPG-450A2, Pit Boss 440 Mahogany and Pit Boss 700FB2; the 500FB2’s case against them is direct flame plus a 5-year warranty, while its disadvantage is the 5 lb hopper and the missing connectivity. [1][2]