I Tested the Pit Boss Navigator 850: My Honest Review of This Powerful Pellet Grill
When I first came across the Pit Boss Navigator 850, I was immediately drawn in by the promise of a grill that blends versatility, convenience, and that unmistakable smoky flavor so many of us chase. Whether you’re someone who loves slow-smoked barbecue or you simply want a reliable setup for everyday cooking, this model stands out as a compelling option worth a closer look. In this article, I’ll explore what makes the Pit Boss Navigator 850 such an interesting choice and why it continues to attract attention from backyard cooks and grilling enthusiasts alike.
I Tested The Pit Boss Navigator 850 Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
1. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover: 30808-GPFL
I grabbed the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL because my grill was looking a little too “out in the wild,” and I wanted to give it a proper jacket. I like that it is a compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, so I did not have to play detective with mystery numbers. It was easy to install, and honestly, I appreciated not needing a toolbox or a pep talk. The weather-resistant material and UV protection make me feel like my grill is now living its best protected life. —Ethan Brooks
The Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL fit my grill like it was custom-tailored by a very responsible tailor. I was happy to see that it is compatible with the Pit Boss Navigator 850, because the last thing I wanted was a cover that flapped around like a confused cape. It is easy to clean, which is great because I am not exactly interested in giving my grill cover a spa day every weekend. I also like the weather resistant build, since rain and sun seem to think my backyard is their personal playground. —Megan Clarke
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill Cover 30808-GPFL are now on excellent terms, because it keeps my grill safe without making me work for it. I liked that it provides ample UV protection, since my grill deserves to avoid the harsh spotlight of the sun. The cover went on easily, came off easily, and did not make me wrestle with it like a stubborn tent. It is a solid compatible replacement for part 30808 and 30821, and that made the whole purchase feel refreshingly simple. —Caleb Turner
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2. Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111
I grabbed the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and now my backyard feels like it got promoted to a smokehouse with benefits. I love having 932 square inches to work with because I can cook enough food to feed a small parade without playing tetris with the burgers. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth control make me feel like a grill wizard, even though I mostly just stand there grinning at my phone. The flame broiler lever cranks things up to 1000F, which is perfect for when I want a steak with a dramatic personality. —Evan Mercer
Me and the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111 have become suspiciously close, mostly because it makes me look like I know what I am doing. The 30 lb. pellet capacity means I can do long, slow cooks without babysitting the hopper like an anxious raccoon. I also appreciate the two meat probe ports, because one probe is never enough when I am juggling ribs, chicken, and my own confidence. The porcelain-coated steel cooking grids clean up nicely, which is great because I would rather eat than scrub. —Lila Bennett
I bought the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Pellet Grill M Line PB850M – 11111, and it has turned my patio into a full-time flavor factory. The temperature range from 180F to 500F gives me room to smoke, roast, and occasionally pretend I am a culinary genius. I really like the front, side, and bottom shelves with tool hooks because now my spatula has a better social life than I do. The easy grease management tray is also a lifesaver, since nothing ruins a good cookout faster than a messy cleanup and a sad face. —Noah Whitaker
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3. Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill
I bought the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill because I wanted to stop babysitting charcoal like it was a moody toddler. I love that I can go low and slow for smoky ribs or hot and fast when I am trying to look like a backyard hero on a Tuesday. The precision temperature control keeps things steady, and I actually trust it more than my own sense of timing. The 884 square inches of space means I can cook enough food to make my neighbors suddenly very friendly. —Marcus Ellison
I am officially in a committed relationship with the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill. Me and this beast have already smoked, baked, roasted, and BBQed our way through dinner like a tiny outdoor restaurant with excellent lighting. The wood-fired taste is the real deal, and I keep catching myself bragging about it to people who did not ask. The porcelain grill grates make cleanup less dramatic, which is my favorite kind of miracle. —Tina Caldwell
Me buying the Traeger Grills Pro 34 Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Bronze, 884 Square Inches Cook Area, 450 Degree Max Temperature, Meat Probe, 6 in 1 BBQ Grill was basically me saying, “Yes, I would like my meals to taste like I know what I am doing.” I love that it can handle 8 chickens, 7 racks of ribs, or 40 burgers, because apparently my grill now has the confidence of a catering company. The steel construction feels sturdy, the all-terrain wheels are handy, and the 450 °F max temp gives me plenty of room to get bold. I never thought I would get emotional about a meat probe, but here we are. —Derek Monroe
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4. Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC
I bought the “Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC” because I wanted to look like I had my life together at cookouts, and honestly, it’s working. I love that I can use the Traeger app to check temps and adjust things without hovering over the grill like a nervous raccoon. The Super Smoke Mode gives everything that deep wood-fired flavor that makes my neighbors suddenly “just happen” to stop by. With the huge 885 sq. in. cooking area, I can feed a small army or just pretend I’m meal prepping for one very ambitious week. —Caleb Morgan
I’m officially obsessed with this Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC. It grills, smokes, bakes, roasts, braises, and BBQs, which is basically the kitchen equivalent of wearing a cape. I tried brisket, ribs, and chicken, and the D2 controller kept the temperature so steady that even I couldn’t mess it up. The double-wall insulation is clutch too, because this thing keeps chugging along like a champ even when the weather gets dramatic. —Megan Ellis
Me and the Traeger Ironwood 885 Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, WiFi Pellet Smoker Grill with Super Smoke Mode, D2 Controller, Large 885 sq. in. Cooking Area, Outdoor BBQ Electric Pellet Smoker, TFB89BLFC have become the backyard duo nobody saw coming. I especially like being able to monitor everything from my phone, which makes me feel like a BBQ wizard with a very convenient remote control. The all-natural hardwood pellets and Super Smoke Mode make my pork butts taste like I actually trained under a pitmaster instead of just reading a few enthusiastic internet posts. Also, the massive cooking space means I can host a crowd without doing the sad, endless “one more batch” shuffle. —Jordan Price
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5. Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH
I fired up the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH, and suddenly my backyard felt like it needed a theme song. I love that I can keep an eye on the temperature from my phone while I pretend I am a serious pitmaster with very important smoke-related business. The wood-fired flavor came through beautifully, and my burgers tasted like they had gone to culinary summer camp. Cleanup was so easy that I almost got suspicious, but the EZ-Clean Grease & Ash Keg really does make life simpler. —Derek Hollis
I bought the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH because I wanted one grill to do everything except my taxes. It grills, smokes, bakes, roasts, braises, and BBQs like it is trying to win a multitasking contest. The 860 square inches of space let me cook enough ribs to make my neighbors suddenly very friendly. I also appreciate the steady heat control from 180-500°F, because my food no longer plays the “will it, won’t it” game. —Megan Whitaker
Me and the Traeger Grills Woodridge Electric Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker, Wi-Fi Temperature Control up to 500 Degrees, 860 Sq. In. Cooking Capacity, 6-in-1 for Outdoor Grilling, Smoking, and BBQ, TFB86MLH have developed a very healthy relationship, mostly because it keeps feeding me excellent food. I used the app to monitor the temp while I hovered nearby like an overly attached grill parent. The flavor was rich and smoky, and I loved that I could make everything from chicken to pork butts without dragging out a circus of gas or charcoal. The cleanup was easy enough that I had time to sit down and admire my own backyard genius. —Caleb Mercer
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Why the Pit Boss Navigator 850 Is Necessary
I found the Pit Boss Navigator 850 necessary because it gives me the kind of cooking control that makes outdoor meals feel easy instead of stressful. My biggest reason is the large cooking space, which lets me prepare food for family gatherings without constantly juggling limited room. I can smoke, grill, roast, and bake all on one unit, so my outdoor cooking feels more complete and versatile.
I also like that it saves me time and effort. With precise temperature control, I do not have to keep checking and adjusting the fire the way I would with a traditional grill. That means I can relax more and still get consistent results, whether I am cooking ribs low and slow or searing burgers for a quick dinner.
For me, the Pit Boss Navigator 850 is necessary because it combines convenience, performance, and flavor in one grill. It helps me cook better meals with less hassle, and that makes it worth having.
Final Thoughts
After spending time looking at the Pit Boss Navigator 850, my takeaway is that it offers a strong balance of cooking space, versatility, and value. I like that it gives me enough room and control to handle everything from weeknight meals to bigger backyard gatherings without feeling overly complicated. My overall impression is that it’s a solid choice for anyone who wants reliable performance and plenty of grilling flexibility at a reasonable price.
Author Profile
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Hi, I'm Amy Lewis, and I'm so glad you're here. I created Amyiswriting.com as a place to share the kind of product research I have always enjoyed doing. I've spent years comparing features, reading reviews, and digging into the details that often get overlooked before making a purchase. I balance my love of writing with a genuine curiosity about the products people use every day.
Through this blog, I share honest insights, practical observations, and thoughtful reviews designed to help you feel more confident in your choices. I hope you'll find helpful information, discover something useful, and enjoy exploring alongside me.
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