Looking for an honest and comprehensive review of the Pit Boss 1230? Look no further! In this article, we will delve into the features, performance, and overall quality of this popular grill. Discover if the Pit Boss 1230 is worth your investment and find out why it has garnered so much attention in the BBQ community.
True Searing Capability
The Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill addresses the issue of searing on a pellet grill by providing two different methods. The Adjustable Flame Broiler lever allows you to slide part of the heat baffle out of the way and reveal the fire pot, reaching temperatures up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, the gas side of the grill features three burners with 30,000 BTUs of heat, perfect for grilling burgers, hot dogs, and searing steaks.
The Navigator combo grill offers a unique cold-smoking feature by incorporating a tube between the pellet side and the gas side. This allows smoke to pass from the fire pot to the gas side, enabling you to achieve low temperatures necessary for cold-smoking cheese or fish. This feature can also be used while grilling to add wood smoke flavor to your food.
The Navigator combo grill does not have a PID controller but relies on a timing-based temperature control system. While this may result in temperature swings and slower reactions compared to grills with PID controllers, it does not significantly affect cooking outcomes. The controller provides temperature selections ranging from 200°F to 475°F and includes a “PRIME” button for adding extra pellets into the fire pot.
The grill’s controller has two probe ports and comes with two probes for monitoring temperatures on the display. The Navigator is equipped with two shelves – a side shelf that is always available and a folding shelf on the front of the pellet side for convenient loading and unloading of food. However, there is no under-the-grill shelving in the cart.
The Navigator’s pellet hopper has a capacity of up to 16 pounds of hardwood pellets. The amount of pellets burned per hour depends on various factors such as temperature, cooking chamber size, and desired cooking temperature. Pit Boss suggests a range of two to four pounds of pellets per hour, with colder temperatures and higher cooking temperatures requiring more pellets.
Cooking Space
The Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill offers a total cooking area of 1,084 square inches, split between the pellet side and the gas side. This provides ample space for both smoking and grilling. The cooking grates on both sides are porcelain-coated cast iron, which ensures excellent heat retention and easy clean-up.
Cold-Smoking Capability
The Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill offers a unique cold-smoking capability. It features a tube between the pellet side and the gas side that allows smoke to pass from the fire pot to the gas side of the grill. This feature enables users to achieve low temperatures on the gas side for cold-smoking cheese or fish. Additionally, the pass-through can be used while grilling to add wood smoke flavor to dishes. The ability to cold-smoke and add wood smoke during grilling makes the Navigator grill versatile and convenient for backyard pitmasters looking to expand their cooking repertoire.
Controller
The Pit Boss Navigator combo grill does not have a PID controller, instead relying on the traditional timing-based temperature control system. This means that the controller is more prone to temperature swings and takes longer to react than a pellet grill with a PID controller. However, it won’t ruin a cook for you. The controller offers a range of temperature selections from “SMOKE” to “HIGH”, with actual degree settings ranging from 200°F to 475°F. It also includes a “PRIME” button that allows you to feed extra pellets into the fire pot when needed, helping to recover temperatures or add more smoke flavor.
You also have the ability to adjust the “P” setting while the grill is in the “SMOKE” setting. This setting can be adjusted to deal with inclement temperatures. For colder temperatures, a lower “P” setting will ensure that the auger feeds pellets more often. For hotter temperatures, a higher “P” setting will slow down how often the auger feeds pellets to the fire pot. The controller also features two probe ports and comes with two probes for monitoring temperatures on the display. It’s important to note that the controller is only compatible with Pit Boss probes, so replacements must be purchased from them.
Storage/Prep Space
The Pit Boss Navigator pellet/gas combo grill comes with two shelves that provide ample storage and prep space. The side shelf is always available, while a folding shelf on the front of the pellet side can be used when loading or removing food from the grill. However, there is no under-the-grill shelving in the cart, so additional storage options may be limited.
The Navigator’s pellet hopper has a capacity of up to 16 pounds of hardwood pellets at a time. The amount of pellets burned by the grill depends on various factors such as temperature, cooking chamber size, and desired temperature range. Pit Boss suggests an average consumption rate of two to four pounds of pellets per hour, depending on smoking or grilling needs.
The Navigator combo grill utilizes a timing-based temperature control system instead of a PID controller. While this allows for a range of temperature selections from “SMOKE” to “HIGH”, it may result in temperature swings and slower reaction times compared to grills with PID controllers. The controller also includes a “PRIME” button to feed extra pellets into the fire pot for temperature recovery or enhanced smoke flavor.
The controller on the Navigator has two probe ports and comes with two probes for monitoring temperatures. These probes can be inserted through the side of the grill, ensuring proper heat retention without any gaps at the lid. It’s important to note that Pit Boss recommends using their specific probes as replacements, as their controller may not be compatible with other probe brands.
Since the Navigator does not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities, temperature monitoring needs to be done at the grill itself or by using a separate wireless thermometer. This means that you won’t be able to monitor the grill remotely through a smartphone app or other devices.
Unlike some other pellet grills on the market, the Navigator does not come with a built-in pellet sensor or a window to easily check pellet levels. This means that you’ll need to keep a close eye on your pellet levels, especially during longer smoking sessions like pork butt or brisket cooks.
Overall, the Pit Boss Navigator pellet/gas combo grill offers convenient storage/prep space, a decent pellet hopper capacity, and reliable temperature control. However, it may lack some of the advanced features found in higher-end models such as Wi-Fi connectivity and built-in pellet sensors.
Pellet Hopper
The Pit Boss Navigator pellet/gas combo grill features a pellet hopper that can hold up to 16 pounds of hardwood pellets at a time. The amount of pellets a grill burns in an hour can vary depending on factors such as temperature, cooking chamber size, and cooking temperature. Pit Boss recommends using two to four pounds of pellets per hour, with two pounds for smoking and four pounds for higher temperatures.
The Navigator combo grill is equipped with a timing-based temperature control system rather than a PID controller. While this means the grill may experience temperature swings and take longer to react, it does not significantly impact the quality of cooking. The controller offers a range of temperature selections from “SMOKE” to “HIGH”, with actual degree settings ranging from 200°F to 475°F. It also includes a “PRIME” button to add extra pellets for temperature recovery or enhanced smoke flavor.
The controller on the Navigator combo grill has two probe ports and comes with two probes for monitoring temperatures. The grill also has designated spots for the probes to feed through the side, ensuring there are no gaps at the lid. It’s important to note that the controller is only compatible with Pit Boss probes, so any replacements must be purchased from the brand. Additionally, the Navigator does not have Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities, so temperature monitoring needs to be done at the grill or with an external wireless thermometer.
Final Thoughts
The Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill offers a solution to the common issue of searing on pellet grills. With two separate ways to sear, including an Adjustable Flame Broiler lever and a gas side with three burners, this grill provides versatility for achieving that perfect sear. Additionally, the Navigator allows for cold-smoking with its tube that allows smoke to pass from the pellet side to the gas side.
While the Navigator lacks a PID controller and Wi-Fi or Bluetooth capabilities, it still offers temperature control options and comes with two probe ports for monitoring temperatures. The grill also includes convenient features such as two shelves and a folding shelf for easy food loading and unloading.
Overall, the Pit Boss Navigator Pellet/Gas Combo Grill is a great option for those looking to expand their grilling repertoire. With its ability to sear and cold-smoke, along with its ample cooking space, this grill is both functional and visually appealing. Keep an eye out for an in-depth review on AngryBBQ.com in the future.
In conclusion, the Pit Boss 1230 is a highly recommended option for those in search of a reliable and efficient pellet grill. With its spacious cooking area, durable construction, and advanced features, it offers exceptional performance and versatility. Whether you’re grilling, smoking, or baking, this grill delivers consistent results and makes outdoor cooking a breeze.
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