Most Pit Boss owners discover the P setting one of two ways — either they notice a small button on their control board and start wondering what it does, or their grill’s temperature starts swinging wildly and someone on a forum tells them to “adjust the P setting.” Either way, you end up with the same question: what does this thing actually control, and when should you mess with it?
The short answer: the P setting on a Pit Boss controls the pause cycle between pellet feedings in smoke mode. A higher P setting means longer pauses between pellet feeds, which lowers the temperature. A lower P setting shortens those pauses, feeding pellets more frequently and raising the temperature.
But here’s the thing — there’s a lot more nuance to it than just “turn it up or down.” The P setting only works during smoke mode on most Pit Boss models, it interacts with outside weather conditions more than most people realize, and adjusting it at the wrong time can actually make temperature problems worse.
Let’s break down exactly how it works, when you should adjust it, and when you’re better off leaving it alone.
How the Pit Boss P Setting Actually Works
Your Pit Boss pellet grill feeds wood pellets from the hopper into a burn pot using an auger — a long screw-shaped mechanism that rotates to push pellets forward. The control board manages how often that auger turns on and off.
In smoke mode, the grill cycles between two phases:
- Auger on — pellets feed into the burn pot (typically about 18 seconds per cycle on most Pit Boss models)
- Auger off (pause) — the auger stops, no new pellets are fed, and the fire burns down slightly
The P setting controls how long that pause lasts. Think of it like a thermostat’s duty cycle, but simpler. The auger-on time stays constant. Only the pause duration changes.
At the default P setting of P4, the grill maintains a balance that works well in moderate weather — roughly 65°F to 85°F ambient temperature. The pause between pellet feeds is long enough that the fire doesn’t get too hot, but short enough that it doesn’t go out.
When you increase the P setting (P5, P6, P7), the pauses get longer. Fewer pellets reach the burn pot per hour, so the grill runs cooler and produces more smoke.
When you decrease it (P3, P2, P1, P0), the pauses shorten. More pellets feed into the burn pot, the fire stays hotter, and the grill temperature rises.
Pit Boss P Setting Chart
This gives you a general idea of how each setting affects pellet feed timing and temperature. Keep in mind that exact temperatures vary based on your specific Pit Boss model, pellet quality, and outside conditions.
| P Setting | Pause Between Feeds | Effect on Temperature | Best Used When… |
|---|---|---|---|
| P0 | Shortest pause | Highest temp in smoke mode | Extremely cold weather; grill keeps going out |
| P1 | Very short pause | Higher temp | Cold weather, strong wind |
| P2 | Short pause | Slightly above average | Cool conditions, ~40–50°F |
| P3 | Below default | Slightly warmer than default | Mild but cool days |
| P4 | Default | Target ~160–225°F in smoke mode | Normal conditions, 65–85°F |
| P5 | Above default | Slightly cooler | Warm days, ~85–95°F |
| P6 | Long pause | Lower temp, more smoke | Hot weather, grill running too hot |
| P7 | Longest pause | Lowest temp in smoke mode | Very hot weather; risk of flameout increases |
Warning: Running P6 or P7 in cold or windy weather significantly increases the chance of a flameout. The fire simply doesn’t get enough fuel to sustain itself.
When Should You Adjust the P Setting?
This is where a lot of Pit Boss owners go wrong. They treat the P setting like a temperature knob and start adjusting it every cook. In reality, you should only adjust it when specific conditions call for it.
Cold Weather Smoking
If you’re smoking in temperatures below 50°F, your Pit Boss will struggle to maintain heat in smoke mode. The cold air cools down the cooking chamber faster than the default pellet feed can compensate. Dropping to P2 or P3 shortens the pause, feeds more pellets, and helps the fire keep up.
In genuinely cold conditions — below freezing — you might need to go as low as P1 or P0. Some people also use an insulated blanket designed for their Pit Boss model, which helps more than you’d expect. The combination of a lower P setting and an insulated blanket is usually more effective than either one alone.
Hot Weather Smoking
On a 95°F summer day, the opposite happens. Your grill retains heat more efficiently, and the default P4 setting might push your smoke mode temperature well above 225°F. Bumping up to P5 or P6 gives you longer pauses, less fuel, and a cooler burn.
Temperature Swings in Smoke Mode
Some temperature fluctuation in smoke mode is normal — Pit Boss grills can swing 20–30°F around their target, and that’s by design. The fire is intentionally cycling. But if you’re seeing wild swings of 50°F or more, the P setting might need adjustment.
Before changing it, though, check a few things first:
- Is the fire pot clean? Ash buildup restricts airflow and causes erratic burns.
- Are you using quality pellets? Cheap or damp pellets burn inconsistently.
- Is the hopper full enough? A low hopper sometimes causes the auger to feed unevenly.
If all of those look fine and you’re still seeing big swings, try adjusting the P setting by one increment at a time.
When You Want More Smoke Flavor
A higher P setting in moderate weather produces more smoke. The longer pauses let the fire smolder rather than burn hot and clean. If you’re after a heavier smoke profile on something like a brisket or pork shoulder, bumping to P5 can give you a little more of that smoky character — but you’re also lowering the cooking temperature, so plan for a longer cook.
When NOT to Adjust the P Setting
Here’s something most guides skip entirely: the P setting on a Pit Boss only affects smoke mode on the majority of models. Once you set your grill to a specific temperature (like 225°F, 250°F, 275°F, etc.), the digital controller takes over and manages the auger cycle automatically. The P setting is ignored.
So if you’re cooking at a set temperature and the grill isn’t holding steady, adjusting the P setting won’t help. You’d want to look at other causes — dirty fire pot, bad pellets, a faulty temperature probe, or wind exposure. If your Pit Boss is giving you consistent trouble at set temperatures, our Pit Boss troubleshooting guide covers the most common issues.
There’s one exception: a few older Pit Boss models with non-digital controllers may behave differently. If you have a basic analog controller, the P setting can influence behavior across all modes. But for any Pit Boss with a digital control board — which is most models sold in the last several years — the P setting is a smoke-mode-only adjustment.
How to Adjust the P Setting on a Pit Boss
The process is simple, but it’s worth noting that you can only change the P setting while the grill is in smoke mode. Here’s how:
- Turn on your Pit Boss and set it to smoke mode.
- Locate the P setting button on the control panel. On most models, it’s a small button near the LCD display or the temperature dial.
- Press the button. Each press moves the setting up by one (P4 → P5 → P6, etc.). On some models, it cycles back to P0 after P7.
- Give the grill 20–30 minutes to respond before making another adjustment. Temperature changes from P setting adjustments aren’t instant.
One detail that’s easy to overlook: when you turn your Pit Boss off and back on, the P setting resets to P4 (the factory default) on most models. So if you found a setting that works well for a cold-weather smoke, you’ll need to set it again each time you start the grill.
P Setting vs. Standard Temperature Control
This confuses a lot of people, so let’s clear it up.
Your Pit Boss has two distinct modes of temperature control:
Smoke mode — The grill runs at a low, fluctuating temperature (roughly 160–225°F depending on conditions). The P setting controls how the auger cycles during this mode. Temperature will naturally swing up and down. You’re trading precise control for maximum smoke output.
Set temperature mode — You choose a specific temperature (225°F, 250°F, 275°F, 350°F, etc.), and the digital controller manages the auger automatically to maintain that target. The P setting has no effect here.
If you need precise temperature control for something like a pork chop or chicken thighs where you want a specific internal temp, you’re better off using a set temperature rather than smoke mode. You’ll still get some smoke flavor at 225°F or 250°F — pellet grills always produce smoke. You just won’t get the same heavy, billowing smoke you see in smoke mode.
For low-and-slow cooks where exact temperature matters less — like a long brisket smoke or pulled pork — smoke mode with the right P setting can give you great results with maximum smoke flavor.
Common P Setting Mistakes
Adjusting too quickly. The grill takes time to respond when you change the P setting. If you bump it up, wait 15 minutes, don’t see a change, and bump it up again, you’ll overshoot. Give each adjustment a full 20–30 minutes before deciding it needs another change.
Ignoring the real problem. Temperature issues often come from ash buildup, bad pellets, or wind — not from the P setting. If your fire keeps going out, cleaning the burn pot should be your first move, not reaching for the P button. A clogged fire pot starves the flame of air, and no P setting adjustment fixes that.
Using P7 in cold weather. This is a recipe for a flameout. The long pause combined with cold ambient air means the fire can die between pellet feeds. You end up with a cold grill and a burn pot full of unlit pellets.
Forgetting it resets. As mentioned, most Pit Boss grills reset to P4 on startup. If you found your sweet spot at P2 for winter smoking, write it down or set a reminder. Plenty of people troubleshoot temperature issues for 30 minutes before realizing they forgot to reset their P setting.
Does Every Pit Boss Have a P Setting?
Not all of them. The P setting is found on Pit Boss models with a basic digital controller — often the more affordable models in the lineup. Higher-end Pit Boss grills with PID controllers (like some of the Platinum series, including the Pit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000) manage pellet feeding through a more advanced algorithm that adjusts continuously, so they don’t need a manual P setting.
If your Pit Boss doesn’t have a visible P setting button, your model likely uses a PID controller. These grills tend to hold temperature more tightly on their own, with less of the temperature swing you see in basic controller models.
Wondering how Pit Boss compares to other pellet grills? Our Z Grills vs Pit Boss comparison covers some of the key differences, including controller types. And if you’re exploring pellet grills versus other fuel types entirely, the pellet grill vs gas grill breakdown is worth a look.
Quick Tips for Better Pit Boss Temperature Control
Beyond the P setting, a few habits make a noticeable difference in how well your Pit Boss holds temperature:
- Clean the fire pot before every cook. Even a thin layer of ash can cause ignition problems. A quick vacuum takes 30 seconds.
- Use quality hardwood pellets. Bargain pellets often contain more dust and filler, which burns inconsistently. Brands that use 100% hardwood with minimal sawdust tend to perform better.
- Don’t open the lid constantly. Every time you open it, you lose heat and extend your cook. Use a good wireless meat thermometer instead of lifting the lid to check.
- Position your grill out of direct wind. Wind is the number one external factor that causes temperature swings. A simple wind break — even positioning the grill next to a wall — helps a lot.
- Prime the auger when switching pellet types. If you run the hopper empty and add new pellets, run the auger for a few minutes to clear the old pellets from the tube before starting your cook.
FAQ
What P setting should I use on my Pit Boss?
Start with P4, which is the default. Only adjust if weather conditions or temperature behavior require it. Drop to P2 or P3 in cold weather; raise to P5 or P6 in hot weather.
Does the P setting work at all temperatures?
On most Pit Boss models with a digital controller, the P setting only works in smoke mode. Once you set a specific temperature, the controller manages the auger automatically and the P setting is ignored.
Why does my Pit Boss keep going out on a high P setting?
A high P setting (P6 or P7) creates long pauses between pellet feeds. If the ambient temperature is cool or there’s wind, the fire may not have enough fuel to stay lit during those pauses. Try lowering the P setting and checking for ash buildup in the burn pot.
Can I damage my Pit Boss by using the wrong P setting?
No, you won’t damage the grill. The worst that happens with a P setting that’s too high is a flameout — the fire goes out and you need to restart. With a setting that’s too low, you’ll just run hotter than intended in smoke mode. Neither scenario harms the grill itself.
Does the P setting reset when I turn off my Pit Boss?
On most models, yes. The P setting returns to P4 every time you power cycle the grill. You’ll need to set it again at the start of each cook if you need something other than the default.
The Pit Boss P setting is one of those features that seems complicated until you understand the simple idea behind it: it’s just controlling how often pellets feed the fire during smoke mode. Get comfortable with how your specific grill behaves at P4 in normal weather, and you’ll know exactly when and how to adjust from there. Keep your fire pot clean, use decent pellets, and make small adjustments one step at a time — that’s really all there is to it.
