You’ve smoked pork shoulder, ribs, homemade jerky, brisket, and summer sausage. But can you back on a Pit Boss pellet grill? Yes, you can, and here’s how to do it to ensure your baked goods come out good.
Can You Bake On A Pit Boss?
Yes, pellet grills function like convectional ovens, meaning you can bake your favorite foods in them. That said, a pellet grill cooks faster than a convection oven, so you’ll want to continually monitor the internal temperature.
Most people have no clue how versatile pellet grills are, especially, if you’ve only ever used the traditional gas or charcoal grill.
When I first got my Pit Boss, I had no clue everything I could cook in it. It wasn’t until I baked my first quiche in it that I realized how much it could do.
If you’re wondering how to bake in a Pit Boss pellet grill, then here’s what I’ve learned from my own experience and what I’ve learned.
How to Bake on a Pit Boss Pellet Grill?
If you’ve never baked in your Pit Boss pellet grill, then you’re in for a surprise. Baking in a pellet grill differs slightly from baking in an oven.
Here are some things to factor into account when baking on a pellet grill:
- If you’re baking a quiche, pie, or anything with crusts, use a pie crust shield. It will prevent the edges from burning and keep the baked goods more appealing.
- Preheat the grill while you’re preparing the ingredients. This will ensure the grill is properly preheated before putting the food on it.
- Use aluminum foil pans for your baked goods. You can use Pyrex pans, but the smoke from the grill will make it hard to clean.
- The baked goods will have a smokey flavor, and not everyone will like the flavor. Keep in mind, a baked product will absorb more smoke than a big cut of meat.
Tip: If you don’t want your cake, to taste like smoke. Put it in the smoker for a couple of minutes after baking it in the oven. This will give it a hint of a smokey flavor, without making it taste like an ashtray!
7 Tips for Baking In A Pit Boss Pellet Grill
#1 Find a Recipe
If this is your first time baking in a pellet grill, follow a recipe or bake something you’ve baked before. It’ll be much easier to know how the product is supposed to look at different cook stages, throughout the cook.
Plus it’ll be much easier to compare the end result with the past oven-baked counterpart.
#2 Choose the Right Pellets
Avoid using strong smoking woods such as Mesquite, hickory, or whiskey barrel blend. Instead, opt for more mild sweet-flavored pellets such as apple, cherry, or maple.
Below is a description of the Pit Boss subtle flavored pellets to help you determine which to use:
- Apple blend: A mild sweet flavor that are perfect for baked goods.
- Cherry blend: Slightly sweet flavor with some tartiness that is noticeable on light meals.
You can try other brands that offer more flavors such as Pecan, maple, etc.
#3 Use A Temperature
A handheld thermometer will ensure your baked goods are baked to perfection. Most people (myself included) had no clue that baked goods have a doneness temperature.
Here’s a list of the doneness temperature for different types of baked goods.
#4 Use the Top Rack
I’ve found it easier to bake using the top shelf. The top shelf is further away from the heat source, therefore there’s less chance of your food burning.
Experiment to see which rack you prefer using when you’re baking.
#5 Types of Pans to Bake In
When baking in a pellet grill, I’ve found it easier to buy recyclable aluminum pans that I don’t have to clean. It’s not expensive and you won’t have to worry about ruining your favorite baking pan.
#6 Keep The Lid Closed
Use the Smoke Wifi or external thermometer to monitor the internal temperature. Opening the lid will prevent the desert from baking and can cause your cake to collapse.
In addition, the rush of cold air stops the cake from rising.
#7 Clean the Pellet Grill
Always vacuum out the pellet grill before baking. Having too much ash in the firepot can ruin baked goods.
What Temperature Do You Bake On?
Baking temperatures will range from 180-350°F depending on what you’re baking. If you’re baking a store-bought product, you’ll want to use the temperature on the back of the box.
Below you’ll find a baked goods temperature chart to help you decide what temperature to set on the pellet grill. These temperatures are the baking temperatures you use on an oven.
Keep in mind, the pellet grill cooks faster than an oven.
Baked Goods Baking Temperature Chart
| Baked Goods | Temp (F) | Temp (C) | Minutes |
| Biscuits | 400 | 204 | 10-15 |
| Quiche | 350 | 176 | 30-40 |
| Drop Cookies | 350 | 177-205 | 15-25 |
| Pie Crust | 350 | 176 | 5-10 |
| Yeast Rolls | 400-425 | 205 | 15-25 |
| Apple Cake | 325 | 162 | 45 |
| Pound Cake | 325 | 162 | 50-60 |
| Cheesecake | 325 | 162 | 30-50 |
| Bread Pudding | 160 | 71 | 40-50 |
*The above are general baking guidelines to use in the pellet grill. You know your grill, if it burns hotter, then go with a lower temperature, and don’t forget to monitor the grill!
Baking temperature varies and is affected by ingredients, altitude, grill size, pan used, and etc.
The most important thing to remember when baking is it’s usually always around 350°F or lower and baking is always done on indirect heat.
Can I Use My Pit Boss as an Oven?
Yes, like an oven, a pellet grill has a temperature control where you set the desired cooking temperature.
You simply set the desired temperature and the temperature sensor inside the grill communicates directly with the auger system to deliver the right amount of wood pellets into the firepot.
That said, unlike an oven, it can be exceptionally difficult to maintain the desired temperature.
How Long Does It Take to Bake on a Pit Boss?
Baking time will average around 15-30 minutes, depending on what you’re cooking. Baking time will vary depending on the grill, ambient temperature, and what you’re baking.
For best results, you’ll want to monitor the internal temperature using a toothpick. If you’re baking a cake, stick the toothpick in the middle of the cake.
When it comes out clean, then it’s ready to be removed from the pellet grill!
Final Word
It is possible to bake in a Pit Boss pellet grill. That said, unlike an oven, you will need to continue the food. Pellet grills are known to fluctuate in temperature, which can affect the baking process.
Now that you know it’s possible to bake in a pellet grill, give it a try. The next time you’re craving brownies, birthday, cake, baked potato, etc, try baking it on the Pit Boss.
Basically, anything you can cook in the oven, you can do in the Pit boss. The biggest difference is it cooks faster and adds a hint of the smoky flavor that the Pit boss is known for!
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