How to Shut Down a Pit Boss Pellet Grill [With Pictures]

You’ve just finished cooking for the first time on your Pit Boss Pellet grill, but now you’re not sure how to shut down a Pit Boss Pellet grill. Unlike other grills, a pellet grill requires you to shut down in several steps. Here’s how to turn off a Pit Boss Grill.

How to Shut Down a Pit Boss Pellet Grill?

To properly shut down a Pit Boss pellet grill, remove the cooked food, run the burn-off procedure, let the grill cool down, cover, and put the grill away till it’s time to use it again next time. These are the exact steps with pictures for shutting down the Pit Boss 820 grill. 

how to shut down a Pit Boss pellet grill

These steps will work for any Pit Boss grill, but the settings may differ on your grill. If you’re not sure how to shut down the grill, you can always refer to the instruction manual that came with it. 

However, once you see me walk through the process, you’ll realize how easy it is to turn off a Pit Boss grill. Read this article to learn how to turn on a Pit Boss grill. 

This article will walk you through how to shut down a pellet grill if you don’t have a Pit Boss. It also covers some of the top pellet grill brand names and the shutdown procedure times.

Step One: Remove the Food From The Pit Boss Grill

Once you’ve used a meat thermometer to ensure the food is cooked to a safe internal temperature, it’s time to remove it. Take the grilled food inside and let it rest while you perform the shutdown procedure. 

Step Two: Turn The Temperature Dial to High

Turn the Pit Boss Temperature dial to high

Now turn the temperature dial to the highest setting on your Pit Boss grill. On the Pit Boss Pro 820, the highest setting is 500℉. This process is known as the burn-off procedure, which is required after every cook. 

If you’ve skipped the burn-off procedure once or twice, it’s not the end of the world. However, it’s essential to get into the habit of going through the process. You can find out more about the importance of the Pit Boss procedure here.  

Pit Boss recommends letting the grill run at its highest temperature for at least five minutes. For greasy foods like bacon, run the burn-off process for 10 minutes instead of five. It will help reduce the chance of a grease fire the next time you turn on your grill.

Just set the alarm on your iPhone and let the grill run on high for five minutes. During this process, you can go back inside and get your food prepared to eat. 

Step Three: Turn The Temperature Dial to Off

turn the Pit Boss to the off position

As soon as your alarm goes off, the burn-off process is complete. Now, it’s time to turn the temperature grill to the “off” position. Don’t turn off the power button, as the fan will still be running. 

You never want to turn off the power button whenever the fan is running. 

Step Four: Let The Grill Cool Down

open the Pit Boss pellet grill lid

Now, you can either lift the lid or leave it down to let the grill cool. I always lift the lid, as it helps the grill cool faster. The cooling time will vary but can take about 20-30 minutes. 

During the cooling process, I recommend you take the time to enjoy your smoked food. It’ll give you time to enjoy your meal while the food is hot and allow the grill to cool completely. 

Step Five: Turn Off The Power Button

turn off the power on Pit Boss

Once you’ve eaten, the grill should be cool enough to complete the shutdown procedure. If the grill has been cooling for at least 30 minutes, you should be able to touch the barrel, and the fan will not be running. 

However, the power button will still be lit blue because the grill is still plugged into the electrical outlet, and it’s still on. Turn off the power, but pressing the power button, and the blue light will turn off.  

Step Six: Unplug The Grill 

unplug the extension cord

Now it’s time to unplug the extension cord if you use one or unplug the grill from the electrical outlet. Most people will use an electrical cord, as the Pit Boss power cord is only about 6/12 feet long. 

Roll the extension cord up nicely, so it’s ready for the next time you need to use it. Next, roll the Pit Boss power cord back up on the back of the grill. Ensure the cable is secured tightly, so it doesn’t drag on the floor whenever you move the grill. 

Step Seven: Close the Lid and Cover

Pit Boss grill with Pit Boss Grill Cover

Close the lid and lower the front shelf so you can cover the grill. A grill cover is essential to protect your Pit Boss from the elements so it doesn’t get rusted, and it can help protect the pellets from getting ruined.

Step Eight: Move The Grill to Its Location

Pit Boss handle

Now, move the grill to a secure place to keep it dry. Use the handle on the grill to move it to its proper storage place. I’d recommend storing the grill in the garage or a building, if possible. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Leave The Pellets In My Pit Boss Grill?

Yes, as long as you cover the grill or put it in an area where it won’t get wet. You don’t want the pellets getting wet. Otherwise, they will ruin and cause the auger to become clogged, and the grill won’t work properly.

Conclusion

Hopefully, this step-by-step guide will help you see how easy it is to turn off the Pit Boss pellet grill. As mentioned, this process works for every type of pellet grill, but the temperature settings will vary depending on the grill you have. 

If you’ve never had a pellet grill, you may have just shut the Pit Boss after your first cook without going through the burn-off procedure. Skipping the burn-off process once or twice won’t hurt the grill, but you should get into the habit of properly shutting down the Pit Boss. 

Feel free to use this guide to help you learn how to turn off the Pit Boss. It won’t take long. After a couple of times, you’ll become a pro at shutting down the grill!

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