Pit Boss Vertical Smokers: Gas, Electric or Pellet?

On this page (11 sections)

1. Which Pit Boss vertical smoker fuel fits your setup?
2. How much cooking space do you need?
3. Who should choose the Pit Boss 3-Series gas smoker?
4. Who should choose the Pit Boss 4-Series electric smoker?
5. Who should choose the Pit Boss Navigator pellet smoker?
6. Who should choose the Pit Boss 2-Series gas smoker?
7. What should you plan before setting up a vertical smoker?
8. How can you get better results from a vertical cabinet?
9. What mistakes should you avoid with a Pit Boss vertical smoker?
10. How should you care for a Pit Boss vertical smoker?
11. Which Pit Boss vertical smoker should you pick?

The right Pit Boss vertical smoker depends on the fuel you can use and the controls you want. The gas models use propane, the 4-Series uses electricity, and the Navigator burns wood pellets with digital controls.

A vertical cabinet makes use of height, with racks that let you separate foods during a cook. To choose among these models, start with fuel access, then consider how much room your usual meals need and how closely you want to manage temperature.

Which Pit Boss vertical smoker fuel fits your setup?

Choose propane for a gas burner, electricity for app-connected heat control, or pellets for a large hopper and a broader temperature range. The fuel determines where the smoker can run and what you need to prepare before each cook.

A propane cabinet can suit a patio or yard where you can safely set up a gas smoker and keep a propane supply available. The electric model needs a suitable outlet, while the pellet model needs pellets and an appropriate place for a larger, heavier cabinet.

Use the fuel you can reliably access where you cook. If you're still weighing the broad trade-offs, our gas and combo smokers guide compares the available styles, and propane vs electric smokers explains the difference between those two fuel choices.

How much cooking space do you need?

The 2-Series is the smallest option here at 540 sq in, while the electric 4-Series has the largest area at 1,320 sq in. Think about the food you regularly cook and whether it needs full rack space, rather than choosing by total area alone.

Three racks may be enough if you usually smoke a few items for a household meal. More racks can help when you cook different foods at once or need to spread out a larger batch, but a tall or wide cut may take up more than one rack.

The 3-Series gas smoker sits between the two: its 880 sq in are divided across 4 racks. The Navigator pellet model offers 1,118 sq in on 5 racks.

Those layouts make the larger cabinets more appealing for mixed cooks or gatherings, provided you have a place to use and store them.

Before choosing, list the foods you expect to cook most often. Consider their shape, how you want to arrange them, and whether you need room to keep foods on separate racks.

A large stated area does not help if your regular meals use only a small part of the cabinet.

For a broader look at cabinet capacity across fuels, see our best vertical smokers guide.

Who should choose the Pit Boss 3-Series gas smoker?

Choose the 3-Series gas model if you want propane operation and more rack room than the 2-Series offers. Its 4 racks and 880 sq in give you more room for separate foods or larger batches.

The dual valve and dual burner system is rated at 12,500 BTU, and the temperature range is 100°F to 320°F. Piezo ignition starts the propane burners, while external wood-chip and ash removal gives you access to those parts without opening the cabinet door.

A large viewing window and heat indicator give you a way to check the smoker without opening the door each time. The front-access grease drawer also gives you a designated place to manage drippings.

This model suits cooks who have a safe propane setup, want a taller cabinet and expect to use more than a few racks.

Skip it if you want app-based temperature control or if 540 sq in would cover your normal cooks; the smaller gas option may be a better use of space.

Who should choose the Pit Boss 4-Series electric smoker?

Choose the 4-Series electric model if you want the most cooking area here and connected digital controls. Its 6 adjustable racks and 1,320 sq in suit cooks who prepare larger batches or several kinds of food at once.

A 1,650-watt heating element supplies heat, with a control range of 100°F to 300°F. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity let you monitor and adjust temperatures through a connected device, and dual probe ports help you track the cook without repeatedly opening the cabinet.

This model suits a backyard with a suitable electrical outlet nearby and a cook who values remote monitoring.

Skip it if you don't have a practical place to plug in the smoker, or if you need a temperature range above 300°F; the Navigator reaches a higher maximum.

The smoker has a removable grease cup, a grease tray and rear wheels. Plan a place to roll it and a cleanup routine for the grease-catching parts after cooking.

Who should choose the Pit Boss Navigator pellet smoker?

Choose the Navigator if you want pellet fuel, digital controls and a 50 lb hopper for longer sessions. Its 1,118 sq in of cooking space across 5 racks gives it room for a variety of foods without matching the 4-Series's overall area.

The digital control range is 130°F to 420°F. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connect it to the Pit Boss Grills app, and one included meat probe works with the smoker's 3 probe ports.

Its chimney exhaust and convection airflow are designed to move heat and smoke through the cabinet.

This model suits cooks who want pellet fuel and a higher maximum temperature than the electric option provides.

Skip it if you prefer propane or an electric heating element, or if moving a 127 lb smoker would be difficult. Check where it will live before delivery, especially if it must pass through a narrow route.

The large hopper can reduce the need to refill during a long cook, but it doesn't remove the need to check the smoker and monitor food. Learn the digital controls and probe setup before relying on app monitoring for an important meal.

Who should choose the Pit Boss 2-Series gas smoker?

Choose the 2-Series if you want propane and a smaller cooking area for everyday batches. It offers 540 sq in on 3 racks, making it the more compact gas option in this guide.

It has a single control knob and piezo ignition, and its temperature range is 100°F to 320°F. External wood-chip and ash removal, a front-access grease drawer, a large thermometer, an included meat probe and 2 rear wheels round out its setup.

This model suits cooks who don't need as much rack space as the 3-Series provides.

Skip it if you often prepare larger batches or want more room between foods. The 3-Series adds one rack and 340 sq in while keeping propane fuel.

If propane is your preferred setup and you want to compare additional models, browse our best propane smokers guide.

What should you plan before setting up a vertical smoker?

Choose a stable outdoor location with the right fuel or power access, then follow the model's instructions for assembly and clearances. Measure the location and the route to it before you commit to a cabinet.

The 3-Series gas model measures 22.8 in deep by 21.5 in wide by 46.9 in high. The electric model measures 19.84 in deep by 23.15 in wide by 46.97 in high, while the pellet model weighs 127 lb.

Leave room to open the door, reach controls and remove grease or ash. Use the rear wheels to help position a model that has them, but plan the location first so you don't have to maneuver it repeatedly.

For a gas smoker, follow the appliance instructions and propane supplier's guidance for connecting and handling fuel.

For an electric smoker, use the specified power setup and place the smoker where its cord can reach safely. Keep the cooking and cleanup area clear enough to reach trays and racks.

Before the first cook, read the manual for assembly, seasoning or initial-use instructions. If the manual calls for a burn-in or other preparation, complete it before adding food.

Don't assume that a feature on one model works the same way on another.

How can you get better results from a vertical cabinet?

Use the racks to organize food and check doneness with a probe, rather than opening the door repeatedly. A steady routine helps you manage heat and smoke while keeping the cabinet closed.

Leave space around foods so heat and smoke can circulate. Avoid packing racks tightly or placing large pieces where they block the items below.

If you cook different foods together, arrange them so drippings won't create a problem for foods on lower racks.

Start with a moderate amount of wood chips or pellets and follow the manual's guidance for adding fuel. More smoke material doesn't automatically mean better flavor.

Keep notes on the fuel amount, settings and cook duration that work for your recipes, then adjust one part at a time.

The electric and pellet models include probe-related features, and the 2-Series gas model includes a meat probe. Use a probe to check food as needed, and avoid relying only on the cabinet's temperature indicator to judge doneness.

Opening the door to look at food releases heat and smoke. Use the viewing window where available, and open the door when you need to rotate, check or remove food.

Organize tools and trays beforehand so each opening has a purpose.

What mistakes should you avoid with a Pit Boss vertical smoker?

The most common avoidable mistakes are choosing the wrong fuel, overestimating rack space and neglecting grease or ash cleanup. A simple pre-cook check can prevent each one.

First, confirm the model's fuel type before buying. The 2-Series and 3-Series are gas models, the 4-Series is electric, and the Navigator uses wood pellets.

Make sure you can supply the right fuel and, for electric, reach a suitable outlet.

Second, don't equate rack count with the amount of food you can cook. Measure bulky foods against the rack layout and consider whether you can arrange them without crowding.

If you regularly cook large batches, the smaller 2-Series may be restrictive.

Third, avoid opening the door every few minutes to check progress. Use the viewing window and probe features where available, and set up your ingredients and tools before the cook begins.

Finally, don't let grease, ash or leftover wood material build up between cooks. Empty the appropriate drawers or trays after the smoker cools, and clean racks and interior surfaces according to the manual.

A clean, ready cabinet is easier to prepare for the next session.

How should you care for a Pit Boss vertical smoker?

Clean removable grease and ash collection parts after they cool, and keep the racks clear of residue. Regular care keeps cleanup manageable and helps you spot wear before the next cook.

Let the smoker cool fully before handling trays, cups or racks. Remove grease and ash as the manual directs, then clean racks with tools and methods suited to their finish.

Avoid scraping coated surfaces with anything likely to damage them.

Keep the door seal and surrounding edges free of buildup so the door can close as intended. Check that drawers and trays are seated properly before cooking, and store the smoker in a way that protects it from weather according to the manufacturer's care instructions.

For a fuller routine, see our guide to cleaning a smoker after every few cooks. If you're preparing a new cabinet, our smoker seasoning guide covers the first-use steps.

Which Pit Boss vertical smoker should you pick?

Pick the model that matches your fuel access and normal batch size. Choose the 2-Series for smaller propane cooks, the 3-Series for more gas-fueled rack space, the 4-Series for a large electric cabinet with app controls, or the Navigator for pellet fuel and a 50 lb hopper.

If you still need to decide which cabinet style suits your yard, start with our BBQ smoker comparison. It lays out the main smoker types so you can narrow the choice before comparing individual models.

Frequently asked questions

Which Pit Boss vertical smoker fuel is easiest to control?

The electric and pellet models have digital controls and Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity. The electric model runs from 100°F to 300°F, while the pellet model runs from 130°F to 420°F.

Gas models use propane and a control knob, so you manage heat at the smoker.

Is a Pit Boss vertical smoker gas or electric?

Pit Boss vertical smokers include propane gas and electric models, plus a wood-pellet model. Check the exact model name and fuel type before buying.

The series number alone does not identify whether a smoker uses propane, electricity or pellets.

What is the difference between the Pit Boss 2-Series and 3-Series gas smokers?

The 2-Series has 540 sq in of cooking space across 3 racks, while the 3-Series has 880 sq in across 4 racks. Both run on propane, use piezo ignition and have a 100°F to 320°F temperature range.

Does the Pit Boss electric smoker use wood chips?

Yes. The 4-Series electric model has a wood-chip tray, and you can add wood chips or pellets for smoke.

A 1,650-watt heating element supplies heat, while Wi-Fi and Bluetooth let you control and monitor the smoker through a connected device.