How Can You Adjust Pit Boss P Setting: Factors To Take Into Consideration

For example, one of the most common functions is the P function, which you can adjust to your liking. You are in the right place if you have just gotten a Pit Boss Grill and don't know what to do with this function. Here is your complete guide. 

The P Function In The Pit Boss Pellet Grills 

The P in this function is known for Pause, and you can use it to control the way the Pit Boss grill cooks the food. Such grills have a pellet cycle that controls how the pellets are burnt and replenished. However, when you utilize the P function, it will put a halt to this pellet cycle. 

One of the main aims of doing this is that it helps cook BBQ in windy, humid, and cold weather. Here are some of the Pit Boss grills that have a P function for you to adjust:

• The Mahogany 440D
• The Sportsman Series
• Austin XL 
• Navigator Series 
• Pro Series
• And many others

You can also check the manual you have received with the grill to determine if this function is available for your Pit Boss grill. 

What Does The Pit Boss P Setting Mean While Cooking?

You know what it means, but you probably wonder what this setting does. In simple terms, turning up this setting will reduce the pellet supply so the temperature can be decreased. Unfortunately, this will lead to the firebox creating more smoke due to the pellets inside, which will start smoldering instead of igniting. 

On the other hand, lowering the P setting will ensure that the firebox in the grill has an adequate supply of pellets each time. When this happens, the pellets will ignite easily and faster, increasing the grill temperature. In the long run, adjusting the setting will give you more control over how you want the food to cook. 

What Is The P Setting You Should Begin With?

As a beginner, you might wonder what kind of P setting you should start to use the grill with. According to the company, four is the ideal setting to begin your cooking process. This is also the built-in setting that the function comes with.

When you use this setting, the grill will run at intervals of eighteen seconds and pause for 115 seconds between each pellet cycle. Such intervals will guarantee that you have the perfect temperature to cook your food in the best possible way. If you don't think this would work for you, then you can adjust the settings according to what you need. 

Adjusting The P Setting: Timing Is Everything 

If you cook often, you know that timing is everything, as it can make or break the flavor and texture of your food. When your grill is set to smoke mode, which is below 200F, and the temperature starts going up and down, then you will have to make adjustments to this setting. 

A key note to remember here is that the company designed this setting for the smoke function. The reason for this is that it is the only mode that you can control through timing. So, you should check the temperature of the grill, and if it begins fluctuating in the smoke mode, then you know that it is time for you to adjust the P setting to a level you like. 

Factors To Consider When You Adjust The P Setting 

Now that you know about timing, there are still different factors you need to consider when you adjust the P setting. Here are some factors to consider:

1. Rapid Changes 

When you are working with the P function, you have to be careful that you don’t make any rapid changes in the flow. If you do this, it will hinder your cooking process and the integrity of the grilling system. As a general rule of thumb, you should adjust the settings one by one. 

For example, if you have just made an adjustment to the P setting, then you should wait at least half an hour before you change the setting again. If you don’t provide this gap, then the flame will die quickly. When this happens, you will have to start from scratch. 

Such fluctuations will ruin your cooking process and the BBQ. So, be patient and make gradual changes so that the flame is consistent and the food cooks perfectly. 

2. Heat 

The heat is vital to making the BBQ as delicious as possible, which is why you must consider this factor. For example, if you have set the P setting to a low mode, then the internal temperature of the grill will increase significantly. This means that the grill will consume the pellets fast because the cycle will be rapid. 

We recommend that once you are done preheating the grill at a high temperature, you should switch to smoke mode. When you do this, the pellets will be fed every 4 minutes without you having to do anything. Such feeding might lead to a rise in the temperature, but you should not be worried about this. 

After a while, the grill will automatically stabilize and adjust to the P setting you have chosen. So, stay patient during this process and trust the grill to stabilize after you have selected a P setting of your choice. 

3. Flavor

Another factor you need to consider is the flavor you would like when you adjust the P setting to your liking. For example, many people love the flavor of wood pellets, which is why they want a smoky flavor in their BBQ. If you want the same thing, then you must turn up the P function. 

When you do this, the temperature of the grill will lower, and the cooking time will increase so that you can get the most out of the flavor of the wood. Account for the fact that the cooking time will increase before you plan the cookout. 

If you select a P setting of six or seven, then you will have to keep an eye on the grill and the temperature. In such a setting, the fire burns low, which means it can easily burn out. If that happens, you will have to begin this process from scratch. 

Other Ways You Can Control The Temperature Of The Pit Boss Grill 

If you don’t want to use the P setting, then you are in luck because there are other ways for you to control the temperature. Some of them include the following:

Don’t Open The Lid 

When your food cooks, you probably have the urge to keep opening the lid to check whether it is close to being done. Yes, this is tempting, but it can lead to significant temperature fluctuations. If you want to control the temperature, then you need to avoid doing this. 

Opening the lid will make the grill work harder than before to maintain the temperature. This is why you should keep the lid closed till the meat reaches the temperature of your choosing. 

Purchase The Right Wood Pellets 

High-quality wood pellets can make all the difference to the cooking experience. This is why we recommend that you do research and invest in high-quality pellets from the right brand. You will notice poor-quality pellets because they will burn quickly, and it will be challenging for you to maintain a stable grill temperature. 

Conduct research, read reviews, and then select the right brand for the wood pellet. You can also choose from different flavors, depending on what you like. For example, many people prefer hickory and maple wood pellets for their BBQ. 

Keep The Burn Pot Clean 

Finally, every time you use the grill, you should make sure that the burn pot is clean after each use. There will be ashes inside the cup that can hinder the ideal temperature the next time you cook. It can lead the fire to die before your food begins cooking. 

When this happens, the Pit Boss grill might show an error or automatically turn off. So, keep it clean at all times so that the temperature is managed in a much better way. 

Final Thoughts 

Now that you know everything about the Pit Boss P setting, you can make the relevant adjustments to cook your food in the right way. The temperature is one of the most important things that will determine the cooking time, flavor, and texture of your food. Because of this, it is important to monitor the temperature and use the right settings. 

Once you do, you will become a pro at using the Pit Boss grill. So, do your research and gather all the knowledge you can on this grill.