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Choosing the right grill can transform your outdoor cooking experience, and when it comes to Pit Boss, two popular series often stand out: the Navigator and Sportsman.
Let’s delve into the features, advantages, and considerations of each series to help you make an informed decision between the Pit Boss Navigator and Sportsman models.
Pit Boss Navigator Vs Sportsman – Which Suits You Best?
The Pit Boss Navigator Series and Sportsman Series each offer distinct advantages tailored to varying grilling needs.
Here’s a quick comparison chart –
| Key Features | Navigator Series | Sportsman Series |
|---|---|---|
| Our Top Pick | Navigator 550 Pellet Grill | Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill |
| Dimensions | 48.31 x 31.26 x 47.05 inches | 58.22 x 32.33 x 52.15 inches |
| Outer Material | Steel, Iron | Stainless Steel |
| Weight | 122.8 pounds | 157.4 pounds |
| Cooking Surface | 542 Sq.Inches | 849 sq.in |
| Hopper Capacity | 16-pound | 21-pound |
| Additional Features | One Included Meat Probe, Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Grates, Built-in tool hooks | Built-in spice rack, Easy-access handle, Dial-in digital control board |
| Price | Check on Amazon | Check on Amazon |
In the Navigator Series, the 550 and 850 models deliver exceptional cooking space, ranging from 542 to 879 square inches, coupled with a versatile temperature range of 180°F to 500°F.
These grills boast 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing for smoking, baking, roasting, searing, and more.
The innovative slide-plate flame broiler ensures precise heat control, while the digital control board and included meat probes simplify temperature monitoring.
With sturdy builds and 100% all-natural hardwood pellet fuel, the Navigator Series guarantees robust outdoor cooking experiences.
On the other hand, the Sportsman Series, comprising the 820 and 1100 models, showcases its prowess with substantial cooking capacities ranging from 849 to 1,121 square inches.
Similarly equipped with an 8-in-1 cooking capability and a temperature range of 180°F to 500°F, these grills cater to a diverse range of culinary techniques, from grilling to smoking and searing.
Sporting slide plate flame broilers, they ensure precision and efficiency in heat distribution.
What sets the Sportsman Series apart are its premium features, including stainless steel constructions, built-in spice racks, and adjustable shelves, adding convenience and functionality to the grilling experience.
While the Navigator Series focuses on efficiency, technology-driven controls, and spacious cooking areas, the Sportsman Series emphasizes enhanced build quality, additional features, and versatility in grill functionalities.
Both series stand as top contenders, offering distinct benefits suited for different outdoor cooking preferences and culinary requirements.
Pit Boss Navigator 550 Pellet Grill – Comprehensive Overview
The Pit Boss Navigator 550 Pellet Grill stands as a pinnacle of outdoor cooking innovation within the Navigator Series. It’s designed to offer an exceptional grilling experience, combining cutting-edge technology with a generous cooking area and versatile functionalities.
- Pit Boss 550G Navigator Series Grill
- 16-Pound Hopper Capacity
- More Than 542 Sq.Inches Of Cooking Surface
- Porcelain-Coated Cast Iron Cooking Grates
- Dial-In Digital Control Board With Led Read-Out
With over 542 square inches of cooking surface, this grill provides ample space to cater to various culinary needs. Its 8-in-1 cooking versatility allows users to grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, char-grill, and barbecue, all with one appliance.
This flexibility ensures users can experiment with diverse recipes and cooking methods, enhancing their outdoor culinary adventures.
Temperature Control:
The Navigator 550 boasts a wide temperature range, spanning from 180°F to 500°F. This range empowers users to precisely control heat levels, enabling everything from low and slow smoking to high-temperature searing.
The innovative dial-in digital control board, accompanied by stainless steel meat probes, offers accurate temperature monitoring and adjustment, ensuring consistent results without constant monitoring.
Construction and Features:
Crafted with premium heavy-gauge steel construction and featuring porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates, this grill ensures durability and even heat distribution.
Its slide-plate flame broiler facilitates direct and indirect heat cooking, providing versatility in grilling techniques.
Additionally, the Navigator 550 comes with thoughtful add-ons such as a folding front shelf and a grill cover, enhancing convenience and protecting the grill when not in use.
Fuel Source:
Operating on wood pellet fuel, this grill delivers authentic wood-fired flavors to dishes. The 16-pound hopper capacity ensures an extended cooking duration without the need for frequent refills, allowing users to focus on the cooking process rather than fuel management.
Dimensions and Warranty:
The grill’s dimensions, measuring 48.31 x 31.26 x 47.05 inches, offer a sizable cooking space while remaining relatively compact for storage purposes.
Backed by Pit Boss’s best-in-class 5-year warranty, users can trust in the quality and durability of their investment.
The Pit Boss Navigator 550 Pellet Grill encapsulates a harmonious blend of technological innovation, spacious cooking area, temperature control precision, and durable construction, catering to both novice grillers and seasoned outdoor cooking
Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill – A Detail Overview
The Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill is a powerhouse within the Sportsman Series, offering a generous cooking area and a range of features tailored to outdoor grilling enthusiasts.
- Sportsman 820SP Wood Pellet Grill
- Hardwood Pellet Fuel
- 180°F to 500°F temperature range
- 8-in-1 versatility to grill, smoke, roast, bake, braise, barbecue, char-grill, and sear
- 849 sq.in of cooking capacity
Featuring a substantial 849 square inches of cooking surface, the Sportsman 820 caters to various cooking styles and recipes. Its 8-in-1 cooking versatility allows for grilling, smoking, roasting, baking, searing, braising, char-grilling, and barbecuing, offering an extensive range of culinary options.
Temperature Control:
The grill provides a temperature range from 180°F to 500°F, granting precise heat control suitable for different cooking techniques.
The dial-in digital control board and included Pit Boss meat probes ensure accurate temperature monitoring, facilitating consistent and delectable results.
Construction and Features:
Constructed with stainless steel and designed for durability, the Sportsman 820 offers a sturdy and long-lasting grilling solution.
The slide plate flame broiler aids in direct and indirect heat cooking, while additional features like the 2-in-1 stainless steel side shelf, removable tray, built-in spice rack, and solid construction enhance convenience and functionality.
Fuel Source:
Utilizing wood pellet fuel, this grill imparts authentic wood-fired flavors to dishes. Its 21-pound hopper capacity ensures prolonged cooking sessions without frequent refills, allowing for uninterrupted culinary experiences.
Dimensions and Warranty:
Measuring 58.22″D x 32.33″W x 52.15″H, the grill provides a spacious cooking area while remaining relatively compact. As with other Pit Boss models, the Sportsman 820 is accompanied by a manufacturer’s warranty, although specific warranty terms may vary.
The Pit Boss Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill is tailored for grilling enthusiasts seeking a sizable cooking area, precise temperature control, durable construction, and a range of convenient features to elevate their outdoor cooking endeavors.
Pit Boss Sportsman Series and the Navigator Series: A Detailed Comparison
The choice between the two may hinge on specific features, cooking area requirements, and design preferences of the user.
Let’s deep dive –
Cooking Area:
Sportsman Series: The Sportsman Series offers a range of grills with ample cooking space, such as the Sportsman 820 Pellet Grill featuring around 849 square inches of cooking surface.
Navigator Series: The Navigator Series provides various models, including the Navigator 550 and 850 Pellet Grills, offering cooking areas ranging from 542 to 879 square inches.
Temperature Range and Versatility:
Sportsman Series: Equipped with a temperature range of 180°F to 500°F, Sportsman grills feature 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing users to grill, smoke, bake, roast, sear, braise, char-grill, and barbecue.
Navigator Series: Similarly, the Navigator Series offers a temperature range from 180°F to 500°F and 8-in-1 cooking versatility, accommodating smoking, baking, roasting, searing, and more.
Construction and Features:
Sportsman Series: Sportsman grills are constructed using durable materials like stainless steel and often include features such as slide plate flame broilers, built-in spice racks, removable trays, and stainless steel side shelves.
Navigator Series: Navigator grills are also constructed with heavy-gauge steel, porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates, slide-plate flame broilers, folding front shelves, and additional features like reinforced legs and tool hooks.
Fuel Source and Capacity:
Sportsman Series: Sportsman grills operate using wood pellet fuel, featuring hopper capacities varying between models, such as the Sportsman 820 with a 21-pound hopper capacity.
Navigator Series: Navigator grills also utilize wood pellet fuel with different hopper capacities, like the Navigator 550 with a 16-pound hopper and the Navigator 850 with a 28-pound hopper capacity.
Dimensions and Warranty:
Sportsman Series: Sportsman grills come in various sizes, with the Sportsman 820 having dimensions of 58.22″D x 32.33″W x 52.15″H, and their warranty terms may vary.
Navigator Series: Navigator grills differ in dimensions, with the Navigator 550 measuring 48.31 x 31.26 x 47.05 inches and the Navigator 850 at 37.01″D x 57.95″W x 47.05″H. They are generally backed by a 5-year warranty from Pit Boss.
How To Choose The Best One From Sportsman and Navigator?
Choosing between the Pit Boss Sportsman and Navigator series involves considering several factors based on your specific needs and preferences for outdoor grilling.
Here’s a guide to help you pick the best one for you:
Cooking Space Requirements:
Determine the amount of cooking area you need. If you often host large gatherings or cook for a bigger group, models like the Navigator 850 or Sportsman 1100 with larger cooking surfaces might be suitable.
For smaller gatherings or more limited space, the Sportsman 820 or Navigator 550 could suffice.
Cooking Versatility:
Consider the types of dishes and cooking techniques you prefer. Both series offer 8-in-1 cooking versatility, but specific models might excel in certain cooking methods.
For instance, if you focus more on searing or high-heat cooking, models with robust flame broilers might be preferable.
Construction and Features:
Evaluate the build quality and additional features. The Sportsman series often emphasizes stainless steel construction and extra features like built-in spice racks and removable trays.
On the other hand, the Navigator series might highlight heavy-gauge steel builds, reinforced legs, and folding shelves.
Temperature Control and Fuel Capacity:
Assess the temperature ranges and hopper capacities offered by different models. Consider how often you’ll use the grill and whether a larger hopper capacity for longer cooking sessions would be beneficial.
Size and Dimensions:
Take into account the available space for the grill. The dimensions of the grill, especially its footprint, might influence your decision, particularly if you have limited space in your outdoor cooking area.
Budget and Warranty:
Compare the pricing and warranty terms. Sometimes, differences in pricing or warranty lengths might influence your decision, especially if one series offers a longer warranty or fits better within your budget.
Reviews and User Experiences:
Check out reviews and user feedback for both series and specific models. Real-world experiences can provide valuable insights into reliability, performance, and ease of use.
Ultimately, the “best” series for you depends on your unique preferences, cooking style, space availability, and budget.
Consider these aspects carefully to select the grill that aligns most closely with your outdoor cooking needs and preferences.
How We Experimented with the Sportsman and Navigator Series
In our quest to understand the nuances and capabilities of the Pit Boss Sportsman and Navigator series, we embarked on a grilling journey, putting these remarkable grills through their paces.
Our goal was to uncover firsthand insights into their performance, functionalities, and overall grilling experiences.
Cooking Versatility and Performance
We kicked off our experimentation by testing the cooking versatility of both series. The Sportsman and Navigator grills proved their mettle in various culinary domains, from smoking and roasting to searing and baking.
Each model exhibited its prowess in handling different dishes, showcasing precise temperature control and consistent heat distribution.
Space and Capacity
Exploring the ample cooking space offered by these grills was an enlightening experience. The Navigator series, with its spacious cooking surfaces, was adept at accommodating larger portions, making it perfect for hosting sizable gatherings.
Conversely, the Sportsman series, with its generous capacity, impressed us with its ability to handle extensive cooking needs without compromising on quality.
Features and Innovation
Our experimentation delved into the unique features that set these series apart. The Navigator series, emphasizing heavy-gauge steel construction and innovative additions like slide-plate flame broilers and folding shelves, stood out for its robustness and convenience.
On the other hand, the Sportsman series, with its focus on stainless steel builds and extra amenities like built-in spice racks and removable trays, showcased craftsmanship and additional functionalities.
Wood-Fired Flavor Infusion
Both series utilize wood pellet fuel, imparting that coveted wood-smoked flavor to dishes. Experimenting with different types of wood pellets allowed us to appreciate the distinct flavors they added to the grilled delicacies, enhancing the overall taste profile of the food.
Conclusion from Our Experimentation
Through our hands-on experimentation, we gained valuable insights into the strengths and capabilities of the Pit Boss Sportsman and Navigator series.
While each series excelled in various aspects, our conclusion emphasized the importance of aligning the grill’s features, space requirements, and functionalities with individual preferences and cooking needs.
Ultimately, whether you opt for the Navigator or Sportsman series, you can be assured of a rewarding outdoor grilling experience, enriched by innovation, versatility, and the delectable wood-fired flavors that Pit Boss grills are renowned for.
Conclusion
Both the Pit Boss Navigator and Sportsman series offer exceptional grilling experiences, combining versatility, durability, and innovative features. Your choice ultimately depends on your specific cooking needs, preferred features, available space, and budget. Whether you opt for the spacious Navigator Series or the feature-rich Sportsman Series, a Pit Boss grill promises to elevate your outdoor cooking game to new heights.