Pit Boss Not Igniting: Igniter Rod and Firepot Fix

Quick Answer

A Pit Boss pellet grill that will not ignite has an igniter rod failure, firepot blockage, or startup sequence issue. First check the firepot: remove the grates, heat deflector, and drip tray. If the firepot is full of unburned pellets and ash from a failed start, vacuum it out completely before trying again. Wet or swollen pellets from moisture also prevent ignition.

Most of the time when I get called out for a Pit Boss that won't ignite, it's one of three things: a dead igniter rod, a firepot packed with wet pellet mush, or the auger jammed solid. Ignore it long enough and you'll eventually fry the control board from repeated failed start attempts. Catching it early keeps the repair cheap and fast.

PitbossPelletgrillSeverity: moderateDifficulty: intermediate75% DIY Success

Time to Fix

10–90 min

Difficulty

intermediate

Parts Cost

$0 (no parts needed)

Tools Needed

Phillips #2 screwdriver, Flathead screwdriver

Pit Boss Not Igniting: Igniter Rod and Firepot Fix

When your Pit Boss won't catch fire, don't panic and don't order a new grill. Seriously. I replaced three igniters just last week and every single one was a 20-minute job. First thing I always check is the little fuse on the back of the control board before I do anything else. It's a $2 fix that people skip because they don't know it exists. If the fuse is fine, then we figure out whether it's an electrical problem with the igniter rod or a mechanical blockage stopping pellets from reaching the heat.

Most Likely Causes

Based on aggregated repair data, here is the probability breakdown for this error code:

Component failure in the Pitboss pelletgrill40%

Sensor or thermostat out of operating range24%

Control board fault14%

Power or electrical supply issue12%

Mechanical wear requiring inspection10%

Symptoms You May Notice

Fan runs and you can hear the auger turning, but after 10-15 minutes the grill is still cold and sitting at startup temperature or flashing a code.
Thick white smoke pours out but there's zero heat rise, like the pellets are smoldering without ever actually catching fire.
Every time you open it up after a failed start, the firepot is completely full of unburned pellets stacked up like a pile.
Grill fires up fine sometimes but fails randomly, especially on cold mornings. That's usually a rod that's dying and can't consistently reach ignition temp.
You smell something like burning plastic or an electrical smell near the control board area during the startup cycle.

Can you reset a Pitboss pelletgrill to clear the NOT-IGNITING code?

Turn the dial to Off and unplug the unit. Wait at least 10 minutes so the control board fully discharges. Before you plug it back in, vacuum the firepot completely empty. Don't skip that part. Plug back in, turn to Smoke, and watch for the rod to glow. If you had an ErP lockout code, this full power cycle is the only way to clear it after a failed ignition attempt.

Tools Required for Diagnosis

Phillips #2 screwdriverFlathead screwdriverMultimeter (AC voltage and resistance modes)Shop vac or dedicated ash vacuumFlashlight or headlampNeedle-nose pliers5-amp blade fuse (keep one as a spare)

Diagnostic Checklist

Follow these steps in order. We start with the easiest external fixes before opening up the machine.

ComponentComponent Under Test

Expected Range40–80 ohms

ConditionIf Open (OL) or infinite, replace component.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should a Pit Boss igniter rod last?

Honestly anywhere from 2 to 5 years depending on how hard you run it. If you're doing long overnight brisket cooks at high temps multiple times a week, you'll burn through rods way faster than someone who cooks on weekends at 250. The rods are basically a consumable part. I keep a spare in my kit because I see these die constantly on the Pro Series 850 and 1150 models. Replacement is cheap, usually under $20, so it's not a big deal when they go. Just part of owning a pellet grill.

Can wet pellets permanently damage my Pit Boss?

The pellets themselves won't damage the grill, but what happens when you try to run it with wet pellets can. Wet pellets jam the auger bad, and if you force it with the motor, you'll strip the shear bolt or burn out the auger motor. The bigger risk is pellets that swelled up inside the auger tube and then dried out hard as a rock. I've had to drill those out before. That's a real pain. Always dump your hopper if the grill's sitting unused for more than a few days, especially anywhere with humidity.

My grill ignites sometimes but not always. What's going on?

That's a classic dying igniter rod. When the element inside starts to fail, it still heats up some of the time but can't consistently reach the temperature needed to light the pellets. Cold weather makes it way worse because the rod has to work harder to overcome ambient temperature. I'd just replace it now before it fails completely in the middle of a cook. Also check that the rod is actually positioned down in the firepot and touching the pellets, because if the bracket shifted even a little it'll work randomly depending on how the pellets pile up.

How do I find my model number?

Check the back of the hopper or inside the hopper lid. There's a silver data plate with the model number on it. If it's worn off (happens on older grills that've been outside for years in the weather), look under the lower frame near the legs. You need the exact model because igniter rod lengths vary between the Navigator, Pro Series, and Laredo lines. Getting the wrong length rod is a really common ordering mistake and then you're waiting on another shipment.

What's the correct way to restart after a failed ignition?

Don't just hit start again. That's the number one mistake I see. Turn it off, unplug it, let it cool down. Then open it up and vacuum every bit of ash and unburned pellets out of the firepot. Those unburned pellets are now damp from the combustion attempt and they won't light. Once it's clean, make sure the igniter rod is sitting down in the firepot properly, reload with fresh dry pellets, and try again. Skipping the cleanup is exactly why people end up with a firepot packed three inches deep with wet pellet mush after attempt number four.

Is it worth repairing or should I just buy a new grill?

Almost always worth repairing unless the barrel is rusted through or the main frame is structurally bent. An igniter rod is like $15-20. A fan motor is $25-40. Even a whole new control board is only $60-80 for most Pit Boss models. These grills are built to be rebuilt and parts are easy to find. I've seen 8-year-old Pit Boss grills running perfectly after just a rod swap. A new entry-level replacement starts at $300 or more. Do the math.

Models Known to Experience NOT-IGNITING Errors

This repair applies to most Pitboss pelletgrills with this error code. Common model numbers include:

PB700FB, PB820FB1, PB850PS2, PB1000R1, PB1150G, PBV4PS2, PB440TGW2, PB1230SP

Written by

Sarah Kim

Smart Home & Specialty Appliance Tech · 12 years experience

Last verified for technical accuracy on March 15, 2026