Every Pit Boss grill uses a control panel to operate the pellet auger, combustion fan, and hot rod ignitor. That said, not all Pit Boss control boards offer WiFi abilities. In fact, just recently only the new Pro Series 850 and 1150 offer wireless connectivity. That said, if you’ve ever wondered can I upgrade my Pit Boss to WiFi, you’re in the right place.
Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss to WiFi?
Yes, if your grill is one of the compatible grills on the list below, you can upgrade from the old control board to the new Smoke IT WiFi and Bluetooth controller. I recently replaced my old control board and wanted to share my experience as well as the step-by-step method of replacing it.
![Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (1) Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (1)](https://i0.wp.com/smokergrillgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/can-i-upgrade-my-pit-boss-to-wifi.jpg)
But First, Should You Upgrade To The Smoke IT Controller?
It depends, the control board is not cheap. If you’re happy with your grill as is, then there’s no reason to upgrade. However, if you want to use your smartphone to control your grill, then you might want to consider it.
*This page contains affiliate links to products I recommend. If you purchase something from this page, I may receive a small percentage of the sale at no extra cost to you.
I upgraded to the WiFi controller because I wanted to be able to control the grill using my smartphone. Since having the new controller, I can now monitor it from anywhere, as long as I am within 30ft (9m) of the grill.
I’ve now had the new WiFi controller for over a month and I’ll share what I think about it below. First let’s look at some reasons you may want to consider upgrading.
More Control
The Smoke controller connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth and WiFi. You’ll have to download and connect the grill to the Smoke IT app to your Android or iOS device.
Once connected you’ll be able to do the following with your phone:
- Turn off (not on)
- Increase/decrease the temperature
- Use the meat probes to monitor your cook
This means you won’t have to continually go outside to keep an eye on your grill. You can tend to other things around your home while you cook.
That said, it’s not perfect. there are some faults with the app. For instance, when I purchased it I thought there would be some type of internal alarm that would alert you when your meat reached the proper internal temperature.
Unfortunately, there’s not. I was actually disappointed in that as I thought it would be a cool feature. It would also mean you wouldn’t have to constantly be looking at your phone to monitor the temperature.
An alarm would alert you so you know when your food was done. I did reach out to Pit Boss about this and they haven’t responded. Hopefully, the app developer has something in the works for this.
My way around this is I set the alarm on my phone, because I tend to know how long something takes.
Faulty Control Board
Eventually, as your grill becomes older, you may end up with a faulty control. At this point you’ll have to decide whether you want to upgrade to WiFi or not.
Of course, before you replace your controller, you want to ensure it is indeed faulty. After all, they are not cheap and you don’t want to replace it if it’s not time.
Controller Compatible With The Following Models
The Pit Boss Smoke IT is NOT compatible with every model. In fact, there are only a limited variety of hoppers that can be upgraded to the new WiFi controller.
Here’s a list of the compatible models according to the Pit Boss website. If your model is on the list, it means you can upgrade to the Smoke IT controller.
I have the Pro Series PB820PSI model and I was able to upgrade to the smoke IT without issues.
80014 | 80015 | 80029 | 80030 |
PB440D2 | PB340TGW1 | PB440D2 | PB340TGW1 |
PB440D3 | PB700FBW2 | PB440D3 | PB700FBW2 |
PB440TGN1 | PB1000XLW1 | PB440TGN1 | PB1000XLW1 |
PB456D | PB456D | ||
PB700NC1 | PB700NC1 | ||
PB820D2 | PB820D2 | ||
PB820D3 | PB820D3 | ||
PB850G | PB850G | ||
PB820ME | PB820ME | ||
PB820PS1 | PB820PS1 | ||
PB0820SP | PB0820SP | ||
PB820XL | PB820XL | ||
PB1000NC1 | PB1000NC1 | ||
PB1000SC3 | PB1000SC3 | ||
PB1000SC2 | PB1000SC2 | ||
PB1000SP | PB1000SP | ||
PB1000T3 | PB1000T3 | ||
PB1000T4 | PB1000T4 | ||
PB1000XL | PB1000XL | ||
PB1100SP | PB1100SP | ||
PB1100PS1 | PB1100PS1 | ||
PB1150G | PB1150G |
These model numbers belong to the Navigator Series, Sportsman Series, Pro Series, and NASCAR series. If you’re not sure if your grill falls under these categories check out this website for a complete list of compatible grills.
Where to Buy Smoke IT WiFi controller?
You can purchase the controller on the Pit Boss website, Lowes or Amazon. I purchased mine from the Pit Boss website, but that was before I realized that I could purchase it anywhere.
Overall the purchasing experience was smooth and I didn’t encounter any issues. Below you’ll find the SMOKE IT controller on Amazon, to help make the process of buying easier.
Sale
PIT BOSS 80014 Legacy WiFi and Bluetooth Control...
- Pit Boss Legacy WiFi and Bluetooth Controller -Grill attachment
- Upgrades most Pit Boss Grills with WiFi and Bluetooth technology
- Use the Smoke iT app for total control of the grill from your mobile device
- Equipped with two meat probe port
- Fitting perfectly into the existing controller slot
$118.99
BUY NOW ON AMAZON
Don’t worry, even if you’re not a techy person, you’ll be able to get it installed. I’ll share how to do it step-by-step below.
How to Install Pit Boss Wireless Controller
I’ve created a video that walks you through installing the new WiFi control board. This is the same process you would take whether you’re upgrading to the WiFi controller or just replacing it with another non-WiFi controller.
Here’s the video of me changing out the old control board with the new one.
Of course, I’ve also transcribed the video below for those of you that don’t like watching videos.
Tools You Need
- Wire Cutters
- Flathead screwdriver
- Phillips screwdriver
- Wire cutting pliers
- Electric screwdriver
- Wire Ties
Step #1 Unplug and Tilt the Grill
Ensure the grill is unplugged and turned off before doing any type of electrical work. Use a piece of wood to lean the grill over slightly. You’ll want enough room so you can crawl underneath the bottom of the hopper.
You don’t have to worry about removing the pellets from the hopper.
Step #1 Remove the Bottom Panel
Use the Phillips screwdriver to remove the eight screws underneath the control panel. Push up on the screw to help loosen it without stripping it.
You might want to take a picture of how the cover fits, to make sure you put it back on correctly.
Put the screws somewhere you won’t lose them as you’ll need them to reattach the cover after installing the new controller.
Step #2 Cut the Wire Ties
Next take the wire cutters and cut the ties that are holding the wires together. Make sure you don’t accidentally cut any of the wires.
Once you’ve cut the ties, separate the wires so you can see them better. You’re going to disconnect the following four white connectors and one black connector.
Connector | Hopper Wire | Controller Wire | |
Power Cord | White | Black/White | Black/White |
Igniter | White | White/White | Purple/White |
Auger Motor | White | Red/Red | Red/White |
Combustion Fan | White | Yellow/Yellow | Yellow/White |
Grill Probe | Black | Black | White |
Just grab both ends of the connector and pull it apart. Let the disconnected wires hang loosely out of your way.
Step #3 Remove the Old Control Board
![Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (3) Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (3)](https://i0.wp.com/smokergrillgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/remove-the-old-Pit-Boss-control-board.jpg)
Look for the six plastic clips on the top and the bottom of the old controller and press them with your finger. This will loosen the old controller from the hopper.
Next use the flathead screwdriver to slide the tip behind the outside of the control board. Once the bottom clips are lose, reach behind the control board to loosen the top clips.
Make sure to hold onto the old control board, so it doesn’t fall after loosening the top clips.
Pull the old control board away from the hopper. Pull the wires outside of the opening to make it easier to attach to the new control board.
Step #4 Install the Smoke IT WiFi Controller
Attach the new control board to the wires above. Make sure the clips are attached firmly, you should hear a small click. The connectors are keyed, so make sure you’re connecting them the proper way.
Once the clips are connected, stick the controller in the slot, and push the wires to the back. The controller should fit without any issues or you having to make any cuts.
When all the wires are connected, gently push on the control board, until you hear the plastic clips on the top and bottom are properly secured.
Use the wire ties to secure the wires, so the wires don’t get caught in the auger or combustion fan when running the grill.
Step #5 Turn The Grill on to Make Sure It’s Working
![Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (4) Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (4)](https://i0.wp.com/smokergrillgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/test-out-the-new-Pit-Boss-wifi-controller.jpg)
Before replacing the hopper bottom cover, plug the grill in and turn it on. You want to make sure everything is working properly.
The auger should start feeding pellets into the firepot. At this point, I recommend testing out the probes to make sure they are reading properly.
After testing everything, disconnect the grill from the power. Reattach the cover.
That’s it, you’ve installed your new control board and the grill is ready to start using.
Downloading the Smoke IT App
Now it’s time to download the app, if you have an Android phone, you can download it from Google Play. For iOS users, you download it via the App Store.
The app is free and you will want to follow the step-by-step instructions to get it installed.
You’ll have to enter you Wi/Fi Name, Password, and your Grill name. I named my grill “Smoker Grill Girl” which is the name of my website and YouTube video.
You can name your grill anything you want. The app just needs a name for the grill to start using the app.
When the Smoke IT app is connected properly, you can it will look like the image below.
![Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (5) Can I Upgrade My Pit Boss To WiFi? [Smoke IT WiFi Control Board Install] (5)](https://i0.wp.com/smokergrillgirl.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Pit-Boss-smoke-IT-wifi-control-board.jpg)
All the important settings are at your fingertips. Just glance down at your phone to see how your cook is coming along.
My Thoughts On The Smoke IT WiFi Controller
I’ve had my WiFi controller for a few months now. Here’s what I personally think about it. As mentioned above, I hate that it doesn’t have an alarm to alert you when your foods reach the proper internal temperature.
Other than that, the controller works great. I haven’t had any issues with losing connection or not working properly.
It did take some time for me to get used to turning up the temperature using the phone instead of the grill.
However, I’m very happy with my new WiFi controller. Now when I’m grilling, I find myself opening up the lid less often. Be sure to read my updated SMOKE IT Review, after using it for the past year.
This means my foods cook faster because the grill isn’t constantly losing heat.
Final Word
At one point you didn’t have the option to buy a Pit Boss WiFi grill. Today, you can easily upgrade your old control board and replace it with a WiFi grill.
Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand how to install the Smoke IT WiFi controller. This is the same process you would use to install a new digital controller on the Pit Boss, regardless of what type you buy.
Related Articles
- SMOKE IT App Not Working?
FAQs
Can you upgrade Pit Boss to WiFi? ›
This controller upgrades most Pit Boss® Grills with WiFi and Bluetooth® technology, allowing you to use the Smoke iT™ app for total control of the grill from your mobile device.
Can you add WiFi to a pellet grill? ›You can change temperatures, monitor your food temps and add smoke on a wifi enabled Traeger wood pellet grill from anywhere, at any time, on your smartphone.
Which Pit Boss is Wi-Fi? ›Pit Boss Sportsman Pellet Grill with Wi-Fi & Bluetooth Connectivity Black PB0820SPW - Best Buy.
How do I connect my Pit Boss smoker to Wi-Fi? ›- Open Your Pit Boss APP.
- Select the Grill Icon in the Lower Middle Menu.
- Enter a Zone Name and Select “Save Zone” at the Bottom of the Screen. ...
- Select the Zone You Just Named.
- Select the Grill Model. ...
- Name Your Grill and Select Connect. ...
- Select the Grill Icon.
Hotter. Heavier.™ just got smarter and easier with the Pit Boss® Legacy Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® Controller. This controller upgrades most Pit Boss® Grills with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® technology, allowing you to use the Smoke iT™ app for total control of the grill from your mobile device.
Does the Pit Boss 850 have Wi-Fi? ›The digital control board and stainless-steel meat probes allow you to track temperatures, and the Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities allow you to do this from the comfort of your living room.
Do Pit Boss grills have Wi-Fi? ›Enjoy perfectly cooked meals and unbeatable flavor. Plus, use the Pit Boss Smoke IT app combined with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility to maximize your grilling experience, control temperature settings, monitor your grill's meat probes, and more.
How do I update my Pit Boss firmware? ›You have to contact customer support, you have to uninstall the controller from the grill and they will email you a shipping label to send it in for a firmware update.
Can control boards be repaired? ›Luckily, it's possible to repair or remanufacture boards to make them like new again. This does one of two things. Either the board in question can be returned to its original device, making it function again. Or, it can be used in a completely different device, as a form of recycling if you will.
How do I add Wi-Fi to my outbuilding? ›The easiest and cheapest solution, if your outbuilding is within 300 feet, is to stretch an outdoor Ethernet wire (perhaps buried) from your home router to the outbuilding, and then connect a dedicated home Wi-Fi access point to it at the outbuilding. This is pretty simple and not too expensive.
Which Pit Boss has Bluetooth? ›
PIT BOSS 80014 Legacy WiFi and Bluetooth Control Board, Black.
How do I get Wi-Fi in my attached garage? ›- Run a long Ethernet cable from the router to a distant computer, like in a garage. ...
- Install a Wi-Fi range extender in the detached garage. ...
- Install a powerline networking kit.
So the other main difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pit Boss Pro Series pellet grills/smokers is the hopper emptying chute and ash cleanout system. I'm happy that Pit Boss is starting to offer a hopper emptying chute (pellet dump) across their entire range, as are many other manufacturers.
Is Pit Boss as good as Traeger? ›If you're looking for the biggest cooking area, Pit Boss is the way to go; if you need something in the middle range, one of Traeger's pellet grills is more likely to meet your exact needs. But because we can't account for your desired amount of cooking space, Pit Boss gets the nod on maximum area.
How important is Wi-Fi on a smoker? ›Wi-Fi is helpful because it basically allows you to be away from your grill and lets you know remotely when to check or when your food is done on the grill. You can also set the temperature remotely as well the sensor alarms, something that you can't do with a regular grill.
Can I upgrade my Pit Boss to Bluetooth? ›The Legacy Controller upgrades most Pit Boss® Grills with WiFi and Bluetooth® technology, allowing the user to utilize the Smoke iT™ app for total control of the grill from a mobile device.
How do I connect my pellet stove to Wi-Fi? ›Plug and Play - It's as simple as plugging in the Wi-Fi USB into the port on the rear of your pellet stove and following the app instructions.
Can I run my Pit Boss on smoke setting? ›Start the grill with the lid open on the smoke setting for 10 minutes. (Smoke setting temperature range is 180-210° F/ 80-100° C). Then close the lid and adjust your temperature to the desired setpoint. - Starting the grill on the smoke setting ensures that the firepot is not overloaded with pellets.
Can Alexa control my Pit Boss? ›Monitor your temperature of your Pit Boss smart grill with Alexa. Discover the Pit Boss Grill skill in the Alexa app and link your account that you signed up with in the PitBoss app. You can now ask Alexa what your probes and grill temperatures.
Is there a Pit Boss app? ›It is available for download on iTunes, Android, and the Pit Boss Grills website. This mobile app stands out from any other grilling mobile app on the market because the Platinum Series grills are unlike any grill on the market.
Can you control Pit Boss away from home? ›
Control and monitor the grills from your phone without leaving the couch.
What is the difference between Pit Boss 1150G and 850G? ›The main difference between the 550G, 850G and 1150G is the size. The number pretty much tells you how many square inches of cooking space you get on each of the models. The largest also comes with 2 meat probes instead of 1.
Does the Pit Boss 820D3 have wifi? ›Features. Pit Boss 820D3 Pellet Grill with Wi-Fi offers 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing you to smoke, bake, braise, grill and more!
How do I get more smoke from my Pit Boss 850 Pro Series? ›Cook at lower temperatures
For example, when cooking at 225°F you can expect to get significantly more smoke than if you were cooking at 450°F. If you are following a recipe that calls for temps above 225°F-250°F you can always give it a few hours at 225°F before ramping the temp up.
Q: How long does one bag of pellets last? A: According to the Pellet Fuels Institute, a 40-lb bag of pellet fuel can provide up to 24 hours of solid heat. A winter's supply of wood pellets is about 100-150 bags—depending on climatic and lifestyle variations.
Does Pit Boss 1000 have Wi-Fi? ›Pit Boss Platinum Laredo 1000 Sq. in. Wifi Enabled Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker - Walmart.com.
Can I replace my ECM myself? ›The answer to the question “Is it hard to replace an ECM?” is NO! The parts themselves aren't inexpensive (as long as you're buying them from us!), plus high quality aftermarket and OEM ECMs can be easily installed yourself.
Can you swap ECM without programming? ›In case it does need to be replaced, know that a new ECM comes with a standard set of programs with pre-determined efficiency. Even if you're installing a new ECM in your old vehicle, it doesn't have to be reprogrammed to match its specifications.
Can I replace my own ECU? ›Whilst you can adjust and replace the ECU in a vehicle that is predates 2001, you may have difficulty with newer cars. Many of these have complex computer systems and you will have to take them into an authorised dealer to have reconfiguration work performed under the hood.
How do I manually update the firmware for my device? ›- Open your phone's Settings app.
- Near the bottom, tap System. System update.
- You'll see your update status. Follow any steps on the screen.
What type of controller does Pit Boss use? ›
All Pit Boss Platinum Series wood pellet grills now feature the innovative Smoke IT temperature controllers with PID technology.
What Causes Control board Failure? ›Environmental Factors: Exposure to heat, dust and moisture, accidental impact (drops and falls), and power overloads/surges can be causes of circuit board failure. However, the most damaging cause of premature circuit board failure is electrostatic discharge (ESD) at the assembly stage.
How do I know if my circuit board is damaged? ›Check for signs of damage on the circuit board, such as crushed components, bulges, cracked wires, misplaced or extra solder, burn marks and scratches that indicate that the board needs to either be replaced or to be repaired. It is possible for scratches to expose and damage the connections beneath the lamination.
How much should it cost to replace circuit board? ›How Much Does it Cost To Replace a Circuit Board? The cost of replacing an AC circuit board ranges from $125 to $625. However, the parts of an AC circuit board costs between $100 and $150. An AC circuit board can be bought online for $50 to $250.
How to get Wi-Fi 200 feet away? ›Get a wireless range extender.
Without additional help from boosters and such, a router can broadcast a signal within a limited area of about 150 feet (depending on the type of router you have). Boosters, extenders, and repeaters can spread your Wi-Fi signal much farther—up to 2,500 feet.
The WiFi extender's range can typically be from 100 to 400 feet, depending on your home's layout and the type of extender you have. Positioning your router in a central location will give you optimal results with your extender.
What is a Wi-Fi bridge? ›What is a WiFi bridge? A WiFi bridge replaces ethernet cabling. It is set up in a fixed configuration to have one purpose. In a point-to-point configuration, typically in outdoor environments the bridge will be designed to span a distance to carry data from a point to another as if you had a cable joining the two.
What does the P stand for on Pit Boss? ›The “P” in P Setting stands for “Pause”. The numbers reflect how long the auger pauses before feeding more pellets into the burn pot. The default setting of 4 is meant to set the internal ambient temperature of your Pit Boss to fluctuate between 160°F – 200°F.
WHO IS Pit Boss owned by? ›Pit Boss® Grills, a subsidiary of Dansons Inc., is a leading manufacturer of value-engineered, technologically innovative products, including wood pellet, gas, charcoal, and combination-fueled grills, barbeques, smokers and portable grills.
Can you put a Wi-Fi mesh in garage? ›A strong Wi-Fi mesh network may do the trick, depending on the distance to the garage. Ideally, placing a mesh access point from the condo near the wall or window closest to the garage is the best chance of success here.
Can I add internet to my garage? ›
Powerline network adapters (also known as just a powerline adapter or powerline ethernet kit) are another option to add internet access and WiFi in your garage. These adapters use your home's electrical circuit to transmit your internet signal.
Can you add Wi-Fi to existing garage door opener? ›You'll need to connect a Wi-Fi controller to your current garage door opener. Adding Wi-Fi to your existing garage door opener is easier than you may think. With just a few simple steps you can connect your garage door to your internet connection and operate your opener from your mobile device with ease.
Does Pit Boss pellet grills have Wi-Fi? ›Pit Boss Pro Series II 1150 Wood Pellet Grill
Enjoy perfectly cooked meals and unbeatable flavor. Plus, use the Pit Boss Smoke IT app combined with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth compatibility to maximize your grilling experience, control temperature settings, monitor your grill's meat probes, and more.
Features. Pit Boss 820D3 Pellet Grill with Wi-Fi offers 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing you to smoke, bake, braise, grill and more!
What is the difference between Pit Boss and Pit Boss pro? ›So the other main difference between the Gen 1 and Gen 2 Pit Boss Pro Series pellet grills/smokers is the hopper emptying chute and ash cleanout system. I'm happy that Pit Boss is starting to offer a hopper emptying chute (pellet dump) across their entire range, as are many other manufacturers.
Can I cook a brisket on smoke setting on a Pit Boss? ›Start up your Pit Boss smoker or wood pellet grill. Once it's fired up, set the temperature to 225°F. Place the brisket in the smoker, insert the smoker's attached temperature probe, if you have one, and set the brisket to cook for about 6-8 hours or until the internal temperature reaches 165°F.
Does Pit Boss pro series have Wi-Fi? ›Pit Boss Pro Series II 4-Series Wood Pellet Vertical Smoker
Heavier. ® and now Smarter, these grills are equipped with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth technology, so you can use the Pit Boss® Smoke IT™ app to control temperature settings, monitor your smoker's meat probes and much more from the convenience of your phone.