Pit Boss ErF Error — Flame Failed / Fire Out Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

ErF (or 'flame failed') means the controller detected the fire went out during a cook.
Most causes: empty hopper, pellets too damp, auger jam, or strong wind blowing the flame out.
Power off, check pellets and clean the firepot, then re-ignite.
If ErF returns, the igniter or auger may be failing.

Affected Models

Pit Boss Pro Series
Pit Boss Lockhart
Pit Boss Navigator
Pit Boss Sportsman

Common Causes

Pellet hopper empty (most common)
Damp pellets failing to burn
Strong wind blowing the fire out
Auger jam preventing pellet feed
Igniter failed during a re-ignition attempt

How to Fix It

Power off and check pellets.

Press power off.
Open the hopper.
Check pellet level — refill if low.
Make sure pellets feel dry and free-flowing.
Damp pellets in the hopper need replacement.
Clean the firepot.

Once cool, vacuum the firepot.
Old ash buildup insulates the igniter and prevents reliable ignition.
Pit Boss recommends cleaning after every 5-7 cooks.
Heavy-use grills need more frequent cleaning.
Check for wind exposure.

If your grill is in an exposed location (rooftop, open patio), wind may have blown out the flame.
Move to a sheltered spot, build a wind shield, or use a windbreak.
Pellet grills are sensitive to strong gusts — even a properly running grill can have its flame extinguished by wind.
Verify auger operation.

On restart, listen for the auger motor.
Should hear periodic clicking as it feeds pellets.
If silent during startup, the motor or feed is jammed.
Empty the hopper and check the auger inlet for blockage.
Restart and watch.

After clearing pellets and cleaning, plug in and power on.
Watch the temperature climb.
Should reach setpoint within 15-20 minutes.
If ErF returns within an hour, deeper troubleshooting is needed — igniter testing, auger motor diagnosis.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my food survive ErF?

Depends on cook duration and how long the fire was out.
Brief outage (5-10 min) on a long cook (brisket, pulled pork): food is fine, just continues cooking after re-ignition.
Longer outages: food may need to be finished in the oven.
Use a wireless thermometer to track meat temp regardless of grill ErF events.

Is ErF different from ErL?

Some Pit Boss models distinguish between them, others don't.
ErF: flame specifically failed (controller detected no flame).
ErL: temperature dropped below minimum (could be flame failure or other cause).
The fix path overlaps — pellets, firepot cleaning, and igniter checks apply to both.