Pit Boss ErH Error — High Temperature Shutdown Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

ErH on a Pit Boss means internal temperature exceeded the safety limit (typically 550°F+).
The controller shut down to prevent damage and fire.
Open the lid, let heat dissipate, and wait an hour for the grill to cool.
Most causes: pile-up of pellets during failed ignition, grease fire, or controller fault.
Clean the firepot and grease tray before restarting.

Affected Models

Pit Boss Pro Series
Pit Boss Lockhart
Pit Boss Navigator
Pit Boss Sportsman
Pit Boss Austin XL

Common Causes

Pellets piled in firepot from failed ignition (mass ignition)
Grease fire in firepot or drip pan
RTD probe failure causing uncontrolled heating
Strong wind creating excessive draft
Controller stuck commanding heat

How to Fix It

Open the lid immediately.

Lift the grill lid fully.
This releases trapped heat and prevents internal component damage.
Stand back — flames may be briefly visible.
Don't add water or use a fire extinguisher unless flames are spreading.
Power off and unplug.

Press the power button to off.
Unplug from the wall.
This ensures no further heating attempts during cooldown.
Wait at least an hour before doing any cleaning or inspection.
Clean the firepot.

Once cool, vacuum the firepot completely.
Remove all pellet debris, ash, and any pile-up.
The firepot should be clean of debris before any restart.
This is the most common preventable cause of ErH.
Clean the grease tray and pan.

Pull and empty the grease tray.
Wipe down the grease pan beneath the grill grates.
Grease accumulation is a major ErH risk — fires can start in the grease pan and quickly heat the cooking chamber.
Clean every 2-3 cooks.
Restart at low temperature.

Start the grill at low temperature (180-200°F).
Watch the temperature climb.
It should stabilize at the setpoint.
If it overshoots dramatically or ErH returns, the RTD probe has failed — replace before continuing use.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is ErH a fire risk?

Yes — sustained high temperatures inside the grill can ignite grease, melt internal components, and damage paint/finishes.
The protection has triggered correctly.
Don't bypass.
Address the cause and clean thoroughly before resuming use.

Why does ErH happen on cold days?

Cold ambient temperatures make the controller work harder to maintain setpoint — auger feeds more pellets to compensate.
If anything goes wrong (pellet bridge, ignition delay), more pellets pile up and create the ErH condition when they finally light.
In winter, watch your grill more carefully during ignition.