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Flame Out After Startup

Pit Boss Pellet Grill

Severity: Moderate

Source: OnlyErrorCodes.com — Every error code. One place.

Pit Boss Flame Out After Startup — Combustion Fix

What Does This Error Mean?

Pit Boss flame-out after initial light usually means: not enough pellets reaching the firepot to maintain flame, combustion fan too low, or hot rod stopped early.
Check pellet flow during startup, listen for combustion fan running steady, and clean ash from firepot before each cook.
Cold weather plus a flame-out often points to ash buildup or weak pellets.

Affected Models

  • Pit Boss 700FB
  • Pit Boss 820FB
  • Pit Boss Austin XL
  • Pit Boss Pro Series 850
  • Pit Boss Lockhart

Common Causes

  • Auger feeding too little pellet (auger jam or feed rate too low)
  • Combustion fan stopped or running too slow
  • Hot rod cycled off too early before flame established
  • Wet or dust-heavy pellets won't sustain flame
  • Cold weather defeating insulation
  • Firepot full of ash blocking pellet drop

How to Fix It

  1. Empty the firepot.

    After cooldown, remove grates, drip tray, heat shield.
    Vacuum firepot completely.
    Pellets need to land on the hot rod and fall into a clean firepot — ash buildup smothers flame.

  2. Confirm pellet flow.

    Set grill to start.
    Watch the firepot through the openings.
    Steady stream of pellets should fall during startup.
    Sparse or no pellets = auger jammed.
    Empty hopper, clear auger tube of any wedged pellets/screws.

  3. Listen for combustion fan.

    Combustion fan should run steady during startup and cooking.
    If it stops mid-startup, fire dies.
    Fan failure means combustion can't maintain.
    Replacement fans are 30-60 USD.

  4. Use fresh, dry pellets.

    Old or moisture-affected pellets don't sustain flame well.
    Squeeze a handful — they should be firm, not crumbly.
    Fresh hardwood pellets (Pit Boss, Bear Mountain, Lumber Jack) sustain flame reliably.

  5. Add a wind blanket.

    If flame-out happens only in cold or windy weather, the firebox can't hold temperature.
    Insulating blanket designed for your model (40-80 USD) makes a noticeable difference.
    Position grill out of direct wind.

  6. Check hot rod cycle.

    On startup, hot rod should glow red for at least 4 minutes.
    If it cycles off before pellets fully ignite, flame won't establish.
    This is firmware-controlled — update firmware if available, or replace hot rod (cheap component, 15-30 USD).

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does the same grill work fine on warm days?

Cold weather robs heat — the firebox temperature drops faster than fuel can replace it.
Marginal grills work fine in summer, fail in winter.
Wind blanket and out-of-wind placement extend cold-weather usability dramatically.