Pit Boss · Installation
Pit Boss Pro Series II 600 Setup
The Pro Series II 600 is Pit Boss's commercial-leaning entry — heavier gauge steel, stainless burner, and a smaller footprint than the Austin XL. Expect 75 minutes assembly, 25 minutes first burn. The key setup detail: the Pro Series uses a slightly different flame deflector orientation than the Austin line — slots face the hopper, not the chimney.
By Reed · Updated November 9, 2026
What you need
- Phillips and flat-head screwdrivers
- 10mm socket and ratchet
- Dry wood pellets
- 120V grounded outlet
- Soft rag for stainless surface protection
Pro Series II 600 at a glance
- Total cooking area
- 632 sq in
- Hopper capacity
- 22 lb
- Steel gauge
- Heavy-gauge 14 ga main body
- Burner
- Stainless (longer life than painted versions)
- Controller type
- Mechanical + optional Bluetooth-only app
Step by step
Unbox and layout
The Pro Series II ships in one large carton. Spread components on a soft surface — the stainless side table and hopper lid scratch easily.
Assemble the cart with the stainless shelf
Build the lower cart, then attach the stainless side shelf with the thread-lock bolts (included). The shelf flexes until all four mounts are secured.
Mount the grill head on the cart
Two-person lift onto the cart. The Pro Series body is 10 to 15 lb heavier than the Austin XL per matching dimension.
Install chimney, drip tube, and grease bucket
Standard Pit Boss chimney orientation (cap hinge up). Thread the drip tube finger-tight, mount the grease bucket.
Install the flame deflector slots facing the hopper
Pro Series flame deflector is directional — slots face the hopper side, not the chimney. This is the opposite of the Austin line and the number-one assembly error.
Prime, burn-off, and app pair
Load dry pellets, prime 10 minutes, burn-off at 350F for 25 minutes. If your model has Bluetooth, pair the app during the burn-off while the controller is warm.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Pro Series flame deflector with Austin XL. Same part number family, different orientation. Always consult the Pro Series manual — don't rely on experience with the Austin line.
- Using the stainless cleaner on the hopper lid. The hopper lid is powder-coated steel, not stainless. Stainless polish creates a hazy residue that's hard to remove.
Hands-on tips
- Pro Series II is Pit Boss's best value for the commercial-adjacent buyer — lifetime-of-the-grill stainless burner is the biggest differentiator.
- If you plan to run competition-style long cooks, buy a second drip tray — rotating them between cooks extends life.
- The optional Bluetooth-only app has less range than Wi-Fi models — plan around that if your grill lives behind a brick exterior wall.
Questions people ask
Can I upgrade a Pro Series II to Wi-Fi later?
No. The controller is Bluetooth-only by design on this line. For Wi-Fi, the Navigator 850 or Pro Series 1600 Elite is the step up.
What's the realistic smoking time at 225F?
Hopper capacity at 22 lb supports about 18 to 22 hours of continuous smoking depending on ambient temperature.
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