Main trade-off
Traeger Woodridge
This base Woodridge has no Super Smoke mode or included side sear station.
Head-to-head
Traeger Woodridge vs Pit Boss Navigator 850M: Woodridge collects ash in a keg, Navigator adds direct-flame finishing
The short answer
Choose the ash-keg workflow or a larger hopper with a direct-flame lever.
Before you choose
The reasoning and the trade-offs
Compare total multi-level rack area on the same basis
Woodridge provides 860 square inches and Navigator 850M provides 932. The absolute difference is 72 square inches, or 8.4% of the smaller figure.
What this is based on
932 minus 860 = 72 sq in. 72 ÷ 860 × 100 = 8.4%. Both values include multiple rack levels, so this is not contiguous pan area. No serving count is inferred.
Main trade-off
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
This is a large patio grill, not a portable or tabletop model.
Traeger Woodridge
- Choose it for
- You want combined ash and grease collection
- You prefer the documented Woodridge rack split
- Main trade-off
- This base Woodridge has no Super Smoke mode or included side sear station.
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Choose it for
- You want the Flame Broiler lever
- You need the 30lb pellet hopper
- Main trade-off
- This is a large patio grill, not a portable or tabletop model.
About this comparison
Compare Woodridge and Navigator 850M by usable rack space, pellet capacity, searing setup and cleanup before choosing your grill.
Choose the ash-keg workflow or a larger hopper with a direct-flame lever.
Winner by situation
Start with what you need it to do
A meal that needs the largest uninterrupted main grate
Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches in total against Woodridge’s 860. Both are multi-level figures, so a tall roast or a large pan needs a separate grate-dimension check.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
A long cook with a planned pellet reserve
Pit Boss increases the hopper from 24lb to 30lb, which can reduce refills under the same assumed consumption. Its direct-flame lever changes the searing workflow more than its shared 500°F chamber ceiling suggests.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
Repeated cooks where cleanup and movement matter
Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience after repeated smoking sessions. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and its exact meat-probe bundle should be checked because the product page contains conflicting counts.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
A 20lb pellet bag leaves 4lb versus 10lb of empty hopper capacity
Starting from empty, a 20lb bag fits both hoppers. Woodridge has 4lb of nominal space left and Navigator has 10lb.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
What matters in practice
The differences that matter
Compare total multi-level rack area on the same basis
Woodridge provides 860 square inches and Navigator 850M provides 932. The absolute difference is 72 square inches, or 8.4% of the smaller figure.
How we reached this conclusion
932 minus 860 = 72 sq in. 72 ÷ 860 × 100 = 8.4%. Both values include multiple rack levels, so this is not contiguous pan area. No serving count is inferred.
A stated pellet-burn assumption makes the hopper comparison usable
At an illustrative 1.5lb per hour, a full 24lb hopper represents 16 hours of fuel and a 30lb hopper represents 20 hours. These are planning estimates before any reserve.
How we reached this conclusion
Assume the same constant 1.5lb/h consumption solely to normalize hopper size. 24 ÷ 1.5 = 16h. 30 ÷ 1.5 = 20h. Actual use varies with temperature, weather, food and grill design. This is not an unattended-use recommendation.
A 20lb pellet bag leaves 4lb versus 10lb of empty hopper capacity
Starting from empty, a 20lb bag fits both hoppers. Woodridge has 4lb of nominal space left and Navigator has 10lb.
How we reached this conclusion
24 minus 20 = 4lb. 30 minus 20 = 10lb. Do not refill based on this calculation without checking the actual remaining fuel.
Choice A
Traeger, Woodridge
Woodridge
A Wi-Fi pellet grill with 860 square inches across two racks, a 24lb hopper and a combined grease and ash keg. It suits larger low-and-slow meals without the Elite side burner.
- Best matched use
- Connected smoking with a 520-square-inch main rack
Checked facts
- 860 sq in total, 520 sq in on the main rack
- 24lb hopper and 500°F maximum chamber setting
- 138lb published grill weight
- EZ-Clean combined grease and ash keg
Choice B
Pit Boss, PB850M
Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
It provides 932 square inches of cooking area. The pellet hopper holds 30 pounds.
- Best matched use
- feed a family of four and cook for eight or more people
Checked facts
- It provides 932 square inches of cooking area.
- The pellet hopper holds 30 pounds.
- The highest listed setting is 500°F.
Meaningful differences
What changes the fit
| What changes | Traeger Woodridge | Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking surfaces | 860 sq in total, 520 sq in main rack | 932 sq in total | Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches in total against Woodridge’s 860. Both are multi-level figures, so a tall roast or a large pan needs a separate grate-dimension check. |
| Pellet supply | 24lb hopper | 30lb hopper | Pit Boss increases the hopper from 24lb to 30lb, which can reduce refills under the same assumed consumption. Its direct-flame lever changes the searing workflow more than its shared 500°F chamber ceiling suggests. |
| Chamber ceiling and searing | 500°F, indirect cooking | 500°F, direct-flame or high-heat grilling design | Chamber settings, localized flame heat and separate side stations are different quantities. Match the cooking method as well as the temperature. |
| Controls and smoke mode | Wi-Fi app access | Wi-Fi app access | Connectivity is useful only where the network reaches. No flavor or temperature-accuracy advantage is inferred from a named mode. |
| Cleaning and installation | EZ-Clean combined grease and ash keg, 138lb dry weight | Accessible grease tray with separate internal ash cleaning | Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience after repeated smoking sessions. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and its exact meat-probe bundle should be checked because the product page contains conflicting counts. |
What you give up
Every choice has a cost
If you choose Traeger Woodridge
- The advertised total area includes an upper rack. Check the footprint and vertical clearance of actual pans and cuts.
If you choose Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- The indirect pellet temperature tops out at 500°F. The much hotter 1,000°F figure applies only when the Flame Broiler exposes food to direct flame.
Recommendation switch
The decision flips if...
You want combined ash and grease collection
Choose Traeger Woodridge. Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches in total against Woodridge’s 860. Both are multi-level figures, so a tall roast or a large pan needs a separate grate-dimension check.
You want the Flame Broiler lever
Choose Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill. Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience after repeated smoking sessions. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and its exact meat-probe bundle should be checked because the product page contains conflicting counts.
What matters in practice
How to make the call
Size the food on the actual racks
Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches in total against Woodridge’s 860. Both are multi-level figures, so a tall roast or a large pan needs a separate grate-dimension check.
Separate fuel capacity from cooking temperature
Pit Boss increases the hopper from 24lb to 30lb, which can reduce refills under the same assumed consumption. Its direct-flame lever changes the searing workflow more than its shared 500°F chamber ceiling suggests.
Choose the daily cooking and cleaning workflow
Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience after repeated smoking sessions. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth, and its exact meat-probe bundle should be checked because the product page contains conflicting counts.
What this comparison cannot tell you
- Pellet-duration estimates use a stated illustrative burn rate. They are not measured runtime or permission to leave a grill unattended.
- Rack totals do not establish a serving count or the fit of a single large item.
- No smoke-flavor, temperature-stability or searing-performance test is claimed.
What the facts say
What the comparison shows
Useful conclusions from the current pellet grills and smokers comparison, followed by the checked facts used to reach them.
Compared set
8 of 22 models checked match every need here: “Smoke a brisket overnight” and “Reach at least 500 degrees for a hot finish”.
8 matching models from 22 checkedSee the checked facts and calculation notes
Match countThe count uses the current product-to-need assignments for “Smoke a brisket overnight” and “Reach at least 500 degrees for a hot finish”. A need with no documented match does not count.
| Product | Needs matched | Checked facts | Source records |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Woodridge |
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| Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill |
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Ready to choose?
Check the price. Read the owner reviews.
Open either model on Amazon to check the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Traeger Woodridge
You want combined ash and grease collection
See price & reviews on AmazonPit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
You want the Flame Broiler lever
See price & reviews on AmazonLinks open in a new tab.