The catch
Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
Long cooks mean watching the 5-pound hopper, so don't count on going all night without a refill.
Side by side
Pit Boss 500FB2 vs Z Grills 550B: Z GRILLS adds lower-rack and pellet room, and Pit Boss sears over direct flame
Quick verdict
You are choosing between direct-flame access and a larger published lower rack and hopper.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
500FB2 has 518 square inches and 550B has 560, a difference of 42 square inches, or 8.1% of the smaller figure.
Where this comes from
560 minus 518 = 42 sq in. 42 ÷ 518 × 100 = 8.1%. Each total spans multiple rack levels, so it is not a contiguous pan area. No serving count is drawn from it.
The catch
Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
For a conservative 12-hour plan with no refills, the 10-pound hopper is marginal.
Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- The Flame Broiler lever is what you want
- A 500°F controller ceiling is required
- The catch
- Long cooks mean watching the 5-pound hopper, so don't count on going all night without a refill.
Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- The 406-square-inch lower rack appeals to you
- The 8lb specification-table hopper is your preference
- The catch
- For a conservative 12-hour plan with no refills, the 10-pound hopper is marginal.
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What this page compares
500FB2 and 550B compared on usable rack space, pellet capacity, searing setup and cleanup, so you can choose your grill.
You are choosing between direct-flame access and a larger published lower rack and hopper.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The largest uninterrupted main grate is what the meal needs
At 518 and 560 square inches, the total rack areas are relatively close. Z Grills publishes 406 square inches for its lower rack, a figure that helps in judging food that cannot fit under the upper shelf.
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Depends
A planned pellet reserve for a long cook
An 8lb hopper appears in the checked 550B specification table, yet its introductory copy also mentions 10lb. We use the smaller explicit table value here and flag the conflict so you can confirm it before buying.
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Depends
Regular cooks in which cleanup and movement matter
Pit Boss has the direct-flame lever and a 500°F chamber setting. The 550B stops at 450°F and cooks indirectly, so your preferred finishing method counts for more than the modest total-area difference.
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Depends
Their controller limits fall on either side of a 475°F recipe
The Pit Boss can be set 25°F higher than 475°F. Z Grills tops out 25°F under the requested setting.
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
- Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Not suitable
In practice
Differences you will notice
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
500FB2 has 518 square inches and 550B has 560, a difference of 42 square inches, or 8.1% of the smaller figure.
How we worked this out
560 minus 518 = 42 sq in. 42 ÷ 518 × 100 = 8.1%. Each total spans multiple rack levels, so it is not a contiguous pan area. No serving count is drawn from it.
The hopper comparison becomes usable once a pellet-burn assumption is stated
Based on an illustrative 1.5lb per hour, a full 5lb hopper equals 3.3 hours of fuel and an 8lb hopper equals 5.3 hours. Read these as planning estimates with no reserve included.
How we worked this out
A constant 1.5lb/h burn is assumed only to put hopper sizes side by side. 5 ÷ 1.5 = 3.3h. 8 ÷ 1.5 = 5.3h. In practice, use depends on temperature, weather, food and grill design. This does not recommend unattended use.
Their controller limits fall on either side of a 475°F recipe
The Pit Boss can be set 25°F higher than 475°F. Z Grills tops out 25°F under the requested setting.
How we worked this out
500 minus 475 = 25°F. 450 minus 475 = negative 25°F. It tells you nothing about real grate heat or how well food browns.
Option A
Pit Boss, PB500FB2
500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
Its cooking area measures 518 square inches, and the pellet hopper holds 5 pounds.
- Best for
- cook for two on a weeknight or for a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 518 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 5 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 500°F.
Option B
Z GRILLS, ZPG-550B
ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
Cooking area comes to 560 square inches, and the pellet hopper holds 10 pounds.
- Best for
- make weeknight meals for two or for a family of four
Facts we checked
- Total cooking area of 560 sq in, with 406 sq in of it on the lower rack
- An 8lb hopper is what the specification table lists, but the introductory copy conflicts at 10lb
- Listed temperature range of 160°F to 450°F
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill | Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking surfaces | 518 sq in total | 560 sq in total, 406 sq in main rack | At 518 and 560 square inches, the total rack areas are relatively close. Z Grills publishes 406 square inches for its lower rack, a figure that helps in judging food that cannot fit under the upper shelf. |
| Pellet supply | 5lb hopper | 8lb hopper | An 8lb hopper appears in the checked 550B specification table, yet its introductory copy also mentions 10lb. We use the smaller explicit table value here and flag the conflict so you can confirm it before buying. |
| Chamber ceiling and searing | 500°F, direct-flame or high-heat grilling design | 450°F, indirect cooking | Chamber settings, localized flame heat and separate side stations measure different things. Match the cooking method along with the temperature. |
| Controls and smoke mode | Local controls without Wi-Fi | Local controls without Wi-Fi | Connectivity helps only where the network reaches. No advantage in flavor or temperature accuracy is inferred from a named mode. |
| Cleaning and installation | Grease collection and separate internal ash cleaning | Separate grease collection and internal ash cleaning, 84lb dry weight | Pit Boss has the direct-flame lever and a 500°F chamber setting. The 550B stops at 450°F and cooks indirectly, so your preferred finishing method counts for more than the modest total-area difference. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Wi-Fi and phone monitoring are both absent.
With Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
- Wi-Fi and direct-flame access are both missing.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
The Flame Broiler lever is a draw for you
Go with Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill. At 518 and 560 square inches, the total rack areas are relatively close. Z Grills publishes 406 square inches for its lower rack, a figure that helps in judging food that cannot fit under the upper shelf.
The 406-square-inch lower rack appeals to you
Go with Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill. Pit Boss has the direct-flame lever and a 500°F chamber setting. The 550B stops at 450°F and cooks indirectly, so your preferred finishing method counts for more than the modest total-area difference.
Decision guide
How to decide
It comes down to direct-flame access versus the larger published lower rack and hopper.
Start from the racks you will use
At 518 and 560 square inches, the total rack areas are relatively close. Z Grills publishes 406 square inches for its lower rack, a figure that helps in judging food that cannot fit under the upper shelf.
Fuel capacity is one question, cooking temperature another
An 8lb hopper appears in the checked 550B specification table, yet its introductory copy also mentions 10lb. We use the smaller explicit table value here and flag the conflict so you can confirm it before buying.
Decide how you want to cook and clean each day
Pit Boss has the direct-flame lever and a 500°F chamber setting. The 550B stops at 450°F and cooks indirectly, so your preferred finishing method counts for more than the modest total-area difference.
What this page can’t tell you
- Any pellet-duration estimate rests on a stated illustrative burn rate. It is neither measured runtime nor a green light to leave a grill unattended.
- You can't read a serving count or the fit of a single large item off the rack totals.
- Smoke-flavor, temperature-stability and searing-performance tests are not claimed.
By the numbers
What the data shows
What we found across the pellet grills and smokers we compare, plus the checked facts behind each finding.
How many fit
8 of the 22 models checked meet every need here: “Run a brisket overnight” and “Get to 500 degrees or more for a hot finish”.
8 models fit, out of 22 checkedShow the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Run a brisket overnight” and “Get to 500 degrees or more for a hot finish”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill |
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| Z GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill |
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Ready to buy
See today’s price and what owners say
Open either model on Amazon for the current price, customer reviews and delivery options.
Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
The Flame Broiler lever is what you want
See price & reviews on AmazonZ GRILLS ZPG-550B Pellet Grill
The 406-square-inch lower rack appeals to you
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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