The catch
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
Direct-flame searing isn't an option here.
Side by side
Traeger TFB57GLEO vs Pit Boss PB500FB2: Pit Boss finishes over direct flame, while Traeger monitors remotely
Quick verdict
Traeger gets the nod for Wi-Fi and its larger 18-pound hopper. Pit Boss is the pick if direct-flame finishing outweighs remote monitoring for you.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Where these two really part ways
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black is the better match for “Run a brisket overnight” and “Cook two pork butts together”. Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill is the better match for “Give burgers a direct-flame finish” and “Work on a small patio”.
Where this comes from
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
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.
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Why pick it
- Run a brisket overnight
- Watch the cook on my phone
- The catch
- Direct-flame searing isn't an option here.
Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- Give burgers a direct-flame finish
- Keep controls simple and skip Wi-Fi
- The catch
- Long cooks mean watching the 5-pound hopper, so don't count on going all night without a refill.
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What this page compares
How the Traeger TFB57GLEO and Pit Boss PB500FB2 compare on cooking area, heat and hopper, controls and portability.
This one comes down to cooking area and heat and hopper first, then to the limits of your own setup.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
Run a brisket overnight
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black lists “Phone monitoring. Full-size patio model” for controls and portability, while Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill lists “Controls stay at the grill. Full-size patio model”. This matters if you will lift it, move it, take it somewhere or put it away after each use.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Better fit
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
Cook two pork butts together
Have the main-grate footprint and vertical clearance that two roasts need.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Better fit
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Good
Watch the cook on my phone
Monitor through an app over built-in Wi-Fi.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Better fit
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
Smoke for eight hours with no refill
The hopper covers the stated conservative low-temperature burn assumption, with reserve on top.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Better fit
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
Use two rack levels
Have a published upper rack and main grate.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Better fit
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Depends
Give burgers a direct-flame finish
Rely on a documented flame-broiler or direct-flame access in addition to air temperature.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- Depends
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Better fit
In practice
Differences you will notice
Where these two really part ways
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black is the better match for “Run a brisket overnight” and “Cook two pork butts together”. Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill is the better match for “Give burgers a direct-flame finish” and “Work on a small patio”.
How we worked this out
This lines up the current strong and useful fit ratings for the exact products. It does not roll them into one overall score.
These needs do not split the pair
Both meet the same 2 of the 2 needs this comparison is built around, so the choice comes down to “cooking area” and “heat and hopper”.
How we worked this out
Both products are checked against the same needs. The first verified differences still standing are named here.
Models that handle “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Cook for a family of four”
6 of the 22 pellet grills and smokers checked handle both “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Cook for a family of four”. Both make the cut.
How we worked this out
You can reproduce the count by filtering the current category for models with a strong or useful fit on both needs.
Option A
Traeger, TFB57GLEO
Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
Cooking area comes to 575 square inches, and the pellet hopper takes 18 pounds.
- Best for
- handle weeknight dinners for two and a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 575 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 18 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 500°F.
Option B
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.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black | Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | 575 sq in cooking area | 518 sq in cooking area | What counts is how much food or material fits in one usable batch, and that says more than the headline size does. |
| Heat and hopper | 500°F setting. 18 lb hopper. Indirect heat only | 500°F setting. 5 lb hopper. Direct flame available | It determines how frequently you have to refill, empty or begin a new batch. |
| Controls and portability | Phone monitoring. Full-size patio model | Controls stay at the grill. Full-size patio model | It counts if you plan to lift it, move it, travel with it or store it after every use. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- A full 20-pound bag won't go into the 18-pound hopper, even when the reserve is empty.
With Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- Wi-Fi and phone monitoring are both absent.
Decision guide
How to decide
Go with Traeger for Wi-Fi and the larger 18-pound hopper. Go with Pit Boss if direct-flame finishing is worth more to you than remote monitoring.
Where they really differ
Published area runs 57 square inches higher on the Traeger.
How the numbers matter
The Traeger hopper has room for 13 pounds more.
What you give up
Direct-flame access comes only with the Pit Boss.
What this page can’t tell you
- Weather and temperature change pellet use.
- Upper racks may be counted in published grate area.
- Searing performance can't be read from maximum temperature alone.
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
Only 6 of the 22 models checked meet every need here: “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Cook for a family of four”.
6 models fit, out of 22 checkedThe gap in numbers
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black lists 575 sq in for listed cooking area, 11% more than the 518 sq in on Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill.
- Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
- 575 sq in
- Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
- 518 sq in
- Models with this figure
- 17 of 22
Show the facts and the math
How we countedThe count uses each product's current fit ratings for “Make weeknight dinners for two” and “Cook for a family of four”. A need with no documented match is not counted.
How we calculatedFigures are the maker's total cooking area. Upper racks and odd-shaped layouts do not give you the same direct-grate space. For context, 17 of 22 models publish comparable figures.
| Product | Needs it meets | Facts we checked | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black |
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| |
| Pit Boss 500FB2 Wood 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.
Traeger Pro Series 575 WiFIRE Pellet Grill, black
Run a brisket overnight
See price & reviews on AmazonPit Boss 500FB2 Wood Pellet Grill
Give burgers a direct-flame finish
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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