The catch
Traeger Woodridge
The base Woodridge comes without Super Smoke mode and without an included side sear station.
Side by side
Traeger Woodridge vs Pit Boss Navigator 850M: Navigator adds direct-flame finishing, and Woodridge collects ash in a keg
Quick verdict
Pick the ash-keg workflow, or take the larger hopper and the direct-flame lever.
Before you buy
Why, and what it costs you
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
Woodridge has 860 square inches and Navigator 850M has 932, a difference of 72 square inches, or 8.4% of the smaller figure.
Where this comes from
932 minus 860 = 72 sq in. 72 ÷ 860 × 100 = 8.4%. Each total spans several rack levels, so it is not a continuous pan area. No serving count is drawn from it.
The catch
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
It is a big patio grill and not a portable or tabletop unit.
Traeger Woodridge
- Why pick it
- Combined ash and grease collection appeals to you
- The documented Woodridge rack split suits you better
- The catch
- The base Woodridge comes without Super Smoke mode and without an included side sear station.
Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Why pick it
- The Flame Broiler lever is a draw for you
- Your cooks need the 30lb pellet hopper
- The catch
- It is a big patio grill and not a portable or tabletop unit.
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What this page compares
Woodridge vs Navigator 850M on usable rack space, pellet capacity, searing setup and cleanup. Use it to choose your grill.
Pick the ash-keg workflow, or take the larger hopper and the direct-flame lever.
Which one fits
Pick the situations that sound like you
The largest uninterrupted main grate is what the meal needs
Woodridge totals 860 square inches and Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches. Because both are multi-level figures, a tall roast or large pan still needs its own grate-dimension check.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
A planned pellet reserve for a long cook
The hopper goes from 24lb to 30lb with Pit Boss, which can mean fewer refills at the same assumed consumption. The direct-flame lever changes how you sear more than the shared 500°F chamber ceiling would suggest.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
Regular cooks in which cleanup and movement matter
After repeated smoking sessions, Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Check its exact meat-probe bundle, since the product page gives conflicting counts.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
After a 20lb pellet bag, you have 4lb of hopper room left versus 10lb
Both hoppers can take a 20lb bag from empty. That leaves 4lb of nominal space in the Woodridge and 10lb in the Navigator.
- Traeger Woodridge
- Depends
- Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Depends
In practice
Differences you will notice
Put total multi-level rack area on the same basis for comparison
Woodridge has 860 square inches and Navigator 850M has 932, a difference of 72 square inches, or 8.4% of the smaller figure.
How we worked this out
932 minus 860 = 72 sq in. 72 ÷ 860 × 100 = 8.4%. Each total spans several rack levels, so it is not a continuous pan area. No serving count is drawn from it.
The hopper comparison becomes usable once a pellet-burn assumption is stated
Using an illustrative 1.5lb per hour, a full 24lb hopper is 16 hours of fuel and a 30lb hopper is 20 hours. Treat both as planning estimates that leave out any reserve.
How we worked this out
Hopper sizes are put on a common scale here by assuming a constant 1.5lb/h for each. 24 ÷ 1.5 = 16h. 30 ÷ 1.5 = 20h. Real consumption varies with temperature, weather, food and grill design. This is no recommendation to leave a grill unattended.
After a 20lb pellet bag, you have 4lb of hopper room left versus 10lb
Both hoppers can take a 20lb bag from empty. That leaves 4lb of nominal space in the Woodridge and 10lb in the Navigator.
How we worked this out
24 minus 20 = 4lb. 30 minus 20 = 10lb. Don't top up on the strength of this math. Check how much fuel is really left first.
Option A
Traeger, Woodridge
Woodridge
For larger low-and-slow meals without the Elite side burner, this Wi-Fi pellet grill offers 860 square inches across two racks, a 24lb hopper and a combined grease and ash keg.
- Best for
- A 520-square-inch main rack for connected smoking
Facts we checked
- 520 sq in on the main rack, 860 sq in in total
- Maximum chamber setting of 500°F, plus a 24lb hopper
- Published grill weight of 138lb
- EZ-Clean keg that combines grease and ash
Option B
Pit Boss, PB850M
Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
Its 932 square inches of cooking area come with a pellet hopper that holds 30 pounds.
- Best for
- cook for eight or more people or feed a family of four
Facts we checked
- Cooking area comes to 932 square inches.
- Hopper capacity is 30 pounds of pellets.
- Its top listed setting is 500°F.
Spec by spec
Where they really differ
| Spec | Traeger Woodridge | Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill | In practice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cooking surfaces | 860 sq in total, 520 sq in main rack | 932 sq in total | Woodridge totals 860 square inches and Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches. Because both are multi-level figures, a tall roast or large pan still needs its own grate-dimension check. |
| Pellet supply | 24lb hopper | 30lb hopper | The hopper goes from 24lb to 30lb with Pit Boss, which can mean fewer refills at the same assumed consumption. The direct-flame lever changes how you sear more than the shared 500°F chamber ceiling would suggest. |
| 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 measure different things. Match the cooking method along with the temperature. |
| Controls and smoke mode | Wi-Fi app access | Wi-Fi app access | Connectivity helps only where the network reaches. No advantage in flavor or temperature accuracy 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 | After repeated smoking sessions, Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Check its exact meat-probe bundle, since the product page gives conflicting counts. |
Trade-offs
What each pick costs you
With Traeger Woodridge
- Part of the advertised total area is an upper rack. Compare the footprint and vertical clearance of your real pans and cuts against it.
With Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
- Only the Flame Broiler, which exposes food to direct flame, reaches the much hotter 1,000°F. Indirect pellet cooking tops out at 500°F.
Change of plan
When the answer changes
Combined ash and grease collection appeals to you
Go with Traeger Woodridge. Woodridge totals 860 square inches and Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches. Because both are multi-level figures, a tall roast or large pan still needs its own grate-dimension check.
The Flame Broiler lever is a draw for you
Go with Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill. After repeated smoking sessions, Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Check its exact meat-probe bundle, since the product page gives conflicting counts.
Decision guide
How to decide
Either go with the ash-keg workflow or with a larger hopper plus a direct-flame lever.
Match the food to the actual racks
Woodridge totals 860 square inches and Navigator 850M lists 932 square inches. Because both are multi-level figures, a tall roast or large pan still needs its own grate-dimension check.
Keep fuel capacity apart from cooking temperature
The hopper goes from 24lb to 30lb with Pit Boss, which can mean fewer refills at the same assumed consumption. The direct-flame lever changes how you sear more than the shared 500°F chamber ceiling would suggest.
Weigh the daily cooking and cleaning routine
After repeated smoking sessions, Woodridge’s combined ash and grease keg is an everyday convenience. Navigator lists separate grease handling, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth. Check its exact meat-probe bundle, since the product page gives conflicting counts.
What this page can’t tell you
- Pellet-duration figures come from a stated illustrative burn rate. They are not measured runtime, and they are not permission to leave a grill unattended.
- A rack total cannot tell you a serving count or whether a single large item fits.
- No smoke-flavor, temperature-stability or searing-performance testing is being 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traeger Woodridge |
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| Pit Boss Navigator 850 Connected 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 Woodridge
Combined ash and grease collection appeals to you
See price & reviews on AmazonPit Boss Navigator 850 Connected Pellet Grill
The Flame Broiler lever is a draw for you
See price & reviews on AmazonEach link opens in a new tab.
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