How to Empty Pellets from a Pit Boss Grill (Step-by-Step)

Pellet grills work best when the pellets inside them stay dry and fresh.

If pellets absorb moisture or sit in the hopper for too long, they can swell, crumble, or clog the auger.

That can lead to poor temperature control or even a jam inside your Pit Boss grill.

Emptying the pellet hopper is a simple maintenance step that helps prevent these issues.

Whether you want to switch pellet flavors or store your grill for a while, clearing the hopper takes only a few minutes if you follow the right steps.

Subscribe to Our YouTube Channel :)

Why You Might Need to Empty Pit Boss Pellets

Most Pit Boss grills are designed to hold several pounds of pellets at a time.

That’s great for long cooks, but it also means pellets can sit inside the hopper for weeks if the grill isn’t used regularly.

Common reasons to empty the pellets include:

• Switching to a different wood flavor

• Preventing moisture damage during storage

• Cleaning the grill before a long break

• Fixing an auger jam caused by swollen pellets

For example, if you want to switch to a fruitwood option, you’ll first need to remove the old pellets from the hopper.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Method 1: Use the Pellet Release Door (Fastest Method)

Many newer Pit Boss grills include a pellet hopper cleanout door.

This makes the process quick and mess-free.

Follow these steps:

1. Turn the grill off and unplug it.

2. Place a bucket or container under the pellet cleanout chute.

3. Open the hopper cleanout door.

4. Let the pellets pour out into the container.

5. Close the door once the hopper is empty.

This method usually takes less than a minute.

However, a few pellets may still remain near the auger entrance. 

You can scoop or vacuum those out if needed.

Method 2: Scoop the Pellets Out (For Older Pit Boss Models)

Some older Pit Boss grills do not have a cleanout chute.

In that case, you’ll need to remove pellets manually.

Here’s how:

1. Turn off and unplug the grill.

2. Open the pellet hopper lid.

3. Use a small cup or scoop to remove most of the pellets.

4. Once the hopper is mostly empty, vacuum the remaining dust and pellets.

5. Make sure the auger opening is clear.

A small shop vacuum works well for this step.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Method 3: Run the Auger Until Empty

Another option is to burn or feed the pellets through the auger.

Steps:

1. Turn the grill on.

2. Set it to feed mode or a low temperature.

3. Let the auger push pellets into the firepot until the hopper is empty.

4. Turn the grill off and allow it to cool.

This method takes longer, but it ensures the auger tube is completely clear.

A Quick Tip When Switching Pellet Flavors

If you’re changing pellet types, it helps to run the auger for a few minutes after refilling the hopper.

That pushes out the remaining pellets from the previous flavor.

Otherwise, the first part of your cook will still burn the old pellets inside the auger tube.

Buy Pit Boss Apple Hardwood Pellets on Amazon ↗️

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Emptying pellets is simple, but a few mistakes can cause problems later.

Avoid these issues:

• Leaving pellets in the hopper during humid weather

• Using wet or crumbling pellets

• Skipping hopper cleaning for months

• Forgetting to clear pellet dust

Pellet dust can build up over time and interfere with smooth pellet feeding.

Bottom Line

Emptying pellets from a Pit Boss grill is quick and helps prevent jams, moisture damage, and flavor mixing.

If your grill has a hopper cleanout door, you can drain the pellets in seconds.

Otherwise, scooping or running the auger works just as well.

Making this a regular part of grill maintenance will help your pellet smoker run more reliably and maintain steady heat during long cooks.

P.S. - If you’re comparing pellet brands, our guide Can You Use Bear Mountain Pellets in a Traeger explains whether those pellets work well across different pellet grill brands and what to expect when switching.