Pit Boss P-Setting Temperature Chart (P0–P7): How to Set 225°F & Smoke Mode
Complete Pit Boss P-setting chart (P0 through P7) showing auger feed/pause cycle times, expected smoker temperatures (°F), and how to dial in 180°F, 225°F, and winter or summer adjustments.
How the Pit Boss P-Setting Works (P0 to P7)
The 'P' in Pit Boss P-setting stands for 'Pause'—specifically how many seconds the pellet auger pauses between 18-second feed cycles when your dial is set to 'Smoke' (or on non-PID digital controllers).
A lower P-setting (P0–P2) pauses for less time, feeding more pellets into the fire pot and running hotter. A higher P-setting (P5–P7) pauses longer between feeds, lowering the grill temperature and producing heavier smoke.
| P-Setting | Auger ON (sec) | Auger Pause OFF (sec) | Avg. Temp in 70°F Weather | Best Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P-0 | 18 sec | 55 sec | 245°F – 275°F | Freezing winter smoking or pushing past the stall |
| P-1 | 18 sec | 70 sec | 230°F – 255°F | Cold or windy days when holding 225°F–250°F |
| P-2 | 18 sec | 85 sec | 215°F – 235°F | Ideal setting to hold ~225°F in cool weather |
| P-3 | 18 sec | 100 sec | 200°F – 220°F | Mild spring/fall low-and-slow smoking |
| P-4 (Factory Default) | 18 sec | 115 sec | 180°F – 200°F | Standard Smoke mode in normal 65°F–80°F weather |
| P-5 | 18 sec | 130 sec | 165°F – 185°F | Hot summer days to keep Smoke mode under 200°F |
| P-6 | 18 sec | 140 sec | 155°F – 175°F | Warm-weather jerky, salmon, and sausage smoking |
| P-7 | 18 sec | 150 sec | 145°F – 165°F | Extreme summer heat (watch fire pot so flame doesn't go out) |
Tested gear to achieve the exact temperatures, tender doneness, and results in this guide:
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pit Boss P setting for 225?
In mild outdoor weather (65°F–75°F), setting your Pit Boss to P-2 or P-3 on Smoke mode typically holds the barrel right around 215°F to 230°F with maximum smoke output. Or simply turn the main temperature dial to 225°F while leaving the P-setting at factory P-4.
Does the P-setting affect temperatures above Smoke mode?
On older non-PID Pit Boss controllers, the P-setting acts as the minimum feed rate at all temperatures to keep the fire lit. On newer PID digital controllers (like Pit Boss Pro Series), the computer automatically manages temp above 200°F.
Recipe by Robert P. Anderson
Adapted from Pit Boss Smoker Cookbook for Beginners and edited for American kitchens by the RecipeVault Pro editorial team — US & metric measurements, USDA-safe doneness temperatures, and practical tips. Our editorial policy
