What Does Erl Mean On A Pit Boss Smoker? A Temperature Error

It can be scary for both you and your smoker to see an “ErL” on your Pit Boss. This means that the parts that feed pellets, start the fire, or check the heat may not be working right. 

They might get worse if you don’t fix them. This might make it hard for your grill to stay hot enough for smoke rings or juicy beef. 

We’ll show you why “ErL” shows up and how to quickly fix it. Getting it fixed will help your Pit Boss keep making the tasty, smoky meals you love.

WHAT DOES ERL MEAN ON A PIT BOSS SMOKER?

ErL- an error caused by low temperature 

On a Pit Boss grill, “ErL” means “Error Low Temperature.” When the inside temperature of the grill drops below your set point—often below 100°F (38°C)—this error turns on. It’s a sign that the grill can’t keep up with the heat you need for cooking.

The temperature range for Pit Boss smokers is usually between 150°F and 500°F (65°C and 260°C). A few types, like the Pit Boss Austin XL and the Pro Series, can get even hotter to cook foods.

How Erl affected your Pit Boss smoker 

So, how does an “ErL” affect your cooking? People love “low and slow” cooking with Pit Boss grills because it makes meats like beef, ribs, and pulled pork soft and delicious. You can easily get more of these smoke from Pit Boss. To soften tough foods without drying them out, this method relies on keeping the temperature low for a longer time.

However, an “ErL” error means the temperature has dropped unexpectedly below the smoker’s minimum, posing a challenge. While low temperatures are usually fine for slow cooking, the “ErL” indicates the grill can’t maintain or reach the necessary temperature. This could be an issue for recipes that need a high heat to start or a consistent temperature throughout cooking.

WHAT CAUSES ERL CODE ON PIT BOSS SMOKER?

To find out why this code shows up, you need to figure out why your Pit Boss grill isn’t heating up. 

The ignition, temperature monitoring, and pellet feeding features of Pit Boss grills are second to none. But the “Erl” code appears when the components responsible for these operations cause the grill temperature to drop too low, which might ruin your food and even your grill in the long run. 

Jammed Auger

The auger feeds pellets from the hopper into the firepot, where they are ignited to generate heat. Low-quality pellets that disintegrate or contain excessive dust can clog the auger mechanism. Additionally, moisture exposure can cause pellets to swell and jam the auger.

 If the auger is jammed, pellet flow is obstructed, leading to insufficient fuel for maintaining the fire. This lack of fuel can cause the grill’s temperature to drop too low, potentially triggering an “ErL” error code.

Solution: Regular cleaning and inspection of the hopper and auger path can prevent jams. Using high-quality, dry pellets minimizes the risk of obstruction.

Ignition Failure

The igniter’s role is to light the pellets in the firepot, generating the heat needed for cooking. Accumulation of ash in the firepot can insulate the igniter from the pellets, preventing ignition. Igniters can also fail over time due to wear or manufacturing defects.

If the igniter fails, the pellets won’t ignite, leading to a failure in heat production. The grill won’t reach an adequate cooking temperature, resulting in an “ErL” error code for too low a temperature.

Solution: Regular cleaning of the firepot to remove ash and checking the igniter for functionality can help prevent ignition issues. Replacing a faulty igniter is necessary for the grill to operate correctly.

Bad Resistance Temperature Detector (RTD)

Even though this doesn’t happen as often as real low temperatures, it could if there’s a problem with the RTD that reads the probe’s data. In the RTD system, the temperature probe is the main part that measures the temperature. It’s generally made of a metal whose resistance to electricity changes as the temperature does. 

If the grill seems to be operating normally, they have a temperature that is within the right range (you can feel heat, see smoke, and the pellets are burning) but a “ErL” mistake is shown because the temperature probe is broken and doesn’t work right, leading the grill to think its temperature is too low. This could happen if the temperature probe or the control board is dirty, broken, or not properly plugged in. 

If this happens, check the state and connection of the temperature reader to see what’s wrong. If that doesn’t help, contact Pit Boss support for more troubleshooting steps or new parts.

HOW TO FIX ERL CODE ON A PIT BOSS SMOKER?

When your Pit Boss smoker gets a “ErL” code, there are both quick fixes that will fix the problem right away and more in-depth fixes that will get to the root of the problem. 

Fix It Right Away

• Shut Off and Restart: Before you start it up again, turn off your smoker and wait a few minutes. This might fix the problem by restarting the machine.
• Check the Pellet Quality: Make sure that good pellets are in the bin. Pellets that are too small or of bad quality can change the temperature uniformity.
• Adjust Temperature Settings: Check to see if the smoker can hit and keep a higher temperature by turning up the temperature setting.
• Shelter Your Smoker: If you’re cooking when it’s cold or windy, moving your grill to a more protected area can help keep the heat in.

Fixing the Root Causes

• Clean the Auger System: Pellet trash or clumps in the auger might halt pellet flow and affect temperature. Let the grill cool, then remove any adhered pellets that got stuck.
• Inspect the Ignition System: The grill won’t heat up if the igniter isn’t lighting the pellets. Once the grill is cool, check the igniter for damage or buildup and clean or replace it if necessary.
• Check the Temperature Probe (RTD Sensor): If the temperature monitor is broken or dirty, it can give wrong results. Check the probe’s connection and clean it with a soft cloth. If you think it’s broken, you should get a new one

The firepot should not be overburdened with ash, since it might hinder airflow and pellet ignition. It needs to be cleaned often.

Fixing Erl vs Erh

Fixing “ErL” vs. “ErH” on a Pit Boss isn’t the same. “ErL” can be trickier than “ErH.” Both errors show your grill needs help. But “ErL” often means a bigger fix is needed. 

“ErH” can sometimes be easier to sort out. It means your grill got too hot. You might just need to cool it down or use a lower heat. “ErH” is about how you’re grilling right then. You might fix “Erh” fast by changing how you cook. 

But “ErL” means the heat’s too low and points to a deeper problem. Parts like the auger, igniter, or temperature sensor might be acting up. To fix “ErL,” you might have to clean parts or even replace them.

HOW TO REPLACE THE AUGER IN YOUR PIT BOSS SMOKER

Replacing your smoker’s auger isn’t too hard if you follow these steps. First, make sure your smoker is off and unplugged for safety.

Step 1: Get to the Auger

Let’s make some room to work and gather up those trusty tools—screwdriver, pliers, and maybe a wrench. Pop open the pellet hopper. You’ll likely need to unscrew or unbolt it to get a good look at the auger motor.

Step 2: Take Out the Auger

Next up, locate that auger motor. Disconnect any wires—oh, and snap a quick pic with your phone to remember how to reconnect them later. Now, unscrew and gently pull out the auger motor and its buddies. A little wiggle might be needed to free them from their cozy home.

Step 3: Clean the Tube

Look around inside the auger tube. Could you see any pellets or other junk hidden? Get rid of everything to start over.

Step 4: Put in the New Auger

Grab your new auger and slide it into place. Make sure it fits right.

Screw the motor back in place and reconnect those wires, like in your photo.

Step 5: Test It

Alright, time to fire it up! Plug in your smoker, fill it with pellets, and let’s see that auger in action. It should run smoothly, no weird noise. If all seems good, power down and piece your smoker back together.

CONCLUSION

Finally, to escape the “ErL” message and keep your Pit Boss smoker in great shape, all you have to do is take good care of it. The best things you can do are get regular checkups, choose the best pellets, and replace any worn-out parts, especially those that are used to feed the pellets. If you take care of your smoker, it will keep giving you the great tastes you want.