Real owners lean toward the Weber Original Kettle 22: 84% of 37 owners recommend it, vs 75% of 20 for the Pit Boss 850 Navigator.
Verdicts aggregated from Reddit, enthusiast forums, and YouTube owner comments — affiliate reviews excluded. Sample sizes differ; judge accordingly. How we score
Weighing the Weber Original Kettle 22 against the Pit Boss 850 Navigator sets charcoal versatility against pellet convenience, though owners of each report a cooker that delivers on value. Weber Kettle owners describe an incredibly versatile grill that handles everything from high-heat grilling to low-and-slow, cleans up easily via the ash catcher, and lasts decades with minimal care; their main complaints are trouble holding low smoking temps and a grate that fills fast with sides. Pit Boss owners are overwhelmingly satisfied and would buy again, praising the open-flame broiler that grills and chars like a real grill and the strong value around the roughly $399 price, but they cite electronics failures across control boards, WiFi controllers, probes, and igniters, plus uneven heat where the hopper side runs hotter. A hands-on cook wanting a simple, durable charcoal grill leans to the Weber, while someone wanting app-connected pellet convenience with searing ability leans to the Pit Boss. Neither is the clear winner; the choice hinges on whether charcoal simplicity and longevity or pellet convenience with sear-heat matters more.
“STILL ROCCCKING WITH THE NAVIGATOR 1150 AND 850”— @VietKieuLongNguyen on YouTube
“Just picked one up Black Friday at Academy for a great price and have already grilled on it a few times, Great Product!!”— @Intoxacajun on YouTube
“I have a Navigator 850G over a year old. Have replaced 4 control boards and 2 grill probes. Waiting on igniter. Does anyone have any ideas why they keep going bad?”— jcbitsme on Pit Boss Grill Forum
“Still cooks like a beast, so you can make a hell of a feed with any of them.”— @ShivaFn on YouTube
“It was a great grill. Worth it at that price today.”— @brianr5665 on YouTube
“2 of my legs were a fraction too long. Had to shorten them so the little knob could click into place. Very frustrating!”— @PinkyFloyd5529 on YouTube
Weighing the Weber Original Kettle 22 against the Pit Boss 850 Navigator sets charcoal versatility against pellet convenience, though owners of each report a cooker that delivers on value. Weber Kettle owners describe an incredibly versatile grill that handles everything from high-heat grilling to low-and-slow, cleans up easily via the ash catcher, and lasts decades with minimal care; their main complaints are trouble holding low smoking temps and a grate that fills fast with sides. Pit Boss owners are overwhelmingly satisfied and would buy again, praising the open-flame broiler that grills and chars like a real grill and the strong value around the roughly $399 price, but they cite electronics failures across control boards, WiFi controllers, probes, and igniters, plus uneven heat where the hopper side runs hotter. A hands-on cook wanting a simple, durable charcoal grill leans to the Weber, while someone wanting app-connected pellet convenience with searing ability leans to the Pit Boss. Neither is the clear winner; the choice hinges on whether charcoal simplicity and longevity or pellet convenience with sear-heat matters more.
Owners point the Pit Boss 850 Navigator at cooks who want both smoking and open-flame searing, and budget buyers wanting solid build for the money.
Owners point the Weber Original Kettle 22 at charcoal fans grilling burgers, steaks, and sausages, and cooks wanting one versatile do-it-all cooker.
The most-cited downside of the Pit Boss 850 Navigator is electronics reliability problems, control boards, WiFi controller, grill probes, and igniter failing or needing replacement/upgrade. For the Weber Original Kettle 22, it's hard to control low temps for smoking.