1600 Elite PSE issues

[Cagrant3]

Hi all, new to the forum, not new to smoking with a Pit Boss. Have a PB Pro Series 1100 form Lowe’s. Been a great unit for 4 years until the fire pot burned out. Had to buy a replacement from Amazon because a replacement from Pit Boss has been on back order for God knows how long. Been waiting since Mother’s Day. Figured I’d get an upgrade, so I ordered a Pro Series 1600 Elite. Absolutely beautiful unit. Has a problem: fiery embers spew from the removable ash pot. The gasket was defective, the ash pot itself was damaged in shipping. Cust service sent me a new ash pot but gasket WAS ALSO ON BACK ORDER! Took it back to Lowe’s within 2 1/2 weeks and ordered a complete replacement. Guess what… SAME PROBLEM. Is this a common problem with this unit? Don’t need wild fires starting in my yard or deck.

 

[primeone]

Welcome to the forum! This is the first I've heard of that problem on brand new units. That's not good at all. What are you going to do?

 

[Cagrant3]

Get up an hour early tomorrow, call customer service (that’s usually the time it takes), and see what they have to say THIS time. If I’m not satisfied I’ll be shopping the competition.

 

[primeone]

Get up an hour early tomorrow, call customer service (that’s usually the time it takes), and see what they have to say THIS time. If I’m not satisfied I’ll be shopping the competition.

Let us know how it goes.

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the group

 

[Jimsmokes]

Welcome from SC.
Where are the sparks coming out from it?

 

[Cowboy1955]

Welcome from Texas to the group!

 

[Cagrant3]

There is a gap between the ash box and the gasket of the barrel. I’ll post a pic soon. Gonna test with the replacement ash box from the previous unit. Gonna check for light between the gaps.

 

[Cagrant3]

Shining light through the right and front of the outside of ash box. Also showing original and replacement for previous defective unit. It arrived after I returned the previous unit.

 

[Cagrant3]

New box is a definite tighter fit, but still shows light. Calling cs tomorrow.

 

[Cagrant3]

Happily surprised, customer care answered on the second ring. They’re always nice. They’re sending a new ash box gasket (which is now in stock). We’ll see how that works. He also did say he has heard this is an issue before and a replacement ash box is the usual fix. Said customers have also repaired with oven gasket materials to fix this issue themselves. On another note, I also had a dent in the stainless lid. Sent them pics, they’re sending a new lid as well. Fingers crossed.

 

[Cagrant3]

Fingers crossed folks. Received new gasket in lightning fashion. Installed that and replacement ash box. Fired her up, completing initial burn off letting it run for an hour between 350 & 400. No sparks so far. Time to cook!

 

[ANT0407]

Fingers crossed folks. Received new gasket in lightning fashion. Installed that and replacement ash box. Fired her up, completing initial burn off letting it run for an hour between 350 & 400. No sparks so far. Time to cook!

How did it turn out yesterday?what did you cook?

 

[Cagrant3]

How did it turn out yesterday?what did you cook?

Turned out real good. Spatchcocked a chicken - always good. Temps were ranging real weird. Started off setting @ 250 - placed wired probes on lower and mid shelves - read close to 300. Set to 350 - temps ranged from accurate to over 420. Then the controller temp dropped to 246 while the probes stayed about the same. Came back up within about 15 min. I WAS using the “foil gap hack” to shield the temp probe from broiler heat. Next cook I’ll pull that out and see what it does.

 

[bobsbbq]

I have the same grill and I haven't fired it up at night yet, but I did see ash everywhere on the shelf. I thought the fit was not very tight on the opposite side from the hopper. The other side with the clamp fits better. I might have to look in to this as well. In my opinion the design is flawed. There needs to be something on the other end to secure it.