New Owner of PBV4PS2

[BoilerBrewer]

Hey troops...long time lurker, first time poster.

I just got a PBV4PS2 at Lowes the other day (my first pellet smoker), and the assembly went well. Apparently I was lucky since mine was in good shape (no dents or damage). I've read about the shortcomings in the controller and the limited WiFi connectability, and it appears relocating the antenna is the way to go, but how do I open it up to get to the controller? Do I remove the pellet screen to get to the controller housing in the hopper or is there another way?

Also, I have yet to to the burn in, and wondered how open you kept the damper to minimize heat loss while still avoiding a high-temperature alert.

Any other tips for a first-timer?

Thanks!

 

[MikeInFla]

I dont have the same model but is yours vertical? If it is do the burn in with water in the pan. Don't worry about the smoke stack just open it up a little more than half way

 

[BoilerBrewer]

Thanks Mike. Yes, it's the series 4 vertical. !I did the burn in today. I had it closed down a little too much at the beginning hoping to shorten the time to get it to 350 and got a high temperature alert, but when I opened it up it worked great.

I placed a Thermoworks air probe next to the internal probe, and the Thermoworks tended to run 15 to 20 degrees hotter at 350. It'll be interesting to test it at lower temberatures.

Thanks again.

 

[Micbrody]

I dont have the same model but is yours vertical? If it is do the burn in with water in the pan. Don't worry about the smoke stack just open it up a little more than half way

I just did burn in without water in pan. Is that a problem?

 

[Micbrody]

I just did burn in without water in pan. Is that a problem?

(I also just received the new Lowe’s series 4 version 2 vertical smoker).

 

[The Cooler King]

Congrats on the new smoker! Your Lowes experience went better than mine. I had 3 damaged series 4 before abandoning it and going with a series 3 I found on sale at Walmart.

Agreed with others who have said to keep the stack about half way and water in the pan. Shouldn't have any issues otherwise. I'm only two smokes in, but I think as with most cooking tools, it's just standard learning curve stuff. Definitely just read through all the instructions. I read through multiple times to make sure I knew what was needed.

 

[wisstx]

Hey troops...long time lurker, first time poster.

I just got a PBV4PS2 at Lowes the other day (my first pellet smoker), and the assembly went well. Apparently I was lucky since mine was in good shape (no dents or damage). I've read about the shortcomings in the controller and the limited WiFi connectability, and it appears relocating the antenna is the way to go, but how do I open it up to get to the controller? Do I remove the pellet screen to get to the controller housing in the hopper or is there another way?

Also, I have yet to to the burn in, and wondered how open you kept the damper to minimize heat loss while still avoiding a high-temperature alert.

Any other tips for a first-timer?

Thanks!

Try it without modifying it. This way you get a base to see improvements from. It may have great WiFi based on your unique setup at your home.
come back and let us know.
Did it connect? What was the signal strength? Once it is on your network (in the location you will use it) it should be ok if no other network changes happen.

 

[BoilerBrewer]

Try it without modifying it. This way you get a base to see improvements from. It may have great WiFi based on your unique setup at your home.
come back and let us know.
Did it connect? What was the signal strength? Once it is on your network (in the location you will use it) it should be ok if no other network changes happen.

I got it to find my network, but if I get much further than 30 feet away it doesn't update...it just hangs on whatever the temperature reading was when it connected. My home WiFi is pretty good. I don't have any other connection issues anywhere in the house, and I can be much further away than the smoker with a laptop or phone and have a strong signal.

Do I contact the SmokeIT people or Pit Boss?

Or, do I try to "fix" it myself?

Thanks for any suggestions.

 

[wisstx]

Call pit boos and ask if they have any thoughts on how to improve it. Depending on the answer, try it or head to the mods.

I took the entire module out. Flint it over and see the green board on back. About 6-7 screws hold the board to the front.
alao, the knob on the front has a set screw. Take thal off prior to separation of the board from the front.
the antenna is flat rectangular in shape. Mine had a small single black wire. The other end connected in a gold socket. Be careful it all is fragile.
there are some other posts with better descriptions.
move the flat antenna to the front or let it hang down.

 

[Edchad]

Wow. I just got my PBV4PS2 home yesterday. It was somewhat of an impulse buy. I have an older Hammertone 2 Once I got it figured out it works pretty good. I just wanted a larger one and pellets. On my old Hammertone I have to set it at 310-325 to get a real 225-240 on a good probe mounted on the cook rack with a holder. That thing has been off that bad ever since I had it. But I know what’s right and quit worrying about it. I can’t remember the exact details of my attempt at support from PB. But I wasn’t happy. I’ve had a couple of other brand electrics and as pitiful as it sounds the Hammertone has been the best construction wise.
I ran across the new one and got a pretty good deal on it. Floor model. And everything was there and assembled properly as best as I can tell.
I did the burn in today. It hit 350 pretty quick. I let it run about an hour and shut it down and let it do it’s shutdown routine.
The only research I really did was check the reviews on my Lowe’s app before the purchase. I got it for 320 bucks. So I felt pretty good about it. I know the temp readings are all over the map on most of the manufacturers. At least my experience. My Weber Spirit 310 and now my new 330 gas grills are rhe only two in my life rhat were close

anyway like I said the burn in went well. I did have a question I posted and as luck had it I did the right thing.

My concern now is whether to even try the app Even on the Lowe’s reviews they said it was horrible. I bought it thinking the heck with the app but it would be nice. I have great internet and use the Plume mesh system. I actually have a super pod in the garage maybe 35’ directly behind where I will roll it out to use.
is the WiFi connection the biggest real problem? If so I should be good there. If not I probably won’t even mess with it.
after reading so much in here. One halfway major problem and it’ll go back.
But I DO have high hopes. Lol.