Old PID controller?

[SmokeNBones]

Gentleman,
First time, long time. Glad to finally be here as part of the smoking universe.
I've had the 1150 pro for about 4 months now. I've had some good smokes: ribs, butts, turkeys and even meatloaf (amazing).
That said I've started to get some temp swings. Mostly due to cold weather and wind,. My question is this, I've read a lot about people having the old PID controllers and temp swings. How do I know if I have the old PID? Is there anything that I can see/look at that let's me know it's old/new?
I haven't connected to the app, so I don't know if that let's me know.
Anyways, just trying to be proactive.
Thanks for any help.

 

[GAnewbie]

First of all welcome!

I am not your best source of info, but will throw my 2 cents in until others chime in.

I think the new controllers have 10 degree increments on the lower temperatures.

Some have reported temp problems due to a gap between the smoke plate and the temp probe. There is an aftermarket product which is said to fix it. A Youtube search on 1150 temp problems should give you some vids which explain it.

 

[SmokeNBones]

Thanks GAnewbie. If that is the case I think I have a new one. When using the dial (as I said I haven't used the app yet) I think mine goes in 10s up to like 300 or so, then hits 25s.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Welcome......On the pit boss site there are two 1150. Regular 1150 can be upgraded with a new controller to have Wi-Fi for 99.00. The 1150 pro series sold at Lowe's has the PID controller = Wi-Fi.

 

[SmokeNBones]

Thanks Mike. I indeed have the pro series from Lowes bought in September.
I didn't know there were two types

 

[Mike From R.I.]

I had to look it up, I didn't know that either.

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the group

 

[SmokeNBones]

Thanks Sparky. Looking forward to some great stories and smoking ideas.

 

[Steelheader1974]

Gentleman,
First time, long time. Glad to finally be here as part of the smoking universe.
I've had the 1150 pro for about 4 months now. I've had some good smokes: ribs, butts, turkeys and even meatloaf (amazing).
That said I've started to get some temp swings. Mostly due to cold weather and wind,. My question is this, I've read a lot about people having the old PID controllers and temp swings. How do I know if I have the old PID? Is there anything that I can see/look at that let's me know it's old/new?
I haven't connected to the app, so I don't know if that let's me know.
Anyways, just trying to be proactive.
Thanks for any help.

I have a 1150 from lowes my temps have never really been what the temp probe says. It’s usually 20-25 degrees lower than the controller. I have seen up to 50 but that hasn’t happened in awhile I think I seen that when it was newer. I tried the aftermarket mod that u put by the temp probe to fill in the gap under the drip tray. At first I thought it was great but I noticed a drastic decrease in smoke output I thought it was all in my head at first. The temp at the grate ran hotter by 15-20 degrees with the right side being the hottest it was more consistent with the temp probe all the way to the left. So if I was at 180 on controller I was 200 on grate with less smoke output. Recently in cold weather I was getting ER1 codes after the pot flamed up. I had to shut it down restart and eventually it stayed running. So I was curious and took out the heat deflector mod. I haven’t got the error code yet after 2 startups and I noticed a lot more smoke. I will be starting it up tomorrow and it will be around 18 out so I will see. So as far as the temp swings mine don’t swing it just stays at a constant 20-25 degrees lower than the controller. It gets up to the set temp on the controller and stays there unless I’m opening the lid a lot but it makes it’s way back up. Another thing I noticed with the mod is I had the bottoms of my pork butts get a little burnt than what I would want it wasn’t bad but I noticed it wasn’t something I wanted happening all the time. So I started cooking on the top rack with butts and spatchcocked turkeys and ribs with a water pan underneath filled with water right in the middle on the grates that seemed to help. But like I said I took out the mod and I can cook on the actual grates now if I want too. It was almost like all the heat was being pushed to the right of the grill creating more hot spots. And not enough oxygen or something to keep the smoke down. I’d rather deal with a lower temp then a hotter one. I had the 1150 since last June.