BurntOfferings
Member
Long time smoker, new to pellet cooking.
Got this smoker for Christmas as a present.......it was purchased from Lowes in Sept................not sure if returning for refund is an option now as the 90 day window at Lowes has past.
Rough start, went to register and this model was NOT listed as an option. First hint of problems.
Tried to do the initial start up and ignitor wouldn't heat up, after 30 min I quit. Came back to it the next morning and after dumping more pellets into pot it lit, completed the Burn Out as described in manual.
One week later I tried a brisket, smoker seemed to do what it was suppose to but being a newbie the meat was disappointing. I considered that part of the learning curve.
One week later I again try a brisket, after 30 min things are doing great (250*). One hour into cook I check and temp dropped to 110.....105.......ErL
Call customer service, 30 min hold and "Kyle" answers. Describe issue......"Flame out", check chimney cap (Same position as prior week) He says it should be all the way up
Restart......Wait Kyle let's clear the code.......unplug 10 sec. Okay set at 200 and turn on......Hey Kyle , that's not in the manual. He says "WE have found this to be a better option"
No ignite, pellets not feeding........."You have an auger jam" "Follow the good youtube video on clearing it". He goes on to ask when was last time used (1 week) and says can't leave pellets in over a week due to humidity. WTH. A 40# hopper capacity but have to empty after each use? conversation goes downhill from there...............
I figured out how to remove auger, no sign of "Jam" or "Swelled pellets", released freely. Put back together and worked fine.
NONE of his answers are in the manual or any of the described issues. Pit Boss sends me weekly soliciting emails but can't send a tech bulletin on start up change? YouTube for service? Not even posted by PitBoss. A lot of "Shade Tree" fixes by buyers posted. Long waits on customer service line indicate that a lot of people are having issues.
Too many problems so early, I believe there is a problem with the control board.
I salvaged my cook on my neighbor's Masterbuilt, turned out pretty good.
Got this smoker for Christmas as a present.......it was purchased from Lowes in Sept................not sure if returning for refund is an option now as the 90 day window at Lowes has past.
Rough start, went to register and this model was NOT listed as an option. First hint of problems.
Tried to do the initial start up and ignitor wouldn't heat up, after 30 min I quit. Came back to it the next morning and after dumping more pellets into pot it lit, completed the Burn Out as described in manual.
One week later I tried a brisket, smoker seemed to do what it was suppose to but being a newbie the meat was disappointing. I considered that part of the learning curve.
One week later I again try a brisket, after 30 min things are doing great (250*). One hour into cook I check and temp dropped to 110.....105.......ErL
Call customer service, 30 min hold and "Kyle" answers. Describe issue......"Flame out", check chimney cap (Same position as prior week) He says it should be all the way up
Restart......Wait Kyle let's clear the code.......unplug 10 sec. Okay set at 200 and turn on......Hey Kyle , that's not in the manual. He says "WE have found this to be a better option"
No ignite, pellets not feeding........."You have an auger jam" "Follow the good youtube video on clearing it". He goes on to ask when was last time used (1 week) and says can't leave pellets in over a week due to humidity. WTH. A 40# hopper capacity but have to empty after each use? conversation goes downhill from there...............
I figured out how to remove auger, no sign of "Jam" or "Swelled pellets", released freely. Put back together and worked fine.
NONE of his answers are in the manual or any of the described issues. Pit Boss sends me weekly soliciting emails but can't send a tech bulletin on start up change? YouTube for service? Not even posted by PitBoss. A lot of "Shade Tree" fixes by buyers posted. Long waits on customer service line indicate that a lot of people are having issues.
Too many problems so early, I believe there is a problem with the control board.
I salvaged my cook on my neighbor's Masterbuilt, turned out pretty good.
