Pit Boss pro series PBV4PS2 smoke issues Fixed thanks all

[jiponwheels]

I am totally new to pellet smokers first and foremost. I have read all kinds of tips and tricks but I cannot get smoke out of this smoker. I have adjusted temperatures between 150 up to 225 and still no smoke. The burn pot is actively hot producing heat burning off the pellets but alas there is no smoke flavor at all. I paid 600.00 to have an outdoor oven basically. I am totally at my wits end as to how to fix this. The last cook I just did was on Easter, I had a ham out there for 8 hours and I had to put it in my oven to finish the cook.

 

[Steve In Pa]

I am totally new to pellet smokers first and foremost. I have read all kinds of tips and tricks but I cannot get smoke out of this smoker. I have adjusted temperatures between 150 up to 225 and still no smoke. The burn pot is actively hot producing heat burning off the pellets but alas there is no smoke flavor at all. I paid 600.00 to have an outdoor oven basically. I am totally at my wits end as to how to fix this. The last cook I just did was on Easter, I had a ham out there for 8 hours and I had to put it in my oven to finish the cook.

Hi there, it's pretty much the nature of the device to do that. My vertical will produce enough smoke for long cooks to do the job that we want. For example a butt or a brisket. But some folks prefer a more smoke flavor so the solution is using a smoke tube. I use smoke tubes when I want to extra boost and it does a nice job.
Search through the forum here and you'll find folks with similar comments to yours and similar solutions. Good luck.

 

[Dab942]

I am totally new to pellet smokers first and foremost. I have read all kinds of tips and tricks but I cannot get smoke out of this smoker. I have adjusted temperatures between 150 up to 225 and still no smoke. The burn pot is actively hot producing heat burning off the pellets but alas there is no smoke flavor at all. I paid 600.00 to have an outdoor oven basically. I am totally at my wits end as to how to fix this. The last cook I just did was on Easter, I had a ham out there for 8 hours and I had to put it in my oven to finish the cook.

I have the same smoker. Which pellets are you using? I used PB competition blend and charcoal mix - I get a lot of smoke billowing out of my stack. If I need more smoke, I'll use a smoke tube. As of late, I have been cooking at higher temps than most and had great results. Thick smoke rings and great flavor.

Having said that, it's going to be difficult to match a stick burner -- different fuel types -- different humidity in the fuels. My family prefers the pellet smoked meats over the stick burner -- I know! They're communists.

I did these at 275:

 

[jiponwheels]

I was using the competition blend pellets. I just don't understand how they can call this a smoker if I have to use an outside source to get smoke? I literally have to look very hard to even see any smoke at all.

 

[Dab942]

I was using the competition blend pellets. I just don't understand how they can call this a smoker if I have to use an outside source to get smoke? I literally have to look very hard to even see any smoke at all.

Odd. Mine pours smoke from the stack. I have only used a smoke tube once when I was cooking at 400 but wanted smoke and a few times for cold smoking.

You might want to try Lumber Jack pellets. They have the cambium layer in the pellets too - might give you want you want.

 

[jiponwheels]

Odd. Mine pours smoke from the stack. I have only used a smoke tube once when I was cooking at 400 but wanted smoke and a few times for cold smoking.

You might want to try Lumber Jack pellets. They have the cambium layer in the pellets too - might give you want you want.

Mine does not pour smoke at all, its very thin and no smoke flavor at all on the meat.

 

[Desert_Smokin]

I have the same smoker and it does a good job. Usually smoke is visible, especially under 275.
I suggest calling tech service at PB.

 

[Mike From R.I.]

I see smoke from mine too.

 

[Dab942]

I have the same smoker and it does a good job. Usually smoke is visible, especially under 275.
I suggest calling tech service at PB.

Ditto. There's not much too the smoker. Most of the the magic is in the controller. There could be something goofy with yours.

The bag of pellets -- was the bag still sealed?

 

[jiponwheels]

Ditto. There's not much too the smoker. Most of the the magic is in the controller. There could be something goofy with yours.

The bag of pellets -- was the bag still sealed?

Yes it was sealed.

 

[jiponwheels]

I have the same smoker and it does a good job. Usually smoke is visible, especially under 275.
I suggest calling tech service at PB.

They helped a ton thanks, seems I was choking out the smoker and its good now.

 

[smokenoob]

They helped a ton thanks, seems I was choking out the smoker and its good now.

Could you say what they suggested and how you were choking it out?

 

[jiponwheels]

Could you say what they suggested and how you were choking it out?

I wasn't fully starting it up properly. You must turn it on and leave it open for a minimum 10 to 15 minutes and the smoke stack needs to be opened up. I had mine closed thinking I was going to contain the smoke better. So in essence I wasn't letting it get going at all. I just did my first smoke today properly, had a decent smoke ring but not the flavor I am used to with the stick burners. So I have to add the smoke ring definitely.

 

[Desert_Smokin]

Glad you got it figured out.
I usually add a smoke tube for more smoke, especially on larger cuts- pork butt, tri-tip, brisket, etc., all depends on the smoke level people like.
They definitely don’t have the smoke as a stick burner.

 

[Steve In Pa]

I wasn't fully starting it up properly. You must turn it on and leave it open for a minimum 10 to 15 minutes and the smoke stack needs to be opened up. I had mine closed thinking I was going to contain the smoke better. So in essence I wasn't letting it get going at all. I just did my first smoke today properly, had a decent smoke ring but not the flavor I am used to with the stick burners. So I have to add the smoke ring definitely.

Well that's interesting. First though, good for your resolution.
I have the same model but have not had any starting up issues even when I forget and let the door closed. I try to remember to let it open and mostly do but once in a while I go into auto pilot mode, don't pay attention and close it right after start.
It always fired up anyway, with smoke soon pouring out the vent stack.
And once it starts, and it's running well, I can tell it by the sound if nothing else. Sounds like a jet engine to me.
Anyway, I've always gotten a degree of smoke for smoking purposes. But for consistent smoke, I've started using a smoke tube or two.