Pro Series 1150 II Pellet Grill

[MikeB1057]

I purchased my 1150 on April 1 and have done 2 cooks so far. I am seeing a major issue with the grill temp controller setting and the actual internal temp. My setup is using a calibrated Therm Pro TP 16, setting the external probe next to the internal probe to read internal temp. To get 275°F internally I needed to set the controller at 360°f. Once it reached temp it holds it fine. I have looked at all of the obvious scenarios and documentation but can find no answer. I tried chatting with Pit Boss but they do not seem to understand what a remote thermometer is. So no luck there either.
Anyone else seen this or has any comments.
Thanks
MikeB

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the group MikeB

 

[MikeB1057]

Thanks

 

[Cowboy1955]

Welcome from Texas to the group!!!
Glad you’ve joined us
My 820 did the same thing until it learned my settings
Hopefully this helps you

 

[MikeB1057]

Thanks for the welcome. I'm going to try the hotline again and see if anything comes from that. Never hurts to ask.

 

[Cowboy1955]

I use a handheld digital thermometer

 

[Scurbs]

I updated the firmware on my 1150 PS last week and I’m experiencing similar problems.

 

[MikeB1057]

I have tried both and get the same result.

 

[Freedbyjc]

I purchased my 1150 on April 1 and have done 2 cooks so far. I am seeing a major issue with the grill temp controller setting and the actual internal temp. My setup is using a calibrated Therm Pro TP 16, setting the external probe next to the internal probe to read internal temp. To get 275°F internally I needed to set the controller at 360°f. Once it reached temp it holds it fine. I have looked at all of the obvious scenarios and documentation but can find no answer. I tried chatting with Pit Boss but they do not seem to understand what a remote thermometer is. So no luck there either.
Anyone else seen this or has any comments.
Thanks
MikeB

Have you checked your new smoker for the PitBoss air gap issue and done the air gap mod to fix it yet?



Air Gap Modification - Models Affected: Austin XL 1000 and Rancher XL 1000, 1000SC, 1000t2, 1000t3, 1000t4, ProSeries 1100, KC Combo, Charleston, PB 500, 1230 and 550 Sportsman, ProSeries 600, ProSeries 2 1150, 1600 Pro and Elite, and Navigator 550 & 1150 and Laredo 1000.



Unfortunately there is a well known, but easily corrected, design flaw in your unit ... a gap between the bottom of the drip tray and the top of the left side grease tray lip that allows firepot heat to blow directly on the digital temperature probe... it’s causes slower startups, flameouts and other temperature related issues.



Since the firepot heat is blowing directly on the digital temperature probe, It’ll cause the smoker to flameout for no apparent reason. It’ll cause a flameout because the digital temperature probes temperature readings are falsely reading too high; it causes the digital temperature probe to register higher than your set temperatures. And that’ll cause a flameout every time … shutting down the auger and starving your fire of pellets



The air gap mod is a big deal on the Austin XL , the pro series 1100, PS2 1150, 1600, Laredo and basically ANY 1000 inch barrels AND the KC Combo. It takes them forever to settle down especially in the Smoke setting, and that's why, when people have them set to Smoke they're wondering why it's up around 250 or 300 degrees ... and it's all because the firepot heat is all blowing on that digital probe. Do the mod and it registers the temperatures correctly and it settles them right down.



Additionally, a QUICK and simple foil fix will work ... Fold sufficient aluminum foil to cover the gap from side to side and put in place. Done right, the foil will fold over and sit on top of the drip tray and this quick fix blocks the firepot heat from blowing directly on the temperature probe.



A detailed Instructional Video is below ... AND the Video is also in Announcements section of this page ... and if you’re interested, the prefabricated mod plate available at https://smokeslikeaboss.com/



This video explains better ..

 

[Freedbyjc]

I purchased my 1150 on April 1 and have done 2 cooks so far. I am seeing a major issue with the grill temp controller setting and the actual internal temp. My setup is using a calibrated Therm Pro TP 16, setting the external probe next to the internal probe to read internal temp. To get 275°F internally I needed to set the controller at 360°f. Once it reached temp it holds it fine. I have looked at all of the obvious scenarios and documentation but can find no answer. I tried chatting with Pit Boss but they do not seem to understand what a remote thermometer is. So no luck there either.
Anyone else seen this or has any comments.
Thanks
MikeB

Absolutely normal for all pellet smokers … Unless your meat probes, specifically not meant for measuring air temperatures, were positioned EXACTLY like this (see photo) touching the digital temperature probe, your personal temperature reading comparisons are totally invalid for comparison to the “Actual” temperature shown on the controller. Your grate temperatures are never going to match the actual temperature shown on the controller.



The PitBoss controllers algorithms are set to create a temperature environment throughout the barrel ... not that exact temperature readings at every point across the grates.



If you’re interested in the grate temperatures, you’ll have to get a secondary probe specifically designed to measure that. Usually they have squared off or blunted tips and always come with grate clips.



The digital temperature showing on the controller is the temperature probe mounted on the left side of the barrel at that specific position ... it’s not “the grill” or “grate” temperatures. Your grate and lid probes are going to be different and probably higher or lower due to their placement in the barrel.



Watch your digital, as it controls the controller, and keep an eye on your grate temperature but the IT on your meat probe is the one that’s the most important.



The “probe problem” is that folks don’t know enough about their PitBoss smokers design to know that the digital temperature shown on the controller and the grate temperatures are almost never going to match.



Remember, your PitBoss has a controller with an awesome algorithm that runs the smoker. After you’ve used it a few times you’ll realize that it works and works well. Relax... put your temperature probes in the food where they belong and let that awesome smoker you bought do the work for you. Smoke On!