New Pitboss Austin XL

[SmokingUPnorth]

Well I was thinking about buying up another MES just for those lazy days I don’t want to set the kettles up but ended up taking in a NiB Pitboss Austin XL Onyx on a trade. It’s just the wallmart version, I checked one out in store prior and seemed pretty good. I Traded a budget AR15 that I threw together when I was stationed in Hawaii and only shot once and has sat for about 5-6 years in a safe now. I Usually don’t get rid of any of my firearms but this one was 1 of 4 that I built mostly with spare/leftover parts, just sitting in my safe with no “sentimental” value. The smoker will get used way more and will come in handy when I don’t want to use the kettles for smoking. I have the AMNPS Maze, 12” tube and 6” tube that will run with pellets when I use it too. I Also was able to pick up 7 bags of Lumberjack pellets locally before our movers came So they will get shipped with all of our stuff to NC. I remember using the LJ pellets in the tube before I got rid of my Traeger and what a difference it made. Looking forward to putting it together and in a few weeks once we’re moved. This one doesn’t have the WiFi which I am kinda happy about bc when I had my Traeger I didn’t really care for it. Been looking at some things to improve on it online but probably will do a few cooks to see what it needs before I change anything. Another Pitboss owners have any tips I’m all ears.

 

[Flatrate]

Good trade in my opinion, get that sucker built and fired up!

Dave

 

[Texascat]

I have a Pit Boss Competition 850 and I think it is built very similar to the Austin XL.

Mine had a pretty bad hot spot right over the burn pot that was giving me problems. I found this heavy gauge deflector made by Smoke Daddy that is specifically designed for that purpose. After installing that I couldn't be happier. Nice even temperatures now.

I regularly do overnight brisket cooks and that alone is reason for me to have a pellet smoker. The convivence is undeniable.

 

[bigfurmn]

Love my Pit Boss. Only thing as I'm sure you know and probably already have is a thermometer not from the grill unit. I have two different inkbird thermometers. One four probe wired and one four probe wireless.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

I have a Pit Boss Competition 850 and I think it is built very similar to the Austin XL.

Mine had a pretty bad hot spot right over the burn pot that was giving me problems. I found this heavy gauge deflector made by Smoke Daddy that is specifically designed for that purpose. After installing that I couldn't be happier. Nice even temperatures now.

I regularly do overnight brisket cooks and that alone is reason for me to have a pellet smoker. The convivence is undeniable.

Yeah I have been looking into the Flame Tamer from smokes like a boss. It’s suppose to help with the hot spot. Was also looking at the air gap mod but it looks like it’s not necessarily for the onyx edition for some reason it must be different

Love my Pit Boss. Only thing as I'm sure you know and probably already have is a thermometer not from the grill unit. I have two different inkbird thermometers. One four probe wired and one four probe wireless.

Thanks bigfurmn. That’s exactly what I’ll be using.

 

[Texascat]

Yeah I have been looking into the Flame Tamer from smokes like a boss. It’s suppose to help with the hot spot. Was also looking at the air gap mod but it looks like it’s not necessarily for the onyx edition for some reason it must be different

I looked at the Flame Tamer as well but it's made from thinner metal and just covers the area directly over the burn pot. The deflector from Smoke Daddy is much thicker steel and covers a much larger area. I think it does a better job of evening out the temperatures.

I was getting a burnt spot and uneven cooking on my briskets and after the deflector I get perfect results. I can even load the smoker up with ribs all the way across and they're all consistently cooked.

 

[SmokingUPnorth]

I looked at the Flame Tamer as well but it's made from thinner metal and just covers the area directly over the burn pot. The deflector from Smoke Daddy is much thicker steel and covers a much larger area. I think it does a better job of evening out the temperatures.

I was getting a burnt spot and uneven cooking on my briskets and after the deflector I get perfect results. I can even load the smoker up with ribs all the way across and they're all consistently cooked.

Thanks. I just saw that one form smoke daddy too I saw their “heavy d” where you put wood chunks in it but didn’t really care for it. Then came across their regular diffuser on Amazon with their measurements on it and will probably go with that one.