- Jun 18, 2017
- 2
- 10
So I've searched the forums and haven't seen definitive information on the Pit Boss 820.
Anyone using one with good results?
Anyone using one with good results?
No worries,Older thread I know, but just ordered the pellet pro pid so wanted to thank original poster for the great pictures and info.
I apologize for putting in my 2 cents but the inconsistent smoke is not how all pellet smokers work. I get a slight white smoke when I start my Yoder until the fire gets going, but once I close the lid I get an almost invisible blue smoke the entire time. Doesn't matter if I am running it for 5 hours or 20 hours. I have only used BBQ Delight pellets for the past 3.5 years so I can't say if there is a better pellet out there, but if there is I have no intentions of changing.
Pellet grills often have temperatures that read different that the actual temperature inside the pit. The can be gradients within the grill, and temperature swings of +/-20F or even more are normal. However, shooting up to 340 is not good. I would start by calling the mfg, and see if they can help you troubleshoot. If you decide on getting a new controller, you might check if an Ortech will fit. They are less expensive than PID controller and most everyone that has one likes it.
As far as inconsistent smoke, that's how pellet grills work - they produce more visible smoke during only part of the cycle. And although it looks bad, white smoke on a pellet grill is not much to worry about. If you saw the same amount of white smoke on a stick burner, the food would be ruined, but combustion properties are much different in a pellet grill and white smoke does not harm the food.
Even with copious amounts of visible smoke, pellet grills produce a might lighter smoke profile than other smokers. To increase the flavor, try using 100% hickory pellets. Note that all BBQ pellets are 100% hardwood, but that doesn't mean they are 100% of the wood listed on the bag. LumberJack and Cookin Pellets are 2 brands that make 100% flavorwood pellets, but there are several others. Start there.
Funny you should ask, I just got one in May for my birthday, I played around with the built in controller but had some really horrid results, swings of 90ish degrees. Now having said that, I asked for and received a PelletPro PID controller for dad's day and got it installed this past weekend and so far pleased with the temperature results, going to get some stuff cooking on it this week.
Hi SpeedJ and thanks for sharing this info! At the end of last year, I bought the Pitboss 700fb and have found that it can manage higher temps fairly well, but the lower temps it has crazy temps swings. I went to do a full brisket this past weekend and had it set at 225 with the plan being, make sure it settles in at 225 and then go to bed with my wireless remote with alarms to make sure the temps didn't get out of line. We'll I spend the next couple hours, trying to figure out why when I had it set at 200, it would drop to 185, then up to 290!! Ain't no brisket going to do well with that! LOL. fought with that thing all night long trying to keep the temps reasonably close. Then I read that others had issues with smoking at low temps (225-ish). Was ready to just pull the trigger on a RecTec but then I found this and it is a lot cheaper way to go then a new RecTec. So the two main questions I have for you are...1) Have you had any long smokes at 225 degrees. 2) Did it hold temp within 10-15 degrees? Thanks again for your post and pics! :)
1) The family are huge fans of Baby backs so my smokes are in the 5-6 hour range everytime.Hi SpeedJ and thanks for sharing this info! At the end of last year, I bought the Pitboss 700fb and have found that it can manage higher temps fairly well, but the lower temps it has crazy temps swings. I went to do a full brisket this past weekend and had it set at 225 with the plan being, make sure it settles in at 225 and then go to bed with my wireless remote with alarms to make sure the temps didn't get out of line. We'll I spend the next couple hours, trying to figure out why when I had it set at 200, it would drop to 185, then up to 290!! Ain't no brisket going to do well with that! LOL. fought with that thing all night long trying to keep the temps reasonably close. Then I read that others had issues with smoking at low temps (225-ish). Was ready to just pull the trigger on a RecTec but then I found this and it is a lot cheaper way to go then a new RecTec. So the two main questions I have for you are...1) Have you had any long smokes at 225 degrees. 2) Did it hold temp within 10-15 degrees? Thanks again for your post and pics! :)