pit boss start up over shoot

[sandyut]

Rec Tec explained that at the lowest setting the auger is the only way to control the temp if it runs too hot or too cold and above that the controller is able to manage the temp control That may be slightly over simplified but it was a phone call a while ago

 

[smokerjim]

I keep my smoker in the barn so there is no sun on it, temps today low 70's. so this is what I did. 3:25 start up on smoke setting(180 degrees) 3:30 closed lid. 3:33 207 degrees. 3:35 242 degrees 3:37 topped out at 257 set temp to 225. 3:40- 267 degrees. 3:50 260 degrees. set at 250 3:55 271 degrees opened lid put dish of stuffed piggies in. temp dropped to 239 4:00 temp up to 278 4:10 temp at 265 4:30 temp at 274. it's 5:00 now and just went to check it still running at 274. I think I need to make a phone call.

 

[smokerjim]

I should of added that I usually start up as the manual says, start smoker on the smoke setting once pellets are burning set to 350. the temps would shoot up to 450-470 before topping out.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

I keep my smoker in the barn so there is no sun on it, temps today low 70's. so this is what I did. 3:25 start up on smoke setting(180 degrees) 3:30 closed lid. 3:33 207 degrees. 3:35 242 degrees 3:37 topped out at 257 set temp to 225. 3:40- 267 degrees. 3:50 260 degrees. set at 250 3:55 271 degrees opened lid put dish of stuffed piggies in. temp dropped to 239 4:00 temp up to 278 4:10 temp at 265 4:30 temp at 274. it's 5:00 now and just went to check it still running at 274. I think I need to make a phone call.View attachment 406357 View attachment 406359

Phone call? I'd take it right back to where I bought it from and demand my money back.

You set it at 180° and it climbs all the way up to 257°.

You set it at 250° and an hour later it's running at 274°?

What's the point in it having a temperature setting on it at all if it's not going to run anywhere near the set temperature?

I should of added that I usually start up as the manual says, start smoker on the smoke setting once pellets are burning set to 350. the temps would shoot up to 450-470 before topping out.

Sheesh. If this is abnormal for this smoker, it's bad.

If it's "normal" for this smoker, well then it's arguably worse.

 

[smokerjim]

Phone call? I'd take it right back to where I bought it from and demand my money back.

You set it at 180° and it climbs all the way up to 257°.

You set it at 250° and an hour later it's running at 274°?

What's the point in it having a temperature setting on it at all if it's not going to run anywhere near the set temperature?



Sheesh. If this is abnormal for this smoker, it's bad.

If it's "normal" for this smoker, well then it's arguably worse.

yeah I emailed them, plus I will call. will keep you all updated

 

[RCAlan]

I should of added that I usually start up as the manual says, start smoker on the smoke setting once pellets are burning set to 350. the temps would shoot up to 450-470 before topping out.

I would start your grill as the manual states... After the smoke has settled, go from Smoke mode to 300* degrees and let your grill run at that temp for 15-20 mins... If the temp shoots up a bit, that’s normal... If you notice the temp going pass 350* degrees, open the lid for a min or two to allow the temp to drop back down to 300* degrees and let it settle their. Opening the lid is a quick way to get your grills temp to drop. I’ve posted from past experiences that it’s never wise to take shortcuts in the preheating of PB pellet grills. Give what I said above a try for your start up procedures.. Go from Smoke up to 300* degrees for 15-20 mins and let your grills temp settle and run stable at 300* degrees. If the temp shoots past 350*, open the lid and let your grills temp drop down to 300*. If it continues to shoot up past your set point, then I would reach out to PitBoss Customer Service for assistance. Here’s a good read to from Pit Boss also...
https://pitboss-grills.com/maintaining-temperature-control-on-pellet-grill

I hope the info helps and good luck.

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[smokerjim]

ok thanks

 

[JWFokker]

That's pretty normal, especially with the "dumb" style controllers the Pit Boss cookers use. The problem is that it pushes pellets at a set rate (reference P Setting chart), and when the cooker is just warming up too many pellets end up in the burn pot before the fire is burning well. Then the pile of pellets takes off. That's where the overshoot comes from.

 

[RCAlan]

That’s not the problem... The PB1000t2 doesn’t have P-Settings... And the PB grills with P-settings can be easily adjusted while on Smoke mode to prevent what you just described.

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[smokerjim]

just updating everyone, talked with pitboss the other day, they mentioned about opening the lid (like you guys mentioned here) to let some of the start up heat out, let it settle to around 180 before adjusting temps, raise up the chimney cap this will hold heat in, since the smokers in the barn I just took the cap right off, so today i'm doing a ham, started it on the smoke setting(180) topped out at 218 degrees, opened lid for a few minutes, temp dropped to 165 closed lid temp raised to 195, took about 35 minute to settle in around 180, I can live with that. I will raise temp to 300 later on to see what happens. but right now every thing seems ok. thanks everyone.

 

[smokerjim]

ok I spoke to soon, I bumped it up to 200 about 1 1/2 hours ago, now it's holding steady at 235-240, so I called pitboss and they tell me that's normal (20-40 degree) difference. I told them this isn't normal, now they tell me to take the heat defuser out and that should help, does this sound right to you guys, sure sounds like pitboss don't like to be bothered!! thanks

 

[SlowmotionQue]

ok I spoke to soon, I bumped it up to 200 about 1 1/2 hours ago, now it's holding steady at 235-240, so I called pitboss and they tell me that's normal (20-40 degree) difference. I told them this isn't normal, now they tell me to take the heat defuser out and that should help, does this sound right to you guys, sure sounds like pitboss don't like to be bothered!! thanks

Your Pitboss does not have a PID controller.

Out of curiosity, I have to ask. How tight do you expect your temps to run without a PID controller in your Pitboss?

20-40 degrees is about right considering the grill that you have.

A lot of people are going to tell you that this is of no consequence.

However only you and you alone can say whether or not you are comfortable with temperature variations of such a significant degree from your set point.

 

[smokerjim]

Your Pitboss does not have a PID controller.

Out of curiosity, I have to ask. How tight do you expect your temps to run without a PID controller in your Pitboss?

20-40 degrees is about right considering the grill that you have.

A lot of people are going to tell you that this is of no consequence.

However only you and you alone can say whether or not you are comfortable with temperature variations of such a significant degree from your set point.

I would think they would run a little closer to set point, 1-20 degrees I can see, but 30-40 even more the higher set point I go, and that's the stock thermometers, I have the inkbird at grill level and that reading 261 right now.maybe i'm expecting to much! I have a mes 30 which runs a 5-10 degree temp swing which is more like it.

 

[SlowmotionQue]

For a pellet grill at the price point of the grill you’re testing and describing in your prior posts, there is no doubt in my mind that you’re asking/expecting too much.

 

[smokerjim]

consistency is fine it doesn't swing much at all maybe a couple degrees, the problem is it runs consistently much hotter then set point. thanks for your suggestions though.

 

[RCAlan]

To have temp swings of 20*-40* degrees is normal, your grill is just cycling... I posted a link for You earlier that explains all that in this thread. Cycling means your grill is adding more pellets to the fire pot and when this happens, the temp will go up and then back down. More smoke is produce when this happens as well which is an added benefit. Also, your grill is designed to allow for direct searing and low and slow bbqing at the same time. The heat diffuser in your PB doesn’t sit on top and covers the Fire Pot like most other brands do. The Flame Broiler and the Flame Broiler Slider in your PB is also acting as the heat diffuser in your PB. Remember to always have the Slider in the closed position while bbqing. Your PB will always have some temp swings, that’s by design and completely normal for your Non PID Controller Pellet Grill. If You want a little more temp control, then you would have to buy a heat diffuser that covers the fire pot... https://smokedaddyinc.com/product/oem-replacment-heat-diffuser-heavy-duty-10-gauge/. but in going that route, your direct searing capabilities will be limited. Your grill is “Not broken” and the 20*-40* temp swings is by design and your grill will still produce great bbq and added smoke. You’re not going to burn your food with 20*-40* degree temp swings. Now if You can’t or don’t want to bbq that way, then perhaps investing/buying a PID Controller for your grill would be your next option or buying a heat diffuser that actually covers the fire pot... There is a learning curve with each brand of Pellet Grill... Your grill has a 5 year warranty as well. I would say, don’t give up on Your grill, but at the end of the day that choice is up to you. Good luck.

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... in SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[smokerjim]

ok thanks, maybe i'm misunderstanding what your calling the temp swings, what i'm saying and you probably get it, is that the temp overrides the set point by 20-40 sometimes more and basically stays there,say I set it at 200 it goes to 240 and stay there, if I set it at 250 it might go to 290-300 and stay there. it doesn't swing. it holds steady, just way over the set point. if this is normal for this grill i'll work with it, or look into adjusting it somehow like you mentioned. if i'm misunderstanding you please excuse me. thanks

 

[bregent]

Yeah, it's important that we all use the same terminology. You are talking about a temperature offset, not a swing. "Dumb" controllers like those used in that model and several other brands usually do reasonably well at maintaining correct temp. But they use a very simple algorithm that switches between 2 auger duty cycles depending on whether the grill is above or below setpoint, so the can't always accommodate all conditions like a PID, or other more sophisticated algorithms. Simply changing pellets may cause it to behave differently. What many folks do in this case is simply adjust the temp setting until they get the actual temp they want.

 

[smokerjim]

Simply changing pellets may cause it to behave differently.

yeah now that you said that, that's seems to be when the problem started, when I changed from pitboss bbq. pellets to hickory, the first couple times I used it they're were no problems with temps, i'll have to get a bag of bbq. again and see if that straightens it out. thanks

 

[Bearcarver]

yeah now that you said that, that's seems to be when the problem started, when I changed from pitboss bbq. pellets to hickory, the first couple times I used it they're were no problems with temps, i'll have to get a bag of bbq. again and see if that straightens it out. thanks

Don't use those pellets in your back yard. They stink when they burn!!!

Bear