Wood – Pellet Grills

I’m thinking about getting into the pellet grill club. My ? is does anyone have experience with a Pit Boss Austin XL ? I’m looking at the 1000. The reviews look good but i know there’s some grill masters here that have probably come across these or know of someone who may have 1

I recently purchased a Pit Boss 820 – love it!! Used it ~ 8 times in the past 6 weeks. Grills great, smokes great and everything in-between. I like the fact it can heat up to 500F.

I have the 820 as well and love it. I love the fact I can sear steaks over an open flame at 600 degrees or slow smoke at 180. I have had mine for over a year, no complaints.

I’m leaning towards the Pit Boss Pro Series vertical smoker. I don’t think Pit Boss is meant to be top of the line based on construction quality but that is represented in the price as well. Since I already have 3 smokers, It doesn’t have to carry all the load of my outdoor cooking.

I have that exact pellet grill. Once in awhile when i turn the temp up to 300 and 350 the auger doesn’t like to kick in. other then no problem

Thanks for the replies, I’ve heard some good things about these and will more than likely pull the trigger on 1, do they hold a steady temperature?

Outdraft wrote:

Thanks for the replies, I’ve heard some good things about these and will more than likely pull the trigger on 1, do they hold a steady temperature?

I’ve read some reviews where people are frustrated by temperature swings. But since these units are wood fired (actual fire in a box) it isn’t unreasonable to expect a little over run until it settles into the set temp. Most report a 5 – 10 degree swing over the long haul of the smoke.

I have had a Memphis pellet grill for over 5 years. It has double walled lid and body so it is unaffected by cold weather. I cook steaks at 550 and smoke as low as 220. It has worked great. My brother has a traeger and does not use it in below zero weather due to trouble maintaining temps due cold and wind etc. The memphis is not cheap but I will buy again. ALso made in MN

Mwal

I would say it has about 10 degree swing up or down. Overall stays pretty steady

I went into Lowe’s today and the 820 was on sale for $449. I get an additional 5% discount with my Lowe’s card. It was a deal that I couldn’t pass up.

I have used a pitboss pretty bullet proof, i picked up a green mountain during there black friday sale for $399 non wifi, i really like it temps pretty steady, what i like about it from the pitboss was the fact that it has 5 degree increments from 150,where the pitboss it goes 150,then 200 and 25 degree increments from there,so you have much more temp control with green mountain. both will get the job done,i also like that both have larger rear wheels for wheeling it in and out of garage.

gregory wrote:

I have used a pitboss pretty bullet proof, i picked up a green mountain during there black friday sale for $399 non wifi, i really like it temps pretty steady, what i like about it from the pitboss was the fact that it has 5 degree increments from 150,where the pitboss it goes 150,then 200 and 25 degree increments from there,so you have much more temp control with green mountain. both will get the job done,i also like that both have larger rear wheels for wheeling it in and out of garage.

I also have a GM Davey Crocket and love the heck out of it. It will spend the summer up at the lake with our trailer.

Thanks again for the replies, with this weather it’s a little easier to hold off on getting one, but then again its good weather to assemble one. Is there a preferred pellet brand that that burns better ?

They are a little more expensive, but you should check out Rec Tec Grills: https://www.rectecgrills.com/grills/

They are by far the best built grills I’ve ever seen. I have a RT-680, but they make a bunch of different sizes now. They also have by far the best customer service of any company I’ve dealt with. You get a business card with the owner’s cell phone number on it when you buy a grill, and you can seriously call him any time of day, any day of week if something isn’t working.

Outdraft wrote:

Thanks again for the replies, with this weather it’s a little easier to hold off on getting one, but then again its good weather to assemble one. Is there a preferred pellet brand that that burns better ?

Check facebook marketplace for ‘wood pellets’ or ‘lumberjack wood pellets’, there are usually a few people selling them on there for good prices. I buy from a guy in Woodbury, but I’ve seen someone post from Prescott too. Usually like $17 or so for a 40# bag.

I understand you are looking to get a pellet grill but i have to say a Weber Charcoal is the most versatile grill out there at a price of $100. I can smoke with it both hot and cold, grill with it, bake with it, rotisserie…. there are so many accessories its amazing! Yes you have to tend to the grill a bit when smoking meats but that’s part of the fun. Grab a beer or 4 and sit back and enjoy. Anyhow just wanted to throw in my piece. I was in the market for a new grill last year and i chose a Weber Charcoal as a temporary solution while i saved up for something else and I’m so glad i did. Ill never own anything but a weber charcoal again.

Pit Boss is owned by Danson’s who also owns louisiana grills.

I have a louisiana grill and love it. the pit boss seems a small step down but its backed by a good company and you should have a great experience with it.

If i was forced to buy again, I’d seriously consider a Yoder or GMG as well. all good companies. The new traegers are nice but priced out of bounds IMO.

Check out costco. my louisiana grill is the 800 elite which is a 1100 grill i got for 600 at costco.

crappie55369 wrote:

I understand you are looking to get a pellet grill but i have to say a Weber Charcoal is the most versatile grill out there at a price of $100. I can smoke with it both hot and cold, grill with it, bake with it, rotisserie…. there are so many accessories its amazing! Yes you have to tend to the grill a bit when smoking meats but that’s part of the fun. Grab a beer or 4 and sit back and enjoy. Anyhow just wanted to throw in my piece. I was in the market for a new grill last year and i chose a Weber Charcoal as a temporary solution while i saved up for something else and I’m so glad i did. Ill never own anything but a weber charcoal again.

Sure if you have a bunch of free time charcoal is fine. I can get home from work, turn on my pellet grill and have it up to temp and cooking in under 10 minutes. Try that with charcoal. Nearly as fast as gas, but with cooked over wood flavor. I can also stick the temp probe in a piece of meat, set the temp to whatever internal temp I want and walk away. When it hits that temp it cools down to a holding temperature. The advantage of a pellet grill is that you don’t have to spend all day monitoring it. See picture: chicken, vegetable skewers, squash and a gingerbread cake all cooked at the same time. Set the temp at 350 and forget it.

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QVC has a good deal on Traeger 520 today free shipping 2 bags of pellets, rib rack ,shelf ,cook book , 2temp. Probes,and cover $599.

I have the PB 1000SC from menards $650 which is 11% off right now. I’ve had it for about a year and love it. I can wit about 6 pork butts on it.

I love the pellet grill because when I’m doing a long overnight smoke I drag it into the middle of my driveway away from anything combustible and let er buck all night and wake up to meat ready to pull of the grill and rest. The PB holds temp pretty well and It has the sear feature which is awesome. I was going to buy a treager but all the research I did I came to the conclusion it’s not great for searing and it’s a struggle to get it over 400 degrees.

I would pull the trigger on another PB in a heartbeat.