Comparing pit boss Lowe’s versus Academy

[Roger Helton]

What are the pros and cons for a pit boss pro series 850 sold by Home Depot and a competition 850 series sold by Academy and which is best?

 

[Roger Helton]

My mistake not Home Depot but Lowe’s

 

[Cowboy1955]

I believe they’re one of the same. Depends on who has them for the best price

 

[jaykav]

I was looking at the 850 originally and ended up with the 1150 from lowes...basically just decided to go bigger. Overall dont regret my purchase...just my two cents.

 

[Smokeyholler]

I have the competition 1200.
The pro has a hinged door and a smoke stack. The Competition has a non hinged lid and no stack. The stack would allow the side smoker, I can't use it on mine

 

[hollrusl]

Mainly, I believe it’s hinged lid and smoke stack (Lowe’s) vs roll top and no smoke stack (academy/menards). If I’m not mistaken, The competition series brought back the smoke setting, but don’t quote me on that. I researched awhile back when I decided to go bigger. I went with Lowe’s so I could use the smoke box attachment.

 

[Jimsmokes]

Mainly, I believe it’s hinged lid and smoke stack (Lowe’s) vs roll top and no smoke stack (academy/menards). If I’m not mistaken, The competition series brought back the smoke setting, but don’t quote me on that. I researched awhile back when I decided to go bigger. I went with Lowe’s so I could use the smoke box attachment.

How hot does that smoke box get?

 

[Private]

How hot does that smoke box get?

I would love to know that too.
We have a smoke box on a Louisiana whole hog, but it gets too hot for some cheeses. We have fallen back on a masterbuilt electric (that we don't turn on) with their factory made smoke generator.

 

[jcsparky]

I purchased the 850 Competition recently at Academy. I was looking at the Pro (Lowe's) for $499, then saw Academy had an online special on the Competition $549 plus an additional 20% off if added to the online shopping cart. The end result was $439 before tax at Academy (vs. $499 from Lowe's), so I went with the Competition. As you can see in my avatar, it has a stack and the top is hinged. Overall, I'm pleased so far.

 

[Smokeyholler]

I purchased the 850 Competition recently at Academy. I was looking at the Pro (Lowe's) for $499, then saw Academy had an online special on the Competition $549 plus an additional 20% off if added to the online shopping cart. The end result was $439 before tax at Academy (vs. $499 from Lowe's), so I went with the Competition. As you can see in my avatar, it has a stack and the top is hinged. Overall, I'm pleased so far.

JC that's interesting. My 1200 has no stack but the 850 does. I didn't realize that.

 

[dagodago1]

What are the pros and cons for a pit boss pro series 850 sold by Home Depot and a competition 850 series sold by Academy and which is best?

I have the Lowes model and from what I understand the other one hasn't addressed the air gap.

 

[jcsparky]

I have the Lowes model and from what I understand the other one hasn't addressed the air gap.

That is correct. The 850 Competition series has the gap. I'm using foil for now to block the gap.

 

[hdanger]

I checked the competition 850 at Menards and it did not have the gap. The Pro at Lowe's still had a slight gap.

 

[dagodago1]

I think they may even have improved the curvature even more then to seal off any heat. I will have to check how close it is in mine.

 

[Saul D]

JC that's interesting. My 1200 has no stack but the 850 does. I didn't realize that.

My competition series 1250 has the roll top door and no stack. The fire pot is mounted underneath the barrel ( not inside like most others); I think that reduces the hot spot in the middle since it’s further from the heat deflector. I bought it for the convenience of emptying the ash pot from the outside of the smoker.