PB850 Newbie

[Wildbill]

Hey all,
New to this whole pellet grill/smoker and was never really into them until my son got one (Austin XL, I think) and cooked the Thanksgiving turkey on it this year. It was so good, and when he showed me how easy it was, I started really taking a closer look at them. And when I saw how much more they can do I was hooked. I found a PB850 at my local Lowe's and bought online for pickup later along with a bag of pellets. That turned into such a fiasco and major mix up with their inventory (Long Story) the Mgr gave me $100 off, and I walked out the door with no pellets but an already assembled one for $399..... I've done the 1st burn off and here looking for ideas on what a total rookie can cook/smoke with success. Need to justify the price with the wife. She loves Salmon, so hopefully I can smoke her some.

 

[MikeInFla]

Nice and welcome to the forum. You can get pellets just about anywhere, just look around the forum for ideas. For cooking ideas I always hit YouTube just type in the search "pit boss pellet smoker" and see what comes up. Paul's Q is a good channel there, he has been posting Pit Boss cooks for a couple of years now. Again, welcome to the forum.

 

[DaveXDm9]

Welcome to the forum do not hesitate to ask questions.

 

[MKinHB]

Welcome, you bought the same grill that I did, for $100 bucks less, great deal.
This forum has been great for info. on the Pit Boss grill/smokers etc. Also for tips and information.
Have fun with your new toy.

 

[Wildbill]

Thanks Guys.... I was looking on You tube for reviews and such but will look for recipes!!!

 

[MKinHB]

I wonder how long it will take Pit Boss to release a cover for this grill???
I'm getting tired of the moving blankets and tarps.
PB850PS2

 

[Wildbill]

I wonder how long it will take Pit Boss to release a cover for this grill???
I'm getting tired of the moving blankets and tarps.
PB850PS2

I'm wondering the same..... Not even on their website

 

[Swisher]

The cover for the 820 will fit just like the cover for the 1100 fits the 1150

 

[Wildbill]

The cover for the 820 will fit just like the cover for the 1100 fits the 1150

Thanks..... Pit Boss should state that on their website!!!

 

[MKinHB]

they state that is does not fit.

 

[Wildbill]

I got a universal one that fits and half the price!!!

 

[MKinHB]

I got a universal one that fits and half the price!!!

does it cover the smoke stack?

 

[Wildbill]

does it cover the smoke stack?

Yep, covers all of smoker.... because of being universal it's not as form fitting but will do the job....

 

[JJWright]

Personally I feel that my 850 is nowhere the build quality of a Green Mountain and a Traeger grill. What I am in complete shock is you cannot adjust by 5 degree and the controller feels and looks so cheap. Again I bought this due to the insurance as my GMG was about 3 years old and my Traeger was 2 years old. I did not buy the Traeger new so I had no receipt so I got screwed.

The 850 looks pretty I have to say the cosmetically is sharp, the material is ok it is not as heavy duty, but you expect that based on the cost. For my first cook I smoked some chicken thighs and the temp in this grill for being a PID was not as consistent although the smoke it produced was on par on what pellet grills produce as I used Pit Boss pellets. Why not I have a PB grill why not use PB pellets as I normally use Lumber jack all the time.

Onething I notice is why the temp would drop 16 minutes into the cook then jump back up to where supposed to be set at then it stayed there so that tells me that there is something wrong with the controller or the software. I will not start lurking around in the forum and keep providing updates on my experience.

 

[MKinHB]

Got my new cover the other day from Pit Boss, the paperwork now says it fits the 820 and 850.
fits kinda sloppy and the drawstrings do not work. the grommets are right next to the zipper so only the string on the left can be pulled, the other one is sewn into the zipper hem.
but you cannot pull the one on the left because it goes all the way around. The drawstrings should have been on the opposite side of the zipper.