Pit Boss Grills

I got my 456d for Christmas after being bought at Lowe's. I've wanted a pellet smoker for awhile. Some of my friends have tragers. I've tried 4 times to use this thing. I have tried different p settings. It will work fine for awhile until you turn your back on it. Then it will go out. Try to fire it up and it's like a blast furnace. My old wood smoker is much more reliable. Very disappointed. Tried customer service. After 3 hours I got a call back and it hung up.

I bought a Pit Boss 2 years ago and mine burned back into the pellet box. I purchased a new motor in hopes that was why the auger wasn't working. That didn't help. The burn back melted the plastic bushing which I finally was able to get it to turn but the bushing shrunk due to the heat and the auger is at a angle. Can I purchase the plastic bushing? My Son in Law also has the same grill and his did the exact same thing. It almost caught his deck on fire so I think this is a major issue and a safety concern. I would like to hear if this is a common problem.

For Pit Boss Whiskey Upright...
Just fired up new whiskey still. I have another Pit Boss for last 3 years (PB700FB) and versed in the 'art' of pellet grilling/smoking.
The whiskey still has some design issues though that I need to ask about.

1- With the 'burning temp' set to 350 it will not reach higher than 208 on center rack. Confirmed by it not being able to boil water at all. Appears to be poor design of placement of controller thermal probe. Heat is coming direct off bottom of grease tray, funneling up by the probe, thereby giving false temp readings compared to actual cooking areas. By turning burn diffuser 90deg I was able to attain 275 at the center rack, using meat probe as test. However, that's still a 75deg variance from set temp to probe temp. I believe that's due to placement as I can make a temp probe shield and get temps closer, but shouldn't have to come up with my own mods.
Is there an updated mount for the set temp probe?

2- The pellet bin is not shaped with enough slope to keep auger fed. Using new Pit Boss pellets the auger runs dry with half of the bin still full. It appears there isn't enough slope to the bin. Is there an update for this, as currently the auger runs dry after only couple of hours, while still half full Manual beating it on the side is not what I would expect to have to do.
Response from Pit Boss...(MUST READ, the rep must be a joke)
Thank you for reaching out! With how your unit is behaving in temperature, that is how it is intended to. With this unit specifically, the temperature is always going to be hotter at the bottom then the top. The temperature probe is placed down at the bottom so it can maintain the temperature you would like it set to. We don't have any modifications for this unit as it is working as intended.
As for the pellet hopper. Since the hopper on these units have a flat bottom, it causes the pellet bridging to happen more frequently. We recommend always keeping the hopper at least half way full the whole time. Even then, it can cause the pellets to bridge up and stick to the walls. With that we recommend using Turtle Wax around the hopper so that they slide down a lot easier. You can take the hopper grate off and it will allow better access to that hopper.

Bought a series 4 upright pellet smoker from Lowe’s 2 days before Thanksgiving 2019. Burned it in the day before Thanksgiving and it started fine and temp rose to 325 but the next cycle it did not hold the temp, 200, dropping to 115 and flashing. It did restart and rose to 180 then dropped again to 115 and flashing then went out. Tried again on Thanksgiving day with similar results. Called ‘customer service’ and was told the controller was bad and they’d send a new one. It arrived 8 days later. It took me (an electrics tech) over an hour to replace, fired it up and got the same results... not happy, we had a nice brisket ready to smoke assuming the controller would fix it. Called ‘customer service’ again and was told it was the temp sensor and they’d have one to me in 2 or 3 days. 5 days later I emailed and asked where it was, 2 days after that I get this:
You've had an update to your case inaccurate readings (# XXXXX) on 2019-12-20 14:56:10:
Aubrey said:
cx is upset item has not shipped, would like a delivery date.

If you have additional questions, please feel free to call us directly at 877.303.3135
So I’m a cx! Wow! The sensor status was updated to shipped the following day. We’ll see if the temp probe fixes it but I’m not overly optimistic at this point. I threatened to return the smoker and she said she was sorry I was having trouble but that I can return it if I wanted to. Haven’t had this bad of ‘cx service’ ever! Will NOT recommend! Zero stars is my rating.

Purchased a pit boss two series Hammerstone finish . Easy to put together! Plugged it in and it was already on but the switch never would turn off! Started to set it ready to preheat for burning it off and got err code and couldn’t set! Next day tried again and after a few times trying finally got it to set heat temperature and timer! Everything going well with the temperature getting up to temp then all of a sudden it started on fire! Since we couldn’t get it to turn off we unplugged it and fire finally out! Cleaned it up and tried again but now nothing but ERR on the screen and beeping sound! It’s toast! Never got to use! Called customer service put on hold for ever left call back # and haven’t heard nothing back! Nephew has the 5 series and loves it! Thought we would get the smaller one which was a bad mistake! Not a friendly smoker!

Used tailgater pit boss 4 times and led panel went out called to buy a replacement found out that it was under warranty lady assured me that I would get a replacement didn't receive product. I called 6 times before I was able to talk to someone the first time 30 minute waits am not calling again Buy a different product and you will save yourself a lot of headaches.

One star is one to much. Purchased the Vertical Digital Electric Smoker (series 3 - model PBV3D1) in January. I've used it three times, and each time the internal heat is twice the set temperature. This has been checked using two separate ambient thermometers. I've called numerous times and get put on hold for hours and then disconnected. Is this why it has a 5-year warranty? Does anyone answer the phone there?

1 star is even too much. My husband and I bought an upright smoker, we unfortunately got rid of our traeger for this piece of crap! It worked one time and quits all the time after that. It throws an error saying it’s too hot, when our food is still raw. I’ve called multiple times, along with leaving emails with no reply. DO NOT BUY THIS!

We shopped and bought a pitboss this past memorial day. It broke the first day fuse was bad so we replaced it. Then ignitor broke. Company said they will send it right out . Today is almost 1 month later and still no ignitor. Called customer service and wait an hour and lady "accidently hung up". When called back she put us on hold again for indefinite time. GO BUY A TRAEGGER BECAUSE THIS COMPANY SUCKS! I CAN NOT EVEN GIVE 1 STAR
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I purchased a Pit Boss wood pellet grill and smoker, Model PB700FB, about 8 weeks ago. I have used it 7 or 8 times and have had excellent results. Today I was using it when it suddenly began making a noise like a fan blade was rubbing against something below the Hopper Box Housing where the mechanical parts are. I disassembled the hopper assembly and discovered that the small screw which secures the nylon bushing (Part# 8-PH) on the auger drive to the housing had worked it way out and the auger had moved rearward pushing the motor fan against the housing stalling the motor. It appears the screw was overtightened in the nylon bushing and had stripped the nylon leaving the screw loose which subsequently worked it's way out. I rotated the bushing about a 1/4 turn and re-installed the screw so it was in a different spot. The screw is a wood screw style so with a little pressure I was able to screw it into the nylon bushing taking care not to overtighten and strip out the nylon. I also put a small dab of crazy glue on the screw to ensure it wouldn't come out again. This method of fastening the bushing seems a little under-engineered.

Had rust spots where paint had come off contacted customer service in Sept. told it would be December before part would be replaced. Has been ridiculous the lack of customer service and run around from Pit Boss/Dansons
Shop around and choose wisely you will be disappointed with this company

I just purchased the series 7 copper top smoker and found the door was off due to bad henge placement, the door lock is trash. Pay attention company to what u sell.

So I not one to complain but last week 4-16-18
I wanted to buy a pit boss Memphis ultimate the only place you can buy one is from wal-mart there was none in stock. I reach out to Pit Boss via E-mail and they return back the next day and told me the only way was throughWalmart so about 2 day later they had one went down and got its a vary nice grill but one of the knob does not fit so I reach out to them to see if they could send one wait 4 days and no respond I call once and they said I would have to wait for them to e-mail me witch I thought was weird but ok so I waited 2 day and no responds so I call again. And then I got the truth they will not have any parts till the middle of June so like I said I not one to complain but this is some [removed]. what if something else was broken I have to wait till June. If I would of none that I would of not brought it. I just think if buy something for anybody they should back they product. Not happy. I know its just a knob but I have to keep calling and sending more e-mails I don't have time for this [removed].

I purchased a smoker oven from Pit Boss Grills on 7-30-13 and $8,700.00. This included a $2,000.00 surcharge for expidiated service to have the smoker manufactured and ready for shipping on 8-29-13. As of 11-7-13 the smoker is not completed and ready for shipping. Since this smoker oven was for a restaurant project, a timely delivery was necessary due to restaurant opening schedules. I requested a refund from Mr. [redacted] of Pitt Boss Grills, the owner and he stated that he will not refund the deposit of $4,500.00 and did not know when the smoker will be completed. We have asked repeatedly for a refund so we can move on with the restaurant project. We have had to purchase another smoker oven from a different manufacturer and want the refund to pay for the new smoker oven. This has caused great expense and the delay has damaged the overall project. Beware of this manufacturer for poor customer relations and terrible business practices.Product_Or_Service: [redacted] Insulated SmokerOrder_Number: Invoice #*Account_Number: Invoice #*Desired SettlementWe just want our deposit Of $4,500.00 refunded for non-compliance to the deadlines and expidiated service that was paid for and non-supply of the smoker oven.

On or around 8/15/12 placed 24 hour $1000.00 deposit on a grill. On 8/16/12 at 6:51AM I gave proper notice for not purchasing grill. Never refunded!On 8/15/12 I placed a 24 hr. $1000.00 deposit on a grill/smoker with Mr. [redacted]. On 8/16/12 at 6:51AM I gave notification that I did not what the grill and to please not take the deposit out of the account # I gave. He responded asking what happened. I gave my reason. As of that date and time he had not taken the deposit out of the account. On 8/17/12 the deposit was taken out of my account. After several emails requesting my refund I finally made contact via phone on 10/4/12 and I was assured my refund would take place. On 10/16/12 I sent Mr. M. [redacted] certified mail including all emails, account transaction verification and documentation of request for refund. I have receipt of the certified mail agent addressee signature by Mr. M [redacted] on 10/18/12. In our original conversation when the deposit account was given on 8/15/12 he told me that if anyone purchased the grill and/or I did not what the grill in as long as I informed him within 24 hours I would receive my deposit back.Desired SettlementI would like my deposit of $1000.00 returned As Soon As Possible.