The Texas BBQ Forum

RCAlan wrote:Step 1. Turn your PB grill on and set the temp dial to smoke. If it’s still cold outside, set the P-setting to P3.. If it’s warm outside, set it at P4, factory default. This is very important... The main reason the lid is open during initial startup/preheating is to confirm that the pellets have ignited... You don’t want a flame out during the preheating steps because the lid was closed to soon. 2. You’re going to see a lot of smoke while the lid is open, this is normal. 5-10 mins. 3. Once the pellets have ignited, “the smoke will clear out” and you’ll hear a torchy roar sound and feel heat being produced. 4. Once this is confirmed, “then close the lid” and set the temp dial to 350* degrees for 30 mins... 5. You may see the temp go way past 350* degrees initially... This is normal, it will settle down, stabilize. 6. Once these steps are completed, the actual temp reading on your grill should be at 350* degrees and holding steady. The preheating is now completed and You can now set your grill to whatever temp you desire to bbq. Good luck this weekend and be sure to post some pics of this coming weekends cook..

Papa Tom wrote:There is a mod I've done to my Traegers and Pit boss that I will recommend it helps with the center hot spot and with temperature stabilization.
This mod would no doubt interfere with the PB direct flame models with the slider but depending on your preferences one may choose to do it.

Easy mod just mount a cast iron griddle on top of the flame deflector. I just bought sale or closeout griddles.
It works by further deflecting heat from the center out to the extremes and storing heat like mass does.

I just drilled a couple holes through the griddle and flame deflector and bolted with little 1/8" stove bolts.

Papa Tom wrote:There is a mod I've done to my Traegers and Pit boss that I will recommend it helps with the center hot spot and with temperature stabilization.
This mod would no doubt interfere with the PB direct flame models with the slider but depending on your preferences one may choose to do it.

Easy mod just mount a cast iron griddle on top of the flame deflector. I just bought sale or closeout griddles.
It works by further deflecting heat from the center out to the extremes and storing heat like mass does.

I just drilled a couple holes through the griddle and flame deflector and bolted with little 1/8" stove bolts.

RCAlan wrote:Nice looking Spares Jimmy_jack... Nice looking smoke ring too... What brand and flavor pellets did you use? How was the smoke and flavor profile for you? Great job though.. That Pit Boss 820 can put out some great Que.

Lrburgess wrote:I found all this information to be a great help, now you fella’s tell me how to get my husband to listen to me? He’s gonna burn the dang house down! Reading instructions is key!

Lrburgess wrote:I found all this information to be a great help, now you fella’s tell me how to get my husband to listen to me? He’s gonna burn the dang house down! Reading instructions is key!