Pit Boss
Pit Boss Pro Series 1150
The Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 is a value-focused WiFi pellet grill sold through Lowe's, featuring a sliding Flame Broiler plate for direct-flame searing and a digital PID controller. Pit Boss is owned by Dansons.
Specifications
Features
Pros
- ✓You get a massive 1150 sq in of cooking space for around $700, by far the most square inches per dollar of any name-brand pellet grill
- ✓The sliding Flame Broiler plate exposes direct flame for searing up to ~1000°F, so it actually sears steaks better than most pellet grills
- ✓The 32 lb hopper is large enough for long overnight cooks without refilling
- ✓It comes with two meat probes included, which is more generous than Traeger's single probe at this price
- ✓The 5-year warranty is excellent for a budget grill and beats Traeger's 3 years
- ✓Porcelain-coated cast-iron grates hold heat well and leave nice sear marks
- ✓The removable ash and grease management makes cleanup between cooks quick and tidy
- ✓It heats up fast and the wide temp range covers everything from 180°F smoking to high-heat grilling
Cons
- ✗Temperature swings are wider than premium grills - expect 25-40°F fluctuations, so it's less precise for delicate low-and-slow cooks
- ✗Build quality is noticeably thinner powder-coated steel that can rust and warp, and fit-and-finish feels budget
- ✗The WiFi and Pit Boss app are the weak point - buggy, slow to connect, and prone to dropping the grill
- ✗Smoke output is lighter than Traeger's, so some owners add a smoke tube to get the bark and ring they want
- ✗Single-wall body loses heat in cold weather and burns through pellets quickly in winter
- ✗The controller and electronics are a common failure point, with owners reporting board replacements within a couple seasons
- ✗Customer service through Pit Boss/Dansons is hit-or-miss compared to Recteq's stellar reputation
- ✗It's heavy and bulky, and the casters can feel flimsy when rolling a fully loaded grill across rough patio surfaces
Owner Insights(3,900 discussions)
On r/pelletgrills the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 is the value-volume champ — the grill people recommend when budget and capacity matter more than precision or build quality. For around $700 you get a massive 1150 sq in, a sliding Flame Broiler that actually sears, two probes, and a 5-year warranty, which on paper undercuts everything.
The trade-offs are exactly what you'd expect at the price: temps swing more than a premium PID grill, the steel is thinner and can rust or warp, the app is buggy, and the stock smoke is light. None of it surprises experienced owners — they buy it knowing it's a lot of grill for the money, not a precision instrument.
The community take is that Pit Boss is the 'Costco-sized' pellet grill: great for feeding a crowd on a budget, with the Flame Broiler as a genuine differentiator for searing. People who want tight temp control and longevity get pointed to Recteq or Camp Chef, but for sheer cooking area per dollar, it's a perennial budget recommendation.
Pros
- +The square-inches-per-dollar value is the most-cited reason people buy it
- +Sliding Flame Broiler for direct-flame searing genuinely sets it apart from most pellet grills
- +Two meat probes and a 5-year warranty included are seen as generous at the price
- +Big 1150 sq in handles huge cooks for parties without breaking the bank
- +Sold at Lowe's, so easy to see in person and return
Cons
- −Wider temp swings than premium grills — less precise for delicate low-and-slow
- −Thinner build that can rust/warp; fit-and-finish reads as budget
- −The Pit Boss app and WiFi are a frequent source of frustration
- −Lighter smoke output; many add a smoke tube
- −Customer service is hit-or-miss compared to Recteq
Common Questions
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