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    Home » Pit Boss Guides

    Published: Aug 20, 2023 · Modified: Oct 20, 2023 by Meghan Martigan · This post may contain affiliate links · 4 Comments

    How to Fix the Most Common Pit Boss Temperature Problems

    Having temperature problems with your Pit Boss Pellet Grill?

    We'll show you TWO simple solutions to help improve the temperature accuracy and uneven distribution of heat across the cooking surface.

    Flame tamer on fire pot

    While Pit Boss pellet grills are convenient and easy to use compared to charcoal or offset wood burning smokers, they do have some cons.

    With our Pit Boss 1150 Pro, we noticed two major issues related to temperature:

    1. Temperature accuracy 
    2. Uneven distribution of heat over the cooking surface

    We will take you through the causes of and solutions to both of these Pit Boss temperature problems.

    Jump to:
    • Video
    • Problem #1: Temperature Accuracy
    • Solution #1: Heat Deflector
    • Problem #2: Uneven Temperatures across the Grill Grates
    • Solution #2: Flame Tamer

    In searching for solutions to these temperature problems, we found the company Smokes Like a Boss. They have developed two products to combat these temperature issues.

    Please note, Mad Backyard has no affiliation with Smokes Like a Boss and receives no commission from product sales. We just like the products and want to share!

    We'll also provide an inexpensive alternative to each product that some of our YouTube viewers have suggested.

    Video

    Rather WATCH than read? Check out our YouTube video that accompanies this article.

    Problem #1: Temperature Accuracy

    Using a probe thermometer, we realized that the temperature the Pit Boss DISPLAYED was different than the ACTUAL ambient temperature inside the grill.

    The way the Pit Boss measures temperature is with a temperature probe located on the left side of the cooking chamber.

    Pit Boss temperature thermometer

    Based on the temperature that this probe measures, the Pit Boss will determine how many pellets to feed into the auger to create more or less heat, and it adjusts the fan speed based on the temperature reading.

    Heat is created in a Pit Boss by pellets being burned in the firepot.

    The heat rises up out of the firepot and comes around the flame broiler plate to create ambient heat in the cooking chamber.

    In theory, this would generate a nice, even heat throughout the inside of the Pit Boss.

    In reality, this is not always what happens.

    If you remove the flame broiler, you'll notice that it is curved, while the left ledge it rests on is flat.

    Pit Boss Flame Broiler Plate underside to show edge is curved
    Curved edge of the Pit Boss flame broiler plate

    A curved edge resting on a flat ledge makes a gap through which hot air from the firepot can travel up and blow right at the temperature probe.

    pit boss ledge that heat diffuser sits on
    Flat ledge that flame broiler plate rests on

    This causes the Pit Boss thermometer to read hotter than the actual ambient temperature inside the cooking chamber, causing the grill to down regulate the amount of pellets it feeds to the firepot.

    Let's say you have your Pit Boss set to 250°F.

    The hot air from the firepot blows at the thermometer to make it think it's at 250°F when in actuality the ambient temperature is only 225°F.

    So what can we do?

    Solution #1: Heat Deflector

    The Heat Deflector is a fabricated piece of stainless steel with a flat bottom and a curved top. It rests on top of the ledge on the left of the cooking chamber to block the gap between the flame broiler and the ledge on which it rests.

    Pit Boss heat deflector

    Adding this modification to our Pit Boss helped solve our temperature accuracy issue.

    Before inserting this piece, you can see that our Pit Boss was measuring 251°F, but the ambient temperature, which we measured with a probe thermometer, was only 226°F.

    This is about a 25° difference in the actual temperature from the temperature reading on the Pit Boss.

    Pit Boss temperature of probe does not match ambient temperature inside the cooking chamber

    After installing the heat deflector, our Pit Boss was reading 244°F and the ambient air temperature also measured 244°F!

    If you have noticed that your Pit Boss temperature is lower than the setting, this modification may help correct it.

    after adding heat deflector, pit boss temperature probe reading matches the ambient temperature inside the grill

    A hidden bonus of using the heat deflector is that it also blocks some ash that the fan can push up into the cooking chamber.

    While we have the heat deflector from Smokes Like a Boss, we located another version that is less expensive but has great reviews.

    SUPROJDM New 304 Stainless Steel Heat Conduction Plate air Gap Module. Thermal Deflector Air Gap Module, Temperature Probe Cover, Suitable,Suitable for PB AustinXL/Pro 1100 etc.
    SUPROJDM New 304 Stainless Steel Heat Conduction Plate air Gap Module
    • New stainless steel 304 thermal deflector module for Pit Boss XL/Pro 1100 air gap module temperature probe shield
    • Can be installed directly on the wall shelf, the temperature probe prevents air from flowing in the gap between the factory shape and the drip tray
    • No screws or clamps are required. Just install the new board in place and install the drip tray. The tab will fit exactly into the slot on the drip tray. No tools are needed
    Check Price on Amazon

    Some of our viewers suggested using a piece of balled up aluminum foil to block the air flow. This may be worth a try to see if it makes a difference.

    ThermoPro TP08 300FT Wireless Meat Thermometer for Grilling Smoker BBQ Grill Oven Thermometer with Dual Probe Kitchen Cooking Food Thermometer
    ThermoPro TP08 300FT Wireless Meat Thermometer with Dual Probe
    • 300ft remote range
    • Oven safe with highly accurate stainless steel meat probe and oven/ grill/ smoker temperature probe, to allow you to monitor both food and ambient temperature simultaneously
    • Food temp & HI/LOW ambient temp alarm
    • Highly accurate temp range 14˚f to 572˚F; Displays both Fahrenheit and Celsius
    Check Price on Amazon

    Problem #2: Uneven Temperatures across the Grill Grates

    In Pit Boss models that have the DIRECT HEAT option, you may notice that the center of the grill above the firepot gets hotter than the sides of the grill, even when the flame broiler is closed.

    This is because with the adjustable flame broiler plate, there is just a thin piece of metal separating the cooking grates from the firepot in the center of the cooking surface.

    When cooking smaller foods like hot dogs, brats, chicken wings, chicken breasts and chicken thighs, you can simply move the food around to compensate for the temperature differences.

    This is not an option when cooking a large piece of meat like a beef brisket or whole pork loin, or ribs.

    For that reason, we sought a solution to even out the temperature of our Pit Boss cooking surface.

    Solution #2: Flame Tamer

    The Flame Tamer is a fabricated piece of stainless steel that fits right over the firepot.

    You can turn it either way to have the gaps facing the front/back or the sides depending on your particular grill.

    placing flame tamer on pit boss fire pot

    The flame tamer is another layer of metal that acts as a diffuser for the heat coming up from the firepot to give us a more even temperature across the cooking grates.

    Flame tamer on fire pot

    It is removable, so if you're doing steaks or hamburgers where you want high heat, you can move it out of the way and still be able to get the direct heat option that makes some models of Pit Boss unique versus other pellet grills.

    We have the original flame tamer, but Smokes Like a Boss now offers a 3-window unit and a 4-window unit in addition to the original model to provide more options for your specific needs.

    As you can see, before we added the Flame Tamer, the Pit Boss temperature reading was 226°F; however, the temperature right above the firepot, even with the flame broiler plate closed, was 255°F.

    Pit boss controller and temperature probe different

    After adding the flame tamer, the temperature of the Pit Boss was reading 230°F and the temperature above the firepot was 228°F, so they basically match!

    If you have noticed that your Pit Boss temperature right above the fire pot  is higher than the setting, this modification may help even it out.

    Pit Boss controller and temperature probe same 2

    While we have the flame tamer from Smokes Like a Boss, we also found this version that appears to work similarly.

    Smoke Daddy OEM Heavy Duty 10 Gauge Heat Diffuser for PIT BOSS Grills Smokers - Modified for Pit Boss
    Smoke Daddy OEM Heavy Duty 10 Gauge Heat Diffuser for PIT BOSS Grills Smokers - Modified for Pit Boss
    • Compatible with Pit Boss Grills that feature a curved style drip pan
    • Will not warp over time!
    • Heavy 10 Gauge Steel (0.145) helps evenly distribute heat
    • Made in the U.S.A.
    Check Price on Amazon

    Like the aluminum foil hack solution for Problem #1, viewers have suggested using heavy duty aluminum foil on top of the flame broiler to help even out the temperature across the cooking surface.

    We do feel the need to point out that Pit Boss does NOT recommend placing aluminum foil on top of the flame broiler, as it gets extremely hot and the foil can adhere to the flame broiler.

    In summary, we have found that adding these two modifications to our Pit Boss greatly improved our temperature issues.

    If you are experiencing Pit Boss temperature swings, these mods may be the solution.

    If you need help assembling your new Pit Boss, visit our YouTube Channel for a complete step-by-step assembly video.

    More Pit Boss How-to Guides

    • Starting up a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
      How to Start a Pit Boss Pellet Grill: Step-by-Step
    • Mad's gloved hands installing the top rack into the Pit Boss Pellet Grill Pro Series 1150
      How to Install and Remove the Top Rack of a Pit Boss Pellet Grill
    • firebox filled with wood in an aluminum foil loaf pan
      How to Get More Smoke Flavor on a Pellet Grill using Real Wood
    • a blow torch lighting pellets in a pellet tube
      How to Light a Pellet Tube for More Smoke Flavor

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Ray Brandt says

      September 11, 2023 at 12:30 am

      what did adding the fire brick in the bottom do. for you?

    2. Mads Martigan says

      September 11, 2023 at 3:26 pm

      Hi Ray- we didn't add a fire brick to the bottom of the smoker...is it maybe something else you are seeing in one of the pictures or something? Thanks.

    3. Carvin says

      January 27, 2025 at 10:34 am

      I need order for Pitboss 1100 rancher xl temp definition with cover and U-box

    4. Carvin Hill Sr says

      January 27, 2025 at 10:38 am

      I ned order PitBoss 1100 Rancher XL temp definition with cove

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    Robert "Mads" Martigan, the founder of Mad Backyard

    Hi, I'm Mads, the founder of Mad Backyard and an avid outdoorsman, barbecue/smoker buff, and pellet grilling enthusiast who loves to share my passion for outdoor living and outdoor cooking with the world.

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