I purchased mine last Oct. Had an issue with the side panels inside the the smoker. Pit Boss sent a fix for it and has been working great for me. Time will tell if I will have the same experience you and others are having. Otherwise I love this smoker. And I have had a lot of smokers.
I'm curious what the problem was. Mine's holding up ok so far now (just did a brisket and ribs yesterday) but last time I had a runaway using the app (apparently set to 380 instead of 280 to finish), and came close to ruining everything. I also ended up with a clogged grease drain yet again, which is a major pain to get cleared. That part's a pretty horrible design!
I am having the same problem. I got a new ignitor and I'll put that in hopefully today and see if this fixes the issue. Also the gasket behind the controller on mine has come apart. I'll be replacing that as well.
Good luck. Hope it solves your problem. Mine's still holding, but they certainly have some quality problems. I also had a problem after updating to the new app which required a firmware update on the smoker. About 3/4 of the way through a brisket smoke, the app quit updating. After that, while it would say connected, it wouldn't show any status on the app. The next time I set up to smoke, I did all the typical things to debug (reset, uninstall/reinstall the app, etc.) and then called tech support who kept telling me to do the same steps I'd already done. I finally realized the only thing I hadn't done was unplugged and replugged the smoker to reboot the controller. Sure enough, that fixed it, but the tech support refused to listen to me telling them what I did and how to work around the problem ( they obviously have a bug that caused the firmware to hang, so rebooting isn't the fix, it's just a work around), and instead kept telling me to take the same steps, even though I kept saying it's working. So don't count on a permanent fix through a firmware update anytime soon! They don't listen. They just talk from some script.
Only thing I can add but Im not an expert. I have two of these and what I have discovered is you can not store you pellets in the back after sitting in my garage I found that do to humidity the pellet's expand and causes issues with the auger. Therefore stressing the motor out then it starts putting a strain on all the electrical devices in the smoker! I had this same problem they sent a new auger and igniter which fir now has corrected the problem. You must keep the maintained at all times.
Yep. Same issue here. Have had it for about a year. Had to already replace the board and now I have to replace the ignitor.... with technology, comes problems, I guess. I still like it though....
Have you tried emptying your pot after every cooking? My Austin XL used to do that until I cleaned it after every use. Some how the burnt ashes were causing the igniter to ground out.
They ship them with a porcelain igniter and sometimes they get damaged in shipping or from just moving it and when they send you a replacement it’s the same part that is giving you the issue no upgrade
Fast forward 2 years. AI google search says: A "err" code on a Pit Boss Brunswick Platinum grill typically indicates a problem with the temperature probe, meaning it's likely either faulty, dirty, or not properly connected, and should be checked or cleaned first when encountering this error code.
That doesn't sound right. I've had meat temperature probes fail several times and that just impacts the probe readout. Unless they mean the main chassis temperature probe. I haven't had any further problems with the ignitor since replacing it. I never got around to doing the independent test of the old ignitor to prove it was going open when it got hot, but I think the result is proof enough. The biggest issue I've had since then is just with the poor grease handling and the tendency to get a grease fire going inside the walls of the unit (several times now). There's definitely a reason they say to preheat before adding meat, given the chances of catching the whole thing on fire and having nasty grease smoke messing up your meat.
I bought my unit last October and it started have the same issues like your. They sent me a new control board and the problem still exists. Mine starts up and err out in about 5 seconds.
Been running mine heavy for 2 years. Recently mine will not go above 300. Once it hits 300 the ignitor shuts off, wont restart and the auger continues to pump in pellets until the fire box is overflowing with them and smothers the fire out. I dont get any codes. I replaced the ignitor and the issue still persists. I ordered a new control board, hopefully that solves my problem
Good luck with it. My main fight lately has been with the lousy grease drain they have and trying to keep it unclogged so that grease doesn't go everywhere else in the cabinet walls and start another grease fire! There's definitely a reason they say to preheat it!
@@lordbeowulf1885 yeah that grease trap gets clogged all the time with grease. I scrap the tray after every cook. I found the best way to clean that drain is I run a .45 cal bore brush down the hole after every cook while its still a little warm to keep it free of burned on grease its easiest if you remove the grease trap and hit it from the underside of the smoker
@@dnf8878 The problem with mine is that nothing can make the corner at the back of the tube. I have to attack it from both sides and even then I can't get everything out. I suspect they have two rectangular tubes, one from the bottom and the angled one from the tray and they're just butted up to each other. There's no curve to guide any sort of probe through, and the opening appears to only be a fraction of the cross section. I'm pretty sure that any grease that gets to that point has about a 50-50 chance of going down the tube vs. dripping out inside the chassis between the inner and outer walls, which is the source of my grease fires. If the lower tube gets clogged, it ALL goes out in the chassis! One of these days if I can get it REALLY clean, I might shove my borescope down there and see what's what!
@@t0nyT That's what I was describing above. I have a piece of metal fish tape that lets me scrape the walls both top and bottom and then I flush everything repeatedly with hot water, but again, nothing I've tried makes that corner from top to bottom or bottom to top. Thus, the grease doesn't either! BTW, I don't use the stock grease tray since I would have no way of getting it out. I have a huge pan I put under there so I know I'll never overflow.
I get frequent igniter error codes also. I’m wondering if there is an algorithm that doesn’t like the differential temp between the burner temp and the cabinet temp. If the burner cools by dumping the ash pot, or the power button is turned off a few minutes it will run again. For a bit. It is taking FOREVER to heat to cooking temp. I bought the extended warranty so I’m ready to haul it back to Walmart.
I tried to get more information out of Pit Boss, but their support people really have no idea how it works or even which unit they're talking about. But yes, I wouldn't be surprised. When I have nothing better to do, I plan to hook the old ignitor up directly and just leave it on and see if it goes open circuit or not. However, for the moment, the new ignitor is working.
@@freedomfries333 Man, that sucks! It's sad that they can't improve their quality beyond this. It's such a beautiful looking machine (love the double door so I can get it without letting all the heat out in one rush) but if it doesn't work reliably, what good is it?!!
So if I remember correctly these released 2020 with all the pandemic crap. It was pretty hard to find in store without damage. I’ve replaced the ignitor once a year due to the same issues. Going to trash this junk and get a camp chef xxl
Got the exact same problem happening with mine now. Ribs are in. If I shut it off and turn it back on it works for about an hr. It’s irritating as hell. Looks like I need a new igniter.
Put a new Ignitor in and it lasted 2 cooks and it’s doing the same thing again. It’s completely random and I’m about to light this pile on fire. Maybe it’s the computer. Did you have any more issues with yours?
I had the same issue and got a new control board and igniter from Pit Boss under warranty and been working fine since. The igniter is stuck on causing it to overload. Igniter should only stay on for no more than 10 minutes.
Pitboss was pretty good about sending the replacement part once you can get past the tech support who weren't at all helpful. My latest in this saga is I went outside yesterday morning and the fan was cycling on and off! We're starting to bump 100 degrees here and I suspect it may be that the morning sun hits the smoker and heats it up enough that it thinks it's in cooldown and needs to run the fan. Just another reason to leave it unplugged when not in use, but annoying nonetheless!
I haven't, but someone else here indicated they did. The one time when it went to 380 instead of 280, I was worried about that, but still didn't have a problem there. I would think that would be heavily related to airflow and having air blowing back through the auger instead of just out the stack on top. A low hopper might increase the chances of that since there'd be less resistance to the airflow, but still, I wouldn't expect that to happen under normal circumstances.
Well, we don't know just how many of these they sell, so it may be a relatively small percentage, but given that there's a good chance that those who DO have the problem end up finding this and commenting, you're getting to see a concentration of the problem. However, I would think that there should be a way for them to confirm that they're installing good ignitors, especially given how big of a pain this repair is! Either way, given this is a wear part that is likely to have to be replaced at some point, they should have made the process easier and less of a major operation.
Hi Eric, Turns out it was definitely the ignitor. Interestingly, it had the same resistivity as the replacement (about 14 Ohms) but was apparently going open circuited. I'll post a video of my replacement process when I get the time. They have a nice video they provide, but it didn't quite cover what I encountered doing mine. Beo
@@lordbeowulf1885 Thanks for posting the video. I've had my Pit Boss for about three weeks now and started having the same issue this weekend and is progressively getting worse. How well has your repair held up. I'm going to be contacting Pit Boss tomorrow to see what they have for a solution.
I replaced the ignitor and haven't had this error again. I still have problems with their app and the onboard controller firmware getting out if sync. Usually it's towards the end of a long smoke that the Wi-Fi will just go offline and the app can't find it. Today, I started a smoke and reset the temperature from the app down to 230 from the 280 that I'd finished a brisket the last time. The app was showing that it was at like 200-210 forever, but eventually it got to 230. Later, the meat thermometers showed my meat was read early, and I went out to discover it was at 280! The app still showed 230 and selecting the temp setting from the front panel showed 230. Apparently it set it but didn't actually use that setting! Ugh! They definitely have bugs to work out.
It looks great, and when you can get past the flaws, it does a decent job cooking, although I still don't think I get enough smoke out of it. So I wouldn't say it's a COMPLETE piece of crap, but it certainly has some crappy components, support, packaging, etc.!
Their customer service is the worst half of the people there don’t know what they are talking about they won’t replace my unit and it took them so long to send me parts and Walmart never had them to replace them I will never buy another pit boss product again
A lot of people buy these smoker and don't read the owners manual. If you want to avoid stuff like this the owner manual gives very detailed instructions on maintaining your smoker after every 2-3 smokes. Doing this type of maintenance will keep your smoker very happy. However you mentioned that the fuce kept blowing, maybe you shorted out the heat element during one of those time. Easy to replace.
I'm not sure what app you're using, but neither on the now discontinued SmokeIt app, nor on the new Pit Boss app, does the setting for the smoker show anything other than a temperature setting. That's immaterial anyway, as they tech support was saying that the display on the smoker should be showing an S. I wasn't debugging the App. And the smoker had only been used a few times before the failure. The temperature sensor isn't dirty. Replacing the ignitor was the required fix.
Same exact problem. Right out of the box on the first fire up. Talked to Pitt boss several times. They just sent me a new ignitor. Seems like I shouldn't need to do that on a brand new unit. But I'll put it in Saturday and see what happens, I don't expect much will change
@@MarkOdell-sr9ef Ugh! They obviously need to work on their quality control! Of course the latest issue is clogging of the rather pathetic grease drain they have.
I purchased mine last Oct. Had an issue with the side panels inside the the smoker. Pit Boss sent a fix for it and has been working great for me. Time will tell if I will have the same experience you and others are having. Otherwise I love this smoker. And I have had a lot of smokers.
I'm curious what the problem was. Mine's holding up ok so far now (just did a brisket and ribs yesterday) but last time I had a runaway using the app (apparently set to 380 instead of 280 to finish), and came close to ruining everything. I also ended up with a clogged grease drain yet again, which is a major pain to get cleared. That part's a pretty horrible design!
I am having the same problem. I got a new ignitor and I'll put that in hopefully today and see if this fixes the issue. Also the gasket behind the controller on mine has come apart. I'll be replacing that as well.
Good luck. Hope it solves your problem. Mine's still holding, but they certainly have some quality problems. I also had a problem after updating to the new app which required a firmware update on the smoker. About 3/4 of the way through a brisket smoke, the app quit updating. After that, while it would say connected, it wouldn't show any status on the app. The next time I set up to smoke, I did all the typical things to debug (reset, uninstall/reinstall the app, etc.) and then called tech support who kept telling me to do the same steps I'd already done. I finally realized the only thing I hadn't done was unplugged and replugged the smoker to reboot the controller. Sure enough, that fixed it, but the tech support refused to listen to me telling them what I did and how to work around the problem ( they obviously have a bug that caused the firmware to hang, so rebooting isn't the fix, it's just a work around), and instead kept telling me to take the same steps, even though I kept saying it's working. So don't count on a permanent fix through a firmware update anytime soon! They don't listen. They just talk from some script.
Only thing I can add but Im not an expert. I have two of these and what I have discovered is you can not store you pellets in the back after sitting in my garage I found that do to humidity the pellet's expand and causes issues with the auger. Therefore stressing the motor out then it starts putting a strain on all the electrical devices in the smoker! I had this same problem they sent a new auger and igniter which fir now has corrected the problem. You must keep the maintained at all times.
Yeah, I was worried about that, but it definitely wasn't the problem.
Yep. Same issue here. Have had it for about a year. Had to already replace the board and now I have to replace the ignitor.... with technology, comes problems, I guess. I still like it though....
Have you tried emptying your pot after every cooking? My Austin XL used to do that until I cleaned it after every use. Some how the burnt ashes were causing the igniter to ground out.
I empty it every session, so that's definitely not the problem in my case.
Beo
They ship them with a porcelain igniter and sometimes they get damaged in shipping or from just moving it and when they send you a replacement it’s the same part that is giving you the issue no upgrade
Fast forward 2 years. AI google search says: A "err" code on a Pit Boss Brunswick Platinum grill typically indicates a problem with the temperature probe, meaning it's likely either faulty, dirty, or not properly connected, and should be checked or cleaned first when encountering this error code.
That doesn't sound right. I've had meat temperature probes fail several times and that just impacts the probe readout. Unless they mean the main chassis temperature probe. I haven't had any further problems with the ignitor since replacing it. I never got around to doing the independent test of the old ignitor to prove it was going open when it got hot, but I think the result is proof enough. The biggest issue I've had since then is just with the poor grease handling and the tendency to get a grease fire going inside the walls of the unit (several times now). There's definitely a reason they say to preheat before adding meat, given the chances of catching the whole thing on fire and having nasty grease smoke messing up your meat.
I bought my unit last October and it started have the same issues like your. They sent me a new control board and the problem still exists. Mine starts up and err out in about 5 seconds.
Been running mine heavy for 2 years. Recently mine will not go above 300. Once it hits 300 the ignitor shuts off, wont restart and the auger continues to pump in pellets until the fire box is overflowing with them and smothers the fire out. I dont get any codes. I replaced the ignitor and the issue still persists. I ordered a new control board, hopefully that solves my problem
Good luck with it. My main fight lately has been with the lousy grease drain they have and trying to keep it unclogged so that grease doesn't go everywhere else in the cabinet walls and start another grease fire! There's definitely a reason they say to preheat it!
@@lordbeowulf1885 yeah that grease trap gets clogged all the time with grease. I scrap the tray after every cook. I found the best way to clean that drain is I run a .45 cal bore brush down the hole after every cook while its still a little warm to keep it free of burned on grease its easiest if you remove the grease trap and hit it from the underside of the smoker
@@dnf8878 The problem with mine is that nothing can make the corner at the back of the tube. I have to attack it from both sides and even then I can't get everything out. I suspect they have two rectangular tubes, one from the bottom and the angled one from the tray and they're just butted up to each other. There's no curve to guide any sort of probe through, and the opening appears to only be a fraction of the cross section. I'm pretty sure that any grease that gets to that point has about a 50-50 chance of going down the tube vs. dripping out inside the chassis between the inner and outer walls, which is the source of my grease fires. If the lower tube gets clogged, it ALL goes out in the chassis! One of these days if I can get it REALLY clean, I might shove my borescope down there and see what's what!
@@lordbeowulf1885try removing the grease catch tray. Go under and find the empting hole. Get a skewer or something thin and strong to unclog it.
@@t0nyT That's what I was describing above. I have a piece of metal fish tape that lets me scrape the walls both top and bottom and then I flush everything repeatedly with hot water, but again, nothing I've tried makes that corner from top to bottom or bottom to top. Thus, the grease doesn't either! BTW, I don't use the stock grease tray since I would have no way of getting it out. I have a huge pan I put under there so I know I'll never overflow.
I get frequent igniter error codes also. I’m wondering if there is an algorithm that doesn’t like the differential temp between the burner temp and the cabinet temp. If the burner cools by dumping the ash pot, or the power button is turned off a few minutes it will run again. For a bit. It is taking FOREVER to heat to cooking temp. I bought the extended warranty so I’m ready to haul it back to Walmart.
I tried to get more information out of Pit Boss, but their support people really have no idea how it works or even which unit they're talking about. But yes, I wouldn't be surprised. When I have nothing better to do, I plan to hook the old ignitor up directly and just leave it on and see if it goes open circuit or not. However, for the moment, the new ignitor is working.
Just got it. Now its going back tomorrow
Sorry to hear that. Damaged or just don't want to deal with the headaches?
@lordbeowulf1885 well no smoke for starters. Then the igniter stopped working
@@freedomfries333 Man, that sucks! It's sad that they can't improve their quality beyond this. It's such a beautiful looking machine (love the double door so I can get it without letting all the heat out in one rush) but if it doesn't work reliably, what good is it?!!
So if I remember correctly these released 2020 with all the pandemic crap. It was pretty hard to find in store without damage. I’ve replaced the ignitor once a year due to the same issues. Going to trash this junk and get a camp chef xxl
Got the exact same problem happening with mine now. Ribs are in. If I shut it off and turn it back on it works for about an hr. It’s irritating as hell. Looks like I need a new igniter.
Seems likely! Hope yours is a bit easier to install than mine was!
Put a new Ignitor in and it lasted 2 cooks and it’s doing the same thing again. It’s completely random and I’m about to light this pile on fire. Maybe it’s the computer. Did you have any more issues with yours?
@@Mckinney129 Not so far. I've run two long smokes on it so far. I'll report back if anything changes.
I have the same problem, please let me know if you find the solution
@@edymora2000 I just keep putting ignitors in it and it works again. If the third one shits the bed im gonna have Pitboss send me a new computer.
I just started getting the same issue
I had the same issue and got a new control board and igniter from Pit Boss under warranty and been working fine since. The igniter is stuck on causing it to overload. Igniter should only stay on for no more than 10 minutes.
Yeah, mine's working fine so far after replacing the ignitor. I'll be testing it again tomorrow! =)
I’m having the same issue
Pitboss was pretty good about sending the replacement part once you can get past the tech support who weren't at all helpful. My latest in this saga is I went outside yesterday morning and the fan was cycling on and off! We're starting to bump 100 degrees here and I suspect it may be that the morning sun hits the smoker and heats it up enough that it thinks it's in cooldown and needs to run the fan. Just another reason to leave it unplugged when not in use, but annoying nonetheless!
Have you ever had a hopper fire during shutdown?
I haven't, but someone else here indicated they did.
The one time when it went to 380 instead of 280, I was worried about that, but still didn't have a problem there. I would think that would be heavily related to airflow and having air blowing back through the auger instead of just out the stack on top. A low hopper might increase the chances of that since there'd be less resistance to the airflow, but still, I wouldn't expect that to happen under normal circumstances.
Reading Through The Comments Sounds Like a Common Problem ! Don't Think I'm Gonna Be Buying One !
Well, we don't know just how many of these they sell, so it may be a relatively small percentage, but given that there's a good chance that those who DO have the problem end up finding this and commenting, you're getting to see a concentration of the problem. However, I would think that there should be a way for them to confirm that they're installing good ignitors, especially given how big of a pain this repair is! Either way, given this is a wear part that is likely to have to be replaced at some point, they should have made the process easier and less of a major operation.
What’s the solution to this problem?
Did you ever figure out what was wrong with it?
Hi Eric,
Turns out it was definitely the ignitor. Interestingly, it had the same resistivity as the replacement (about 14 Ohms) but was apparently going open circuited. I'll post a video of my replacement process when I get the time. They have a nice video they provide, but it didn't quite cover what I encountered doing mine.
Beo
@@lordbeowulf1885 Thanks for posting the video. I've had my Pit Boss for about three weeks now and started having the same issue this weekend and is progressively getting worse. How well has your repair held up. I'm going to be contacting Pit Boss tomorrow to see what they have for a solution.
@@dougshoup593 So far it's been working fine. I've done about half a dozen weekend smokes so far.
So what is the answer
I replaced the ignitor and haven't had this error again. I still have problems with their app and the onboard controller firmware getting out if sync. Usually it's towards the end of a long smoke that the Wi-Fi will just go offline and the app can't find it. Today, I started a smoke and reset the temperature from the app down to 230 from the 280 that I'd finished a brisket the last time. The app was showing that it was at like 200-210 forever, but eventually it got to 230. Later, the meat thermometers showed my meat was read early, and I went out to discover it was at 280! The app still showed 230 and selecting the temp setting from the front panel showed 230. Apparently it set it but didn't actually use that setting! Ugh! They definitely have bugs to work out.
One year heavy use with no problems.
So .
It sounds like this thing is a complete peace of crap?!?!
It looks great, and when you can get past the flaws, it does a decent job cooking, although I still don't think I get enough smoke out of it. So I wouldn't say it's a COMPLETE piece of crap, but it certainly has some crappy components, support, packaging, etc.!
It is
Their customer service is the worst half of the people there don’t know what they are talking about they won’t replace my unit and it took them so long to send me parts and Walmart never had them to replace them I will never buy another pit boss product again
Posted how to replace the igniter not centered bullshit
A lot of people buy these smoker and don't read the owners manual. If you want to avoid stuff like this the owner manual gives very detailed instructions on maintaining your smoker after every 2-3 smokes. Doing this type of maintenance will keep your smoker very happy. However you mentioned that the fuce kept blowing, maybe you shorted out the heat element during one of those time. Easy to replace.
Clean Thermo sensor and start reading manual. S smoke is in app. On controller it is 150 degrees
I'm not sure what app you're using, but neither on the now discontinued SmokeIt app, nor on the new Pit Boss app, does the setting for the smoker show anything other than a temperature setting. That's immaterial anyway, as they tech support was saying that the display on the smoker should be showing an S. I wasn't debugging the App. And the smoker had only been used a few times before the failure. The temperature sensor isn't dirty. Replacing the ignitor was the required fix.
Same exact problem. Right out of the box on the first fire up. Talked to Pitt boss several times. They just sent me a new ignitor. Seems like I shouldn't need to do that on a brand new unit. But I'll put it in Saturday and see what happens, I don't expect much will change
@@MarkOdell-sr9ef Ugh! They obviously need to work on their quality control! Of course the latest issue is clogging of the rather pathetic grease drain they have.
@@lordbeowulf1885 I have 4 pitboss smokers. 2 vertices and 2 regular. This is the only one I have continuous problems with every single time I use it.