How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker? Good Tips and Guides in 2023
The Pit Boss smoker is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used for smoking, grilling, roasting, braising and baking. The versatility of the machine means you have plenty to explore in terms of what type of food you can cook with it.
A pit boss smoker is a great way to make delicious food. You can use your smoker for pork ribs, chicken, beef brisket, and more. If you are looking for some good tips on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker then read below!
1. What is a Pit Boss Smoker?
As the name suggests, a pit boss smoker is a powerful smoker used by professional chefs and barbecue enthusiasts. Unlike other smokers, you can use your pit boss smoker to grill and bake as well as smoke food. This makes it an exceptional tool that can replace many tools like grills and ovens.
The ease of use means that even novice chefs will be able to enjoy great results without much effort. It is also very easy to clean which helps ensure fast cleanup after cooking with any type of bulky foods cooked inside too.
You can see How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as below.
2. What Are Some Benefits Of Using A Pit Boss Smoker?
There are many benefits of using this smoker for those who have never tried using one before or those who have been using it for decades now. Here are some of the most notable benefits.
This smoker uses indirect heat which means it is an efficient smoker that allows you to cook for longer without over-cooking your food.
The unit heats up quickly so you won’t have to wait long for your food to get cooked.
It can be used for many types of foods including chicken, turkey, beef, pork ribs, steaks and more.
It is large enough to accommodate larger cuts of meat but compact enough where you could also use it at home or even take it camping with you too if need be! You can easily fit a 20 pound turkey inside this unit with ease so there are clearly no limits to what you can cook with it.
We will introduce How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as below.
3. How many type of Pit Boss Smoker are there in the market now?
There are many Pit Boss Smoker type in the market now. They have different name because it has different style, design and technology that used by the manufacturer. You can choose your own Pit Boss smoker that suitable for you.
For example if you want to cook large amount of food at one time, then you should consider buying a big size pit boss smoker. The other thing is about the technology it uses to make the meat taste delicious especially when cooking pork ribs. Make sure to read owner manual or any other information before you buy one enough to make sure it will fit your needs well.
If you need something compact, but powerful enough because you don’t want to deal with smoke coming out from your grill all day long, then electric smoker is the right one for you. In this case, it uses electricity to power a heating element inside its chamber instead of using wood to produce smoke.
One of the most popular electric smoker brands at the moment is Bradley Smoker that offers a huge selection of smokers with amazing design and technologies that will surely impress all customers’ taste buds.
There are steps on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as below.
4. What we need to consider before buying a Pit Boss Smoker?
You should consider several things before buying a Pit Boss Smoker. Here are some of the most important things you need to look at when buying one.
Capacity is an important factor in deciding what smoker to buy. If you know how much food you will want to smoke at once, then it makes it easier for you to narrow down your options. Most smokers come with an internal capacity including cordierite pit boss which has 32 inches cubic inch cooking chamber and others models comes with 60 inches cooking chamber or even more.
You can choose from these different sizes based on your need and space where you would put the smoker too.
If you want faster smoking times, then go for propane gas smokers instead of electric ones as these require less time to cook food. On the other hand, electric ones are much easier to use and maintain than gas smokers too where there is no need for you to manually adjust the heat settings or worry about running out of fuel mid-way through cooking your meat.
The technology used by Pit Boss Smokers varies so it is important that you understand what each does before making a purchase. If you want convenience, then choosing one with push button start will be best for your needs so you don’t have to waste time trying to figure out complicated heat control settings before starting it up.
However, if you know how much heat is needed for certain types of meat (like chicken), then choose one that has adjustable temperature controls like Magnum MT700E . This allows you to have better control over the internal temperature which in turn helps regulate cooking times and temperatures.
Another thing you need to consider before buying one is how much space you have available in your home or garden. All smokers are different in this aspect as some are designed for use on a small patio whereas others are made for portable use.
If you do not have enough space at home, then it would be best that you choose something that is designed for portability like Primo Oval XL . If excess amount of smoke is an issue then electric Smokers which don’t require any charcoal will make sure all the smoke stays inside the smoker keeping away from your eyesight.
The last but not least important things to look at when choosing a Pit smoker are warranty and price that is also closely related. It is important to make sure there are at least one year guarantee offered for the parts of smoker you purchase, but most companies offer more than this limit. Price varies depending on the model, size capacity it has too so make sure to check all these options before making a purchase.
Do not let yourself get overwhelmed when choosing a Pit Boss Smoker , just read carefully professional reviews such as this one and choose what fits your needs best. You can find an affordable model out there if you do not need top-notch features in your smoker pit.
All models have pros and cons so it’s up to you which type of Pit Boss Smoker would fit your needs best and help you cook delicious meat within a short time.
Please refer How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as below:
5. Steps on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker.
A smoker pit is an appliance that is used to cook meat. It usually works by burning wood into smoke and then funneling it over the food being cooked for a delicious smoky flavor.
Smokers come in different styles which make them suitable for different types of smoking. Read on to learn how you can use a Pit Boss Smoker .
The first step to using a Pit Boss Smoker is deciding whether you would like to use charcoal or gas as your heat source. If you want a faster cooking time, then go for a propane smoker instead of electric one as gas smokers require less time to cook meat compared with electric ones which take longer because the temperature needs to be adjusted manually.
This also means that you will have more control over the heat levels when using a propane smoker.
After choosing your preferred form of fuel, the next step is to make sure you prepare all the tools and ingredients needed in order to cook. Once they are at hand, you can start with Step 2 which is lighting up your pit smoker like Primo 10524E .
You will need long tongs or gloves and lighter fluid in order for this process to be successful. It’s also best that you have a fire extinguisher too just in case things get out of control.
When it comes to Pit Boss Smoker , there are two types available: gas and charcoal units. In case of a charcoal unit, light the specified number of charcoal briquettes according to your preferred heat source. This will be the source of heat for your pit, so do not skimp on it.
For propane smokers, find a suitable fuel tank and start filling it with gas according to brand’s specifications. Hook up the fuel tank to the smoker after you are done filling it up with fresh fuel. Turn on the igniter switch in order to light up the burner. A few moments later, you should hear a click sound indicating that your cooker is already hot enough to cook meat.
Keep an eye or two on your cooking temperature if using an electric smoker since they cannot be manipulated too easily unlike charcoal units where temperature can be changed immediately by adjusting number of lit briquettes used during cooking process.
It is best that you place thermometer probe inside the electric smoker so you could check temperature levels throughout cooking process. This can be done easily by looking at a digital display on your thermometer or by using a remote thermometer that measures temperature from outside the pit.
Some models of electric smokers connect to computerized temperature controllers which you can use to turn on and off electric element as needed, thus allowing more precise temperature control during usage. Another option would be to use a dial type controller found in some other brands such as Masterbuilt 2-Door Propane Smoker .
The last step before starting cooking meat is positioning food on racks provided for this purpose. Pay attention not to overcrowd your Pit Boss Smoker with food since heat will have trouble reaching all parts of your meal which will result in uneven cooking.
Pit Boss Smoker is an appliance that adds much flavor to your meat by burning wood into smoke and then channelling it through tubes towards food being cooked inside the pit.
Not only does this process add much flavor, but it also helps conserve food since smoking takes longer than conventional grilling or pan-frying methods. You can even use Pit Boss Smoker to cook desserts like nuts, herbs and cheese for added flavors.
Above are steps on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker. Now, let’s see some tips and guides on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as below:
Tips and Guides on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker.
1. How to clean a Pit Boss Smoker?
Cleaning a Pit Boss Smoker will require you to disassemble the different components of your smoker, including racks used for cooking. You can use stainless steel or brass bristle brushes designed for cleaning grills and ovens, but be sure to clean out the bristles after use so it would not get stuck inside your cooker.
You should also pay close attention to the wood chip loader since bits of food could easily get caught around it. It is best that you soak this particular component in water along with all other removable parts placed inside sink before using warm soapy water to complete final cleaning.
When cleaning hard-to-reach areas like bottom surface of lid, avoid getting any cleaners there as they may seep through vents used for feeding smoke to meat, thus disrupting cooking process.
To avoid any mishaps while cleaning your Pit Boss Smoker, make sure that the unit is cold before you start work on it. This way, there will be no risk of burning yourself or damaging any part of your cooker in case you accidentally spill some water onto it. Furthermore, grease and oil buildup can worsen with time especially when used frequently by many people.
For this reason, it is best that you wipe down excess grease using paper towels every now and then so solid wastes like skin or meat scraps would not accelerate cooking times during actual cooking process. At the same time, remove carbon deposits built up on inside surface of lid together with all ash buildups over time so they would not affect visibility while checking on your food.
There are How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
2. How to store a Pit Boss Smoker?
Storing your Pit Boss Smoker requires that you clean out all removable parts used during cooking process before putting them back into unit for storage. Do not forget to wipe down the exterior surface of the cooker using warm soapy water followed by drying with towel to avoid any oil buildup over time which could affect its performance when next used.
This also applies in case you are storing off smoker for long periods since cold weather will make it harder for grease and oils to dry. When storing for longer periods, make sure you remove batteries from thermostat controls or temperature probes since these components use battery power even if unit is not in use.
All these precautions are necessary especially if you will store your Pit Boss Smoker outdoors as this would make it more prone to damage from external elements.
Please see How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
3. How to maintain a Pit Boss Smoker?
Maintaining a Pit Boss Smoker requires you to check on all areas where rust could form such as exterior surface and parts of the unit which will be exposed to water or moist air. You should also make sure that grease and oil residues do not accumulate over time, especially if your Pit Boss Smoker is used frequently.
If needed, clean any buildup using mild soap and warm water before wiping down with paper towel and let it dry for at least 24 hours before reassembling into smoker.
You can see How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
4. Some tips on using a Pit Boss Smoker.
A Pit Boss Smoker is a device used for smoking different types of food and was created in 1970’s by company called Bradley Corporation. The unique thing about this smoker compared to other smokers available in market today is that it has automated features, such as timer and temperature probe which allows the user to set cooking times and temperatures before leaving smoker unattended.
Since Pit Boss Smokers are designed for heavy-duty use, they come with thick gauge steel construction that makes them very durable especially when used frequently. For easier use, most models of this smoker come with removable racks and doors which make cleaning easy task even though parts like vents will require scrubbing using brush.
All models of Pit Boss Smokers come with venting system through which smoke produced by smoldering hardwood chips used as fuel is circulated to produce traditional smokehouse cooking effect.
Because of its heavy duty construction, Pit Boss Smokers are ideal used for cooking large amounts of meat and other types of food at once.
In case you plan to use your Pit Boss Smoker for small amount of food, it is recommended that you buy a thermometer probe which will allow you to monitor internal temperature inside smoker so you can adjust settings from time to time depending on how much food you have smoked for the day.
Included with your purchase of a new or second hand Pit Boss Smoker is one 10 pound bag of hardwood pellets specially designed as fuel for the smoker. It generally takes about 4-5 hours before the first batch of pellets used for smoking will need to be refilled with another 10-pound bag.
Depending on how often you use your Pit Boss Smoker, it is recommended that you replace or replenish the fuel supply about twice a year to ensure continuous performance of the smoker.
While some owners may complain of high price tag of Pit Boss Smokers compared to other available smokers in market today, majority others argue that this smoker’s quality is unmatched given its heavy duty construction and features which are normally found in more expensive smokers.
Although there are no warranties provided by company for parts replacement over time plus limited warranty period offered by manufacturer covering defects related to workmanship and material, most users agree that their purchase was well worth money spent over time given all the benefits they enjoy as users of Pit Boss Smokers.
For more reviews and recommendations, check out Pit Boss Smoker Reviews now before deciding on purchase!
Cooking with a round-shaped smoker can be very challenging because of its shape which makes it difficult to maneuver food trays. That is why a new model called Pit Boss Deluxe Oval-Shaped Stainless Steel…
The following article will provide you with important information about different types of smokers available today so you can make an informed decision when looking for new equipment for your home or business establishment.
You also refer How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
5. Some cooking recipes for a Pit Boss Smoker:
5.1. Chicken:
Ingredients:
– 1 whole chicken.
– 2 tsp salt.
– 1 tsp black pepper.
– 1 tsp garlic powder.
Steps:
Rinse the chicken and wipe dry using paper towels after removing from package. Remove giblets from cavity of chicken as well as any excess fat around it.
In bowl mix together salt, pepper and garlic powder. Sprinkle mixture evenly on both sides of chicken then rub lightly with fingers until it is mixed thoroughly with seasonings all over the bird’s skin. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before placing in smoker to allow flavors of seasonings to seep into meat a little bit more.
Prepare smoker by first preheating smoker with Pit Boss Wood Pellets (available at most stores where grills, smokers and barbeque cooking supplies are sold). Then place the chicken in the center of the grill followed by putting water pan above. Close lid tightly then set timer for 7 hours to allow chicken to cook thoroughly.
After timer goes off when finished wait for 15 minutes before you open smoker’s door or it will release excessive amount of smoke that can irritate your eyes and nose so be careful not to inhale too much smoke when I open the door.
Remove cooked chicken from smoker using serving platter with protection on each side so it doesn’t get dirty when remove from grill. Cool slightly before slicing breast meat thinly with carving knife or kitchen scissors. Remember to serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
5.2. Beef:
Ingredients:
– 1 large beef roast, boneless.
– 2 tsp salt.
– 1 tbsp garlic powder.
Steps:
Prepare smoker by first preheating smoker with Pit Boss Wood Pellets (available at most stores where grills, smokers and barbeque cooking supplies are sold). Then place the roast in the center of the grill followed by putting water pan above. Close lid tightly then set timer for 5 hours to allow meat to cook thoroughly.
After timer goes off when finished wait for 15 minutes before you open smoker’s door or it will release excessive amount of smoke that can irritate your eyes and nose so be careful not to inhale too much smoke when I open the door.
Place cooked roast on serving platter with protection on each side so it doesn’t get dirty when remove from grill. Cool slightly before slicing meat thinly with carving knife or kitchen scissors. Remember to serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
5.3. Pork:
Ingredients:
– 1 pork butt/shoulder, boneless.
– 2 tsp salt.
– 1 tbsp garlic powder.
Steps:
Prepare smoker by first preheating smoker with Pit Boss Wood Pellets (available at most stores where grills, smokers and barbeque cooking supplies are sold). Then place the pork in the center of the grill followed by putting water pan above. Close lid tightly then set timer for 5 hours to allow meat to cook thoroughly.
After timer goes off when finished wait for 15 minutes before you open smoker’s door or it will release excessive amount of smoke that can irritate your eyes and nose so be careful not to inhale too much smoke when I open the door.
Place cooked pork on serving platter with protection on each side so it doesn’t get dirty when remove from grill. Cool slightly before slicing meat thinly with carving knife or kitchen scissors. Remember to serve with your favorite side dishes and enjoy!
6. Common mistakes on using a Pit Boss Smoker.
Not preparing smoker for at least 45 minutes before placing any food.
Opening lid too often and letting out all of the smoke that has been building up within the wood-pellets container inside of it will cause your meat to become dry and overcooked so be patient if you want it done right!
Placing water pan in a wrong place in grill area can make all difference when cooking meat in a smoker by putting it in a wrong place in a wrong way can affect how well your meat is going to come out tasting on the other end so be very careful where you put it! For beginners, I recommend having about 1/4 inch low above water pan filled with apple juice or wine to keep meat moist and tender.
Not allowing for enough time to cook meat thoroughly especially if it’s your first time to use smoker can cause health problems when eating undercooked chicken or pork so make sure you are cooking with patience! Remember, there are no shortcuts when learning how to cook perfect meat in a smoker!
Placing too much food at once without allowing space between one piece of meat from another is not recommended because it can either prevent flavor from penetrating inside of the cuts of meats and/or it will take way too long to finish than what was expected which can also affect how well your meats come out tasting on the other end so be very careful where you put it!
For beginners, I recommend placing about 1 inch high above water pan filled with apple juice or wine to keep meat moist and tender.
Not letting smoker cool down completely before starting all over again can cause meats to taste too smoky which may not be the flavor you are trying to achieve when smoking different types of meats so make sure your smoker is clean, cold enough then place food in center of cooking grate BEFORE pushing start button!
Overfilling water pan while smoking meat will cause meat by making it harder for heat and smoke to penetrate through cuts of meats so remember V’s = Tighter Smokes, 1/4 inch low above water pan filled with apple juice or wine is best method when cooking most kinds of meats!
Using bad side dishes directly affects how well your meats are going to come out tasting especially if they are not covering them in special seasonings or sauces that you prefer most so be careful when choosing side dishes to serve with your meat!
Choosing wrong kind of wood for smoker is also bad especially if it’s too heavy on one flavor profile over the other because it will make your meats taste different than what you intended it to be when cooking certain kinds of meats.
Remember what goes with one kind of meat doesn’t always go great with another type of meat so make sure before using any wood chips, chunks or fiberglass packets for this matter know how well it goes best with each kind of cut before putting in smoker!
Using barbecue sauce directly on raw/uncooked meat is not recommended because it can make meats taste different than what you intended it to be when cooking certain kinds of meat so remember, there are no shortcuts when learning how to cook perfect BBQ sauce on the grill!
Please see How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
7. How do you use the smoker on pit boss?
Make sure smoker is turned on for at least 45 minutes with lower heat settings to warm-up with no food inside then adjust temperature to lowest setting possible before putting raw/uncooked meats into it!
By placing wood chips/chunks/fiberglass packets, you can always expect smoke so wait until heating element is nice and hot before starting to cook meats with higher heat settings but keep in mind with lower settings the process of cooking will take much longer than what was expected so be patient if you want your meat done right!!!
There are no shortcuts when learning how to set up the perfect smoke rings on meats! Don’t be afraid to experiment because each kind is different on which one you choose for the best results on the foods of your choice!
Don’t be too quick to rush towards the end, make sure you are cooking with patience because it takes time for heat and smoke to penetrate through each cut of meats during this process so keep calm and carry on…
Keep an eye on food like a hawk even if you don’t have a thermometer available because one can always tell when meats are done by touch, sight and smell so use them together so you know what’s going on inside even without looking at it!
When placing meat inside smoker, choose different kind of cuts from lean to fat so juices will blend perfectly as well as flavors coming from different kinds of woods used as well as different kinds of cuts of meats!
I recommend placing about 1 inch high above water pan filled with apple juice or wine to keep meat moist and tender.
Not letting smoker cool down completely before starting all over again can cause meats to taste too smoky which may not be the flavor you are trying to achieve when smoking different types of meats so make sure your smoker is clean, cold enough then place food in center of cooking grate BEFORE pushing start button!
Overfilling water pan while smoking meat will cause meat by making it harder for heat and smoke to penetrate through cuts of meats so remember V’s = Tighter Smokes, 1/4 inch low above water pan filled with apple juice or wine is best method when cooking most kinds of meat on the Pit Boss!
Cooking with the lid down will trap most smoke so you’ll have to cook meats longer if you want them cooked more than what they are already but once again don’t be afraid to experiment because each kind is different so find out which method works best with each one!!!
Don’t ever use metal spatula, tongs or even forks when handling raw/uncooked meats especially when putting into your mouths for tasting meats because doing so can cause bad bacteria growth that could make you sick after eating it!
Use only wooden skewers and hands to turn/handle all kinds of raw/uncooked meats before cooking just like you would do on outdoor grills or smokers by using barbecues gloves…
The best way to clean up after cooking meats is using a white vinegar and water solution, scrubbing with another solution made of baking soda in warm water then rinse off in clear hot water before putting in dishwasher or washing by hands!
Remember the simpler the meat the more simple you can make it when adding spices because most meats come with their own flavors so don’t over do it!!!
Keep an eye on your smoker while cooking food just like when grilling foods on outdoor barbecues/grills by adjusting temperature controls accordingly during smoking sessions!!!
There are steps on How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker as above.
8. How do you smoke on a pit boss pellet grill?
First, you set the Pit Boss up for indirect cooking
Place 2-3 bisquettes of your favorite flavor of wood into the metal smoker box. It doesn’t matter if they are soaked or not it will work either way. Close the lid and wait for the smoker to come up to temperature.
Once it’s at temperature place a drip pan with about 1/4 inch water in it directly on top of where the bisquettes are sitting in the smoker box. This is now your indirect heat source which you will use to smoke your meats with!
The trick now is getting that heat from under that drip pan above 350°F so I have found by placing some wood chips directly onto one side of my drip pan works great!
The best temperature to smoke at is 225°F-240°F for meats. You will want to keep the temperature on your smoker between these two temperatures for the entire time of your cook so be sure to watch it closely!
You can use the top vent to adjust the heat but you want to make sure you leave one side of that drip pan with wood chips directly over that vent area of the smoker box open or else you will cause hot spots and burn up your meat!
For more detailed instructions please see this video I made about smoking on a pellet grill below:
9. Do you put water in a pit boss smoker?
You should keep a water container in the bottom of your smoker box at all times to help create humidity and keep your meat moist. Apple juice works great if you are smoking pork but for most meats that have their own natural juices or marinades I would use plain water on them!
FAQs about How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker.
1. Question: How often should I clean my Pit Boss Smoker?
Answer: You should clean after each use.
2. Question: Why is my food not cooking evenly on the Pit Boss?
Answer: Your smoker may be too cold. Try opening the top vent more to allow some heat to escape out of your unit and make sure you are using enough wood chips in your smoker box (1/4 cup for every 2 hours).
3. Question: Is it ok to leave water in between layers of meat when cooking like with brisket or pork shoulder?
Answer: Yes, this will help keep the moisture trapped inside of your meats while they cook!
4. Question: How do I get all of the smoke flavor into my meat on a Pit Boss Smoker?
Answer: Use more wood chips than you would on other types of smokers, this gives your meat more smoke flavor!!
5. Question: How long should I cook “x” type of meat on the Pit Boss Smoker?
Answer: Use an instant read thermometer to test if your food is done. Once you know how long each piece takes it will be easy!
6. Question: My Pit Boss has a hard time maintaining temperature and drops down to 185 degrees… What do I do?
Answer: Try increasing the amount of briskets inside and make sure your wood chip box with water in it is positioned directly over the left side vent. This will allow some heat to escape out that side which can help maintain temperature! You may also need to open up both vents on top to allow heat to escape. You can also adjust the top vents on your Pit Boss for this purpose!
7. Question: How do I clean my Pit Boss Grill once it gets really dirty?
Answer: Just wipe out the inside of the smoker with a paper towel, use the ash tool to remove the majority of ashes from your pit box and your grill grates then vacuum up any leftover sludge/debris that is in there. Spray water onto cleaner biodegradable pads and scrub until clean! Then just wipe down with silicone bbq soap pads after it dries!! Easy as that!!!
8. Question: What are some good meats to cook on my Pit Boss Smoker?
Answer: Brisket, pork butts, pork shoulders, ribs, chicken and turkey!
Conclusion
The Pit Boss smoker is a popular choice for many people across the country, and we want to help you get started using it with confidence. There are some important things that you should know about How to Use a Pit Boss Smoker before starting your first fire so that everything goes smoothly from the start. We’ve compiled all of this information in our guide below.
If you need any more guidance or if there’s anything else at all that we can do to support you on your smoking journey, please let us know!
