Question 1

the 'lo' pellet warning comes on way before my hopper is actually empty, is my sensor broken?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The pellet sensor is a simple paddle switch in the hopper. It's likely stuck or obstructed, or pellets are bridging above it, creating a false empty reading. FIX Free the sensor paddle. Reach into the hopper and manually move the black plastic paddle near the bottom back and forth several times to ensure it swings freely. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The wire connection to the sensor might be loose. Unplug the grill, remove the hopper access panel (a few screws), and check the connector on the sensor is secure. HEADS UP The 'LO' warning is conservative by design. You still have several hours of cook time left when it first lights. It's a reminder, not an immediate shutdown.

Question 2

grease is leaking from the bottom of my grill cabinet, not going into the bucket. where's it coming from?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The grease management system is clogged or misaligned. The grease is backing up in the tray and dripping through the seam where the cook chamber meets the cabinet. FIX Check the grease drain hole. Remove the grease tray and inspect the small hole at the back left where grease flows into the bucket. Use a grill brush or a long wire to clear any solidified grease or debris blocking it. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Ensure the grease tray is installed correctly—it must sit at a downward angle toward the drain hole. If it's warped or upside down, grease will pool and leak. HEADS UP Never line the grease tray with foil that covers the drain hole. Always fold foil so the hole remains fully open.

Question 3

my wifi keeps disconnecting from the pit boss app, have to reconnect every time i want to use it.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS Weak Wi-Fi signal at the grill's location or an outdated app/firmware causing a handshake failure. FIX Improve the signal. Move your router closer or use a Wi-Fi extender. The grill's antenna is in the control panel, so ensure it's not tucked right against a metal wall. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Reset the grill's Wi-Fi module. On the controller, hold the 'Wi-Fi' button for 10 seconds until the light blinks rapidly, then re-pair it in the app as if it's a new device. HEADS UP The Pit Boss app is notoriously finicky. Make sure your phone's app and the grill's firmware are updated to the latest versions—check the Pit Boss website for firmware files.

Question 4

the auger on my pit boss is making a loud grinding noise and now it won't feed pellets.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The auger motor or the auger itself is jammed, often by a foreign object or a pellet that has absorbed moisture and swelled into a 'plug'. FIX Empty the hopper completely. Use a long, flexible grabber tool or a shop vac hose to remove pellets from the auger tube entrance. Manually reverse the jam by turning the auger shaft (accessible under the hopper) counterclockwise with a wrench. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The shear pin on the auger motor shaft may have broken—this is a safety feature. You'll need to remove the motor assembly and replace the pin (often a small roll pin or bolt). HEADS UP Always store pellets in a sealed, dry container. Damp pellets are the most common cause of auger jams and that grinding noise.

Question 5

i get huge temperature swings, like 100 degrees over my set point, on my 1150. how do i fix that?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS This is usually caused by a dirty temperature probe (RTD) giving false readings, or ash buildup around the fire pot disrupting airflow. FIX Clean the RTD probe. Unplug the grill, let it cool, remove the grates and heat diffuser. Use a dry scouring pad or fine steel wool to scrub the silver probe rod on the left wall until it's shiny. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK Perform a deep vacuum of the fire pot and the entire burn chamber. Ash touching the probe can insulate it, and excess ash in the pot chokes the flame. HEADS UP Temperature swings are also normal when you first open the lid—the controller will overfeed pellets to recover the heat, causing a spike. Keep lid openings brief.

Question 6

why is my pit boss producing almost no smoke even on the 'smoke' setting? it's just hot.

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The 'Smoke' setting runs the auger on a very slow, intermittent feed. If it's running too hot, the controller's P-setting (feed rate) might be incorrectly calibrated from the factory. FIX Manually adjust the P-setting. With the grill OFF, hold the 'Prime' button and turn the knob to 'Smoke'. Release 'Prime'. The display will show 'P-0' to 'P-9'. Turn the knob to 'P-7' (a slower feed for more smoke), then press any button to save. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK You might be using poor-quality pellets that burn too cleanly/hotly. Switch to 100% hardwood pellets with no filler oils. Also, ensure your grill is on a level surface so the pellet feed is consistent. HEADS UP Pellet grills produce the most smoke at lower temperatures (180°F-250°F). On 'Smoke' mode, don't expect billowing smoke—it should be a thin, blue, consistent stream.

Question 7

the fan on my pro series 1150 is running nonstop even when it's turned off, is that normal?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS No, it's not normal. This is almost always a failed control board that's not cutting power to the fan circuit after shutdown. FIX You need to replace the control board. Unplug the grill, remove the four screws on the front panel to access the board, disconnect the wiring harnesses, and swap in the new unit. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK If a new board doesn't fix it, the issue could be a stuck relay on the newer Wi-Fi-enabled controller. A full power cycle (unplug for 30 seconds) sometimes resets it temporarily, but a permanent fix still requires a controller replacement. HEADS UP Don't just leave it plugged in with the fan running—it will drain the battery if you're using the optional battery pack and indicates an electrical fault.

Question 8

my new pit boss 1150 just keeps saying 'err' on the screen and won't heat up, what's wrong?

Accepted Answer

DIAGNOSIS The controller is seeing a problem with the temperature probe or auger system during startup. The 'ERR' code is a general failure alert. FIX Turn the grill OFF using the power switch and unplug it from the outlet. Wait 5 minutes. Open the hopper lid and check for a jam. Manually clear any packed or bridging pellets from the auger intake. Plug the grill back in and turn it on to see if it starts normally. IF THAT DIDN'T WORK The RTD (temperature probe) might be faulty or disconnected. Unplug the grill, remove the grates and heat diffuser, and locate the probe on the left side of the cook chamber. Ensure the wire connector is firmly plugged into the back of the control board. HEADS UP A very common first-time mistake is not letting the initial startup cycle finish—it can take 5+ minutes to go from 'IGN' to your set temperature. Don't turn it off during this phase.

Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 Pellet Grill

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