Grill Like a Pro This Season with The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 Wood Chip Grill
As we enjoy summer, our thoughts turn to weekend BBQs with the family on the back deck. The advent of pellet grills has opened the floodgates, making quality homemade grilling available to nearly any experience level. We're no strangers to pellet grills here, so we put the Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 Wood Pellet Grill to the test.
Do you have strength?
One thing that is very different from a pellet grill is the need for a power source. The controller requires power to run the auger, control the screen, and WiFi (for models equipped with it). If you're coming from the world of gas and charcoal grills, here's something to consider.
8 in 1 multi-function cooking
The PB1100SP offers 8-in-1 cooking versatility, allowing you to grill, smoke, roast, broil, sear, braise, char-grill and grill all in one.
Start by turning on the power and setting the temperature to "smoke" with the lid open. Let the grill auto-ignite for about 10 minutes (it's ready when the white smoke disappears), close the lid, and set the temperature you want to cook.
A dial-in digital control pad works in tandem with two wired meat probes so you can monitor the doneness of your meat. Having two probes is a luxury when you are cooking more than one cut of meat. Even if you have a flock of chickens cooking, put a probe in the smallest one and the largest one to keep the whole flock under control.
Unique to the Pit Boss is its Flame Broiler Lever, which opens up a series of sliding vents in the middle of the thermal plate. It gives you instant direct heat on hot pots for a quick sear up to 1000°F or indirect heat from 180° to 500°F.
It also lets you quickly adjust cooking temperatures and keep track of fuel without opening the lid. Just set it and forget it and let Sportsman do the work for you.
Taste the flavor
The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 produces a subtle smoke flavor that is very pleasant without being overpowering. If you want a real smoky barbecue flavor, set the temperature knob to the "smoked" setting. This feeds pellets according to your chosen "P" setting (P4 is the default). Here's what each setting does to the pellet feed auger:
- P0: 18 seconds on, 55 seconds off
- P1: 18 seconds on, 70 seconds off
- P2: 18 seconds on, 85 seconds off
- P3: 18 seconds on, 100 seconds off
- P4: 18 seconds on, 115 seconds off
- P5: 18 seconds on, 130 seconds off
- P6: 18 seconds on, 140 seconds off
- P7: 18 seconds on, 150 seconds off
The higher the "P" setting, the lower the cooking temperature. Environmental conditions such as temperature, wind, and humidity can affect it, so you may need to experiment a bit to get the temperature you want.
From there, the computer controls the feed based on your chosen temperature setting. The hotter you cook it, the less smoke you'll get.
Pro Tip: Want a smoky flavor from meat cooked at a higher temperature? Simmer for 30 minutes to an hour, then increase the heat until your desired internal doneness is reached.
tons of cooking space
The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 has a total of 1610 square inches of cooking space. The main cooking area (3 grids) is 35 x 19 inches. There is also a 33 x 11 inch upper tray and a 32 x 14 inch stainless steel jerky tray.
So what can you wear? On Thanksgiving, it's roomy enough for three whole turkeys. You can get 8-10 rows of baby back ribs, with a full row on the bottom and a half row on top. Plan to place up to 35 burgers or 15 – 18 ribeyes on the bottom grill. Basically, you can feed a small army or 6 teenage boys.
all jump up
Pit Boss outfitted this pellet grill with a 30-pound hopper, and there's a handy side window to keep you informed of the level. This is on the higher side for a pellet grill, giving you a longer time frame between when you need to top up the pellets.
Just like we do in Central Florida, wood pellets can expand with ambient humidity and humidity. The Pit Boss includes a clean-up slot so you can easily empty the funnel of any leftover pellets between cooking sessions. If you store pellets outside, be sure to use an airtight container.
particle consumption
There are many variables that affect the pellet consumption of your grill. While Pit Boss didn't give us an exact number, when we smoked at 225° F, we burned about 1 pound per hour. Remember, the hotter the grill, the faster the pellets will be consumed.
It's worth noting that the average person uses about six bags of pellets per year. Premium pellets cost between $15 and $20 per bag. Given the price of propane right now, we don't spend more on the fuel by using pellets.
There are many options for pellets, we recommend using premium 100% hardwood pellets. Cheaper alternatives may contain fillers and binders that create "odours," burn inefficiently, and leave extra residue on the grill.
shelf
From sauces and seasonings to grilling tools, trays and plates, you need a place for everything. The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 has a sturdy bottom tray perfect for storing your pellet bucket.
When you're pulling food into sauces, wrapping, or serving trays, having a try-before-fold is an absolute must.
There is also a very convenient side shelf with a removable tray. It has holes in it that you can line with foil to rest the meat on before taking it to the cutting/serving station.
Switch to the Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 Wood Chip Grill
You'll want to season your grill before using it for the first time, and plan for about an hour. What's great is that the seasoning process also introduces you to the function of the grill, so it's kind of like a tutorial.
I simply don't have time to babysit a traditional wood fired smoker, and the Pit Boss makes cooking low and slow very easy. Fill the hopper with pellets, bring to your target temperature, and let it cook. The computer manages the temperature so you don't have to.
When it's all said and done, we can start a full day of work (or a full night's sleep) and still enjoy some seriously delicious food. Accidents can happen, so make sure you're cooking in an open outdoor area for those times when you're going to be away from the grill. Nobody wants to be the subject of the next Farmer's Insurance commercial.
Additional features
- Porcelain-coated cast iron cooking grates
- stainless steel bottle opener
Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 Wood Pellet Grill Prices
The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 retails for $799 at your local Pit Boss retailer and comes with a 5-year warranty. In the box, you get the grill, two wired meat probes, a stainless steel jerky rack, a spice rack, a removable side tray, and a fold-out front tray.
For all First Responders and Military members, Pit Boss is offering a 25% HERO discount, a heartfelt thank you! Click here for instructions and eligibility requirements.
the bottom line
If you haven't used a pellet grill before, it will revolutionize the way you approach your grilling and smoking game. The Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 delivered food far beyond my expectations, made me look like a culinary genius, delivered quality results and grilled better than most restaurants. With the cooking space available, it's easy to host large gatherings without calling for backup.
Pit Boss Sportsman 1100 Wood Pellet Grill Specs
- Model: Pit Boss PB1100SP
- Power supply: 120V AC
- Total Cooking Space: 1610 sq. inches
- Pellet Hopper Capacity: 30 lbs.
- Maximum Pellet Cooking Temperature: 500°F
- Maximum flame searing temperature: 1000°F
- 8 in 1 multi-function cooking
- Warranty: 5 years
- Price: $799