Pit Boss Pro 1150 Review (2026)

Quick Take

The Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 is the grill you buy when you regularly cook for a crowd. At 1,150 sq in, nothing else in this price range gives you this much cooking space. I have been using mine for 12 months, and it handles big cooks like a champ. The PID controller with WiFi and Bluetooth works well enough. The 5 year warranty is the longest in the category. It is not perfect, but for the money, it is hard to beat.

Buy this if you need space and value above all else. Skip it if you want tight temperature control on windy days or a premium app experience.

How Hard Is Assembly?

This is a big grill. The box is heavy, the parts are numerous, and assembly is a project. Clear your afternoon. I clocked 2 hours and 15 minutes with a helper. Some bolt holes needed a little coaxing, and a few steps in the manual could be clearer. It is not difficult, just time consuming.

Once assembled, the 1150 has real presence on a patio. The heavy gauge steel construction feels sturdy. The hopper holds 23 lbs of pellets. The bottom shelf provides useful storage for tools and pellet bags. The flame broiler lever on the right side moves smoothly.

First cook was four racks of baby back ribs for a neighborhood cookout. All four racks fit on the main grate with room to spare. The controller held 225F within about 10 degrees, and the ribs came out with great smoke flavor. My neighbors were impressed. So was I.

Specs at a Glance

Cooking Area	1,150 sq in
Temp Range	150-500F
WiFi	Yes
Weight	145 lbs
Hopper Capacity	23 lbs
Warranty	5 years
Controller	PID with WiFi/Bluetooth
Construction	Heavy gauge steel
Wheels	Heavy duty
Flame Broiler	Yes
Bottom Shelf	Yes
Upper Rack	Yes

How Does the Pit Boss Pro 1150 Handle Temperature?

The PID controller on the Pro 1150 holds temperature within 10 degrees on calm days. That is acceptable for smoking. The issue shows up on windy days, where I have seen swings of 15 to 20 degrees. The large cooking chamber means more air volume to heat, and wind affects it more than smaller grills. On a breezy day, I position the grill with the hopper facing the wind, which helps.

Smoke production is good at 225F. I get consistent smoke rings on briskets and pork shoulders. Flavor is clean. The large chamber actually distributes smoke well across the full cooking surface. I placed temp probes at various spots and found about a 12 degree variance from front to back, which is reasonable for a grill this size.

Where this grill shines is volume. I have cooked two full briskets at the same time, six racks of ribs simultaneously, and once loaded it with 40 chicken thighs for a party. The upper rack extends the usable space even further. If you host cookouts regularly, the 1150 pays for itself in convenience.

The flame broiler is a nice addition but not a replacement for real grilling. Sliding the plate open gives you direct heat over the fire pot. It works for burgers and hot dogs. For steaks, you get some color but not a proper sear. I still pull out a cast iron skillet for finishing steaks.

Check Current Price at Pit Boss

What Features Does the Pit Boss Pro 1150 Offer?

The dual WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity gives you options. Bluetooth connects faster and works reliably within about 30 feet. WiFi extends the range but depends on your home network. I keep Bluetooth as my primary connection and switch to WiFi only for longer range monitoring. The Pit Boss app is functional. You can set temp, monitor meat probes, and get alerts. The interface is not as polished as Traeger's WiFIRE app, but it gets the job done.

The 5 year warranty deserves attention. Most pellet grills in this price range offer 3 years. Pit Boss giving you 5 years shows confidence in their product and gives buyers peace of mind. In my experience, Pit Boss customer service is average. Not bad, not great. But the warranty coverage is the best value in the category.

The 23 lb hopper is slightly larger than average. At smoking temperatures, it lasts about 12 to 15 hours. Enough for most cooks without a refill. The hopper does not have a pellet cleanout door, so switching pellet flavors means scooping out the old ones by hand. Minor inconvenience.

Is the Pit Boss Pro 1150 Built to Last?

The Pro 1150 is built from heavy gauge steel with a powder coat finish. After 12 months of regular use, the exterior is holding up well. I have noticed minor paint wear on the lid edges from opening and closing, but nothing concerning. No rust anywhere. The included grease management tray is basic but functional.

The grates are porcelain coated cast iron. They retain heat well and clean up easily. After a year, they show some wear on the coating but no significant deterioration. The wheels are heavy duty and roll easily, which matters because this grill is not light.

My biggest durability concern is the flame broiler mechanism. The sliding plate sits directly over the fire pot and takes the most heat abuse. After 12 months, it is showing some warping along the edges. It still functions properly, but I am keeping an eye on it. This is the kind of part that might need replacing after a few years of heavy use.

Who Should Buy the Pit Boss Pro 1150?

Buy the Pro 1150 if: You regularly cook for large groups and need maximum cooking space. You want a great warranty at a mid range price. You value square inches per dollar above all else. The flame broiler feature sounds appealing as a bonus.

Skip this if: You need tight temperature control in windy conditions. You want a premium WiFi app experience. You have a small patio (this grill has a large footprint). Or if you cook for just your family and do not need 1,150 sq in of space.