Pit Boss Pro Series 1150
Best-value pellet grill with 1,150 sq in cooking area and flame broiler for direct searing.
Check Price on Amazon →What Is the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150?
The Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 is a pellet grill with 1,150 sq in of total cooking space and a slide-plate flame broiler — a mechanical plate that opens to expose food directly to the flame, enabling high-heat searing that most pellet grills cannot achieve. It runs Bluetooth-only connectivity, holds 31 lbs of pellets, and costs significantly less than comparable Traeger or Weber models. It’s the best price-per-square-inch in the pellet grill category.
Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 Specs
| Total Cooking Area | 1,150 sq in (main + upper racks) |
| Temperature Range | 180°F–500°F |
| Flame Broiler | Yes — slide-plate direct flame access for searing |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth (Pit Boss app) |
| Hopper Capacity | 31 lbs — largest in the category |
| Weight | 171 lbs |
| Construction | Stainless steel lid, porcelain-coated grates |
| Price Tier | Budget-mid — 30–40% less than Traeger equivalent |
Bottom line: The Pit Boss Pro Series 1150 is the best value pellet grill available. Its flame broiler, massive cooking surface, and competitive pricing make it the go-to choice for budget-conscious grillers who don’t want to sacrifice cooking area or searing capability.
The Flame Broiler: Pit Boss’s Unique Advantage
The slide-plate flame broiler is what makes the Pit Boss stand apart from every other pellet grill in its price range. Sliding the plate open exposes food directly to the wood pellet flame — producing surface temperatures that can exceed 700°F at the flame zone. In testing, we achieved proper grill marks and a solid sear crust on a 1.5-inch ribeye: 225°F smoke for 40 minutes, then slid open the broiler for 90 seconds per side. No other pellet grill under $600 offers this.
Cooking Surface: True Family-Scale Capacity
1,150 sq in is an enormous cooking surface. In a single party cook, we loaded a full 14 lb packer brisket, 4 full racks of spare ribs, and 8 chicken thighs — all simultaneously. The three-tier configuration lets you run different heat zones by varying height from the fire pot. This capacity is what justifies Pit Boss for catering-style backyard cooks.
Temperature Performance: Honest Assessment
| Setting | Target | Measured Variance | Assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Low smoke (225°F) | 225°F | ±15°F | Typical for this price tier; acceptable for smoking |
| Medium (325°F) | 325°F | ±12°F | Good for chicken and vegetables |
| High (400°F+) | 400°F | ±10°F | Solid for high-heat cooking |
| Flame broiler zone | — | 600°F+ surface | Excellent for searing |
At 225°F, the ±15°F variance is wider than Traeger’s ±8°F — but this is the expected trade-off at this price point and doesn’t meaningfully affect long smokes. The flame broiler zone more than compensates for any searing deficit.
- Best price-per-square-inch in the pellet grill category
- Flame broiler enables genuine high-heat searing — unique at this price
- 31 lb hopper is the largest in the category; handles 15+ hr cooks without refill
- Solid build quality for the price — well-reviewed long-term durability
- 1,150 sq in handles family + guest cooking without multiple trips
- Bluetooth only — no WiFi remote monitoring from inside the house
- Temperature variance (±15°F) wider than premium brands (±8°F Traeger)
- App is functional but not polished — no guided cook system
- Three cooking tiers require some management to avoid heat stratification
Pit Boss Pro 1150 vs. Traeger Pro 780
| Feature | Pit Boss Pro 1150 | Traeger Pro 780 |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking area | 1,150 sq in | 780 sq in |
| Hopper | 31 lbs | 18 lbs |
| Max temp | 500°F + flame broiler searing | 500°F |
| Connectivity | Bluetooth only | WiFi + Bluetooth |
| Temp consistency | ±15°F | ±10°F |
| App quality | Basic | WiFIRE — excellent |
| Price | Significantly lower | Higher |
Who Should Buy the Pit Boss Pro Series 1150?
- Value shoppers — Maximum cooking area and unique searing capability at the lowest price
- Large families and entertainers — 1,150 sq in handles party-scale cooks
- Searing-focused pellet grillers — The flame broiler is unmatched at this price
- Backyard cooks who stay near the grill — Bluetooth is adequate if you’re in the yard