Going All In: Pit Boss Austin XL Review

August 18, 2023
Written by Kristy J. Norton

Pit Boss grills are gaining a name for themselves in the market, which means that you are curious about what this particular model has to offer you.

Well, this Pit Boss Austin XL review puts things into perspective for you. From features to performance, I explain it all in this post!

Pit Boss Austin XL reviews

Pit Boss Austin XL Specs

Here are the basic features of the Austin XL pellet grill:

Pit Boss Austin XL
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 sq. in. Pellet Grill...
Dimensions
62.40 x 25.79 x 48.23 inches
Weight
178lbs
Cooking Surface Area
1000 sq inches
Temperature Range
150 to 500F
LED Digital Control Board
Flame Broiler
31lb Hopper with Purge System
Four Rolling Casters
Stainless Steel Side Table with Removable Serving Tray
Pit Boss Austin XL
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 sq. in. Pellet Grill...
Dimensions
62.40 x 25.79 x 48.23 inches
Weight
178lbs
Cooking Surface Area
1000 sq inches
Temperature Range
150 to 500F
LED Digital Control Board
Flame Broiler
31lb Hopper with Purge System
Four Rolling Casters
Stainless Steel Side Table with Removable Serving Tray

Reviewing the Austin XL Pellet Grill

Here is an in-depth look at the fundamental and other features of this pellet smoker:

Pit Boss Austin XL Wood Pellet Grill

Construction

Compared with most other pellet grills, the Pit Boss Austin XL is considered to be a lot more affordable. However, there is a big difference between affordable and cheap. It doesn't matter how much you paid for a grill, you want it to last for a while.

So, how does this Pit Boss pellet grill fare in terms of construction?

Well, the first thing that I was impressed by was the powder coated steel design. Not only does it look good for this price point, but it is also great at keeping rust at bay.

As I was putting together the Austin XL pellet grill, I was able to get a good feel for the materials. This is heavy duty steel and it feels solid in your hands. In particular, I liked how sturdy the lid felt as I opened and closed it.

This wasn't just about durable the grill was, but also how efficient the lid was at keeping heat trapped inside. Such a feature can go a long way in temperature regulation and maintenance. The high temperature copper finish adds another notch on the durability belt.

The stainless steel side shelf is a strong and great addition to the grill.

I also liked the porcelain coated grilling grates. Now, at this price point the grates aren't the highest quality out there. As long as you take good care of it and don't use metal tools on it, you should be able to maintain the coating for longer.

Of course, proper maintenance is the key to ensuring that this grill continues to perform for as long as you need it to. The good news is that this pellet smoker grill comes with a five year warranty.

Temperature Range

As you will have seen from the specs, the Pit Boss Austin XL has a range from 150 to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. For a pellet grill of this caliber, this is a pretty good range.

The reason that temperature range is an important feature is because it gives you an idea of how versatile a grill is. In this case, the Austin XL grill is a multi-faceted machine.

The lower end of the range means that it works well as a pellet smoker - great for low and slow cooking. On the other hand, the higher temperature makes searing quick and simple.

The only complaint that I would have is that if you want a more precise set temperature - such as 325 degrees, 425 degrees for instance, then you are out of luck. The temperature dial only offers 50 degree increments.

Temperature Regulation

I don't need to impress upon you that temperature regulation is important. If you aren't able to regulate and maintain the temperature inside the cooking chamber, then the timing of your cook gets thrown off.

Well, the Pit Boss Austin XL maintains the temperature beautifully. One of the main advantages here is how well the lid seals. Once the grill is up and running, you will not see any smoke at all which proves that this pellet smoker doesn't leak smoke, showing the strength of the seal.

Other proof of the excellent temperature regulation is the presence of the probe. Actually, the Pit Boss Austin XL has two sensors. One monitors the internal temperature of the cooking temperature. Thus, you can always see whether the temp is holding up or not.

To add to this, when you input your desired temperature, you get to see how quickly and when the pellet grill adjusts to accommodate it. This is a pretty impressive feature for most wood pellet grills and definitely for one in this price range.

Grilling Options

Another thing that I like about the Austin XL - and that you don't always find with such pellet smokers - is a variety of grilling options.

In particular, what the Pit Boss Austin XL does better than most other pellet grills is direct grilling. The reason that this function works so well is because the diverter plate over the fire pot has a flame broiler plate that can be moved out of the way. Then, the food is exposed to open flame.

You can also slip the flame broiler back into place for indirect grilling. This is great for vegetables, ribs, and a host of other foods.

Cooking Space

Let's face it - a large cooking space is something that everyone looks for in pellet grills. The greater the cooking surface, the more food that you can cook at one time. This element is especially handy when trying to feed a crowd.

Once again, the Pit Boss Austin XL stands out again. As you can see from the specs, it boasts two removable racks that combine with over a thousand square inches of cooking surface.

You can easily fit in several pork butts and full packer briskets without any issue at all. As for burgers and hot dogs, you can cook for a small army in just one small batch.

This is perfect for large families or if you are someone who frequently likes to invite a lot of people to cookouts. I would have to say that all this cooking space is one of my favorite things about this grill.

To add to this, the large pellet hopper means that the Pit Boss Austin XL is able to keep up with the sheer heat demand of so much food in this space. Wood pellets can be steadily fed in ensuring that the temperature is consistently maintained.

Ease of Use

It does matter how easy a wood pellet grill is to use. I despise models that are too difficult for beginners to use. Sure, they may be a breeze for pitmasters to use but I prefer something that is more accessible to all.

And, this is exactly what the Pit Boss Austin XL is! One of the things that makes this model so easy to use is the control board.

With just a press of the Prime button, you can prime the pellet grill for the first time or add an extra feed of pellets to the firepot. By turning the dial to the smoke setting you can enjoy a nice smokey flavor. The P setting button allows you to finetune the smoking performance.

As far as pellet smokers go, though, you should have this one figured out in no time at all. A read through the user manual should do the trick.

Side view of Pit Boss Grill

Additional Features

Given the price point, there aren't too many extra features with the Pit Boss Austin XL and that's fine.

However, the one that I am quite taken with is the meat probe. This is a sensor that is already built into the grill. Just place the probe inside the thickest part of the meat and you will be able to get an up-to-date reading on the internal temperature.

This is great for a few different reasons. First, it's great to be able to see how your food is cooking, particularly if your recipe is made up of multiple steps. The second advantage is that you don't have to keep opening the grill, messing with the internal temp.

There is also the side shelf and the serving tray. Now, this may not seem like extra features but you would be surprised at how many high powered grills don't have these components available to you.

Instead, you are forced to spend more money equipping your grill with what it needs. The reality is that once you begin to use the Pit Boss Austin XL, you will realize just how great the shelf and tray are - they make the grilling experience far more efficient.

Cleaning and Maintenance

One of the less fun aspects of pellet grills is the cleaning up process. Unfortunately, the Pit Boss Austin XL isn't too different.

On the upside, the pellet hopper does come equipped with a clean-out feature. This makes it easier to clean and swap out with new pellets.

If you are looking to clean out unused pellets or get rid of any dust, dirt, or debris, then you will need to use a shop vac to vacuum it all up. A long handled brush should do the trick as well.

The cleaning is essentially the same with most pellet grills - you've cleaned one, you've cleaned them all.

Assembly

If you think that the ease of assembly is not important when considering the Pit Boss Austin XL, think again!

For one thing, no one wants to excitedly get their hands on a grill only to discover that it is going to take forever to put together. This can really take the shine off things for you.

The other reason that you should look for a grill that is easy to assemble is accuracy. You need to make sure that you fit everything in exactly the right place. This is especially important with the Austin XL pellet smoker where one slipup can throw off the entire dynamic of the machine.

The good news is that the Austin XL is fairly easy to put together. It comes with detailed instructions. Follow these and you should have your grill up and running in about an hour!

Portability

Not only is this Pit Boss model big, but it is also quite hefty. And, since it needs to be stored properly when it isn't used, you have to think about portability.

Fortunately, thanks to the wheels, this behemoth is fairly portable. And, once it is moved into place, they can be locked into position for added safety.

I would be careful of the path that you take the wheels on, however. With enough use, they may wear down and require replacement.

Pros and Cons

Here is a breakdown of the pros and cons:

Pros

  • Lots of cooking space
  • Plenty of cooking options
  • Durable and sturdy
  • Easy to use
  • Great temperature range
  • Good temperature maintenance
  • Portable

Cons

  • Smaller temperature changes aren't possible
  • Wheels may wear out after some time
  • Lacks features of newer models such as WiFi-enabled settings
Pit Boss Austin XL 1000 sq. in. Pellet Grill...
  • Four rolling casters
  • Temperature range 150 - 500 F
  • Over 1000 sq in porcelain coated cooking...
  • Innovative flame broiler for direct...
  • Digitally control board with LED read...

Is Pit Boss Austin XL a Good Smoker?

As far as Pit Boss pellet grills or even general grills go, I would say that the Austin XL is a good pellet grill. Is it great? No, I wouldn't go that far but it does offer you great value.

For its price point, the Austin XL is actually a shade above the rest in the same category. It is durable, works well, and gets the important features right. It doesn't have too many bells and whistles, but they aren't really needed if you are looking for a good grilling and smoking experience.

I would suggest this grill for those who are just starting out or are looking for a solid, mid-range product.

FAQs

Here are some of the more frequently asked questions about the grill:

1. What Size is the Pit Boss Austin XL?

The dimensions are 62.40 x 25.79 x 48.23 inches and there are over 1000 square inches of cooking area.

2. What Pellets Should I Use with the Austin XL?

You can use any wood pellets as long as they are high quality options.

3. Pit Boss vs. Traeger: Which is Better?

The Traeger is better for competitive or seasoned cooks, while the Pit Boss works just fine for everyone else.

There you have it - your Pit Boss Austin XL review! You can now get a closer look at what this make and model has to offer you. While this may not be a top of the line grill, it is still one of the best that you can get for this price point.

It has been perfectly designed to have everything that you need from a large cooking area to side trays and serving options. To add to this, managing the temperature on this machine is an absolute dream. It is certainly one that you should consider for yourself.

By Kristy J. Norton
I'm Kristy – a chef and connoisseur of all things BBQ! You can find me either in my kitchen (or someone else's) or at a big outdoor barbecue surrounded by friends and family. In both my professional and personal life I’ve picked up more than a few tips and tricks for turning out delicious food. I consider it a privilege to share it with others!
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