Pit Boss KC Combo Platinum Series Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker Review (2024)

A gas grill and a pellet grill all in one. The answer to all your needs. Right?

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Pit Boss KC Combo

Derrick Riches

Temperature Control

Versatility

Features

Durability

3.6

PROS

  • Has it all
  • Vast cooking area
  • Bluetooth connectivity

CONS

  • Combo Grills are not good
  • Lightweight construction
  • 25-degree increment pellet grill

Specifications

  • 27,000 maximum BTU output in the gas grill section
  • Three 9,000 BTU stainless steel tubular burners
  • Porcelain-coated steel cooking grates in the gas section
  • Lightweight porcelain-coated cast-iron cooking grates in the pellet section
  • Direct flame baffle over the pellet firepot
  • 25-degree increment PID pellet controller
  • Bluetooth and WiFi-enabled with Pit Boss SmokeIT App
  • 180 to 500-degree temperature range in the pellet section
  • Plate steel griddle for the gas section (removable)
  • Stainless and enameled steel construction
  • Total cooking area of 1,000 square inches
  • About 400 square inches of direct cooking space in each chamber
  • Firepot cleanout
  • 26-pound hopper capacity
  • Total weight 257 pounds
  • Almost six feet long
  • Made in China by Pit Boss Grills, a brand of Dansons

About Grades

Full Review – Pit Boss KC Combo Platinum Series Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker

Let me start by saying that I do not like combination grills. Never have. Probably never will. I have a good reason. They are almost never any good. Big box stores love combo grills. They are big and when a customer looks at one, they think, hey, it’s got everything. They are not wrong. To illustrate my point, let’s take a look at the Pit Boss KC Combo Platinum Series Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker. Note, that I am putting the whole title in the first paragraph because search engines love that sort of thing.

This grill, and no, I’m not going to repeat the name, is a pellet grill and a gas grill. It comes with a metal griddle that fits into the gas cooking chamber for extra cooking versatility. In fact, Pit Boss claims that this is

an 11-in-1 cooking device. One of those methods is barbecuing, whatever that means. The only way to look at a grill like this is to talk about the separate sections. We’ll start with the gas grill because that is easier to explain.

The Details

We have a 27,000 BTU three-burner gas grill. The total gas grill cooking area is around 400 square inches. This means that as a gas grill it is low-powered. Actually, it is very weak. It’s here because you can get a gas grill made in China for very little money and then just tack it on the cart. There is a griddle that isn’t bad, so you do get the flat top grilling functionality. Personally, I would have just skipped the whole open grill design and put in a better flat top.

As for the pellet grill, it does have Pit Boss’ new controller that is big and bright and Bluetooth and WiFi enabled. You have to be in the range of the grill to use the app, but it is an intuitive and nice-looking controller. There is also the Pit Boss direct flame cooking capability in this grill. It will do higher temperature grilling and can sear a steak. Again, this just points out the redundancy of the gas grill next to it, though. Aside from that, the pellet section isn’t huge. It will cook a pair of briskets, but not much more. Of course, most people don’t need that much space.

The Bottom Line

This grill sells at Walmart for around $750USD. You get a pellet grill and a gas grill. If one fails, you have a huge piece of cooking equipment that you can’t get full use of. There are a lot of parts, electronics, and that go into this product, for a very low price. Its real purpose is to sit on the storeroom floor looking impressive. For people who don’t know a lot about outdoor cooking, it seems to be a full-function choice. The truth is, you will use one section a lot more than the other. My recommendation is to get either a pellet grill or a gas grill and get one that is better quality. After all, a $750USD pellet grill is average at best. Carve out quality to add on the gas grill and you get a big pile of cheap grilling equipment.

Pit Boss KC Combo Platinum Series Wood Pellet Grill and Smoker Review (2024)

FAQs

Is the pit boss kc combo worth it? ›

If you're looking for a combo grill that does it all, it's hard to argue that there's any grill on the market that has the versatility of the KC Combo. If you like to smoke, grill, griddle, saute and you're looking for a grill that will keep up with you, there's really no need to look any further.

Which is better a Pit Boss or a Traeger? ›

If you're looking for the biggest cooking area, Pit Boss is the way to go; if you need something in the middle range, one of Traeger's pellet grills is more likely to meet your exact needs. But because we can't account for your desired amount of cooking space, Pit Boss gets the nod on maximum area.

Does Pit Boss make a good smoker? ›

Pit Boss finishes their smokers with a durable and rust-proof powder-coat finish. Even the grates are porcelain-coated steel. When it comes to the quality, durability, and efficiency of materials, Pit Boss takes the cake.

What is the smoke setting on the Pit Boss platinum kc combo? ›

(Smoke setting temperature range is 180-210° F/ 80-100° C).

Can you leave pellets in Pit Boss? ›

Leaving unused pellets in your hopper in a humid climate can expose them to moisture. If this happens, they will expand and could cause an auger jam. Most Pit Boss Grills have a hopper clean-out feature which allows for easy cleaning and swapping pellet flavors.

How long do pellets last in Pit Boss? ›

A good rule of thumb is to have 2 lbs. of pellets for every hour of smoking low and slow or 4 lbs. for every hour of grilling hot and fast.

Is Pit Boss owned by Traeger? ›

In 2018, Joe and Brian Traeger were hired by Danson's, which owned several grill companies, including Louisiana Grills and Pit Boss Grills.

Do I need to preheat my Pit Boss smoker? ›

Many of our Pit Boss Grills have a Prime Button. If your grill has never been used or has run completely out of pellets, it will need to be Primed to get pellets to the fire pot while the igniter is still hot. - The igniter stays hot for the first five minutes and then shuts itself off.

What is the best temperature for smoke on Pit Boss? ›

In fact, between 180 to 230°F is the sweet spot for your grill to add pellets to the fire pot slow enough to maintain your desired temperature while putting off consistent smoke. You also should fuel your grill the right way – with Pit Boss hardwood pellets.

How do you smoke on a Pit Boss in platinum? ›

Simply set your grill to SMOKE mode and open the air vents to the upper cabinet. This will allow enough smoke to pass thru to the cabinet for cold smoking.

What series is the pit boss kc combo? ›

Pit Boss KC Combo Series 4-in-1

The Pit Boss KC Combo Platinum Series Grill is combining the best grilling fuels into one powerful machine. Get the real wood flavor combined with the convenience of gas using the wood pellet grill and smoker, gas grill, and outdoor griddle combined.

Are pellet grills worth the hassle? ›

It cuts down the time of having to source your wood and prep the charcoal. With a pellet grill, you can still cook your meat low and slow, but prep time is cut shorter," says Horn.

Is it OK to use Pit Boss pellets in a Traeger? ›

Both Traeger and Pit Boss pellets are generally of high quality and made from 100% natural hardwood, which makes them compatible for use in Traeger grills. Benefits:Flavor Variety: Using Pit Boss pellets in your Traeger grill can provide a wider range of flavors to experiment with.

Is a Pit Boss supposed to smoke a lot? ›

We like to think of smoke as another type of seasoning for food. So, more doesn't always mean better. In fact, if you get too much, it will overpower your dish. Getting not only the right amount of smoke, but also the right type, used to be a tricky task, requiring a lot of trial and error.

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