How To Install A Sear Plate Push Rod | Pit Boss Modification

How To Install A Sear Plate Push Rod | Pit Boss Modification
#bbqanytime #HowTo #Pellet #PitBoss #Modification #Sear Plate
Tools
Bench Vise
Drill
Drill Bit Set
Steel Rod 3/16 round 4 ft
Music: Lifes alright
Musician: Silicon Estate

[@jerryocrow1]

My version: Lowes: Kitchen cabinet dept. and pick the knob of your choice. Then, to the hardware isle for an "all-thread" rod to fit the knob, then to the nuts and bolts isle for wing nuts to fit the all-thread rod (need 2). Then: Drill hole in sliding tab and matching hole in side of the Pit Boss, then cut the all thread to fit to space when the slider is closed, then, wing nut on, rod through, wing nut to close, knob on and slide back and forth with a NASA engineer smile. DONE. (Less than $4) The benefit of using a rod (not all thread) is removal for cleaning. Rod requires gyrations but nothing more (I think). My version requires plyers to hold all thread and fingers/plyers to hold wing nuts ((that why not a a nut) due to the grit and grime). But, my version has a knob!. Rod version could add a tap to put threads on the rod to fit a knob, then maybe rod is better. Or not.) Anyway, thank God we men are inventive. (See The Martian).

[@dxtac]

Just finished this mod on my Pit Boss SC. No more screwdriver! This was also free as I had the rod laying around. Took about 15 minutes to complete. Only took that long because I cleaned it since it was apart. Thanks for the great video!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

That’s awesome!

[@coffey1718]

I'd buy you a beer if you where here right now!! Just did this, like it way more than using nuts on a threaded pipe!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Right on!!!

[@SIG020250]

Drill a hole in the un-threaded rod about 1" from the end. Size the hole to fit a hitch pin clip (Lowes or HD). About 3/4" from first hole, drill another hole sized to force-fit a piece of round stock (like a cut off nail). This will allow you to push/pull the slide plate with the advantage that the plate can be easily removed just by by pulling out the hitch pin and withdrawing the rod. Rod, hitch pin and a cut off nail, your done for under $10

[@cvx23231]

Best mod I’ve seen for this, great job!! Nice to see simple thinking, I tell ya sometimes it seems impossible for folks to do that!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Appreciate it! Thanks

[@coffey1718]

God damn genius, so simple yet soooo helpful!!

[@frankclark6933]

Great and easy mod. Just completed on my PB 820D. I threaded the end of the rod that's outside the barrel and added a hard plastic knob I picked up at Lowes. Secured with a wing nut and washer.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Nice! A knob is a nice addition for a handle!

[@oldgraindesigns8065]

The only reason why I haven't added a rod is because of the inconvenience of having to unscrew bolts during cleaning. I already hate all the steps for that task. This just made everything a lot easier. 👍

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

That’s exactly what I was trying to avoid also.But this modification makes a huge difference and I would highly recommend it!

[@anthonyg4343]

Thank you very much for the advice on the mod! Followed your instructions step-by-step and this has to be one of most practical mods to have done on my PB700fb. Smoke (and sear) on!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Appreciate it!

[@jeffladd1146]

Nice tip. I swapped my slotted sear plate for a solid one to better control heat distribution. Only problem is that the tab for the rod is in a different location. This will come in handy!

[@NeilGraham.I.M.F]

The new Pit Bosses have that as a feature. Glad you figured it out but too bad they didn't do it earlier

[@NaudanX]

Thanks for the idea. Worked great on my pitboss 440 and costs under five bucks for the rod from home depot

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Glad it helped

[@dudeseriously57]

Awesome idea and video. Thank you for your ingenuity. It's very perplexing that Pit Boss did not make something like this as part of the orignal design 🤬. I thought I had missed something as I struggled to use a grill fork to open and close the slot. Again thank you.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Thanks

[@vincentgrippi9524]

Excellent idea , they should have added this feature the same way you did it on the original design

[@RossMalagarie]

Great vid, now show us how to drill a big hole in the bottom of the fire box and add a slide plate to open and close to let the ash out from the bottom without having to take the grate, flame plate, and barrel plate out to get to the fire box to vacuum or hand pull out the ash. Kinda like the Pit Boss 1150 Pro Series has.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Let me see what I can come up with!

[@RossMalagarie]

@@bbqanytimewitherictx Thanks looking forward to seeing some ideas of how to do it because I have the Austin XL and want an easy ash clean up option.

[@brucecarter6904]

nice going to do mine in a day or two but best way I have seen yet

[@Rudester95]

Bruh that is a great idea I was trying to think what I could do that would work thank you

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Awesome! Thank You!

[@chiptucker1976]

I’m going to do this to my Pit Boss.

[@bryandamkaer3646]

Great idea ... I might change a tiny bit but I like it

[@marcray9096]

Nice, Im using your tip today. Thankfully I already have a vise.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Thanks! Easy Mod

[@helamansalas4571]

That’s a dope mod! Very clever! 👍🏼

[@abdulhamid-xz4pz]

Great video! Please tell us the bending points on the rod lengths for the exterior handle and the two 90 bends that youve mentioned at slider point 03:42 minutes. Thanks!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Hey, I really guessed on it to worked for me the first bend should be made as soon as the rod exits the pit. But make sure the plate is in the closed position before you make the first bend.

[@cdvax11]

That was very clever. Good job!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Thanks!

[@davesenor3146]

Great video! Thanks for posting!!!

[@deecee8765]

Good stuff. I just did it. Thanks brother.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Awesome!

[@CookingWiththeSchmidt]

Genius, im totally doing this to mine

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Thanks ! It’s a super easy modification and worth it!

[@Ebaybow]

You can easily install the original rod modified, on the left hand side like the newer Pitt Boss models.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

When I did this modification I never looked for a replacement rod from PitBoss. The rod was only a few buck not sure what a PitBoss original rod cost.

[@BehindtheGarageBBQ]

I plan on doing this to my lil pitboss..already drilled holes in the rod..gonna use cotter pins...would have done this ...thanks for sharing, have yourself a great one, stay safe! Just subscribed ya looking forward to your future videos 👍👍

[@incognitoalias2808]

The K.I.S.S philosophy, thanks for the Enlightenment.......

[@DIYWISCO]

Great idea been thinking of a way to do this!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Go for it!

[@tommiejackson6491]

Not bad ! Good job

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Thanks!

[@itsthereal_dyl]

Love it. I’ve been looking for an excuse to buy a vise! Does the type of steel rod matter from a food safety perspective? I see Home Depot sells “3/16-inch plain steel round rods”. Is this what you used, or was their something else like stainless steel?

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I did use a plain steel 3/16 inch rod they should carry it at Home Depot. The pit boss has a plain steel sear so the rod shouldn’t cause any problems with food safety. Once you install it just do a burn and get the temp up in the pit to burn off any oils on the rod. Thanks!

[@TNGrillinSmokin]

Great mod! That’s going to make it much easier! Nice job 🔥💯

[@joeknows4755]

Good job 👍🏼

[@mattkessler7660]

you didn't show the part where you bent the rod outside the smoker for the handle. Did you bend it after you installed it or were you still able to feed it thru the hole with all the bends it it? Thanks.....BTW My sister lives in Kyle! We are up in Pflugerville....... Cheers!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I added the bends after the first test fit. I didn’t have any issues pushing it through the exterior box after adding the bends. I hope that helps!

[@katdadi1]

Great idea but won't that rod be hot as hell to the touch? Maybe a wood handle is needed.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

The rod is long enough that the heat will dissipate and doesn’t heat up. You could add a wooden handle but I haven’t needed it.

[@katdadi1]

Yeah, that makes sense. I just did mine today and put a wooden knob on it.

[@waltermentzer8716]

genius........

[@Robert-ko1ht]

What model number is your Pit boss? I have the 700 series. You should make and sell them. I don't know why pit boss doesn't offer them. Great video!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I have the Austin XL pit boss. This is a simple modification that drastically improves the pit function!

[@sj-xb4yz]

I have an 820 and my pit boss plate looks just like yours. I do have the handle.. but after a year of use, its sticks all the time unless I really heat up the smoker. I clean it every smoke. You have this issue now that you have wear? thanks!

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I haven’t notice any issues with the grill sliding. I do clean the grill on a regular basis.

[@johnmal801]

Good mod Friend...

[@IzzyEatz]

What did you do so that way it doesn’t leak or that little hole

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I didn’t have to do anything to plug hole…. I have t had any issues with heat or smoke loss.

[@IzzyEatz]

@@bbqanytimewitherictx that’s great

[@darktoadone5068]

What hardware store did you find your rod in? I looked in Ace, Home Depot and Lowes and they had no long ones.

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I picked this up from Lowes. I believe this was only 36” long.

[@greatbigredtank5122]

Zinc plated alright? Gotta be galvanized?

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

I believe the rod I have is zinc. It’s holding up great no issues!

[@sfc.sledge9943]

Which pit boss grill is that,?

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

This is the Pitboss Austin XL

[@greenhillscustomlawncarell1139]

My new pit boss came with a seat plate and rod. Sucks for these guys.

[@darellrobinson5340]

i need the specs

[@gkatsamb]

Won’t this void a warranty?

[@bbqanytimewitherictx]

Most likely. But for $400 if I can get a few years out of the pit i am not looking at warranty work.