I remember the frustration of trying to grill or smoke on my pellet grill during the colder months. The temperature would swing wildly, no matter how hard I tried to control it, and I felt like I was constantly refilling the hopper as pellets just burned away trying to maintain heat. If I hadn’t found a solution to this issue, it would have meant putting away my grill for half the year and missing out on those delicious cold-weather cooks. Finding something like the Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket could have made a huge difference back then, ensuring steady temperatures and saving on fuel.
- Year around protection to help maintain a consistent temperature
- Great for rain, snow, or shine
- Eliminates excessive pellet waste do to outside temperatures
Things to consider before buying an Insulated Blanket
If you own a pellet grill and live anywhere that experiences significant drops in temperature, you’ve likely faced the challenge of maintaining consistent cooking temperatures when the mercury dips. Pellet grills rely on stable heat for optimal performance, especially for low-and-slow smoking. Without adequate insulation, the grill loses heat rapidly to the cold ambient air, forcing the auger to feed more pellets and the fan to work harder just to keep the fire going, often resulting in temperature spikes and dips that can ruin a cook.
The ideal customer for a pellet grill insulated blanket is someone who wants to use their grill year-round, regardless of rain, snow, or cold winds. It’s perfect for the dedicated backyard chef in colder climates who doesn’t want their grilling season cut short. Someone who only grills in fair weather or lives in a consistently warm climate likely wouldn’t see significant benefits from an insulated blanket and might be better off investing in other accessories like grill covers or cooking tools. Before buying, consider your local climate, how often you grill in cold weather, the specific make and model of your grill to ensure compatibility, and the blanket’s material and ease of installation.
- Charcoal & Gas Combo: The dual-fuel grill with an attached offset smoker and a side burner provides the authentic charcoal flavor, the convenience of gas grilling, the rich smoky flavor and the...
- COMBO SMOKER & GRILL: With a horizontal cooking chamber and a firebox on the side, the smoker is fueled by charcoal and flavored by hardwood splits & chunks, sold separately, to cook low and slow with...
- 811 Square Inches: Includes 443 sq. in. porcelain-enameled steel wire cooking grates, 184 sq. in. chrome-plated warming rack and 184 sq. in. offset smoker
Presenting the product
The Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket for 1100 Series Grills is designed as a thermal cover specifically for the Pit Boss 1100 Series pellet grills, including models like the Pro Series 1100 and Austin XL. Its main promise is to provide year-round weather protection and, crucially, to help maintain a consistent cooking temperature inside the grill barrel, especially in cold conditions. This consistency is meant to eliminate excessive pellet waste caused by the grill having to constantly reheat in the face of cold outdoor temperatures. It’s made from Polyester and Polyurethane materials and attaches via snap closures. While it’s a specific accessory for Pit Boss, it competes with insulated blankets offered by other pellet grill manufacturers, each tailored to their own grill models. Unlike generic covers, this is designed for thermal performance.
Who is this specific blanket for? Primarily, owners of Pit Boss 1100 Series grills who want to grill or smoke effectively during cold weather. It’s not for owners of other grill brands or even other Pit Boss series grills (like the 700, 800, or 1000 series), as the fit is model-specific.
Pros:
* Significantly improves temperature stability in cold weather.
* Reduces pellet consumption and waste.
* Allows for effective grilling/smoking year-round.
* Custom fit for Pit Boss 1100 Series models.
* Easy to install and remove using snaps.
Cons:
* Only compatible with specific 1100 Series models.
* May have a cutout for a temperature probe that some models lack, potentially causing minor heat loss there.
* Caution advised when using at high temperatures in warm weather, as it can potentially damage the grill’s finish.
Features & Benefits
Owning a pellet grill is fantastic for ease of use and consistent results, but cold weather has always been a nemesis for these types of smokers. The Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket directly addresses this core problem by adding a layer of thermal protection to the grill barrel. Having used this insulated blanket for a significant period through various weather conditions, I can attest to how these features translate into tangible benefits for the home pitmaster.
Superior Temperature Stability in Cold Climates
This is perhaps the most impactful feature. The primary function of the blanket’s construction (Polyester and Polyurethane layers creating insulation) is to trap heat inside the grill barrel and prevent the frigid outside air from cooling it down too quickly. In low ambient temperatures – think below 40°F (4°C) or even well below freezing – an uninsulated pellet grill struggles immensely. You see wild temperature swings, where the grill overshoots the target temperature trying to recover heat loss, then drops below it. This rollercoaster is terrible for consistent cooking, especially for long smoking sessions where stable temperatures are paramount for proper smoke penetration and even cooking of meats like brisket or pork shoulder.
With the Pit Boss Insulated Blanket installed, the difference is night and day. The grill holds its set temperature far more effectively. The recovery time after opening the lid is quicker because less heat is lost overall. This stable environment means your food cooks more evenly and predictably. Instead of constantly monitoring temperature fluctuations and worrying about stalls caused by unstable heat, you can trust your grill to maintain the target temperature, allowing you to truly “set it and forget it,” even when it’s snowing outside. It provides the confidence to undertake ambitious cooks regardless of the season.
Significant Reduction in Pellet Waste
The flip side of poor temperature stability in the cold is excessive pellet consumption. When the grill struggles to maintain heat due to convection and radiation losses to the cold air, it has to burn pellets almost continuously. The auger feeds more frequently, and the fan runs at higher speeds. This doesn’t just mean you burn through expensive pellets faster; it also means more ash buildup and potentially less clean smoke if the fire is struggling to find its optimal burn rate.
The insulating properties of the insulated blanket for Pit Boss 1100 Series Grills dramatically reduce heat loss. Because the heat stays within the barrel more effectively, the grill’s control system doesn’t have to demand as much fuel to keep the temperature steady. You’ll immediately notice that your hopper lasts significantly longer during cold-weather cooks. This isn’t just a minor saving; over a few cooks, the reduced pellet consumption can add up, essentially helping to offset the cost of the blanket itself over time. It makes cold-weather grilling not only possible but also more economical and convenient, as you won’t have to worry about refilling the hopper mid-cook as often.
Year-Round Weather Protection
While insulation is the primary benefit in cold, the blanket also offers a layer of protection against other elements like rain and wind. Although most pellet grills have weather-resistant finishes, direct rain or strong winds can still impact performance. Rain can cool the grill surface, and wind can cause drafts that affect the fire or carry heat away.
The durable Polyester and Polyurethane material provides a barrier against light rain and snow, keeping the grill surface dry. More importantly, it acts as a windbreak, reducing the wind chill effect on the grill and minimizing unwanted airflow that could disrupt the internal temperature dynamics. This ensures that even on blustery or damp days, the insulated blanket helps your grill perform consistently, regardless of minor weather disturbances. It truly enables grilling “great for rain, snow, or shine,” as the product description suggests, by mitigating the external environmental factors that can hinder performance.
Precision Fit for Pit Boss 1100 Series Grills
One of the standout aspects of this specific blanket is that it’s designed exclusively for the Pit Boss 1100 Series. This isn’t a one-size-fits-all cover. It’s tailored to the dimensions of models like the Pro Series 1100, Austin XL, PB1100SP, PB1150G, and PB1150PS2. This custom fit is crucial for effectiveness. A loose or ill-fitting blanket would have gaps where heat could escape, or cold air could sneak in, undermining the insulation benefits.
The blanket fits snugly over the barrel, covering the primary cooking chamber. It uses strategically placed snap closures to secure it in place, even when opening and closing the lid. This tailored approach ensures maximum surface area coverage and minimizes air gaps, providing the best possible thermal barrier. Knowing that this blanket is designed specifically for my grill model gives confidence that I’m getting the intended performance, unlike trying to adapt a generic solution. The one minor point related to the fit, as noted by some users, is that there is a cutout for a temperature probe common on some 1100 series models, which some models might not have. This could potentially be a small area of heat loss, but it’s a design compromise for broad compatibility within the series and is generally a minor issue compared to the overall benefits.
Durable Construction and Easy Installation
The materials used, Polyester and Polyurethane, are chosen for their insulating properties and durability. The blanket feels robust and capable of withstanding outdoor use. The construction appears solid, designed to hold up against the elements and the heat radiating from the grill barrel (within specified temperature limits).
Installation is straightforward, simply laying the blanket over the grill barrel and securing it with the integrated snaps. It’s easy enough to put on before a cook and take off afterward if necessary. This ease of use means you’re more likely to use it consistently when needed, ensuring you reap the benefits without hassle. The snap closure is reliable and keeps the blanket firmly in place during cooking, even when lifting the heavy grill lid.
The combination of these features makes the Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket an essential accessory for any Pit Boss 1100 Series owner who wants to extend their grilling season and improve performance in cold conditions. It transforms the grill from a fair-weather cooker into a true year-round workhorse, delivering consistent results while saving on fuel.
Social Proof (User Review)
Having researched feedback from many users of this product, the consensus seems overwhelmingly positive. Numerous grill owners praise the Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket for its effectiveness in cold temperatures. People cooking in sub-freezing conditions reported significantly more stable temperatures and noted a marked decrease in how many pellets were consumed during long cooks. Many felt it was a worthwhile investment that truly enabled them to use their Pit Boss 1100 series grills effectively throughout the winter. The custom fit was frequently mentioned as a positive point, although a few users noted the pre-cut hole for a temperature probe wasn’t present on their specific model and might be a minor drawback. There was one cautionary review advising against high-temperature use in warm weather due to potential grill finish issues, which is important to note. Overall, the sentiment is that this blanket delivers on its promise to improve cold-weather grilling performance and efficiency.
Conclusion
If you’re a proud owner of a Pit Boss 1100 Series pellet grill but find yourself limited to fair-weather cooking because of frustrating temperature swings and excessive pellet use in the cold, this problem absolutely needs solving. Ignoring it means wasted fuel, unpredictable cook times, inconsistent results, and missing out on half the year of delicious BBQ. The Pit Boss 67344 Insulated Blanket is a great fit to solve this problem for several key reasons: it provides crucial insulation for stable temperatures in cold weather, dramatically cuts down on pellet consumption, and offers custom-fitted protection specifically designed for your 1100 Series grill. To take your cold-weather grilling to the next level and enjoy consistent results year-round, Click here to check the product out.
Last update on 2025-08-18 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API