Simple and informative comparison in less than 5 minutes. Love it.

Thank you for taking the time to make this video. It was very helpful.

Thank you! This is exactly what I was looking for, and it was directly to the point, which basically never happens

Really helpful. Thank you for taking the time to discuss these two options.

Was looking to buy one of these for my dad. Thank you for such an informative video!

Thanks for the review it helped me decide. You answered all the questions bouncing around in my head

This video answered a lot of my questions I really enjoyed the video. Nice shorts!!!

Omg, this is the video that we were looking for. Now, we can a better decision. Thanks you so much!!!

Thanks for the video! Cause of you explaining both on what they do, you helped me make up my mind. Thank you again!

Thank you Pat! I've been undecided and now I know which to purchase.

Pat, I couldn't deciede, so like you i bought both models Austin XL and CH 3. Great Video!

Thanks, Pat. This definitely cleared some things up for me.

Thanks, Patrick! This info is exactly what I needed to know.

The basics answered concisely, thanks great videa!

Great video , awesome way to explain the difference between both choices of smokers

Another very informative video! You are so right with your explanations here. I went to my local Lowe’s with intentions of buying a Pit Boss 1100 pro series, but after careful consideration I bought the new Pit Boss pro series 4 series vertical smoker. I already have a gas grill and 2 Weber kettles so it only made sense to add a vertical smoker to the collection. Enjoying the channel, keep it up!

I own a Blackstone griddle which i can cook anything on and love. I need a smoker now, and from your video it helped me decide and makes sense to get me the vertical Pit Boss. Makes total sense, thank you!!

Good review, I appreciate the insight. I already have a 4 burner Blackstone griddle so I’m gonna get a vertical smoker

Patrick, this was just the video I was looking for! I've used green eggs and other offsets for a while...but finally want to invest in a pellet smoker! ....But had THE hardest time figuring out weather to go horizontal or vertical....I was extremely close to getting one of the horizontal smokers...but thanks to you and this video, I'm going vertical! I've already got a decent grill, but yes...THANK YOU for your descriptions of the "good smoker" and "GREAT smoker" ....keep it up! Keep the BBQ videos coming.

Great video Pat! Based on your information I am headed for a vertical smoker!!

Great video. I was in the fence on which type of smoker to get. I have a weber gas grill that i love to use, this made the decision easy. Going to buy a 5 Series pellet smoker tomorrow. Thank you for the review/ information.

Excellent tutorial! That helps in my decision for a smoker!!!

Thank you! Very helpful & the exact information I was looking for.

Thanks for clearing that up. Very helpful

Very helpful video! Helped me decide to not go with a vertical smoker, exactly the info I was looking for!

Thanks! That really gives some simple perspective.

Thanks for making your video. I was on the cusp of purchasing a series 5 Pit Boss smoker, then you made me stop and think. The Austin XL looks good but it can't out grill my 22" Weber charcoal kettle and it can't smoke as good as a Pit Boss smoker. I didn't know about the series 3 smoker. When you said it was perfect for you and your wife you sold me. I am going with the smaller Pit Boss series 3. Thank you Patrick for making up my mind..lol So for my final outdoor appliances it will be a 22 inch Weber kettle, my 36 inch Blackstone Griddle(those are fun to cook on) and your recommendation of a Pit Boss series 3 vertical smoker. Ty again.

Sweet take! I have a great grill already! I’m going with the vertical pit boss.

Just got a vertical pit smoker, can't wait to try it out!!

Great video. I've been a weber kettle/wsm guy for years. I'm convinced that I want a pit boss vertical smoker now. Thanks!

I just got a Z Grills Pellet Smoker. It maintains temperature like a champ and is perfect for long smoking sessions like Briskets and Pulled Pork. I love it for that but my Fiancé and I aren’t completely satisfied with the smoke flavor since we are use to our old roommate smoker. Now I want a Vertical Smoker

Great video! So informative!!

Thank you for the video, I've never owned a pellet smoker, only off-sets. Took a lot of pride in my smoking back then, using only wood logs. After seeing the vertical at a store and the price I was very interested. Just got to save a bit and she'll be mine soon. Great info btw, again, thank you!

Excellent video! This really helped my decision. Many thanks!

Great review! Very simply outlined! I'm still on the fence if I try to talk the missus into replacing our very new BBQ... or just get the smoker. My Bradley died and time to upgrade.

I love smoking food it has become a hobby of mine recently. Good video

This is so Much help!! Thank you!! I want to surprise my husband with a smoker but our grill is going out! I didn’t know you could get both in one!! (I’m not a grill master like he is) 😂

Thanks for the video was exactly what I needed!

Great video. Just helped me decide. Thanks

For me it is a no brainer, Pellet smoker grill wins because you can do more with it. I recently got the Z-Grills 450a 2020 revised version and while I haven't even opened the box yet I know I made the right choice for me.

I have the vertical 5 series and I agree with everything in the video. My biggest frustration is the location of the control panel directly underneath the food chamber. It is so easy for grease to get on it even when just spraying down a brisket, and ash accumulates as it has to be brushed forward to be cleaned out. I like to slide out the tray to check my meat and all those drippings have messed up my LCD panel. The glass door looks nice, but after 5 hours of cooking, the glass is worthless and too hard to clean. Just a few things to consider....

Perfect. Just what I needed. I use an old school offset smoker and looking for an easier electric alternative to go with it. I was thinking the vertical to save space, and it looks like that is what I’ll get. I only want it for smoking. Thanks for this.

Greetings from Nova Scotia, Canada! Great instruction and since I already have a grill the vertical smoker is the obvious choice!! You get straight to the point which is the only way to go!!

That was handy info, cheers

Thank for the answer!

Thank you pat for help in my decision

Good video. I like you direct style. Thx.

*I have both as well (and then some lol) and here is my take on it::* I too believe that you will get a better smoke flavour out of the Vertical than your Austin XL, but I just got rid of my big Austin because it was not producing as good of a flavour as my two Traeger Barrels are producing. I have a small Traeger 20 series heavily modified that works like a dream, grilling for 4 ppl, then i have a Pro 34 for bigger events/gatherings and a Pit Boss Copperhead Vertical 3 series (like in this video). Btw, I’m not a fanboy to any particular brand at all, I’ll take what ever I can get my hands on haha.. (apparently wifey said 3 is enough, had to get rid of one) My experience has been that the small 20 series Traeger will smoke everything in a very VERY similar way like the Vertical does: Slow, steady, some temp swings but an absolute beautiful smoke ring, great flavour. Literally very similar. But my Pro 34 is more of a “Grill”, though I haven’t tried the exact same recipes on the big Pro like in the vertical and 20. But I have NOT been able to get the same smoky taste as with the other two units (same with the Austin) I’m not sure if that has to do with barrel size or what, because they have same electronics and I use same pellets, temps etc.. The Austin was even more of a “Grill” than the Pro34, less Smokey flavour but had even better temp control and burned a lot hotter too... That’s been my experience with them over the past 3 years. I do like em all though for their different strengths.. Hence why I keep 3 on hand hahah.. The one thing where I’d probably challenge this video is that there are plenty of ppl “grilling” with their vertical Pitboss. Couple of mods and you’re off to the races. However you will be at a disadvantage, due to the layout. But ppl do grill with their verticals.. And that sort of brings me to the last point: you can not smoke a big flank or brisket on a 3 series vertical WITHOUT cutting it. It just doesn’t fit, unless you “hang it”. I’ve hung stuff, specially Pork Tenderloins, but I don’t like to hang beef, specially not heavy pieces like brisket as you are stretching that meat big time (maybe string it next time??). Anyway, in contrast, I’m able to fit a 14-15 lbs brisket into my small 20 series Traeger, and it’s been giving me an amazing brisket!! So yeah.. In conclusion: If I could have only one, no doubt, it would def be a barrel smoker, but living in the country with plenty of room and having 3 different ones works too 😉😇 Much love!! Thanks for readin’.. Now GO SMOKE SOMETHIN’!!

Great video! This is the exact information I was looking for. I have a Traeger that is great for certain things, but I find that it lacks performance when smoking (I have a 575 model). I'm about to go ahead and buy myself a standup pit boss for some good long cooks. Thanks!

Very good analysis

Thank you! Great video!

Thanks for the help brother

Question answered quickly and concisely. Thanks! You helped my decision.

Very informative video. Just bought a Pit Boss PBV4ps2 vertical from Lowe’s. After watching multiple instructional videos from the American Smoke KZfaq channel I decided to buy one. It has the control panel on the side so it won’t get covered with grease. Who really needs a 60# capacity pellet hopper? I do! 5 year limited warranty. I also bought it because it has two temp probe ports, WiFi, and the vertical space will be valuable for hanging salami and bacon. Also 4 racks for lots of jerky. Bought 2 amazn smoke tubes on clearance at Walmart for $13 each! Sorry to promote the American Smoke channel on yours but he extensively covers the pros, cons, and hacks on the Pit Boss vertical. Can’t speak from personal experience but intend to get some. Thanks for the side by side comparison. It will help many make an informed decision.

ive had a vertical for a couple years, i just bought a traeger yesterday. probably keep using my vertical for long smokes and my traeger for 8 hours or less

Thank you for that info.

Fantastic video. Thank you.

Great video , sound advise.

Great video thank you !!!

Thank you you just helped me make my decision

Great information thanks

Thanks, Pat. Good information. Any chance you could do a video on using the vertical smoker? In particular, discuss the water pan, why it needs one and the Austin does not have one. Thanks.

Thanks for the video, Pat. My years in the fire service taught me that heat (and smoke) naturally travel up, then over then down. So, a vertical smoker makes better use of natural convection.

I love to smoke and I love to grill ... looks like I'm just going to end up getting both of them... Perfection is important

Nice video, great explanation

I have a vertical smoker, and weber kettle. Pretty much covers everything.

Thanks man this helped me out a lot

I know an Arizona backyard when I see one ;) Thanks for the vid 🤙🏼

Smoked hamburgers are good. And I love bakeing on it to I have both the 5 series vertical and a pb 820 sp. Pluse a charcoal grill to smoke on when I want to.i love smokers and grills.😊

My Sirius 4 from pit boss grills very well and it's the vertical I have not had a problem with grilling on mine just the only thing is if you grill in the vertical you got a grill on the very top shelf or else you will not grill I have came to find that out myself

Great video thank you

Great video!

Hi Patrick just gave you another "thumbs up!" You made my my water with the comments you sent to MM about your Brisket. Please give me the recipe and cooking instructions, thanks!!

thank you, you helped me make my decsion

Very helpful. Thinking of making my own smoker but wasn't sure which type to do.

I purchase the pitboss Memphis ultimate. Four grills in one.

Great video really straight forward description of what the units can do. However I think most people hopefully know that you do not grill with a smoker hahaha.

Pitboss also had an option with the KC Combo platinum, it's a smoker and a separate grill with the griddle option. Having a smaller smoker chamber this is absolutely amazing as far as s smoker and having a griddle hooked to it makes it perfect for me. Check that one out

great video. ty.

I smoked Beef and Turkey Burgers on mine and they turned out great

you just saved me from buying the wrong product. I was going to get the horizontal one as a smoker but the vertical one is the obvious choice.

ThanKs, Since I have a Smoke Hollow grill with charcoal and gas grill sections AND a sear grill on it. This let me know that I have no seed for a horizontal smoker. This si much appreciated.

Thanks for sharing.

I have the Austin xl and live it

Great video...

i have a vertical smoker and a charcoal grill. Both combined less than the Pellet Grill and I think I get competition results

Thanks for such an informative video! Being that sausage/meat sticks, brisket, and other lengthy smoke meats, vertical seems to be the wise choice for me. How do you feel about the finished product (compared to grilled meats, or those cooked in an electric smoker)? I've been fixated on the idea of a pellet smoker for years, but I'm also not familiar with the taste of the finished product.

I went with the vertical series 5. Because I already have a bbq to grill. So I want a dedicated smoker then.

Thank you -

When that intro music started I thought it was Two Princes

Sub'd. Great video!

I have a pitboss series 4 for smoking and charcoal for grilling

My masterbuilt vertical smoker hits 700 F and can cook burgers and steaks easy. Verticals the way to go

We have the PitBoss vertical smoker like this and love it. I was surprised to see the grill one had that great option to grill on the open flame. I know that the higher the temperature the more pellets you will use. Do you find yourself having to buy way more pellets for the PitBoss grill?

vertical all the way. smokers are for smoking not grilling. get a weber kettle for the best grilling. i have a masterbuilt smoker and its amazing.

I bought the Austin xl about a year ago, I would have got the vertical had I known they made one. Only complaint I have with the xl is the lack of smoke flavor.

This is what ive been looking for, even better that you used Pitboss products as well. Thank you for your review! Ive had a Pitboss 820 grill for 4 years and yes i agree it does smoke adequately but I have never been satisfied with the smoking flavors compared to other smoker setups. My biggest issue with it is that the airflow through the grill dries out meat surfaces too much, its been tough to smoke fish on it because of this and it tends to turn thinner meats into jerky. I just purchased the Copperhead 5 vertical smoker but my biggest concern was again because its a pellet smoker that there would be too much airflow in the unit whereas a traditional smoker the smoke would generally be static rising from the wood chips and burner. I have built the unit but have been waiting for a good answer or opinion on this before using it for the first time. What is your opinion on this, do you find there is any airflow in the vertical smoker or does the smoke circulate more naturally compared to the grill?

Any issues with the pellet grill over heating and how high temp will the vertical smoker go? Thanks very informative. I’m still trying to decide. I have a grill so maybe all I need is the smoker unit. I cook for just a small family. I read so many negative reviews on every grill I’m gun shy. Thanks for taking the time to do this video.

Great video. I would like to see a good video on electric vs propane vertical smokers.

Thanks for the video. This definitely helped with my decision. I do have a question about cooking area. For example, how many baby backs do you think you can get on both? Thanks again.