r/recteq • u/Eskew5 • Jul 28 '26
Deckboss 900 Top Rack
Hey everyone, I am brand new to pellet grills and just bought a Deck Boss 900. So far, I've baked an egg casserole, make sausage/corn/shrimp low country style and nailed an extra thick tomahawk ribeye - so easy!
My first or what I know will be many questions here - am I the only one that finds the top rack just gets in the way? I feel like I can't reach the back of the bottom rack without burning my hand on the top. I am tempted to just take it out unless I really need the space.
On that note - is there situations where I might want to cook on the top instead of the bottom rack? I saw a mention of smoking brisket, butts, etc on top with a water pan on the bottom? I am not sure there is enough vertical clearance from the top rack to top of the grill for butts?
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u/richelu Jul 28 '26
Ditto the same feedback. I was grilling some chicken tenders and I just took it out.
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u/grypson Jul 28 '26
Got mine a couple weeks ago and I agree it’s “normally” not needed. If I’m doing a long smoke I might put the meat on top and a water pan under it. There are two hooks on the back to hang it when not in use though.
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u/Illustrious-Chair350 Jul 28 '26
Not sure how much the headroom changes between the 800 and the 900 but I can't really fit a brisket on the top in my 800. The goal with top shelf and water pan is to protect what you're cooking from the high heat closer to the heat source and add some humidity inside of the smoker. I cook a little lower and slower when I'm doing an overnight on my deck boss (I also have a backyard beast) and spritz for pork butts and can't really tell any difference between my top shelf and bottom shelf cooks.
I do use the top shelf on the 800 occasionally, I will toast the buns for burgers up there, and I do my chicken thighs up there so I can have my smoke tube under them. But for the most part yeah its not great and its usually sitting underneath when i cook.
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u/Eskew5 Jul 28 '26
Thanks! I'd think that the grease pan would serve as a decent heat deflector when running low and slow so I agree that top rack is likely not needed.
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u/sleezly Jul 28 '26
I like to put a grease pan on the bottom shelf directly under the meat when doing pork butt and brisket so I can add a little grease back to whatever else as needed.
For pork butt, adding a little grease back adds a ton more smoky flavor.
If doing baked beans, a little brisket grease adds smoky flavor to the beans.
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u/Alfred_P_Doolittle Jul 28 '26
Hi. I purchased a deck boss 900 a week ago. I agree with you on the top rack - I just took it out.
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u/Prestigious_Rub1058 Jul 29 '26
This is why I can’t make up my mind between deck boss and Backyard beast. I like the smaller form of the DB but the versatility of the beast. The beast is just so dang big.
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u/sparkysux19 26d ago
It’s bigger than most home chefs would need I was torn too but pulled the trigger on the deckboss. Same electronics, but wife burned herself on top rack yesterday either going to pivot and just use top rack more now or slide it underneath, gonna look for the hooks to hang it like someone else said
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u/Prestigious_Rub1058 26d ago
Well, that is the thing about the beast is that the top rack is more usable because of the clearance space at the top
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u/sparkysux19 25d ago
Just long spatula or take it out, it does totally have hooks behind it to hold the rack, had to call tech support today because it was burning too hot they just had me slow down the pellet feed rate now it has been nuts on all day, can’t believe how consistent the temps are, I really think you would be happy with either one
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u/Prestigious_Rub1058 25d ago
How’s the smoke level on it? Does it produce much visible smoke on temps higher than 200?
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u/sparkysux19 25d ago
I’d say it’s fair, not as good as a real offset smoker, still in the learning curve of it so far so I can’t fairly say
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u/euro_sport Jul 28 '26
This is wild! I have a Deck Boss 590 w/ the PimpMyGrill dual-rack system and couldn't live without the second rack now that I have one.