Best Temperature Controller Right Now

Hank_Stamper

My Flame Boss 100 is giving up the ghost, so I’m planning to purchase a new temperature controller in the next few months.  Last I heard the FB 200 was the state of the art, but I’m wondering if anything better has come out or if anything is supposed to come out in the next few months that’s worth waiting for.

 

Thanks.

noveggske

There is a flameboss 300 that is just being released.  The Smobot is also crowd funding right now but it requires modifying the daisy wheel which I don't think is a great option... 

lkapigian

If you want expandability, Stoker is king ( but a PITA for non techy people to set up )

PatBateman

I purchased a CyberQ during their St Pats sale (20% off) and directly asked the sales rep if they were placed on sale because something was coming out to replace them... She said that there was something in the works, but would not give a time-table for release. Just an FYI for anyone in the market right now.

Carolina Q

noveggske said:

...The Smobot is also crowd funding right now but it requires modifying the daisy wheel which I don't think is a great option... 

"Modifying" isn't really accurate. Unscrewing the daisy petals (one screw) and replacing with the Smobot (reusing same screw) isn't really a mod. It will take about 30 seconds and is completely reversible to stock... in another 30 seconds.

That said, when my DigiQ decides to quit, I just plan to say... oh well. I hardly use it as it is. No way I will buy another. And if I did, I would never spend extra for wifi.

HeavyG

noveggske said:

There is a flameboss 300 that is just being released.  The Smobot is also crowd funding right now but it requires modifying the daisy wheel which I don't think is a great option... 

You don't have to modify the top vent to use the SmoBot. You just unbolt the movable top and bolt the SmoBot on in its place.

If you want to go back to the original daisy wheel you just swap it back in - ten seconds and done.

Smobot - https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smobot/smobot-robotic-grill-and-smoker-controller/description

Last few days and they could use some more folks backing their effort!

Kent8621

I have the FB300 and the only complaint I have is that I slept through the notifications on an overnight cook.  it ran hot because I forgot to close the vents trying to get to bed at midnight after a 70 hour work week, so my fault not the FB.

Cookbook_Chip

+1 Stoker 

Mikea5232

I just bought the cyber q,  the differences between the flameboss 300 and the cyberq are what?   Flameboss has a graph? 

michigan_jason

I like my digiq dx2, but honestly after years of egging, I rarely use the thing! 

DoubleEgger

Buy a Stoker if you like cursing and aggravation coupling with terrible customer service. 

dgordon2nc

Just bought cyberq here on the st pats say sale. I love it!

tarheelmatt

Nothing against you, but I don't care for these posts. It's subjective really. 

I find the Party Q to be the right choice for me. I don't have AC really close to my table and don't want to rely on that, so I like the battery options. Costco batteries are cheap. 

Only time I need one is for overnight baby sitting g, otherwise I'll monitor.  

eggingout1983

Cyber Q 

Thomasc18

Mark. Intertested in what you all have to say

Legume

Only 14 replies and I think every kind of controller has already been mentioned except the TIptop thing.  Anyone have a pic and pros of that one?

Why is HeavyG is 3x faster with a screwdriver than CarolinaQ?

Why so cranky Matt?  Nerves?

Jeepster47

tarheelmatt said:

Nothing against you, but I don't care for these posts. It's subjective really. 

I find the Party Q to be the right choice for me. I don't have AC really close to my table and don't want to rely on that, so I like the battery options. Costco batteries are cheap. 

Only time I need one is for overnight baby sitting g, otherwise I'll monitor.  

@tarheelmatt ... in general you're correct.  Our love for a particular controller is very subjective.  But, most posters in this thread, just like you, explained their reason(s) for why they think their controller is best.  That's the real value in threads like this one.

I like to see a plot of what has happened with the pit temp and how the protein is reacting over time.  Thus, my DigiQ has not seen the light of day for almost two years.  The Flameboss 200 satisfies my lust for graph porn ... my SmoBot is also a great option.

As to battery operation, all of the controllers will run on an external lithium ion battery pack.

@Kent8621 ... a longer and louder and more obnoxious ring tone is needed your smartphone.  Or a wife who sleeps lighter than you do! 

tarheelmatt

Legume said:

Only 14 replies and I think every kind of controller has already been mentioned except the TIptop thing.  Anyone have a pic and pros of that one?

Why is HeavyG is 3x faster with a screwdriver than CarolinaQ?

Why so cranky Matt?  Nerves?

I'm on edge Bean.  

Not only is this game on my mind, we have a mouthy three year old tonight that, with about three personalities.  

tarheelmatt

Jeepster47 said:

tarheelmatt said:

Nothing against you, but I don't care for these posts. It's subjective really. 

I find the Party Q to be the right choice for me. I don't have AC really close to my table and don't want to rely on that, so I like the battery options. Costco batteries are cheap. 

Only time I need one is for overnight baby sitting g, otherwise I'll monitor.  

@tarheelmatt ... in general you're correct.  Our love for a particular controller is very subjective.  But, most posters in this thread, just like you, explained their reason(s) for why they think their controller is best.  That's the real value in threads like this one.

I like to see a plot of what has happened with the pit temp and how the protein is reacting over time.  Thus, my DigiQ has not seen the light of day for almost two years.  The Flameboss 200 satisfies my lust for graph porn ... my SmoBot is also a great option.

As to battery operation, all of the controllers will run on an external lithium ion battery pack.

@Kent8621 ... a longer and louder and more obnoxious ring tone is needed your smartphone.  Or a wife who sleeps lighter than you do! 

No, I get the post, but no one will every come out of this saying "Hmm... that tipsy turvy twirly thing is the cats meow".  

It seems too that some folks believe they need these controllers on every cook instead of learning their cooker.  

Maybe I am cranky... Sorry.  

Jeremiah

Sold mine. Personally I don't see the need for one with the egg. If you take the time to prep it; clean it out, stack good lump, etc. it'll ride as long as needed. 

JohnInCarolina

A good old-fashioned chair and beer seems to work for me.  

bgebrent

JohnInCarolina said:

A good old-fashioned chair and beer seems to work for me.  

That and the bottom vent.

blasting

I'm with @Jeremiah .  Sold my controller and never looked back.

Jeepster47

Luddites, one and all!!!

Hntnhrd

So far the bottom vent open a little and the daisy wheel have worked real well.

LKNEgg

Vote for the FB 200!  I like it for simplicity, graphs, and works as advertised.  Like others, rarely use except for 5 plus hr cooks or overnight!

lkapigian

DoubleEgger said:

Buy a Stoker if you like cursing and aggravation coupling with terrible customer service. 

And make sure there is a 10 year old in the house so they can set up the wifi

blind99

bgebrent said:

JohnInCarolina said:

A good old-fashioned chair and beer seems to work for me.  

That and the bottom vent.

Wiseasses 

i want wifi on everything!

bgebrent

blind99 said:

bgebrent said:

JohnInCarolina said:

A good old-fashioned chair and beer seems to work for me.  

That and the bottom vent.

Wiseasses 

i want wifi on everything!

Cheater newbie 

Canugghead

Legume said:

...
Why is HeavyG is 3x faster with a screwdriver than CarolinaQ?
...

took him 9 minutes longer to reply though, go figure 

4Runner

Stoker. Easy to setup and very stable.  No issues and I have about 7 years experience.