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Best temp control.. Stoker or Guru

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bigchef1995
bigchef1995 Posts: 17
in EggHead Forum
Looking at getting one of these for temp control. Any thoughts on which one is better?
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,188
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    I'm not a fan of the Stoker I bought...
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  • texaswig
    texaswig Posts: 2,682
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    I'm a fan and owner of the stoker. One nice thing it does over guru is it will run multiple pits for you.  But you need more probes and fans. 

    2-XLs ,MM,blackstone,Ooni koda 16,R&V works 8.5 gallon fryer,express smoker and 40" smoking cajun 

    scott 
    Greenville Tx
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  • SoCalTim
    SoCalTim Posts: 2,158
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    Both are great, may I suggest ... if your looking for convenience or are tailgating and have no place to plug in, I'd take a look @ BBQ Guru's Party Q .. battery operated (I get about 15 hrs + from the batteries) .. It's sweet.
    I've slow smoked and eaten so much pork, I'm legally recognized as being part swine - Chatsworth Ca.
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  • Stephenll
    Stephenll Posts: 4
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    Long time user of the Stoker.  Very happy with it.  I use it with a XL and a Large Egg.  I only have experience with the Stoker.  So happy with them, I purchased a wireless one when it came out.
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
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    You're asking for input on a wifi unit and a non-wifi unit ... seems like you're asking for input on apples vs oranges. 

    I started with a BBQ Guru as my first controller.  I love graph porn and remote control, so thought later about adding the stoker.  Several forum members speak highly about the unit.  But then, several forum members cuss at the unit ... problems hooking up to the internet, lack of service response, and lack of parts a year or so ago. 

    When the FlameBoss 200 became available, I jumped on it ... my son had already purchase a FB 100 unit, so I was familiar with the FB product and their service support.   I'm an IT idiot, so it's ability to easily hook up to my router was very appealing.  I've had no problems with my unit.  FlameBoss support is the best.

    So, do add the FB 200 to your search ... or the FB 100 unit if you're not interested in wifi capability.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
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    @DoubleEgger Why? Please elaborate. Have you tried to get it resolved with Rock's?

    For me I'm very satisfied with my Wi-Fi Stoker which is almost 3 yrs old. I can't comment on Guru as I've never owned nor used one. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited November 2015
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    Biggest Stoker plus is its expandability to multiple pits and probes. Also it will adapt to virtually any pit whether it be a Komado style cooker or stickburner. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,188
    edited November 2015
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    Yes. I've tried to get it resolved through Rock's.  I'm on my second unit with them with the same problem. The wifi quits working after several hours. I've ruined a few cooks due to this. Having to get up every 1 1/2 hrs throughout the night to verify that the Stoker is working defeats the purpose of having it. I used it on the Gold brisket and was up all night long babysitting it. It cut off on me and I had to reset 1 hr into the cook. Wifi was disabled. It took me countless times contacting them before they responded to me. They asked me to send them my unit for repairs. They tried to blame the problems on me insinuating that I had dropped and damaged the unit. After I called them out, they kept claiming that it worked. I had to call and email them a least a dozen times over a month or so with no response before they sent me a "replacement unit". I was ready to call the BBB on them. Yesterday I had to recalibrate four probes between 36 and 38 degrees. The wifi still doesn't work. I reached out to them again and never got a response. I quit trying in an effort to maintain my sanity. The Stoker is easily the biggest POS I have ever purchased and was a total waste of $500. 




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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
    edited November 2015
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    Michael. I'm not an IT guy but, I had the loss of communication thing happening when I first started out. What we determined was when there was no activity on the network or computer the system/computer (not Stoker) would essentially go to sleep mode which in turn caused loss of communication. We had to do something on settings and that corrected it. I don't recall how or what we did because it's been well over 2 yrs. Maybe @dmw @cazzy @nolaegghead or other techy guys can shed light on this. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,188
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    I cut the sleep mode off on my MacBook in an effort to solve the problem to no avail. I'm definitely not an IT guy so any advice from the IT crowd here is appreciated. The "customer" service on this site is second to none! 
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  • NPHuskerFL
    NPHuskerFL Posts: 17,629
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    @bigchef1995 If Wi-Fi etc aren't important and you simply want somewhat automated temp control on L&S cooks @RRP purchased a unit that essentially works off of a bimetalic spring that opens and closes the top for airflow/temp control. Pretty cool unit IMHO. 
    LBGE 2013 & MM 2014
    Die Hard HUSKER & BRONCO FAN
    Flying Low & Slow in "Da Burg" FL
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,898
    edited November 2015
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    NPHuskerFL said:
    @RRP purchased a unit that essentially works off of a bimetalic spring that opens and closes the top for airflow/temp control. Pretty cool unit IMHO. 
    For $30 the TipTop works and is a no brainer! Last Sunday I let it baby sit my 5 hour spare ribs at 250º. Here it sits in the male half of my SmokeWare cap.



    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • EggSmokeVa
    EggSmokeVa Posts: 378
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    The Guru is FANTASTIC
    Large BGE
    36" BlackStone
    Backwoods G2 Party
    Yard full of other stuff to cook on

    RVA -> Chesapeake Va
    Professional Drinker & Home Cook
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  • YukonRon
    YukonRon Posts: 16,989
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    Used the Guru about 100 times, never had the first issue. I have used in heavy rain, heavy snow, all night and never had a problem on any cook, as long as you have the Lump to work with.
    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
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  • Jeepster47
    Jeepster47 Posts: 3,827
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    RRP said:
    NPHuskerFL said:
    @RRP purchased a unit that essentially works off of a bimetalic spring that opens and closes the top for airflow/temp control. Pretty cool unit IMHO. 
    For $30 the TipTop works and is a no brainer! Last Sunday I let it baby sit my 5 hour spare ribs at 250º. Here it sits in the male half of my SmokeWare cap.
    @RRP ... are you going to try it tonight?


    pssst: let's see what he says ... you see the *&$%^ snow and winds are visiting us today.  Damn stuff ... hey Canadians, just keep it and stop the sharing.

    Washington, IL  >  Queen Creek, AZ ... Two large eggs and an adopted Mini Max

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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 25,898
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    Jeepster47 said:

    @RRP ... are you going to try it tonight?


    pssst: let's see what he says ... you see the *&$%^ snow and winds are visiting us today.  Damn stuff ... hey Canadians, just keep it and stop the sharing.
    Nope!!! Actually I did grill one of our favorite comfort foods last night - ground pork burgers from Rabers in Peoria topped with melted pepper jack cheese further topped with grilled onions then on a bun with BBQ sauce. Makes my eyes roll back in my head like a gator! The egg didn't cool in time to get the cover on so here's what the area looks like today with all that wet snow! 

    Sooooo, tonight will be steak au poivre inside and chili tomorrow!

    Re-gasketing America one yard at a time.
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  • Tspud1
    Tspud1 Posts: 1,486
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    YukonRon said:
    Used the Guru about 100 times, never had the first issue. I have used in heavy rain, heavy snow, all night and never had a problem on any cook, as long as you have the Lump to work with.
    Since big Green Egg sells one, it has to be better than either of these.
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  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
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    Actually the OP is asking for opinions between 2 temp control units so I do consider that apples to apples.  Features differentiate the products.   I can only chime in on the Stoker as I have had 3 different Stoker units.  Not a lick of trouble with any of the units with one exception.  My original white Stoker had water damage so I sent it back the Rocks and they replaced all my connectors and performed a firmware update for around $25. My Stoker WiFi II is the best of all 3 units.  Much faster is the reason.   I use the remote access feature and graph all my cooks so that is a real plus for me.  Best way to communicate with Rocks is by phone.  Email and voice messages don't seem as effective.   Good luck and feel free to ask more questions.  
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
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  • Dobie
    Dobie Posts: 3,365
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    CyberQ if you want wifi on the guru products. My CyberQ has been great. Cant go wrong with either.   
    Jacksonville FL
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,832
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    @DoubleEgger - I am in no condition to assist tonight, but I will help you figure out if it is the Stoker or your WiFi that is the problem.
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • swordsmn
    swordsmn Posts: 683
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    I am a BBQ GURU/CyberQ fan.  Might give Flameboss 200 a serious look if I really wanted to monitor outside my wifi range. 
    LBGE, AR.  Lives in N.E. ATL
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  • DoubleEgger
    DoubleEgger Posts: 17,188
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    Does RTIC sell temp control units?  ;)
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