Smobot thoughts...

JNDATHP · August 2017

So have used the Smobot for a few cooks now. Here are my thoughts:

Pros - it just works as promoted. Set a temp and forget it.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/lc/tccmwluh7cm0.png

What I think needs improvement:

1. I would like the ability to set alarm temps for food probes 1 & 2. Also if the grill grate temperature exceeds the set temp by say 25 degrees. I'm still using my iGrill 2 as you can see.

2. The option to stay local to the Smobot, without connecting to the cloud. I got the following error, leading me to believe that their cloud server is down. I looked up the IP in my DHCP table and was able to connect to its web page, locally, but this could be a problem for some.

Cloud error:

3. The micro USB power connector is a little sloppy. I've tried it with a few different cables and if you move the cable or Smobot, the power is disconnected.

Here is tonight's meal:

Overall? The Smobot does work and it works very well. With some improvements I think it will only get better.

I did ask if they would publish an API so I could integrate with our smart home but haven't heard back. The things I think need improving could easily be handled if I had the API.

Thanks for looking...

Jeremiah · August 2017

Thanks for the thoughts. I want one pretty bad, just saving my pennies. What really draws me to this one over the others is the lack of a fan. I like simplicity, and ease of use.

HeavyG · August 2017

They did just recently update the web site from the old version that you needed to manually refresh your browser and I'm sure they'll roll out high/low alarms at some point.

I bought two SmoBots but I have only played with one so far. The USB port in the one I have used seems solid - I haven't noticed any power disconnects due to that.

What I have had happen a couple of times is that the external battery pack they included has an on/off switch that I have accidentally pressed and turned off power to the SmoBot unit a couple of times when picking the unit and battery up to move to a different location. I went ahead and bought a different external battery that doesn't have a power button that can be accidentally triggered.

JNDATHP · August 2017

Thanks for the info, HeavyG. The power connection problem is probably unique to my unit, but I wanted to give some insights into my usage.

I, too, Jeremiah, like the simplicity of the unit. And I like that I can power it with a battery pack.

I am am very happy with it keeping temperature.

HeavyG · August 2017

I'd contact them and mention your USB port problem. I'm betting they'll make it right.

Actually the SmoBot guy is a member of the forum and has participated in many of these threads and will probably see this thread and respond.

lousubcap · August 2017

@JNDATHP Don't care about the functionality or the alphabet soup for descriptions but man that tri-tip looks like a home-run result. Congrats.
I'll get the tech deal later.

CanDid · August 2017

I want one pretty bad too, but have some other eggcessories I need to get first. If it were up to me I would just buy everything I want now, but SWMBO would never allow that so I have to drag it out to prevent sticker shock.

I had already made my mind up on the FlameBoss when it came time to purchase a temp. control unit until I saw this. Will hopefully have me a Smobot by years end.

GrillSgt · August 2017

I like it because I can just take the daisy back and forth to the lake.

Ozzie_Isaac · August 2017

@reinhart36 is the owners handle...

Eric and Curtis are good people and off to an amazing start with their new company. They are very responsive and always looking for feedback.

reinhart36 · August 2017

@JNDATHP

Howdy - thanks for posting about your smobot controller experience so far. I greatly appreciate it!

I'll try to address your comments here, where I have something to add:

1) Alarms: We agree, and that's something we described as "coming soon" in the kickstarter. We're actively working on it, though that's a feature that will be better supported when the mobile apps are released. Did you have issues with setpoint wandering off that far?

2) We've just implemented some BIG updates to the cloud support, and as such, a few bugs have manifested as server errors. We _think_ those have already been fixed as of the time of my response though.

There is local monitoring support. Just scroll down in the smobot controller user interface menu to the IP address when it's connected to your home network:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/ic/uuc0ubnlkzqk.jpg

You can just put the displayed IP address into your browser (the IP displayed on your controller, not mine ;-) ), and get local monitoring info. Internet service/cloud support isn't required for controller function or local monitoring.

3) That doesn't sound good. I'd say there might be a defective connector on your unit, and what you describe is something we've not heard of or encountered before.

Send us back your controller and we'll swap it out. Just contact us through email anytime and we'll have new gear for you within a couple days. That's true for anyone who has a smobot.

Kind regards,
Eric

westernbbq · August 2017

I have onlyndealt with Eric and he is great. I have two smobots with a third being gifted to me from an associate,

Really looking forward to the simpicity of smobot
Although this week i have a big catering cook volunteer job to do and will be using the guru for that one...

StillH2OEgger · August 2017

I used my Smobot for the first time this weekend. I had a bone-headed oversight while plugging in the damper (or so I thought) and it was initially non-reponsive. I emailed to the link on their website and got a thorough response from Curtis almost immediately. He identified the issue right away and it ran like a champ for the remainder of my 10-plus hour cook. The wifi setup was easy (even for someone like me who struggles with the simplest of tech tasks). I considered other options for a while and was glad when I heard about this project because I like the fan-free simplicity. I am very satisfied with the purchase and customer service.

westernbbq · August 2017

@StillH2OEgger, i just gave up my blackberry and got a samsung 7 i think
Ill get the bbq apps figured out and match up the guru

How difficult was it? I am technical enough to be dangerous...,

Stormbringer · August 2017

westernbbq said:

@StillH2OEgger, i just gave up my blackberry and got a samsung 7 i think
Ill get the bbq apps figured out and match up the guru

How difficult was it? I am technical enough to be dangerous...,

At least you realise this ... the really dangerous people are the oblivious

StillH2OEgger · August 2017

westernbbq said:

@StillH2OEgger, i just gave up my blackberry and got a samsung 7 i think
Ill get the bbq apps figured out and match up the guru

How difficult was it? I am technical enough to be dangerous...,

It was like three steps and all very easily spelled out and accomplished.

TheToast · August 2017

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

JNDATHP · August 2017

I recommend the Smobot. As others have said, I like the fanless feature and that it just works as advertised.

Sodak70 · August 2017

I used my smobot for the first time yesterday with some turbo ribs and it worked great. I let it go after I took the ribs off and it stayed at the same 350 degrees for another 7 hours.

GrillSgt · August 2017

Awesome test run Sodak70

GrillSgt · August 2017

Is there any hardware upgrades currently in beta or near beta, or are the upgrades software related?

Smokin_Trout · August 2017

This thing holds the temp where you put it. I played with it while making burgers last week, set to 210 then back it down to 190, back up to 300, ran like a champ.

Since I just made my best brisket over 15 hours, I would say I am sticking with it!
Put the brisket on Saturday night, went kayaking Sunday about 10am, monitored the cook and knew when to end kayaking. Came home and probed the brisket, wrapped it and stuck it in a cooler.

Nice work by the guys. Couple of alarms and ability to save cook setups and this will be even better.

HeavyG · August 2017

TheToast said:

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

I would certainly recommend the SmoBot.

However, there is one scenario that might be problematic for some when used with a kamado.

I used mine a week or so ago to smoke/finish off a chuck roast that I had in the hot tub for a couple of days prior. It wasn't a long cook - a couple of hours at 275°F. After I pulled the roast I was just curious how the SmoBot would respond to lowering the temp down to 225°F and see if it could hold that.

Setting the temp to 225°F caused the SmoBot to totally shut the damper as I would expect. The problem was that since it takes a kamado longer to shed heat that almost totally extinguished the fire and the SmoBot even after it opened the vent 100% never really was able to revive the fire and hold 225°F. In this case having a blower fan likely would have helped revive the fire. Or not.

Dropping the temp on a metal Kettle or WSM would likely not have been a problem since they cool down more quickly and the coals may not have been starved for so long.

My experiment may have just been a fluke (lump piles can sometimes be less than cooperative) and in a repeat scenario the fire may have recovered just fine. I'll play that scene again the next time I use it. Also, I've never really had a need to drop the temp like that for a real cook so for me it's not a real problem. I was just curious.

To be fair, I should also say that I did this on my KJ Jr. The damper wasn't intended to fit on the Jr. but it does in a slightly off center way. The vent area of a KJ Jr. is smaller to begin with and the damper skewed off center will reduce the total vent area a bit more so that may have impacted the reviving the fire effort.

Ozzie_Isaac · August 2017

HeavyG said:

TheToast said:

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

I would certainly recommend the SmoBot.

However, there is one scenario that might be problematic for some when used with a kamado.

I used mine a week or so ago to smoke/finish off a chuck roast that I had in the hot tub for a couple of days prior. It wasn't a long cook - a couple of hours at 275°F. After I pulled the roast I was just curious how the SmoBot would respond to lowering the temp down to 225°F and see if it could hold that.

Setting the temp to 225°F caused the SmoBot to totally shut the damper as I would expect. The problem was that since it takes a kamado longer to shed heat that almost totally extinguished the fire and the SmoBot even after it opened the vent 100% never really was able to revive the fire and hold 225°F. In this case having a blower fan likely would have helped revive the fire. Or not.

Dropping the temp on a metal Kettle or WSM would likely not have been a problem since they cool down more quickly and the coals may not have been starved for so long.

My experiment may have just been a fluke (lump piles can sometimes be less than cooperative) and in a repeat scenario the fire may have recovered just fine. I'll play that scene again the next time I use it. Also, I've never really had a need to drop the temp like that for a real cook so for me it's not a real problem. I was just curious.

To be fair, I should also say that I did this on my KJ Jr. The damper wasn't intended to fit on the Jr. but it does in a slightly off center way. The vent area of a KJ Jr. is smaller to begin with and the damper skewed off center will reduce the total vent area a bit more so that may have impacted the reviving the fire effort.

I have done the same on my XL and the fire stayed lit. Tried it on my MM and the fire went out.

I was using a beta unit with a smokeware adapter to run the Smobot on my MM.

StillH2OEgger · August 2017

TheToast said:

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

I don't have experience with any of the other more popular units available. There seem to be enough fans of the Flame Boss on here that I wouldn't think twice about going that route. Having said that, the Smobot works great in my very limited experience and am happy I waited for the Smobot. Bottom line, I'm sure you'll be pleased with whatever you end up with.

HeavyG · August 2017

Ozzie_Isaac said:

HeavyG said:

TheToast said:

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

I would certainly recommend the SmoBot.

However, there is one scenario that might be problematic for some when used with a kamado.

I used mine a week or so ago to smoke/finish off a chuck roast that I had in the hot tub for a couple of days prior. It wasn't a long cook - a couple of hours at 275°F. After I pulled the roast I was just curious how the SmoBot would respond to lowering the temp down to 225°F and see if it could hold that.

Setting the temp to 225°F caused the SmoBot to totally shut the damper as I would expect. The problem was that since it takes a kamado longer to shed heat that almost totally extinguished the fire and the SmoBot even after it opened the vent 100% never really was able to revive the fire and hold 225°F. In this case having a blower fan likely would have helped revive the fire. Or not.

Dropping the temp on a metal Kettle or WSM would likely not have been a problem since they cool down more quickly and the coals may not have been starved for so long.

My experiment may have just been a fluke (lump piles can sometimes be less than cooperative) and in a repeat scenario the fire may have recovered just fine. I'll play that scene again the next time I use it. Also, I've never really had a need to drop the temp like that for a real cook so for me it's not a real problem. I was just curious.

To be fair, I should also say that I did this on my KJ Jr. The damper wasn't intended to fit on the Jr. but it does in a slightly off center way. The vent area of a KJ Jr. is smaller to begin with and the damper skewed off center will reduce the total vent area a bit more so that may have impacted the reviving the fire effort.

I have done the same on my XL and the fire stayed lit. Tried it on my MM and the fire went out.

I was using a beta unit with a smokeware adapter to run the Smobot on my MM.

Perhaps the larger volume of an XL keeps enough 02 in supply to keep one ember glowing.

Ozzie_Isaac · August 2017

HeavyG said:

Ozzie_Isaac said:

HeavyG said:

TheToast said:

So... would you gents recommend a Smobot over other temp controllers? I don't have a gadget to adjust temp yet, and I need something that runs on batteries so this looks like a good option.

The import cost to the UK will kill me though - but that's the same with all the temp controllers.

I would certainly recommend the SmoBot.

However, there is one scenario that might be problematic for some when used with a kamado.

I used mine a week or so ago to smoke/finish off a chuck roast that I had in the hot tub for a couple of days prior. It wasn't a long cook - a couple of hours at 275°F. After I pulled the roast I was just curious how the SmoBot would respond to lowering the temp down to 225°F and see if it could hold that.

Setting the temp to 225°F caused the SmoBot to totally shut the damper as I would expect. The problem was that since it takes a kamado longer to shed heat that almost totally extinguished the fire and the SmoBot even after it opened the vent 100% never really was able to revive the fire and hold 225°F. In this case having a blower fan likely would have helped revive the fire. Or not.

Dropping the temp on a metal Kettle or WSM would likely not have been a problem since they cool down more quickly and the coals may not have been starved for so long.

My experiment may have just been a fluke (lump piles can sometimes be less than cooperative) and in a repeat scenario the fire may have recovered just fine. I'll play that scene again the next time I use it. Also, I've never really had a need to drop the temp like that for a real cook so for me it's not a real problem. I was just curious.

To be fair, I should also say that I did this on my KJ Jr. The damper wasn't intended to fit on the Jr. but it does in a slightly off center way. The vent area of a KJ Jr. is smaller to begin with and the damper skewed off center will reduce the total vent area a bit more so that may have impacted the reviving the fire effort.

I have done the same on my XL and the fire stayed lit. Tried it on my MM and the fire went out.

I was using a beta unit with a smokeware adapter to run the Smobot on my MM.

Perhaps the larger volume of an XL keeps enough 02 in supply to keep one ember glowing.

I think at one point Eric/Curtis updated the software for a "keep" lit function.

reinhart36 · August 2017

Fun discussion - thanks guys!

I'd suggest not drawing too many conclusions about your fire dying from that small setpoint change. During development (and continuing optimization), I've run hundreds of automated test cycles that execute the setpoint profile shown in this plot:

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5017260/uploads/editor/q7/nbrrb063wfi0.jpg

That picture was convenient for me to grab, because it was on the kickstarter page, but I've made MANY that looked the same.

The two temperature descents in there are purposeful: 250-->190, then later, 350-->190. I do that on my large BGE, but I'll admit that I haven't tested this on other platforms yet.

Basically, regardless of controller type, the descent needs to be somewhat slow or you'll snuff that fire. If you closed off all the air for a couple hours, the fire will get snuffed, and no blower or automated damper will bring it back. So the issue of the fire dying during your cook isn't an intrinsic problem with this scheme (see my picture above), but it might be an indication for an algorithm improvement. Exercise it some more, and see if that was a freak occurrence.

If any of you avid smobot users are ever interested in running that auto-test cycle on your own pit, I'd love to see the data and look for opportunities for improvement.

Thanks for all the interesting questions/comments!

Eric

CanDid · August 2017

@reinhart36 - I would venture to say that, at the end of @HeavyG comment he listed the reason (whether knowingly or unknowingly) behind the fire going out. There is obviously a lot less charcoal in a KJ jr than in a LBGE and any attempt to drop pit temp by 50 degrees is going to play out differently between the two.

For dropping setpoint, would you not have to code a different algorithm for each size kamado? The length of time to snuff the fire out on the jr is far less than on the lrg, but the cooling down time of the ceramics would be similar. This would be very difficult to accomplish with a one-size-fits-all algorithm.

I personally never see myself needing to drop setpoint that drastic during a cook plus I have an XLBGE, so this scenario doesn't factor into my endorsement of the Smobot.

reinhart36 · August 2017

@CanDid - What you and @HeavyG are saying may well be the issue - thanks for the comments.

I guess my way of thinking of it (which may or may not be the correct perspective), is that there must be some minimum average airflow rate needed to keep a given fire going, and that required flow rate may not be a strong function of the ceramic mass/temperature - but more a function of the state of the charcoal pile, type of charcoal, humidity, etc.. Of course, that requirement will vary with time, etc.

The comment about cool-down time for larger vs. smaller masses certainly makes good sense. I think an algorithm should be able to accommodate a setpoint decrease with a large or small ceramic mass if the minimum "average" flow rate of air to the fire is provided (I say average, because maybe it's just a small puff of air from time to time).

However, if the algorithm doesn't provide enough intermittent "breaths" for the fire during cool-down, then the larger the ceramic mass is (larger duration of cool-down event), the more likely you are to snuff the fire.

Maybe small vs. large charcoal piles have different minimum airflow rate requirements to keep them alive?

Eric

PS - One thing to consider is that time required for a set-point decrease to get down to it's target and robustness against fire snuffing trade against each other.

Legume · August 2017

I only have one egg (XL) so I have no idea about the difference in cool down time between sizes from any practical experience. However, since they're not a solid mass and I would assume the thickness is pretty similar regardless of egg size, the relationship between mass and surface area should be the same (I think?), so the only difference would be air, lump and fire. In other words, volume shouldn't play a role if the have consistent thickness between sides.

Or I'm totally wrong and should've gone to engineering school instead of an holistic healing academy south of the border.

TheToast · August 2017

One thing about the Smobot - I'm never a believer in buying version 1 of anything. Because most companies get a product to market, learning along the way that there's a better way to build something. A friend funded the kickstarter for a Pebble watch (first smart watch) and was gutted 6 months later when the version 2 was a massive leap ahead of the first version.

But then the Smobot is so simple that I imagine not much will change from v1 to v2.

Smobot thoughts...

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