Quick Stoker ?

CharcoalCooking wrote:

I love the fact that you can hook this up to the internet to control the temp. Given that I work on Saturday's I would love to put something on for the day and have the confidence to keep an eye on it via the internet. I do have a question.... How does it connect to the internet?? Is it wireless??

I don't own one, or know much about the Stoker, however on their webpage it does show a Ethernet port.


Here's a link from Rock's:

http://www.rocksbarbque.com/Stoker_inet.pdf


From my understanding, if you have a wireless network, pickup a wireless Ethernet bridge and it will be wireless, otherwise you will need to run cable(s) to the stoker and the modem.

I'm sure others will chime in to give you a definite answer, but hopefully this information will tide you over.


Good luck!

No, it doesn't have wireless built-in, but you can plug a wi-fi bridge into it (sometimes called a gaming adaptor) to get it on your wireless network.

Getting access to it over the internet is a bit more tricky. You have to configure your wireless router to accept and forward connections to the webserver built into the Stoker. Then you either connect using the IP address assigned to your wireless router by your internet provider, or (depending on your router software) you can sign up for one of the dynamic DNS services so that you use a domain name to connect rather than IP (this is what I do).

There is one caveat, however if you put it on the internet... there is no security built into the Stoker... meaning that once its online, anyone on the internet could stumble across the interface and fiddle with your knobs and dials. I'm a little more paranoid about this than most, given I'm in the networking business, but I was able to set up a secure proxy on my home network so that I connect using a secure connection and username/password.

I can manage the Stoker with my iPhone :laugh:

__Jason

Jason, In later versions of the Stoker firmware (Version 2.6.0.221 or better), the webserver has a page ro.html that will allow you to set your stoker page to Read Only. When I've got my stoker enabled externally, I set it to read only and only enable it for updates if I need to tweak the temps.

Mark

There is an easier way for internet access for those who don't know how, or don't want, to set up the port forwarding in your router.

1. Connect your Stoker to your home network so you can access it with the web browser on your computer (or use another program like StokerLog to graph and control your cooks)

2. Use an internet based remote control program like the free version of LogMeIn.com to remotely access your computer to monitor and control the stoker.

EggMii wrote:

Jason, In later versions of the Stoker firmware (Version 2.6.0.221 or better), the webserver has a page ro.html that will allow you to set your stoker page to Read Only. When I've got my stoker enabled externally, I set it to read only and only enable it for updates if I need to tweak the temps.

Mark

Thanks... good to know!

__Jason

 
If you don't understand a router then it may seem complicated at first.

A simple explanation.
. Using an ethernet cable connect the Stoker to your Router.
. Turn on the Stoker and wait for the initialization to complete.
. Locate & write or remember the IP address assigned to the Stoker from the router. 192.168.1.9 (or some such number)
. Open any browser on any device that connects to your router.
. enter in the IP address into the address bar of your borwser (IE8, FireFox or whatever Mac folks use).

You are now reading and controlling the Stoker.

If you want wireless connection to the Stoker then you will need a Wireless Bridge (which can also be referred to as a Client Bridge Wireless Game Adapter, Access Point, Shared Bridge or such) which will connect to your main router. The wireless bridge will connect to the Stoker, a IP address will be assigned and then any device wired or wireless than can connect to you router (or the wireless bridge - wired) will see and control the Stoker.

Now if you want to see the Stoker on the WWW you need to, any of the following:
. Open that port to the WWW
. Port forward to an open port
. Use a remote use software as stated above or a program like GoToMyPC

It is all very simple.

Well this all started out being simple...

GG

Stuworld wrote:
Once it's on the Internet, you are exposing your home network to application level scurity from a BBQ accessory company.

...Just don't trust your home office gear to adequately protect you even if you are on the latest firmware.[/quote]

Could you tell me more about the risks we are exposing ourselves to? I am under the impression that the full extent of that risk is that someone might change the temperature of my pit. The only other risk that Rock's points out is that logging in to a Twitter account through the Stoker could allow a hacker who is monitoring the setup at that moment to capture the Twitter login info.

Mark

I think I will order the Digi-Q. I have trouble setting up any computer stuff. I am getting a headache reading this. While cool , I can see me never getting it to work right. :(

TNW, if it's cooking too fast or too slow, or my work schedule changes, I can adjust the temp to move the finish line :P

Gary