Do you use a temp controller when smoking overnight?

jimithing

Just bought an XL BGE - haven't even finished my table and had a first cook yet.  I come from the world of Weber - have a Performer, 22.5 WSM and a gasser.  And even though the WSM is pretty stead with temperatures I always felt better having my IQ110 attached when I was doing an overnight brisket.  I've read some people have had problems with the IQ on ceramics because it overcompensates and causes temperatures to shoot up.  So my question is - how long can the egg hold a temperature reasonably well?  Would I be better off buying a different temp controller or trying to make the IQ work?  I've been eyeing a Stoker but after having just bought an XL BGE that's another large chunk of change that I'd have to put out.

NPHuskerFL

I have a Stoker. Use it primarily for L&S and definitely on overnight cooks. Do you need it? No.
It gives a good stable pit temp and the pit master can attend to other things.....zzzzz

JRWhitee

I have had my LBGE for 9 years now and have never used a controller, with my egg if it stays at 250 for 3 hours it will stay there all night with a full load of lump. I usually go 12-15 hours.

BYS1981

I use a controller. Even if I don't need it, I sleep easy with it.

pgprescott

Yes, definitely. I am not saying you cant do without one, but there are numerous instances on this forums and others where the coal burns straight down (black hole) and goes out mid cook. I have never once heard of the fire going out when using a controller. It is prudent and reasonable insurance. Sleep like a baby.

tarheelmatt

I use one, though I went for a long time without one though.  I use it on low and slows only while I sleep or if I have something going on through the day.  

I didn't really care to have a full featured one, I just wanted simplicity and reliabliity.  I went with the Party Q and already had a Maverick.  

GATraveller

I use one for overnight L&S.  DigiQ - nothing fancy but works like a charm.  Went quite a while without one as well.

pgprescott

tarheelmatt said:

I use one, though I went for a long time without one though.  I use it on low and slows only while I sleep or if I have something going on through the day.  

I didn't really care to have a full featured one, I just wanted simplicity and reliabliity.  I went with the Party Q and already had a Maverick.  

This is a really great set up for those who already have a dual probe remote thermometer (maverick). 

grege345

Like others have said you don't need one but peace of mind is nice. People have had really good luck with the IQ. Some have even said it FRAKIN ROCKs. I would try to pair the iq with your xl. 250 is pretty ez to maintain. Anything lower than that is tough. Personally I don't have an xl but this is what I know about my large. Good luck and welcome

fishlessman

i use an old guru, probably the first one they mass produced, no fan no batteries, no readouts etc, holds 250 all day and night. i only use it on my camp egg because that egg is usually very damp and hard to light when i get there and at 11 pm im not waiting to stabilize temps. that being said my home egg holds temps just as well on overnights with no controller and i sleep just as well. do a 5 hour rib cook, then a couple ovrnighters, then decide. its to bad they dont make those old controllers any more, very simple spring operated design

Ladeback69

I have done over night cooks, but don't have a temp controller. The IQ 110 is believe is a good unit and you shouldn't have any trouble. @stlcharcoal sells them and I would send him an IM and he can tell how to set it up.  You will also need the adapter for the bottom vent to make it work.  I believe you would get the egg started and set it to the temp want to and hook it up.  I want to get the IQ 120 sometime this spring to do long cooks.

theyolksonyou

No controller here. Set it up north of 250 dome, get stable, in goes meat, get stable, watch an hour, go to bed. Do use the Maverick in case something goes wrong.

Hotch

I have the Stoker, Stoker WiFI and Stoker WiFi 2. I use 2 food and 2 Fire probes. I guess you can say I like the Stoker. It is all I have ever used. Other do work well. I use the Stoker with the Stoker Log software. It lets me track and save all of my L&S cooks. If I make a change in how I cook, I can see how the protein reacts to temp and time.

I do recommend you learn to control the temp on your XL to start with.

Jeepster47

Hotch said:

... I do recommend you learn to control the temp on your XL to start with. ...

That's great advice.  If the control goes feet up or the electricity goes out, it's nice to know what to do to save the cook.

bbqlearner

Yes - I use stoker. It's awesome!

dstearn

I use the DigiQ DX2

bcsnave

I have a DigiQ DX2 and it is great...do you NEED one...heck no...but seriously do you need any accessories???

Its about the "want"....if you want the toys you will get them...

jimithing

Thanks for all the input guys.  Looks like the XL BGE adapter for the IQ is only $20.  I suppose I'll start there and if it's just not working then I can move on to a Stoker.

Mickey

Too old to cook overnight so I get it done in the daylight. Turbo everything. No wires at all.

onedbguru

I have an XL and the only temp controller I use is the included venting system, for L/S overnight the bottom vent is less than 1/2 inch open and DFMT is closed with the daisy wheel showing the holes maybe 1/3 closed. Make sure you don't have the opening pointing into the wind  

For L/S, I use a 1/2 full Weber chimney to start the fire, dump it in the middle of the firebox and cover to fill the firebox interspersed with smoking chips (mesquite for brisket). Put in the plate setter, drip pan, the rack and wait maybe 30 minutes to stabilize. put in the meat and let her ride. The only problem I ever had was the wind shifted one night. got a little hotter and finished sooner than I wanted, but was still very tasty.

DoubleEgger

Cook on it a few times and then decide. My XL holds temp like a champ. Welcome to the insanity.

bcsnave

Mickey said:

Too old to cook overnight so I get it done in the daylight. Turbo everything. No wires at all.

thata' boy Mickey

SkinnyV

Digi q dx2... No more of those overnight creep up or down issues.

Dobie

I like my CyberQ

4Runner

I use a Stoker and highly recommend it.

Deviledegger

My advice would be though it out for a while and get tho know how your egg cooks. I have cooked overnighters from 20 miles away. As long as I build a fire in a clean egg. Big chunks on bottom, medium, then leftover lump on top I've had very good luck. Once you get your egg stabilized you should be good to go for 8 hours (usually more)without even looking at it.

bcsnave

What he said...

lkapigian

Hotch said:

I have the Stoker, Stoker WiFI and Stoker WiFi 2. I use 2 food and 2 Fire probes. I guess you can say I like the Stoker. It is all I have ever used. Other do work well. I use the Stoker with the Stoker Log software. It lets me track and save all of my L&S cooks. If I make a change in how I cook, I can see how the protein reacts to temp and time.

I do recommend you learn to control the temp on your XL to start with.

Hotch said:

I have the Stoker, Stoker WiFI and Stoker WiFi 2. I use 2 food and 2 Fire probes. I guess you can say I like the Stoker. It is all I have ever used. Other do work well. I use the Stoker with the Stoker Log software. It lets me track and save all of my L&S cooks. If I make a change in how I cook, I can see how the protein reacts to temp and time.

I do recommend you learn to control the temp on your XL to start with.

@Hotch been wanting to pull the trigger, done many. Over nighters without , but would like better sleep...though I've never had an issue....question is fan capacity, which one for LBGE , 10 CFM?....I would probably also use it on a modified reverse flow offset . To big a fan?

westernbbq

digi-Q, pit viper and the SS adapter for my XL and my L Big Green Eggs.

The reason why I rely on these so much is because it takes the guesswork out of temperature adjusting, and wondering what temp I've got the shoulder or brisket cooking at.  and the best part about it is the Ron Popeil factor, you just Set it and Forget it.   the setup helps maintain precise temperature control over a long period of time.  I usually make brisket for 23 hours so the controller is crucial.   once you start using it, you'll never go back.

NPHuskerFL

@lkapigian Large calls for a 5 CFM along with an adaptor plate. 5 CFM is and has been plenty on my large. Just buy enough blowers, pit probes and food probes for both pits you want to control and the Stoker can do it.
Or if you need to pinch pennies I guess you could buy one set-up for the egg and an additional blower mounting plate for the other pit and change the plate back and forth as needed. Sounds like a PITA to me though.

jhl192

theyolksonyou said:

No controller here. Set it up north of 250 dome, get stable, in goes meat, get stable, watch an hour, go to bed. Do use the Maverick in case something goes wrong.

I have an XL a and I ditto what Jason said.