Any alternatives to the BBQ Guru? That thing is expensive!

Downr@nge

I want to get one but they are expensive at $350 bucks!  Are there any other alternatives that work just as good but are less pricey?

Jeepster47

Several inexpensive units out there, but take a look at the Flame Boss 100 for a direct replacement of the Bubba Guru and the 200 for an upgrade to wifi control.  Don't look only at MSRP, there are several places that sell the Flame Boss units for a good price ... as well as the Guru offerings.

MelSharples

Contact @stlcharcoal, great wealth of information on the Guru, Flame Boss, and others. I bought my Flame Boss 200 from him at a great price and have enjoyed it ever since.

RRP

You might also want to consider one of these non-electronic damper devices called a Tip-Top. Heat regulates the spring which opens and closes the damper. About $30.

NPHuskerFL

Happy with the Stoker. Yes, more expensive but, I've been happy with the quality and performance. 
Occasionally you'll find a pit controller for sale on CL or elsewhere used or new. In fact at times people on the forum sell theirs. 
Initial purchase only hurts once. What you've gotta ask yourself is what do you want to control and monitor with it. That'll determine the best suited unit for your wants. 

Downr@nge

Thanks guys, will check your suggestions out!

WeberWho

If you want basic, this is what I have:

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_27&products_id=395

nolaegghead

Cheapest alternative is to learn to build a good fire and control the temp and not fret too much over your target temperature.  Just say in the ball park and adapt to the cooking conditions by slowing or speeding up the cook at the end.

tarheelmatt

I like the simplicity of the PartyQ when I need it.  I only want that during over nighters for safety, that is all.  Everything else falls what @nolaegghead  said.  

lousubcap

Following up with @RRP's above post-does anyone know if the  Tip Top Temperature controller has been adapted to fit on the LBGE? 

SmokeyPitt

MelSharples said:

Contact @stlcharcoal, great wealth of information on the Guru, Flame Boss, and others. I bought my Flame Boss 200 from him at a great price and have enjoyed it ever since.

+1 on this.  If you want a simple controller that is inexpensive and works great ask him about the Pitmaster IQ.  It is not the prettiest thing but it works perfectly. 

RRP

lousubcap said:

Following up with @RRP's above post-does anyone know if the  Tip Top Temperature controller has been adapted to fit on the LBGE? 

There really is no "adaptation" to it as it merely sits on the dome! OTOH if you have a SmokeWare then remove the mushroom and sit the Tip-Top inside. That way when you open the dome the Tip-Top doesn't fly off.

Wowens

I'll second @RRP on the TTT, I've had mine for 6 months or so, and it works great, especially for $30.  I can go 12 hours and stay withing 10 degrees.  Only downfall I've seen is you have to put an umbrella over it if it rains.  The cold rain tricks it and will open the vent up.

@lousubcap they sent me a piece of 2"x18-20" wide silicone tape that I wrap around the TTT and chimney, then I put the silicone band that came with the TTT around the tape, and it seals it up, and it stays on if you have to open the lid.  It is not the most sophisticated adapter, but it works extremely well.

lousubcap

@RRP and @Wowens- thanks for the info.  Onward and upward.  Have a great day.

Carolina Q

Has anyone tried the TTT on a kettle? Does it work well there?

RRP

Carolina Q said:

Has anyone tried the TTT on a kettle? Does it work well there?

Actually, Michael, they show it on a Weber in their videos. I was even under the impression it was made specifically for a Weber, and somebody said "hey, I'll use in perched on a BGE dome."

fishlessman

Carolina Q said:

Has anyone tried the TTT on a kettle? Does it work well there?

never tried it but when they first started out they were designed with that rubber gasket to sit over the whirly vent on a weber cover. thats the reason it doesnt fit the ceramics right now

Davec433

Buy once cry once! I was looking at the Flame Boss and BBQ Guru probes the other day and the Flame Bosses were better built from what I saw.

GATraveller

I found a good deal on the Guru DigiQ DX2 online and was fortunate enough that my local Egg dealer was willing to match the price.  Can't hurt to ask!

Carolina Q

Thanks, guys. I actually have a digiq adapter so I can use it on the weber. Kinda sorta works, after you drill a large hole in the kettle. Not as well as on the egg though. Was just wondering if anyone had first hand experience with the ttt on the kettle. 

Mickey

Bought a digi-q and sold it. Next bought a party-q and gave it away. Do what Nola said. 

littlerascal56

I'm with Nola also.  When I want an "automated" cook that is controlled, I fire up the Traeger! I love the old school control on my eggs.

swordsmn

I truly admire the architects who can build 10+ hr fires that don't go rogue and require frequent attn.   for me, I  love the convenience and low stress of using a blower/pit controller to hold say 275 for 10'ish hrs of Boston butt goodness.  While I know how it works and what a PID loop is, the science behind it coercing fire to behave is kinda magic.  The dman plot on my ipad of temp changes over 8-10 is usually so flat it's freaky.  I'm glad I spent the dough on it and the AR.  The tech (and this forum) made me able to produce BBQ that wifey/I prefer to commercial stuff.. Shocking

coooltroy

Flameboss 200.  @stlcharcoal is your best bet to buy from.

dougcrann

Run, don't walk, away from BBQ Guru products.  Their customer service, in my opinion, leaves a lot to be desired.

swordsmn

Well the bbq guru cyberq was out before the flame boss so that's what I went with.
never needed cust. support but aside from having to set my wifi password scrolling thru a-zA-Z1-9 etc it wasn't hard.   If you really want to monitor outside your wifi range, I'd go flame boss and their remote serving setup.  Setting up port forwarding to do that on your router/cable modem CAN be a pita..

nolaegghead

I have a digiQ but I don't use it because it's super easy to just adjust the vents.  Sure you might be 20 degrees off in the morning but I don't low and slow for breakfast.  

swordsmn

I guess some of us just don't have,or have yet to master that knack.  I sure did try for a goodly while after egg purchase.  I just prefer the no brainer route.  To each his own

Ladeback69

nolaegghead said:

I have a digiQ but I don't use it because it's super easy to just adjust the vents.  Sure you might be 20 degrees off in the morning but I don't low and slow for breakfast.  

I too don't usually have a problem setting the egg for an over night cook and keeping it with in 20 to 30 degrees from where I started.  I try to set it a 225 to 230 to start with and by morning it is between 250 to 260 and I just let it ride.  That is why I haven't bought a pit controller yet and am looking at maybe just getting the Tappaque for
$200, but then for another $100 or so you have the pit controller and temp monitoring.  Tough decision for me and I need other things more right now so I will be waiting for a while.  When I am reading I will be contacting @stlcharcoal for one.

lousubcap

Just ordered the above mentioned TTT.  For $30 (and free shipping) I will give it a go.  Assessment down the road. 

Jeepster47

@swordsmn ... you don't have to apologize for wanting to use a controller.  Ignore that playground bully @nolaegghead's taunts.  In fact, ask him why he can't do his woodworking with hand tools ... after all one can create some fantastic objects with them.  And, why does he have so many high priced, fancy means of ground transportation when a simple minivan will provide great service.  And, ask him why all of his water activities don't center around a 12 row boat ... after all, that's all my grandfather used.  Darn bully.

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Cheers and good morning to my friend @nolaegghead