Flame Boss vs. BBQ Guru

ncbted

I have had a DigiQ for quite a few years and really like it but I saw this article the other day. What has been everyone's experience with Flame Boss?

www.firecraft.com/bbq-guru-vs-flame-boss

Jeepster47

I own a Guru and a Flameboss 200.  The Guru hasn't been used since I bought the Flameboss a year ago. 

The last part of the article states this:  "Flame Boss will likely be the future standard."  I rather think that they got that almost right ... it is the standard already.

dougcrann

Had both....gave the Guru away. Meat probe was a bit inconsistent.  After the absolute nightmare I had dealing with BBQ Guru and their miserable customer service I decided to get rid of it. 

Robo2015

I haven't tried the Guru, but I've got the FB200 and have zero complaints

Carolina Q

I have a Guru. I used to use it fairly often, but only for lo n slo cooks. Don't do those much any more. If I had it to do again, I wouldn't.

Looks to me like the FB 200 does the same thing as the Guru except it has wifi... and costs another $100+. I have no need or desire for wifi so I sure wouldn't pay 100 bucks for it. Guru is set and forget, which is why I bought it. When it dies, I will cook turbo. Or get a Tip Top Temp for $30. Hmm, I may just do that anyway. 

ncbted

Thanks for the feedback. Sounds like the Flame Boss is the real deal. What is it folks like better about it? Is it easier to use? Any experience with Firecraft?

HTTRQ

I have the Flame Boss. I second the comment that it is already the standard. Its the easiest thing in the world to use and its always dead on.

caliking

I used my FB200 with a guru fan for my last overnight cook and it's a winning combo. 

Guru 25 cfm fan  has a damper plus the FB runs it at variable speed, so it can effectively run blowing lower cfm. I need that bigger fan for another cooler, and o already had the LBGE adapter. 

FB setup is a piece of cake. And their customer service is A+. Most folks will not say that about the Guru operation.  

1move

I have a CyberQ and I love it. Simple, easy, set it and forget it. I can't comment on the FB

DMW

caliking said:

I used my FB200 with a guru fan for my last overnight cook and it's a winning combo. 

Guru 25 cfm fan  has a damper plus the FB runs it at variable speed, so it can effectively run blowing lower cfm. I need that bigger fan for another cooler, and o already had the LBGE adapter. 

FB setup is a piece of cake. And their customer service is A+. Most folks will not say that about the Guru operation.  

@caliking - What cooker do you need the 25cfm fan for?

caliking

@DMW - cabinet smoker that should be ready in about a month. 

dldawes1

As many of you know, I'm shopping too. I have not made a decision on which way to go yet....

I'd like to have the capability to control both XLs at once and WIFI, an alternate power source (rechargable battery would also be a great feature. 

I'm sure through you folks, I'll end up with the ideal system.

Thanks for starting the thread and thanks for all that have contributed.

Donnie

AZHigh

I just bought a FlameBoss 500 for my wife's birthday next week.  I do all the egging.  She told me to buy her something I wanted and give it to her.  I think she was kidding, but, be careful what you wish for.....

Photo Egg

You should buy her some beer and a vacuum cleaner go along with the FB.lol
Good luck.
But I really do like my FB 500. It's solid and easy to use.

johnmitchell

Did someone say vacuum cleaner and birthday

RajunCajun

Smobot for the win.  The phrase "less is more" comes to mind.  If I wasn't the "backup" kinda guy I would give you my BBQ Guru which I now consider a piece of junk.  

StillH2OEgger

I think the better comparison is Flame Boss vs. Smobot, which is the only one I have experience with and it works wonderfully --  as I'm sure the Flame Boss does, too.

4TheGrillOfIt

dldawes1 said:

As many of you know, I'm shopping too. I have not made a decision on which way to go yet....

I'd like to have the capability to control both XLs at once and WIFI, an alternate power source (rechargable battery would also be a great feature. 

I'm sure through you folks, I'll end up with the ideal system.

Thanks for starting the thread and thanks for all that have contributed.

Donnie

I believe you can do all of this with the FB.  I have the Egg Genius version and with the app it appears you can add multiple controllers.  I regularly use the optional battery pack which has easily lasted through 15 hour cooks.  

Photo Egg

dldawes1 said:

As many of you know, I'm shopping too. I have not made a decision on which way to go yet....

I'd like to have the capability to control both XLs at once and WIFI, an alternate power source (rechargable battery would also be a great feature. 

I'm sure through you folks, I'll end up with the ideal system.

Thanks for starting the thread and thanks for all that have contributed.

Donnie

I don't believe the FB or BBQ Guru have the ability to control more than 1 cooker. But both will monitor multiple pit temps.
The older, discontinued, Stoker would control multiple pits and temps probes.
At least if they were side by side, you could totally control 1 XL and just monitor temp on 2nd XL from 1 control box.

OhioEgger

I've been a (mostly) happy FlameBoss 200 user for about five years, and it has generally done a good job for me.
But I recently got a Smobot and I have to say, after two cooks with it, that I like it better. Their algorithm to learn how my LBGE works just seems to be far superior to the FB algorithm, with much less overshoot in the beginning (hardly any after the first cook), and better overall constant temperature control.

So even though the FB has served me well (and for all I know the newer models are even better) I've converted to Smobot.

RajunCajun

OhioEgger said:

I've been a (mostly) happy FlameBoss 200 user for about five years, and it has generally done a good job for me.
But I recently got a Smobot and I have to say, after two cooks with it, that I like it better. Their algorithm to learn how my LBGE works just seems to be far superior to the FB algorithm, with much less overshoot in the beginning (hardly any after the first cook), and better overall constant temperature control.

So even though the FB has served me well (and for all I know the newer models are even better) I've converted to Smobot.

My exact experience except with a BBQ Guru.  The Smobot leaves me with more time to spend doing other things than trying to figure out what the Guru is going to do.  The bot is so predictable.  I even cut a small piece of wood of a given length and now that is my bottom vent adjustment for anything between 225 to 350 deg when I use the bot.  Cheers!

lkmunoz80

RajunCajun said:

The Smobot leaves me with more time to spend doing other things than trying to figure out what the Guru is going to do.  The bot is so predictable.  I even cut a small piece of wood of a given length and now that is my bottom vent adjustment for anything between 225 to 350 deg when I use the bot.  Cheers!

It looks like the Smobot only adjusts the top vent, whereas the Flame Boss blows into the bottom vent.  Am I reading my reviews correctly, lol?

We've found when cooking we primarily adjust the bottom vent.  So with the Smobot, does the bottom vent just stay open a certain amount?

6baluts

- Yes the bottom vent stay's open about an inch or a tad more. The Smobot is my favorite controller. Flat line cooks pretty much, mizer on battery power if you chose to use one vice 110.
- Do not want you to think I am a Smobot homer. I have a DigiQ DX2, Flameboss 200, Fireboard V1 and a Fireboard Dr. I like them all it is just the Smobot lets your kamado cook without a fan like its intended to. Heck
back in the 70's I cooked on the Kikuya without a daisy wheel only using an offset raincap in its place.
- Are the cooking graphs on the Smobot as good as the others?  "No" but they are good enough. Service is fantastic.
I like my Flameboss 200 also BUT for some reason it does not like my Primo XL. Had a couple of run away fires. NEVER had an issue with my 2 LBGE's or my MBGE and for that matter nor my Kikuya Hibatchi Pot.
- I have seen/read some talk that in the future Fireboard may try to fill the control of 2 cooker's at once niche. Not sure if it will ever come to fruition or if it will be a combo of "drive model" and add a cable like the older drive cable models.

littlerascal56

Never had an issue with my Flameboss 300 on my XL egg, or my gravity fed cabinet.  Sold them both, and gave FB300 to my buddy who uses it on his Weber kettle.  Bulletproof controller!

nolaeggheads_squirel

littlerascal56 said:

Never had an issue with my Flameboss 300 on my XL egg, or my gravity fed cabinet.  Sold them both, and gave FB300 to my buddy who uses it on his Weber kettle.  Bulletproof controller!

Hate to read about people falling on hard times and being forced to sell their belongings.  Don't give up and remember crisis hotlines are available.

loco_engr

Just received a NIB FlameBoss 500 today & extra pit probe.  It was a little tricky to get the wifi set up on iPhone but finally got it all setup. Now to try it out soon.
Shout out to stlcharcoal for making me a deal I couldn't refuse!