Temp Control Device

reinhart36

I only chime in on this because I've designed a couple of turbochargers.  The FB seems like a great product, incidentally.

If you compare two engines - one naturally aspirated and the other is turbocharged (assuming the power of the two are equal), there is one reason the turbocharged engine should use less fuel:  It's geometrically smaller.

Parasitic losses might be down some, and the engine itself weighs less because the engine itself is a smaller size - therefore you need less fuel just to haul the engine around and overcome it's own inefficiencies.  Also, it requires less to "heat soak" it, so the block stops stealing power from the drive shaft to warm itself up faster after a cold start.  SO, there's a bit of an added benefit for short commutes there too.

Why is a turbocharged engine smaller?  Because you basically cram the same amount of fuel and the same amount of air into a turbocharged engine, but into a smaller volume using a compressor (thus the engine is smaller).

A grill draft is an "incompressible" flow, and your grill is the same size, so there really isn't a great analogy there, sadly.

I hope you have fun unlocking the potential of your egg with technology!

HeavyG

Most of the time a kamado will hold a pretty stable temp on its own. A gizmo might tighten any temp swing variation.

However, if fuel savings is the justifcation for buying a temp control gizmo I think the payback is going to take a looooooong time.

jtcBoynton

Surge said:

...However, because the fire is now stoked "artificially", by the electric fan, isn't another benefit that less lump is used? Like how a turbo charger in a car requires less fuel and a smaller engine to product the same power. What are the experts' thoughts?

No.  Any given temp that is maintained requires a given amount of heat. The heat is produced by the burning lump.  The BTUs released are the same.

Surge

jtcBoynton said:

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 The heat is produced by the burning lump.  The BTUs released are the same.

Don't disagree; but the question is how much burning lump is used to generate the same amount of heat.

While I don't know much about grill science, I am an automotive engineer. I think the analogy make work, actually:

lump = gasoline
a gas engine is basically a controlled fire/explosion
gas engine needs air to mix with gasoline, just like a grill needs air to mix with lump to generate heat

If I force more air into the engine, I get the same amount of heat with less gasoline used. That's the turbocharger role.

It then stands to reason that if I force more air into the grill, keeping my temperature the same, I will use less lump. 
The FB type of devices are artificially adding more air into the grill, are they not?

stlcharcoal

Surge said:

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The FB type of devices are artificially adding more air into the grill, are they not?

No.

Rather than keeping the bottom vent slightly open, and the upper vent slightly open to allow the natural air flow........you're closing both and using the FB to push the air flow through (on-off, on-off, on-off).  It's not continuous.

I'm sure if you dug deep enough there could be some change in consumption, but it's going to be negligible.  The controller is going to maintain as close to the set point as it can, whereas the natural way is going to fluctuate more.  If anything, you probably save because you don't have the fire getting above the set point.

Outside air temp, wind, and rain are going to effect it more through radiant loss of heat......but even that really doesn't make too much of difference in the long run.

Too many variables, and in the end it's all negligible.  Don't worry about it.  Egg on......

reinhart36

Surge said:

If I force more air into the engine, I get the same amount of heat with less gasoline used. That's the turbocharger role.

Turbochargers allow you to cram the same amount of air and same amount of fuel into a smaller cylinder (for a given power).

There can be higher cylinder temperatures because of the compression process.  But, that heat wasn't "free" it came from the exhaust stream by way of the turbocharger.  Those higher temperatures are part of the reason why direct injection becomes important, but I digress..

Surge

I see, thank you!

egginNthefreeworld

Flameboss 200 wifi and ain't even close. Thank me later.

Surge

egginNthefreeworld said:

Flameboss 200 wifi and ain't even close. Thank me later.

Not sure what you mean?

Thapco

OK, after all this which one to buy?  Seems there are at least three good ones. 

Flame Boss 300???or what

HeavyG

Surge said:

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egginNthefreeworld said:

Flameboss 200 wifi and ain't even close. Thank me later.

Not sure what you mean?

I believe that translates as - "The FlameBoss 200 is the best controller available and nothing else on the market comes close to comparing favorably and if you buy one you'll be grateful and want to thank him for offering such wise words".

Lot of good controllers out there, just depends what you are looking for.