Flameboss Server Down

wolfetone

Hey,

Only the third time maybe using this thing, and of course we get it for the 'cruise control' features so we can relax....but their server is down today which keeps kicking my cell and laptop off the server....

Lo_Gear

Yup, luckily it works without the server, we just gotta do a little more walking to check it.

stlcharcoal

It will direct connect with the app.  It doesn't need their server.

Ag83

I have a 300 and my app does not connect. I get a timeout error.

wolfetone

Yeh I tried the app and it shows the presence of the FB, but wont show whats going on with the cook
The online is back on now, but problematic on the phone keeps shutting on/off

stlcharcoal

Ag83 said:

I have a 300 and my app does not connect. I get a timeout error.

You need to go on the screen of the unit and switch the wifi to "direct" or whatever it is that ISN'T the name of the network.

Your basically turning the FB into its own router and then you select the FB network name from the wifi list on your phone.

Ragtop99

^^^ I may have to try this, but I hate messing with a cook that is running fine.  App times out when trying to Log-in.  Web updates are sporadic. 

This happens each Thanksgiving and is kinda frustrating since I don't use my FB very often.  The app should be able to log-in w/o connectivity.  

Ag83

stlcharcoal said:

Ag83 said:

I have a 300 and my app does not connect. I get a timeout error.

You need to go on the screen of the unit and switch the wifi to "direct" or whatever it is that ISN'T the name of the network.

Your basically turning the FB into its own router and then you select the FB network name from the wifi list on your phone.

So I did that (access point) but it wants me to log in. But when I try that, I get a "no connection" error. Maybe I don't know what I'm doing but I think this is a feature added after I bought the 300. Either way, not a good look for FB when people are unable to access their cook on the #1 cooking holiday of the year.

On the plus side - my bird came out really well and got rave reviews!

stlcharcoal

Ag83 said:

stlcharcoal said:

Ag83 said:

I have a 300 and my app does not connect. I get a timeout error.

You need to go on the screen of the unit and switch the wifi to "direct" or whatever it is that ISN'T the name of the network.

Your basically turning the FB into its own router and then you select the FB network name from the wifi list on your phone.

So I did that (access point) but it wants me to log in. But when I try that, I get a "no connection" error. Maybe I don't know what I'm doing but I think this is a feature added after I bought the 300. Either way, not a good look for FB when people are unable to access their cook on the #1 cooking holiday of the year.

On the plus side - my bird came out really well and got rave reviews!

That feature did come AFTER the 300 debuted, but the hardware was already there......the firmware update that went into place when the app launched last year, enabled the "AP" mode.

Remember when everybody bought cable pay-per-view a few years ago for that Mayweather fight?  So many people that it crashed the system.  They delayed the fight by an hour, but there were still a high percentage of people that missed it.  Yeah, it sucks, but DirecTV, internet providers, and every other service providers never promise 100% access.

Ag83

stlcharcoal said:

Ag83 said:

stlcharcoal said:

Ag83 said:

I have a 300 and my app does not connect. I get a timeout error.

You need to go on the screen of the unit and switch the wifi to "direct" or whatever it is that ISN'T the name of the network.

Your basically turning the FB into its own router and then you select the FB network name from the wifi list on your phone.

So I did that (access point) but it wants me to log in. But when I try that, I get a "no connection" error. Maybe I don't know what I'm doing but I think this is a feature added after I bought the 300. Either way, not a good look for FB when people are unable to access their cook on the #1 cooking holiday of the year.

On the plus side - my bird came out really well and got rave reviews!

That feature did come AFTER the 300 debuted, but the hardware was already there......the firmware update that went into place when the app launched last year, enabled the "AP" mode.

Remember when everybody bought cable pay-per-view a few years ago for that Mayweather fight?  So many people that it crashed the system.  They delayed the fight by an hour, but there were still a high percentage of people that missed it.  Yeah, it sucks, but DirecTV, internet providers, and every other service providers never promise 100% access.

Not sure I agree with that being a good analogy. Bottom line is their product, if one wants to monitor/control remotely, requires their server to be functional. It was clearly overloaded today. I have no idea why the AP didn't/doesn't work for me.

BGEChicago

How about I spent $300 + for a thermometer and I expect it to work when I want to use it.... I'm almost done with FB... starting  to think it was a bad investment... 

DoubleEgger

BGEChicago said:

How about I spent $300 + for a thermometer and I expect it to work when I want to use it.... I'm almost done with FB... starting  to think it was a bad investment... 

That would send me over the edge. 

JohnInCarolina

I swear this happens every year at Thanksgiving.

H12mike

Same problem here.  Received the timeout error halfway through the cook.  I switched over to my DigiQ and completed the cook.  I was prepared to go to  "old school" if needed.

Question:  Would smobot experience the same issues?

GrillSgt

Two words. Smo Bot. 

H12mike

GrillSgt said:

Two words. Smo Bot. 

I am sure there is a meaning for this answer, but I am only on my first cup of coffee and so my thought process is slow this morning.

Carolina Q

H12mike said:

GrillSgt said:

Two words. Smo Bot. 

I am sure there is a meaning for this answer, but I am only on my first cup of coffee and so my thought process is slow this morning.

He's recommending an alternative controller. http://www.smobot.com

GrillSgt

Just stirring the pot. 

H12mike

Does the Smobot require using its website for controlling the device like Flame Boss?

Hotch

From the web page:

Do I need to use the cloud service to use my SMOBOT?

The cloud service “mySmobot” allows you to monitor your SMOBOT from outside of your home network.  You do not need to attach your SMOBOT to your home network or use the cloud service in order to control your grill or monitor your SMOBOT.  If you do not want to use the cloud or connect to your home network, you can put the SMOBOT in Access Point mode (default) and connect to it via a browser for remote monitoring.  Please note while in Access Point mode, power consumption is significantly higher.

stlcharcoal

Hotch said:

From the web page:

Do I need to use the cloud service to use my SMOBOT?

The cloud service “mySmobot” allows you to monitor your SMOBOT from outside of your home network.  You do not need to attach your SMOBOT to your home network or use the cloud service in order to control your grill or monitor your SMOBOT.  If you do not want to use the cloud or connect to your home network, you can put the SMOBOT in Access Point mode (default) and connect to it via a browser for remote monitoring.  Please note while in Access Point mode, power consumption is significantly higher.

FYI.....exact same setup for the FlameBoss.

You can have it connect "AP" direct to an Android or iOS device.  For remote monitoring and control under this mode, you are limited to how far it transmits (couple hundred feet).

If you want to be able to control/monitor from afar, then the unit has to connect to wifi, through the internet to their server, then come back to you via the app or myflameboss.com

The only ones that doesn't need a server somewhere is the Stoker and the old CyberQ.  You could access though directly, but you really had to know your network to get it set up.  I used to sell them with a disclaimer that people could NOT call me for tech support nor try to return them if they couldn't get them connected--it was that bad.  But if you were a network engineer, no problem!

Hotch

Seems they have issues today even with the support page that has the FlameBoss manuals. Probably a technical glitch.

404 - Nothing found

We are sorry, but the page you're looking for cannot be found.

HeavyG

Comparing this to a pay per view event where guesstimating demand could provide a huge range of possible tickets sold is kinda apples and oranges.

FlameBoss knows exactly how many units they've sold so they can easily make an assumption based on - "what if every unit we ever sold tries to connect to our server on Thanksgiving, how much capacity/bandwidth will we need to support that?"

I have no idea if they are running their own box or just buying space from someone like AWS but you'd think they would do something to keep this form being an annual turkey day occurrence. I am curious tho just how many units they had connecting to their system - 1K, 5K, 10K...?

At the very least they should probably have a special "Thanksgiving Day" warning/AP mode workaround page in their manual.

H12mike

I guess the real wuestion is:  Can the FB300 be used without going through their server?  

DoubleEgger

Did this affect the actual operation of the unit or just the online visibility? 

H12mike

Can the FB300 be used without going through their server?

caliking

Couldn’t get it to work in AP mode either.  My phone connects to the FB network, but the app can’t find the controller to be able to monitor, make changes, etc. Same thing this morning. 

The cook went fine, as the FB still did it’s thing. I guess I’m not disappointed since I assumed it wouldn’t work to begin with. 

littlerascal56

Just got the apology e-mail they sent out.  Am sure they will do what it takes to avoid this on next big holiday.  I experienced it on the 4th of July, so was expecting it yesterday.  That’s why I have the 300’s.  I run them from the displays if the server is down!

MichaelCollins

I sincerely apologize for the repeated server failure that occurred yesterday, we realize how disappointing this technological failure was for you and your families on a holiday that revolves around cooking.

We take these issues very seriously, and had been planning and testing in advance of the holiday to make sure things went smoothly. Regardless of our efforts, our backup server failed. We will work tirelessly to ensure it doesn’t happen again.

As a small company we take pride in the products we produce, and yesterday was not our finest hour. We hear your grievances, and we will take all necessary steps and resources to make sure it doesn’t happen again. Our goal is to restore your faith in our brand. 

That said, Flame Boss controllers do not require connection to our servers to maintain your cook temperature. The controller will continue to maintain the set temperature in place when the connection is lost. For the Egg Genious and model 400 it a connection is currently required to see your temperatures and change the set temperature. We will release a firmware and app update in the near future that will enable direct connect to the controller from your phone.

Hotch

Does this happen every year? Seems I remember a server fail for the past two or three years. I'm sure they will get it figured out.

caliking

@MichaelCollins your response is much appreciated. As is FB’s consistently awesome customer service to resolve issues expediently for the customer. 

However, this is not the first time that there has been a server outage on a major bbq holiday. I initially did not have any reservations about buying a controller that depended on the manufacturer’s servers, but now I do, as this is the second (if not third) time this has happened. The fact that I assumed the FB wouldn’t connect yesterday is telling. Couldn’t get the AP mode to work either. And the online manuals couldn’t be accessed either. 

I’ve been a big fan of the FB until recently, so truly hope that these issues are figured out.