Multi BGE Temp Controller

bigguy136

I've had my Stoker pit controller for a few years. The network side of my Stokers stopped working (hard wired) and went to Rock's website only to see that they have discontinued selling the Stoker (temp probes still available). I have emailed them to see if they can repair my unit but also want to see what is out there. I've looked at the Auber and the Guru line of controllers. I don't believe any of these are able to control multiple BGEs.

Any info on a controller that can control multiple pits?

Thanks, Kevin

WeberWho

That's no good. Dang. Especially for you and all your custom probes you've made. Hopefully they can get you up and running again 

Hotch

Do you have the White box (1st Gen), Stoker WiFi (2nd Gen) or Stoker II?

cookingdude555

My auber 2615 only controls one smoker, and that’s their latest model. It is fantastic, but I am also interested if there is a stoker competitor out there that controls multiple pits. 

bigguy136

Hotch said:

Do you have the White box (1st Gen), Stoker WiFi (2nd Gen) or Stoker II?

I have the 2nd gen black Stoker WiFi.

bigguy136

Yes, it is nice controlling all pits with 1 controller. I had everything built in and I never shut my stoker off. I would change the temp to cold so the fan wouldn't run until I wanted to use a pit.

I've been watching eBay and craigslist some looking for another Stoker or 2. As @WeberWho said, I have a lot of temp probes. All they are is a simple thermocouple wire sold for about $1 a foot. I like everything about the Stoker. I hope they reconsider and continue to produce a pit controller for multiple pits.

milesvdustin

I could build a box with two of the auber PID in them to control two smokers. Kinda like my home brewery. With SSRs you could use 120V fans too. No battery packs probably. And no meat temp readout. 

milesvdustin

If anyone knows where to get cheap fans I may tackle that. 

okie

I've get a very lightly used gen 1 Stoker/wifi unit (this is the one with the black box with white labels) with 2.7.0.332 firmware with two probes (one with a clamp) and one fan. Works perfectly. If anyone is interested make me an offer. I used it a total of 3 times.

WeberWho

okie said:

I've get a very lightly used gen 1 Stoker/wifi unit (this is the one with the black box with white labels) with 2.7.0.332 firmware with two probes (one with a clamp) and one fan. Works perfectly. If anyone is interested make me an offer. I used it a total of 3 times.

@bigguy136

bigguy136

WeberWho said:

okie said:

I've get a very lightly used gen 1 Stoker/wifi unit (this is the one with the black box with white labels) with 2.7.0.332 firmware with two probes (one with a clamp) and one fan. Works perfectly. If anyone is interested make me an offer. I used it a total of 3 times.

@bigguy136

Thanks!!

I have paid for okie's stoker and should be shipped on Monday.

Not sure if buying up old units is the smart thing to do but I love the multi pit/ single controller part of the stoker.

bigguy136

I got an email from Rocks. They had me change the first 3 numbers of my IP to 255, turn off and back on. It displays a new IP and all works.

They said doing this resets Stoker to DHCP. I then tried changing back to my old IP and nothing. I also can't just change back to my new IP. I have to put in 255, power down and back up. I know a small amount about network. It works but not sure why I can't change my IP in my Stoker.

I also bought okie's Stoker so I should be good.

cookingdude555

Set a static reserved IP in your router based on the MAC of the stoker. This will give a ‘permanent’ IP to your stoker, but allow you to configure the stoker using DHCP, which it seems to like better. This is all router based, and may or may not be available as a configurable option in your specific router. 

bigguy136

cookingdude555 said:

Set a static reserved IP in your router based on the MAC of the stoker. This will give a ‘permanent’ IP to your stoker, but allow you to configure the stoker using DHCP, which it seems to like better. This is all router based, and may or may not be available as a configurable option in your specific router. 

Maybe it doesn't make a difference but my Stoker always had an IP like 192.168.1.38 but now my IP is 192.168.254.70. I was always able to change my IP to a .37, .36 ect. and now I can't. If I change my Stoker IP and change it back, it still won't work. I have to change the first 3 number to 255, power down, power up and use that number.

It works and I'm happy but I don't get why I could assign a new IP before and now I can't.

lkapigian

bigguy136 said:

cookingdude555 said:

Set a static reserved IP in your router based on the MAC of the stoker. This will give a ‘permanent’ IP to your stoker, but allow you to configure the stoker using DHCP, which it seems to like better. This is all router based, and may or may not be available as a configurable option in your specific router. 

Maybe it doesn't make a difference but my Stoker always had an IP like 192.168.1.38 but now my IP is 192.168.254.70. I was always able to change my IP to a .37, .36 ect. and now I can't. If I change my Stoker IP and change it back, it still won't work. I have to change the first 3 number to 255, power down, power up and use that number.

It works and I'm happy but I don't get why I could assign a new IP before and now I can't.

This is the problem with mine

bigguy136

lkapigian said:

bigguy136 said:

cookingdude555 said:

Set a static reserved IP in your router based on the MAC of the stoker. This will give a ‘permanent’ IP to your stoker, but allow you to configure the stoker using DHCP, which it seems to like better. This is all router based, and may or may not be available as a configurable option in your specific router. 

Maybe it doesn't make a difference but my Stoker always had an IP like 192.168.1.38 but now my IP is 192.168.254.70. I was always able to change my IP to a .37, .36 ect. and now I can't. If I change my Stoker IP and change it back, it still won't work. I have to change the first 3 number to 255, power down, power up and use that number.

It works and I'm happy but I don't get why I could assign a new IP before and now I can't.

This is the problem with mine

Did you try the above? Did it fix yours?

lkapigian

I haven't tried changing the first 3 numbers to 255 get...last year or so I just gave up on remote access 

bigguy136

I've been there.

Can you plug in an ethernet cable into your router and see your Stoker? If so, the above is NOT what you want to do.

The above is if you connect your Stoker to your router with an ethernet cable, launch a web browser on your computer with your Stoker's IP address and your computer cannot see it.

I have my wireless side of Stoker working but I didn't find it stable enough so I have an access point next to my Stoker and ethernet cable from my access point to my Stoker. A much better set-up.