Pit controller

jeffc5227

Hello I know this has been asked many times but, I have a Stoker that is acting like it's on it's final leg. I have been exploring purchasing a new controller and haven't come to a conclusion. Which one do you guys recommend I'm looking for quality and easy operation.

lkapigian

FB 500, just do it

stlcharcoal

Flame Boss 500 if you are looking to replicate/upgrade what you had in the stoker.  It will monitor 3 meats and connects through Wifi.  It will also direct connect with your phone/tablet if an internet connection isn't available.

jeffc5227

stlcharcoal said:

Flame Boss 500 if you are looking to replicate/upgrade what you had in the stoker.  It will monitor 3 meats and connects through Wifi.  It will also direct connect with your phone/tablet if an internet connection isn't available.

Thanks is it easy to use? The Stoker I felt like lacked a lot of technology and ease of operation.

stlcharcoal

jeffc5227 said:

stlcharcoal said:

Flame Boss 500 if you are looking to replicate/upgrade what you had in the stoker.  It will monitor 3 meats and connects through Wifi.  It will also direct connect with your phone/tablet if an internet connection isn't available.

Thanks is it easy to use? The Stoker I felt like lacked a lot of technology and ease of operation.

Oh yeah, you just plug it in and it does rest.  Just like anything else in your house, there can always be an initial issue between it and your router, but they are just a phone call away if there is.  If you haven't had any problems getting your TVs, tablets, etc connected to your wifi, it shouldn't be a problem for you.

After that, the app is super easy to use, as are the notifications.  You can download the app and play with it now to see the interface.

lkapigian

jeffc5227 said:

stlcharcoal said:

Flame Boss 500 if you are looking to replicate/upgrade what you had in the stoker.  It will monitor 3 meats and connects through Wifi.  It will also direct connect with your phone/tablet if an internet connection isn't available.

Thanks is it easy to use? The Stoker I felt like lacked a lot of technology and ease of operation.

@jeffc5227 I came from a Stoker II , FB 500 much more user friendly 

jeffc5227

Ok I'm sold where is the best place to buy on in terms of $$?

pgprescott

jeffc5227 said:

Ok I'm sold where is the best place to buy on in terms of $$?

Prolly the same price most everywhere. Where are you located?

onpoint456

For sake of choice, also check out Thermoworks signals+billows.

I just picked one up but haven't had a chance to use it. Planning a 10# packer cook this weekend though.

aem

onpoint456 said:

I just picked one up but haven't had a chance to use it. Planning a 10# packer cook this weekend though.

Make sure you upgrade your firmware.  They recently added open lid detect.  I did a 13# packer a couple of weeks ago before the upgrade and was pleased.  The upgrade will make it better.  One thing to watch for, the Billows has a BIG fan and allows a lot of air through even when not running.  For low and slow you need to keep the top vent almost closed.

onpoint456

aem said:

onpoint456 said:

I just picked one up but haven't had a chance to use it. Planning a 10# packer cook this weekend though.

Make sure you upgrade your firmware.  They recently added open lid detect.  I did a 13# packer a couple of weeks ago before the upgrade and was pleased.  The upgrade will make it better.  One thing to watch for, the Billows has a BIG fan and allows a lot of air through even when not running.  For low and slow you need to keep the top vent almost closed.

Appreciate the advice and looking forward to breaking it in.

speed51133

I have and love my fireboard. www.Fireboard.com

It has stellar reviews on amazingribs.
https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/thermometers/fireboard-fbx11-review 

hogfan412

I am intrigued by the fireboard....thanks for sharing.

stlcharcoal

speed51133 said:

I have and love my fireboard. www.Fireboard.com

It has stellar reviews on amazingribs.
https://amazingribs.com/ratings-reviews/thermometers/fireboard-fbx11-review 

hogfan412 said:

I am intrigued by the fireboard....thanks for sharing.

On thing to point out, Fireboard is not a controller, it's a monitor.  

Good unit though if you're just looking to monitor remotely.

speed51133

actually, fireboard will control a fan which controls the temperature. 
https://www.fireboard.com/shop/fan-cable/

Easily control the temperature of your charcoal or wood fired smoker. Plugs into the auxiliary port on your FireBoard and designed to work with most fans! 12V power adapter included*.

DESCRIPTION

Take control of your fire with the FireBoard Drive Fan Control Cable. Plug in the Fan Control Cable and give your existing FireBoard(sold separately) the ability to maintain the temperature of your wood or charcoal fueled smoker.  Controlled through the iOS or Android app, set your desired smoker temperature or override and manually control the fan yourself.

Includes 12V Power Adapter*

More info:

• Uses standard FireBoard Auxiliary port
• Bring your own fan! Drives most 12V fans with 2.5mm barrel plug (or order a fan here)
• Powered by internal FireBoard battery
• Efficiently drives fans from 0-100% power
• Connect external power source for larger fans
• Charge your FireBoard using the included 12V power adapter
• OPTIONAL: Speaker version available for audible alert for alarms
• Control Cable does NOT come with FireBoard Thermometer or Blower

FireBoard Drive Fan Control Cable User Guide (PDF)

speed51133

why is this in "forum feedback" all of the sudden?????

stlcharcoal

speed51133 said:

actually, fireboard will control a fan which controls the temperature. 
https://www.fireboard.com/shop/fan-cable/

Cool!  Didn't know they added that.  Is it new??

I'm kind of surprised they don't market that ability on the board's product page or have it as an option to add on.  You have to go back out to the catalog in find it.  Not really mentioned anywhere either.

speed51133

It is over a year old. Maybe 2 years??? I mean fireboard came out like three years ago. The fan control option was released about a year later. I really like it, but the only thing I can compare it to was a cheap amazon bluetooth monitor that I returned. 
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B014DAVHSQ/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o03_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Which other users here seem to love, lol.

aem

Thermoworks Signals and Billows are back on sale, 20% off for "limited time". 

RajunCajun

SMObOT hands down.  Trust us on this one.

speed51133

RajunCajun said:

SMObOT hands down.  Trust us on this one.

it only controls a damper (daisy wheel). I actually like having a fan and modulating that. You can ramp up temps fast if needed and sustain them, like for a pizza cook at 900F.

onpoint456

Question about operatinf the cooker when using a pit controller. Do you start the cooker as you would without it?

Meaning, start the fire, put in wood, wait for thin blue smoke, out meat on.

lkapigian

onpoint456 said:

Question about operatinf the cooker when using a pit controller. Do you start the cooker as you would without it?

Meaning, start the fire, put in wood, wait for thin blue smoke, out meat on.

My opinion it varies...if I'm starting with a chimney and existing lump, I dump and let the controller take over, if fresh coals and using starters , I wait 

onpoint456

lkapigian said:

onpoint456 said:

Question about operatinf the cooker when using a pit controller. Do you start the cooker as you would without it?

Meaning, start the fire, put in wood, wait for thin blue smoke, out meat on.

My opinion it varies...if I'm starting with a chimney and existing lump, I dump and let the controller take over, if fresh coals and using starters , I wait 

Thanks, it's new lump so I think I'll start as I normally would.

RajunCajun

speed51133 said:

RajunCajun said:

SMObOT hands down.  Trust us on this one.

it only controls a damper (daisy wheel). I actually like having a fan and modulating that. You can ramp up temps fast if needed and sustain them, like for a pizza cook at 900F.

Why would you need a controller for a pizza cook.  Speaking from experience, the fan adds another variable to the equation that is not necessary.  I’ve done many cooks with a fan controller and there is no comparison in ease of use.  But hey, we’re all different.  If we were the same life would be boring.

littlerascal56

Don’t use a controller for cooks over 400 degrees.  Flameboss only warrantees their probes up to 450. Above that, you will see probe failures.

nolaegghead

If you want to ramp temp up fast for pizza, blast the bottom vent with a leaf blower.

You will destroy your thermocouple at high temps (or thermistor or the wires if they are inside).

I have a lot of professional experience with PID controllers.

lkapigian

Some ribs on the Stumps if you want to see how tight it holds warmed it up to 250 then bumped to 275 you can see where I loaded it

It is a live link

Cook 753768 | My Flame Boss

https://myflameboss.com/en/cooks/753768

littlerascal56

That Stumps is a nice cooker.  I did some riblets at 225 on my gravity feed, and the cook profile was similar to yours!

speed51133

Don't need any temp probes to get the pizza cook hot. I can just turn on the fan to any percentage I want. It runs fine without any probes. Way cleaner and better looking than a leaf blower. Again, I don't have a flame boss. I have a fire board. 

xiphoid007

Smobot all the way. I've had one since the beginning and it is practically full proof. Even has an app to control the grill temp from your phone.