Egg Genius or Alternative

impag10

I have been looking at buying some type of temp/wifi control for oh about a decade.  Finally going to get one, what is everyone's experience with EGG Genius or other brands that may be better and cheaper without the BGE name on it.  Thanks 

Photo Egg

Alternative, definitely alternative!

impag10

Photo Egg

Any suggestion for a large BGE?

Ozzie_Isaac

Smobot or Flameboss would be my vote.  I use both (not at same time) and have been very satisfied.  I like the Smobot because it is quiet and works really well. The Flameboss works really well and the positive airflow is beneficial in some situations.

Photo Egg

Smobot or Flame Boss 500.
I prefer to have a control box so I can see and adjust from the cooker and not have to always control from phone or tablet.

danhoo

I looked at lots of options and went with the thermoworks Smoke X4 / billows.

I did not want to have to use my phone at all and like the separate remote.

I sort of wish it had graphing and charting but wasn't a deal breaker.

It is a game changer for me for low-temp and a couple of weekends ago I did an overnight smoke in the rain and it held grate temp solid at 220F through the night and the rain.

I can only make changes at the cooker, and that's OK. It doesn't have wifi or a way to monitor if I'm away from the house, but I could always point a wyze wifi camera at the display if I had to leave the house.

I've been told that the billows is too much fan for the LBGE, and maybe that's true yet so far it hasn't overshot my temps when recovering from a lid open or change in temp.

OH, and the mag mount was great to hang it off my pellet grill under the cover before the rain started. It does need 12V power, and they supply an adapter. I plan to get a small rechargeable battery so I don't have to run an ext cord to the egg.

4TheGrillOfIt

Dude, for the money and features the Egg Genius is great.  It’s made by Flame Boss and can accommodate up to 3 meat probes.  One downside—there is not a physical controller with readout.  You have to use a smart device.  If you don’t mind that the Genius is perfect.  

pgprescott

I was never a controller person but the egg genius is great. I’m converted. I’m sure the FB is also because they are made by FB. The genius has ability to monitor more temps is the only difference. 

stlcharcoal

By the time you add the expense of the extra probes and y-adapters to the Genius, you can just get the Flameboss 500......then you have the control head with the screen and you don't have to screw with the y-adapters.

impag10

Thank you all, does anyone have an opinion on BBQ Guru UltraQ?

Photo Egg

impag10 said:

Thank you all, does anyone have an opinion on BBQ Guru UltraQ?

I stumbled across an UltraQ a couple months ago. Seems like a great unit. Controls from box is more difficult. Colors around the edge of box mean different things. I passed it off to my brother who likes it. I’m keeping my FB 500. I think the FB 500 screen is easier to navigate. I do think the new Guru probes are built better.
You can download the instructions from most of the manufacturers. Read through them and see how you feel about each. Guru, FB and Smobot all have great customer service.

Jsphipps

The Egg Genius is awesome!  It is a little finicky when setting up and there is not a lot of documentation available to help you out…..but once you’ve got it down it’s hard to beat! 

Dawgtired

love my FlameBoss 500

Money_Hillbilly

@impag10 I have used BBQ Guru, CyberQ, Egg Genius and Flameboss 500.  All controlled temps well but they each offered something different.  BBQ Guru did an excellent job of controlling temps but lacked web connectivity.  Cyber Q was web based, controlled temps well but was not user friendly.  Egg Genius (Flameboss 400) worked well at controlling temps but lacked a temp readout at the pit so I constantly had to pull my phone out while gloved up just to check temps.  My favorite is the Flameboss 500, I can watch at the egg or my phone and make adjustments from anywhere.  One of the most important features is the storage of cooks with notes in a history file on their cloud server.  I find it really handy to search previous cooks with the details of time, temp, rubs, wrapping times, etc.  All control temps well but each brings something a little different.  I avoided upgrading to the web based controllers for a long time thinking I didn’t need it but it has really made my cooks so much easier.  

Ozzie_Isaac

Money_Hillbilly said:

@impag10 I have used BBQ Guru, CyberQ, Egg Genius and Flameboss 500.  All controlled temps well but they each offered something different.  BBQ Guru did an excellent job of controlling temps but lacked web connectivity.  Cyber Q was web based, controlled temps well but was not user friendly.  Egg Genius (Flameboss 400) worked well at controlling temps but lacked a temp readout at the pit so I constantly had to pull my phone out while gloved up just to check temps.  My favorite is the Flameboss 500, I can watch at the egg or my phone and make adjustments from anywhere.  One of the most important features is the storage of cooks with notes in a history file on their cloud server.  I find it really handy to search previous cooks with the details of time, temp, rubs, wrapping times, etc.  All control temps well but each brings something a little different.  I avoided upgrading to the web based controllers for a long time thinking I didn’t need it but it has really made my cooks so much easier.  

No read out at pit would be deal breaker, sometimes I don't have my phone on me or my wifi is acting up.  I have a FB100 and a FB200.  They both work great.  I would take @Money_Hillbilly 's advice and go FB500.