BGE vs. Flame Boss 400 Controllers

logchief

I'm looking at getting a controller and it appears that the BGE or the Flame Boss 400 would be the ones for my large BGE.  On the BGE site they reference call Flame Boss for tech support.  Is the BGE controller just a Flame Boss 400 that's green and the BGE name on it, just like BGE charcoal that's made by Royal Oak so they say.

Photo Egg

Yes, it’s made by Flame Boss. But I highly recommend spending just a little more money and buying the 500. Having the dedicated control panel is soooo nice.

TWags15

I’ve got the green one, if it’s the Egg Genius you’re talking about. After a finicky start (syncing issue, faulty cable), I couldn’t be much more pleased with the experience on my LGE. Been rolling smooth for 10 months. My first unit, so nothing to compare it to. That’s just been my experience so far. Semi on topic, the Genius is one of two reasons (in 18+ months) I’ve called the mothership for assistance. The other was for removing the regulator, and both times the reps were super friendly and helpful. Hope you guys have had the same good fortune.

MasterC

Have used the genius 4+ years with no problems,

stlcharcoal

If you're going to spend extra money, upgrade to the extra features of the 500 rather than just paying extra for the color.

4TheGrillOfIt

Love the Egg Genius version, but I don’t really care about the display in the 500.  I only use the Genius on really long cooks.  For everything under a few hours I use a ThermoWorks Smoke, Dot or a Meater.

TWags15

4TheGrillOfIt said:

Love the Egg Genius version, but I don’t really care about the display in the 500.  I only use the Genius on really long cooks.  For everything under a few hours I use a ThermoWorks Smoke, Dot or a Meater.

Ditto.

lkapigian

@logchief

my vote is for the FB500

Money_Hillbilly

@logchief Another vote for FB 500.  I had the egg genius and I despised having to get my phone out while gloved up just to check protein temperature.  I now have 2 FB 500’s one for my eggs and one that I use for my big gravity fed unit.  Flawless operation on both devices.  Another especially use feature is the ability to keep notes on each cook in a history file.  That way you can go back and look at previous cook and wrap times along with details on rubs and any other details you wish to document. A very useful tool.  On another note I also have the Flame Boss Thermometer that I highly recommend.  Very reasonable price and same functionality but without the fan.  I use it on chicken, Porkloin and other cooks where I don’t need a controller but need to monitor temps remotely.  I use the FB Thermometer to monitor my KBQ for the same reasons.

WeberWho

I used my Flameboss 500 a few weeks back for the first time and it ran flawless. It was really nice monitoring everything from my phone. 

The only downfall I feel with the Flameboss 500 is that it looks and feels cheap. The overall quality isn't very appealing. Especially when comparing it to the Fireboard Drive. It feels very much outdated already. I came from the Stoker where it was overbuilt and everything about the controller itself was topnotch. The Flameboss 500 controller feels like it should be on sale for $19.99 in some discount bin. There's really nothing nice about the controller and probes feel cheap.

The positive is that you really don't need to look at the Flameboss 500 and everything runs from your phone. It's user friendly and beats my other controllers in every possible way except for the overall build quality. I'm hoping the Flameboss 500 lasts me many years as it's pretty much a plug and play controller. I'm just not sure given the quality. Plus Minnesota winters never help any electronics outdoors. 

littlerascal56

You are paying for the easy to use app with the FB500. And the fact it will work on just about any cooker made. And the excellent customer service when you need it.  Every smoker I built had a FB300 on it, which I programmed for the buyer.  Easy to operate, and auto updates. Flameboss all the way!

WeberWho

@logchief

I found a Flameboss 500 for $300 on Marketplace if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/387460323340275/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Flame boss&tracking={"qid":"-6204327782331517339","mf_story_key":"5253242068090063","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5253242068090063,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":-1,\"ranking_signature\":0,\"commerce_channel\":503,\"value\":0}","ftmd_400706":"111112l"}&_rdr

stlcharcoal

WeberWho said:

@logchief

I found a Flameboss 500 for $300 on Marketplace if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/387460323340275/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Flame boss&tracking={"qid":"-6204327782331517339","mf_story_key":"5253242068090063","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5253242068090063,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":-1,\"ranking_signature\":0,\"commerce_channel\":503,\"value\":0}","ftmd_400706":"111112l"}&_rdr

Can buy them new with a warranty for nearly that......

If buying used, make sure you get the serial number and try to login into the unit remotely via the app.  Those of us that sell them online record the serial numbers and if the buyer/thief gives us a bad credit card or disputes, it only takes FB about 10 seconds to brick the thing.....and it's worthless (and stolen property with IP location logged.)

WeberWho

stlcharcoal said:

WeberWho said:

@logchief

I found a Flameboss 500 for $300 on Marketplace if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/387460323340275/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Flame boss&tracking={"qid":"-6204327782331517339","mf_story_key":"5253242068090063","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5253242068090063,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":-1,\"ranking_signature\":0,\"commerce_channel\":503,\"value\":0}","ftmd_400706":"111112l"}&_rdr

Can buy them new with a warranty for nearly that......

If buying used, make sure you get the serial number and try to login into the unit remotely via the app.  Those of us that sell them online record the serial numbers and if the buyer/thief gives us a bad credit card or disputes, it only takes FB about 10 seconds to brick the thing.....and it's worthless (and stolen property with IP location logged.)

I'm not sure about that. Isn't it about $100 savings with tax? 

I was able to snag one of Marketplace a month or so back for more than 50% off. Mine was factory sealed. I hoped for the best but expected the worse. The transaction and shipment were flawless. 

stlcharcoal

WeberWho said:

stlcharcoal said:

WeberWho said:

@logchief

I found a Flameboss 500 for $300 on Marketplace if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/387460323340275/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Flame boss&tracking={"qid":"-6204327782331517339","mf_story_key":"5253242068090063","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5253242068090063,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":-1,\"ranking_signature\":0,\"commerce_channel\":503,\"value\":0}","ftmd_400706":"111112l"}&_rdr

Can buy them new with a warranty for nearly that......

If buying used, make sure you get the serial number and try to login into the unit remotely via the app.  Those of us that sell them online record the serial numbers and if the buyer/thief gives us a bad credit card or disputes, it only takes FB about 10 seconds to brick the thing.....and it's worthless (and stolen property with IP location logged.)

I'm not sure about that. Isn't it about $100 savings with tax? 

I was able to snag one of Marketplace a month or so back for more than 50% off. Mine was factory sealed. I hoped for the best but expected the worse. The transaction and shipment were flawless. 

Depends on where you shop I suppose......I know a place that gives a great discount to forum members - no tax, free shipping, everyday. 

Griffin

And here I am still rocking the OG Flameboss and the Flameboss 100....

WeberWho

WeberWho said:

@logchief

I found a Flameboss 500 for $300 on Marketplace if you're interested.

https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/387460323340275/?ref=browse_tab&search_query=Flame boss&tracking={"qid":"-6204327782331517339","mf_story_key":"5253242068090063","commerce_rank_obj":"{\"target_id\":5253242068090063,\"target_type\":0,\"primary_position\":-1,\"ranking_signature\":0,\"commerce_channel\":503,\"value\":0}","ftmd_400706":"111112l"}&_rdr

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