EGG Genius Failed after 3 years, now looking for another option... Maybe Pro Temp 2 with blower?

EggHeadQ

Well after 3 or 4 great years, our Egg Genius failed and won't turn back on. Our initial unit failed and had to be sent in for warranty work. They replaced the internals and sent it back to us. Last year sometime one of the connector points failed on the unit that required me to solder them back together. The unit worked for a while but now will not turn on at all.

So now the fun question, do we buy another Egg Genius or look at other options like the Pro Temp 2? The Pro Temp has been all over my instagram lately and seems pretty legit

xfire_ATX

I have a very old Egg Genius which I hardly ever use- mainly because I do so few low and slow.

But I have the Chef IQ probes that I use fairly often for differing cooks and when I do pull out the egg genius I only have it control egg temp not watch my cook.

I have been seeing that same system on social media and what caught my eye was digital dome temp and then their Breeze fan system.  Looks like a nice set up but right now I dont need it.

OhioEgger

Just get a Smobot and be done.

StillH2OEgger

No sure how many years I've had the smobot now, but I would definitely buy another if this one eventually fails me.

alaskanassasin

Smobot. 

Botch

"Turd in the Punchbowl", incoming!!    💩
 
I used a Smobot for many years too (not sure how many) but mine broke.  I had purchased high-quality probes (ThermoWorks) to go with it (normally the first things to go), but now my controller, when I turn it on, the backlight comes on but no lettering is visible; I've tried recharging the battery, disconnecting/reconnecting things, etc, but she won't wake up.  I did get a few years of use out of it, but also had to disassemble/clean the servo-vent from the top several times (and there's a very tiny washer (mebbe 3/16" OD) on the vent's pivot bolt that is very easy to lose if you're not aware of it.) 

I've had about four different controllers/monitors, and it seems they all fail rather quickly.  When I first started my Egg journey I always thought, okay, you control the O2 coming in, dial in the temp, and she stays steady until she runs out of fuel.  This has never worked for me, it seems I'd always get swings, in either direction.  Since my smobot failed (about a year ago) I've been trying something different, just using the gap in the lower vent to set for the type of cook, rely on the thermometer only to check that the fire is still lit, and otherwise ignore the temperature, No More Chasing!  I open the bottom vent 1/8" for brisket or butt if I made them (my Large will not stay lit with a 225º temp/credit-card-sized crack in the vent), 3/4" for chicken/ribs, and wide-open for pizzas, flanken or skirt/flank steaks.  I don't get the bowl temp that I'm shooting for, but its close enough (I do use a Typhur wireless probe to monitor food temp, we'll see how long those last).   

Elijah

Is the contrast way off? You could check that setting with the buttons without the screen hopefully. That or a factory reset maybe. 

Botch

Elijah said:

Is the contrast way off? You could check that setting with the buttons without the screen hopefully. That or a factory reset maybe. 

I still have it, do you know off the top of your head the button presses for a Factory Reset?
 

Elijah

I don't have one, but that just happened with my old cyberq

Botch

I did ask Siri, and surprisingly she gave me specific instructions, but the first one was "Go to Settings" which I can't do.
I guess I'm sorta proud of my stupid Apple Assistant younger sister, she didn't even ask me if she could contact ChatGPT first; she may actually be ready for a training bra soon!    

6baluts

@Botch

- Not sure what Siri directed you to, here is what SMOBOT has on their "Resource Page" 

https://smobot.com/blogs/news/smobot-interface-

and-settings  You have to scroll down to the contrast area.

- My Smobot is old and still going strong. Only ventured down the tear down rabbit hole once. That was to install the Servo Arm/Rain Protector. Newer units I believe ship with it.

- Light dawned over my marble head when I discovered Isopropyl alcohol cleans the damper great. Either using it on a cotton ball or alcohol wipe. The higher % alcohol the easier it cleans if that helps.

Botch

Thanks @6baluts!

EggHeadQ

Thank you for all the comments, SMOBOT is a nice set up for sure.

WoodworkerBED

I have no idea how long it will last, but I love the performance of my ThermoWorks Billows.  And the rechargeable battery goes forever between charges.  Paired with my ThermoWorks Smoke X4 I can pretty much forget chasing the temperature around.

Begger

One way to do a hard reset is to SHORT OUT the battery for an instant.    Or if you can?   REMOVE the battery entirely than short between the battery connections....
My GARMIN GPS would lock up......and the cure was a battery removal than short.....Darn thing was junk, and not stood behind by the company, IMO....

A31unit

I just bought a Fireboard Drive 2 bundle from CGS and like it a lot!