Is this cheating?

tallen

Im new at smoking, and so dont have the experience of getting to a certain temperature and maintaining it.
Because of that, I just bought a CyberQ II for my large BGE, and I plan on using it tomorrow for the first time.

Is this considered cheating? Sort of like having a deer feeder right by a deer blind, or is there no stigma?


BTW, that CyberQ is pretty cool. I got a wireless USB hub attached to it and plan on installing a VNC app in my iphone so I can check the cook and make changes remotely.

Tim

Jeffersonian

Nah, but you should learn to do low-n-slow cooks without the electronics eventually. Tech is cool, but you shouldn't depend on it.

Fidel

if you cook it then it isn't cheating.

That being said, do yourself a favor and learn to set and control the temps manually. You will be a better cook for it. It is a good safety net, but you should still have the basic skill set and not just rely on the digital controls.

Crimsongator

no it's not cheating. It is best to learn how to stabilize the egg wothout it. You will be better for it.

It will work indirect best. I wouldn't use it for direct cooking. The risk of burning up the probes will be too high.

Ripnem

3 identical replies in 10 seconds.

Jeffersonian

We are the Borg...resistance is futile! :woohoo:

Dave Shady

Its just another tool to be used in the making of delicious long term low cooks! I cant wait to get my hands on a Digi Q next week. For them overnight pork butts it will be a blessing!


We also go a Guru Dealership for the store, now to educate the small percentage of the egg masses who need one just dont know it yet!!!!!

tallen

I appreciate the comments.
I agree that I should be able to do it manually, but that will take time. Im impatient and dont wont to ruin anything at this early stage.

Tim

Panhandle Smoker

Actually you may find it easier going primative. You will find that the Guru will take some playing with too. The Egg keeps temps rock solid by itself.

Grandpas Grub

tallen wrote:

Im new at smoking, and so dont have the experience of getting to a certain temperature and maintaining it.

Great excuse to get a powered vent system (PVS). Wish I had used that one.

It doesn't matter how you control your egg temperature you are going to go through somekind of learning curve and you may experience failures using the vents or a PVS.

When using your PVS for low temperature cooks, light your lump in several places, close down the blower slider to about 1/3 or 1/4 open and close the DFMT (daisy) slider closed petals about the width of a round tooth pick in the center of a petal.

If you find your pit temperature going higher than set point, you probably didn't close down the blower slider enough.

I use my PVS for overnight cooks and when I won't be able to check the egg for temperatures.

If I am going to be able to check the egg once in a while I won't bother using the PVS>

This link will give you an idea on vent settings without using a PVS - get to know how to use your egg both ways. http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=670088&catid=1

GG

Hoss

Some do,some don't ,some will,some won't,some can,some cain't,some are,some ain't!!!I believe in OLD SCHOOL!!!NO GADGETS FOR ME!!!

Hoss

:P

Hoss

Learn the EGG first,then go DIGITALQ!There is nothing electronic that can take the place of LEARNNG your EGG!!! Everybody wants to push a button and go to sleep!That AIN'T BBQin!That is LAZY!WHATEVER! COOK IT IN THE OVEN!!! :( A LOOSING BATTLE! :(

Frank from Houma

Do your own thing brother - got an 8.5# butt in the plateau on my SBGE with the digi Q in charge and slept well last night. Grey Goose may have had something to do with that. :laugh:

Learning to control the temp manually is good though. I went without the digi Q for well over a year and did plenty low and slows without a problem but I sure like the digi Q.

A famous artist was once asked why he was using a knife to paint with - his reply was that he would use his teeth if he thought it would help.

BUT DON'T GO GEEKY WITH ALL THIS "WIRELESS VCN APP" STUFF :woohoo: :woohoo:

Enjoy the ride anyway you like - the result is what your Q judges care about.

tallen

Thank for the link. It was very helpful.

stike

it's pretty easy to maintain temps without one, and they are no guarantee. fires go out even with powered draft units.

i'd recommend learning to build and maintain a proper fire before plugging anything in, but that's me. if it works for you, go ahead. no harm in it

it's just my old man took me out at 14 in a stick shift to teach me how to drive. made me take my driver's test in it too. he's a Vermonter. said "any idiot can drive an automatic, a man should know how to drive a standard".

kinda applies to a lot of things now that i think of it....

Aunt Crazy

Tell us how you really feel, Hoss :laugh: . Actually, I agree with you, young as I am at this

fieroguy

Now that brings back memories. When I got my license ('51) if you took the test in an automatic xmission vehicle, it was a restricted license. Took mine in a stick '48 Merc stawag.