Power Draft Control Question

cnawolski

What would be the best power draft control for the Large egg. I do not cook too often (2 time per week) but I do like to cook roasts a lot. Thanks

RU Eggsperienced

Depends on who you ask... I like my Stoker but alot of people like the BBQ Guru... Check them both out our check out Naked Whiz's site. I think there are advantages to both!!

cnawolski

Will do, Thanks for the info!

Jeffersonian

The Stoker has some nice features, but I'd look hard at the Guru. It's pretty easy to set up and use, and after the first cook, it keeps the temps nice and steady.

Luvs to shoot clay

I use a BBQ Guru, I have two, the old one and a new Guru II. I see the new one that only has a temperature control, very basic and I wish I had bought that for my second one and saved the money. I usually don't use the meat probe as I stay close enough to use a Tayler probe and take the meat off as soon as it's done. I have never let the Guru shut down the fire when the meat is done although it says it will do that. Just not enough trust in electronics to take a chance on overcooking a good chunk of brisket or pork.
Just my 2 cents.

Grandpas Grub

 
Reading the comparisons is a good starting place. I have both the DigiQII and the Stoker.

Both are simple to use and take only a few button pushes to move on to the next cook, unless the next cook is the same as the previous cook. Then it is just placing the probes and turning either unit on.

The q2 has a smaller footprint, less table top space and will control 1 egg and monitor 1 piece of meat.

The Stoker can control many eggs and many foods at the same time.

Both are very accurate and very dependable. For a single egg and single piece of meat monitoring either unit is great.

However, the Stoker really is great if you want to monitor, track and plot a cook. Connect the Stoker to the computer or internet capable device, DigiQII can't be connected to a computer, and the Stoker really steps out ahead of the q2.

I use the Stoker when I want do do staged temperature cooks such as smoking summer sausage. I need to cook at one temperature, increase the temperature for a time and then again increase the temperature again. I do this inside from the computer or from any other device the can connect to the internet. It will report on twitter if that is desired.

Another great feature is tomorrow I am making some deli meats and am cooking a ham and a turkey at the same time. I place the pit probe, 1 food probe in the turkey and 1 food probe in the ham. Again, I monitor and control the Stoker from wherever I am at. If I am cooking multiple foods or one food over the top of another food I use the Stoker and multiple food probes.

If I am giving some food away or selling the smoked food I use the Stoker and record the cook to make sure and record the safe cook.

If I were to never want to connect the powered vent system to a computer and only need it for one cook and one food I would probably get the DigiQ.

Because of the computer connection and the multiple food probe capability I would lean towards the Stoker.

GG

Luvs to shoot clay

Good explaination of how and why the Stoker works. How much do they cost? How many meat probes can you use at a time? I know I could research it but it's easier to ask and I am really into easy.

Grandpas Grub

 
The most meat probes I have used was 5 and 1 pit probe. Right now 3 meat probes and 1 pit.

There is a past post were 6 eggs were being controlled along with the food probes.

Here are the sites and you can configure/price out what you want.

Stoker Controllers
Guru (DigiQ) Controllers

Both are fun places to visit, enjoy.

GG

Canugghead

Kent, nice writeup there. I set up my stoker to run with long stereo headphone extension wires... it allows me to run stoker indoor, a big bonus for extreme cold weather smoking.

However, with warmer weather I'm thinking about wireless setup. Unfortunately, neiher of my two wireless routers is DD-WRT compatible, bummer :(

I'm smoking cheese right now using caveman's method. Have you tried smoking cheese with the stoker?

Gary

Grandpas Grub

 
I need to build an expansion/extension connection for mine. I have 2 more food probes than plugs.

I understand the stereo extension wires on the cables but if going hard wire then why not just run 1 ethernet cable rather than several stereo cables?

With 'N' becoming more popular there are a lot of discounts on 'G' modems which are firmware burnable for $20 & $30. If DD-WRT won't work possible Tomato or I think there are a couple of other firmware burns that will work.

GG

RRP

I find that interesting that you don't use or don't trust the ramp feature. IMHO that is where the Guru really shines and proves its worth. Sometimes I'll use my Guru when normally I wouldn't but it allows me more time away for other things as opposed to watching over the cook in process. Your way is kinda like paying the baby sitter but still staying home to make sure she watched the kids! :laugh:

Little Steven

cnawolski,

The power draught units really only aid in long, unattended cooks. If you just want to do a roast, I wouldn't spend the money. The egg will maintain temp on it's own.

Steve

Canugghead

Actually 'stereo cable' is a misnomer, as you can see in my photo, I used three pairs of stereo headphone jacks and two CAT5 cables to build the equivalent of three stereo cables. So when I'm controlling one egg I just need to run the dual plug CAT5 through the window, the stoker stays dry and warm indoor adjacent to my router. Both wires are required only when controlling two eggs. Keep in mind that you need a dedicated extension for each blower (i.e. no splitting).



Gary

Luvs to shoot clay

Do you set it to shut down early as in 190 on a brisket you want to end up around 205? Or set it where you want it? I have been using my guru for about 3 years, guess I should know but I don't.

RRP

I trust the Guru and shoot the works! Go for 205 - it will calculate where both temps are are start backing off the air flow (hence temp) as it ramps up slowly to 205.

boston_stoker

As you may have guessed from my handle, I have a stoker. It works fantastically! I cannot recommend it enough. That being said, I have no experience with the BBQ Guru.

fishlessman

once stabilized the egg holds roasting temps well enough as is. for a roast i wouldnt bother with either one. for an overnight cook it might help you sleep but for an average roast type cook im not seeing it. lots of other things to spend money on

Jeffersonian

I agree with this. Anything south of six hours or so i just use the vents. The Guru is for sleeping.