Is it cheating to use BBQ Guru equipment?

WessB

Wasn't twisting your words in one bit....you said..

There is still the mix of your rub, the wood type and amount of it, the sauce, the selecting your meat, etc.

How does that even remotely relate to him asking if others considered using a contoller "cheating"...Mine was a totally sincere and honest comment I posted to you..if you care to relate this to Tweev than so be it...I'll know where to not waste my time responding in the future...

Grandpas Grub

 
Cheating? No not at all. I have both the Stoker and Guru and use them both. There are a lot of cooks where I don't use either.

I could get by almost as well by just using the $40 Maverick ET-73. When using the Guru I do always use the ET-73 as the egg is a long ways away from where I am at as the cook progresses. The stoker, I use the computer interface which allows remote monitoring/control.

One more thought, using the DigiQII I had a fire go out during the middle of the night. I wasn't close enough to the q2 to hear the alarm and the egg had a vertical burn. I have also had the q2 overshoot the temperature and burn the food.

Yes, I would buy them again. They sure are nice to have and use.

GG

thirdeye

Yep, it's cheating alright, and right up there with brining, tin foil, Parkay, or using Tenderquick on brisket.

Wait a dang second.... I've done all of those things.

Actually, when I learned to barbecue 4 decades ago, we didn't even have a thermometer on the cookers. Like so many others mentioned, It's a good idea to learn fire management and what to look for, what to listen for and what the smells from the vent mean when you are cooking. So, give yourself about 10 years and then modernize your set-up.... :laugh:



Seriously, all that said, I own a Guru and you will find it running about half of my normal overnight cooks, and almost all of the ones done in adverse conditions.

WessB

You do have that controller covered with something...right????

boston_stoker

Like I said I am not here to play your games

WessB

Cest la vie

LoveHandles

I agree with you Chris. Its good to learn how to control the fire, but its sure nice to know its going to keep the same temp all night long without having to get up and check it all the time. We've had nothing but success using the gurus.

Hoss

There is no cheating when it comes to cookin.Whatever works for you is fine.I personally believe a person should learn how to control any cook they attempt sans gadgets.Once you can handle you're cooker(whatever it is) under any circumstance in any conditions then upgrade to whatever luxury gadget you like.Guess what I'm sayin is what would you do if the power was out??? :huh: Or your computer crashed in the middle of a cook??? PANIC??? If you knew what to do to pull off a great cook without gadgets there would be no problem,but if you rely on them to cook for you go buy a generator. Learn the CAVEMAN then upgrade.They are conveient(sp) I like to know the grill without them but they are great tools.

Mud Pig

I have definitely gotten a good amount of feedback on this topic. Given the amount I've already spent on accessories with a couple of more things I want to get I am going to hold off on getting a temp controller fan setup. Like many of you have said, I need to bond with my XL BGE first.

I look forward to cooking by touch and feel.

thirdeye

You mean other than snow? Heheee.

Yes, I just put the whole unit in a zipper bag and make small holes for the cables.

WessB

You dug this one up from the deep...figured as much but just absolutely couldn't tell from the pics..no bag visible..electronics don't like that white stuff...hope all is well..