Recommended Temperature Contol Device

fifty2twenty · July 2011

Looking for a good recommendation on a temperature control device fan and heat probe combo. Anyone have any experience with a good one or one to avoid?

NC-CDN · July 2011

I think it depends what you want to do. I have a BBQ Guru nano Q and love it. It's very basic and does it's job. IF you want to control stuff with an iPhone and be able to monitor your set-up then you'll need something else. Give a bit of detail on what you expect it to do and I'm sure plenty of folks will chime in.

I do love my Guru. Hasn't failed me. Mine does not have a digital display though. IT's still very easy to set.

The Naked Whiz · July 2011

Have you checked out my product reviews page? I have reviews of every major controller on the market except for the Pitmaster iQue. But I'm going to post the Pitmaster iQue review tonight! Compare prices and features and then buy what suits you best. They all work a hell of a lot better than your kitchen oven....

Product Reviews

crghc98 · July 2011

the lower vent and daisey..... :laugh:

horseflesh · July 2011

I am planning on buying the Stoker.

I started by considering a cheaper controller like the Auber, but I also want several meat probes... I have only had my Egg for a few weeks and already I have needed 2 at once, can 4 be that far away?

I decided that I may as well get a Stoker since you can put a million probes on it if you like and I cannot rule out adding a second egg to my life...

Of course, a Stoker food probe with 6 ft cable is $40 and that is about the same price as a remote thermometer so there isn't a cost savings... but there should be a hassle reduction, plus you get computer monitoring of your temperatures which sounds fun.

Still the cheapskate in me is very interested in the Whiz's iQue review... I may yet take the cheap road.

chrisnjenn · July 2011

I had the Guru (really nice) and now have the Stoker. I much prefer the Stoker for its versatility. I have had it for over a year and it has never missed a beat. I have 3 food probes and it can control my 2 Eggs at the same time.

Grandpas Grub · July 2011

Ton's of info on this can be found by doing a search.

I have and use both the Stoker and DigiQ (q2). Both are great. If you are "only" going to monitor 1 meat and the pit it really doesn't matter which unit you get.

If you take the time to read the manual on the Stoker it is as simple 2 use as the DigiQ (q2). If you are doing a second cook the same as the first, nothing needs to be changed on either unit. If you need a higher temperature on the pit and or a different meat temperature you need to push some buttons on either unit to get the new settings. Nothing harder than that.

Beyond that, for me, the Stoker is a better choice. I can control multiple eggs and monitor multiple foods on almost any number of eggs at the same time. I can control all those items remotely on any device that has internet connectivity. The stoker can email and tweet the information if desired.

If I have a temperature or pit probe go out for one reason or another on the Stoker I simply assign a different probe food or pit to control the blower. Ont he q2 you need to have a probe on hand or buy a new probe and wait for delivery.

Service is great from both companies. It seems a phone call works best with the Stoker folks.

Labor day I cooked brisket on the large egg using the Stoker and 2 Boston Butts on the medium using the q2. Obviously the q2 could only monitor 1 of the Boston butts. I then added 3 extra probes to the Stoker when went over to the medium egg and monitored the q2 cook. 1 probe for the pit and 1 probe each in the 2 Boston Butts.

I then went into the computer and pulled up the Stokler program and monitored both cooks on the same screen. I could change any control settings on the stoker (the large egg) and monitor all probes with alarms on both eggs. The Stoker could not change the settings on the q2 obviously but it could monitor. My son turned on his Iphone and was also watching and could control the settings if needed. It turned out that I needed to bump the temperature on the brisket and that was done from my sons Iphone.

If you think you will need to expand at some point in time and/or like techie stuff get the Stoker.

I bought the q2 and then decided I wanted to play around with the temperatures via computer and ended up buying the Stoker. I haven't sold either one as of yet. For my use if I got rid of one of the controllers it would be the DigiQ.

If you end up deciding you want the DigiQ then take a look at the Auberins controller. I have heard from several forum members who really like it. The overall cost was about $120. www.auberins.com
Another Low cost controller is the iQue 110 again recommended by forum members. http://www.pitmasteriq.com/

Hope this sheds a little more light with your search.

If you want to read more here is another link to look at.

http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=1011363&catid=1

GG
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Grandpas Grub · July 2011

You can easily and inexpensively build extension cables for your probes if you have a need. Keep in mind any electrical connection will need to be protected if there should be 'bad weather' during the cook.

GG

fifty2twenty · July 2011

Thanks, Naked. Very familiar with your site. Been there many times just missed the product view section! You're like the CNET of ceramic cooking!

fifty2

PS I really enjoy the Publix charcoal.

The Naked Whiz · July 2011

I'll take as a compliment unless I find out Rupert Murdoch owns CNET, :laugh:

NC-CDN · July 2011

The Naked Whiz wrote:

I'll take as a compliment unless I find out Rupert Murdoch owns CNET, :laugh:

:laugh:

I did look at your link. Quite the in depth review you have of them. Impressive.

UPEgger · July 2011

I got the BBQ Guru ProCom 4 and have been happy with the entire setup. The one I have came with three meat probes and one pit probe. What more would I need????. The desire to set on my butt and monitor the temps for pit and meat is what tipped the scale in favor of the ProCom4. So far I have done two packer briskets and one large Boston Butt(bone in). All turned out perfect. I have two Large BGEs and one Mini to play with. Had them about two years. I do not do anything low and slow on the Mini. I guess the only problem one would have with the ProCom4 would be to run out of lump during the night. UPEgger.

The Naked Whiz · July 2011

Thanks! It makes the effort worth while!

B&BKnox · July 2011

I just got an auber and used it for a brisket cook for 7+ hours it kept the grid temp + or - 1 degree. Large digital display makes it easy to see from a distance, easy to change pit temps on the fly. I found the build quality pretty good, not quite Guru standards but for the 136 delivered price it can't be beat. I use a thermoworks thermometer to monitor meat temp.

If I wanted both pit and meat temp control and the ability to check up via the internet or smart phone the stoker would win hands down.

Hoss · July 2011

The top vent(DMFT,a.k.a.Daisy Wheel)/Bottom vent combination that come with the Egg work pretty well.

tacodawg · July 2011

Are you looking for electronic or manual control. I bought a micro adjuster to control the bottom vent for slow cooks. It makes it very easy to keep records of where you had the vent set to get a specific temp. I got the maverick 732 to monitor tmps of dome and meet. Will I get any of the power vent for the lower vent I am sure I will but they are gadgets. Learn the egg and temp control. Keep records of your settings and temps it makes it easier the next cook.

Recommended Temperature Contol Device

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