Time and temp controllers

I have used mine any cooks of an hour or more.  Its really all your personal preference.  Sometimes I don't feel like setting the Guru up and cook without it on shorter cooks, but I always use it for the long low and slow's. 

I use my digiq whenever I want to hold the temp at 325 degrees or less with recipes that take more than an hour to complete.  I also use it when doing cooks when putting on multiple loads of appetizers.  When I grill jalapeno poppers, I normally stagger putting on about 12 of them at at 15 minute increments so we always have fresh throughout the evening.

I usually dont use the controller unless it is more than a couple hours. On a 6 hour cook like ribs...if im just hangin around the house sometimes i dont borher. Always use it for overniters.

I just bought an auber (took advantage of the sale) and used it for the first time last night.  It is so nice to be able to sleep comfortably not worrying about the temp on an overnighter.  I cooked a butt at 215 grid and it was the best one I have done yet.  Very moist and delicious.  I dont think you'll regret the purchase.