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Which temp controller to buy?

Oh wise Eggheads,

I'm thinking about taking the plunge and buying a temperature controller. I'd appreciate any advice on which one to buy. It needs to be battery powered (no nearby power socket) and because my BGE is in the open, it needs to be rain proof or at least be able to fit into a box I can make (I currently have a Maverick thermometer and made a box for it). 

I'm in the UK so will probably have to import it but that's no problem. 

And while I don't need remote control when I'm away from home or ability to create graphs etc, that nerdy stuff is nice so let me know if you think that's worth it. Not essential though.  Thanks - would appreciate reasons why you think a certain model is great btw. 
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Comments

  • JT272929
    JT272929 Posts: 106
    I really like my BBQ Guru Party Q, runs on batteries, and just basic and works well!

    West Des Moines, IA. Pit Boss K24, Anova Sous Vide, Maverick 733, BBQ Guru Party Q, Looftlighter

  • Ladeback69
    Ladeback69 Posts: 4,484
    I don't have one,  but my brother in law got  Cyber Q which you can be out and check it online and I believe it creates graphs.  The Flame Boss 200 might be another to check out.  Others will chime in soon.
    XL, WSM, Coleman Road Trip Gas Grill

    Kansas City, Mo.
  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389

    Here is a thread that just went over this a few days ago.  Led me down the path to get the FB200 and thus far I am very impressed with it.  The thread should answer all your question

    http://eggheadforum.com/discussion/comment/2036997#Comment_2036997


    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    Fyi, flameboss sells an optional battery pack. 

    https://www.flameboss.com/battery_1


    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389

    @smokeypitt Damn You!!!!  I didn;t know they had a battery pack!!!!  Off to reaching out to @stlcharcoal again!

    I'm going to have to start having this stuff get sent to my work address so my wife doesn't know what I am getting!


    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490
    I don't have a FB, but if I were to get a wifi equipped unit this is the one I would recommend for most people if you want to monitor it outside of our home network. It will be much easier to set up.  With other units you have to set up port forwarding in your router.  The flameboss uploads data to a site so you can access anywhere without having to mess with your router. 

    I feel like I don't really need the wifi, but with the current prices it is only about $50-$60 difference between the flameboss 100 (no wifi) and 200 (wi-fi), so I would probably go for the 200.  


    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

  • SmokeyPitt
    SmokeyPitt Posts: 10,490

    @smokeypitt Damn You!!!!  I didn;t know they had a battery pack!!!!  Off to reaching out to @stlcharcoal again!

    I'm going to have to start having this stuff get sent to my work address so my wife doesn't know what I am getting!


    @tikigriller - man you might want to lay off the forum for a while before you end up sleeping outside with your grills! 


    Which came first the chicken or the egg?  I egged the chicken and then I ate his leg. 

  • I have no doubt that somebody could make a ton of money by developing a vagina attachment for the BGE.
    Stillwater, MN
  • BBQ guru.  I have one obviously that I plug into the wall but you can go to RadioShack and buy one of those battery holders that holds 8 AA batteries and use that to power your bbq guru 
    XL bge, Mini max & 36 BS Griddle.
  • @smokeypitt Damn You!!!!  I didn;t know they had a battery pack!!!!  Off to reaching out to @stlcharcoal again!

    I'm going to have to start having this stuff get sent to my work address so my wife doesn't know what I am getting!


    Same here. Thanks for the link!
  • TheToast
    TheToast Posts: 395
    Thanks everyone! Gonna have a good read
  • fishindoc
    fishindoc Posts: 212
    Love my cyberq..i had to have my IT friend help me program it through my router...not ad hoc...so i can use it via my phone anywhere im at...therefore i can monitor my cook and change temps even 2 hrs away! 
  • FarmerTom
    FarmerTom Posts: 685
    I have a CyberQ WiFi and it works great as long as I'm on my local network.  I have installed a WiFi extender so my wifi will extend to where my eggs are.  However, as of yet, I have been unable to program my router to see the CyberQ for port forwarding which is necessary for remote access.  Just a thought for anyone planning on doing the same.  I've no idea how other controllers will operate over an extended network.  

    Tommy 

    Middle of Nowhere, Northern Kentucky
       1 M, 1 XL, a BlackStone,1 old Webber, a Border Collie, a German Shepherd and 3 of her pups, and 2 Yorkies

  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Stoker is my go to. Works like a champ and easy setup.  No built I battery though.  
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • Ozzie_Isaac
    Ozzie_Isaac Posts: 21,683
    If you want simple, nice looking, and effective go Flameboss.   100 if not interested in wifi, or 200 if you are.

    I would rather light a candle than curse your darkness.

  • coomdaddy
    coomdaddy Posts: 128
    Flameboss 200 doing its thing for me tonight.  

  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389
    Flame Boss 200 doing mine tonight!!  Meat just put on. 


    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
  • Purchased the Flameboss 200 Wifi several months ago and love it. To me the best part is that I can monitor the cook and make adjustments from anywhere via my Iphone.
    LBGE - Canton, GA
  • tikigriller
    tikigriller Posts: 1,389
    Here is another shot after running all night long. Looks like are 1 am I had a little temp spike, however, the flame boss got everything back under control. Very cool devise to have for overnight cooks I must say. 


    Just bought an Egg?  Here is what you get to look forward to now:

    Plate Setter, FlameBoss 200, Spider, PSWOO-CI, Additional Rig Shelf for dome cooking, Thermapen, iGrill2, Cast Iron, Blackstone, Cooking Accessories for the Blackstone, Cover for the Egg and the Blackstone, shopping for Rub like a fine wine or IPA, and a new fascination with lump and what brand is the best-all to be debated every Friday Night.  Next desires-Joetisceriie, Adjustable Rig, Grillmates, table and more eggs

    Livermore, California
  • TheToast
    TheToast Posts: 395
    Looks like the Flameboss 200 is the Rolls Royce of pit controllers. Had it been 6 months ago, I'd buy one right now, but post Brexit result and the pound crashing, imports from America are pretty expensive. So I think I'll optimistically hang on and hope a better exchange rate comes round again (which I actually doubt will happen thanks to this crazy government, so I'll probably just take the hit and get myself one for Christmas). Thanks for all your advice!
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    TheToast said:
    Looks like the Flameboss 200 is the Rolls Royce of pit controllers. Had it been 6 months ago, I'd buy one right now, but post Brexit result and the pound crashing, imports from America are pretty expensive. So I think I'll optimistically hang on and hope a better exchange rate comes round again (which I actually doubt will happen thanks to this crazy government, so I'll probably just take the hit and get myself one for Christmas). Thanks for all your advice!
    Are you handy with soldering/electronics kit assembly?

    If so, you might take a look at the HeaterMeter. You can either buy a kit or gather all the parts yourself in the UK. Gathering all the components in the UK should be pretty easy. Probably want to order the circuit board tho even if you decide to gather all the components yourself.

    http://heatermeter.myshopify.com/
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • fishindoc
    fishindoc Posts: 212
    FarmerTom said:
    I have a CyberQ WiFi and it works great as long as I'm on my local network.  I have installed a WiFi extender so my wifi will extend to where my eggs are.  However, as of yet, I have been unable to program my router to see the CyberQ for port forwarding which is necessary for remote access.  Just a thought for anyone planning on doing the same.  I've no idea how other controllers will operate over an extended network.  
    I had my IT buddy help me...you'll need to get your own duckdns server..it works great.  Watch my cooks on my phone anywhere
  • TheToast
    TheToast Posts: 395
    @HeavyG Nope not especially! But I appreciate the advice!
  • 1Gunner
    1Gunner Posts: 17
    fishindoc said:
    FarmerTom said:
    I have a CyberQ WiFi and it works great as long as I'm on my local network.  I have installed a WiFi extender so my wifi will extend to where my eggs are.  However, as of yet, I have been unable to program my router to see the CyberQ for port forwarding which is necessary for remote access.  Just a thought for anyone planning on doing the same.  I've no idea how other controllers will operate over an extended network.  
    I had my IT buddy help me...you'll need to get your own duckdns server..it works great.  Watch my cooks on my phone anywhere
    Having the same issues, I can only see my CyberQ while within range of my LAN. 
    Guess I need to be an IT engineer to program my DLink DIR-655 router.

    Would anyone have any tips for a specific DLink 655 port forwarding setup to CyberQ? 

    ANYONE!!?? :) 
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    1Gunner said:
    fishindoc said:
    FarmerTom said:
    I have a CyberQ WiFi and it works great as long as I'm on my local network.  I have installed a WiFi extender so my wifi will extend to where my eggs are.  However, as of yet, I have been unable to program my router to see the CyberQ for port forwarding which is necessary for remote access.  Just a thought for anyone planning on doing the same.  I've no idea how other controllers will operate over an extended network.  
    I had my IT buddy help me...you'll need to get your own duckdns server..it works great.  Watch my cooks on my phone anywhere
    Having the same issues, I can only see my CyberQ while within range of my LAN. 
    Guess I need to be an IT engineer to program my DLink DIR-655 router.

    Would anyone have any tips for a specific DLink 655 port forwarding setup to CyberQ? 

    ANYONE!!?? :) 
    Have you tried using a guide such as this: https://portforward.com/d-link/dir-655/
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • 1Gunner
    1Gunner Posts: 17

    Have you tried using a guide such as this: https://portforward.com/d-link/dir-655/

    I saw that but: I paid over $600 for the CyberQ + case in Cdn funds. Hate like heck spending more to make it work the way it's supposed to.

  • BilZol
    BilZol Posts: 698
    Do you plan on running more then one egg at a time in the future? I've run three with my Stoker II and believe I can run a fourth with just put temp and fans. Three with pit, meat, and fans for sure though. Nice unit. 
    Bill   Denver, CO
    XL, 2L's, and MM
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    1Gunner said:

    Have you tried using a guide such as this: https://portforward.com/d-link/dir-655/

    I saw that but: I paid over $600 for the CyberQ + case in Cdn funds. Hate like heck spending more to make it work the way it's supposed to.

    Did you actually read that whole page? You don't have to buy their software utility. You can just manually follow the steps as provided. Maybe those steps would get you working maybe not. Some ISP's don't allow port forwarding.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




  • 1Gunner
    1Gunner Posts: 17
    HeavyG said:
    1Gunner said:

    Have you tried using a guide such as this: https://portforward.com/d-link/dir-655/

    I saw that but: I paid over $600 for the CyberQ + case in Cdn funds. Hate like heck spending more to make it work the way it's supposed to.

    Did you actually read that whole page? You don't have to buy their software utility. You can just manually follow the steps as provided. Maybe those steps would get you working maybe not. Some ISP's don't allow port forwarding.
    Guess I stopped when I saw the word "Buy" on the top banner... My bad!
    Will give it a shot, thank you!
  • TheToast
    TheToast Posts: 395
    @BilZol Only planning to run one BGE. Thanks