OT-SmoBot Kickstarter coming March 8th!

evie1370 · February 2017

Great news, the kickstarter has arrived and will start March 8th! Go to www.smobot.com to see the 'Smoker Robot' in action and click on the 'Notify Me' tab if interested. No real details yet on pricing except it will be under $300 for the unit. I assume when they become available it will be determined then.

I have the SmoBot for my Medium BGE and love it for my long cooks, it has made all the difference to me-as I can now sleep when I do overnights!

Note: I don't have any 'skin in the game here', just my opinion formulated from being a Beta Tester for the last year.

Enjoy, and Thanks for reading!

www.smobot.com

Photo Egg · February 2017

My big issue with a devise like this is that it can not help stoke a fire that's fading out. It relies 100% on draft.

evie1370 · February 2017

Never been an issue for me, on low and slows you should not ever have to stoke it. But that is me-I know others prefer the blower attachments.

stompbox · February 2017

I have used mine a ton and I absolutely love it.

It is much more plug and play than my Stoker, it is super simple to get hooked up to your wifi. the user interface on mysmobot, which is where you monitor your cooks, has a nice user interface.

i too have never had an issue with a smoldering fire. It is likely due to..... believe it or not, the SmoBot instruction manual tells you to have the bottom vent halfway open. Any hiccups I ever had, it was because I did not believe the manual and left it only slightly open. As you can guess with the bottom vent half way and the stoker fully open, if it ever had to get the flame going would be a large draft. I still to this day cheat on windy days and go with 1/3 open and it does well, but I think that 1/2 would probably work as well.

I have never had issues at very low temps though. I am pretty sure I have had it going stable at 185 more than once trying to delay a long cook because it was ahead of schedule. A blower since the temp drops which really makes the temp spike a lot. User error, I know, but it happens. Even if you forget with the smobot, it doesn't have nearly the same impact when the top draft is wide open. Recovering from that is a major pain IMO.

i use mine on battery and off wifi probably 80% of the time. I typically have used it camping or at my parents where wifi is not available. The fact that they removed the battery compartment for the production version was my only skepticism but they noted you can buy a battery pack to run it.

To be clear I have the Stoker and SmoBot, they are both fantastic tools and to prove I am not a SmoBot homer or fanboy here is where I believe the Stoker is better:
1. if doing lots at one time as it has lots of additional probe options for competitions and VERY large parties.
2. Stoker has great remote control over all facets from the internet. maybe the SmoBot production will have it too, but the initial make is not controllable from the internet, only monitoring.
3. The build. I am not questioning the SmoBot here because, I have never had an issue and they selected their parts based on reliable things that have been in the field for a long time. But dang.... the Stoker just feels like a tank in its metal housing that can take a beating.

When it comes to reliability and cost effectiveness, SmoBot really came up up with a great product. It may not be for everyone, but I am sure this would be all that most users will need.

evie1370 · February 2017

stompbox said:

I have used mine a ton and I absolutely love it.

It is much more plug and play than my Stoker, it is super simple to get hooked up to your wifi. the user interface on mysmobot, which is where you monitor your cooks, has a nice user interface.

i too have never had an issue with a smoldering fire. It is likely due to..... believe it or not, the SmoBot instruction manual tells you to have the bottom vent halfway open. Any hiccups I ever had, it was because I did not believe the manual and left it only slightly open. As you can guess with the bottom vent half way and the stoker fully open, if it ever had to get the flame going would be a large draft. I still to this day cheat on windy days and go with 1/3 open and it does well, but I think that 1/2 would probably work as well.

I have never had issues at very low temps though. I am pretty sure I have had it going stable at 185 more than once trying to delay a long cook because it was ahead of schedule. A blower since the temp drops which really makes the temp spike a lot. User error, I know, but it happens. Even if you forget with the smobot, it doesn't have nearly the same impact when the top draft is wide open. Recovering from that is a major pain IMO.

i use mine on battery and off wifi probably 80% of the time. I typically have used it camping or at my parents where wifi is not available. The fact that they removed the battery compartment for the production version was my only skepticism but they noted you can buy a battery pack to run it.

To be clear I have the Stoker and SmoBot, they are both fantastic tools and to prove I am not a SmoBot homer or fanboy here is where I believe the Stoker is better:
1. if doing lots at one time as it has lots of additional probe options for competitions and VERY large parties.
2. Stoker has great remote control over all facets from the internet. maybe the SmoBot production will have it too, but the initial make is not controllable from the internet, only monitoring.
3. The build. I am not questioning the SmoBot here because, I have never had an issue and they selected their parts based on reliable things that have been in the field for a long time. But dang.... the Stoker just feels like a tank in its metal housing that can take a beating.

When it comes to reliability and cost effectiveness, SmoBot really came up up with a great product. It may not be for everyone, but I am sure this would be all that most users will need.

Agree on all your points. The I have never used a stoker so I cannot comment on any of that but everything you stated makes sense. Smobot is not for everyone, but for my situation it is great.

BTW I have always done half way open on the bottom vent and it has worked very well. One fault with the Beta Test unit I have is battery power-it eats batteries like a bandit, therefore for overnights I typically use the plug in option. With the separate battery pack I am hoping that is solved.

Sea2Ski · February 2017

I remember when this was just someones rough idea on here. Then they made a few and gave some away. I think @Ozzie_Isaac got one? Not sure.... Now it is moving along to a kickstarter. Pretty cool and god for them!!!

Anyone know what the approximate price is going to be? If it allows me to sleep the 2 times a year I do overnights, I might sleep a bit better - for the right price of course!

fishlessman · February 2017

Photo Egg said:

My big issue with a devise like this is that it can not help stoke a fire that's fading out. It relies 100% on draft.

originally bbg pit masters were top vent controlled with just a simple radiator spring opening and closing the top vent. never had a fire go out with mine and i have a setting as low as 175 degree dome. i just use it setup as 235 dome now. its just come full circle with the electronics and wifi and digitals, and cell phones, etc

meanwhile i just cook with this stone age gadget wondering why i cant hook it up to my flip phone

stompbox · February 2017

Something got messed up in my post and it was already quoted, so I won't fix the original. Here is what I intended:

With the stoker, I always forget to turn off the fan when I open the lid (user error, I know) and you pay dearly when it happens. The probe temp drops dramatically when you open the lid which makes the fan crank hard and stokes the fire hot and spikes the temp quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to recover from that to get the temp back down.

Even when I forget to do the same with the SmoBot, when the consequences are not nearly as dire or dramatic.

HeavyG · February 2017

stompbox said:

Something got messed up in my post and it was already quoted, so I won't fix the original. Here is what I intended:

With the stoker, I always forget to turn off the fan when I open the lid (user error, I know) and you pay dearly when it happens. The probe temp drops dramatically when you open the lid which makes the fan crank hard and stokes the fire hot and spikes the temp quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to recover from that to get the temp back down.

Even when I forget to do the same with the SmoBot, when the consequences are not nearly as dire or dramatic.

I'm surprised the Stoker doesn't have the "open lid detection" feature that recognizes that event and doesn't immediately turn on the fan so it avoids the scenario you describe.

evie1370 · February 2017

Sea2Ski said:

I remember when this was just someones rough idea on here. Then they made a few and gave some away. I think @Ozzie_Isaac got one? Not sure.... Now it is moving along to a kickstarter. Pretty cool and god for them!!!

Anyone know what the approximate price is going to be? If it allows me to sleep the 2 times a year I do overnights, I might sleep a bit better - for the right price of course!

All I heard was 'under $300'. I assume they will firm up the price once the kickstarter goes live.

HeavyG · February 2017

Sea2Ski said:

I remember when this was just someones rough idea on here. Then they made a few and gave some away. I think @Ozzie_Isaac got one? Not sure.... Now it is moving along to a kickstarter. Pretty cool and god for them!!!

Anyone know what the approximate price is going to be? If it allows me to sleep the 2 times a year I do overnights, I might sleep a bit better - for the right price of course!

First post mentioned it will be somewhere under $300.

I don't need one as I have other controllers but I'm in anyway.

Photo Egg · February 2017

HeavyG said:

stompbox said:

Something got messed up in my post and it was already quoted, so I won't fix the original. Here is what I intended:

With the stoker, I always forget to turn off the fan when I open the lid (user error, I know) and you pay dearly when it happens. The probe temp drops dramatically when you open the lid which makes the fan crank hard and stokes the fire hot and spikes the temp quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to recover from that to get the temp back down.

Even when I forget to do the same with the SmoBot, when the consequences are not nearly as dire or dramatic.

I'm surprised the Stoker doesn't have the "open lid detection" feature that recognizes that event and doesn't immediately turn on the fan so it avoids the scenario you describe.

I thought the Stoked did have that feature but you do have to select it.
But it might be a third party software option for it. I have not used mine for so long I can't remember.

ryantt · February 2017

I have one of the beta Units and it works as advertised. The thing is simple and hold true temps with no effort. The big advantage is being able to monitor a cook while I'm at the office 30 miles away. One of the things I like is how responsive Eric and Curtis have been with minor issues. I had a prob go bad and in just a few days a new one was on my door step no questions asked.

It's been used a lot.

Jeepster47 · February 2017

I own a DigiQ, a Flameboss 200, and a beta SmoBot.

With the number of luddites on the forum who manage overnight cooks with only manual setting of the vents, that should put to rest thoughts that without a blower the fire might go out. I will fess up that it did cause me some concern in the beginning ... however, experience proved me wrong ... the fire's never gone out. I do leave the bottom vent fully open for all cooks ... that has worked well for me.

Wifi controllers have a number of features that make them attractive. One of the best is that the firmware can be updated as hiccups are discovered. There is no reasonable way that a small company can test their controllers over the full spectrum of weather conditions. Eric and Chris have been very responsive to input from the beta testers ... no reason that should change.

The beta units seemed to focus on field testing the firmware, unit configuration, and the physical components. The computer interface was not fully developed for the testing phase, so it'll be interesting to see what they've come up with in that area.

Since the beta units came with a high temp pit probe, I did some experimenting with high temp cooks. The Smobot was very stable (idiot proof actually) up to about 400 degrees. I know it seems dumb to use the Smobot for something like a 375 degree chicken wing cook, but I really fell in love with the start-up capability. Light a small fire in the center of the lump, plug in the SmoBot, and go inside to prep the wings. The SmoBot functions just like a butler to manage the start-up process. I also use my blower controllers for start-up, but they aren't as idiot proof.

My experience with the beta SmoBot has been positive. I see no reason why the kickstarter program shouldn't unfold in a positive manner.

DoubleEgger · February 2017

Photo Egg said:

HeavyG said:

stompbox said:

Something got messed up in my post and it was already quoted, so I won't fix the original. Here is what I intended:

With the stoker, I always forget to turn off the fan when I open the lid (user error, I know) and you pay dearly when it happens. The probe temp drops dramatically when you open the lid which makes the fan crank hard and stokes the fire hot and spikes the temp quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to recover from that to get the temp back down.

Even when I forget to do the same with the SmoBot, when the consequences are not nearly as dire or dramatic.

I'm surprised the Stoker doesn't have the "open lid detection" feature that recognizes that event and doesn't immediately turn on the fan so it avoids the scenario you describe.

I thought the Stoked did have that feature but you do have to select it.
But it might be a third party software option for it. I have not used mine for so long I can't remember.

It does have it. I think it shuts the fan off for three minutes. It's in the settings.

Sea2Ski · February 2017

I totally missed the $300 price tag in the original post, and I read the whole thing.

Carry on..

evie1370 · February 2017

Thanks guys, glad to know that many have had a positive experience with the Beta Test Unit, as I have.

Eric has been very responsive, I could send him an email with a question/problem on a Sunday afternoon and get a response within an hour. I am a real luddite, but these guys are real patient with me on every issue.

Agree on the fire stabilization, I have used this unit for about a year, give or take, and never had a fire even close to going out on an overnight cook. I leave my vent open half way-that works for me. Overall it is a great unit!

bigalsworth · February 2017

anyone test it in cold weather? By cold weather I mean -10 deg F and below, not shorts and flip flop weather above that.

ryantt · February 2017

@bigalsworth I haven't had any weather that cold but it worked well at 0 with high winds and a windchill -20. I can not we why it wouldn't work.

reinhart36 · February 2017

Hi All,

Thanks for the interest, questions, and compliments!

@Sea2Ski, regarding cost - The "Early Bird" SMOBOT kickstarter units (first 50, first-come-first-served) will go out at $229, and the rest will be $249.

With the majority of fabrication and assembly occurring in the USA, it's very difficult to take more cost out and preserve the high quality.

The package includes 1 k-type thermocouple pit probe, two waterproof food probes (better than the ones that went out with the prototypes), the robotic damper, the control unit, and a power supply. They're all WiFi enabled, of course.

@Photo Egg: Clearly, I'm partial to the "natural aspiration" of the approach. It preserves the elegance of charcoal grilling in my mind. Despite my bias, I've honestly not seen any issues of a fire going out low-and-slow, unless the charcoal ran out.

It's exciting and scary with this kickstarter coming up! I wouldn't have guessed I'd be looking down the barrel of making hundreds of SMOBOTs in a few weeks back when we all started discussing this in 2015ish.. ;-)

Thanks,

Eric

HeavyG · February 2017

I made an appointment on my calendar just so I'll be ready to try and snag one at $229.

stompbox · February 2017

DoubleEgger said:

Photo Egg said:

HeavyG said:

stompbox said:

Something got messed up in my post and it was already quoted, so I won't fix the original. Here is what I intended:

With the stoker, I always forget to turn off the fan when I open the lid (user error, I know) and you pay dearly when it happens. The probe temp drops dramatically when you open the lid which makes the fan crank hard and stokes the fire hot and spikes the temp quite a bit. It takes a lot of time to recover from that to get the temp back down.

Even when I forget to do the same with the SmoBot, when the consequences are not nearly as dire or dramatic.

I'm surprised the Stoker doesn't have the "open lid detection" feature that recognizes that event and doesn't immediately turn on the fan so it avoids the scenario you describe.

I thought the Stoked did have that feature but you do have to select it.
But it might be a third party software option for it. I have not used mine for so long I can't remember.

It does have it. I think it shuts the fan off for three minutes. It's in the settings.

Agreed, it is there but..... does it work for you? 3 minutes is not long enough IMO. That is why I manually (when I remember) turn it off andmonitor it until temp is uniform again to turn the fan back on.

reinhart36 · February 2017

Incidentally, I'm working to refine a "smart" open lid detection scheme for the SMOBOT that doesn't just activate for a set time, but rather reacts to what's going on and terminates when it makes sense.

Sadly, the open-lid detection in the Beta version had a bug that bit some people and kept the damper closed too long. Glad we did prototype testing! ;-)

That'll be tuned-up in the next few weeks for the Beta firmware too.

Eric

stompbox · February 2017

reinhart36 said:

Incidentally, I'm working to refine a "smart" open lid detection scheme for the SMOBOT that doesn't just activate for a set time, but rather reacts to what's going on and terminates when it makes sense.

Sadly, the open-lid detection in the Beta version had a bug that bit some people and kept the damper closed too long. Glad we did prototype testing! ;-)

That'll be tuned-up in the next few weeks for the Beta firmware too.

Eric

Good news!

OT-SmoBot Kickstarter coming March 8th!

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