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Temperature Control System

I’m looking to buy a temperature control system for my BGE. With 3 young kids involved with activities I’d like to be able to set my smoker in the morning and not have to worry about temperature variations while I’m not home. I’ve just started researching some of the different options. BBQ Guru, Egg Genius, ect. Does anyone have any recommendations on brands or even ones to avoid? Thanks in advance for all the thoughts.

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Comments

  • Posts: 4,716

    Flame Boss for me. Had one since they first came out, then every subsequent model. Probably sold over 1000 of them by now. I sold for several of the other brands and couldnt stand how bad they treated their customers and dealers when something went wrong. FB is pretty bullet proof, but if you ever do need help, they're on it.

  • Posts: 575
    edited April 2019

    In addition to what @stlcharcoal said, just last week I asked the forum for recommendations for the newest FB as I carelessly left mine out in the rain, he chimed in and said while he does offer discounts for BGE forum members, his advice was to wait it out because they are indeed resilient. In short, he saved me a lot of money and lost a sale because of his honesty, that's ok because I'm going to buy a joetissery from him instead and his charcoal... don't get me started! I'd suggest strongly looking at the FB and I would only buy it from him.. FWIW..

    Chicago, IL BGE XL BGE Mini Webber Charcoal / Elmhurst, IL
  • Posts: 19,636

    If I needed a temp crutch, I’d go with Smobot.

    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
  • Posts: 3,865

    I'm sure the Flame Boss is a terrific product based on what people have reported, but I will also add that a smobot deserves consideration. They have an app now that makes it easy to control from wherever and I like the fact that there is no fan to worry about. Not sure how costs compare and, like I said not sure how it compares to the others, but mine works beautifully and maintains temps like a champ.

    Stillwater, MN
  • Posts: 1,702

    I have FB 300 and recommend it. Just make sure that after you light the lump to not let it light for more than a few minutes so that the FB can slowly bring the egg up temp. Otherwise you will end up exceeding your desired temp and it will take a while for the temp to come down.

  • Posts: 575

    Hey @StillH2OEgger glad to hear, after reading your post, I don't want to come off as a FB evangelist :) it works for me but may not for everyone... I guess I'll have to research the SMOBOT for the second anticipated BGE XL.... hope all is well!

    Chicago, IL BGE XL BGE Mini Webber Charcoal / Elmhurst, IL
  • Posts: 134

    Has FB fixed, for good, the server issues we experienced over the holidays?

    X-Large BGE, DigiQ, ThermaQ (Blue), CyberQ, Joetissirie, UltraQ, (ex.FlameBoss 200)

    Highland Village, TX

  • Posts: 2,546
    edited April 2019

    whatever you do buy from @stlcharcoal he’s a stand up guy. He always goes the extra mile to make sure his customers are taken care of.

    XL BGE, KJ classic, Joe Jr, UDS x2 


  • Posts: 8,200

    Can't go wrong with a Flame Boss. I have the original that the owner sent me to test out and then later he sent me the 100. He dared me to try and burn out the probe with high temps but I never did. Great company and stand up people.

    Rowlett, Texas

    Griffin's Grub or you can find me on Facebook

    The Supreme Potentate, Sovereign Commander and Sultan of Wings

     

  • Posts: 4,716


    They tested the hell out of it (and the backups) prior to Thanksgiving last year and thought they were ready, but servers (and backups) still fail. No one can ever give you a 100% guarantee for any server--Amazon, Facebook, IG, etc go down at least 1-2 days a year too. Just like losing signal on satellite TV out during the big game, stuff happens at bad times. I remember a Thanksgiving day when I was a kid--power went out from 1-3pm all across town and messed up a lot of people plans.

    The good news is that all FB's work and can communicate to the app WITHOUT internet. AP mode and be within 300ft......no different other than text messages are disabled. And even if you're not within 300 ft, the unit stays where ever you set it.

    Just saying the .01% failure rate of a server shouldn't keep anyone from buying ANY temp control unit, especially when you don't need the server to run it.

  • Posts: 6,642

    FlameBoss 300 user here. No issues.

    ~ John - Formerly known as ColtsFan  - https://www.instagram.com/hoosier_egger
    XL BGE, LG BGE, Med BGE, BGE Chiminea, KJ Jr, PK Original, Ardore Pizza Oven
    Bloomington, IN - Hoo Hoo Hoo Hoosiers!

  • Posts: 310

    I've had very good luck with the Smobot.

    XL BGE, CGS AR & spider, 36" SS Blackstone, SMOBOT - Flower Mound, TX
  • Posts: 3,196
    edited April 2019

    I’m sure every option works well, even flameboss with 1 outage to their credit. I love my auber controller and it’s internet connectivity (https://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_27&products_id=654), but I have a smobot being delivered today. I am intrigued by its fanless function. I also have had an iq110 for years that works well every time. My iq110 doesn’t connect to the internet, hence the auber and smobot I have now. @Cluke , throw a stone, you’ll hit a controller that you will probably really like.

  • Posts: 1,658

    I can’t speak for FB or most of the other controllers - never used most of them. I’m sure they all work well and FB definitely has a big following around here. However, I do highly recommend the Smobot. It works like a champ and customer service is outstanding. I was drawn to it initially because it controls the BGE just like I do - by simply adjusting the damper. I would buy smobot again if I needed a second controller.

    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
  • Smobot- top notch customer service with a great product. Grate temp, two food temps, WiFi access and capable to run from AC or battery.

  • Posts: 19,127

    How does the smobot hold up in the rain?


    #1 LBGE December 2012 • #2 SBGE February  2013 • #3 Mini May 2013
    A happy BGE family in Houston, TX.
  • Posts: 3,196
    edited April 2019

    @caliking , it looks like the smobot is not impacted by rain (the damper is not, the controller is, like many other competitors), from their home page:



  • Posts: 12,136
    edited April 2019

    The smobot is somewhat dedicated to a cooker so keep this in mind. I can move my Flame Boss from Small, Mini Max, Large and XL BGE and my brothers Kamado Joe with no added expense. The adapters are all included. Buying another cheap adapter allows me to use on my Weber Kettle or many other grills.

    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
  • Posts: 1,658
    edited April 2019

    You do have a point. But it is relatively inexpensive to move the Smobot controller to different cookers. For instance, I can use mine configured for the LBGE on my SBGE by just leaving the Smokeware cap adapter on the small that is already there (I haven't heard of anyone else doing this and I don't know if Smobot recommends it, but I have done it many times with no ill effect) . Just put the large daisywheel/smobot damper over the Smokeware adapter on the SBGE for a snug fit ($15 if you don't already have the adapter). Additionally you can buy (and I have) a dedicated Smobot damper for your different size cooker for relatively cheap ($55). I use my Smobot interchangeably between the LBGE and SBGE all the time.

    Memphis, TN 

    LBGE, 2 SBGE, Hasty-Bake Gourmet
  • Team flameboss here.

  • Posts: 843

    i have a flame boss and really like it, i have been considering upgrading to the 500 recently

    2 Large Eggs - Raleigh, NC

    Boiler Up!!

  • Posts: 3,196

    I move my Auber between my Weber's and eggs all the time, and the size of the egg doesn't matter either, so I see what you mean here. It looks like smobot is expanding the use of their controller to WSMs and kettle's. I am very excited about that. When using my WSMs, I leave on vent fully open on the inlet side, and the exhaust all of the way open too. The temp wanders between 235-300 without any consequence to the cook. Having the smobot to provide tighter control (if I want to) is kind of cool. If having the controller work on many cookers today is a necessity, smobot isn't the option I'd recommend. But if the cookers you need are already supported, its a good option, like the flame boss and a half dozen or so others that do the same as well.

  • Posts: 598

    i guess I'm in the minority with a Guru DX controller. It must be at least 6 or more years since I purchased it and have had no issues. Nothing fancy here just a solid simple pit controller. Actually I have two of them now and hoping my good luck continues. I can't comment on customer service since there has been no need for service. That says something as far as I'm concerned.

    Sudbury, Ontario
  • Posts: 17,125

    They all have limitations, they all are not worth it.

    Learn to use the DW and you will be fine.

    Nobody on this forum will freely admit they have spent as much money as I have on temp controllers, just to default back to the DW.

    PM me for details if you want to know the Deets.

    "Knowledge is Good" - Emil Faber

    XL and MM
    Louisville, Kentucky
  • Posts: 8,521

    I put a bag over the servo on the smobot because water can get into the gear box. I have never used any other controller but I like the way the smobot works with the egg as it was intended to operate rather than forcing air in.

    South of Columbus, Ohio.


  • Posts: 529

    They may not be worth it to some, but they definitely are to others. Everyone has their own likes, dislikes, needs, and wants. I used the Egg many times without a controller and didn't have any problems keeping temps, although I never did an overnighter. I decided to try the Flame Boss 300 and have had great success with it. It controls the temps perfectly, and as an added bonus I have charts and graphs of all my cooks, so I can go back and see what times and temps I have used in the past. It is also fun to show other people what different cooks look like.

    I upgraded to the FB 500 when it came out. Works the same but with a bigger display, and if, by some weird happenstance, something happens to it, I have a backup. Or if I get a second Egg, I am covered.

    I will echo the sentiment that Flame Boss support is top notch.

    Lots of people here have things that are worthless to me. Should they all get rid of them?

    XL BGE in San Jose, CA. Also a Pit Barrel Cooker, a Cal Flame P4 gasser, and lots of toys including the first ever Flame Boss 300 in the wild. And a new Flame Boss 500.
  • Posts: 11,356

    I have no problem using a controller for low and slow cooks. It's easy insurance. I do recommend learning how to operate the egg without one first. I've been at competitions where the power has gone out. I was able to remove the controller and adjust as needed without any issue or stress.

    I know it's the "cool thing" to hate contollers. I really find them to be beneficial though. Especially the wifi. Two years ago I cooked a turkey for my parents for Thanksgiving. I had to have the turkey done around noon. I finished the turkey for my parents and put on a 2nd turkey for a family in need. With my parents turkey finished I was able to go up and enjoy Thanksgiving with my parents. I was able to monitor and adjust the temperature of the controller 10 miles away. I wasn't rushed or second guessing anything and was able to enjoy Thanksgiving. That's just one situation where it has come in handy. It's also a little extra piece of mind for overnights.

    They're not for everyone. Everyone's wants/needs are different. If you see it fitting your situation go for it .

    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
  • Posts: 3,196

    Perspective here. The same argument could be said for the other side. I am in the camp of using a controller for long cooks that I don't consider "grilling". I get what you are saying, I have more eggs than I like to admit, and 4 ATC's to run them. How many ATCs do I need? None, I have never used more than one at a time, either. But they are fun to play with, and I would never be without them. They give me options I don't have otherwise.

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