I have multiple controllers (read competing kids). I do not have the thermoworks/billows rig.
Of the controllers I have in order of preference.
- Smobot
- Fireboard FBX-11
- Fireboard 2
- Flameboss
- DigiQDX2
* Smobot has tightest control of temps. Not the best graphics great phone app.  Great service/support
*Both Fireboards are really nice multiple settings, cook programs etc. Best data logging. App is good. Great Service. Probes are the best of the group.
* Flameboss second best data logging. Superior Service. App is okay. Probes are the worst of the group.
* DigiQ best made of the group in my opinion. Non wifi. Blinking fan % output drives me nuts. Service is very responsive.

If you are asking me I have been cooking on Kamado's since 1977. My first LBGE was purchased in 98.

jwc6160 said:

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QDude said:

How long have you been using your egg?  After a few years of use, I really don't feel the need for a temp controller as my XL does a pretty good job holding temps.

Yeah, this is my hesitancy. I’d prob only use it if I wanted to do an overnight or if I was really busy. I can nail the temp pretty well so it is def more of a toy for that I’d like to try out. $300 is making me reconsider. 

Well you can never have enough toys!  If it is something you relly want, go for it!

I just bought some Bose 10.2 speakers which are like 25 years old.  Amazing sound!  Did I need them?   Nope but I really wanted them and who knows how long we really have here on earth.  Since I really don't have any expensive vices other than egging. I figured why not.  If you have the coin, go for it.

I think your Thermoworks option looks good.  I use the Egg Genius controller and it’s great for extended cooks and I enjoy using it.  

I have been cooking on an Egg for about five years, and I think a huge factor in temperature control has to do with quality (hardness) of charcoal and consistency of lump size.  Regardless of all this, I still wouldn't consider and long and slow cook without my SMOBOT.  It takes all the variables out of the equation.  

You have come to the wrong forum for opinions. 

I've kicked this idea around for years and have never pulled the trigger.  I like to keep things as simple as possible and want less "stuff" in general.  I just don't think I would use it enough to justify the purchase.

I egg'ed for 15 years without a temp controller and it held temp 90% the time with some planning & babysitting.......then I got a temp controller about 10 yrs and love them.  I used to work nights, so sleep was important when I could get it.  Now with 4 kids and 3 businesses, it's nice not to have to worry about it until I get the text message saying it's done.

For everyone that says it's "cheating" or "you don't need one", yeah whatever......guess you don't need a remote control for the TV, smart phone, heated seats in your car, or even a BGE for that matter.  If you want one, buy it and tell them to "go be poor somewhere else."  Haha. 

fishlessman said:

i wish someone would make these again, just a spring and a plate that holds a low and slow all day/night. mines set for 235. first guru made

@fishlessman - I wanted one of these for a while, I agree they are cool.

I made one from a old car thermostat, thermally actuated wax pistons (wax motor).  You can look up the specs for the thermostatic piston..  It needed some tuning and I lost interest.

https://www.thermal-actuators.com/thermal-actuators

sumoconnell said:

show previous quotes

fishlessman said:

i wish someone would make these again, just a spring and a plate that holds a low and slow all day/night. mines set for 235. first guru made

@fishlessman - I wanted one of these for a while, I agree they are cool.

I made one from a old car thermostat, thermally actuated wax pistons (wax motor).  You can look up the specs for the thermostatic piston..  It needed some tuning and I lost interest.

https://www.thermal-actuators.com/thermal-actuators

jwc6160 said:

show previous quotes

QDude said:

How long have you been using your egg?  After a few years of use, I really don't feel the need for a temp controller as my XL does a pretty good job holding temps.

Yeah, this is my hesitancy. I’d prob only use it if I wanted to do an overnight or if I was really busy. I can nail the temp pretty well so it is def more of a toy for that I’d like to try out. $300 is making me reconsider. 

Look at it like this, down here in South Louisiana it gets pretty darn hot and although you don't have to have AC in your vehicle, it sure does make things comfortable while you are driving, especially on long trips.  Smobot for the win says an owner of a Smobot and a DigiQ.  

I bought a flameboss 500 from @stlcharcoal and am glad I did.  If I am around for a long slow and low, I may not use it.  I am glad I have it for overnights and other daytime long cooks where I want to leave the house and don't want to keep one eye on the egg all day long.

I used digiq’ s for years and I was perfectly happy with the performance but longed for WiFi capability since I had to use a Maverick with a remote transmitter to monitor temps from inside.  I then moved to the Cyberq II, controlled temps well but poor user interface and difficult to operate. Next I moved to an egg genius, worked great but I didn’t like not having a digital display on the unit.  Constantly had to take out my phone to check temps standing next to the egg.  I upgraded to a Flame boss 500 which has the digital display and it solved all of my previous issues. I especially like the notes feature that allows you to store cook details.  Really handy feature especially documenting the most difficult parts of a cook, start, wrapping and finish times.  I bought a second one to run my big Rockin W gravity fed unit, rock solid. Recently worked a Sportsman show and the flameboss rep was there, he was very interested in my use of the product and answered a number of questions, great folks and customer service.