Smobot campaign starts today!

[Histrix]

Just a reminder that the Smobot campaign on Kickstarter starts today.

Get in early and save a few bucks!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/smobot/smobot-robotic-grill-and-smoker-controller/description

[johnsteen]

I'm a big sucker for the Kickstart...pledged

[Thunder77]

Cool. No kamado here, tho

[Jerod Broussard]

Cool. Pretty sure I saw a video of this a few years ago. The guy gave a lapse time video of it on his back deck. Good to see he has a cloud based product, or whoever is running with this one.

[Breadhead]

Looks like it has good potential. I've got my DigiQ Dx2 and my Maverick ET 735 now and they do a really great job of controlling my long low and slow cooks. If and when they go bad I'll look at this again, maybe.😎

[SoCalTim]

I love my Smobot, have had it since last summer - I like it better than my Guru.

[RonB]

I love gadgets and this one looks great, but I don't have a kamado either.

[Spinaker]

These look cool. I love the new approach to temp control. And its a bummer it doesn't work on the new KJs. My only concern would be how waterproof it is and how low of temps it can run.

[Spinaker]

Nice. I would think the damper itself would be just fine. The damper looks solid. I was curious how water resistant the electronic portion of the damper is. Like if your doing an overnight cook and it starts to ☔️. tom_streeter

[tom_streeter]

My damper mechanism has never been covered in any way. I'm sure there's some way to break it, but I think it involves heavy objects. As far as the controller goes, I stick mine under a old Tupperware bowl, though most people seem to toss it in a zip-top bag.

[Abom]

I'd be more concerned with snow and ice. Looks very vulnerable to that, so you'll have to make sure to keep this covered when no in use.

[DJ DeSpain]

Kickstarter project? Still waiting on my Meater.

[DJ DeSpain]

Still under testing, according to their post #41 update from Kickstarter.

[Jerod Broussard]

Hmmm, the Meater page has an estimated delivery of January 2016. Maybe they are using round the world shipping in 2-3 years.

[Histrix]

According to their updates page they will be shipping some of the first batch of single probe units in a few weeks.

[DJ DeSpain]

Also, after looking at the Smobot funding page, my first thought is how often you have to clean it to keep it moving freely with creosote buildup?

[tom_streeter]

Also, after looking at the Smobot funding page, my first thought is how often you have to clean it to keep it moving freely with creosote buildup?

If my beta gets stuck I can break it loose with my thumb. Or I heat it with my torch to melt whatever grease builds up. Because it's a torch. And I'm a 12-year old at heart.

[DJ DeSpain]

Yeah...... I see that as a FAQ answer.

[Histrix]

These look cool. I love the new approach to temp control. And its a bummer it doesn't work on the new KJs. My only concern would be how water it is and how low of temps it can run.

It appears to me that while the Smobot obviously won't work with the new KJ top vent with "tower" in place one can remove the tower and could bolt it right up just like on the older daisy wheel cap.

The "tower" can pivot out of the way and be unscrewed:

[Spinaker]

Very true. it looks like it would work. On the other hand....that new chimney stack is impressive.

[SMOBOT]

Hi All,

Thanks for the great discussion, and to all who have been kind!

It's fun to see people talking about this project.. I just joined the forum here, and am quite impressed (beyond just this smobot thread).

If there are any questions on this, feel free to let me know.

Thanks,
Eric

[Abom]

Well I'll mention another concern for me would be how rain can get in during use. Same as the stock damper for those smokers, but I'd replace the stock one for the same reason.

[customtrim]

Abom on my kj if it is raining i just use my chimney starter over the top cap and a plate turned upside down on that keeps the rain out and does not impede the air flow

[DWCowles]

Welcome to the Pit SMOBOT

[SMOBOT]

Welcome to the Pit SMOBOT

Thanks DWCowles ! It's long overdue..