I am flirting with Smobot MCS. I have seen a lot on of upside posts on the Smobot, so since nothing is perfect would you share what you see as a downside or limiting factor to the Smobot?
I have a 1st generation PartyQ and a four probe Igrill on which I only use an ambient prob and 1-2 meat probes. What would I gain by switching to the Smobot? What if anything would I loose?
Lonestar Grillz 24x36 offset smoker, grill, w/ main chamber charcoal grate and 3 tel-tru thermometers - left, right and center
Yoke Up custom charcoal basket and a Grill Wraps cover.
22.5 copper kettle w/ SnS, DnG, BBQ vortex, gasket and stainless steel hinge kit.
Napoleon gas grill (soon to go bye bye) rotting out.
1 maverick et-733 digital thermometer - black
1 maverick et-733 - gray
1 new standard grilling remote digital thermometer
1 thermoworks thermopen mk4 - red
1 thermoworks thermopop - red
Pre Miala flavor injector
taylor digital scale
TSM meat grinder
chefs choice food slicer
cuisinhart food processor
food saver vacuum sealer
TSM harvest food dehydrator
Fellow Pit Members,
I've done my first dry run with the smobot, which I purchased the other day (https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/accessorize-your
So, let's see if I can summarize. Overall I think it made my grilling life a lot easier. I always run it with a so called 'power bank' (portable battery with usb connections, typically used for recharging phones when on the move). If you have an outlet anywhere near your grill, then just plug it in there. But the fact that it runs on batteries is brilliant. It uses very little power, as it only adjusts now and then, and when it is 'locked in', not much is happening.
Drawbacks:
- It only has two food probes. It doesn't seem to be a limitation for you, but nevertheless.
- I think (but haven't verified) that the food probes are 5 degrees off. Need to check this. It is most likely my probes, on my device, only.
- Once or twice the 'open lid detector' has failed. Basically it detects when you open the lid, and as soon as it is closed the Smobot shuts the top vent for a while to avoid temps running away (due to the current influx of air). I was standing by the grill and noticed that it never opened the vent again, even though the temp was dropping steadily. This could be fixed in a future firmware update, OR you can simply disable the 'open lid detector' on the device. That's what I did. Not a big issue in other words.
- The main unit isn't waterproof. Not an issue for me, I simply place it underneath the grill. Another option would be to put it in a plastic box/cover.
Overall I think the advantages by far outweigh the drawbacks, but we all have different grilling needs, so hopefully this post could clear some things up. Otherwise, just keep asking questions and I'll see if I can't help out.
The technology and usage is inviting. Your review is informative but I am curious if you have any insight into the durability of the moving parts of the product given usage conditions under roof yet still exposed to the weather?
I'm gonna have to get back to you on that subject this summer, when I've had it for a length of time. The only moving part is the little servo and the lever, so not many things can break. And I've already dropped it once...
I posted some time back about my inkling to get a temp controller for my Primo 300. I was a bit leery about the whole excess technology getting in the way of the live fire experience thing and asked for opinions. I think it was Spinaker or Huskee who said if he wanted to play with fire, he'd go out back and set something ablaze. Otherwise, they liked a good nights sleep knowing a controller was on duty. Good advice.
I know EdF has always championed Smobot, and after Henrik posted his great write-up of his experience with that controller, I took the plunge and ordered one up. Well, it's a whole new ball game! That thing delivers as advertised. After the easy set-up, I did a dry run picking a random temperature at 260. Bingo--the Smobot went a bit above the target, then went a bit low and then settled in for the long run with only a few degrees variance. Next I threw on some beef short ribs done up with Hanks beef rub and dialed up 250. No problem for hours. When the short ribs came off I increased temps up to 375 for some roasted cauliflower and the Smobot delivered.
It came with the features I was wanting/needing--wifi enabled and able to archive cooks to the cloud. Two temp probes are adequate for me as it's just the two of us eating. I'm one happy camper. If you have a ceramic grill, consider a Smobot.
Twasn't me, my preference is the less tech the better (other than thermometers). I will never use a controller in my fire cooks. But it sounds like you are happy and that's all that maters to each of us!
That might have been me, I can't remember. LOL. However, I use a controller a lot in the winter on my BGE. And I love it. Great to hear the Smo Bot is working for you! They are a real treat when you are cooking in the cold!
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