Advice on thermometer for PBC

[colin]

Friends,

I would appreciate advice from my fellow PBC enthusiasts. I have done some looking in the forum for the answer to this question (did my newbie homework) but would appreciate y'alls opinion.

I have a PBC which just...works. However, I am a data nut and simply setting a timer without acquiring temperature data constantly is difficult. The temperature graphs that other members post are epic. I am rebuilding my stable of outdoor cooking devices after a difficult time in my life when someone gave away my cooking device collection .

Therefore, given that I am spending a considerable amount of time obsessing over my PBC - what thermometer system do I buy?

The Fireboard system (https://www.fireboard.com) seem pretty amazing and has great review on this site. Should I pull the trigger or do y'all have alternate recommendations?

Thanks!

Yours in BBQ.

[EdF]

Fireboard is supposed to be very good. I have no personal experience.

[Rod]

I love my Fireboard. I just love how I can document every aspect of the cook not only graphically, but with notes as well. The app and cloud storage virtually eliminates my need to scribble down notes with pen and paper and then try to decipher my chicken scratch to create a electronic log of the cook. There customer service is also outstanding.

[DWCowles]

The FireBoard is an excellent product.

[jfmorris]

I have the Thermoworks Smoke, and really like it. But If I were getting something today, and had $150 or so to spend, I would get the Fireboard, as it offers the advantage of wifi connectivity built in, can handle more probes, and the probes are water proof, and if you decide you want to put a fan on that PBC and control the cook, you have that option with the Fireboard.

[Mudkat]

+1

[xaugievike]

I have a smoke and have no complaints. but if I was buying today I'd probably go fireboard just so I can have more probes when needed.

[phoccer]

All depends on what you want and your budget. If you want to be more budget friendly, Maverick 732 or 733. You won't have wifi or a connection to your phone but you'll have something that allows you to be around the house and glance at the temps to see how things are going. If you want a record of your cooks, you'll have to record things yourself. The Maverick will get you one temp probe for the pit and one for meat.
Thermoworks Smoke will also only get you one temp pit and one temp probe and it runs $100. It's advantage is that it is solidly built, is easier to operate than the Maverick, and people who have them swear by them. They have a wifi gateway you can add for another $80(i believe) so you're at $180 with wifi access for your setup. However, by the time you spend that money you might as well look at the Fireboard.
For $180 you get the everything the Smoke + wifi gateway offers plus the ability to expand up to 6 probes.

[fillirican]

I have been very pleased with my FireBoard. You will love it.

[Steve R.]

I'm about to pull the trigger on a Fireboard myself. I had some Amazon gift cards to use once upon a time, and I convinced myself to get a Tappecue, which is sold on Amazon for $40 less. I would not recommend the Tappecue at all.

[smokenoob]

data nut = fireboard
just guessin', don't have either

[JeffJ]

For $65 you can get a Maverick redi-check. It works really well. I have 2 of them plus some spare probes. So far, it has been all I've needed or wanted.

[Polarbear777]

Data nut?

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/pit-barrel-cooker/457459-pbc-calibration-tests

i got a fireboard and two of their threaded probes to hard mount in the PBC so they aren’t running through the rebar holes.

[BourBonQ]

Yup. Fireboard.

[fzxdoc]

I use my Fireboard in my PBC all the time. It's amazing. I looked closely at Thermoworks Smoke plus Wifi, and in order to get the same ## of probes as is offered in the Fireboard Extreme BBQ package, I would have spent way more $$ at Thermoworks. Fireboard customer service rocks too.

I always run two ambient probes in my PBC, one on the vent side and one on the side opposite the vent. Watching those two readouts keeps me from fiddling with the temps as much as I used to. I seldom cook with fewer than 4 probes going in the PBC and on occasion a couple in the WSCGC at the same time, so Mr. Fireboard stays busy.

Kathryn

[N227GB]

I use a Thermoworks Smoke. Very Intuitive outside of the box.

Unless you have something to set the control box on, I'd recommend using a small C clamp to hold a 12 inch steel carpenter square to one of the horseshoe handles. I see some people setting the box directly on the handle, but that doesn't seem like a good idea to me. Heat is not good for electronics.

Edit-

I now use a couple of small neodymium magnets instead of the C clamp. Much quicker