Best auto temp control device for LBGE

[gbt01]

Greetings all!
I've been thinking about auto temp control devices for my Large Big Green Egg for a while. I think I'm starting to suffer from information overload and/or analysis paralysis. I realize these devices are a personal preference thing, like most things. But I'd love to hear some opinions and advice on which work best on the LBGE. Ultimately, I need to sleep a little better, or even be able to leave the house but still be in control of my longer cooks. Let 'er rip and thanks in advance!

[Yno]

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/pitmaster-general-discussion/420450-flame-boss-300

I really like the Flame Boss 300.

[EdF]

I picked up the Smobot during the summer. It works differently than most temp controllers in that it doesn't push air through the cooker, but instead adjusts the top damper. Uses less electricity and can run off a battery pack. Connects into your wifi to a website for control and recording, and can also be controlled directly at the cooker. The only downside I've seen is that the apps are not yet available, and they are what would provide alarms. Supposedly on their way.

Two food probes, one pit probe.

It's worked perfectly for me. Really holds the temp solidly.

http://www.smobot.com/

[Spinaker]

I use Fireboard. It works well. I have been cooking with it since 6 PM yeast day. It is still holding strong. There are a ton of options out there. I know Flameboss, Digi Q, and Smobot are popular options as well. This is my experience with FireBoard.

I kicked the temp up at the end here, after I wrapped. I was not planning on a 18 hours cook, so I am wrapping. But the Fireboard controller preformed well. I had one spike in temp because I move the top damper and didn't realize it. After I adjusted it back to its original position, it recovered perfectly.

You can see how I turned up the set point and the Fireboard heated the BGE right up too 275. This is after 18 hours of running too. I have been very impressed. And I love that you can monitor it from your computer and phone. Adding notes and conditions along the way.

Note the times 6:15 PM TO 11:36 AM. Average temp over all that time was 227.5 F. I am pretty impressed.

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[Mark E.]

Any Flame Boss. I have the no frills FB 100. Really simple and easy. No complaints.

[gbt01]

Thanks, guys. All of those are on my list but I've really become intrigued with the Fireboard. So Spinaker, does it actually control the grill temp? I know it monitors but it seems unclear if it actually controls temp. I'm assuming you have to have the fan/cable as well.

[Spinaker]

Oh yeah. that Green line is the fan kicking in to control the temp. This is what the Fan Cable (Fireboard Drive) does for you.

[Spinaker]

That horizontal solid blue line on the graph is my set point. You can see the monitored temp riding right on that line pretty much the whole cook.

[gbt01]

Ok, it just wasn't crystal clear until you posted the picture with the set point. Just wanted to be sure. I love all the features, probe capacity, wi-fi and cloud enabled graphs and historical data. It just seems like it has everything you could possibly want, and is still in the same general price range as "similar" type devices.

[Spinaker]

It is not cheap. You have to buy the Fireboard, the extra cable, and the Pit Viper Fan. But it preforms well. And I got plenty of sleep last night!

[gbt01]

Do you have any experience on how much the fan impacts battery life?

[Spinaker]

Do you have any experience on how much the fan impacts battery life?

It does take it down. I don't think it sucks it out too fast. I ran for about 7 hours with out auxiliary power in 25 F weather. I plugged in the Aux power when my battery life got to about 30%, although I started at about 80% battery. You can always use the external battery from FireBoard to give it a boost in juice, or you can plug into Aux power and it will power both the fan and the FireBoard, as well as charging the unit.

[gbt01]

Ok, so good options around power. I'm wondering if other aux batteries will plug in as well.

I think you've made my decision and I will let Santa (my wife) know. Thanks so much for the feedback. I'm really excited about this and will share once I have it up and operational. Hopefully, I won't have to actually wait for Christmas.

[Spinaker]

You can plug any external battery you need to. The power port is a standard USB plug in. So any external battery you buy, will work to power it.

[gbt01]

Perfect

[Spinaker]

Cool man! Let us know how you like it. Make sure to buy the fan and adapter for your BGE. You can get it when you order your fan.

[DWCowles]

The Fireboard will work great now that they have added the fan to the mix. The Flame Boss also works great and it’s cheaper than the Fireboard.

[Spinaker]

Yes, I have heard great things about he Flameboss. You and Jon Solberg would be a great ones to talk about that set up.

[jgg85234]

Another vote for the FlameBoss. I've had mine since early summer 2016.

Getting ready for another pot luck at one of my clients' offices this coming Friday. I'll try to record it again.

This time it will be pork butt plus one, maybe 2 chuckies. Hope it all fits.

Here's last year's graph.

https://myflameboss.com/cooks/56488?historical=1

Flameboss produced rock steady temps overnight. Started moving around when I woke up and started playing.

Here's the thread.

https://pitmaster.amazingribs.com/forum/grills-and-smokers/charcoal/252563-my-first-try-at-recording-a-long-cook

Best regards,
Jim

[dshaffes]

I use the Fireboard with the Guru Pit Viper fan. The Fireboard works great, but don't love the guru adapter plate on my egg. I've got to use a little foil tape to seal one of the edges to limit air leaks on the adapter. It's simple enough to fix and could be just an issue with my rig.

[gbt01]

Well, I've been very pleased with the Fireboard. And yes, I don't love the adapter plate for the fan either. It just seems abit cumbersome to get it all into place. And there are still gaps/air leaks, though I haven't noticed much difference in performance with or without the adapter plate. I do love showing off my cooks on my phone, whether historical or in progress.
So, this being my first few runs with a fan, I've noticed it stirs up white ash - not good (I use Rockwood lump). Is there a way to reduce or prevent that?
Thanks for everyone's input!