Setting up a 2.4 ghz Wi-Fi for my Pellet Grill issue

[Baltimorelger]

Hi all, I have an interesting one. So A few years ago we had to upgrade our Wi-Fi in the house and bought a mesh system. We did this because my wife and I were both working from home and our Wi-Fi router was in the basement and this was the only way to make it work in the entire house where we can both get our work done. One issue with this is the system we use seems to fluctuate between 2.4 and 5 ghz. Because it is not possible with the system to sell it to one or the other, it makes it almost impossible to link certain Wi-Fi technologies to it. This impacts me most as the Wi-Fi for my pellet grill will rarely connect. I am trying to figure out if there is another mesh system out there that will allow me to fix this or if there is a way for me to set up a separate router that is specifically at 2.4 GHZ. Anyone how to deal with us? I am not very technologically sound, so anyone who can offer guidance would be appreciated.

[smokenoob]

can you go into your mesh settings and select 2.4 only?
also, see in your mesh settings if the smoker is connection to a mesh node far away, if so, get it to switch to the closest one
you can also give your smoker high priority
(generic info, depends on your mesh)

[Baltimorelger]

I don’t have the brand handy, but I went on their website and they specifically said that you aren’t able to select a specific band for it. I may need to look into getting a different one. Is there one you would recommend?

[smokenoob]

I’m not up to speed on the latest and greatest. Maybe someone else will chime in. Mine is made by tplink. I think it’s called wifi 6 mesh. I use what it’s called an ethernet backhaul.

[GolfGeezer]

Would you please provide the brand and model of your mesh router? Do you have more than 1 node beyond the base router? I have an Asus XT8 mesh system with one "main" acting as the router and 1 node. The Asus has 3 wireless networks - 1 2.4 ghz, and 2 5 ghz, one of which is dedicated for the back channel for the nodes to talk to each other. So, technically a 5.0 net and a 5.1 net. Asus sells one that uses 6 ghz for the back channel, but there are some speed challenges for that one.

Regardless, if you give me the brand and model, I may be able to find you some ways to setup two separate SSIDs, 1 for 2.4 and one for 5. Google Nest and a couple of others have a way to use a special telnet backdoor to do this.

Also, most let you setup a "guest" network and have it use a specific frequency. So, you could setup one for 2.4 ghz only as a Guest Network and then devices like your smoker and other IoT (Internet of Things) devices can "see" that SSID.

[Baltimorelger]

Just checked and it’s a mesh force. Their website says you can’t do it, so may need to buy something different unless you know a workaround.

[Draznnl]

Yes, you can set up another router. I know this because our security system is on one. Since neither my wife nor I actually had anything to do with setting up that second router, I can’t give you any advice as to how it’s done. I can just tell you it’s possible.

[tstalafuse]

While I don't know your router specifications. On mine that is a tri-band mesh router (Asus 86 something or another and my mesh nodes are Asus 56 something or another), I can "bind" a particular device to the router and specific frequency. This a great feature so that things don't hop from one router or frequency to another, which gives us pretty stable network.

[Baltimorelger]

I think that’s what I want to do, but in my own research, it didn’t look like I could do it with the one I have maybe I need to get a different model.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

Your router should have an option to setup a guest network, usually you can force that guest network to a certain band, and that's what I did for my MAK and various other devices around the house. As a bonus, on my router I was able to set the network to be non keyboard friendly and then make it non discoverable. I only make it visible when adding a new device and lock it to only allow those device IPs to access the net.

[smokenoob]

my guest network is named “FBI surveillance” 😂

[Baltimorelger]

I don’t think the meche Four, so let me do this, but I’m wondering if I can set it up on our actual router.

[Baltimorelger]

This is what we have (a main hub thing and 4 different plug ins around the house)

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

I've never had good luck with extenders, especially with devices like security cams or my grill. What I did was use a splitter that splits my cable so 1 outlet gets the strongest signal and then the cable boxes split the remaining signal. I used a tracer to make that strong cable the most central location in my house and bought the best router range wise I could. I get usable signal in my across the street neighbors garage. Though everything by me is wood stud and vinyl siding.

[MBMorgan]

ItsAllGoneToTheDogs - a mesh network doesn’t use extenders. It’s totally different.

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

MBMorgan I figured they were similar, I believe I have seen reports of issues with ring cams which are 2.4 and the google mesh setup so kinda figured it was the same deal as the extenders I'd previously tried. Guess I have some research to do to familiarize myself with the difference

[GolfGeezer]

Unfortunately, based on the info on their website, there is no way to do this. You could try contacting their Support, but I’m not optimistic. Sorry.

[Baltimorelger]

Yeah. We tired an extender but it didn’t work with our WiFi needs for work. I guess if anyone has a mesh system that could work, open to recommendations and using something else.

[GolfGeezer]

As I mentioned above, I have the ASUS XT8 2 node (one acts as the router based the fact it is connected to the WAN modem). You can have more than 1 node if needed. I also think the Netgear Orbi is very good, although I have not used any of their mesh offerings. Can’t remember their models: RBK50? I did not like the Google Nest as everything goes through their servers.

PS. If you get an ASUS mesh, I would gladly help you get it going.

[Baltimorelger]

I’ll look into this. Thanks for sharing!

[STEbbq]

I am sure there are other systems that do this but the TP systems are called out here specifically as being able to split the 2.4 and 5 bands, which is what you need. You can probably do some more research on other systems to see if they will do it, but TP seems like a good place to start.

https://www.wired.com/story/best-mesh-wifi-routers/#nine

[Baltimorelger]

Thank you! Will add to my research.

[RichieB]

I have a TP-Link Mesh/3. Basement where the feed is, kitchen and master bedroom. If I were to add another it would be in the guest room which is at the other end of the house. I like the DECO app. It's easy to manage and the speed test matched the WI-FI Analizer app I use. A bit over 500.mps which is what I have with Spectrum. We never have issues with delays, buffering or other burps you could get. 3 TVS can be streaming, while 6 to 10 people (family) can have phones going. Never an issue. And front and back yard still good signal.

[Baltimorelger]

Awesome. And connects to your pellet grill easily?

[RichieB]

Sorry, no pellet grill in site.

[Donw]

Yes. Buy yourself an access point or wireless router, plug it into your internet modem/router and connect to it via 2.4. Or, If you still have your old wifi router, just use it to create a 2.4 network.

[Brian_M]

I installed the original Google Wi-Fi mesh system several years ago. I’ve never had problems connecting any of my Wi-Fi devices…Masterbuilt Gravity Series, Tappecue and Fireboard thermometers, lights, outlets, all kinds of nerd stuff. They all just connect, no worries about which frequency they’re on. The system handles it automatically.

We got fiber internet a few months ago. The original Google Wi-Fi handles handles fiber speeds easily. The individual range is good, and you can set them up in series (our router puck is on the middle of the house. Another puck is in the garage on the west end of the house. A third puck is in the barn, even further west. I have full speed/service in the barn).

Other mesh systems may be better, but we are completely happy with what we have. Hope this helps.

[grantgallagher]

I too use the google mesh set up. Yes, you can argue and pick ur side about how much data is collected etc but if you have a gmail account and windows…ur basically already doing it.

Of the google system, flawless and fast. Never had any problems and it pretty much maxes out the 1gig up and down we get from fios.

[WillTravelForFood]

Even with mesh, you could try adding another mesh unit or a Wi-Fi extender that is closer to the grill.

wifi antennas should be at the highest point in your house and spread down rather than in basement and spread upwards. Not everybody can do this, we know.

some mesh purposefully will switch bands to whatever is best avail for the device. It’s weird that your 2.4 grill isn’t automatically connecting to the 2.4 band

if you’re on Android, there is a freebie Wi-Fi Analyzer app that you can use to monitor Wi-Fi strength. Haven’t found a freebie iOS equivalent

if you do decide to use an old Wi-Fi router to extend the 2.4, be sure to either use a different Wi-Fi name OR you may need to turn off DHCP on the old unit. The Google will be best to advise on what router setup is needed to add a secondary broadcaster

[Allon]

Might be a long shot but you can try this.


Look on the back of the router. There should be a gateway access address to enter the router setup.

Go to 2.4gh setup
Change the wifi ID to xxx - 2.4 where xxx is your text.
Change the 5gh wifi ID to something different!

Reboot the router etc...

Select which ever frequency suites you in your device wifi setup...