Had this a few months now and just realised Ive not posted about it.
First mentioned by Swindon Ed back in April was really interested to see how well it could do as I tend to worry a bit over fluctuating temps.
Just unpacked everything from box.
Temperature probe with clip, PartyQ, wsm style adapter and metallic tape for covering vent.
Close up of just the PartyQ.
Underside showing fan and battery compartment
WSM type adapter fitted to Excel20. Fitted through one of the open vent holes and screwed in place from the inside. Open holes on vent covered with metallic tape. Other two vents closed.
PartyQ fitted to Excel20. It does look a bit precarious but it held in place better than I expected.
After the cook, inserted the supplied silicon plug to block off air and kill the fire.
First off, a warning. If you're going to go ahead and import one of these from the States the government will want its share. Instead of coming home to find this, I had a nice little note from Parcelforce saying that it would cost me an extra £42 in duty fees in order to be able to collect it from my local depot.
The adapter didn't seem to ever get too hot and on the few occasions I had to turn it off, I didn't feel any massive increase in temperature around the fan. It was also incredibly easy to push into its adapter and could be installed or removed in seconds.
Once up to temp it held it pretty much rock solid for over 6 hours till the charcoal needed topping up. It was pretty responsive to me changing the temp I wanted and it carried on puffing away for over 12 hours till my cook was done. Even then the battery warning had not been displayed. I believe it shows low battery at around 30% capacity. I can heartily recommend getting yourself some decent rechargeable batteries to save money in the long run.
Overall very impressed and I'm hoping to get much use out of it in the future.
Nick.