Automatic Temperature Control

[ConorD]

Anyone use one (like the iQUE from pitmasterIQ)?

I have a WSM and was looking at one but not sure about it and wanted some opinions. Kind of feels like cheating to me but are they used in competitions?

[Saucy Pig]

When I smoked on my Excel, I used a partyQ. Same kind of deal temp probe and a blower. I posted a review here viewtopic.php?f=43&t=2252&p=18783#p18783

I really liked using it. Just one less thing to worry about

[Swindon_Ed]

I've used both a BBQ Guru & a Stoker for competing with and just cooking at home. What do you want to know about them?

[keith157]

There are a few of us who use the iQue, courtesy of a bulk importation by a very very very nice man on here. In my circumstances, being an end of terrace surrounded by other houses, imagine the inside corner of a letter T, there was no breeze and what there was was consistently swirling so despaired of getting anything good on my smoker (Excel). Enter the iQue and problem solved. If you search on the forum there are a lot of reviews and links to youtube etc.

[ConorD]

I've used both a BBQ Guru & a Stoker for competing with and just cooking at home. What do you want to know about them?

Got a WSM and wanted some recommendations as well as guidance for setting it up. I use the minion method on the coals so would I do as normal and then just set the temp on the controller and let it do it's thing?

Also do you burn through more coal with them on or less as the temp never goes too high?

[Swindon_Ed]

Got a WSM and wanted some recommendations as well as guidance for setting it up. I use the minion method on the coals so would I do as normal and then just set the temp on the controller and let it do it's thing?

Also do you burn through more coal with them on or less as the temp never goes too high?

If you're just looking to run one smoker on it's own use something like the IQ or BBQ Guru. The Stoker is best for operating multiple cookers or operating remotely.

I quite like the control that the BBQ Guru offers as you can dial it in very close to target temp' and you can also order one with a temp' display.

[ConorD]

Got a WSM and wanted some recommendations as well as guidance for setting it up. I use the minion method on the coals so would I do as normal and then just set the temp on the controller and let it do it's thing?

Also do you burn through more coal with them on or less as the temp never goes too high?

If you're just looking to run one smoker on it's own use something like the IQ or BBQ Guru. The Stoker is best for operating multiple cookers or operating remotely.

I quite like the control that the BBQ Guru offers as you can dial it in very close to target temp' and you can also order one with a temp' display.

So do I need a pit viper with a controller (and if so just the Party Q for a beginner)? (http://store.thebbqguru.com/weborderent ... M%20Fan%29)

[KamadoSimon]

Their site has a 'what do I need' section - hopefully that'll help:
http://www.thebbqguru.com/products/smoker-grill.html

The one I use, also mentioned above, is this one:
http://pitmasteriq.com/

If you do buy one, make sure you also buy some spare temperature probes at the same time - mine failed, and whilst the probe itself wasn't that expensive, the shipping from the US makes it so. So buying it at the same time in order to combine the shipping is a good move imho.

I've found I use less charcoal on longer cooks.

[ConorD]

Their site has a 'what do I need' section - hopefully that'll help:
http://www.thebbqguru.com/products/smoker-grill.html

The one I use, also mentioned above, is this one:
http://pitmasteriq.com/

If you do buy one, make sure you also buy some spare temperature probes at the same time - mine failed, and whilst the probe itself wasn't that expensive, the shipping from the US makes it so. So buying it at the same time in order to combine the shipping is a good move imho.

I've found I use less charcoal on longer cooks.

Wicked thanks for the help. Time to go shopping

[CyderPig]

Hi All
Just love my PitmasterIQ I got from Miss Piggys( Thanks Scott).
With most temp gauges we can buy in the UK, esp off of e-bay, they just ain't accurate!!!!!!
Trying to cook on a homemade smoker, makes it harder.
This beaut helps me to know the temp on the grill rack that I am cooking on, so I can adjust roughly the temps to the other grill rack, I have now marked all my cheapo temp gauges at the right temps(Approx 50 F out, reading too Low)!
Charcoal lasts longer!
Less stress!!
Get time away from pit!!
Now temp gauges have been marked with correct temps I can cook without the IQ, as I could before, but with more confidence,wind, rain ,outside temp, all make a great diferance to the pit temp.
I have used the IQ to calibrate all my pits over time, and it works well on all of them, I use a Fray and Bentos single portion Snake and Pygmy tin to put over the air intake on my WSM and my Weber 57 stuck on with that cheap heatproof aluminium tape sold in Lidl or Aldis.

Simon