Automatic Temperature Control

[Eddie]

Might find this helpfull, if not it should make you giggle? http://www.pitmasteriq.com/ Just scroll down and click on the video.

Eddie

[keith157]

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.

As people will realise having read my previous post I know nowt about electrickery and it's bits, but won't Eti or Maverick probes fit?
We have a forum member from Eti who may be able to answer why

[philnewts]

I recently acquired the Nano Q from a good pal (Thanks Ed)

Running it on my Kamado Joe was just amazing one load of coal lasted from 11pm to 7pm the next night when I put the fire out with coals left.

The Nano held it at steady 250 throughout, superb kit.

I also run a Pitmaster IQ on my Pro Q, I have been pleased with it but having now used both I would have to say the Guru should be the first place to look, unless price is a major concern. I like the comfort of digital control and the adjustable fan damper. (More control)

Although the new Pitmaster IQ now has a variable damper also.

Hope that helps

If anyone does import from Guru, give me a shout as I wouldn't mind an spare pit probe

[Nick]

I'm ready to get lynched for even suggesting this, but has anyone had experience with the Chinese-made "Golden Dog/Tiger/Dragon/Ferret" type ATC on eBay? The price is very tempting - although so are the 50 AA batteries for £1 down the market.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/ATC-Automatic-Temperature-Controller-for-Weber-Smokey-Mountain-WSM-Kettle-BBQ-/140909580836?pt=Barbecues_Grills_Smokers&hash=item20cedd9224

I know his smoke generator has been mentioned on here before - as a fire hazard, hence my main concern. They have pretty good reviews on BBQ-Brethren (but said reviewers, I believe, got a discount).

I'd like to buy an ATC but can't really afford a new one from the US with shipping!

[Swindon_Ed]

He was selling a wood pellet smoker & conversion kit for UDS's before and i heard from someone i know that someone bought one and it exploded, sending parts of the smoker ft!!!

If this is the evidence of his previous work i'd steer well clear of his future efforts for a while.

There are plans available on line for making your own which i know an few people have. They work very well and i would advise looking this up if cost is an issue.

[Nick]

Steer well clear of this guy!!!

He was selling a wood pellet smoker & conversion kit for UDS's before and i heard on one of the big US bbq forums that someone bought one and it exploded, sending parts of the smoker ft!!!

If this is the evidence of his previous work i'd steer well clear of his future efforts.

There are plans available on line for making your own which i know an few people have. They work very well and i would advise looking this up if cost is an issue.

Thanks for the confirmation, Ed. As I say I'd question the bias of reviews if they're recieving money (effectively). Might have a look at making my own/getting a second hand one. Or just do it the old fashioned way until I have a problem!

[aris]

Automatic temperature control isn't rocket science. I built my own using an Arduino. I'm still testing it - waiting for the summer when I'll have a bit more of an opportunity to experiment.

[thesmokingpenguin]

I've been building custom stokers based on a couple of open source projects and some of my secret penguin electronic engineering degree knowledge - am happy to help anyone if they're dev-ing their own project

C

[Tiny]

Good folk,
I fear an angry mob approaching, but I profer this as an alternative view.

Pit controllers simply are not cricket, they are a small step away from using your electric oven.

Surely if your electronic gizmo will maintain the temp, and your triple alarmed bluetooth temp probe goes "bing" when it is done, then the skill of the chef is in preperation and serving only? you have delegated the actual cooking to the gizmos, have you not?

If for a commercial venture then I can understand it but in this case I would be reaching for a pellet cooker to give the predictability plus the woodsmoke / charcoal effect.

I can also understand from a competition perspective you would be looking for this advantage, but does this mindset also then open the door to the "pump the meat full of MSG" thinking that I have read pervades some of the US comps where the prize seems to justify the means.

Or do you see this as a sporting analogy, adulterating the meat is like taking steroids which is wrong, the pit controlller is like having a better bike with rounder wheels, which is ok.....

Interested in hearing different views, for me they are not cricket, not cricket at all............

Cheers
Tiny

[Swindon_Ed]

Surely if your electronic gizmo will maintain the temp, and your triple alarmed bluetooth temp probe goes "bing" when it is done, then the skill of the chef is in preperation and serving only? you have delegated the actual cooking to the gizmos, have you not?

I don't agree with this as the skill is still there deciding what temprature you're cooking at, if you use foil or not and if so how long you cook the meat before foiling, how tender you cook the meat. Not concentrating on fire management allows you to concentrate on improving all of the other processes you follow to make better BBQ.

If for a commercial venture then I can understand it but in this case I would be reaching for a pellet cooker to give the predictability plus the woodsmoke / charcoal effect.

Again i disagree, there aren't many BBQ joints in the US using pellet smokers, some of the best joints use Gas smokers (I know is said the dreaded G word) which i would go for to use for a commercial operation (I know i'm expecting to be burnt at the steak for suggesting such a thing ).

Isn't the idea of BBQ is to have something that you can enjoy with friends and family? Don't you think that if you've managed to get some sleep overnight instead of sitting up all night tending to your smoker might increase your enjoyment instead of being sleep deprived and tired???