Temperature Control for WSM 18.5"

kevin pitzer · Feb 19, 2016

I have been looking at the temperature controllers for the WSM 18.5" smoker and was wondering how many of you here use them and how reliable they really are? I live in Michigan which has a wide variety of weather conditions with or without wind where I live.

I would prefer to find a unit that is less than $200 if possible with my main focus of Temp Control not the internal temp although it would be nice to have a unit that does both. I was looking at the Amazingribs site and there are many good ones out there however some cost much more than my price point - Any suggestions????

kevin pitzer · Feb 19, 2016

Kevin Pitzer said:
I have been looking at the temperature controllers for the WSM 18.5" smoker and was wondering how many of you here use them and how reliable they really are? I live in Michigan which has a wide variety of weather conditions with or without wind where I live.

I would prefer to find a unit that is less than $200 if possible with my main focus of Temp Control not the internal temp although it would be nice to have a unit that does both. I was looking at the Amazingribs site and there are many good ones out there however some cost much more than my price point - Any suggestions????

http://amazingribs.com/bbq_equipmen..._target_id=All&field_thermometer_function_tid[]=59&sort_by=weight&sort_order=ASC

SmokinAl · Feb 20, 2016

I've had a BBQ Guru for about 6 years that I use on my WSM. It will keep the temp within + or - 2 degrees. It is made in America, very well built, & it works flawlessly time after time. I haven't even had to replace a probe wire. If you go to BBQ comps you will see almost every team using them. They may cost a little more than you want to spend, but it's well worth it, and money well spent.

Al

dward51 · Feb 20, 2016

x2 on the BBQ Guru. I've owned a Digi-Q 2 model since about 2006 or 2007. Never had a single issue and I'm 200% confident it will hold the set temp as long as there is fuel in the WSM to burn. It's as close to set and forget as you will ever get with fire in a pit.

dirtsailor2003 · Feb 20, 2016

Here's what I use.

image.jpg

dirtsailor2003
Feb 20, 2016

Never had an issue, even works when the powers out!

bbqwillie · Feb 20, 2016

SmokinAl said:
I've had a BBQ Guru for about 6 years that I use on my WSM. It will keep the temp within + or - 2 degrees. It is made in America, very well built, & it works flawlessly time after time. I haven't even had to replace a probe wire. If you go to BBQ comps you will see almost every team using them. They may cost a little more than you want to spend, but it's well worth it, and money well spent.

Al

What he said. I've had my DX2 for 2 years and it's been flawless on my 18.5 WSM. With the proper charcoal load and favorable Wx I can get a 14 hour burn with temps staying within +/- 5#. Sure makes that loooong brisket cook a breeze.

lemans · Feb 20, 2016

image.jpeg

lemans
Feb 20, 2016

Pitmaster IQ 120. Set it and forget it . I use it on all my pits under $200 ( pit and meat probes) they have the 110 with only one probe( pit ) for $139

kevin pitzer · Feb 26, 2016

I would like to thank you all for your help and feedback. I was looking all that have been mentioned with addition to the Auber. I am kind of torn between them all.

http://www.auberins.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=14_27&products_id=396

lemans · Feb 26, 2016

AUBER look very nice But.. Where is the meat sensor??? Pitmaster IQ120 has both
But digi q is great too!!

bbqwillie · Mar 2, 2016

Lemans said:
AUBER look very nice But.. Where is the meat sensor??? Pitmaster IQ120 has both
But digi q is great too!!

It doesn't have a meat probe. Not a big deal though, just add a Maverick.

kevin pitzer · Mar 2, 2016

BBQWillie said:
It doesn't have a meat probe. Not a big deal though, just add a Maverick.

I am actually think about getting one of these - Looks nicer then the Mav

BandCollector · Mar 2, 2016

Kevin Pitzer said:
I am actually think about getting one of these - Looks nicer then the Mav

I hope it works out for you...I, as well as a lot of guys here on the Sight have a Maverick and it works flawlessly for me.

Good luck,

John

kevin pitzer · Mar 2, 2016

BandCollector said:
I hope it works out for you...I, as well as a lot of guys here on the Sight have a Maverick and it works flawlessly for me.

Good luck,

John

which model do you have?

BandCollector · Mar 2, 2016

Kevin Pitzer said:
which model do you have?

I have the Redicheck...Model ET-72

kevin pitzer · Mar 11, 2016

Any other ideas - I think it is between the DigiQ or the Pitmaster. Still am undecided seeing how this is a lot of money to spend.

Which Guru do most use here???

I am a little concern on probes not lasting from some reports on the Pitmaster

bbqwillie · Mar 12, 2016

Kevin Pitzer said:
Any other ideas - I think it is between the DigiQ or the Pitmaster. Still am undecided seeing how this is a lot of money to spend.

Which Guru do most use here???

I am a little concern on probes not lasting from some reports on the Pitmaster

DX2 for me. I see a lot of them on the competition circuit. Yep, they are pricey but well worth it in my opinion. This will be season three for me and I'm still using the original probes. I usually smoke at least once a week from April to October. This year I plan to put up a shed to Q in during the Winter months.

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