SonnyE, I have been running the INKBIRD for a bit, and I use the default settings.
I am still finding the temperature fluctuations of more than 10*F.
if I use a rheostat on the element to make it less hot when on.... that should slow the temperature rises, and allow a more stable temperature?
I have one on order like DaveOmak suggested.
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The Inkbird
default settings have a 3 degree differential. I set mine to a 1 degree differential. I'm not home so I can't advise you better than to look in the booklet and find how to change that setting.
But once done, it will turn on at 1 degree below the set point, then off at set point.
That can help narrow the operating band for you.
Rheostat:
Not necessarily. It might reduce the drift tendencies a little.
It will slow the heat rise by restricting the wattage applied to the element. But there will be a bit of drop after the Inkbird turns on the heat, (in my case, about 2-3 degrees below set point), and about 7 degrees of upward coasting after the Inbird shuts off the heat at set-point. (~10 degrees total)
All of this was at a 65 degree set point. Cold smoking. My reason for adding any heat was to try and keep the smokers internal temperature somewhat even. And I was basically testing to see how snug the actual operational swing would be after things stabilized.
Because it has to be at operating temperature long enough to be fairly stable. And that takes time.
The Inkbird is not as finite as say an Auber Temperature Controller would be. An Auber controls by firing an SCR to raise the temperature and hold a set point. So it can be more finite in its control.
An Inkbird is more akin to a basic on/off.
Also, and I haven't done it yet, but I believe that the Inkbird's probe placement could have a lot of bearing on it's temperature control. My thought is to put the Inkbirds probe nearer the heating element so it can react faster to the heat being produced.
In my tests I had the probe nearer my meat being smoked. Thinking that was what I wanted to monitor. But I think next time I'm going to put it nearer the element so it is more closely reading the heat being produced, and use my ThermPro to monitor the products temperature.
I hope that makes sense.
Also, consider that by adding a rheostat, you will be affecting both sides of the temperature swing be reducing the wattage narrowing the bandwidth of the control.
In plain Engrish, you may find the difference widens, instead of narrows. Going to 20 degrees of swing, for example, instead of narrows.
It is my opinion that some variation isn't a bad thing. In this digital age we get too caught up in exactness.
Hells Bells, cooking over a campfire wasn't exactly a precise method. But we did survive.
I don't think 10 degrees is going to make or break culinary perfection. ;)