Smokin It Pro series 3.5 does not work in cold

[mnsesq]

There are some great things about this smoker but my experience is that it cannot determine or regulate its own temp if the outside ambient temp is freezing or near freezing. I've done extensive testing and find wild temp fluctuations (until the unit warms up for about 3 hours) of up to 40 degrees from its set temp and the temp it thinks it is. See attached data from Meater Probes and ThermPro probes compared to how the SI unit was reading and performing. Not a deal breaker with a big muscle cut. (Lot's of wiggle room with wild and high or low temp swings) But I ruined batches of sausage because of it. (Needs a consistent lower temp)

However, today I started smoking a 20# brisket at 6:30 am after temps were above freezing all night (39 degrees at the start of the smoke) and it's working fine.

I can't be the only person dealing with this. What are your work arounds?

 

[normanaj]

I'm surprised you're getting such wild temp swings considering it has an Auber PID for temp control.

Have you tried different settings with the PID?Here are some threads about PID settings with the Auber,though these threads deal with them using with a MES this should still be of help to you:

Setting Auber PID Temp, Time, and Other Values

This has come up numerous times so I figured I would try and write a simple "how to" for doing Auber PID time, temp, and P-I-D settings. Auber makes a great PID, however their documentation and instructions are technical and also likely written by someone that isn't very strong with organized...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Step by Step Guide to Calibrate PID Settings

Recently, I’ve installed an Auber AW-1520H PID controller to my SmokinTex PRO 1400 model smoker. This model of smoker comes with a manual thermostat base temperature controller which makes it a great candidate to upgrade with a PID controller. Due to the simplicity of the smoker’s system, it...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

Hi, I just purchased the Auber WS-1211GPH PID for my Masterbuilt MES 40 smoker and have the following questions: A) Can anyone recommend PID settings that would work well with this smoker? I understand that I can use AUTOTUNE to do this, but not sure how optimal the settings would be. I...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

chopsaw and tallbm have a lot of experience with Auber PID settings.


In cold weather wrapping your smoker in a welding blanket can help but I think your issues are more in line with the settings of your controller than with the ambient outside temps,the Smokin-It boxes are insulated.

 

[mnsesq]

I'm surprised you're getting such wild temp swings considering it has an Auber PID for temp control.

Have you tried different settings with the PID?Here are some threads about PID settings with the Auber,though these threads deal with them using with a MES this should still be of help to you:

Setting Auber PID Temp, Time, and Other Values

This has come up numerous times so I figured I would try and write a simple "how to" for doing Auber PID time, temp, and P-I-D settings. Auber makes a great PID, however their documentation and instructions are technical and also likely written by someone that isn't very strong with organized...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Step by Step Guide to Calibrate PID Settings

Recently, I’ve installed an Auber AW-1520H PID controller to my SmokinTex PRO 1400 model smoker. This model of smoker comes with a manual thermostat base temperature controller which makes it a great candidate to upgrade with a PID controller. Due to the simplicity of the smoker’s system, it...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

Recommended PID settings for Auber WS-1211GPH and MES40

Hi, I just purchased the Auber WS-1211GPH PID for my Masterbuilt MES 40 smoker and have the following questions: A) Can anyone recommend PID settings that would work well with this smoker? I understand that I can use AUTOTUNE to do this, but not sure how optimal the settings would be. I...

www.smokingmeatforums.com

chopsaw and tallbm have a lot of experience with Auber PID settings.


In cold weather wrapping your smoker in a welding blanket can help but I think your issues are more in line with the settings of your controller than with the ambient outside temps.

 

[mnsesq]

I may have spoken too soon. I am running a brisket right now and after 5 or so hours of cooking temps began to wildly fluctuate again and there is condensation appearing inside the LED screen. Steve did say that there should be no moisture inside the control panel. There must be a breach on the seal somewhere....

 

[chopsaw]

You have a PID controller and you're getting 40 degree swings ?
I've smoked sausage and hams in mine in single digits ambient temps without issue .
This graph is from a testing at higher temps .

 

[mnsesq]

You have a PID controller and you're getting 40 degree swings ?
I've smoked sausage and hams in mine in single digits ambient temps without issue .
This graph is from a testing at higher temps .

View attachment 716193

That's awesome! What equipment are you using???

 

[chopsaw]

What equipment are you using???

I came to the thread through a tag . I see now that you're using a Smokin it .
I have an MES 30 . 800 watt with a mailbox and an Auber controller .

 

[normanaj]

I came to the thread through a tag . I see now that you're using a Smokin it .
I have an MES 30 . 800 watt with a mailbox and an Auber controller .

I assumed since the Smokin-It uses an Auber it at least would be similar in function.

Both a Smokin-It and MES cabinet are insulated so I would think the OP's issue would be controller/settings related and not so much an ambient temp issue as I've used my Auber and MES in well below freezing temps without issue.

 

[mnsesq]

I assumed since the Smokin-It uses an Auber it at least would be similar in function.

Both a Smokin-It and MES cabinet are insulated so I would think the OP's issue would be controller/settings related and not so much an ambient temp issue as I've used my Auber and MES in well below freezing temps without issue.

Turns out there is condensation inside the control box which is causing the issue.

 

[normanaj]

Turns out there is condensation inside the control box which is causing the issue.

Water and electronics definitely don't mix!

Smokin-It has great warranty and customer service so you should be all set.

 

[Winterrider]

Wind is the "devil" on smoker temps also.

 

[chopsaw]

Smokin-It uses an Auber it at least would be similar in function.

Yup . I agree . I appreciate the mention .