Automatic temperature controllers are now becoming a necessity, especially because homeowners seek the convenience of an automatic smoker. As smoking meat normally suggests that you are going to spend a lot of time around the grill, it would not give the freedom to do any other activity. This is the time a BBQ temperature controller would be of great use.
In this post, we will be talking about two of the most popular BBQ temperature controllers on the market right now: Flame Boss 300 and BBQ Guru. We will be discussing what features both brands offers, as well as an in-depth comparison between the two. If you are searching for the best, we hope that you can make an intelligent buying decision after reading this post.
Essential factors to consider when buying an automatic temperature controller
Choosing between Flame Boss 300 and BBQ Guru will not be easy at first because both products deliver high-quality and outstanding features. However, by the end of this section, we hope that you will gain new knowledge about the features shared by both products. Now, let’s talk about the essential factors that you need to consider when choosing an automatic temperature controller.
Compatibility
While price is considered the determining factor whether you buy the Flame Boss 300 or the BBQ Guru, we think that it is best to highlight first the danger of using a BBQ temperature controller that is not compatible with your smoker or grill. Your newly purchased temperature controller will be deemed useless if you buy the wrong one.
When choosing, make sure that your grill or smoker is compatible with either Flame Boss 300 or BBQ Guru. Choosing the wrong one might be the cause of an expensive mistake or a mechanical problem with your new gadget or with your smoker. It would be a very wise decision to double check first before buying, so your money would not go to waste.
Price
High-quality BBQ temperature controllers are expensive, which is why it is also very important that you evaluate its use or purpose before you actually buy one for your grill. Even if the one you get has all the latest features or is technologically advanced, the money you paid for it would still go down the drain if you do not use it.
When choosing between Flame Boss 300 or the BBQ Guru, make sure that you have evaluated all the features that you will most benefit from. Doing this will help you determine if you are willing to pay the price of either of the products. Just remember that if a product is within your budget, you should go ahead and buy it.
Wi-Fi
Most top brands of BBQ temperature controllers feature Wi-Fi compatibility. In case you are not yet familiar, this feature will allow you to view, control, and manipulate the temperature of your grill or smoker remotely. While it is an innovative feature, we think that it is something that will probably be used less.
You may think that this feature alone carries the weight of the price tag, but we are going to leave it for you to decide if this is a feature you need. After all, most cooks only need a steady temperature to thoroughly cook meat. However, an advantage of having Wi-Fi is that you can do other activities while you are controlling the temperature of the smoker.
Probes
A standard BBQ temperature controller always comes with a probe, which automatically adjusts the temperature. However, it might entice you to buy one that is equipped with meat probes. This is because if you are already an experienced pit master, you probably already have a meat temperature thermometer and you might think that you will not be needing this feature at all.
You may be right about this, but we recommend that you think differently about meat probes. This is because having a meat probe that works with the BBQ temperature controller will allow you to use additional features such as ramping the pit temperature once the meat is close to being thoroughly cooked in the smoker.
Detects open lids
Having a BBQ temperature controller that can detect an open lid might also be an advantage for you. Whenever you check the food, it will not trigger an alarm and your fan would not ratchet up to its top gear if you have an open lid detector.
When choosing between Flame Boss 300 or BBQ Guru, it is best that you also consider this important factor, as it becomes handy when you are busy doing other activities while grilling.
Alarms
We do hope you will not be needing this feature at all but when grilling, it is always better to be safe than sorry. Yes, the main purpose of having an automatic temperature controller to take the effort and worry off grilling. However, things might still go wrong and your Flame Boss 300 or BBQ Guru can do nothing about it but to notify you about the problem.
You should also be informed that one consistent problem is common among the products in this article. If you did not add enough charcoal, you will never get the right heat even if the automatic temperature controller’s fan blows. As a result, the temperature will drop and once it comes to a certain point, you surely will get the alarm to go off.
Temperature ramp mode
The temperature ramp mode is a great feature across controllers that are equipped with built-in food probes. In case you are not familiar, the software automatically detects the temperature of the meat, the grill, as well as your desired temperature for grilling. Once it has done its calculations, you will be notified when it is time to slowly lower the temperature to prevent overcooking.
Flame Boss 300 vs BBQ Guru
Now that we have discussed the features that are common between the two competing brands, we will now move on to talk about each product. In this section, we hope that you carefully review the important features that you need for you to make an intelligent buying decision.
Flame Boss 300-WiFi Kamado Grill & Smoker Temperature Controller
As with most electronic devices, you might notice that there are 2 or 3 brands competing for the top spot. This is actually good for consumers like us because it would mean that these companies are innovating while keeping the prices as reasonable as possible. This is also the same for the Flame Boss 300, which is one of the most trusted products out on the market right now.
The Flame Boss 300 is loaded with topnotch features including Wi-Fi capabilities, letting you choose between three food probes, and has a variable speed fan, all of which makes grilling or smoking a lot easier and convenient for you. Its hardware is also backed with a software that detects if the lid has been opened unintentionally and alerts you about it.
Other great features of the Flame Boss 300 is that it has the capability to keep your food warm once the aimed temperature has been reached and it can also send you a text message to notify you that your food is almost ready. Now, these features will surely be utilized by busy people like you. What’s great about this product is that it requires no installation on your phone or tablet.
The Flame Boss 300 also has a browser-based dashboard wherein you can monitor or adjust your cooking preferences. This would mean that as long as you have either Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, or any other internet browsers available right now, you can always interact with the Flame Boss 300 automatic BBQ temperature controller.
BBQ Guru CyberQ Cloud BBQ Temperature Controller
The BBQ Guru CyberQ delivers the latest innovations in automatic temperature controller technology. It is very much the same as the Flame Boss 300 but with a few distinct features. The CyberQ features an effortless Wi-Fi connectivity, a complete set of probes, abundant adapters, and a convenient carrying bag.
Have you ever experienced that you had to go to the nearby store to run a quick errand while cooking some meat on the grill? It can be very stressful, right? You would not know which of these tasks you would prioritize. With the CyberQ, you can get an email, a text message, and audio alerts, so you would not need to worry about leaving the grill to your kid or partner.
What sets this automatic temperature controller apart is that you can quickly share your recipe and cook performance with your friends, thanks to the online cloud-based technology. To add, the installation has been proven to be a breeze, according to customer reviews. You can also access your data remotely through your tablet, desktop, or smartphone.
The BBQ Guru CyberQ fits the following grills: Big Green Egg in Medium, Large, and XL sizes, Cypress Grill, Kamado Joe Grill, Dragon Fire Grill, Vision Classic Ceramic Grill, and the Primo Grill. You can also find the useful adapters included with every purchase of the BBQ Guru CyberQ. Now, that is a complete package you can fully utilize.
BBQ Guru DigiQ BBQ Temperature Control
The BBQ Guru DigiQ is one of the easiest BBQ temperature controller to install. While it features no Wi-Fi connectivity or any kind of voice controls, it still does its one job effectively and satisfyingly well. So, if you are looking for a product that is simple but delivers excellent performance, this should be the one you get.
Whether you are grilling for a long or short period, the BBQ Guru DigiQ has got you covered. At a push of a button, this automatic temperature controller can maintain constant temperatures of your grill. To add, it provides real-time temperatures displayed on the LCD screen and it alerts you if the meat is almost cooked and you need to get your plates ready.
While it is not exactly cheap, you sure are getting a superb quality product with its price. It also has a whole lot of safety features including the audible excess heat alarm, in case your charcoal gets out of control. If you want a BBQ temperature controller that offers Wi-Fi connectivity, you can always choose its successor, the BBQ Guru CyberQ.
Just like the CyberQ, the DigiQ also features a complete package, which includes the controller, a fan, a set of adapters, a meat and pit probe, a carrying bag, and a power cable.
Conclusion
Here are some of the important points discussed in this Flame Boss 300 vs BBQ Guru comparison:
- While most of the products presented in this review are compatible with modern grills and smokers, we would still recommend that you check with the manufacturer first. Buying a wrong automatic temperature controller would be a waste of money
- With regards to price, it is advisable that you check the features of each product first and from there, you determine which are the ones you need. If you are willing to pay the price of this useful gadget, you can give it try, as long as you have the budget.
- All products presented in this review has Wi-Fi connectivity features except for the DigiQ. This feature can become handy but if you feel like you don’t really need it, you can settle for the DigiQ.
- All three models in this review have food probes built in. You just have to evaluate which one can give you the most advantage.
- For open lid detectors, only the Flame Boss 300 has one. However, if you are someone who constantly checks the meat in the grill, you can settle either for the CyberQ or the DigiQ.
- All three models have an alarm system and temperature ramp mode that notifies you if the meat is almost done. However, we would recommend that you choose one that has Wi-Fi connectivity, so it can alert you via text message, email, or an audible alert.
All three products on this review are equally great, which is why picking a winner might be a bit of a challenge. It is entirely up to you now to choose which BBQ temperature controller is the right one for you.
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