Update: Bought a $250 temp controller for my offset and it's a game changer

I was tired of babysitting my Old Country Pecos smoker all night for a brisket. Got a Pit Viper fan and a FireBoard 2 controller, set the temp to 225, and actually slept. Woke up 8 hours later and it was still holding perfect. Anyone else use these for their stick burners or think it's cheating?

2 comments

2 Comments

miles7981mo ago

Eh, I mean, maybe it's just me but isn't the whole point of a stick burner that you're supposed to be the one tending the fire? Kinda feels like you're missing out on the ritual of it, like using a robot to stir your chili. I get not wanting to babysit all night, but you could've just used a pellet grill for that kind of set-and-forget approach and saved yourself the money. There's something about learning the fire, feeling the draft, and getting that sixth sense for when to add a split that a controller just takes away from the whole experience. If you're not gonna be in the driver's seat, why not just buy an electric smoker and call it a day?

jennifercooper1mo ago

Man, that reminds me of my buddy Steve. He got a controller for his offset last year after his first kid was born. Said he loved the ritual too, but being up every 90 minutes with a newborn and then having to tend a fire all night was just impossible. The controller let him keep cooking on the rig he loved without losing his mind. He still does all the fire building and wood selection himself, the fan just handles the overnight part. He says it's the difference between giving up the hobby completely and still getting to make great barbecue.