Billows vs ProTemp Breezo


 
S

Steve M.

TVWBB Fan
I am debating on whether to purchase an automatic temperature control system for my WSM. I am looking at the Thermoworks Billows and the ProTemp Breezo. I am configuring 2 probe models for both. The price difference is negligible with discounts available for both.

I am looking for feature and function differences that might sway my decision. I'd also like to hear your experience with these units.

If it is a decision point, my pork butt cooks usually run 14+ hours - so battery life may came into play.

Thanks.
 
I don't have a ProTemp Breezo, so I can't offer any thoughts there.

I do have a Thermoworks Bilows I've run with a Smoke X4 as well as a Pitmaster IQ - I prefer to use the Pitmaster IQ with my 18" WSM, for the following reasons.

1) The Pitmaster is equipped with an adjustable inlet damper, while the stock Billows inlet is wide open. Even without the fan running, I found that too much air would get by stationary Billows fan to keep the temperature under control. If you end up buying the Billows, be sure get the optional (at additional cost) adjustable damper, or you will struggle to control your WSM's temperature.

2) The Pitmaster controller controls a variable speed fan, which allows better temperature control by being able to vary the fan's speed. To the best of my knowledge, the Billows is only a single speed fan, meaning either full blast or full off for temperature control.

3) I don't know what the control algorithm is for the Billows, but I understand the Pitmaster controller to be a full PID (Proportional–Integral–Derivative) controller. That may be more technical than you want to get, but suffice it to say that a properly implemented PID controller can be expected to provide much better control than a simple thermostatic, or on-off control.

One other thought, and that is in regards to control by a cloud server. Both the Thermoworks Billows as well as the Pitmaster IQ are controlled locally, and don't require an Internet connection for proper operation. Beware of any products that require Internet connectivity for proper operation, as Internet connections can fail, or worse, the company goes out of business and their control servers go dark. Not saying that the Breezo operates in this manner, but just something to confirm before making a purchase of any product.
 
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Thanks, Keith.....some good insights. I am familiar with PIDs and have some devices that control temps with a PID. I have not looked into the Pitmaster IQ, but will do so.
 
my nickel's worth of advice for temp control is don't use a temperature controller to control temperature.

Instead use the controller as temperature safety net for temps falling. Get the pit dialed in so it is cruising along at your desired temp, then set the temperature floor for the controller 10 or 20 degrees under your target pit temp. This will work to maintain the pit temp should it cool. With this approach it lets the pit do its thing AND you get peace of mind knowing it won't go too low if you are doing an overnight cook.
Another benefit of this approach is you learn the pit better with each cook rather than relying on the controller to control.

my other suggestion is to use a second ambient probe with an alarm for pit temp separate from the controller's ambient. You can set a different overtemp / undertemp with an alarm to alert you the pit temps are.

Not sure all this is really worth a nickel so YMMV. Cheers !

btw, I no longer have a WSM, and never used my billows on it so I have no direct comment on it one way or another. I occasionally use a billows with a smoke X4 on my BGE.

If you do buy a billows, make sure to invest a couple of bucks for the damper to adjust the free-flow intake of the billows.

DanHoo

Post in thread 'Billows $49'

I highly recommend the billows damper for anyone using a billows for a WSK or BGE or other very efficient smoker/grill.

Without it, low-temps are impossible as there is too much air intake through the billows even with the fan off.

www.thermoworks.com

Billows® Damper

Explore ThermoWorks, the trusted leader in precision thermometers. From the kitchen to the grill, ThermoWorks meat thermometers ensure culinary perfection.
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Billows works fine on my 18 WSM so I can sleep better for overnight cooks. I usually don't bother to hook it up for day time cooks.

I use it with the simpler RF Smoke X2. In my use case, phone/wifi isn't needed. I use an extension cord.
 
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