Well, I tried an IQ 110 with no success at all and sent it back. Spent the additional money for the Digi DX2.
Three hours into my first smoke, and kind of struggling
With my WSM 22 and NO controller the cooking method I use is top vent wide open, bottom closed. With slight tweaking of the top vent that results in a rock solid 225 degrees all day long.
With my DigiQ I use the following set up: Two bottom vents closed, tape on remaining holes. Top vent just a slit. Both temperature cables are under the lid. I started with the damper 1/3 closed. That resulted in temperatures of around 255-260 when set at 225. I closed the fan damper to 1/3 open about a half hour ago. Temp was down to 248 within half an hour, and an hour later is down to 241.
This makes no sense. The WSM is almost 100% shut down. With all bottoms vents closed and top vent closed the fire goes out. It is that tight. I don't understand why under similar circumstances the temp is holding in the 250 range with the DIGI Q.
Other stuff: It is a cold windy day. Temps 26 degrees. I started the fire with about a half a chimney of coals. Using Kingsford.
I see that some don't turn on until within 25 degrees of temperature. I poured the half chimney on, buttoned up the smoker and turned on the DigiQ to let it do its thing. 30 minutes in the temp was getting rising slowly and I put the meat on, figuring it would stop at 225. But it went straight to 260ish.
And from my three hour experience so far I am surprised when folks say the top vent is wide open. Trying to get down to 225 I pretty much have the entire smoker shut down.
The sad part is, I always did better with no ATC. But based on all of the positive comments I am not going to give up yet. Plus I have a picnic roast on there, so I am not concerned about the slight overtemp that I am experiencing. It will forgive me.
Three hours into my first smoke, and kind of struggling
With my WSM 22 and NO controller the cooking method I use is top vent wide open, bottom closed. With slight tweaking of the top vent that results in a rock solid 225 degrees all day long.
With my DigiQ I use the following set up: Two bottom vents closed, tape on remaining holes. Top vent just a slit. Both temperature cables are under the lid. I started with the damper 1/3 closed. That resulted in temperatures of around 255-260 when set at 225. I closed the fan damper to 1/3 open about a half hour ago. Temp was down to 248 within half an hour, and an hour later is down to 241.
This makes no sense. The WSM is almost 100% shut down. With all bottoms vents closed and top vent closed the fire goes out. It is that tight. I don't understand why under similar circumstances the temp is holding in the 250 range with the DIGI Q.
Other stuff: It is a cold windy day. Temps 26 degrees. I started the fire with about a half a chimney of coals. Using Kingsford.
I see that some don't turn on until within 25 degrees of temperature. I poured the half chimney on, buttoned up the smoker and turned on the DigiQ to let it do its thing. 30 minutes in the temp was getting rising slowly and I put the meat on, figuring it would stop at 225. But it went straight to 260ish.
And from my three hour experience so far I am surprised when folks say the top vent is wide open. Trying to get down to 225 I pretty much have the entire smoker shut down.
The sad part is, I always did better with no ATC. But based on all of the positive comments I am not going to give up yet. Plus I have a picnic roast on there, so I am not concerned about the slight overtemp that I am experiencing. It will forgive me.