WSM automatic temps controllers are they needed?


 
Jeff Padell

Jeff Padell

TVWBB Pro
I have been using my 22.5 WSM for about 9 months now and built a mini and bought a 14.5. I seem to get pretty good results, but have been seeing youtube videos and reading things about the various automatic fans, such as the BBQ Guru and the IQue and the Party Q

People seem to swear by them. But are they needed?

I seem to be able to hold temps very easily although it seems to run hot most of the time, say about 250 to 275 even with the vents closed most of the way. I have done about 10 smokes on the 22.5 including a turkey that came out great and 6 on the 14.5.
 
Jeff;
Our desires and preferences are all different. Me, I use a Maverick 732, but am truly happy with the WSM's pretty much "as issued". I don't use water (just a foiled pan) and have no problem holding temps after the cooker is seasoned (read that "gunked up").

Considering that I learned to cook on a campfire with a collapsible folding reflector oven (doing whole chicken on a stick that I turned from time to time), bannock, etc. the WSM is like a technical marvel to me. "I don't need no stinkin' ATC"...;)

I can run mine at lower temps but prefer 275 for ribs and butts. I run at 325-350 for chicken.

FWIW
Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
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Robert McGee said:
Jeff;
Our desires and preferences are all different. Me, I use a Maverick 732, but am truly happy with the WSM's pretty much "as issued". I don't use water (just a foiled pan) and have no problem holding temps after the cooker is seasoned (read that "gunked up").

Considering that I learned to cook on a campfire with a collapsible folding oven (doing whole chicken on a stick that I turned from time to time), bannock, etc. the WSM is like a technical marvel to me. "I don't need no stinkin' ATC"...;)

I can run mine at lower temps but prefer 275 for ribs and butts. I run at 325-350 for chicken.

FWIW
Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
Click to expand...

Ditto what Dale said....
Maybe those ATC are helpful when your doing a comp.

I didn't mind if my smoker settles 225-275 it's all good.
 
I used to have a pitmaster but sold it. It worked fine but realized I didn't need it as a weekend warrior.

I've found that there are a bazillion gadgets and gizmos on the market. Though they're fun to play with, very few are actually required to produce great BBQ. A long lasting, clean burning fire and good technique is more important than expensive equipment. (Famous Dave started by cooking in a trash can.)

So, I run naturally aspirated. I find it less stressful and exact timing and temp aren't that important to me. BBQ cooking temp is a range. I control my pit temp but really, anywhere +/- 25*F is fine with me.
 
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Makes sense to me, it also makes it less about technology. I used to cook chickens on Boy Scout cookouts with a reflector oven.

My chicken and my turkeys (one 2 weeks before T-day to make sure I could do it) and the one on Thanksgiving came out fine, I think I ran at 325-350.

I do love the smokers, even to the point of sitting out back with a cup of coffee just looking at them. In fact my mini is in the family where it can stay warm and I can look at it. Of course my 22.5 and 14.5 WSM's are tougher and like to be outside all year!
 
Not at all. My ATC just helps me to better nail the cook timing. Also, it relieves my mind while away from the cooker or for overnight cooks.
 
The are not needed but they sure are nice!!! I worry when I go to sleep wondering how my smoker is doing without it and can't sleep, my Guru gives me peace of mind.
 
I use my IQ for overnight cooks just for piece of mind. For shorter cooks I don't use it, but that is just me. I do use my Maverick 733 for all cooks to help me monitor grate and meat temps.
 
I can imagine that an ATC would be a fun gadget to play with. I can also see how it would give piece of mind on a overnight cook or just un-monitored cooking. If either of those appeal to you have some fun, spend some money and go for it. If you just want piece of mind on an overnight cook, a wireless thermometer like the Maverick can provide that by monitoring the temp and sounding an alarm if the temp goes out of range. Of course then you have to get up and do something about it.

For me, I have a great location (covered and out of the wind) so I find that I don't even use my Maverick any longer. In the location I have, I have no problem keeping the wsm rock solid for an overnight cook. If you don't have a good location or a wind block, having a Maverick or even the ATC is pretty good insurance on an overnight cook. You don't need an ATC, but BBQ is a hobby where almost by definition, "need" is not the main reason for buying many things. Have fun.
 
Dave Russell said:
Not at all. My ATC just helps me to better nail the cook timing. Also, it relieves my mind while away from the cooker or for overnight cooks.
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This is exactly my take on it.

It's certainly not necessary, but an ATC turns a WSM into a charcoal oven. Dead-on temps (for the most part) for more consistent cooks.

The downside is, an ATC masks problems. For example yesterday I did a monster cook with both of my 22" loaded up. One was ribs and some pork sirloin tip roasts which were all done in a few hours. The other had two butts and a brisket. That one hit a point where the ash needed to be knocked off the briquettes. The temps held stable but the fan was cycling more and more until it was blowing full-time and my temps were dropping like a rock. Had I been running without the fan, temps would have dropped more gradually, but I would have been below my target temp much sooner. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
 
Dave Alvarado said:
This is exactly my take on it.

It's certainly not necessary, but an ATC turns a WSM into a charcoal oven. Dead-on temps (for the most part) for more consistent cooks.

The downside is, an ATC masks problems. For example yesterday I did a monster cook with both of my 22" loaded up. One was ribs and some pork sirloin tip roasts which were all done in a few hours. The other had two butts and a brisket. That one hit a point where the ash needed to be knocked off the briquettes. The temps held stable but the fan was cycling more and more until it was blowing full-time and my temps were dropping like a rock. Had I been running without the fan, temps would have dropped more gradually, but I would have been below my target temp much sooner. Six of one, half dozen of the other.
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Dave, what kind of ATC do you have? Mine actually lets me know whats going on much better than without it. My PartyQ LED changes from red to green every time the fan kicks on. So if I look outside and it's staying green all the time, then I know I need to add some fuel.

As for the ash, I haven't had that problem as long as I stay away from Kingsford "original" in the blue bag. One I'd suggest trying is just as cheap and found at Walmart. It's called Backyard Grill. Smokes a lot less than other briquettes and I seriously doubt that it will have the ash issues of Kbb. Stubbs is a pretty good one, too, but costs more.
 
I have a PartyQ also. I just don't go outside and check unless I need to--I have a couple Mavericks that tell me (mostly) what's going on in the smoker.

Fuel was Kingsford Competition, the big bags from Costco. They're burning a little weird though compared to the other bags I've gotten locally. Normally I don't have that ash problem either, but my last couple cooks I've had to stir the coals. I'm considering switching to Stubbs anyway, since I can get big bags of that for cheap at Costco.
 
They are not necessary but are nice for overnight cooks etc. i use them for comps because I may have as many as 4 cookers going at one time. Takes some of the pressure off if I don't have to keep checking all of them.
 
Dave, those LED lights are visible for quite some distance, so if you can put the smoker where you can see it out a window, you might consider it.

Kingsford Comp, huh? I'm kind of surprised, but I think it's a bit over-rated. One thing to consider though, is that the 6.5 cfs fan of the PartyQ is considered marginal for the big 22" wsm. At least that's what BBQ Guru told me in so many words, but I've only used mine on my 18" for long butt cooks. I'd go old school if I was to need my big 22" for a big butt cook.
 
Oh I'm aware. In the morning I had to crack open a 2nd vent so the PartyQ could hold temps. That's the thing--sure it's only 6.5CFM, but that's plenty as long as the fire is getting almost enough air, so the fan can get it exactly where it needs to be. After the day warmed up, i closed off that other vent and just let the fan run.

For KC, I wouldn't say it's necessarily overrated, but I'm wondering if what I've got is different from what comes in the smaller, more expensive bags. Or if it's somehow treated differently at Costco--one bag was busted open on the side, which makes me wonder whether they've been subjected to damp or something that makes them burn differently.
 
Dave Alvarado said:
Oh I'm aware. In the morning I had to crack open a 2nd vent so the PartyQ could hold temps. That's the thing--sure it's only 6.5CFM, but that's plenty as long as the fire is getting almost enough air, so the fan can get it exactly where it needs to be. After the day warmed up, i closed off that other vent and just let the fan run.

For KC, I wouldn't say it's necessarily overrated, but I'm wondering if what I've got is different from what comes in the smaller, more expensive bags. Or if it's somehow treated differently at Costco--one bag was busted open on the side, which makes me wonder whether they've been subjected to damp or something that makes them burn differently.
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I doubt the bag busted open had anything to do with exposure to dampness, and I guess, so much for Kingsford consistency? For what it's worth though, Stubbs has less ash and the fan shouldn't be as marginal. What was your meat load?
 
ATC for a WSM no need but I do run a stoker on my 22" because when I do run it it's packed full of meat for a party/family gathering so it lets me prep for the party clean house,cook side dishes, and what not. My 18" WSM I've been smoking with for 6 years so I know the settings to run it at 225-250 for 10 to 12 hrs set and forget sleep all night long and with no ATC but that's just the confidents I have with the 18". Now my 22" no, I've only had it for 4 months so I have a long way to go. I got a deal on a stoker so that's how I setting up my 22 but I get more satisfaction when I use my (18" no ATC)
 
IMO, they're for tinkerers, hobbyists, perfectionists, experimenters, newbies, competitors, technophiles, but absolutely Not needed.

But that's just me! I'm super easy on the process, and maybe not too hard to please. It's all fire management.... air/fuel/.... play with it. I don't even Minion or anything.
 
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