Going to built myself a mini very soon. Wondering if the guru or something similar is overkill for the mini? I am thinking yes but maybe the maverick is a better choice. I would rather just buy one.
Bbq guru overkill for mini?
- Thread starter aspenextreme
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They do 2 completely different things. The Maverick just tells you the temperature, while the Guru controls it. Since I already have the Maverick, if I were to use a Guru, I'd likely use them together so I could keep a remote eye on my temps. The mini is pretty rock solid at holding temperature, but the addition of the Guru (I'm thinking about a PartyQ fror my next one) would, in theory anyway, make it even more so and probably add 20%-30% to your cook time. Depending on your particular build, the desired temperature and the weather, a mini will hold temperature with very little fussing for between 5 and 8 hours. Adding a temp controller would likely get you upwards of 10 hours pretty easily. That's the difference between a fitful night's sleep and a pretty restful one in my book. With the added peace of mind of having the Maverick's temperature alarm at my bedside, I'm pretty sure I'd sleep like a baby.
So, to answer your question, no, it's not overkill at all.
So, to answer your question, no, it's not overkill at all.
Thanks for thr reply.
I heard the mini is pretty rock solid so maybe i will just get the maverick to start and then add the guru later.
For some reason i was thinking the guru monitored the temps inside and the meat temp as well so i would only need the guru.
I heard the mini is pretty rock solid so maybe i will just get the maverick to start and then add the guru later.
For some reason i was thinking the guru monitored the temps inside and the meat temp as well so i would only need the guru.
Looks like it from what i can tell. If that is the case i would just get the guru or stoker. Looks kike i will have to call them.
I could swear that someone on the forum is using one of those Guru's or similar air induction device in the mini. Look at some of our early threads under minim WSM and you should find it. The mini is pretty rock steady as MD said. ... All I use is the Mav 2 probe. But a little search on the site can get you in touch with the guy using one. You might want to have a chit chat with him.
Brian
Brian
So just get a maverick then and save myself around 120 for something else (aka, charcoal, etc). Unless there is something better than a maverick. I am not putting a outside temp gauge on there since i am going the probe route.
suie
Meat Mopper
I use a Guru with my mini. With the 3/4" adapter it fits perfectly into one of the side holes of the Smokey Joe Gold.
To be honest,I wouldn't have bothered if I didn't already have the Guru. It was just sitting in a drawer gathering dust so what the heck.... I bought the Guru originally for my Chargriller, which had a much harder time holding temp.
To be honest,I wouldn't have bothered if I didn't already have the Guru. It was just sitting in a drawer gathering dust so what the heck.... I bought the Guru originally for my Chargriller, which had a much harder time holding temp.
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fwismoker
Master of the Pit
Yea i've used the PitmasterIQ and the PQ Guru on it.....but only on night cooks and I think they can make it a tad more efficient on those long burns so i don't have to refuel. 95% of the time it's no controller because it's not needed. The mini does sooooo good on it's own.
If you get one just do the Maverick and or an instant read thermometer. If you want a cheap instant read Weber sells one that works fine for about 10 bucks.
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sam3
Smoking Fanatic
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
Sam no reason why you can't use your IQ 120 on your mini. It was easy to set up with a couple cheap parts from the hardware store. The mini uses less fuel so why not.
Is yours made from the gold joe? If so I'll show you how mine is set up for it.
sam3
Smoking Fanatic
Keith, I have the silver. But I installed two 3/4" threaded ball valves on each side, like Case did.
I'm in the plumbing business, so I could pull misc adapters out of stock and make it work.
How many hours can you get with yours @225?
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
Oh yea that's perfect for it. PitmasterIQ has 3/4" adapters. They only list the 1" on the website but they have both. That adapter will screw right into the ball valve.
Since i don't have a ball valve on the gold i screwed a short nipple into a vent hole with a pvc coupler and then the adapter....just so the adapter wouldn't melt.
I never smoke that low but i know i can do about 8 1/2 hours 275-300.
sam3
Smoking Fanatic
275 is my go to temp as well. But heck, 8.5hrs with that temp is something for me to look at.
Are you using lump or kingsford for that long cook?
fwismoker
Master of the Pit
I'm using KB for those long cooks and i overload the basket. Every time i do a big 10 plus lb. butt it's done in 7 1/2 to 8 hours with coals to spare so that works well for me.
Now i do use a reflectix sleeve around the mini on those long cooks so i don't know how much more efficient that makes it but i think it helps.
Oh Sam do you have any Doitbest hardware stores near you? If you do they have this charcoal called Chefs Select and they are HUGE briquettes and all hardwood... I'm going to use those on my next long mini cook and see how they do.
jiver
Newbie
- May 23, 2014
- 3
- 10
Hello all - new here. I'm building a mini WSM using my Smokey Joe Silver this weekend and had a couple of questions. I've been using the BBQ Guru PartyQ on my Weber grill with the Smokenator for a while. Works great, but I think having the meat above the smoke would somehow work better. Being so compact, I'm wondering if the PartyQ on the mini WSM would blow ash all over the place inside the smoker / onto the meat - thoughts?. Also, for those of you who use the temp controllers, do you also have the charcoal basket, or OK to go without the basket? Thanks much.
suie
Meat Mopper
I haven't had any problems with blowing ash. If you look at my pic above, the fan ends-up pointing slightly up. So the fan brings air into the chamber, but it's not blowing air directly on the coals.
Everyone here advised me to build the charcoal basket, so I haven't tried it without.
Best of luck with your build, I hope you'll post a pic when it's done!
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