Cheap stable controller

[drmoneejd]

Hey all, I have a PB 820D3 and I love the grill features, but the temp swings can be pretty bad even after patiently adjusting my P setting for each cook (50-70 degree swings). It is also consistently 20-25 degrees hotter than the controller believes when putting a temp probe right beside the controller's RTD probe. With Christmas coming up I'm trying to determine a controller upgrade that's still relatively cheap (trying to keep it close to 100 bucks). I already have a Tappecue so I don't really need wifi, and don't totally care about PID or not, just something that can hold within like 20-30 degrees. I set my alarms 50 below set temp and 50 above set temp and right now it's going off all the time. The only ones I've come up with is the RecTec non-wifi controller (although I've read they aren't available for standalone purchase anymore) and the Grilla Grills Alpha controller. Anyone have experience with either of these two or know of another one I'm not considering?

Savannah Stoker and Pellet Pro both look nice, but 200+ is a hard sell, especially when I spent 500 on the smoker this same year.

Thanks!

 

[RCAlan]

Hey all, I have a PB 820D3 and I love the grill features, but the temp swings can be pretty bad even after patiently adjusting my P setting for each cook (50-70 degree swings). It is also consistently 20-25 degrees hotter than the controller believes when putting a temp probe right beside the controller's RTD probe. With Christmas coming up I'm trying to determine a controller upgrade that's still relatively cheap (trying to keep it close to 100 bucks). I already have a Tappecue so I don't really need wifi, and don't totally care about PID or not, just something that can hold within like 20-30 degrees. I set my alarms 50 below set temp and 50 above set temp and right now it's going off all the time. The only ones I've come up with is the RecTec non-wifi controller (although I've read they aren't available for standalone purchase anymore) and the Grilla Grills Alpha controller. Anyone have experience with either of these two or know of another one I'm not considering?

Savannah Stoker and Pellet Pro both look nice, but 200+ is a hard sell, especially when I spent 500 on the smoker this same year.

Thanks!

If the Savannah Stoker and Pellet Pro Controllers are out of your price range, then give the Grilla Grills Silverbac Alpha controller a shot. It’s a hybrid controller, so you’ll have more options to choose from. 20*-40* degree temp swings produces more smoke, which is the traditional option and the PID option gives tighter temp control with less smoke production. For $129.00, give it a shot. From what you’re complaining about with the stock PB controller, the Grilla Grills controller might just work out for you. Are there any perfect controllers out there that gives 0 degree temp swings? No. Every wood pellet burning controller will have some temp swings, it’s the wild ones that are the problem. Just know, temp swings produces more smoke and no temp swings/super tight temp control produces almost no smoke. The Alpha Controller gives the option of going either way from what they are stating on their website. If you do give the Grilla Grills Alpha controller a go, make sure that the controller’s connectors are compatible with your PB grill. Good luck.

Pellet Pro Austin XL and a few more mods... In SoCal and Always... Semper Fi

 

[drmoneejd]

Thanks for the suggestion. Have you ever heard of someone using the Grilla controller in a pit boss? I just ask because I'm trying to figure out if I'd need the RTD probe from them as well. I don't mind getting creative with the wires, I just didn't know if every RTD probe works with every controller like the other components.
Thanks!

 

[JWFokker]

I have a suggestion. Lower the p-setting (pellet delay timer) as low as it will go without flareups (on the Smoke setting you can outpace the burn rate of the pellets and end up with too much fuel in the firepot that suddenly catches). I usually run P-1 and use the temp dial as a low to high heat dial and make adjustments based on my wireless grate temp probe. It will run hot this way, but because pellets are added at shorter intervals the temp does not swing as much. It also puts out clouds of smoke more often and burns more fuel.

 

[drmoneejd]

Sure, I'll give it a shot. I have a while before Christmas anyhow.

For anyone interested if I do get a controller at this point I'm thinking it will be a green mountain grills daniel boone wifi controller. They are PID and there's already another thread on this forum on wiring it up. Their price on Amazon is probably the cheapest of the controllers so far (besides the RecTec, but I really don't think you can buy it anymore) and while I don't want/need wifi, I don't not-want it either.

 

[drmoneejd]

For anyone interested, turning the P setting down did help a little, but as it got colder it seemed to help less. I did end up getting a RecTec wifi controller on eBay, and it looks to be working very well when comparing to my Tappecue.