Electric Smoker Temperature Controller

[Noah]

Good afternoon all,

I have a master built electric smoker in which the electronics failed on it. I installed a new heating element / power supply kit to it and also had a PID controller built from another SM forum member however for some reason the PID controller is not working even after auto tuning and so on... With that said I am attempting to find another temperature control solution. I spoke with Inkbird regarding some of their products however the only one that they have a vaiable only goes up to 212F.

Any suggestions would be greatly appriciated!

Noah

 

[chopsaw]

Noah , I use this one . Well worth the money in my opinion .

Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - $159.95 : Auber Instruments, Inc., Temperature control solutions for home and industry

Auber Instruments, Inc. Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - The WS-1510ELPM is a versatile temperature controller to have in your home. It can be used for various applications such as Sous Vide cooking, controlling an electric smoker, making yogurt, dough proofing, controlling the...

www.auberins.com

Some guys have the wifi model . That they like as well .

 

[Noah]

Noah , I use this one . Well worth the money in my opinion .

Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - $159.95 : Auber Instruments, Inc., Temperature control solutions for home and industry

Auber Instruments, Inc. Multi Purpose Controller [WS-1510ELPM] - The WS-1510ELPM is a versatile temperature controller to have in your home. It can be used for various applications such as Sous Vide cooking, controlling an electric smoker, making yogurt, dough proofing, controlling the...

www.auberins.com

Some guys have the wifi model . That they like as well .

Thank you very very much for the feedback. Would it be worth trying to figure out the PID controller that I had made or just go with the Auber Instruments?

 

[tallbm]

Thank you very very much for the feedback. Would it be worth trying to figure out the PID controller that I had made or just go with the Auber Instruments?

Hi there and welcome!

This may sound like a silly question, but does the MES heat up when you plug it straight into the wall?
Don't leave it like that for long since it is uncontrolled but that will at least isolate that it's an issue with the controller instead of something like the safety high limit switch which is a common failure point.

If so then the Auber PID is the simplest option and is less expensive in the end than getting all the tools and materials to build your first ever PID controller yourself.

 

[Fueling Around]

... and also had a PID controller built from another SM forum member however for some reason the PID controller is not working even after auto tuning and so on ...

...
something like the safety high limit switch which is a common failure point.
...

Good point on the temp limit switch.
My thought with the reliability of a PID controller the high temp sensor can be completely eliminated from heating circuit.

 

[tallbm]

Good point on the temp limit switch.
My thought with the reliability of a PID controller the high temp sensor can be completely eliminated from heating circuit.

You could eliminate it and just be very careful watching temps in the smoker but most pids don't have a real alarm to warn you on your phone and most of us rely on wireless thermometer alarms for over temp.
Did you wire around that switch when you rewired for a PID? If so then it wouldn't even be there to fail and prevent the smoker from heating up.

If you did not cut a hole in the back of the MES (or remove the back) to remove the switch and your MES is simply not heating up then I would bet money it is the problem. It is the highest failure point and prevents an MES from heating up at all when the switch or it's connectors fall apart.

 

[processhead]

Several good basic troubleshooting steps mentioned above. It would be helpful to provide as much information about the symptoms as you can.
Is the temperature running too high, too low or just large swings around the setpoint?
Have you checked the temperature reading from the PID temp sensor against a second known to be accurate thermometer?

 

[Timber II]

Great ideas above….i use the same PID as Chopsaw and never have had a prob

 

[dr k]

I'd first work with the member that sold you the PID on go to settings he uses. If your'e having to wait to get to set temp but holds fine when it gets there I bump temp up 30 degrees and reset temp when it gets there pre heating, when food is put in or if you have to open the door. I figured I'd throw that out while asking what's the problem you're having?

 

[Fueling Around]

…
Did you wire around that switch when you rewired for a PID? If so then it wouldn't even be there to fail and prevent the smoker from heating up.
…

I don’t have MESs (sic). I have a Big Chief. Element died and replaced with a single coil burner and a PID so no over temperature limit switch

 

[processhead]

Might be helpful if you could share the make and model of the PID you are using.

 

[1MoreFord]

Amazon sells a digital temp controller that might work. It is not PID but says it will control within 1 degree.

Amazon.com: Plug & Play Digital Temperature Control Box 15 Amp Relay Output Power Thermostat for Controlling Cooling or Heating Device : Patio, Lawn & Garden

Amazon.com: Plug & Play Digital Temperature Control Box 15 Amp Relay Output Power Thermostat for Controlling Cooling or Heating Device : Patio, Lawn & Garden

www.amazon.com

Thermomart.com sells what appears to be about the same thing as a DIY kit.

DIY Plug Play Temperature Controller Timer for Electric BBQ, Smoker BBQ, Sous vide, Beer Brewing, Cheese Making, Fermentation Chamber, Incubator, Kegerator, Wine Fridge, Aquarium ....

This mini Temperature Controller is an excellent solution for converting any freezer into a kegerator. It controls the temperature precisely and constantly (0.1 degree). It’s suitable for all equipments which need refrigerating control or even need both o

www.thermomart.com

 

[912smoker]

I'd first work with the member that sold you the PID on go to settings he uses. If your'e having to wait to get to set temp but holds fine when it gets there I bump temp up 30 degrees and reset temp when it gets there pre heating, when food is put in or if you have to open the door. I figured I'd throw that out while asking what's the problem you're having?

That's also what I was going to suggest.
Would definitely be my starting point.

Keith

 

[zwiller]

I have the Auber wifi. It was a little wonky with my old router but (knocks wood) much better with the new one. Still little weird to setup and not perfect. They run a 10 or 20% off special around TG so there's that. If money tight, grab a used on FB. I went up to 40 stainless with window like new with cover for $100. I can find 30s all day long for $50.

EDIT. Swap out controller if used is not cool for you.