Factory Temperature Controller for 200, 225, 250, 300, 350 dF.
Note: Themocouples are type K, and were calibrated against boiling water, adjusted for altitude, and are within 2 dF of that value.
Note: no meat on racks during these tests.
Note: Charts at bottom of this post.
Note: If anyone is interested in the raw data, let me know and I'll upload to my blog site. It's about 11 Meg.
Note: I used Pit-Boss Pro Blend pellets for the test.
Note: These are small-mass thermocouples, so they will respond much quicker than the larger-mass RTDs located in the cooking chamber. This will result in showing larger high and low temperature swings. However, they are true temperature swings; the larger mass RTDs are slower to respond and thus dampen the depiction of the temperature swings. The major consideration should be the average, and how well it cycles around the temperature setting.
A month or so back, a friend and I each purchased this model smoker. We were both disappointed in the temperature controller that came with the unit.
I wanted to get a feel for what was going on, so I instrument ed the smoker with four (4) thermocouples, and two (2) relays.
The thermocouples (type K, using Max31855 thermocouple amplifiers) would monitor temperatures at the following locations:
The test consisted of multiple segments, with each segment being associated with setpoint temperature s for 200, 225, 250, 300, 350 dF. Each segment had a time interval of at least 15 minutes, and some went to 40 minutes (I was sometime occupied and didn't get to switch the setting at the same times).
Below are the charts of the temperature settings.
Note: Themocouples are type K, and were calibrated against boiling water, adjusted for altitude, and are within 2 dF of that value.
Note: no meat on racks during these tests.
Note: Charts at bottom of this post.
Note: If anyone is interested in the raw data, let me know and I'll upload to my blog site. It's about 11 Meg.
Note: I used Pit-Boss Pro Blend pellets for the test.
Note: These are small-mass thermocouples, so they will respond much quicker than the larger-mass RTDs located in the cooking chamber. This will result in showing larger high and low temperature swings. However, they are true temperature swings; the larger mass RTDs are slower to respond and thus dampen the depiction of the temperature swings. The major consideration should be the average, and how well it cycles around the temperature setting.
A month or so back, a friend and I each purchased this model smoker. We were both disappointed in the temperature controller that came with the unit.
I wanted to get a feel for what was going on, so I instrument ed the smoker with four (4) thermocouples, and two (2) relays.
The thermocouples (type K, using Max31855 thermocouple amplifiers) would monitor temperatures at the following locations:
- Combustion Chamber
- Location in center of grill where meat usually is place first; as more meat is added, it typically is added left and right of the center.
- The current location where the Pit-Boss 820D has their RTD temperature sensor (left front of smoke chamber)
- Outside air temperature
- Auger motor
- Fan motor
The test consisted of multiple segments, with each segment being associated with setpoint temperature s for 200, 225, 250, 300, 350 dF. Each segment had a time interval of at least 15 minutes, and some went to 40 minutes (I was sometime occupied and didn't get to switch the setting at the same times).
Below are the charts of the temperature settings.
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