Comments on: How to make DIY cheap electric bbq or smoker controller

By: Alex Ellwood

Alex Ellwood — Tue, 16 May 2017 12:23:26 +0000

I built one of these based on your plans. (Pimping my Cheap offset smoker (COS)) Cooked the first rack tonight. Awesome directions! Thanks for your work here. While I don’t have a website, I can post pix if you’d like.
I did this as part of my larger project to turn the COS into a really useful smoker. Spent time and money sealing air leaks, measuring temperature inside the meat, as well as multiple points inside the cooking chamber, and controlling airflow.
Because my COS is charcoal/wood heated, I attached the controller to a thrift store blow dryer after I killed the power adaptor for a computer fan. Glad that I did. The 3 – setting air flow switch is pretty useful. “Hi” for lighting the fuel, “Medium” or “Lo” for managing the fire/cooking temp once lit.
I also added angle-iron rails to mount nomex (lava lock) seals to close the cooking chamber. I installed a bit of dryer vent to lower the smokestack down to grill height. I used dryer vent to conduct air to the offset intake vent from the blow dryer.
Thanks again for the plans.

By: Randy

Randy — Sun, 26 Feb 2017 19:12:36 +0000

Thanks for the great info here. I have a few questions…
Is there a model with a 2nd probe for internal meat temperature?
If not, a 2nd DN300A should do the trick and still keep the cost down (correct me if I’m wrong). Anyone done this?
Also, just to clarify, the relay just turns the fan ON or OFF…correct?
Thanks,
Randy

By: katacombz

katacombz — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 20:21:54 +0000

In reply to Katacombz. I used an extension cord, cut it in half. For a fan I used an cheap bathroom exhaust fan. These have a built in damper, and match up to common ductwork. Some aluminum dryer vent and a galvinized duct flange. Works fantastic. Now with 2 large custom vertical smokers all I need do is go out once an hour and add a stick to the firebox.

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:53:59 +0000

Thank you for the reply. I plan on building a controller similar to this.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:40:41 +0000

In reply to Ray. I have tried lots of things for charcoal such as a computer case fan, a little hair dryer, just have to try and see what works best for your charcoaler.

By: admin

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 04:39:36 +0000

In reply to Jason. Yes I use it at least once a month!

By: Jason

Jason — Mon, 20 Feb 2017 03:52:45 +0000

Do you still use this temperature controller? I am curious if it held up over the years.

By: Ray

Ray — Sun, 01 Jan 2017 20:06:01 +0000

Cool little temperature controller! Do you have any recommendations for a small centrifugal for use on an Akorn smoker grill? I am thinking 6.5 to CFM.. I would also prefer a Teflon insulated ss sheathed TC for my application.. Looks like this control will only work with an RTD.. RTD’s do some wacky things when they fail and would prefer a type J or K TC,, Thanks for the info!