With the right temperature and control over it, there is nothing that you cannot cook exactly to your specifications on a grill. To ensure the temperature that you need, it is time to look for BBQ temperature controllers.
Whether you have a Kamado, Weber, or offset smoker, this part gives you the control that you need. We spent extensive hours exploring the options and after exhaustive research, we have created a list of the best ones. You will learn about your options and all of the pertinent details. Now, let us get started.
Best BBQ Temperature Controllers
1. Flame Boss 500-WiFi Smoker Controller
The Flame Boss WiFi Smoker Controller has a simple configuration so that you can get it set up to your specifications and running quickly. It does not take a long time to get it installed. There is software that allows for precise temperature control along with the variable-speed blower.
You can look at your past cooking sessions via graphs on the online dashboard. With this dashboard, you can also keep an eye on your food and pit temperature so that you always know where it stands.
Use your computer or mobile device for this so that you do not even need to be near the grill to get this information.
There is an alarm on the controller that sounds when your meat gets to the temperature that you need. This makes it easy to know when your food is done cooking and ready to serve.
Multiple reviewers mentioned the dashboard. They say that it is easy to use and that it provides a lot of valuable information.
Other people talked about the configuration. Once you get the controller, you can have it set up and ready for use quickly.
Features
- It includes patented software for voice control
- You can use this with up to three meat probes and need no Y cables
Pros
- The temperature control is precise
- It offers a history and reports
- You can use it for long cooks
Cons
- It may not always connect to the WiFi
2. DigiQ DX3 BBQ Temperature Controller
The DigiQ DX3 BBQ Temperature Controller ensures that your temperatures remain stable so that your meats are done to your specifications. There is a control device for the digital temperature that allows for automatic tracking.
You will know the temperature of your food and the grill so that you are always aware of what it is operating at.
When the food is ready, there will be an audible beep so that you know when to remove it from the grill. It only beeps once, so you have to make sure that you are listening to it.
There is one probe for the pit and another for the food. These are standard digital probes, so they are easy to use, and you can keep them clean with minimal effort. At six feet, it is easy to find a place to put them.
You can connect everything fast so that you do not wait long to start using your controller.
Numerous consumers say that this budget temperature controller gives you a signal when you achieve the desired temperature. This makes it easy to know when your food is done.
Other reviewers talked about the high level of precision. It shows the temperature within a few degrees.
Features
- The technology helps to stop unstable temperatures
- The internal food temperature is tracked automatically via the control device
Pros
- It is easy to use
- The installation does not take much time
- The probes are sturdy
Cons
- The precision may reduce with time
3. Flame Boss 400-WiFi Smoker Controller
The Flame Boss WiFi Smoker Controller uses patented software to ensure that the temperatures that are displayed are precise. This works along with the variable-speed blower to ensure that you are getting the right temperature no matter how long you are cooking something.
You can see the food temperature and the temperature inside the pit with this controller. Use your mobile device or computer to see what the temperature is so that you do not have to keep running back out to the grill to see the temperature.
You can use the alarm on the grill to know when the meat is done. It will start to turn down the temperature in the pit automatically so that you do not have to run outside and turn your grill down. This can also make it easier to not accidentally burn your meats or take them off too soon.
This is the Kamado grill temperature controller. Many people talked about the online dashboard and how much information it provides you with.
Other people talked about the voice command. You can connect it to different devices to make adjustments with just your voice.
Features
- You can use the dashboard to see graphs of your previous cooks
- The WiFi capabilities let you regulate the temperature remotely
Pros
- It works well with WiFi
- There are good visual controls
- The accuracy is strong
Cons
- The app can be buggy
4. CyberQ BBQ Temperature Controller
The CyberQ BBQ Temperature Controller is compatible with a variety of grill types. When using this, you can operate your grill similarly to an oven for more precise control. You can see accurate readings so that you know the exact time when your foods are cooked.
Use the WiFi control so that you can see what the temperature of your grill is no matter where you are. Use your mobile device to see what the temperature is so that you do not have to keep going back out to the grill.
You can see a temperature graph that allows you to analyze the data related to your past cooks. With this information, it is easier to see what you need to prepare different foods in the future to get them like you did when you cooked them in the past.
This can also help you to perfect various meat temperatures.
Several people said that this WiFi BBQ temperature control installs easily. It does not take long to get it on your grill and start using it.
This is a durable controller, according to many people. You can use it often and it will not wear out prematurely.
Features
- You can manage and track the temperature of your grill via WiFi
- Due to the digital probes, there is a high level of accuracy
Pros
- The web interface is easy to use
- There is a phone app
- It is easy to use
Cons
- You may get false readings on occasion
5. LavaLock 4-Probe Automatic BBQ Controller
The LavaLock Automatic BBQ Controller has adapters that make it universal so that you can use it with just about any grill. When you do install it, you do not need a drill, so you can put it on different grills when needed.
Four probes come with this controller. You will use one for the pit and three for different meats. Fire detection can help you to prevent an accident from happening.
The materials include stainless and aluminum to ensure that the controller remains durable and will last for a long time even with frequent use.
A lot of reviewers say that you can control your pit temperature precisely with this controller. It offers an accurate reading so that you know exactly how hot your grill is.
There are four probes so that you can monitor meat and pit temperature at the same time. This makes it much easier to ensure that your foods get to the exact temperature that you desire.
Features
- It features four probes for versatility
- You only need to use one button to operate it, making it fast and easy
Pros
- It is compatible with multiple BBQs
- The temperature is accurate
- It does not take long to install
Cons
- The thermometer may sometimes detach itself
6. IQ120 Temperature Regulator Kit
The IQ120 Temperature Regulator Kit allows for precise temperature control when you are using a charcoal grill. Utilize the digital display to see the temperature of the food that you are cooking and the grill itself.
This controller is programmable so that you can let your grill make changes to the temperature as you are using it. There are 12 parameters that you can use for this so that you are always cooking foods at the exact temperature that you need them at.
On the display, you can see when the fuel level is starting to get low. This tells you that you need to add some more charcoal to your grill.
Easily monitor your smoker temp control with this controller, according to reviewers. They like that you can start using it almost right away.
Other people talked about the adapter. They said that it makes this controller compatible with many types of grills.
Features
- It is programmable so that it adjusts the cooking temperature automatically
- This grill has a digital display to show the true cooking temperature
Pros
- It shows an accurate temperature
- You can use it with several grills
- It is easy to use
Cons
- The probes are sometimes unreliable
7. TempMaster Pro BBQ Temperature Controller
The TempMaster Pro BBQ Temperature Controller uses a fan controller and thermometer module to ensure the highest level of temperature control. When you charge it, you can get about 100 hours of runtime before you need to charge it again.
The probes work very quickly so that you always know the exact temperature that you are working with. Use the single dial to operate the controller.
This can save you time since you will not have to work with multiple buttons. Take advantage of the adapter to connect this controller to multiple grill types.
A lot of people say that this makes it easy to control your smoker since it runs for a long time. It also ensures accuracy.
You can use this for various cooking styles, according to reviewers. This allows you to prepare foods exactly as you want them.
Features
- You can use your phone to monitor the controller
- Three probes respond quickly for accuracy
Pros
- You can use it for long cooks
- It maintains temperature well
- You can use it with many grill fuel types
Cons
- The wireless connectivity could be better
8. TempMaster Portable Automatic Controller
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The TempMaster Portable Automatic Controller is small and easy to move around. You can take it with you when you do things like go camping. All of the probes read fast so that you are getting accurate and fast temperature readings exactly when you need them.
You are only using one dial to operate the controller. This makes it easy to get everything adjusted to the exact level that you need. Take advantage of the three probes so that you can keep an eye on the pit and the internal temperature of meats at the same time.
Many people liked that they could use it with multiple BBQs. This made it easy to switch it out when necessary.
Other people said that it is compact. They can place it on their grill and it does not get in the way.
Features
- You can use your phone to monitor the controller
- Three probes respond quickly for accuracy
Pros
- The probes respond fast
- It is easy to use
- It does not take a lot of effort to install
Cons
- It is a bit bigger than similar controllers
How Temperature Controllers Work
Before heading out to buy one, it is important to have a general understanding of how this type of device works. This will make it easier to evaluate the features and understand what you need to cook the foods that you want to enjoy.
Step 1:
To ensure the right level of heat, you have to start by making sure that you have solid control over how much oxygen is circulating. When you install your temperature controller, it will be connected to a fan on one of the intakes of the smoker.
After everything is installed properly, the controller essentially works with a fan to moderate the flow of oxygen to keep the temperature at a steady level.
Step 2:
There is a digital thermometer that comes with the device that works to determine the temperature inside.
As the temperature of the grill starts to go above or below what you have set either more or less oxygen is added, depending on whether the grill needs to cool off or heat up, respectively.
Step 3:
These controllers work to determine the inside temperature of the grill. However, some are more sophisticated and go a step beyond this.
With these fancier models, they can monitor the temperature of the meat that you are cooking on the grill. This allows you to moderate the process of getting your meats to a specific internal temperature.
Factors to Consider
When you pick the right BBQ smoker controller, you can easily control the temperature of the foods that you are cooking. You must know what to look for when you are evaluating these devices.
Construction
Overall, you do not need to find one that has the sturdiest construction. As long as it is moderately sturdy, this is enough to allow it to have longevity.
For the most part, this component does not experience a lot of damage, so you do not have to worry about it being made of steel or something equally durable.
Performance
When it comes to performance, you want to consider both the ease of use and the accuracy. Regarding accuracy, you want narrow temperature fluctuations.
This will ensure the most accuracy possible and you want the temperature within a few degrees so that it is cooking your foods at the temperature that is required to get the right finished result.
With ease of use, you want a controller that you can set and then forget. It also needs to be easy to get to the exact temperature that you need. The ones that tend to be the easiest to use also tend to be digital and have more advanced technology.
Compatibility
Not all temperature controllers will work with all types of grills. You can check out the owner’s manual or the specifications to see the types of grills that it will work with. This information is also generally available when you are reading the description of the unit on a website.
WiFi Enabled
This is a feature that is not a necessity, but it can make using your controller more convenient. For example, when the device has WiFi, you can connect it to devices like Amazon Alexa.
With this feature, you can also usually use the controller with a computer or mobile device. This allows you to see things like the cooking temperature, and in some cases, a history of the foods that you have prepared using the controller.
Installation
The controller that you choose must be easy to install.
For the most part, you plug in the device and make sure that the fan is placed where the grill has its air vent. Unless you have a Kamado grill where the vent is usually on the bottom, you can usually expect to install the fan on top.
FAQ
What Type of Cooking Does a BBQ Controller Help With?If you are someone who likes to cook for a long time at a low temperature, this type of device is a good idea. This is because it helps you to ensure that you have a steady temperature over a long period of time. When your temperature remains steady, there is a much lesser chance of mistakes when you are cooking.
Are These Devices Difficult to Install?Even the more sophisticated ones that are Wi-Fi-enabled are not terribly difficult to install. Just follow the directions that come with the packaging. Just make sure that you are placing it properly and that it is configured correctly so that you get accurate temperature control.
Are There Different Types of Temperature Controllers?There are three basic types that you want to learn about so that you can determine which one will work best for you. These include:
- Proportional control: This type allows the level of power feeding the unit to get lower as the temperature gets nearer to its set value. This can help to save energy without sacrificing power or accuracy.
- On-off control: This type of temperature controller is the simplest of all of them. You either turn it on to use it or it is off. This is ideal if you have a simple grill and you do not want to have to learn software or other complicated technology.
- PID control: This is the most sophisticated of all the temperature controllers. It uses three different types of control, referred to as integral, proportional, and derivative.
Summary
This guide provides all of the information that you need to choose the BBQ temperature controllers. Think about how often you use your grill and how important temperature control is for what you cook regularly. This will make it easier to compare your options, utilize the education, and make the best choice.
The Flame Boss WiFi Smoker Controller is the best option for all of the units that are presented here. This device has a very easy configuration, allowing you to quickly learn how to use the device. It comes with software that is simple to use and allows for optimal precision.
This unit is WiFi-enabled and compatible with different devices that provide you with voice command control. Use your mobile device to keep an eye on the important numbers associated with this device, such as the temperature.
All that is left to do now is choose the one that best fits your grilling preferences and needs.
