Rock's bbq thermometer and grill minder?

pork_belly · Newbie Joined: 17 Jan 2006 Posts: 49

Price wise if you had 10, 2 probe mavericks wouldnt that be expensive as well. I mean I would need the 20 port extension. That get's expensive.

copperhead · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Murrieta, CA

Exactly my point! 10 of the mavericks is just as expensive as one Stoker. Which, when you consider what it does is actually very inexpensive. It also won't require as much lost space as to mavericks.
Lloyd
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BoilermakerFan · Posted: Dec 15 2006 Post subject:

copperhead

The conversation drifted from time to time, but I definitely agree that the Stoaker is a great Bang For The Buck! I'm going to grab one after the first of the year, along with a few of the accessories. It may or may not make a huge difference on my Char-Griller, but I know it will improve my next smoker, whether it's a PCC, small DiamondPlate, or home-built unit.
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My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

abingdonrowes · Newbie Joined: 29 Nov 2006 Posts: 81

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Dec 16 2006 Post subject:

Oh, it will be added in 2007 (I just don't know how soon) and the temps will be tracked and logged on the PC. Plan to use one high-temp in the firebox and 3 or four zone probes in the cooking chamber, plus the meat probes, so I'm looking at one or two 3-port expanders.

The C-G is my cheap test mule for many of my ideas or features I want to add (or have added) to my next all-in-one "rotissegrilloker". I'm fully aware of the limitations of the C-G, but I've had great brisket off a cheap Weber knock-off done with indirect heat and wood chips, so there is a lot of merit to the cook vs. kitchen argument. That said, the boss may not let me get another rotissegrilloker until the C-G is on it's last legs or I get good enough that I can complain about needing a bigger rotissegrilloker... That's how I got approval to get the C-G, the Weber just isn't big enough to do what I want to do now. Wink

But back to the Stoaker, I want before the prices go up, I can't see them staying at that price for much longer. As his demand goes up, I suspect the price will creep up each year too. Even if the product goes obsolete, I could still use it and keep it running for many, many years since I have "ultra geek" friends that do electronic circuit board design for a living. I had actually planned to make my own unit so similar to te Stoaker it's scary. The Stoakers design is more refined than mine and honestly, just as cheap to buy as I could build my own. My time has a value too, so the Stoaker wins out, hands down.
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

copperhead · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Murrieta, CA

I bought the Stoker basic plus. Rock, is eliminating the fan for me and giving me some additional probes and y adapter. After I do some testing with it and a c-coal basket for my monster then I will talk to him a little more and design a plate that fits my rig and a much larger fan.
Stoker should be here on Monday or Tuesday. A day late to use with the 16 Turkeys I am cooking but at least I will have it to look at for a week before I get to use it. Better yet, I think I will wrap it for xmas and say it was from Santa, that way the wife knows no better!!! Also, the wireless game adapters could be had for less than $20.00. A cheap solution to hook it to my network.
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BoilermakerFan · Posted: Dec 16 2006 Post subject:

copperhead · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Murrieta, CA

Yeah! My Stoker came in today along with a small sample of Dizzy Pig Rub.
The Stoker is very impressive. Smaller than I thought it would be. I didn't get to use it during my cook of 16 turkeys on Tuesday, but I now have an excuse to use it Christmas day.
I will let you all know how well it works later.
Lloyd
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mlebwill · Posted: Dec 23 2006 Post subject:

copperhead -

Did you see that Rock is having supply issues getting the 5cfm fan and is substituting with a 4cfm? Check out which one you got - I'm not sure if it would make a difference - but he is offering to replace with a 5cfm when they are available.

I'm holding off ordering mine until the 5's are available - personally, since his units are price pointed with a 5cfm fan, I refuse to pay for a smaller / less effective product (even if I could potentially get the 5cfm later - after some hassle).

Mike
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Traeger - Texas Style
WSM - Stoker
Weber Q 220

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Dec 23 2006 Post subject:

I wouldn't let a 4cfm vs. 5cfm fan cause you to hold off ordering, even on a medium sized smoker. 1 cubic foot in one minute is a minor flow difference. I doubt you would be able to feel it if you held both fans in front of you and had them blowing on your face. That is also assuming the standard conditions for the specs for both fans were identical (i.e- Same voltage, same temperature, and same atmospheric pressure in a test lab).

Rock could actually bump the supply voltage up 1.5V to the 4cfm fan and make up most of the flow difference with almost no change in noise...

I'm glad to here Rock is being upfront and offering the upgrade or exchange in the future, but I don't think it would be necessary for most small to mid-sized smokers.
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!

mlebwill · Posted: Dec 24 2006 Post subject:

I agree with you about Rock - The 5cfm shortage is identified all over his site - he is a stand-up guy and has some fantastic references out on the internet. Every time I have emailed him I have gotten a very prompt response.

And you are probably right about the performance of the fan.

It is just a personal thing on my end - I don't like settling for something less. In my experiences, I have had more positive results with companies that offer an improvement rather than a reduction when faced with a supply issues. I guess what I'm saying is that I would have preferred Rock to offer a 6cfm instead of a 4cfm - and I know he has a cost benefit decision to make - and I imaging that he made the best decision for his business. As a consumer - I have a cost benefit decision to make - and I'm choosing to wait. It is a personal decision that I'm making and it should not reflect on Rock or his product (which I will still purchase).

Mike
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Traeger - Texas Style
WSM - Stoker
Weber Q 220

copperhead · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Murrieta, CA

I didn't get the fan, Rock substituted the fan for additional probes. You see the 5cfm fan probably wouldn't work on my 10' x 42" smoker. He and I talked about holding off till I have experimented with a charcoal basket for my unit. I figure a 24"x24"x24" basket would do the job, but I am still hesitant to switch over from sticks to rocks. No pun intended.
Lloyd
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BoilermakerFan · Posted: Dec 24 2006 Post subject:

Big Mike · Posted: Dec 24 2006 Post subject:

I know several folks who use the Stoker and have been extremely pleased. I don't think you will be disappointed.
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Mike

Eagle River BBQ
CBJ
Stumps Platinum 5 Trailer
Smokin Tex ST1400
Chargriller Charcoal Grill
Members Mark 8-burner Gasser

copperhead · Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 21 Location: Murrieta, CA

Finaly got around to using the Stoker. It does a great job! I first had a proble with getting to show the probes but it was operator error. I wish the probe cord lengths were a little longer. I think about 6 feet total would work just fine. I could not get the probes to the far side or back of the cooker. Other than that, I think it was a wise investment toward making better Q.
Lloyd
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Boil what? I'm sorry, are you a communist?

BoilermakerFan · Posted: Jan 26 2007 Post subject:

Glad to hear that copperhead. Call John and see if he can make you a couple of extended cable temp probes. I spoke to him about mods I wanted done for my Stoker. He was very helpful and the mod I want done will be available in the future, but I don't need it with my Char-Griller, so I can add it later.

I plan to order the Basic Loaded setup with the blower and three temp probes. I'll add a high temp probe, the cable collars, and a Weber adapter.
_________________
My highly tweaked Char-Griller Smokin' Pro died many years ago... my Weber Kettle gave us 20 years of great food... Now i'm rocking an Oklahoma Joe's Bronco!