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 Author | Topic: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller (Read 17,164 times) |
OvalRuler
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Karma: 323 |  | The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Thread Started on Aug 29, 2006, 9:12am » | ![[Quote]](http://images.proboards.com/new/buttons/quote.png "[Quote]") |
1st let me say this review will be ongoing to throughly test the product, so scores will be given for each smaller review and totaled for a final review score when we feel the product has been completely tested.
Packaging:
We received the Stoker via the US mail system. It was packaged very well with bubble wrap in the bottom of the box and packing peanuts all around the components. Each component was individually wrapped or boxed. As you can see I removed the AC adapter and the blower assembly from the original packaging. I did this so you could see the large plugs-ins that the stoker incorporates and the AC adapter well would of looked kinda stupid inside a white box  .
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0394.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0395.jpg "[image]")
1st score is 10/10 on packaging. We will try to test the product later in the week to see how it controls the pit  .
New Installment:
1st time use.
I cooked up 3 racks of St. Louis style ribs for this test. After unpackaging the stoker I was eager to hook this baby up and give her a test. I soon found out that this is one product that requires reading the instructions as I didn't have a clue how to make it work  . After an unsuccessful attempt to set up the unit on my own I read the instructions . User manual is easy to understand and once I actually read how to use the Stoker it was really easy and simple to set up. So I must say I was embarrased  that I didn't take 5 minutes to orient myself on how to use the Stoker. Once I was up and running she worked without a hitch. The Stoker controlled my fire within just a few 10ths of a degree. Thats dang kick butt in my book  . 2 things I really liked about the Stoker was you can plug any of the components into any of the component recepticles. It recognizes what they are no matter where they are plugged in and the blower has a little door that closes in front of the fan when its not in operation. This protects the fan and also keeps the unit a truley sealed forced air system. I did not use the temp probe for this cook as I don't measure the temp of my ribs until the very end when they are wrapped in foil so as soon as I can I'll add another cook using the temp probe and get some more detailed pictures of the setup.
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0411.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0410.jpg "[image]")
So far I'm very pleased with the Stoker and would recommend it to anyone looking for a forced air controller .
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MR BEAN
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Karma: 28 | | Re: The Stroker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #1 on Sept 5, 2006, 3:33pm » | |
Great review!! Do you think its better than the Guru?
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OvalRuler
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« Reply #2 on Sept 5, 2006, 5:17pm » | |
I'll continue reviewing as I have time. I have a BBQ guru as well. Competitor model. Wouldn't say either is better but they are different. Would say the guru is a little faster to setup and get going but the cables are thicker on the Stoker and the pit probe is nicer. next time I use it I post more pics . The Stoker shows more detail than the guru model I have.
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OvalRuler
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Karma: 323 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #3 on Sept 18, 2006, 3:30pm » | |
Finally got to test the Stoker on an overnighter. I set everything up in a quarter of the time I did last time and had it Rockin and controlling the pit in no time. Did a large pork butt that I started at 8pm on Saturday night and it was ready to be FTC'd by 1030 am Sunday morning right before I went to church. The temperature sensor pic isn't the clearest but there is no metal to metal contact betweent the pit probe and the pit probe holder. There is a silicone sleeve that acts as a barrier between the 2 so you get a better reading.
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0442.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0445.jpg "[image]")
![[image]](http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v287/Karen100/100_0446.jpg "[image]")
Not a single hitch from start to finish . The pork wasn't half bad either .
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OvalRuler
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Karma: 323 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #4 on Sept 18, 2006, 8:08pm » | |
For anyone interested in a Stoker here is the web link. I'll be using the Stoker more and more in the future so I'll update the thread as I do but I give this product a 10 out of 10.
Stoker
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dallas
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Karma: 0 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #5 on Sept 24, 2006, 8:30am » | |
Great review EggMaster. One question. When using either the Guru or Stoker, how far do you open up the top smokestack?
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OvalRuler
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« Reply #6 on Sept 24, 2006, 9:23am » | |
You close the top vent completely. The fire becomes forced air only with both the Stoker and the Guru. I've got a great roast beef cook to post about later  . left my camera hook up at the office  .
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desi
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Karma: 241 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #7 on Sept 24, 2006, 9:26am » | |
so what would you say would be the better toyool? and how much more does the stoker cost??
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OvalRuler
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Karma: 323 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #8 on Sept 24, 2006, 5:30pm » | |
Basic Stoker system like I have is 225.00 plus shipping. Nice thing is with the expansion kit I could run 5 pits at 1 time . It seems to me the Stoker is a little more versitile than the Guru but both are nice. Now that I have my computer fixed I'll have to check out the features that you can use with your PC or laptop  .
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mopar400
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Karma: 1 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #9 on Feb 28, 2007, 2:00pm » | |
New software upgrade available from 'Rocks' website, and new manual.
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OvalRuler
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Karma: 323 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #10 on Feb 28, 2007, 7:16pm » | |
Thanks .
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greendriver
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mguerra
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Karma: 0 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #12 on May 7, 2009, 11:28am » | |
Here are some posts from the Komodo Kamado forum regarding a problem I had with my Stoker:
Stoker fail mode
When the Stoker fan turns on, the little flap swings open, which is up, and it "sticks" to the top of the opening. The fan turns off and the flap just stays up there. That is full open; you get runaway high temps in this situation. A little rap or tap on the blower assembly is sufficient to loosen the flap and it swings down. It seems to be a combination of a small amount of grease and moisture which adheres the flap to the "ceiling". The flap is aluminum and featherweight, which is important to allow it to blow open. However it has so little mass that the tiny amount of stiction from the grease and moisture can allow it to hang open. Yes, the Stoker is installed right side up! Anyone else have this happen?
fix
OK, I tried this: Using a cotton swab I cleaned the flap surface that contacts the "ceiling" when open; and the "ceiling". Then lubed the flap surface and "ceiling" with some Teflon lube. Just cleaning it helped a lot and the Teflon even more. I think I will just do a clean and lube prior to every cook. She's out there cooking right now with an operational flap.
That didn't work!
Well, that did not work. Within the span of one cook the flap/ceiling interface gunked up and stuck the flap open. So, here is fix two: I drilled a 1/16" hole in the ceiling of the airway, cut a little brad down to about 1/8" long, and glued it in the hole so that it sticks down into the airway a tiny bit. This prevents the full surface area of the flat plate flap from contacting the ceiling. The flap now swings up and contacts the tiny point surface of the brad. This is a fraction of a square millimeter of contact, so the flap can't get stuck. As soon as the fan cycles off, the flap drops right down. Let's see how THIS works!
Stoker fix
Here are the photos of the fix:
http://gallery.me.com/mpguerra/100135
I drilled one hole out of position, that's the bonus hole on the left. The brad head is visible glued in place in the hole on the right.
The internal view shows the brad just sticking down into the airway, surrounded by a hemisphere of glue.
This seems to be working perfectly. If your Stoker door is hanging open from moisture and grease, you might try this.
Michael Guerra
Kerrville, TX
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auplexgrill
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Karma: 0 | | Re: The Stoker BBQ Pit Controller
« Reply #13 on Apr 5, 2012, 1:11am » | |
Great review!!It's cool.
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