Author Topic: Non Auber temp control - Geek style  (Read 11836 times)

Garbageman

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Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« on: October 27, 2014, 02:13:16 PM »
So I have been a avid homebrewer for 20 years. A few years ago I went all electric with a BCS controller to run it. Sort of like having 4 PIDS and graphical interface. It allowed me to dial in the brews and get consistency. Even start and run brews from work remotely.

So after a couple of smokes on my SI#1 I decided I wanted better control on the temps. I used the http://smokinitforums.com/index.php?topic=1594.0instructions for the permanent probe. Also running 2 additional probes for two separate internal meat temps. 

What does this get me? I can dial in a temp with no more then 2 degrees of swing and have the unit shutoff once the internal meat temp is reached. I can also control everything on my computer and monitor my smokes anywhere I have internet access. Even from my Iphone I can check the meat temps, change the smoke temp or even kill power if needed.

Overkill - yep! But that's the geek in me. The programming and and changes to the brewery are complete. Had to run 20' extensions for power and temp sensors out of the BCS enclosure to reach out the garage door. Still waiting on temp sensors to arrive this week.

More to come.....

Brewery Controller - BCS-460


Current Brewery Setup


Brewery Interface - For Smoker


9# Butt from Saturday




Original pics here: https://picasaweb.google.com/115446924633055354996/BackyardBrews

DivotMaker

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #1 on: October 27, 2014, 08:56:03 PM »
Nice!!  Nothing wrong with overkill, as long as it works! ;)   Glad to have you with us, garbageman!  When you get a chance, head over to the Intro section and tell us about yourself.  A first name and town in your signature line is nice, too!  Nice to know our new friends!

We have a few avid home brewers around here, so you'll be a welcome addition!  Looks like a great setup you have there.

Looking forward to more details on the controller!
Tony from NW Arkansas
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Pork Belly

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #2 on: October 28, 2014, 01:20:00 AM »
Wow, that is some impressive engineering. In the future you might find higher is better for meat placement in the smoker, even with a PID.
Brian - Michigan-NRA Life Member
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BedouinBob

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #3 on: October 28, 2014, 09:29:15 AM »
Gman, I brew wine but dude you have an awesome setup there! Maybe we need to open a brewing section.  :P
Bob - Colorado Springs
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Garbageman

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #4 on: October 28, 2014, 12:50:34 PM »
Thanks, still learning about the SI#1. Am very impressed and have felt like a salesman for it as I show it to friends. The rest of my sensors and wiring will be here Friday so more pics and a shake down run  soon.

Nice feature is it will graph my session onto a chart and show the smoke box temp and internal meat temp for the full smoke session. It samples every 30 seconds so I can look back exactly what the meat did in response to the temp and when it hits the stall and powers through. 

BedouinBob

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #5 on: October 28, 2014, 05:19:24 PM »
The graph will be way cool. I will definitely be interested in seeing that.
Bob - Colorado Springs
NRA & USN

DivotMaker

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #6 on: October 28, 2014, 07:26:54 PM »
+1 on Brian's suggestion of "meat up high."  The heat is more stable toward the top, and will cook much more evenly.  I was so blinded by the technology, I didn't even notice this in the pic! :-[   
Tony from NW Arkansas
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old sarge

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #7 on: November 13, 2014, 09:49:09 PM »
Beer and Butts. Two important members of the food group.   And your set-up looks terrific.
David from Arizona
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wasitim

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #8 on: March 22, 2015, 04:00:21 PM »
Hey Garbageman,
Nice use of the BCS and you're electric brew setup. I've got a similar 1/2bbl Stout Kettles setup and use the BCS to control temps on three 15 gal plastic conicals with stainless coils in them and the window AC hack.

So when it's time to smoke, what do you do, just unplug the probes for the brew side and plug in the probes to the smoker?


« Last Edit: March 22, 2015, 04:04:21 PM by wasitim »
Tim - Cape Cod

TmanEater

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #9 on: March 22, 2015, 06:07:01 PM »
This is very similar to my HeaterMeter PID project. Here's a picture of my live graph of a 24 brisket smoke:




Smokin Newbie starting Dec. 2014... Learning Lazy-Q As Fast as I can!
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Tony from Marion, IA

DivotMaker

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #10 on: March 25, 2015, 07:18:18 PM »
No harm in reviving an old post, guys, but we haven't heard from Garbageman since he posted this.  Maybe he'll give us an update! :-\
Tony from NW Arkansas
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Auber PID, NexGrill 896 6-burner, CharBroil Big Easy, Anova Precision Cooker w/WiFi
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TmanEater

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #11 on: March 25, 2015, 11:27:50 PM »
Gotta get excited when a beer system is revived on a smoking forum. Regardless of the post age.
Smokin Newbie starting Dec. 2014... Learning Lazy-Q As Fast as I can!
Smokin-It 2, HeaterMeter PID
Monitor my live smokes at http://bbq.tonylyne.com

Tony from Marion, IA

DivotMaker

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #12 on: March 26, 2015, 07:00:22 PM »
Gotta get excited when a beer system is revived on a smoking forum. Regardless of the post age.

Hehe...yeah! ;)
Tony from NW Arkansas
"Official Smokin-It Test Pilot"
Smokin-It Model 1, 2D conversion, and 3D
Auber PID, NexGrill 896 6-burner, CharBroil Big Easy, Anova Precision Cooker w/WiFi
Wife, Son and One REALLY Big Dog!

Garbageman

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #13 on: December 21, 2015, 07:09:10 PM »
Sorry for dropping the ball on posting.

My problem has been inconsistent probes. So I have been modifying my brewing probes by "sharpening" the tip from blunt end to slightly pointed to get them to penetrate. I can't find pointed probes that match my BCS.

The software once tweaked runs good. I have one program for brewing, and one for smoking. Just change the probes and plug the #1 in. The controller is built for switching 230v on and off with heavy duty relays so no issues there.

I've got about 10 smokes on it and love that I can monitor it from anywhere and if 30 miles away, kill it if it reaches IT.

- Daniel


old sarge

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Re: Non Auber temp control - Geek style
« Reply #14 on: December 21, 2015, 07:15:22 PM »
Welcome back Daniel!  Hope all is well.
David from Arizona
US Army 70 - 95
SI 3D & Big Red Controller
CS 066
Lodge Sportsman Grill
Weber Kettle
Ducane Meridian 42 inch Grill
LEM MaxVac 1088A
LEM Big Bite #8 Grinder
Chef's Choice 665 and Rival Slicers
Old Hickory Knives
InstantPot Duo80 Plus