Hi LarryD
I'm with you. The whole wifi setup and use is confusing. I got a used #2 wifi recently, and the wifi connection, plus the not-so-clear wifi manual are what took the longest to get through. I spent the first hour trying to connect a Gen2 controller to the Gen1 app, without knowing there were two different apps
. So I had to dig around some to try to figure it all out. That's the only reason I understand some of this now. Here's what I can tell you:
-There have been two Smokin It controllers and two apps since 2021, Gen1 and Gen2. The Gen2s are after 9/18/2021, the Gen2 controller should say Gen2 on it, and the Gen2 app is the one with the red icon in the Google Play store, not the black one (the Smokin-It WiFi app you mentioned is really just the same as the Gen2 app) (see the attached pictures for the Gen2 controller and app).
-You can't use the Gen2 app with Gen1 controller. However, you can get your Gen1 controller updated to Gen2 by Auber. The only thing is that it's a hardware update, so you have to physically detach your controller and send it in to them. If I remember right, they charged something like $40, plus you have to pay for shipping. I had Auber upgrade mine to Gen2, and it works fine.
-Is it worth it? I'm not sure. It sounds like the Gen2 is faster, maybe has better wifi connectivity, and with the new update to the app I like the fact that you get a push notification on your phone when the controller moves on to a new step or ends the program. Can be useful. Seems like the new update also improved some things for the plotting which I don't totally understand. These are the official new updates to the Gen2 app:
What's new
* Fixed a bug in sending notifications to the app.
* Added new features to the data plot: Y-axis scale adjustment, data plot line selection, and quick note.
* Updated alarm notification icon.
So if you're already using Gen2 controller and app, I'd say updating the app is definitely worth it. If you're on Gen1, you'll have to weigh whether you want to send in your controller and pay for the hardware update to be able to use the Gen2 app. I thought it was worth it for me because I got the whole smoker for a pretty good price, so wanted to have the latest controller/app too.
Overall, Smokin It customer service was good, but not too helpful on the wifi part. Auber seems to put out some confusing products, but in general I thought their customer service was pretty responsive and helpful.
Anyway, hope that can help some. Good luck!
