I have one of the original 4D WI-FI models. I was having an issue with it tripping a GFCI outlet constantly. This outlet was installed by a professional electrician, when I had my main panel upgraded. I thought maybe water got in somewhere, so I checked the red control box on top. Looked good. I emailed Steve, and he said it could be the power cord, the heating element, or the SSR(whatever that is). Smokin-It has all the parts on their website.
I was using a non-GFCI outlet since I couldn't get it to work, and that was fine. Now, last fall, I went to use it, and it wouldn't power on. The screen flashed, and nothing.
I purchased a new SSR and power cord. I opened the back, and found that the power cord connections inside were corroded and one of them was completely severed. I thought that was probably the issue, so I replaced the power cord and put it back together. I hoped that would fix ALL of my issues... Nope... Still tripped the GFCI, BUT it WOULD power on with the non-GFCI outlet. FIgured what the hell, I have the new SSR(don't really know what it is), so I replaced it, and now it works perfectly fine with the GFCI outlet.
Back in business...I thought... Well, I couldn't get it connected to my WI-FI any more. It was still registered in my app, but wouldn't connect. So I deleted it, and tried to re-create it in the app. Nothing... Wouldn't connect to any of my routers/access points. Worked fine before...
After playing around with it for a while, I decided to reach out to Auber Instruments directly, via email. They confirmed that I had the OG WI-FI controller, and said I could send it in, and they would "upgrade it" to the new version, that supposedly works with the newer, more advanced routers, etc.. (I haven't changed or upgraded any of my WI-FI routers in years...).
Regardless, I removed the red control box, and just shipped it off to Auber. The initial estimate is $55 to replace the WI-FI chip, but said if it needed anything else, it may be an extra $25 or so. Let's hope it works.
On another note, Auber has a fan that you can install inside smokers, and even shows a 4D with two fans installed. Says it will minimize any heat fluctuations throughout the cabinet, and get you through the "BBQ stall". It's basically making your smoker a convection smoker. I may get the two-fan option and install it.
Otherwise, I (and the many people that I have cooked for) have been extremely happy with it.
I was using a non-GFCI outlet since I couldn't get it to work, and that was fine. Now, last fall, I went to use it, and it wouldn't power on. The screen flashed, and nothing.
I purchased a new SSR and power cord. I opened the back, and found that the power cord connections inside were corroded and one of them was completely severed. I thought that was probably the issue, so I replaced the power cord and put it back together. I hoped that would fix ALL of my issues... Nope... Still tripped the GFCI, BUT it WOULD power on with the non-GFCI outlet. FIgured what the hell, I have the new SSR(don't really know what it is), so I replaced it, and now it works perfectly fine with the GFCI outlet.
Back in business...I thought... Well, I couldn't get it connected to my WI-FI any more. It was still registered in my app, but wouldn't connect. So I deleted it, and tried to re-create it in the app. Nothing... Wouldn't connect to any of my routers/access points. Worked fine before...
After playing around with it for a while, I decided to reach out to Auber Instruments directly, via email. They confirmed that I had the OG WI-FI controller, and said I could send it in, and they would "upgrade it" to the new version, that supposedly works with the newer, more advanced routers, etc.. (I haven't changed or upgraded any of my WI-FI routers in years...).
Regardless, I removed the red control box, and just shipped it off to Auber. The initial estimate is $55 to replace the WI-FI chip, but said if it needed anything else, it may be an extra $25 or so. Let's hope it works.
On another note, Auber has a fan that you can install inside smokers, and even shows a 4D with two fans installed. Says it will minimize any heat fluctuations throughout the cabinet, and get you through the "BBQ stall". It's basically making your smoker a convection smoker. I may get the two-fan option and install it.
Otherwise, I (and the many people that I have cooked for) have been extremely happy with it.
