Why limit the temp to 250 degrees?

[gregbooras]

The goal to this smoke is low and slow, but many are using the Auber to keep constant temp and achieve greater temp in the smoker.

So my question..... for those of us that are happy with the standard temp controller, the ability to set it higher than 250 degrees....

Just asking.


Greg 

 

[drains]

Doesn't the auber allow the smoker to operate at higher temps as well as offer better temp control?  Or does the stock controller have to be disabled first?

 

[old sarge]

Maybe crispy chicken skin?  Bubbly and crispy smokey casseroles?

 

[SuperDave]

Greg, I'll be interested to see is attitudes have changed much since I've asked the question back when I goy my smoker.  At one point, I'd heard that there wasn't an analog controller available that had temps above 250.  The rest of the responses were more centered around the frequency or need for higher temps not being worth it. 

 

[Ohio1956]

I would like to have the ability to smoke at 325 if needed. It seems like there should be an analog controller that would work. Just my thought about the temp.

 

[mizzoufan]

I think it will come down to demand.  Personally, I doubt I would use it as I usually do any chicken for which the skin is important on the grill and everything else is at 235ish.  But, if the demand is there, I could see a change assuming the new PID controller version doesn't stop most of the higher temp requests.

 

[SuperDave]

I've always wondered why it couldn't just use an oven controller?  I would certainly use my smoker as an oven if it had the temperature range available.

 

[Ohio1956]

I am looking into this, I thought about the oven controller. There is a guy not far from me who run an appliance shop and I am going to talk with him about this. There has to be a way.

 

[gregbooras]

I am looking into this, I thought about the oven controller. There is a guy not far from me who run an appliance shop and I am going to talk with him about this. There has to be a way.

Let us know what you find. I have researching and really not finding anything. I did run across a few cheap digital replacements that might work. For me I am not really interested in an auber, don't really care about temp swings. 

I found a Traeger Replacement Parts / Digital Thermostat Kit Upgrade for $69.00 that might work also I found a Digital Temperature Control Thermostat Grill Smoker Oven Stove baking cooking on ebay for $40 plus shipping. I am not sure how this would hook up, I sent a note to the seller to see if I could get a copy of the manual.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-Temperature-Control-Thermostat-Grill-Smoker-Oven-Stove-baking-cooking-/111040589655

Greg

 

[SuperDave]

Greg,
That ebay controller looks very interesting.  I have an old heating element in the garage and making me think about trying to build my own smoker. 

 

[old sarge]

For those who just have to tinker, and want a higher temperature oven rather than an excellent low and slow smoker,  here are a couple of part sources.

Wattco - They make calrod heating elements

Tempco - They make bulb and capillary control units in analog and digital format.

Good luck.

 

[SuperDave]

For those who just have to tinker, and want a higher temperature oven rather than an excellent low and slow smoker....

I think that is a bit misinformed or snarky comment.  Personally, for my $1,700, I expect to be able to have both. 

 

[old sarge]

No snark intended. But it does seem to me that the desire to have near (not actual) oven temperatures is the underlying motive. In any event components are available. So maybe I have misunderstood.

 

[gregbooras]

No snark intended. But it does seem to me that the desire to have near (not actual) oven temperatures is the underlying motive. In any event components are available. So maybe I have misunderstood.

For me if it is easy, I would like to have the option. The ability to use one device to accomplish different things is not all bad.

Last week I could tell my wife was smoked out, so I brined a chicken and cooked it in the smoker with just a small amount of wood, very tasty. I might even use it as an oven, so I don't have to heat up the house.

Overall, super happy with my smoker, just always thinking

Greg

 

[Ohio1956]

        I stopped at the Appliance Repair Shop today. He told me that everything he had was for 240V. After talking for a while he suggested that I contact a house trailer supply store in our area. He said that a lot of appliances in trailers were 110 and they might be able to help me. So I will try to get there this week.

 

[gregbooras]

        I stopped at the Appliance Repair Shop today. He told me that everything he had was for 240V. After talking for a while he suggested that I contact a house trailer supply store in our area. He said that a lot of appliances in trailers were 110 and they might be able to help me. So I will try to get there this week.

Keep us posted Rod!

Greg

 

[old sarge]

Now that I am home, here is a little more information from the companies I mentioned above.

http://www.tempco.com/Catalog/Section%2013-pdf/Bulb_Capillary_Thermostats.pdf

http://www.wattco.com/calrodheater.html

Contacting the company and describing what you have and what your intent is should get you the components you need.

 

[SuperDave]

Wondering if this would work in place of the existing controller?

http://www.supplyhouse.com/Johnson-Controls-A19AAB-10C-Remote-Bulb-Temperature-Control-200-550F

 

[Limey]

Dave, yes I think it would. I have used one of these in a kegerator I built from an old freezer. However in our application I think an Auber with bypass is a better solution. The Johnson Control bulb stat costs $145 and the Auber $200 but the Auber has much tighter temperature control (if you care, and I don't) but more importantly, to me, enables true unattended smoking with step function temps and a hold function. Just my 2c..

 

[FunkedOut]

I would like to have the ability to smoke at 325 if needed....

...The ability to use one device to accomplish different things is not all bad...
...might even use it as an oven, so I don't have to heat up the house....

Agree with all of the above.
Flavors developed at higher temps can't be duplicated by adding time at lower temps.
My smoker gets used to:

• cold smoke hot peppers for hot sauce.  Think chipotle but with habaneros, scorpions, datils or any pepper of choice.
• common slow and low smokes in the 200F-235F range
• higher temp (300F) smokes for steaks or rib roasts that get a reverse sear on the grill or broiler
• chasing crispy skin at the moment at 350F, but haven't got there yet ???

I have an auber and I will be the first to admit, for meats, holding temps tighter than the stock controller (basically a P only, rather than PID) is a non issue. 
The real advantage to  PID controller comes for the cold smokes where an extra 30F can turn a cold smoked pepper into a dried pepper.
The other advantages to the auber are time and temp control.
Seems like there should be cheaper alternatives to the auber, but I could not find one.
At some point, I decide how far I am willing to go with the DIY stuff.
The older I get, the value scale tips away from money and towards time.