The issues we could find though are few and far between, with most down to user error and not following recommended usage instructions, or not quite having learned the intricacies of device setup. Never exceed thermometer’s maximum temperature rating. This is possibly the number one killer of a digital grill thermometer!

BBQ Guru the company also carries a line of smokers and grills with related accessories, BBQ sauce, rubs, and injections, and tools, knives, apparel, smoke wood, and thermometers. But specific to the automatic temperature controllers they can supply: An ATC gives a smoker the consistent heat of an indoor oven. Set a temperature, and it stays there, thanks to adjustments to the flow of oxygen into the smoker. The ATC frees you to go and do other things, monitoring and adjusting the cooking process as needed from wherever you are — in the house, at the store, or on the job — via Wi-Fi connection. It is also Wi-Fi and Bluetooth enabled, and can be monitored and controlled via a well designed and feature rich smartphone app, available for both Android and iOS. In the 2000s, the first automatic temperature controllers (ATCs) for BBQs and smokers were created to manage the temperature of both pit and food throughout the cooking process.

More From Thermometers

We’ll cover the origin, workings, and benefits of an ATC. Then we’ll follow with a product review of these 4 top models from the top 2 manufacturers: A thermodynamic engineer, Fred responded to a friend’s challenge of creating a control valve for grills by creating the first BBQ Guru. Easy to Control: Set and control the grill temperature and monitor up to three meat probes directly and power off. The BBQGuru DigiQ DX3 looks entirely different to the previously mentioned 2 models, it being from a previous generation of BBQGuru products. Notifications & Alerts: Receive notifications when target time and temperatures are reached on the grill or meat probes. The app will also provide alerts if the grill dips below or exceeds target temperature.

In this article, we compare the line-ups from both manufacturers, discussing in detail the leading models on the market — The Flame Boss vs BBQ Guru. Each temperature probe is made of industrial-grade platinum and are rated to work in temperatures up to 475

Some users have complained that the temperature runs away and way over the setting, despite following instructions.

Serve Up Adventure: Get access to hundreds of recipes from BBQ to innovative takes on the classics in the app. Keep probes clean. Dirt can have an insulating effect and cause lower-than-true readings. This leads to the grill being too hot and your food is more likely to become overcooked. About its business’ is our first impression of this controller, though it does sleeker and more ‘designed’ than its predecessor the flame boss 300. Flame Boss and BBQ Guru were created by engineers, so right off the bat, there’s some assurance of products built to do what they do, incredibly well. The BBQGuru DynaQ is a stripped down version of the UltraQ, and looks similar at first appearances.

More on the solidly stable stand; it also allows it to be mounted by 4 screw holes, added for attaching it to a surface for permanency if desired. The green LED screen is just the right size for displaying 4 lines of information, and limited to just the vital information you need to know. Push buttons are easy to move through the menu and adjust settings.