Getting a BBQ temperature controller is your best bet for the perfect BBQ and is a must for a barbecue enthusiast.
This article reviews the five best barbecue temperature controllers available on the market to help you decide which one is right for you. Also, we’ll look into some of the FAQs, including:
- How do I control the temperature in my smoker?
- Is a temperature controller the best option for the Big Green Egg?
- Which types of temperature controllers are there?
- How do I install a temperature controller?
Our Overall #1 Rated Pick
Kizen Digital Water Proof, Instant-Read Meat Thermometer
- It is highly durable
- It is waterproof and easy to clean
- Its magnetic backing allows for easy storage
The Kizen digital instant-read meat thermometer is durably built, easy to use, and comes with excellent features that you can find in a thermometer.
Its multiple functions enable it to measure the temperature of all kinds of meat, beverages, baking, candy making, deep-frying, etc.
The thermometer comes with an option to choose between Celsius and Fahrenheit, and you can also customize display settings to guarantee precision when reading the temperature. The instant-read thermometer provides an accurate reading and indicates the temperature in less than three seconds.
Also, it features an easy-to-read LED screen that shows your cooking temperature, making it just suitable for grilling food in the kitchen or outdoors at night. Additionally, it comes with waterproof materials that allow for easy cleaning.
What We Like:
Foldable probe design: This digital thermometer comes with a foldable probe design for more effortless operation. Its ready-to-use probe enables you to open and close it immediately.
Backlit LED: It features a large backlit LED screen that allows for easier reading, which you can use even in low-lit conditions.
Waterproof: It comes with a waterproof design for effortless cleaning, and you can wash the probe and body of the thermometer in running water.
Pros
- It is highly durable
- It is waterproof and easy to clean
- Its magnetic backing allows for easy storage
Cons
- It may be a bit slow in showing temperature readings.
How do I control the temperature in my smoker?
If the temperature is above 250°F, ensure closing the vents and lid to regulate the oxygen level and decrease the temperature.
Likewise, if the temperature drops below 225°F, open up the vents to allow in more air to increase the temperature.
Smoking can take time, and the vent temperature should be about 225°F, so ensure adjusting the dampers and vents to maintain the correct temperature during the cooking process.
It is essential to adjust the vents during the cooking process depending on what type of smoker you use. Nevertheless, one of the best ways to control the temperature in your smoker is to place a thermometer and a hygrometer in it.
What is the best temperature controller for the Big Green Egg?
DigiQ BBQ is the best temperature controller for the Big Green Egg. This high-technology device guarantees equivalent temperature distribution to help you cook your food perfectly.
The thermometer comes with many excellent features to guarantee precision and efficiency. This reliable, high-performance device automatically provides precise reading and monitors the internal heating temperature at its desired rate.
With this exceptional temperature controller device, you can choose your desired cooking temperature with just a touch of the up and down buttons, thus saving you from doing any guesswork.
Best yet, the DigiQ BBQ is user-friendly and relatively easy to set up.
What are the different types of temperature controllers?
The three essential temperature controllers are on-off, proportional, and PID. An operator will use these types to control the temperature depending on what system to control.
On-Off control
The on-off controller is the most convenient type of temperature controller, and its output is off or on and no in-betweens. It switches the output when the temperature goes beyond the equilibrium point.
In the heat control process, the output switches on when the temperature dips below the balance point, and similarly, it switches off when it goes above the set point.
An on-off differential is added to the temperature controller’s functions to control any damage to the valves and contactors when such a cycle occurs quickly. Hence, it applies a latching relay to reset manually and shut a process when it reaches a specific temperature point.
Proportional Control
Proportional control is created to stop the cycle related to on-off control. It maintains a steady temperature by reducing the average power reloaded to the heater as the temperature reaches the equilibrium point. The proportioning action is achieved by turning the output on and off.
The on and off times remain even at the equilibrium point. The on and off times will differ in proportion to the temperature disparity if the temperature is far from the set point.
The output will remain on for long if the temperature is below the equilibrium point. Similarly, it will remain off if the temperature is high.
PID Control
The third type of temperature controller supplies PID or proportional with integral and derivative control, which automatically aids the unit by compensating for changes in the equilibrium point.
This PID controller provides the most precise and steady control among the three temperature controllers. This control is required to compensate in methods where the temperature load changes frequently.
How to Install a BBQ Temperature Controller?
Installing a BBQ Temperature Controller is easy. Most controllers come with a user manual to help you assemble and set it up.
Most kits include an adapter installed on the lower vent of the grill. But, large smokers or grills come with more than one air input cover, where you can install it on one and shut the rest.
Now, mounting the adapter will mainly rely on the model you own, as the parts vary from brand to brand.
Do I Need a BBQ Temperature Controller?
A BBQ temperature controller is a must-have for making delicious barbecued food. A perfectly smoked or grilled meat largely depends on the temperature consistency.
It is essential to use a digital temperature controller as it helps regulate the internal temperature of your smoker, so you don’t have to babysit it the whole day.
With the suitable BBQ temperature controller, you can sit back and relax and let the device do its work.
Product Reviews
The Alpha Grillers Waterproof Instant Read Meat Thermometer is an ultra-fast thermometer that provides an accurate and fast reading in less than 2-4 seconds. It is waterproof, highly efficient and easy to use and comes with an LED screen and a magnetic back for convenient storage.
What we like
Ultra-fast reading: This digital thermometer provides an accurate and faster reading rate in just 2 to 4 seconds. Thus, you don’t need to wait around, and you can go ahead and spend more time with your guests.
Ease of use: It comes with convenient pre-calibrated settings for easy operation. You can also recalibrate if the need arises.
Multi-use: The BBQ thermometer also works perfectly for baking, milk, candy making, deep-frying, etc.
Hold Button: The thermometer features a hold button so you can pause the screen and read it comfortably.
Pros
- The bright backlit LED screen makes it easy to read the temperature even in a low lit situation
- It is water-resistant
- The magnetic back allows for easy storage
Cons
- It does not fit in an arm pocket.
MEATER+ Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer enables you to control your food temperature from 165 feet away.
It is the first innovative wireless meat thermometer. It sends the estimated cooking duration and notifies your smartphone over WiFi/Bluetooth, thus allowing you to enjoy and relax with your friends. You can control your cooking by using the FREE app for iOS and Android smartphones and tablets.
What we like
Wire-free: With this high-technology thermometer, you can operate wire-free from a range of 160 feet, making it ideal for outdoor cooking. You can remotely monitor your food using the free app from your smartphone.
Dual sensors and probe: It comes with dual temperature sensors that simultaneously control the internal food temperature and external temperature to 212°F and 527°F, respectively.
Highly-developed Estimated Algorithm: You can conveniently check your meal from your smartphone or tablet over WiFi or Bluetooth. The innovative thermometer can gauge your cooking duration to aid you in planning your meal and managing your time. Alternatively, you can go for MEATER Link WiFi and MEATER Cloud to use Alexa and check on your food from your PC.
Pros
- The wireless connection lets you check on your food from 160 feet away
- It features an LED screen that displays temp readouts and battery state
- It is water-resistant and effortless to clean
- It has magnetic support for convenient storage
Cons
- The wireless thermometer may be a bit complicated.
The Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer is a reliable device that enables you to add at least six probes at once for precise temperature readings. It can also resist up to 572°F of temperatures.
Another excellent feature is the wire-free innovative temperature monitoring from 200 feet away over Bluetooth. The thermometer features an LCD that indicates cooking progress and temperature. It also enables you to connect to your smartphone via the EasyBBQ and set notification alerts to check your food status.
What we like
Six temperature probes: This innovative thermometer lets you add up to six probes for precise temperature readouts.
200+ feet wire-free range: It has an in-built It has an in-built Bluetooth wire-free connection that allows you to monitor your cooking from a 200 feet range.
Smartphone alarm: You can set alerts from the EasyBBQ app on your phone to notify you when your food has reached the desired temperature.
Pros
- The stainless-steel probes can endure high heat.
- It can add up to 6 probes
- Easy to clean
- The Bluetooth connection allows for monitoring the thermometers from 200 feet away
- The preset alarms help to monitor and check on your meal status
Cons
- It does not work on the Apple watch.
The Nutri Chef Smart Bluetooth BBQ Grill Thermometer comes with a wireless Bluetooth connection to help you monitor your food remotely from a 328 feet outdoor range. It automatically alerts you on your smartphone when the food reaches the preset temperature.
It comes with dual probes to let you check the temperature of your meat in Celsius or Fahrenheit and an easy-to-read LCD that displays progress and temperature readings.
What we like
328 feet Wireless outdoor range: With this Bluetooth wireless outdoor range of 328 feet, you can now quickly get notified and check on the temperature of your meat.
Easy to read Digital LCD: The digital LCD screen indicates temperature readings and the timer or progress of your meat.
Stainless-steel cable and probes: The probes are specially designed to resist high heat of about 482 F, and the highly durable stainless steel cable can withstand heat to about 716 F.
Pros
- It is user friendly
- The large, easy-to-read LCD screen provides an accurate temperature reading.
- Easy pairing with smartphones over Bluetooth to supervise food remotely
- It comes with stainless steel heat-proof probes
- The dual probes can be used simultaneously for controlling the meat and the grill
Cons
- The temperature reading may be a bit off.
Verdict
Regulating the temperature can determine whether your smoked meat is tender, dry, perfectly cooked, or overcooked. Thus, a temperature controller is crucial when you cook your food on a smoker to save you from the stress of overcooking and spending more time with your friends.
Therefore, the Kizen digital instant-read meat thermometer is the perfect temperature controller for all devices, including smokers, barbecues, and grills.
This exceptional thermometer is water-resistant, provides precise reading, and shows the temperature in less than 3 seconds. The Kizen digital instant-read meat thermometer features a bright LED screen that displays the temperature of your food which makes it perfect for smoking food even in low-lit conditions.