Questions using WSM and BBQGuru

Mat · Oct 15, 2012

Today I am doing a small brisket on the WSM.

Question I have is I bought an older bbq guru, model 0504 to be exact, from a member here. The first cook i did I ended up removing the fan because I didnt like it. This time I gave it a second try. After two hours of a solid 240 degrees the WSM dropped to 210.

First question, why didnt the fan kick in? I actually had the fan set between 225-250. When I turned the knob to 250 the fan turned on.

Second, when I opened the WSM door all the coals and wood that was opposite the guru fan were not burned. The outer ring of coals opposite the fan never caught.

Can you use the minion method using a guru? Should I do something else?

So I guess that's three questions.

After a second temp probe in the smoker, it looks like the guru is off by almost 50 degrees. is there a way to fix that?

lcbbq · Oct 15, 2012

I have the same setup. I use the minion method when lighting the coals and it seems to work pretty good. However, the wood/charcoal farthest away from the fan seem to be the last pieces to catch on fire. But that has not affected performance. I am not sure why your fan did not kick on, I use the cyberq and have never had an issue. I would email the person you bought it from to see if they have any suggestions.

Harbormaster · Oct 15, 2012

I'm going to be a contrarian, and ask "Why do you need a guru on a WSM in the first place?"

The WSM is designed to run as a stand alone unit. It doesn't need a temp controller. I cook exclusively on WSMs and have never had an issue with temp control on my naturally aspirated machines.

My advice has always been to learn to use the WSM without any fancy contraptions. Then, should you have an issue with the device you'll be able to cook without it.

Back on topic, I can't answer any of your questions.

foam2 · Oct 15, 2012

I run a digiq on my wsm for long cooks and it always performs remarkably well. I can't comment on your set up but I would look into the probe placement or calibrations. I think a guru or any other automatic temp control device has a lot of merit in contrast to the previous poster put it on a wsm. I like to change one variable at a time and temperature control with a digiq on my wsm is repeatable and let's me focus on cooking changes that I believe will help me make better barbecue.

accuseal · Oct 15, 2012

Your temp sensing probe may need replacing. They are quite fragile and very sensitive to moisture.

Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2

NS Mike D · Oct 15, 2012

accuseal said:
Your temp sensing probe may need replacing. They are quite fragile and very sensitive to moisture.

Sent from my SCH-I905 using Tapatalk 2

Mine is shot, but I had the opposite problem, it didn't get a read so the fan kicked on.

No big deal, it only brought the pit temp up to 275 before i notices. Had to reset the unit about 5 times.

It might be the connection between the fan and the unit. The temp probe might be fine, but it's not connecting properly with the fan.

Mat · Oct 15, 2012

Harbormaster said:
I'm going to be a contrarian, and ask "Why do you need a guru on a WSM in the first place?"

The WSM is designed to run as a stand alone unit. It doesn't need a temp controller. I cook exclusively on WSMs and have never had an issue with temp control on my naturally aspirated machines.

My advice has always been to learn to use the WSM without any fancy contraptions. Then, should you have an issue with the device you'll be able to cook without it.

Back on topic, I can't answer any of your questions.

Ive done two dozen or so cooks on my WSM prior to the guru. Id say half of those went really smooth, and the other it would shoot up to 330+ if I didnt keep an eye on it.

I definitely have an issue with seal on the lid and i have tried bending the mid section multiple times and can never get it right. I might try and find the mod on the net that puts a gasket there.

Why did i decide to go with a guru? Probably the same reason people buy aftermarket parts for their cars. They arent really necessary but either look cool or improve performance. Once I realized the temp probe was off by 50 degrees I was able to keep the smoker at temp with no problem. Now when I do a longer cool, the brisket was small today, I can truly set and forget.

Just wish i knew why the coals only burned on one half.

Questions using WSM and BBQGuru

Mat

Knows what a fatty is.

lcbbq

Guest

Harbormaster

somebody shut me the fark up.

foam2

Full Fledged Farker

accuseal

Knows what a fatty is.

NS Mike D

Full Fledged Farker

Mat

Knows what a fatty is.

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