Ridiculous Price of Guru

[btcg]

Just curious, but if the WSM and a UDS are already set and forget, why the need for this type of equipment? I can see if for bigger rigs and set ups where you need to move air faster and compensate for temps drops more quickly, but why in a WSM or UDS or Kettle, or smaller units?
If a person can already get 10+++ hour steady burns on these units, how does this type of technology make it better. Most times, steady is a difference of 5 degrees or so just by the unit on its own.
Interesting topic.

Bob

Bob,

So, if you had designed and built the first indoor electric or gas oven, you wouldn't have added temperature control? Of course you would have.

I've been cooking for over 40 years. I started on those $4.99 grills that have no lid and have legs like the cheapest TV dinner trays. Aluminum foil served as my lid. In all modesty, I doubt that there are many people who can control the temp of a Weber kettle any better than I can. But the NanoQ put that ability on steroids.

Of course, this part is experience, but I can open the lid, and pop charcoal in every hour or so as needed in seconds, as I have one of my cast iron grates removed (over my charcoal basket). And, I don't stand there and take pictures like some (no offense intended to anyone, I'd do it, but it would screw up my cook).

But even considering that, the NanoQ has given me the ability to tightly control very low temps that I'd guess are a 40% improvement over what I could do without it. That's a major improvement.

 

[Zippylip]

The guru is a good quality product. I've had one for 6 years or so & it continues to serve me well. When I think of the time it has saved me & the agg it has spared me over that time, it's incalculable; just being able to sleep through the night without worrying about my fire going out or surging in temp is priceless - the units are expensive, & if you can swing it, it is well worth the investment. It's a good company too, the guys that own & operate it are about as genuine & solid as they come, you won't be left high & dry

 

[jestridge]

For myself it just something to mess up and worry about. I like to keep it simple. If it get too hot open the lid if get too close add more wood.

 

[btcg]

For myself it just something to mess up and worry about. I like to keep it simple. If it get too hot open the lid if get too close add more wood.

Show us some pics like the ones I posted last night.

 

[HawgNationBBQ]

I could see it for that kinda temp drop, but that's a huge drop. Do you guys feel that something like this woudl be a good investment for someone in an area where windy or really cold weather would be an issue. Never had that kind of temp variance in either of my drums or WSM, but then we have pretty mild weather all the time here. Never really hafta battle bad winds (except when we hit the windy season and I'm not gonna fire up the pit in our 50-60 mph wind storms in early spring.) Do those of you that have this technology use it to make up for weather issues?

Bob

Hey Bob--

I use it specifically to be as accurate and precise as possible. I will get big temperature swings if im using lump charcoal, or wood, or a combination as they burn down. If I want to cook at a hotter temperature and use a water pan it gets a little difficult to maintain a constant higher consistent temperature. There are too many variables to consider coupled with wind and the cold. I like playing it safe and it has been well worth the money I spent.

 

[btcg]

Well said HGS!

 

[jestridge]

I also like to be precise, that why I use all wood

 

[btcg]

I also like to be precise, that why I use all wood

You're not making sense. All wood is not the same: different size trees, curing, etc. Charcoal, on the other hand, is pretty consistant.

Show us a cook like I did yesterday.

 

[Buster Dog BBQ]

I have two digi Q 2's. The service is outstanding. Even though I have set and forget eggs, i still like the reassurance of knowing I'm not throwing away $100 of meat because the one time the fire went out, etc.

If you don't do many long cooks, probably not a product you want I don't see using it for ribs, or something like that even though I know people do. I see more butts and brisket.

 

[jestridge]

What I meant I use real wood not those little square black thing that have ever chemical known to mankind in them. If I do use real charcoal , I make my own.

 

[btcg]

Dog,

A Guru product isn't going to restart a fire that's gone out, but it'll keep temps as high as possible until fuel is added. Money well spent, IMO.

 

[btcg]

What I meant I use real wood not those little square black thing that have ever chemical known to mankind in them. If I do use real charcoal , I make my own.

Jest,

If you're talented enough to make your own charcoal, that's cool as he!!, But it's apples to oranges as to the points made here.

 

[OneHump]

why?

Better network connectivity and a single unit can control far more pits and accept far more meat probes. Customer service isn't as good as Guru, but both work equally well apart from what the two things I mentioned.

 

[BRBBQ]

I could see it for that kinda temp drop, but that's a huge drop. Do you guys feel that something like this woudl be a good investment for someone in an area where windy or really cold weather would be an issue. Never had that kind of temp variance in either of my drums or WSM, but then we have pretty mild weather all the time here. Never really hafta battle bad winds (except when we hit the windy season and I'm not gonna fire up the pit in our 50-60 mph wind storms in early spring.) Do those of you that have this technology use it to make up for weather issues?

Bob

Maybe I'll word it differant. A while back I had my UDS running at a constant temp, 230F? , I threw a 8 lb pork butt on, watched my temp for a while and went to bed. In the mourning I hoped every thing was fine, luckily it was, but I feel a Guru/Stoker would be nice to have. I've also had my UDS temp get away from me, usally when I'm not watching. Example mentioned above. My complaint was the price Guru has on their web site. Don't advertise $179 and by the time you click on color, the price jumped $100. Just put the $291 to beging with. That's all I'm saying.

 

[jestridge]

Ok , spending over 200 buck on some gadget that will tear up is just too much to pay. Less is usually better

 

[kyle corn]

Maybe I'll word it differant. A while back I had my UDS running at a constant temp, 230F? , I threw a 8 lb pork butt on, watched my temp for a while and went to bed. In the mourning I hoped every thing was fine, luckily it was, but I feell a Guru/Stoker would be nice to have. My complaint was the price Guru has on their web site. Don't advertise $179 and by the time you click on color, the price jumped $100. Just put the $291 to beging with. That's all I'm saying.

Nobody is misleading anyone. On their website, there is a DigiQ DX build a package option and a DigiQ DX no fan, no adapter option. If you click the no adapter option it's $179. When you build a package, the adapter and fan are extra, the $179 is the base price and the extras are marked accordingly. You can get a full DigiQ package for as little as $253 by selecting the 4CFM fan and the small universal adapter. Again, all the extras are marked accordingly.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with BBQ Guru, nor do I even own one, but I don't think it's fair to knock the product when you didn't read the site correctly.

 

[BRBBQ]

Ok , spending over 200 buck on some gadget that will tear up is just too much to pay. Less is usually better

You got that right

 

[btcg]

Better network connectivity and a single unit can control far more pits and accept far more meat probes. Customer service isn't as good as Guru, but both work equally well apart from what the two things I mentioned.

Network connectivity???? I'm never more than steps away when I'm cooking, and I write code for a living.

 

[btcg]

You got that right

Spend $200 on the NanoQ: you won't be sorry. I'm ordering a 2nd one for my $20, 22.5 Weber kettle.

 

[BRBBQ]

Nobody is misleading anyone. On their website, there is a DigiQ DX build a package option and a DigiQ DX no fan, no adapter option. If you click the no adapter option it's $179. When you build a package, the adapter and fan are extra, the $179 is the base price and the extras are marked accordingly. You can get a full DigiQ package for as little as $253 by selecting the 4CFM fan and the small universal adapter. Again, all the extras are marked accordingly.

BTW, I'm not affiliated with BBQ Guru, nor do I even own one, but I don't think it's fair to knock the product when you didn't read the site correctly.

I'm not knocking it, They should just say $271-$291.....Thats what it'll cost to get a fan, pit probe and adaptor, they should remove the $179 since you can buy the same DigiQ DX to the right of the one I'm talking about. Thats all I'm saying