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General => General Discussion & Topics => Product Reviews => Topic started by: N. Ontario Smoker on June 07, 2015, 11:20:47 PM

Title: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: N. Ontario Smoker on June 07, 2015, 11:20:47 PM
I've been reading about this temperature control called a Tip Top Temp. Great reviews around the web so I got one. I've been trying it out and I really like it. It regulates the temperature by using the exhaust vent and opening and closing the top by way of a thermo spring. It takes a little time to learn at what temperature each number means. Follow along while I cook some ribs.
This is what it looks like...........
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010011_zpsnnfgx5ce.jpg)
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010018_zps6msmnhij.jpg)
Now I needed something to keep it attached, so it stays on when I open the lid. I went to the lumber yard and got some metal strapping out of the garbage and bent the one end to hook under the Akorn vent and the other end to attach it to the Tip Top.....
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010013_zpsobl8veuv.jpg)
This worked perfect plus I can still open and close the Akorn vent to save charcoal.......
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010022_zpsmmqtm9fq.jpg)
I set my bottom vent just barely open........
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010028_zpsz2rykbo0.jpg)
I put a 1/2 chimney of well lit oak lump charcoal first and then 1/2 chimney of unlit on top. I have the Akorn vent wide open and the tip Top set at 3.5. That ended up too hot, so I set it at 2.5 and it settled between 245 to 255. Every time it got near 255 the vent closed to bring the temp down, and near 245 it opened just enough to bring it back up.
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010025_zps2gesenti.jpg)
When you open the cooker to check your food the temp drops quickly but comes back pretty fast because the Tip Top opens until you get back at your temperature. I recommend this controller. Plus it's only $30 bucks with free shipping...even to Canada.
Just do a search for Tip Top Temp and read the reviews. This fits a lot of different cookers and the silicone band on the bottom holds it on a lot of them, so no mods needed. My mod which I saw on Kamado Guru took me ten minutes.
Well...here's my ribs. They turned out great and I only opened the lid once during the cook just to turn them over.
(http://i1373.photobucket.com/albums/ag375/fredha1/P1010031_zpsmrx3mzc2.jpg)





Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: sparky on June 08, 2015, 02:08:41 AM
First off, ribs look really good.  Does the tip top only fit kamados?. Could you apply it to a weber kettle or a WSM?
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: drholly on June 08, 2015, 02:09:31 AM
The ribs look excellent - nice job!

Looking forward to seeing your reviews / experiences. I've seen this for the Weber kettle, thought about it, still thinking. Thanks!
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: N. Ontario Smoker on June 08, 2015, 09:17:49 AM
First off, ribs look really good.  Does the tip top only fit kamados?. Could you apply it to a weber kettle or a WSM?
  This is a one size fits all device. The silicone band slips down to seal around some vents or you need to do what I did for other
vents. It covered the Akorn vent 100 percent. I have mine locked down with screws on top so I can remove it for any cleaning etc it will need.
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: muebe on June 08, 2015, 08:18:48 PM
Very cool contraption!
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: HighOnSmoke on June 08, 2015, 09:06:49 PM
Looks real cool! Ribs look delicious!
Title: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: Pappymn on June 09, 2015, 03:34:50 PM

Looks real cool! Ribs look delicious!

X2
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: LostArrow on June 09, 2015, 07:12:02 PM
As my son in law & I are both Akorn owners watching this one carefully
Title: Re: Review of Tip Top Temp for my Kamado
Post by: ACW3 on June 09, 2015, 07:34:08 PM

Looks real cool! Ribs look delicious!

X2

X3

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