Hi all,
I am a newbie to pellet grills and I purchased a Junior from Costco. I have run some meals through it and it works just fine. I do understand the limitations etc. and I have a pretty good understanding of how it works. Mine originally came with the 3 step controller and not the digital. I like to tinker, and I am an engineer so I have some understanding of how things work. I have been making some mods to mine. I have a gasket on the lid, have added firebricks. In the process of adding some larger wheels and casters. The one thing I wanted from day one was the digital temp controller. So I started researching as soon as the smoker came home and have done a lot of reading and searching on the net and in forums. So after all this long winded intro I have some questions and basically a sanity check of the direction I want to go.
I just wanted to say that I have been using my Junior with the 3 temp controller, I watch it carefully and I have had some good success with it, but I realize there are a lot of limitations with that type of controller. I do not plan on getting a different smoker until I can't do what I want with this one. This one fits where I have a good place for it, it works for what I want to do at this point in time. I do want to add some other items, wish I could find a hopper extension, I am not much of a metal worker. Electronics, computers etc. yes, welding and sheet metal.... no...
I understand the limitations of the Junior and I do know that will have temperature swings etc. I can deal with that. The size is good for what we want and it is just my wife and I and we also live in southern California, so it will not be all that cold. So basically it comes down to two choices. I had ordered the latest and greatest controller from Ortech, I have it in hand but have not installed it yet. The reason being I ran across the SSII after I had ordered the Ortech. I can send the Ortech back under the 30 day return policy. I want the SSII because of the added features. The built in auger switch, fan switch, fan speed while smoking, cool down cycle, and lots of parameters to change and tinker with on occasion. It also allows interfacing with the wifi monitor, which being a techy geek really appeals to me, more gadgets. The only drawback is the SSII is not in stock. I know it will not fit directly and needs a spacer and alternative mounting. Hopefully it will only be a few more weeks before one is available.
So my sanity check is this, is the SSII worth getting just because I want all those other features? Is it actually going to gain me a little over the Ortech? I suppose I could add the switches for fan control etc. with the Ortech but I would much rather it be in one package and done. I have no problem paying more for something that will save me time, and I don't see the need to reinvent the wheel by just buying a PID and going through the programming, etc. I ma not expecting miracles and super stability, just want some practical features and some improvements over the manual 3 temp setting controller.
Thanks for taking the time to ponder this....
Alan
PS here is hoping the SSII comes in stock soon.............