Let's Talk BBQ
General => General Discussion & Topics => Product Reviews => Topic started by: muebe on August 15, 2013, 10:11:38 PM
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This review will start with the configuration of the device to connect it to your wireless network. First thing you need to do after un-boxing it is to download the setup program from www.tappecue.com...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/94c3709b24a11f5b0d123dd5f38b2492_zps53ab9733.jpg)
The program comes as a .rar format. You will need win rar or similar program to decompress the file if windows does not recognize it. You can get 7-zip from here for free http://download.cnet.com/7-Zip/3000-2250_4-10045185.html?tag=mncol;4 It will open the file for you.
So after decompressing the file open the setup file and click next...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/974c3c2d570c6b9ae278deb5292aaee0_zps212386eb.jpg)
Wait for the installation to complete...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/6dcbe462bed5a2bac7a6414105df6d0b_zps40e1757b.jpg)
Once completed you might need windows to be updated with the latest .net framework...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/fd28f948f1b54b9ebb98c3262cac30dd_zps58ffe0a5.jpg)
I was prompted to update before the program would run...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/4894e328c874dd42ac653b7c6bd8efa0_zpsd4d4e862.jpg)
Once installed start the program...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/2d4120b3d19b0121635de51e6da646b2_zps78d9b0f3.jpg)
You will want to a start a new account first...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/d38eba758b8f1bb7d1a3cd48494c4df0_zps5ba94e59.jpg)
And here is where you setup your account. Enter your information and click save. Wait for the conformation before you continue...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/8b0638ff8f97c8547d0ed98e14d24cd9_zps72a920c6.jpg)
Now onto the next tab to register your Tappecue unit. This is when you need to plug in the probes, power and USB cable into your Tappecue. Once it powers up give it a minute. Once all four probe temps display on the LCD screen plug the USB cable for the Tappecue into the computer...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/0b20bceb03004130ac6913c9c79c6f3e_zps7cdc8f09.jpg)
You should see this pop up in the corner. Wait a few minutes for the computer to configure the driver for the Tappecue...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/7cfa86314890d606bb0d7b8acb38da5a_zpsa51344de.jpg)
Once the driver is finished being installed you will need to name your Tappecue unit and click save...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/0b20bceb03004130ac6913c9c79c6f3e_zps7cdc8f09.jpg)
Now onto the Wi-Fi setup tab...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/478aae0a0a0a6fac3e9932933aad1b2d_zps6068bc6e.jpg)
Click on the small arrow tab to the right and a drop down will appear with wireless networks near the Tappecue detected. Then click on your network name and click save...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/1b9f0822a9212147546a941814fa1464_zps941c9855.jpg)
My network name is Uebe2...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/792ebc6412b7daa3d1a83961db538564_zpsad5f350d.jpg)
Next selection is the type of security your network is configured with. Most newer routers will be WPA1 or WPA2. I happen to have a older router and use WEP-128. Once you have decided on your security type click save...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/6a7dc144c8d64f0d1c8e4f2e445084d6_zps15b25c0f.jpg)
Here is where you enter your WEP key if your using WEP. If your using WPA then you will leave this box blank and enter a password in the password box and click finish...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/44fa9e15b5c4f24b3a3585ee7f2298f7_zps13fef1ed.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/0ca97934c3a29dae6bbc305934afe712_zps4a96d3ce.jpg)
Now click the check connection box to verify you are connected...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/f83c66f2654382b54ab6aff6277e0977_zpsbe8ba301.jpg)
The last tab is for checking the status of the Tappecue like firmware version and etc...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/fc4cdc7877ae8685be7d7cd3eeb4fdae_zps0be19f58.jpg)
At this point the Tappecue should be programmed to connect to your network and should automatically connect anytime you plug it in. If you change routers, network names, or passwords then it will need to be reconfigured with the computer otherwise there should be no problems.
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I will add as a note that you must wait for it to confirm each of these steps.
I had an issue on an XP box (part of it was me being too anxious) and I had to install the drivers from the setup folder. No biggie. I just should have clicked on the right icon from the get go....
Their manual is very well documented and will help you through any issues.
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So I just tried to do an ice test and this is what I got on the display...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20130815_191633_zps3879a26d.jpg)
Here is the normal display...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20130815_192417_zps1b5a30c4.jpg)
Obviously needing to read 32F is not necessary but it is helpful when checking the calibration of the probes and unit.
I downloaded the Tappecue android app and the iPhone app for using on my iPad...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-17-51-33_zpscffc237d.png)
Initial log-in screen...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-17-51-50_zps70f66e2b.png)
Then you get to the main screen where you can start a new session or view a session in progress...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-17-14_zps0dbadaac.png)
You can name the session. I called this one test...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-17-30_zpsa584ff8d.png)
Next you have tabs for the four probes...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-17-48_zps1ffd5e45.png)
Click on a tab and you get a drop down for various preset temp ranges for different foods. There are more than shown on the screen. Or you can select none and set your own parameters for each probe...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-17-54_zps8f38eab5.png)
I set all four to Beef...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-17-54_zps8f38eab5.png)
The next screen shows the preset temp ranges for the alarms and you can modify each one...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-18-17_zps5725fa11.png)
You can select your connected devices here that you want to connect to the Tappecue...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-18-27_zpseb73a46f.png)
Next screen allows you to look at current temps or alerts and which devices have been alerted...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-18-42_zpsb6527148.png)
This picture shows the current temp screen. Each probe can be selected by the probe tabs. It displayed "low" because I had the probes in the ice water...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-20-01_zps5e13bbd0.png)
After I warmed up the probe...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-21-51_zps41706435.png)
This screen gives you account info, device management, etc...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/Screenshot_2013-08-15-19-23-06_zps3ebb4871.png)
The iPad app works the same.
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I am trying so hard to ignore this post for fear of getting out my debit card... >:(
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Now obviously this is a very new product but there is so much potential for enhancements. My initial thoughts are...
I like the unit itself. Small and lightweight. Clear cover to see internals adds to the cool factor.
The probes come with very long wires and that is nice. That allows for you to move the unit to a location that best suits your needs. The probes also have a silicone cover where the wire and probe come together and it appears to be water tight. That area needs protection from moisture.
The programming/setup was not too difficult for me although I am not your average computer user and have more knowledge than some. Too bad there is not a WPS button/function. That makes it much easier to connect devices to new generation wireless routers. Some people might have difficulty configuring the security to connect to their router due to not knowing their SSID, security type, or password. I have to say that their instructional video on their website explains this process very well and might help those who cannot figure it out.
The apps seem to work pretty well. I guess my first suggestion would be to come out with a dedicated iPad app that has more functions like the iGrill app. Would be nice to have the graphing ability. I am sure that this is in the works as we speak.
I also think that it is a little cumbersome having to start a session and go through the selections to be able to see the probe temps. They should add a function in the main app screen to go directly to see the four temp probes. This way you can just get a quick view of the temps without having to start a session.
Being able to use multiple devices to monitor your probes is really cool. Android phones, iPads, and iPhones can be added to the approved devices list and individually named. Then each one can be set to receive alarm updates.
Also the guest password function is really cool. Anyone can log into your system using the username and guest password on the app and monitor your cooks live. Just download the app to your device and enter username: muebe and password: LTBBQ! And when I am cooking you can look at my temp probes but not make any changes.
Every finished session can be e-mailed to you when done showing the cook. I have not tried this function yet. I will post later once I try it.
I obviously have not had time to test this thing out with a cook or two so this is just my initial thoughts.
There is so much potential for this device with firmware upgrades and app updates. I hope they get a dedicated cloud up for users to manage all their cooks. Maybe as they start selling more of these units the improvements will come.
There will be more to come on this thread as I move along with testing the unit.
Hey Eric maybe contact them and ask if they would like to become a forum sponsor. We would love to have them here ;)
Oh and a correction. The download file is a .zip and not a .rar file although not a big deal.
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Very nice and thoughtful presentation.
If you would be so kind perhaps you could illustrate during an actual cook that would take several hours. But that is an interesting piece of technology.
Ed
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Great write up! Thinking about ordering this.
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looks great is it water resistance ?(rain )
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looks great is it water resistance ?(rain )
No. But I am sure a ziploc bag would take care of that. I might make a water tight case for it however.
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Mike, there is graphing capabilities. I haven't messed with it, but if you go back to their website, go to downloads and you'll see the graphs button. It is a zipped file. I don't have my tappecue with me at the fire station today or I'd play with it.
All right I will need to check that out tonight. Having graphing capability with a dedicated ipad app would be a nice feature however.
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I did monitor a cook recently on line when this system was being tested.
It did seem like a lot of technology involved in "thermometers".
Then again, I'm not real high tech.
In fact the ET732 is about as high tech as I care to go. The thought of monitoring four different probes from locations unknown is a little much for me. But then again, everyone's entitled to their own opinions.
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I did monitor a cook recently on line when this system was being tested.
It did seem like a lot of technology involved in "thermometers".
Then again, I'm not real high tech.
In fact the ET732 is about as high tech as I care to go. The thought of monitoring four different probes from locations unknown is a little much for me. But then again, everyone's entitled to their own opinions.
I mainly bought it for it's web based monitoring capability. Being able to go to a neighbor's house or a friend's house down the road and still keep an eye on temps is a cool feature.
Having the ability for others to monitor my cooks was not what sold me on the unit however it is a neat feature.
The four probes is great because there have been times I have had 3 large shoulders on my Memphis and with one maverick only two get monitored and one gets the guessing game. With the Tappecue I can monitor the 3 shoulders and the cooker temp.
And if I am smoking something and it finishes while I am not home I can call the wife and have her take it iff and shut off the grill.
But then again I also have a web based sprinkler control system for my house ::)
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Mike, there is graphing capabilities. I haven't messed with it, but if you go back to their website, go to downloads and you'll see the graphs button. It is a zipped file. I don't have my tappecue with me at the fire station today or I'd play with it.
Ok so I checked it out and it does not graph. The file you download contains an excel spreadsheet file that does graphing. Then there is instructions on how to input the numbers that you get in a e-mail when you end your cooking session. The email contains a minute by minute detail of the probes for the entire cook.
So you use the information the Tappecue gives you to input into excel to create a graph.
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Just started testing my PTG with the SSII at 225F with fan on low speed. You can watch the temp on the free Tappecue app. Just use the user name: muebe and password: LTBBQ!
If your interested...
Tappecue probe is currently reading 253F and SSII 236F
There is a continuous amount of smoke coming from the PTG right now with the fan on low speed.
The probes are both at grill level but the Tappecue probe is located more toward the center of the grill. This would account for the difference in temp.
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The Tappecue and the SSII are currently measuring about 10 degrees different. The Tappecue is 10 degrees higher.
The PTG has been holding around 240F with lots of smoke. I dropped the OUTL down from 13 to 12. This should allow the temp to settle closer to the setpoint of 225F.
Again the two probes are not exactly in the same spot so 10 degrees difference is expected.
When I get done I will attempt to use the Tappecue numbers to produce a graph for everyone to see using Excel.
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At a OUTL of 12 the SSII at low speed fan is holding at 231F when set to 225F. The Tappecue is currently reading 250F. Going to relocate the probe to behind the SSII probe(away from the center of the grill) and lower the OUTL to 11.
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The sun is shining right on the PTG raising the temps to 250F and the ambient temp is almost 90F :'(
I dropped the OUTL to 10 and may need to goto 9 until the PTG is out of direct sunlight.
The Tappecue has not missed a beat so far. Router is located in my bedroom and the Tappecue is in the backyard. Both phone and tablet are on watch. No dropped signal.
Still getting a 10 to 13 degree variance between the SSII reading and the Tappecue even after relocating the probe behind the SSII probe. I have a feeling that might be because this is a meat probe and not a cabinet/grill probe. But I can still live with a 10 degree difference.
Eric do you know if Tappecue has a cabinet/grill temp probe available?
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Eric thanks for the info.
Can you log into my guest account and see if it is working?
Just had a temp overshoot due to opening the lid to check pellets and move the probe.
I just verified the guest account works and I ended the session.
Now time to work on the graph.
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Ok so I am not familiar with Excel. I never had to use the program before so I was very confused trying to produce a graph using the Excel template that is provided by Tappecue.
Here is my best result...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/PTGSSIIGraphonlowspeedfan_zpsc6f16ea7.png)
I tried to get the times to show up at the bottom of the graph but I could not figure out how to make the proper times show up.
The session file shows up as a text document that you apply to the fields of the excel template. One issue is that I only had one probe plugged in but you get results for all four probes. It would be nice if the box or app would omit any probes not connected either automatically or by the end user on the app. So those results first need to be sorted and removed from the excel template. I of course being very unfamiliar with the program had to try and figure out how to do this. I finally found out how by using the sort tab. Once the probes were arranged in ascending order I was able to clear the fields of the other probes.
Then you highlight the temp field and insert a graph using those numbers. You are supposed to be able to use the time field also but I just could not get it to work. Also my version of excel is much older than the one on their PDF instructions and is different. Not the fault of Tappecue that my software is a older version.
I know that a dedicated iPad app with graphing capability like the iGrill app is in the works and I will be a very happy camper when that comes out.
Now that I figured out how to graph the next one will go much quicker I imagine although I do wish it was more of an automatic process.
Those of you very familiar with excel are probably laughing at me. My wife is not here but she used it for years at her old job and I would have been done quickly if she was here :-\
You can look at the raw data and see the trending temps but having a visual graph makes things much easier when testing controllers for stability.
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And here is what the raw data looks like in the email you get when you finish a session...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/df01f0bebfe898900b7052d4f20f8239_zpsf6aaaf78.jpg)
That comes as a text document.
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And when I started the PTG test both the Tappecue and the SSII were reading the exact same ambient temp...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20130817_073854_zps9a018c35.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20130817_074054_zpsa0f1885d.jpg)
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Muebe, I have your next technology product for you. Saw it today at Lowes. It made by Honeywell. It is the wifi enabled thermostat to control the temperature of your entire home. Looks good and it is IOS and Android compatible.
Ed
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Muebe, I have your next technology product for you. Saw it today at Lowes. It made by Honeywell. It is the wifi enabled thermostat to control the temperature of your entire home. Looks good and it is IOS and Android compatible.
Ed
I want the one called the Nest. I can turn the heat down on my family in the winter when I am on the road
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I did monitor a cook recently on line when this system was being tested.
It did seem like a lot of technology involved in "thermometers".
Then again, I'm not real high tech.
In fact the ET732 is about as high tech as I care to go. The thought of monitoring four different probes from locations unknown is a little much for me. But then again, everyone's entitled to their own opinions.
I mainly bought it for it's web based monitoring capability. Being able to go to a neighbor's house or a friend's house down the road and still keep an eye on temps is a cool feature.
Having the ability for others to monitor my cooks was not what sold me on the unit however it is a neat feature.
The four probes is great because there have been times I have had 3 large shoulders on my Memphis and with one maverick only two get monitored and one gets the guessing game. With the Tappecue I can monitor the 3 shoulders and the cooker temp.
And if I am smoking something and it finishes while I am not home I can call the wife and have her take it iff and shut off the grill.
But then again I also have a web based sprinkler control system for my house ::)
This is about as far away from my MAK as I want to be. Especially when it's smokin'.
(http://i804.photobucket.com/albums/yy324/Trooper1060/Bill-B-Que/pelletheads/8164e431-2189-40ca-8c42-eac2f83a086e_zps58743882.jpg) (http://s804.photobucket.com/user/Trooper1060/media/Bill-B-Que/pelletheads/8164e431-2189-40ca-8c42-eac2f83a086e_zps58743882.jpg.html)
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Ok it has been a while since I have been able to really get to test the Tappecue with a long cook. I recently moved to a new home with new internet service but kept my wireless router name and password the same. The Tappecue unit has been unplugged and dormant for months but immediately connected to my internet here at the new place without issue when I plugged it in. Had my router info changed then I would have needed to hook the Tappecue back up to my computer to change that information. As long as you keep the router name and password the same & same type of security(WEP,WEP2,etc) it will connect right back up wherever you are.
There have been a few nice updates to the app. The ability to see all probes at once in the same screen for the iPad app is nice. There were also some bug fixes however I don't remember any before. My hope is they will eventually make a graphing function similar to the iGrill that sends it directly to a PDF or image format without having to convert it. I am sure that is in the works.
Ok so on to the cook. Started with a couple of Costco boneless butts...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_051013_zps0miius1f.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_051545_zps0vekhyue.jpg)
Now break out the BP Bacon Jalapeño Rub...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_051259_zpso84kjrdg.jpg)
Liberal coating of rub applied outside at 5:00 am. No Molasses slather this time. It got lost in the move and I could not find it. Sorry Sparky...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_052325_zpseirs4ccf.jpg)
Tappecue plugged in and 3 probes connected. 2 for the butts and 1 at the grill level to monitor cooker temp...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_052642_zpsltbxlwqr.jpg)
And on they go...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/20140201_052625_zpsucwpp7tu.jpg)
So then I went off to work. With the Tappecue on the watch until my wife came home I felt confident being able to pick up my cell phone and check the temperatures. Also the Tappecue sent me notifications right to my phone telling me when the cooker reached temp, when each butt reached 180F, and when they reached their target temp of 200F. It will also send you a message if the temps go above or drop below the thresholds that you set.
I ended up working late and got home at 6:30pm as the first butt was at 198F. I thought to myself "That was great timing". If they finished before I got home I would have been immediately notified by the Tappecue and a quick text to my wife to remove the butt from the smoker would have been done. Very cool!
The Tappecue worked flawless all day long. It never lost communication as far as I know. I checked the temps all through the day many times and got a quick response back from the Tappecue every time from my Android phone. Keep in mind that I was over 50 miles away from my home. I could be in another country and still see the temps as long as I have Internet ;) There were other phones and devices listed on my app that were people who have logged into my Tappecue guest account to monitor my cooks with me so they ended up getting notifications too because I selected them to receive the notifications. Like Eric's cell phone. They can turn off this feature. But it is really nice that so many different devices can all get the notifications.
Ok so back to the butts. Here is how they looked when I got home 13 hours later...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20140201_183921_zpscw0w6kf7.jpg)
First one that was off at 13 1/2 hours...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20140201_191026_zpsgpnvj0md.jpg)
This one at 15 hours...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20140201_202932_zps6o8qj3d5.jpg)
I let them rest then into the fridge. It was getting late and I was too tired to pull them. I will pull them later this morning. I am going to try and get a graph together of this cook and will post the pics of that and the pulled pork later.
Everyone enjoy the Superbowl today!
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Looks great Mike!
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk (http://tapatalk.com/m?id=1)
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I love Butt ;D
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So I pulled both butts and here are the promised pics...
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20140202_095444_zpsrpzgmb36.jpg)
(http://i752.photobucket.com/albums/xx169/muebe/Album%202/20140202_101640_zps3r5mqpy8.jpg)
Very moist and flavorful. That bacon jalapeño rub is fantastic. The bark was not as strong without the molasses slather but still very good.
I am still having trouble getting a graph to work. Maybe my version of Excel is too old. I can get the fields to populate but it does not create a graph. I am usually pretty computer savvy so it is a little frustrating. My version Excel is from office 2000 so that might be the problem :-\
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Did you download the tappecue spread sheet from their site? I could not get the graph to work either then I went to their site and found the spread sheet. They have micros embedded that picks up the info and you use their spreadsheet and you get the graph.
If you are using their spreadsheet then I am not sure why you can't graph it.
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Did you download the tappecue spread sheet from their site? I could not get the graph to work either then I went to their site and found the spread sheet. They have micros embedded that picks up the info and you use their spreadsheet and you get the graph.
If you are using their spreadsheet then I am not sure why you can't graph it.
Yeah I tried their spreadsheet. It populates the fields but no graph.
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Mike, I was not able to do the graph on my iMac Office 2007 but was able to do the graph in Windows 7 using Office 2007.
When you have the tappecue spreadsheet up you need to enable the macros. Then click "control" then "shift" then "G" and the macro should take over and make your graph. It may take a few min for it to think and do it's thing. If you have been doing the above steps then I would guess that your Office 2000 version is not going to be compatible with the spreadsheet.
(http://i36.photobucket.com/albums/e25/jcompton1/Capture_zps7c9fc8db.jpg)
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The graph looks great!
Guess I might need to update my version of Excel ::)