Like your video, I purchased Signals/Billows last year when it came out. As much as I like Thermoworks products I wish I would have waited. Not crazy about it. The app leaves a lot to be desired, connectivity is so-so. I'm thinking of picking up the new Fireboard controller. By the way, I love your logo!
Hi Mike! I also bought the Signals/Billows last year & I agree with each of your points 1000%. Fireboard is much better for these type of systems. My logo was created by my daughter when she was 13. She made it before I had any thoughts of starting a TH-cam channel.
@@Anteater23 Thanks for the update but since then I sold off the Signals/Billows and went with the FireBoard Drive 2 and recently bought the Spark as well. Happy with both and the app (for me) is wonderful. I still have quite a few other ThermoWorks products but the Signals didn't do it for me.
It depends on which smoker you’re going to use with it. I haven’t been using mine mostly because I stopped cooking with fans but I have heard that it works really well with the Weber Summit Kamado but you may need another attachment to make it fit. If I were to use a fan, my top pick would be the FireBoard Drive with their fan or a fan by BBQ Guru. The Billows is also solid but I’d research to make sure it fits well with your smoker.
I bought the signals w/ billows for my Weber Summit Charcoal. So far I'm happy with it, agree that the app is a bit quirky- it will disconnect from the device and not reconnect. I would like a bit more control for the fan. Like your green, bought mine in red.
you got your top cap on backwards on the kamado. the lettering is suppose to be on the back so that when you lift the lid the vent doesnt swing open, besides how else is anyone suppose to know you have a fancy camado joe if they cant see the brand name since thats on the other side of the top cap. also, you dont get ash all over your food when you use one of these fan controllers?
Glad I watched this - making me second guess buying one. What puts me off the most is the upfront cost of buying the signals as well given I already have 2 X Smokes...
Hi Alex, I also purchased the Smoke before I got the Signal & then the Billows. One of my nitpicks about Thermoworks is that they seem to continuously release new products that replace a not so old prior release instead of making their devices upgradeable. Overall, I prefer using my Fireboard with my BBQ Guru fan instead of the Signal/Billows combo.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Hey man, thanks for the video! I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing the Thermo Works Signals with the Billows fan, until I watched your video and read some of the comments. I have also researched the Fireboard 2 Drive and considered purchasing that but from what I've seen, you can't control the temp settings from the unit, only from the app. I also have to purchase a separate adapter for my WSM 22" if I got the Fireboard. What specifically didn't you like about the Thermoworks Signal and Billows?
When I bought the Signal & Billows, I already had the original Fireboard that I was very happy with. I found that ThermoWorks’ app came up short when compared to Fireboard (ThermoWorks has revamped their app since then).... it wasn’t horrible but it didn’t feel “finished”. I also don’t like that if you want to use a fan with Signals, that you have to use their Billows fan. Sometimes you can see the benefit to being in a closed system but the Billows doesn’t do anything better or different than any either fan that is available out there. I have kept my Signals/Billows and I’ve used it once with their updated app which is improved. It’s just not going to be my go to temperature kit.... I prefer my Fireboard drive.
I just ordered the signals & billows. Can’t wait to try it out. I use thermoworks for all my probes/temp gauges. I know on the DOT If you hold both arrows that adjust the temp setting at the same time it will turn the alarm off. I do this when I use 1 for grate temp so it doesn’t constantly go off. Hope this helps!
Thank you for reviewing this unit. I just purchased after watching. Ribs looked amazing! I have yet to attempt ribs, but they will be next. What fuel do you use? I have been using Kamado joe lump and adding a couple split pieces of wood. It has added great flavor to brisket, duck, burgers, Boston butt, and steaks. I guess I could just try it again with ribs. I am getting a lot of creosote buildup, however. Is anyone else experiencing this?
I've tried many different lump charcoals & I recently decided that Fogo is my favorite. It costs a little more but you can often find a good deal on their website. Happy smoking!
Nice review 👍 Based on your experience, what is an overall better solution signals with the billows or the fireboard with the fan? It seems to me that the fireboard app and product are more though on as a whole, and with the signals, everything seems like an add on and not thinking from the start on it. What do you think?
Hands down the Fireboard is better. They also just updated their app to allow you to add photos & detailed notes to the graph for your cook. Very cool!
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ I am trying to make a decision here: Fireboard + fan or Signals + fan. What do you recommend based on current software features? I guess there were not too many changes in the last two weeks :)
@@ljzx I still prefer the Fireboard + fan combination. Functionally, you can do more with Fireboard's app which also works on their website. I also like that Fireboard is continuously adding features that work with your existing device. I could be wrong, but my impression is that when Thermoworks adds capabilities, you have to buy new devices to take advantage of them. I love Thermoworks products and I own many of them but if I could only pick one, I'd go with Fireboard because of its versatility, ease of use & ongoing support from the company.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ thank you! I was mistaken, because I just realized the Fireboard needs a 'control cable' which costs 100 EUR, and possibly it is a cable with 2 EUR value :( I like the image of the brand but it looks like a rip-off.
I never wrap my ribs if I dont have to . Man those ribs were right on. This goes to show you about having a steady temp all the way thru. Great vid my friend.
Thanks @richiesbbq I agree with you completely about not wrapping ribs. I just need to make sure that I give myself enough time to cook then without needing to wrap
Like your video, I purchased Signals/Billows last year when it came out. As much as I like Thermoworks products I wish I would have waited. Not crazy about it. The app leaves a lot to be desired, connectivity is so-so. I'm thinking of picking up the new Fireboard controller. By the way, I love your logo!
Hi Mike! I also bought the Signals/Billows last year & I agree with each of your points 1000%. Fireboard is much better for these type of systems. My logo was created by my daughter when she was 13. She made it before I had any thoughts of starting a TH-cam channel.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Kudo's to your daughter, very talented!
Thanks MIke!
The app is much improved now
@@Anteater23 Thanks for the update but since then I sold off the Signals/Billows and went with the FireBoard Drive 2 and recently bought the Spark as well. Happy with both and the app (for me) is wonderful. I still have quite a few other ThermoWorks products but the Signals didn't do it for me.
thermoworks has made many improvements and updates to the app. BTW the alarm can be turned off in the app and on the unit itself.
Would you still recommend this?
It depends on which smoker you’re going to use with it. I haven’t been using mine mostly because I stopped cooking with fans but I have heard that it works really well with the Weber Summit Kamado but you may need another attachment to make it fit. If I were to use a fan, my top pick would be the FireBoard Drive with their fan or a fan by BBQ Guru. The Billows is also solid but I’d research to make sure it fits well with your smoker.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Thanks. I have a Kamado.
What do you think about putting the ambient probe on the Kamado thermometer so that maybe get a better actual reading of the pit
Absolutely nothing wrong with doing that. Sometimes I do…. it depends on what I’m cooking & closely I want the temp inside the cooker to be precise.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ thank you
Setting of name is limited to first 4 letters
I bought the signals w/ billows for my Weber Summit Charcoal. So far I'm happy with it, agree that the app is a bit quirky- it will disconnect from the device and not reconnect. I would like a bit more control for the fan. Like your green, bought mine in red.
you got your top cap on backwards on the kamado. the lettering is suppose to be on the back so that when you lift the lid the vent doesnt swing open, besides how else is anyone suppose to know you have a fancy camado joe if they cant see the brand name since thats on the other side of the top cap. also, you dont get ash all over your food when you use one of these fan controllers?
Do you prefer your Kamado Joe or your Summit Kamado? Or do you use both pretty regularly?
I use both but if I could only pick one, I’d pick the Summit Kamado.
Subscribed to get you to 1000 👊🏻
Very cool Derek.... much appreciated!
Backyard SmokeMaster BBQ My pleasure! Keep up the good work!
Glad I watched this - making me second guess buying one. What puts me off the most is the upfront cost of buying the signals as well given I already have 2 X Smokes...
Hi Alex, I also purchased the Smoke before I got the Signal & then the Billows. One of my nitpicks about Thermoworks is that they seem to continuously release new products that replace a not so old prior release instead of making their devices upgradeable. Overall, I prefer using my Fireboard with my BBQ Guru fan instead of the Signal/Billows combo.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ Hey man, thanks for the video! I was about to pull the trigger on purchasing the Thermo Works Signals with the Billows fan, until I watched your video and read some of the comments. I have also researched the Fireboard 2 Drive and considered purchasing that but from what I've seen, you can't control the temp settings from the unit, only from the app. I also have to purchase a separate adapter for my WSM 22" if I got the Fireboard. What specifically didn't you like about the Thermoworks Signal and Billows?
When I bought the Signal & Billows, I already had the original Fireboard that I was very happy with. I found that ThermoWorks’ app came up short when compared to Fireboard (ThermoWorks has revamped their app since then).... it wasn’t horrible but it didn’t feel “finished”. I also don’t like that if you want to use a fan with Signals, that you have to use their Billows fan. Sometimes you can see the benefit to being in a closed system but the Billows doesn’t do anything better or different than any either fan that is available out there. I have kept my Signals/Billows and I’ve used it once with their updated app which is improved. It’s just not going to be my go to temperature kit.... I prefer my Fireboard drive.
I just ordered the signals & billows. Can’t wait to try it out. I use thermoworks for all my probes/temp gauges. I know on the DOT If you hold both arrows that adjust the temp setting at the same time it will turn the alarm off. I do this when I use 1 for grate temp so it doesn’t constantly go off. Hope this helps!
Thank you for reviewing this unit. I just purchased after watching. Ribs looked amazing! I have yet to attempt ribs, but they will be next. What fuel do you use? I have been using Kamado joe lump and adding a couple split pieces of wood. It has added great flavor to brisket, duck, burgers, Boston butt, and steaks. I guess I could just try it again with ribs. I am getting a lot of creosote buildup, however. Is anyone else experiencing this?
I've tried many different lump charcoals & I recently decided that Fogo is my favorite. It costs a little more but you can often find a good deal on their website. Happy smoking!
To only get notifications on your phone without the Signals beeping, just turn the volume down on the Signals unit itself.
Thanks!
Nice review 👍
Based on your experience, what is an overall better solution signals with the billows or the fireboard with the fan?
It seems to me that the fireboard app and product are more though on as a whole, and with the signals, everything seems like an add on and not thinking from the start on it. What do you think?
Hands down the Fireboard is better. They also just updated their app to allow you to add photos & detailed notes to the graph for your cook. Very cool!
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ I am trying to make a decision here: Fireboard + fan or Signals + fan. What do you recommend based on current software features? I guess there were not too many changes in the last two weeks :)
fireboard standard + fan = 301 EUR now, while Signals + billows = 287 $ with shipping to europe now
@@ljzx I still prefer the Fireboard + fan combination. Functionally, you can do more with Fireboard's app which also works on their website. I also like that Fireboard is continuously adding features that work with your existing device. I could be wrong, but my impression is that when Thermoworks adds capabilities, you have to buy new devices to take advantage of them. I love Thermoworks products and I own many of them but if I could only pick one, I'd go with Fireboard because of its versatility, ease of use & ongoing support from the company.
@@BackyardSmokeMasterBBQ thank you! I was mistaken, because I just realized the Fireboard needs a 'control cable' which costs 100 EUR, and possibly it is a cable with 2 EUR value :( I like the image of the brand but it looks like a rip-off.
Great Review... I have several ThermoWorks products... Quality has always been very good.
I never wrap my ribs if I dont have to . Man those ribs were right on. This goes to show you about having a steady temp all the way thru. Great vid my friend.
Thanks @richiesbbq I agree with you completely about not wrapping ribs. I just need to make sure that I give myself enough time to cook then without needing to wrap
Nice review..Ribs looked great!
Thanks Eastside Badger!
Beautiful ribs, nice review.
Thanks Glenn