My billows holds a solid 250 in my WSM. I really like the thing. Just did a couple of butts for 18 hours and the only time the alarm went off is when I added more coal.
I also open my exhaust vent all the way, which I think is important to prevent stale and bitter smoke build up. Using the adjustable damper allows that. By the way, Thanks for the video!
Good review Big Lew! I use the smokex4 and the billows on my 30gal UDS and I would like to say it's awesome, really set it and forget it in my case. I did notice that Thermoworks did make a "damper" yellow plug that you can adjust how much air is utilized by the fan, but I haven used it yet.. the more you use the billows the more you will like it!
Hi Big Lew, Get the damper for the Billows. On my uds which is basically air tight and needs very little air flow to maintain temp, I only have to open it 2 clicks which is barely open. It holds temp to within 5 deg up or down. This control makes uds cooking so trouble free.
Nice review. I bought a FlameBoss blower last year for my WSM. It was nice, but I ended up returning it. I felt it was too expensive for my budget. I almost feel that if I'm going to spend 3 or 400 bucks on the fan, thernomitor etc, then I might as well buy a pellet smoker.
Makes sense. It was very helpful but not needed. The Smoke X thermometer is a fine thermometer with out the fan. The fan “Billows” can be added later, it currently cost about seventy bucks, but often there are sales. Also, it can be used on a variety of smokers. Therefore if someone had two or more types; Kamado, UDS, kettle grill, off set, etc. it could be interchanged among them.
Hey Big Lew, love the video. I have been playing with my setup like crazy trying to get it to cook LOW and i'm having about the same experience as you. I picked up a roll of flue tape and i'm going to go to town to block all my extra holes in my drum to see if maybe it's still drawing too much air from other sources beside the fan. And I didn't install a port to feed my probes through yet so i've been feeding my signals ambient probe down my exhaust.
Nice review, I've had experience with a fan set up similar, and had issue where the fire actually drafted enough air they the fan (not running) to where the temp was higher than the set point which meant the fan doesnt run. Ended up adding a ball valve between the fan and the drum so if needed I could pinch it back and let the fan set up do the work its suppose to.
Well, that was my issue at 225°F. It ran around 233°. However , at 240° and 250°. It was really close to spot on. Your ball valve idea is a good one. ThermoWorks actually sells an adjustable damper that attaches where the silicone fan plug goes. It only casts three dollars, I may give that a try.
It's important to set your exhaust damper properly too. It's set and forget once you learn your smoker. It's not magic, even if the fan is not running it's an open intake. These work perfect when setup properly. I'm testing a unit from a different company that is using a 46cfm fan but i have a Billows coming tomorrow to do a comparison video.
Good review. I think you may have missed a key point about using apps with the X4 or Signal (or similar) - it allows you to get away during your 12 hour cook, and still monitor what's going on in case something starts to go awry. Maybe you just want to go to the grocery store, or out for dinner - with WIFI you can :)
Yes, you can but what are you going to do about it if something does go wrong? When I made this video, I was still married so I had a wife that could run errands if needed while I cooked. Now that I’m a widower, and live practically by myself your point seems more valid to me. Thanks.
Big Lew I see Big Cooking in your future 🧐 I do believe the Lord is preparing you with all this Big gear How fun to try all this out. You’re cooking fun anyway and now it’s kicking up a few notches Man that’s all too much for me 🤪 I just want to throw it on there and cook it 😬
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Thanks a great demonstration video, I have considered these electronic thermometers, but to date, have held off. Have a great 4th!
My billows holds a solid 250 in my WSM. I really like the thing. Just did a couple of butts for 18 hours and the only time the alarm went off is when I added more coal.
@@NoneYaBidness762 I’m going to make my billows a permanent part of my Webber kettle.
Nice video Lew! I have the signals and the billows for my kettle and 18” wsm. Great products.
Congratulations Big Lew on your pineapple pepper jelly from The root boy cooks
Did I win that?
Cool!
I also open my exhaust vent all the way, which I think is important to prevent stale and bitter smoke build up. Using the adjustable damper allows that.
By the way, Thanks for the video!
I can see the value in this. I still go old school with a probe thermometer and a Thermometer on my grill. But it is a great gadget.
It is helpful but not necessary.
Great review Big Lew, very thorough!
Good review Big Lew! I use the smokex4 and the billows on my 30gal UDS and I would like to say it's awesome, really set it and forget it in my case. I did notice that Thermoworks did make a "damper" yellow plug that you can adjust how much air is utilized by the fan, but I haven used it yet.. the more you use the billows the more you will like it!
I used it on another BUTT last night. I’m gettin use to it. I may buy the damper however. Thanks fir watching
Nicely done as always thanks for sharing
Hi Big Lew, Get the damper for the Billows. On my uds which is basically air tight and needs very little air flow to maintain temp, I only have to open it 2 clicks which is barely open. It holds temp to within 5 deg up or down. This control makes uds cooking so trouble free.
Thank you I will.
Nice review. I bought a FlameBoss blower last year for my WSM. It was nice, but I ended up returning it. I felt it was too expensive for my budget. I almost feel that if I'm going to spend 3 or 400 bucks on the fan, thernomitor etc, then I might as well buy a pellet smoker.
Makes sense. It was very helpful but not needed. The Smoke X thermometer is a fine thermometer with out the fan. The fan “Billows” can be added later, it currently cost about seventy bucks, but often there are sales. Also, it can be used on a variety of smokers. Therefore if someone had two or more types; Kamado, UDS, kettle grill, off set, etc. it could be interchanged among them.
Hey Big Lew, love the video. I have been playing with my setup like crazy trying to get it to cook LOW and i'm having about the same experience as you. I picked up a roll of flue tape and i'm going to go to town to block all my extra holes in my drum to see if maybe it's still drawing too much air from other sources beside the fan. And I didn't install a port to feed my probes through yet so i've been feeding my signals ambient probe down my exhaust.
I’ve since done two more cooks with this set up. It’s getting better. When I get it right I’ll do another video as a follow up.
Great review those are some very cool gadgets thanks.
Nice review, I've had experience with a fan set up similar, and had issue where the fire actually drafted enough air they the fan (not running) to where the temp was higher than the set point which meant the fan doesnt run. Ended up adding a ball valve between the fan and the drum so if needed I could pinch it back and let the fan set up do the work its suppose to.
Well, that was my issue at 225°F. It ran around 233°. However , at 240° and 250°. It was really close to spot on.
Your ball valve idea is a good one. ThermoWorks actually sells an adjustable damper that attaches where the silicone fan plug goes. It only casts three dollars, I may give that a try.
It's important to set your exhaust damper properly too. It's set and forget once you learn your smoker. It's not magic, even if the fan is not running it's an open intake. These work perfect when setup properly. I'm testing a unit from a different company that is using a 46cfm fan but i have a Billows coming tomorrow to do a comparison video.
Damn U never thought of it that way. I might have to invest in a vertical drum smoker instead of investing in trying to make smoke go sideways😂😂
It’s always made since to me.
I justed watched LPB the State Were In, great segment on your daughter.
Thank you very much!
Good review. I think you may have missed a key point about using apps with the X4 or Signal (or similar) - it allows you to get away during your 12 hour cook, and still monitor what's going on in case something starts to go awry. Maybe you just want to go to the grocery store, or out for dinner - with WIFI you can :)
Yes, you can but what are you going to do about it if something does go wrong?
When I made this video, I was still married so I had a wife that could run errands if needed while I cooked. Now that I’m a widower, and live practically by myself your point seems more valid to me. Thanks.
Looks like it worked pretty good.
Big Lew I see Big Cooking in your future 🧐 I do believe the Lord is preparing you with all this Big gear
How fun to try all this out. You’re cooking fun anyway and now it’s kicking up a few notches
Man that’s all too much for me 🤪 I just want to throw it on there and cook it 😬
Try setting 10 degrees lower than the actual temperature you want
Good idea