BBQ Guru PartyQ Battery Operated Temperature Control Device

I use this with my 22.5" Weber Smokey Mountain. On my smoker, the installation was a breeze. You just screw the adapter into one of the holes on the bottom vents. Then you twist in the unit, set your temp, and you're good to go. I've used it twice, and I've gotten steady temps for 10 hours both times. If you've used a charcoal smoker before, you know 10 hours of steady temps is worth five stars. No more waking up in a cold sweat on overnight cooks.Like another reviewer, I also use a Maverick temperature probe for the smoker temp and noticed that the PartyQ was reading a good 30 degrees above the Maverick on the first cook. I don't know if the PartyQ probe was in a hot spot, touching the grate or just needed a little seasoning in the smoker, but on the second cook, the temps were consistently reading within 5-10 degrees of each other, which is acceptable in my book. I haven't figured out how to really utilize the little alligator clip, as it doesn't seem like it would clip to my grate and hold the probe, but I rigged something up myself, so no big deal.The only drawback I would mention is that this thing flies through batteries pretty quickly. My set of Eneloop rechargeables didn't quite last a whole cook. But if I get another set I should be good to go. Still, I don't think this is enough to knock this product down to four stars because the thing saves so much effort/headache.One final note- there are different adapters for different smokers. I emailed the seller of the unit ahead of time asking if the adapter was included. They said that it was and to just note which adapter I needed in the order. I suggest you do the same if ordering to make sure you don't need to order it separately.

I use this in conjunction with a Weber Smokey Mountain 18.5". It works very well for the average weekend backyard barbecuer. My only issue was that it had a 20°-30° difference from my Maverick ET-732. I assumed the issue was due to the PartyQ thermometer is inserted into the center of the provided alligator clip. I resolved this by bending the tube on the alligator clip 90° so the tip of the PartyQ thermometer would be well exposed to ambient air. I tested this in the oven with the ET-732 and they are now +/- 2° of each other. Compared to other BBQ Gurus and similar products, the PartyQ is an excellent investment for the average smoker. As long as you follow the directions, install it correctly and heed my advice, you'll have no problem finding a way to waste 12 hours while your boston butt cooks to perfection.

Ok, so I used it once, the connector is loose , The readings are inaccurate, it doesn't work right. "Customer service" won't take it back.Cheap product and bad customer service. Total waste of my time and money.

I my case it took a bit of a learning curve to get a satisfactory relult. I have a Buba Keg (now Big Steel Keg) Kamado style smoker. It is extremely well insulated and 12 hour cooks without alluding fuel are routine. On warm days it is difficult to maintain 225° without the fire going out. On cold days it is not a issue. When attempting to use the "party QP I had issues of overshooting my target temperature. (Those of you with kamado style grill know what a pain that can be.)My original procedure of lighting my smoker was to fully open the bottom and top vent and then start closing them down about 50° before I reached my target temperature. With the Party Q I would overshoot the target temperature. What I found that works for me was to adjust the top vent down once your 75° from your target temperature and then let the Party Q bring up the temperature to the desired level. It still seems to overshoot it but not by much and then will settle down to the target temperature. Lesson learned is that you still have to properly adjust you top vent on your Kamado style smoker. It took me a few tries to get it right. Yesterday I I did a brisket flat. It was a 9 hour cook. I checked the temperature every 1/2 hour. My target tempature was 250 and the Party Q once stabilized kept the smoker within 5° for the entire cook. I had to experiment a little with this device to get it to work the way it is advertised. It will work as advertised if you will take a few trial runs to understand how your vent setting needs to be adjusted. I now have the confidence int he Party Q and the smoker that I feel I can put on a piece of meat for a low and slow at bedtime and the temperature will remain stable while I sleep.

Works perfectly. No more guessing with the Eggs temp, keeps and maintains whatever temp I need! Easy to install.

All I can say is awesome. I like to BBQ on a regular basis but one thing I hate is going to sleep and hoping my temp is the same. After a trial run today this held my Primo XL at 275 for 5 hours and no doubt it would have done it for 8-10.Make sure you get the adaptor for your grill. Mine didn't come with one.

Purchased as a gift for someone. He hasn't had any issues with it.

I like this better than the BBQ IQ. I have both. What is so cool about this one is its price and portability. Job wise, this does the same. Add in the price point and portability and I can't say enoug. Note: Bbq iq lasted for many many years with 5 star use.