ThermoWorks Billows [BBQ Controller] Tested & Reviewed
Billows by ThermoWorks (www.thermoworks.com/Billows?t...) is a thermostatic controller (pit controller, blower, fan, etc.) designed to help control the internal temperature of your grill or smoker.
ThermoWorks is the longtime leader in thermometers, and barbecue enthusiasts have had their eye on them to release a thermostatic controller. Billows is their first crack at retailing a pit controller, and expectations are high.
In the video we explain how Billows works, how to hook it up and then put it to the test by smoking a rack of ribs. We also demonstrate how you can hook up the Billows to a traditional Weber kettle grill by drilling a hole in the base. This allows us to complete a full smoke on a grill using the indirect cooking method instead of using a traditional smoker. At the end of the video I come back with my take on how the Billows preformed and if you should buy it.
Video Timeline:
- Intro
- 3:20: Agenda
- 4:43: Installing Billow on Weber Kettle Grill / DIY Drilling Hole
- 7:24: Using the Signals App
- 9:55: Setting Up the Kettle Grill for Smoking / Indirect Cooking
Method
- 11:55: First Impressions
- 16:35: Texas Crutchin’ / Wrapping the Ribs into a Competition
Wrap
- 17:29: Pulling the ribs off
- 19:15: How the Billows Preformed
- 23:36: Is it Worth the Money
- 25:03: Final Thoughts
Billows comes in as the lowest priced (legitimately manufactured) thermostatic controller on the market-you can pick one up for $59. That low price comes with an important caveat-you must own Signals, ThermoWorks’s Wi-Fi/Bluetooth 4 Channel Thermometer ($229).
Billows works just as most other pit controllers do: hook up the thermostatic device (Billows) to your grill/smoker and then connect the Billows to the controller (Signals). From there, you plug the ambient probe into the Signals controller and place the probe into the smoker/grill. From this moment on, the Billows 46CFM variable speed fan will run anywhere from 0 - 100% power based on the readings from the ambient probe and the set target temperature.
Here’s a breakdown of what we liked:
- Price
- Quality
- Powerful fan
- Can be daisy-chained to multiple Billows
Here’s what we didn’t like:
- Must purchase/own Signals
- Among the least accurate (+/-25°F) out of three other pit
controllers we reviewed/tested
- Does not have a lid-detection feature
- Can’t set the low/high temperature for the alarm alert, it is set by
default to +/- 25°F
- The alarm goes off often
Bottom line, any product by ThermoWorks is normally a no-brainer, but that’s not the case here. If you already own the Signals device, then yeah it’s a reasonable add-on. As long as you’re okay with some discrepancy between your target temp and the temp of the pit, you’re only $60 away from owning a pit controller. It gets a bit more complicated when you have to weight in the pros and cons against other thermostatic devices/controllers.
Here’s what I can say on that to help you out. When you look at purchasing Signals + Billows your at about $300. When you look to purchase the equivalent setup from Fireboard or Flame Boss, for example, you’re gonna be close to $450. So with that being said, if you’re looking to get into barbecue and smoking tasty meats, you may want to look at going with Signals + Billows. If you’re an enthusiast of BBQ and 20°F+/- is not acceptable, then it’s likely worth the extra cash to go with something that won’t annoy you (accuracy, alarm) throughout the course of the day.
Click below to see notated graph, rib rub recipe including the Texas Crutch ingredients and our custom 3-1-2 cooking process.
smokingmeatgeeks.com/billows-...
Пікірлер: 28
can you use thermo works for cold smoking salmon
Looks like your probe was over the coals and not the water pan, which I'm sure contributed to the temperature spikes and your ribs not being as tender as expected since they probably cooked a little cooler than you thought
@caseyl9906
3 жыл бұрын
Agreed with you on this. Temperature probe is there to monitor at the cooking level of meat as close to center of mass, not how hot your coals are! I use Smoke and always try and position my temp probe as close to the meat and away from fire. I think that for this test the guy really had too much on his grill. I love my rib rack in my Weber!
What size hole saw did you use?
Looks like you need the inlet damper they selll for that billows blower, snaps into the inlet hole of the fan and it's only like $2.99 or something like that. This 46 cfm blower is overkill for your application but will easily work better if you get the inlet damper for that.
@planetkendrickwoodworking
Жыл бұрын
Right, just buy the plate adapter, no drilling needed 😂😂😂😂😂. For the Webber, The billows may not need an adapter for your top cover.
Why not use a Smoke X2 or X4 instead of the Signals?
Will it work using the snake method?
FYI. Thermoworks did update the software to add a "Lid Open" detection and the alarm volume is configurable. Nice description of the physical challenges for a kettle/drum vs kamado. The extra mass of a kamado helps keep temps consistent. Also, minimizing lid opens will minimize temperature variation. Even if you do get 15-degree swings, that is better than most home ovens (you can check yours with a good probe). Nice job. Thanks!
It would have been nice to know before purchase of Billows that it only works with the the 4 channel Smoke...I have the original 2 channel which is pretty much useless now! Not good Thermoworks!
@justplanefred
3 жыл бұрын
It's supposed to work with the 2 channel Smoke X as well as the 4 Channel Smoke X but not at all with either the 2 or 4 channel Smoke
@davidneuzil9356
3 жыл бұрын
@@justplanefred Fred is correct. There is “Smoke” and then there is Smoke X”. And then there is a Smoke X 2 (2probes) and also a Smoke X 4 ( 4 probes). A bit confusing if your not familiar with the smoke and smoke X series.
Did you even try to use the top vents before permanently altering the Kettle and voiding the warranty?
With a kettle just run a snake method. 225 for as long as you want.
120V OR Battery? Hummmm?
@justplanefred
3 жыл бұрын
It looks like they sell an adapter for AC but if your Handy I'm sure you could rig up some 12v source to power the fan controller in the thermometer and the fan itself
If you drill from the inside out like that you really need to debur that hole, that think would be like a razor blade.
BELLOWS & CONTROLLER $300.00 An it's not even WaterProof !
@photasticimages1
3 жыл бұрын
Why would it need to be? Plan on grilling in a storm? lol Seriously, though, the Billows should be mounted to the cooker (whichever one you're using) with the fan opening and the USB port facing down, to keep any precipitation (i.e., light sprinkle, not a downpour) or particulates (like ash) from getting in.
Part operator error and part equipment and set up error. I use mine on Kamado Joe and it has held temps for 8 hours to +\- 2°. Don't think I would trust this review because I don't think he really knows how to correctly use it with his equipment and setup.
Totally clueless about throwing onions and bacon fat on your ribs. No no no! Apple juice is good enough when you wrap. And, it doesn't seem like you set your billows up properly. The instructions clearly states to close the exhaust to 1\8th and you started at a 1\4th.. It seems to me that billows is going to be best suited with a well contained smoker that already has good air control. The Weber smokey mountain controls temperature 10 times better than a weber kettle without billows. Billows would come in handy on a smokey mountain at the end of a long cook when you're trying to get the most out of your fuel without having to add a lot more. The smokey mountain will not always burn all of your fuel. And, the current version of the billows does have a lid detect
Hard pass at that hole selection
Poor hole selection. You hobbled its ability to control temp well by not giving proper access to the coals.
@photasticimages1
3 жыл бұрын
Agree. I have a concern about the hole location shown in this video, too, for the reason you mention as well as the fact that it seems to be inviting hot ash/coal bits to fall into the plastic fan. No bueno!
Sorry your wrong. a Billows is a Blown from lungs. - This product is a Lie and saling cuse of name. - Its a Computer fan.
BBQ Pits Boys. - This is CRAP. Steven Anderson. Pitmaster