One more update.

I bought the cheap controller and it appears it's not programmable.

On the default settings the last few days it's been working fine.
With the cooler weather, it takes a bit to get up to temperature, but I had it at 400 degrees the other day and things seem to be fine.

Sure beats spending $900 on another grill for now.
Hopefully this will last me for a few years again.

MN-Smoker,

If you have time, it would be informative to know if the aftermarket controller will allow you to go down to 180* and how high it will go.

MN-Smoker,

If you have time, it would be informative to know if the aftermarket controller will allow you to go down to 180* and how high it will go.

I'll check it out.
I had it down to 200 for keeping the turkey warm for a bit on Thanksgiving, and I've had it up to 400.

I just checked to see how high I can set it, 180 is the low mark on the readout. High mark is 600.  I have not tested either of these temps. (and a little hesitant to try to get 600 degrees out of that thing).

I wouldn't want to go past 450 or 500 myself.
I would be afraid of warpage.

The buttons on my control panel are beginning to fail.  I have to "roll" my finger across the power button to get a connection.  If I unplug the unit, I get an odd code (01 01) when I plug it back in.  It then clears itself and I can start the unit, but it defaults to a temp setting of 450.

Been a great smoker up to now, but I'd replace it before I would start trying to find a controller, etc.

serial # 00070 so if it dies I feel I've gotten my money's worth.

The buttons on my control panel are beginning to fail.  I have to "roll" my finger across the power button to get a connection.  If I unplug the unit, I get an odd code (01 01) when I plug it back in.  It then clears itself and I can start the unit, but it defaults to a temp setting of 450.

Been a great smoker up to now, but I'd replace it before I would start trying to find a controller, etc.

serial # 00070 so if it dies I feel I've gotten my money's worth.

Yeh, it's definitely a big question of whether to throw good money after bad.

The condition of mine is still sound and I purchased in 2017, so I didn't have the heart to toss it without trying.
I replaced the igniter last year which gave me some familiarity with it to do some DIY work on it.

So far my gamble is paying off, but messing with electrical components and throwing money at it with no company left standing to support your efforts is risky.
Far easier decision to move on if you have something else in mind to go to as well.

I've wondered if a GMG Daniel Boone controller would work. They're great for parts. Cheap and they'll sell darn near anything.