Pellet Fan

Pit Talk -- Comments and Questions Regarding These Pellet Pits => recteq => Topic started by: Hoosier Daddy on February 11, 2018, 08:47:03 PM

Title: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Hoosier Daddy on February 11, 2018, 08:47:03 PM: How many of you current RT680 owners are going to purchase the new fancy wifi controler when it comes out? I watched the Facebook videos of how it works and although I do like the new display with the dial temp settings the wifi doesn't really interest me. I have a Thermoworks Smoke when I need to monitor temps but here lately I haven't even bothered using it. I just set the pit to the temp I want and put the meat on. I feel I've gotten "dialed in" to the pit enough to where about an hour before I think the meat should be done I just go check it with my Theremopen.

BUT......at $99 for the limited time upgrade I'm still tempted just to have the latest & greatest.

How about you?

Dan
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on February 11, 2018, 09:46:18 PM: I'm in for $99. I like that it's a dial rather than pushbutton and meat probes will be nice.

Also, the Lo setting is now the minimum feed rate so rather than trying to maintain 180 it could go lower than 180.

I always use a probe with butts or briskets so I have a general idea of when it's getting close to wrapping and then being done. Having it all in one app will be convenient.

One other use for me is smoking at low heat and then increasing to 400+. I do this with wings. I'll smoke for 90 minutes and then turn it up to high heat to crisp the skin. Being able to do that remotely will be nice as my pit is downstairs on the patio.

None of this is absolutely necessary but I'll do it for $99.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on February 12, 2018, 10:40:08 AM: I will def get it for the wifi capabilities. I have a GMG i use 90 % of the time because of the wifi. The rectec cooks more evenly so I cant wait for the wifi controller
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Soldier17 on February 12, 2018, 12:03:31 PM: I'm Also going to be upgrading to the wifi controller. It will be nice to have the ability to monitor and adjust temperatures remotely.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: lamrith on February 12, 2018, 01:09:03 PM: I plan to whenever they hurry up and get them in.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on February 12, 2018, 01:30:59 PM: Quote from: lamrith on February 12, 2018, 01:09:03 PM
I plan to whenever they hurry up and get them in.

I was told end of Spring. Needs to be here asap
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: rfdong on February 13, 2018, 12:19:06 AM: Iâ€™ll definitely do it for $99
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: LowSlowJoe on February 13, 2018, 11:56:42 AM: In case anyone is wondering... the question came up about if you can use the new Rec Tec controller via local WiFi only ( no internet ), so I asked Rec Tec and was told , that you need to have internet connection to remotely use the new controllers.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on February 14, 2018, 04:34:34 PM: I have the 680 and I am also looking forward to the new controller rolling out. For $99, I am in no question.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: melaleuca727 on February 15, 2018, 04:33:10 AM: I'm in also!!

Even if I have to camp out in front of their Augusta warehouse to be first in line. ;D
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: rfdong on April 27, 2018, 02:57:27 AM: Any updates? Iâ€™m not on FB so relying on others.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on April 27, 2018, 06:19:18 AM: They said a few months still. Not sure why itâ€™s delayed.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on April 27, 2018, 07:44:05 AM: Yeah, I was hoping to have it installed and running by now...they need to hurry up and release them already!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on April 27, 2018, 07:52:56 AM: They definitely over promised and under delivered in this case.

Although it sounds like the the probe temps are not accurate so they still have some bugs to work out.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on April 27, 2018, 09:36:19 AM: For the short term I am distracted by that Champion Competition Pro Louisiana at Costco, I really dont need it but really want it for some reason. Hopefully by the time that fascination is over the controllers will be available. :)
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: snj1013 on April 27, 2018, 02:22:31 PM: Quote from: Ross77 on April 27, 2018, 07:52:56 AM
They definitely over promised and under delivered in this case.

Although it sounds like the the probe temps are not accurate so they still have some bugs to work out.

I've seen the same problem with the probe temps. I'll likely still get one, but I hope they work that out. My Thermoworks Smoke is so dependable. I want the Rec Tec Wi-Fi controller and probes to be just a reliable and accurate.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Spartan Smoker on April 28, 2018, 11:54:42 PM: I have the 700 and have used the probes twice now. THey don't seem to work very well. I get readings that are all over the place. not dependable at all. I emailed after the first cook. they were great and offered to send another piece my way. I told him i needed to play with it a bit before i am sure they don't work well. Still in the R&D phase. will use again tomorrow. Ribs.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on April 29, 2018, 12:37:33 AM: On FB they said a firmware update was in the works.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ralphie on April 30, 2018, 10:24:53 AM: Is the problem with the probe in the meat or the probe that is monitoring the cooking temp of the grill? Or both?
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on April 30, 2018, 10:34:07 AM: Quote from: Ralphie on April 30, 2018, 10:24:53 AM
Is the problem with the probe in the meat or the probe that is monitoring the cooking temp of the grill? Or both?

Meat probes are not accurate.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Spartan Smoker on May 01, 2018, 10:06:19 PM: Kind of 0-3. I used one of the meat probes in the smoker right next to the smoker probe. Temps did not align (off by 10 degrees). I wouldn't bother me a whole lot if consistently off. I know you can reset or adjust them. My problem is the temp swung rapidly. Set it at 225 for my 3-2-1 smoke on ribs and it was 190 to 250 without opening the lid. I am also not loving the app.

But - still very early. I am NOT yet concerned. Still experimenting.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: DialTone301 on June 07, 2018, 09:56:16 PM: New controller did not fix mine. They are sending me some new probes.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on June 07, 2018, 10:33:33 PM: I guess troubleshooting and working out the bugs is taking a lot longer than they estimated.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: melaleuca727 on June 23, 2018, 06:32:02 AM: Quote from: Ross77 on June 07, 2018, 10:33:33 PM
I guess troubleshooting and working out the bugs is taking a lot longer than they estimated.

Darn!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on June 23, 2018, 07:47:45 AM: From their facebook feed yesterday...
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on June 23, 2018, 07:49:28 AM: I'll believe it when I see it. They told me 2 months a week ago.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Craig in Indy on June 28, 2018, 10:49:01 AM: Apparently they became available for purchase and shipment earlier this week, and their initial stock sold out immediately. Rather than allow you to go ahead and buy it on back order, they're saying that new batches will be made available for web orders each Wednesday starting at noon Eastern time. So if you're lucky, and you have a fast, reliable ISP (which I don't), you can possibly score one.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on June 28, 2018, 10:51:12 AM: They were released yesterday. They are concerned with being flooded with tech support calls if they released them all at once.

They could just ship in waves but this is what they decided to do.

First world problems....
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on June 28, 2018, 11:05:45 AM: Smart idea to avoid a flood of customer service complaints. I can see 300 sold on Wednesday and 100 tech support calls on Thursday trying to figure out the Wi-Fi part.

They really should put together a basic/general Wi-Fi troubleshooting or how to guide. All they say is follow the app which is not good enough for the less tech savvy of us. I was able to figure it all out, but I knew my way around my router.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: rfdong on July 02, 2018, 10:24:53 AM: So have they gotten the bugs worked out seemingly?
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: LowSlowJoe on July 02, 2018, 11:58:48 AM: Quote from: rfdong on July 02, 2018, 10:24:53 AM
So have they gotten the bugs worked out seemingly?

What bugs?

When initially released, there was no adjustment for the meat probes... and most if not all were reading about 7 to 10F higher then actual temperature ( as measured with some other reliable 3rd party thermomenter ). They apparently have a firmware update that allows the ability to adjust this. I've been told that the controllers that are being sold for 'upgrade' on older grills, do have this new firmware in them.

Other than that, I don't know that there are any significant issues , or bugs that I'm aware of.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 02, 2018, 12:33:20 PM: Nope, I don't know of any issues with the controller. The original board that shipped with my 700 didn't have the calibration feature for the probe ports. The probes were off 4 and 7 degrees based on my best test efforts. Rec Tec sent me the new board with port calibration capabilities and I have the probes zeroed in as best I can tell now using the ice water and boiling water tests and there are no issues at all that I have experienced. I have doubled checked my meats with my Thermapen a few times and the temps agree and are spot on with each other now.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: rfdong on July 02, 2018, 01:53:49 PM: Thanks. I thought they were also having probe issues early on as well. Why would they not have the probe calibration feature on the upgrade units? Seems like they would have to have 2 sets of units around or are the upgrade units all of the â€œoldâ€ stock?
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: LowSlowJoe on July 02, 2018, 02:09:16 PM: Quote from: rfdong on July 02, 2018, 01:53:49 PM
Thanks. I thought they were also having probe issues early on as well. Why would they not have the probe calibration feature on the upgrade units? Seems like they would have to have 2 sets of units around or are the upgrade units all of the â€œoldâ€ stock?

It's my understanding that the units that came in to be sold as 'upgrade' controllers, had to be updated in Georgia, before they are sold. ( part of why they are doing a more controlled release of them ), but any of the new controllers ship out should have the feature on them.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 02, 2018, 02:32:54 PM: All new boards will have the new feature. The upgrade for the 680's will have the new boards. To unbox all old or pending grill stock and swap the boards would not be feasible, understandably. All of the packaging (a lot of it) would have to be redone, plus the labor involved. Much more cost effective to just ship the new boards to those who want them. It's just two screws and a couple of wire connections for the end user to deal with. My old board was fine, I just like to be precise without having to try and remember the offsets for two different probes.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on July 04, 2018, 06:04:20 PM: I got one. I was logged in and hitting refresh at 11:55.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 04, 2018, 08:47:08 PM: That was smart on you Ross. I think RT should go ahead and take the orders and divvy them out in lots on a first come basis. That may cut down on the frustration of their customers trying to order them.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on July 05, 2018, 10:55:14 AM: It was raining here, otherwise I wouldnâ€™t have been sitting in front of my computer at noon on the 4th of July.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 12:17:35 PM: Finally able to get the new wifi controller. Was sold out in 10 seconds.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on July 11, 2018, 12:21:56 PM: Mine is arriving today.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 11, 2018, 12:23:03 PM: Quote from: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 12:17:35 PM
Finally able to get the new wifi controller. Was sold out in 10 seconds.

Congrats! They are really nice. Calibrate those probes (if needed) in a ice bath and enjoy!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 11, 2018, 12:24:31 PM: Quote from: Ross77 on July 11, 2018, 12:21:56 PM
Mine is arriving today.

Congrats...You finally landed one. Enjoy!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 01:06:45 PM: Quote from: Rawhide64 on July 11, 2018, 12:33:47 PM
Hey Wilpark - me too. I feel like I won the lottery. Really looking forward to cranking it up.
Seriously. My heart was pounding at noon

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 01:07:28 PM: I received an email about 10 minutes ago saying that it has shipped already. Very excited. I've been using my Green Mountain Grill with Wi-Fi over the Rec Tec because of the Wi-Fi feature. I love the Wi-Fi

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: grilltreats on July 11, 2018, 01:20:09 PM: Quote from: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 01:07:28 PM
I received an email about 10 minutes ago saying that it has shipped already. Very excited. I've been using my Green Mountain Grill with Wi-Fi over the Rec Tec because of the Wi-Fi feature. I love the Wi-Fi

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I'm with you on the Wi-Fi. I have a chuck roast going on the RT for dinner while I'm playing on the PC and monitoring the cook on my phone. I haven't even gone outside in the past two hours to even look at it. No need, alarms are set and all is well. I even have Wi-Fi on my KJ. I love it.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 01:24:32 PM: Quote from: grilltreats on July 11, 2018, 01:20:09 PM
Quote from: wilpark on July 11, 2018, 01:07:28 PM
I received an email about 10 minutes ago saying that it has shipped already. Very excited. I've been using my Green Mountain Grill with Wi-Fi over the Rec Tec because of the Wi-Fi feature. I love the Wi-Fi

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk

I'm with you on the Wi-Fi. I have a chuck roast going on the RT for dinner while I'm playing on the PC and monitoring the cook on my phone. I haven't even gone outside in the past two hours to even look at it. No need, alarms are set and all is well. I even have Wi-Fi on my KJ. I love it.
It's one of those things that you never thought you needed but now that you have it you can't live without

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on July 11, 2018, 05:11:46 PM: Darn, I keep forgetting the Weds at noon ordering program. Now going on vacation so it will be a few more weeks until I can try to get one ordered.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on July 11, 2018, 05:55:05 PM: GAH....I keep forgetting to log in an try for it. Work keeps getting in my way...
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on July 11, 2018, 06:33:52 PM: Hate that four letter "W" word.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on July 11, 2018, 07:13:27 PM: Got mine but the probes are missing. I assume they are supposed to be included.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on July 11, 2018, 07:59:51 PM: Ouch! Sorry to hear that, man.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: leppolite on July 12, 2018, 07:28:17 AM: I plan to do that each Wednesday...as soon as I realize I forgot to go try, then I get busy and forget to set the alarm. You motivated me though, I just set the alarm on my phone. Hoping to at least be online and trying next week!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on July 12, 2018, 09:39:15 AM: I sat at my computer with the windows clock on the desktop. At 11:59:58 I hit ctrl+r to refesh my webpage. It takes about 3 secs for my webpage to refresh and clicked add to cart.

Id like to thank Verizon Fios giga speed internet service for the win.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ross77 on July 12, 2018, 08:58:37 PM: They are shipping the probes out tomorrow.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on August 03, 2018, 12:11:58 PM: Just checked to see how the manufacturer is progressing on these. pre orders to be filled by October

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on August 03, 2018, 01:21:57 PM: Yes, I ordered mine the other day for an October shipping date.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: wilpark on August 03, 2018, 04:15:28 PM: Quote from: cookingjnj on August 03, 2018, 01:21:57 PM
Yes, I ordered mine the other day for an October shipping date.
wow. maybe they didnt realize how many wanted this upgrade. for $99.99 is a worthy one at that.

Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: pberry3452 on August 05, 2018, 10:54:21 PM: I purchased one of these last month but I used it to upgrade my Traeger.

You can read about it in the Traeger topic under Pit Talk or just click on the link: https://pelletfan.com/index.php?topic=2957.0 (https://pelletfan.com/index.php?topic=2957.0)
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: bucky919 on August 06, 2018, 09:17:34 AM: Quote from: pberry3452 on August 05, 2018, 10:54:21 PM

I purchased one of these last month but I used it to upgrade my Traeger.

You can read about it in the Traeger topic under Pit Talk or just click on the link: https://pelletfan.com/index.php?topic=2957.0 (https://pelletfan.com/index.php?topic=2957.0)

I ordered one to upgrade my firecraft also, but sadly my ship date is September.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: okie smokie on September 17, 2018, 12:25:09 PM: Quote from: LowSlowJoe on February 13, 2018, 11:56:42 AM
In case anyone is wondering... the question came up about if you can use the new Rec Tec controller via local WiFi only ( no internet ), so I asked Rec Tec and was told , that you need to have internet connection to remotely use the new controllers.
But still have to have wifi in the home and good signal to the smoker area. Poor signal and your out of business. Can get a signal booster to solve that!
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on October 16, 2018, 12:50:35 AM: Just received my new upgraded controller today. I was expecting more of a delivery near the end of the month so this was a good surprise. I am home tomorrow, but too much work, and traveling on the road for two weeks. Will be biting at the bit to get it installed and set up. Anyone have any updates on likes, dislikes, install issues? The instruction manual still does not give good instructions on how to install. I wil use sugesstions from Ross77 and others who have gone before me. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: Ralphie on October 16, 2018, 09:43:10 AM: My new controller is still sitting in the box. Just haven't gotten to it yet. But when I ordered it, the Rec Tec rep told me I could call back and he would walk me through the installation steps. He also said they have official installation instructional videos on youtube. I watched the one I need and it looks very simple to follow.
Title: Re: The New Wifi Controler
Post by: cookingjnj on October 16, 2018, 02:28:16 PM: Thanks Ralphie, I will go over to YouTube and check it out.