The FireBoard 2 Drive Demo & Review
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- Опубликовано: 24 июл 2024
- *** UPDATE *** 8/19/2020 ****
This product is advertised as weather resistant. After following this product extensively in Facebook forums, I am ready to say that I would not call it weather resistant. There are too many failures of this unit from rain. I know the definition of weather resistant does not mean waterproof, but I believe advertising a product like this as being weather resistant should indicate that it can survive a typical rain or even extended use in light rain. I am still perfectly happy with mine because I don't operate it in the rain.
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I bought the FireBoard Labs FireBoard 2 Drive control system back at the end of June. I have been playing around with nearly every day for the last three weeks. I have been letting it run my grill for almost every cook I do. I have been super impressed with the results.
I bought mine from Atlanta Grill Company:
atlantagrillcompany.com/colle...
I bought the FireBoard Drive 2 and the The FireBoard Drive 20CFM Fan.
First of all, here is a link to the cooking data I mentioned in this video:
share.fireboard.io/87C19B
You can see all of the data and how it is displayed through a 'share' in this link. This is not quite as detailed as you can see it from your own smart phone or PC control point during the cook, but I included some screenshots at the end of the video that will help see a little more of that.
I'm not going to list pros and cons of this unit because I like almost everything I see about it so far. The ONLY thing I don't like is that with this nice large LCD screen on the FireBoard, it needs to be mounted in a stand where you can see that screen from wherever you are standing. That stand should have a swivel mount on it where you can adjust it for viewing from any angle.
In the video I also mentioned the "Drive Programs" that I didn't actually discuss in the video. This was an after thought for me because it's a function I would not likely use myself. But it IS worthy of discussion because it can be a great tool. This controller offers you the ability to make a program that gets executed step by step based on either time or temperature events during your cook. For example, I might want to start out a cook at a lower temperature and then ramp things up after a certain amount of time. With the programs function, I can monitor my meat temperature OR the amount of time the grill has been running and trigger a temperature change based on those values. You can have multiple events triggering changes at multiple stages of the cook. Maybe I want to have my grill temperature ramp down after my meat reaches a certain temperature to hold the food for a later service. That is certainly an option with this system.
This product definitely makes the Man Cave Meals Really Right Stuff list...
#FireBoard #AtlantaGrillCompany #MCMReallyRightStuff 
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"One of the first things I like to do to determine how easy it is to set up is to just set it up." Hum... Never thought of that. That's why I love watching RUclips -- you always learn something new. Thanks.
John, that was an excellent tutorial on the FireBoard 2. I just purchased one and this video was good timing for me. This is a very robust app that gives a great diary of each cook. That was helpful for me to get started!
Great review thank you !! I just received mine in the mail today and your review was very helpful thanks again .
MOST EXCELLENT review I've EVAR seen...no-less, it's about MY recent purchase of my FireBoard 2 PRO! - Bring-on the PERFECTION!!
I am using the pro now also.. i like the more durable probes
This was an amazing video and I must say a driving reason behind me just purchasing the fireball too thank you so much for such an in-depth review
Great review, just purchase this setup yesterday for ATL Grill to replace my first FireBoard. Looking forward to using it.
Excellent review. Sold me on updating my old GigiQ for my just ordered Lone Star Grillz vertical offset pit.
Just received my Fireboard 2, fan, and KJ Classic 2. Can't wait to play with it!!
Great review! Thank you. I just ordered a Fireboard2 Drive with the fan. Looking. Forward to using it.
Very good comprehensive look at this device mate 👌 Just bought one. Can't wait to throw it in the Joe!
Well done John. Great tutorial for the Fireboard!
THANKS for the great video!!! I can't wait to fire up my Fireboard 2! just got it. I am looking forward to not having to stay up all night babysitting my smoker! ;)
I have a Weber Smokey Mountain, and I ordered the attachment accessory. Thanks for your review, it gave me confidence in my purchase!
This thing should work extremely well on the WSM. I don't have a WSM any more but it's the smoker I learned on. I think you are going to love the set and forget ability this will give you on that smoker.
@@ManCaveMeals I am so excited for it! Going to start with something with less time like a ham and ribs. Then, I want to do some smoker pork!
The speaker control is actually for the Fan drive cable (that was required in the original version). The Drive version of Fireboard 2 does not require that fan drive cable.
Very nice review. Thanks! I'll be using mine on a 30 inch vertical offset smoker
Hi from New Zealand. What a great review. Well done John. Just love that accent!!
Excellent review. I am considering purchasing one.
You won't be disappointed.. i have since bought the PRO model and I love the added durability of the K-couple probes...
Hi John did you keep your baffle fully opened when keeping at 225 or did you decrease it on the blower? Thank you for the walkthrough!
Just received mine. Thanks for the tutorial. Can't wait to try it.
Very detailed info on this unit.
Great informative video. Thank you!
hello i got the fireboard2 love it Awesome
Can the set point be typed in? Im reading online documentation at it describes it as presets from 185 to 350, which seems rediculius.
A selling feature for me is the ability to manually adjust the fan. My kamado will require permanent modifications to make this work. So, I will need to be able to use the system to bring it to higher temps than the probe can handle (and remove it from the grill) for things like searing steaks.
How do you determine the setting of your top vent when you use a fan? Or does it not matter because the fan will adjust regardless of top vent opening?
You need to set the top vent appropriately. The fan being installed on the bottom of the grill is like having your bottom vent open a good bit. Air can come through that fan even if the fan is not running. How much air will come through when the fan is not running is determined by how much draft can be created within the grill. THAT is determined by the size of the opening on the top vent. If the top vent is open too much, your grill will end up hotter than you want it even with the controller running. If you don't have it open far enough, it won't get to your desired temperature.
@@ManCaveMeals just wondering if you were aware that some fans have internal dampers that close when they are not running to cut off the air? i had one 3d printed that can be added to any external fan by a guy you can look him up on facebook, his name is Mario and it's EZ BBQ Solutions.
John...just got one of these. The grate probe temp and dome temp are quite different. Like 50-60 degrees. I've always cooked by dome temp thermometer. I guess i just set the Pit temp probe alot higher? Not used to this.
Yea.. they are not gonna read the.same. I am now using the fireboard 2 pro. The ambient probe on it has an allogator.clip so I can just clip it to the stem of the dome thermometer. In your case I would adjust the fireboard to make the dome.temp read what you want it to read
Would the 20cfm fan be enough fan for say an average size offset smoker? Maybe OK Joe style size?
It might. you might wanna check in the Fireboard users group on facebook to get an educated answer on that question.
Great review. Curious if this is better than Kamado joes iKamand. In my option the iKamand needs more work and is inconsistent + drops connection a lot whereas all my other WiFi gadgets don’t.
This is better than the ikamand in about every aspect
Can you set your temperature to any arbitrary value? Looking at the documentation it appears that there are pre-loaded setpoints. It's unclear if you can just set a temperature though.
You can set it wherever you want it.
Why design a variable fan with a baffle? How does the fan handle ambient heat from a firebox? I have a good old but now defunct Stoker and it had a neck that projected off the firebox to isolate the fan motor from heat.
I was told because there could be drafts and it is a way to help control it a little better. Less "touchy" for the system to handle.
Also for Kamado style grills it is a way to smother the fire.
Can you change and monitor your pit temp using the app whem you are away from home? Say you have to make a beer run...
yes
Does the FireBoard need access to the internet to work? I find that if the connection is poor (or the servers are overloaded) on the iKamand, I spend more time getting the thing running than tending the cook.
It does but I THINK you can connect to it via bluetooth with your phone and control it that way. I have not spent any time experimenting with that though. I have had no issues with connectivity via wifi, but I do have a solid wifi signal in my outdoor cooking area.
I got this right after Christmas and just used it for the first time. Awesome so far. What I'm trying to figure out is whether you can set a target based on holding meat at a specified internal temp for a certain time period. For example, letting a brisket rest by setting it to hold the brisket at 150 degrees for several hours. Do you know if this is possible?
I dont think so but i have not explored that idea.
Set the fan to 150 and eventually the brisket will cool to that temperature
@@Anteater23 That largely depends on what smoker you are using. That would never work out in a Kamado. You would overcook the brisket in the time it would take the grill to cool to 150. It would also likely require a vent setting change to keep the grill's natural draft from keeping the temp from dropping to 150. IF you could cool the grill quickly to 150 and hold it there, it might be a viable solution.
So there is only a fire board and a blower needed to smoke with? Is there a cable that connects the board with the blower?
The Drive model doesn't need the cable for the blower
Hi John, After viewing your video and others I purchased a FireBoard 2 Drive from Atlanta Grill Company as well. FireBoard ran a promo offering 2 free competition meat probes with the purchase and AGC honored the promo. I love the unit and the app is nothing short of fantastic but my only issue is there are no adapters available to use the drive fan (which I have not purchased yet) on my Weber kettle or WSM. All the adapter plates are geared towards other smokers/grills. I also have a ThermoWorks Signals with the Billows fan that attaches to my WSM via one of the lower vents. I need to find a way to use the fan on my cookers before purchasing the FireBoard branded fan as I like the FireBoard unit and app better than the Signals. Thanks for the video, you go over the unit very well. I take it you live in the Atlanta area?
Don't buy the fireboard fan. You should be able to use the billows fan on the fireboard controller
@@ManCaveMeals I'd like to being I already have a Billows but the connector plugs are different!
I dunno then. Th e re are a lot of third party fans like flame boss and bbq guru that will connect to the fireboard
@@ManCaveMeals The blowers sold by BBQ Guru will work with the FireBoard. Too bad I won't be able to use what I already have but that's life! Thanks for your suggestions though. Enjoy your videos, very informative, i've learned quite a bit from them.
Hi John, do you have an opinion on the FIreboard 2 Drive or Fireboard 2 Pro? Please advise.
Jonathan, I prefer the 2 pro. I like the added durability and temp range on the k-couple probes. It only has 3 probe ports though. I never find myself needing more than one or two probes, no matter what I'm doing.
@@ManCaveMeals thank you kindly.
John - if you could have one over the other, would you prefer JoeTisserie or the SloRoller?
I dunno what I'd do there because they aren't similar. I would probably save my money and determine which one of those things woudl offer me the most benefit and then buy it.
@@ManCaveMeals I'm unsure if I'd use the JoeTisserie enough to warrant investing. The SloRoller I would purchase if thought it would be used a lot.
I may have missed it, but can you change the pit temp setting from the unit itself or do you have to use the app?
There is some way to do it but it's undocumented. I haven't bothered to figure it out yet. Whatever it is, it's not very intuitive.
@@ManCaveMeals that is one thing that is very important to me...Sure it is easy to adjust from the app, however you never know when your phone/tablet will crap the bed. Maybe you take it out camping where your phone decides to take a plunge in the lake or river after a morning or afternoon of kayaking/cannoning before you decide to cook? That is one thing I really like about any of the Guru's they can easily work independent of the apps.
@@mike333h If you are dependent on one of these to get your cooking done, then this would not be the one for you.
@@mike333h I’m debating between the guru digiQ DX3 for the onboard settings but then again it doesn’t have an integrated power supply nor is it capable of remote changes. Also looked at the UltraQ but the Fireboard2 looks like the winner due to the better app, capacity of probes, and integrated rechargeable power. Might copy @Hank’sTrueBBQ’s setup with the Fireboard2Drive and PitViper.
But USB power banks exist and outlets at camp or your car providing power aren't uncommon either these days.
John I just got my firebird driveI I have no idea how to set temp of the grill then set temp for the meat to be done.can u do a video to help me out please
You are gonna love the fireboard. Unfortunately I just don't have time to make instructional videos on how to operate specific equipment.
this video i made several years ago might offer you some help - ruclips.net/video/E49MsOCRkw4/видео.htmlsi=IyOxSrwL1ycQlxE8
How do you find it affects charcoal consumption? Does the cook burn less charcoal because the temperature’s better regulated?
I honestly don't worry about something that I can't objectively measure.. at best you might be talking a dollar difference one way or another? I just can't dwell on detail like that.
@@ManCaveMeals not about saving money but amount of time that i can run my cook without running out of fuel. I ended up buying the fireboard and find that my fuel consumption is much more efficient than before. my box retains quite a bit of usable charcoal.
Is the difference between the Fire board 2 and the Fire board 2 drive, the ability to control the fan?
Yes. The Fireboard 2 can control a fan as well but it requires the addition of the Drive Cable. The Fireboard 2 Drive does not need that cable.
@@ManCaveMeals that doesn't sound like a big deal... so i'd be running a cable from the fire board 2, to the fan? not from the fan to the wall? thanks for the response!!
@@christopherrivera8183 correct
What are you setting your control tower at using this system?
It takes a lottle practice. You need it closed enough so the temp doesnt creep up above your set point and not come back down
What version of the v2 is this
It's the FirezBiard 2 Drive
Waiting on the Fireboard 2 pro. Industry standard k-type thermocouplers, IP waterproofing..... Too bad there is no ETA or price yet.
Don't hold your breath on 'waterproofing.' The website says 'weathe resistant case'. It says the same thing about the Fireboard 2 drive. If it had better than simple splash resistance I'd be interested in it. I could care less about the probes. I have no use for those but I would like it to be rain proof. The current models are NOT.
@@ManCaveMeals k type interest me in case they go belly up.
Many of us got burned when Rocks BBQ went under and we couldn't get Stoker parts anymore.
Agreed making this thing at least IP67 should have been a priority
does the fireboard work on the joe jr ?
No
Are you jorn setzler?
One more for you John - do you find the blower to be useful?
Yes.. Without it I would have no interest in this device.
@@ManCaveMeals John - I'm doing a cook with Baby Back ribs today and can't get temp. stable. I've got set point and target at 250 deg., however it's remains around 280 deg. This is throwing me for a loop as this happened with another cook. Top vent within the 1st line. I've configured the ambient thermometer in the dome along side the KJ thermometer They are both reading accurate - just can't get temp to where I want and assume Fireboard 2 Drive would do. Thoughts?
@@coffeegeek54 close your top vent a bit more
@@ManCaveMeals I did - it's nearly closed. I have blower set like you have - with baffle fully open (pushed all the way down). FYI I'm not using food probes, just ambient probe in dome. After 2 hrs. temp stable - so far so good. Ribs turned out pretty darn good, just need to dial in temp better. I felt operator error on my part and not blaming Fireboard 2 Drive which I'm just learning.
Would you prefer this over BBQ guru UltraQ?
I have no experience with the BBQ Guru. I do love this one though.
@@ManCaveMeals cool thanks for the video, I might pick one up for Father's day!!
Do you like this one better then the ikamand
yes
I haven’t paid too much attention to these as I assumed they needed ac power to run the fan. If the fan runs off of the battery from the control unit, sign me up!
It does.. and you can power the unit itself with its internal lithium ion batter and/or an connected USB battery. No need for AC
Man Cave Meals Wonderful! Off topic, are there any specific bbq apps you recommend? BBQ NC is one of my favorite non-utilitarian apps.
@@BrianMiller1973 I'm not sure I know what a "BBQ APP" is... Is it some sort of app to tell you where BBQ restaurants are?
Man Cave Meals Just general cooking and grilling apps. Malcolm Reed has his, etc.
Should to fan & pit probe be set at the same temperature
I don't understand the question...
@@ManCaveMeals If I set my fan temp to 275 should I also set the ambient probe also it 275 on the fireboard
@@johnnyaguilarjr.9920 You only set the target temperature for your grill in one place on these things. You don't set it in two different places.
Do you need to be hooked up to the internet for it to work??
No. You can connect to this device via bluetooth from your phone with the Fireboard app.
@Man Cave Meals thank you 🍻🍻🍻
Hi John ... You said that you were going to set your max fan speed to 30% ... have you stayed at that setting for a Big Joe or have you adjusted?
Thanks for your review.
I keep it at 20% mostly. I don't have a big joe, but I would probably set mine for 30 or 40 on a big joe depending on how it behaved.
I purchased a FireBoard 2 Drive from FireBoard. The 1st one I received was defective with dirt between the case and screen. Then instead of the new one I was told would be sent, I received a used one with old firmware and two different serial numbers. The serial # in the firmware didn’t match the one on the unit. It would not pair on Bluetooth. This company is not on the up and up.
That sounds odd. Yours is the first complaint I have seen about fireboards customer service.
@@ManCaveMeals Lucky me. I would be happy to send you pictures of the defects.
This issue was fully resolved after an email to Ted Conrad. I now have a new, fully functioning unit. They made it right.
John - do you prefer the Fireboad 2 Drive & blower or iKamand?
I prefer the fireboard.
@@ManCaveMeals thank you! Really enjoy watching your videos as they are easy to watch & understand along with great trips and links.
@@ManCaveMeals John - I used my FireBoard 2 Drive for first time just with a pan of veggies last night putting ambient probe in middle of rack and right of aluminum pan. Didn't use blower, just wanted to use it while grill was fired up. The ambient probe indicated more than 75 deg. higher than dome thermometer. I assume they should be relatively close in readings. Thoughts? I'll play around with blower in next few days.
@@coffeegeek54 It's all about where you position the ambient probe. I clip mine to the stem of the dome thermometer using a slip-on alligator clip I got in a package of clips at Harbor Freight. Placing an ambient probe on the grill grate is going to be inconsistent from cook to cook depending on where its located and how much food you have on the grill.
@@ManCaveMeals I've seen that done and wondered if that would solve issue...makes sense! I came across a page where you show slip-on alligator clip. Thank you John. Searching your pages for St. Louis Style ribs....
John, WTH? you no longer doing Kamado Joe cooking Channel? You are sadly missed....
I am still doing it but not on that channel. I am doing it for Atlanta Grill Company now via their facebook and youtube channnels
@@ManCaveMeals Whew! Don't scare me like that! Jumped over and subscribed.
I’m really surprised it doesn’t come with a carrying case. That’s almost a deal breaker. Plus it doesn’t seem to be compatible with a Joe Jr. That is a deal breaker.
Inhave never considered the need for a carrying case for something like this. None of my various control systems have carrying cases. I dont bother cooking on a jr somi cant help you there either. If a jr is your primary grill imwould recommend a flameboss 400 oif they still make that. But it doesnt have a carrying case...
Looks like your fan is barely doing anything, probably oversized for that application. Seems like you would get better control from closing down on the fan damper to me.
kamado grills require very little airflow.. i usually keep the fireboard set to run the fan no more than 20% of it's max capacity
@@ManCaveMeals Ok, which is basically the same thing as closing the damper, but with a damper being closed down you get the full control resolution of the fan speed. On your trend your fan is off for a very long time like it's not actually controlling.
Also, very good overview and walkthrough of the app and features!
@@SNeal5966 I don't see where it makes a difference. As long as the temp is stable everything is fine. It just boils down to understanding what works on your smoker.