Auber Instruments WiFi BBQ Controller for Weber Smokey Mountain (10 CFM)

I can't connect it where I want to use it at all, it quick flashes and won't connect. I then brought it TO the access point (5-10' away) and it WILL connect and added just fine (but of course I'm not using a smoker inside my house). I then brought it back out to the smoker and again it will not connect and now just shows offline with slow blinking lights. I reset thephysical device along with deleting and trying to re-add the device, and again it won't connect.The access point, a Ubiquiti Networks Unifi 802.11ac Dual-Radio PRO Access Point (UAP-AC-PRO-US) has a relatively clear line of sight going through just a glass sliding door and a wooden deck and it's about 30' from where I'd like to use it. I even tried bringing it up to 8' off the ground just to negate the deck being in the WiFi path and give it a true line of site to the access point... to no avail. The access point is ceiling mounted and the temp controller is located in a perfect spot relative to the access point given the way that access point sends/receives (it's down and slightly to the side).So to sum it up, your device won't work unless I'm literally within about ten feet of it. It's not going through 200' of brick or metal. It can definitely connect using the network settings I am using (this is not the problem, I even disabled 5g (leaving 2.4) and adhere to your SSID and password suggestions). I get -58 dBm signal for the 2.4GHz network from here the device is when on my cell phone. Other devices work just fine from this location and further, including my phone, laptop, and echo devices.It's really a shame because this product and price point otherwise sound ideal, but I can't seem to get it to connect to an enterprise grade access point on a very clear wireless channel with very little interference and a clear line of sight 20'- 30' away while using your exact wireless specifications.I had heard there were WiFi issues, but I figured it was their issue coupled with a device with some strict WiFi requirements and bad customer routers/access-points. I work in tech, and had a networking specialization in school. I have enterprise level access points with a clear line of sight to this device and I STILL can't get it to connect.It's too bad because this otherwise looks like a fantastic device. Whoever made the decision to go with that WiFi chip really did the device a disservice.If you have no intention of using the wireless functionality I'd recommend this, but you're supposed to be able to control this with a phone app and get a ton of data out of it and for that it just doesn't function.

I bought this and found out that it wouldn't work with my router.I have a eero whole house (mesh) router. I tried to get the controller to join my network about 10 times while varying different things. I called up Auber tech support and they told me that my controller can't join a mesh router. No where in the description or on the Auber site did they say anything about this.I got the Auber because it has a lot of customization options and it was the cheapest controller with wifi. I got a Flame Boss 300 to replace it. The difference between the two was night and day. Auber shipped a bunch of pieces in a PO mailer and didn't have any documentation. Auber said to use the documentation on their site. I had to bend the Auber fan adapter to fit my Akorn. Flame Boss had nice packaging with instructions. Their adapter fit well and allowed me to shut the lower vent to put out the flame while it was still in place.

I was a little hesitant to spend this kind of money for a BBQ controller, but I'm glad I did. This thing is amazing. I bought it to use with my Akorn Kamado. The only thing I needed to change was to put some self-stick gasket material on the blower flange for a better seal on the lower vent. After getting it connected to my wifi, my first cook was some pork spare ribs. Once the temp in the smoker stabilized at 225 (a little tricky - you have to play with the top vent a bit) my smoker never varied in temp more than 3-5 degrees plus/minus. My second cook was a pork shoulder and this thing kept the smoker within 3-5 degrees for 10 HOURS on a single load of lump charcoal. If you love smoking/grilling and agree that charcoal give the best flavor, you need one of these. Highly recommended.

Auber makes a great product. The app for phone control is very easy to set up and use.

This works really well to maintain the temperature of your smoker and grill once you learn how to use it. If you expect to cook 4 expensive briskets the first time you plug this in, you might end up a bit disappointed as it does take tweaking and learning of the device. And there are no instructions, you are left to search forums for real answers. Once you learn to use it, it maintains temperature super steady BUT... and this is a huge BUT, the app does not alert you to problems. There are no push notification. Food's done, well the unit itself will beep, but you won't get alerted in the app, you have to open the app and wait for it to load.Read below for some tips on using it with a Chargriller Akorn.My first test burn was a disaster. I was using my known grill opening up top assuming the fan would seal below. The auber let the temp get to hot. I was watching the graph puzzled why it wasn't shutting the fan down when temps were already within 50 degrees.The key for me was keeping the top vent open to about 0.75. The fan jams into the lower vent with a little bit of a twist. It does leak a good amount down there but it doesn't affect temp control. 0.75 keeps the fan on about 20-30 percent . If I open the top vent more it loses control. On 45 briquettes of KBB in snake formation I get about 7 hours of even temp at 300. Perfect for ribs or a chuck roast.It worked fine on my 2.4 gig wifi. The app on Android and iOS both works very well for what it does, but it does not do push notifications.Lastly, think hard if you really actually need this. In retrospect, this was a waste of money for me. My Akorn one loaded and set for a temp keeps it super steady only varying a few degrees. Additionally the Auber forces me to close the top vent almost shut building up too much moisture in the grill which makes for no tasty bark.