The BBQ Guru's first attempt to add "connectivity" to a barbecue temperature controller was the CyberQ II which featured a USB connection. While internet connectivity and even wireless connectivity was possible, we have to admit it was challenging to get it working in a truly useful way. Well now The BBQ Guru has come out with a truly wireless controller that connects to the internet. so how does the CyberQ Wifi controller work, both as a controller and as a wireless device?

Features

Here are the features listed in the CyberQ Wifi's Users Guide

• Built-in Wifi Web Server allows remote access from your mobile device or PC
• 2.4 GHz, IEEE Std. 802.11b™, Wi-Fi® certified (WFA ID: WFA7150)
• 16 Character by two line backlit LCD display
• Email Alert Capability
• Rugged, armored high-temperature pit and food (meat) probes
• Controls your pit and monitors up to 3 food (meat) temperatures
• All new full-time adaptive control algorithm learns your pit to control better stability / accuracy
• Open lid detect senses when the pit’s lid is open to minimize the temperature disturbance and recover quickly to the setpoint, can be turned on /off (default is ON)
• Exclusive low and slow ramp down feature (cook and hold) ramps your pit down on rising food (meat) temperatures, so your food (meat) never overcooks
• Scrolling display shows all of your temps, time, and status
• Audible alarm sounds on food (meat) done (default is ON)
• Adjustable deviation alarm sounds when your pits temp goes either too high or low
• Real time blower status indication and output % helps you to measure fuel use
• Display in degrees F or C
• User adjustable # of beeps setting
• 32 to 475 deg F range with +/- 2 deg F accuracy
• Runs on 100-240VAC (for worldwide use) or 12VDC for automotive supply use

• A five-key keypad for entry of data and settings.
• Adjustable backlight and contrast on the display.
• Blower duty cycle percentage viewable on main screen.
• Adjustable duty cycle length.
• Adjustable proportional band to determine when the blower will be full on.
• Optional alarm for temperature deviations
• A 4, 10 or 25 CFM blower with adjustable damper that controls airflow.
• Adapters to allow you to attach the CyberQ Wifi to different brands and models of cookers.
• Mounting bracket
• Built-in wireless hardware and web server lets you upgrade the software from your PC as well as set up and control the CyberQ Wifi anywhere you have Internet access.
• Automatic scrolling display of all the temperature probes for easy monitoring.
• Built-in timer with the ability to set one of several actions to be taken when the timer expires.
• User calibratable.

The Basic System

Here's what comes in the basic system:

• The CyberQ Wifi system unit
• Pit temperature sensor
• Three food temperature probes
• Power supply
• Mounting bracket
• Operator's manual

The System Unit

The system unit is a small box about 3¼ x 6¾ x 1 inches in size, and weighs about 6 ounces. Here are some photos of it:

In the third photo above, you can see the bottom edge of the system unit where you will find all the connections. From left to right, we see the pit probe socket, three food probe sockets, the blower connector and finally the power connector. As you can see on the front photo of the system unit, these connectors are all labeled on the front of the unit.

Let's look at the display and buttons:

First the display. It is a 16 character by 2 line backlit LCD display that is easy to read and a pleasant blue color. You can adjust the backlight and contrast settings to make it more easily visible in various lighting conditions.

There are five soft rubber buttons for controlling the unit. The up and down arrow buttons are used for scrolling up and down in menus or increasing and descreasing values such as a temperature. They are also used (when pressed together) to enter and exit the setup menu. The left and right arrow buttons are used to select digits when specifying values and for moving between menus. The center round button is used like an enter key to select things, save things and it is also the power button when pressed and held.

Some other functions performed with the buttons are pressing the Enter and Up or Down keys together to adjust the screen backlight, and pressing Enter and Left or Right together to adjust the display contrast. And finally, if you press all four arrow buttons together and hold for five seconds, you will reset the CyberQ Wifi to the default factory settings.

When you press a button you get a confirmation chirp, but this can be turned off if you like.

One final feature of the buttons is that they are illuminated. If you are not connected to the unit via Wifi, the buttons light up constantly. If you do connect via Wifi, they flash as an indicator of data transmission and receipt.

The Stand

The CyberQ Wifi, like most controllers from The BBQ Guru comes with a flexible mounting stand. The two studs on the back of the system unit fit into the angled slots: