PID controller for Large Smoker, Dual Probes 240V 7000W

Update: A new control panel, SMK104-AW, with WiFi connectivity and 3-probe input capability is now available!  

The SMK103 is a 30A/240V dual-probe smoker control panel. This system is designed to handle up to two 3000W/240V elements, or one 5000W/240V element. Other than the heater output, this system comes with two 120V outlets to control your accessories during any steps, such as a smoke generator or a shower. Both 120V outputs can be controlled by the controller module automatically or by users directly. This panel has two temperature probes: one for maintaining smoker cabinet temperature and the other for monitoring food temperature.

This built-in controller module (SMD-200) uses a PID algorithm to automatically adjust power to the heater to compensate for disturbances from sunlight and wind. It can hold the smoking temperature within one degree of the set temperature. The temperature setting is programmable up to 6 steps. The first temperature probe is used to control the temperature of the smoker cabinet. The second pointed probe can be inserted into the food to monitor internal temperature. The ending criteria of each step can be determined by either preset time, or preset internal food temperature.  For cooking small-sized foods or smoking the surface of the food, users can use the preset time as a reference point to finish the step. Using the internal temperature as the reference point is important for cooking large-sized food because it is difficult to know how much time is needed. For example: You can program the temperature to start at 120F for 1.5 hours of smoking, rise to 132F for 2.5 hours, and finish at 190F until the internal temperature reaches 170F. Then, the controller can either turn on a buzzer to let you know the food is ready, or drop the temperature to a lower set point to keep the food warm until you are ready to serve it. This will save you time waiting by the smoker to change the settings manually when each step is finished. The program function can also be turned off so that users can use it as a single set point controller for simple operation. The controller has the ability to store up to 8 temperature profiles for different recipes, so you can save your favorite for next cooking. 
 
The controller also has two synchronized AC outputs that can be used to turn on and off the smoker generator and water chiller with the program step(s). Each one can be synchronized with one programming step.  For example, users can turn on a smoker generator at step 1 of the cooking. Then, they can let the other output control a water chiller to cool the food at the last step of the cooking.

Bottom View

This control panel has two sensor input connectors, one 1/2" knockout for the element, and two 5-15R 120VAC power output sockets for the smoker generator and/or water chiller. It requires a 4-conductor power input cord (L1, L2, Neutral, and Ground). The input power cord needs to be hardwired to the internal terminals. One main switch is provided to turn the whole system ON/OFF.
 
This control panel accepts two probes:

Probe 1 measures the temperature in the smoker cabinet. You can choose from one of the following probes with different mounting methods: (1) a free-hanging probe (WS-SENSOR10B), which can be fed through the venting hole on the smoker, or (2) a wall-mount probe (WS-SENSOR11B), which has a pair of Nylon screw and nut so the probe can be tightened to the wall of a smoker. Both are available in a 6 ft cable or a 12 ft cable.   

Probe 2 should measure the food temperature, so the food probe, WS-SENSOR12 B, has a pointed tip for easy insertion. It is available in a 6 ft cable or a 12 ft cable. 

Specification:

Warranty: One (1) year limited warranty. See here for details.