Billows Kit includes fan, fan plug, fan port adapter, USB-C to USB-C cable, 12V power supply and cable, and flue tape. ThermoWorks compatible controller sold separately (required).
Controller Compatibility: Works with any ThermoWorks controller
Control your cook more efficiently with Billows and RFX GATEWAY, ThermaQ 2, SmokeX, or Signals.
Made to Fit Most Smokers
Easy to fit into any smoker’s BBQ fan opening.
(Optional mounting kits are available.)
Cook perfect, succulent BBQ meats over the course of many hours without having to worry about flareups, burn-outs, vent adjustments, or tending the coals. Confidently control your BBQ with ThermoWorks quality precision.
Billows now comes with Open Lid Detection, Billows returns the smoker to your set temp much quicker.
- Maintains constant temperature control (±10°F/6°C typical) over entire cook
- Fastest initial speed-to-temperature
- Lowest overshoot, stabilizes faster
- Control stability exceeds other units
- One integrated system to monitor and control smoker and meat temps
- Cool-touch industrial-molded weatherproof composite
- Uses replaceable USB-C connector cables
- True charcoal flavor without the hassle of fire tending
- Engineered in Utah by ThermoWorks
When connected to a ThermoWorks compatible controller (required), the Billows fan quickly gets your smoker up to the target cooking temperature and keeps it there. The powerful fan maintains precise temperature control, whether you’re cooking in a stick-burner, ceramic, barrel, or drum cooker. An optional expansion connection kit is available to pair two Billows with the same controller for large smokers or cookers, but you’re not likely to need it, as powerful as Billows is. Up your game today with Billows.
Optional Billows Mounting Kits (sold separately) may be used to attach Billows to certain types of smokers. See the Question and Answers section for more details.
Download Billows Operating Instructions
With the setup shown I get about 2.5 hours @ 225 F with < +/- 10 F. Adequate but:
I would really like to see a little more finesse in the control algorithm to minimize those excessive over/under shoot temperature excursions.
Full PID is overkill and confusing for the user.
The Proportional term can be controlled by adjusting the airflow restrictor on the Bellows air inlet.
Implementing D (Rate) control to damp the excursions could bee done quite easily by using a Finite State Machine to check if the measured temperature is approaching the setpoint and how fast the temperature is changing.
i.e. - Temp Turn off fan early.
- Temp > Set | Temp falling too fast => Turn on fan early.
My case is extreme, Small thermal mass to help damp out overcontrol, need smarter control algorithm help!!!
Crp
Yes, it will. Once Billows has been attached, we recommend closing off any intake vents (you can use the high temperature flue tape to do this) and almost closing the exhaust vent. Also, make sure you are not building the fire right next to the spot where Billows is attached.
Yes, We have a mounting plate kit that will work for your Pit Barrel Cooker. While it is named Kamado Mounting Plates for Billows, you can use it with your Pit Barrel as one of the plates has a notch that you will use while attaching it to your smoker.
You can find the Mounting Plates here:
https://www.thermoworks.com/TX-1607X-M1
Here is a photo of Billows attached to a Pit Barrel Cooker using a Kamado Mounting Plate.
https://help.thermoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/09/Billlows-Mounting-Plate-On-Pit-Barrel-Cooker.jpg
You may purchase the Kamado Mounting Plates for Billows here: https://www.thermoworks.com/TX-1607X-M1 The plate sizes are: Large Plate: 3.54 H x 3.01 W x 0.01 D inches (90 H x 76.5 W x 0.5 D mm) Small Plate: 3.11 H x 2.75 W x 0.01 D inches (79 H x 70 W x 0.5 D mm)
Yes, it will. Once Billows has been attached, we recommend closing off any intake vents (you can use the high temperature flue tape to do this) and almost closing the exhaust vent. Also, make sure you are not building the fire right next to the spot where Billows is attached.
Here's what you need to know:
1. You are able to track your cooks of Smoke+Smoke Gateway in the ThermoWorks BBQ app. There is one-way communication between the app and Smoke, meaning that the app receives temperature information from Smoke through Smoke Gateway, but the app cannot control or change any settings on Smoke's hardware. Smoke's hardware does not have the capability to control Billows and cannot be retrofitted to work with it.
2. There is 2-way communication between the ThermoWorks BBQ app and Signals, meaning that any changes you make on Signals' hardware is reflected in the app and any changes you make in the app is reflected on Signals. Signals' hardware was especially designed and built to control Billows. Because you can control Signals in the app, you can also control Billows in the app. You can also control Billows via Signals' hardware.
You can have both Smoke+Smoke Gateway and Signals connected to the ThermoWorks BBQ app, but you still can't control Billows with Smoke.
Yes, it will attach to your Weber Kettle. You can attach Billows by either using more high temperature flue tape to seal up the gaps or by drilling a 1.25 inch hole that you will use especially to attach Billows to your Kettle.
Here is a video tutorial by Learn to BBQ that demonstrates how to do this:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Da0gHrkINSo&t=2s
Make sure that Billows is out of the way of falling ash.
No, it is not. Smoke does not have the necessary circuitry to control Billows and cannot be retrofitted to include it.
Update 11/27/19. Billows now includes the Open Lid Detection feature.
One of our customers reported that instead of drilling a hole, he made a baffle out of tin foil. Here's the photo he sent us:
https://help.thermoworks.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Weber-Ranch-Kettle-Tinfoil-Baffle600.png
The 2' ball mounting kit you'll use with your smoker is found here: https://www.thermoworks.com/billows-mounting-kit
For home built smoker.
Saw it on sorted food
Review seen on you tube
Automate my smoker.