Kamado owners, watch this before buying a ThermoWorks Billows

The ThermoWorks Billow is an exciting new tool for controlling temps, particularly for low and slow overnight cooks. I cook exclusively on Kamado grills: BGE and Komodo Kamado. When using this product there are some important tips that will help you have success.

[@ryansmith3865]

Crucial! I was able to contact thermoworks and add it on to my one day shipping order. Without this video i may have screwed up my overnight Father's Day brisket smoke!! Thank you dude!

[@perezog]

So glad to hear you got value from the video! That was the point. Happy grilling

[@shahidyt]

I missed out, they shipped my order before I got a chance to add the dampener. Also, the adjustable dampener should be standard with new models and an optional purchase for those that have the billows already

[@Ray_Here]

Great tips! I’m about to buy one for my BGE and will definitely add the damper disc to my order. Thank you!

[@skeck73]

Thanks for sharing this video. In my experience with Billows + Smoke X and a large Big Green Egg the damper is not needed. The Billows + Smoke X combo has a variable fan duty cycle which does a great job of keeping the temp from overshooting straight out of the box. One piece of advice for the BGE is to keep the exhaust vent nearly closed (open just enough for a toothpick) and everything works like a champ, even at low temps (225F) without the Billows damper. Of course, your mileage may vary.

[@littlestar5737]

Thanks! That’s a great tip. Does it matter how much charcoal I load in basket. Or I have to vary that based on desired set temperature. .

[@skeck73]

@@littlestar5737 In my experience the charcoal load has not been a factor. The method above of keeping the vent closed (or nearly so) works consistently well at low smoking temps. If you need higher temps and you can't get there with the vent closed, then open up your vent as needed.

[@littlestar5737]

@@skeck73 Thank you.

[@shahidyt]

Oh dear, I wish I saw this review a few minutes earlier, I didn’t know about the dampener, I now see they sell it on their website, I’ve emailed them to see if they can add it to my order, saves me paying shipping again.

[@gsmoneygsmoney1479]

Another Awesome Video thanks for the info. I May just start out with my fireboard and blower it has a slider to reduce the flow of air..

[@0BURNT0TOAST0]

Great tips on adapting it to your needs!

[@mohamedgaffoor2403]

Thanks for this. I've had a lot of issues with overshooting temps (first on my Kamado Joe and now on Big joe) but I got the damper. I did a cook yesterday and ended up going w/o the billows since it still overshot. I realize I think I need to keep it open only 1 or 2 clicks since the kamado joes are really sensitive to the air flow.

[@perezog]

Correct, it doesn’t take much airflow for a Kamado grill

[@robertash3953]

Nice breakdown on the Billows! I haven't seen the adjustable damper. This may be something to use on my KJ Jr. I havent tried the fan on the Jr yet but that damper may be needed. BTW, I have used the Billows on my KJ Classic without any issue. Great for those overnight cooks. Any experience with the Billows 12V Battery Bank ? ? ?

[@perezog]

Have not tried the battery bank

[@adamli7168]

​@@perezoghello，can the billows work without signal ，so just ac power work as a fan？

[@dscheepers1]

Can you tell me more about the adaptor that fits into the cooker(attaches to the billows) also thanks for the revue, most helpful 👍🏻

[@perezog]

The adapter you’ll use depends on the grill you are using. I use this primarily with my Komodo Kamado, but I’ll likely use it with my BGE too. For the KK, I use the round universal adapter. It’s a very commonly used adapter for smokers. They also offer Kamado plates that the Billows attaches to with 2 spring loaded clamps to keep the fan assembly in place

[@metrognome4049]

@@perezog Who is this ‘they’ that Make the “commonly used adapter for smokers”? The particular one that’s affixed to your Billows.

[@perezog]

@@metrognome4049 that is one of many accessory options directly from ThermoWorks. It works perfectly

[@metrognome4049]

@@perezog Hmmm, I couldn’t see it on the T/W site, I’ll take another more persistent search. Thank-You for the prompt reply.

[@metrognome4049]

@@perezog Found it : www.thermoworks.com/billows-mounting-kit?quantity=1&mounting-type=2

[@john_t_england]

Thanks for the tips on the Billows! Is that a 3D resin-printed ring on your finger? 😃

[@perezog]

Lol, it is, I had a custom ring made and the maker provides resin rings to confirm your size, it made me very confident in my ring size choice

[@user-xh5pi2nf9q]

How does it seem for durability. I had a Kit Guru and it just didn’t hold up.

[@perezog]

Bryan, the build quality is really solid. Both the Billows fan unit and the Signals main temp body feel solid and have a good weight. I also like that they thought through and made these water resistant. You can’t control the weather and this has you covered if you follow the directions

[@horacejones5226]

Great video. I just ordered the billows fan for my Weber Smokey Mountain. I wouldn’t need the damper for the WSM, correct?

[@perezog]

I started out on a Weber SMC, fun grill. I don’t think the dampener is needed as the SMC doesn’t have the insulation a Kamado cooker does. But if you see temp spiking, get one

[@horacejones5226]

@@perezog Thank you 👍

[@SNeal5966]

Does that adapter you have connected to the fan, the metal one with the o-ring.....does it work with the standard bbq guru connectors?

[@perezog]

Yeah this is the standard size for most large cookers / grills

[@SNeal5966]

@@perezog Interesting, so if I bought the weber adapter from BBQ Guru, this fan can then plug into that? That's the nicest fan connection add-on that i have found, the guru connector, but I don't like their controller.

[@davidseppala9897]

How did you “set” the damper if you are looking at 225 for a long cook? Do you just play with it until it’s 225 and know the damper is good to go for a 10 hr cook?

[@perezog]

Great question. A couple of things will impact how you set the damper. For a low slow cook you should just keep it to ~ 25% but keep in mind the Signals will make adjustments as needed, the damper keeps the grill from having temp swings as air flow is reduced.

[@Brian-ld9wk]

I tried this with the damper on my Kamado Joe and it shot my temps way up. I had it set to 250 and after a couple lid openings within 30 minutes, it had shot my temp up to 300 degrees. I had it abkut 3 clocks open. Do I need to just do 1 click or even unplug the thing when I open the lid?

[@perezog]

Brian, every Kamado will be different. I have a Komodo Kamado and it requires Avery little air flow due to how insulated it is. I use one to two clicks, try to minimize “open top” time. I try hard to set it up and not have to open until I’m at temp. It may overshoot a little, but stabilizes quickly if you leave her shut

[@Brian-ld9wk]

@@perezog I will try that! Thermoworks has me try a boiling water test to determine if lid detection was working correctly. It blew for a full 10 seconds when I took it out of water before detection activated. Have yet to hear back from them.

[@ganttmartin8450]

Would you still suggest the Billows and Signals?

[@perezog]

This is my go to set up, I love the signals because it can handle 3 different probe temps plus the cooker temp and manages the fan too. The only thing I add to this is a Meator for rotisserie applications when the wires won’t work

[@TheEightTrac]

Haha I didn’t order the dampener in time. Going to use duct tape. Wish me luck.

[@tomseaman9128]

Where Can I buy this adapter??? Link?? Thanks

[@perezog]

It’s a part from ThermoWorks, not an aftermarket. You can get it from their site

[@simonssmokeshack]

Nice one 👍