Backyard Beast 1000 Firmware update?

[1948hummer]

Hi, I am new to my Backyard Beast and noticed that there is a firmware update available for it. After reading a bunch of posts on people upgrading their units and then having problems with them, I'm a little apprehensive on doing so. Most of the dates are a few years ago and really nothing has been said about the new models. Mine was just purchased. Seems like its running fine. Also does anyone know what was fixed with the update?

Thanks in advance

 

[Pacman]

The one thing I really remember is something to try and combat the "lid pops" (aka explosions) on the newer models. I honestly don't know if it helped as I began always starting my grill with the lid open until the heavy smoke dissipated after reading various stories here. I do feel like the temperature stability suffered a bit after upgrading, but I have no proof of that.

Of course the big change was no more remote startup that's been discussed here to death. I think that was an app update and not a firmware update though as it impacted everyone, not just those that had newer grills that could have upgradable firmware.

 

[1948hummer]

The one thing I really remember is something to try and combat the "lid pops" (aka explosions) on the newer models. I honestly don't know if it helped as I began always starting my grill with the lid open until the heavy smoke dissipated after reading various stories here. I do feel like the temperature stability suffered a bit after upgrading, but I have no proof of that.

Of course the big change was no more remote startup that's been discussed here to death. I think that was an app update and not a firmware update though as it impacted everyone, not just those that had newer grills that could have upgradable firmware.

I agree with you on opening the lid with startup. All it took was seeing the video of one exploding for me to use the open method instead of closed. I cant understand their reasoning for leaving the lid closed for start up except for quicker heat temps. Did you have the remote start on your app before the update? If so how did it work as far as what had to be done to start it. My app has an off button and then a slider that goes from off to whatever temp you want. Is this the new restricted app or do i have the older app with the remote start? I tried sliding the slider to a temp but it didn't do anything. Just curious if I have it or not.

 

[BChristo]

Hi, I am new to my Backyard Beast and noticed that there is a firmware update available for it. After reading a bunch of posts on people upgrading their units and then having problems with them, I'm a little apprehensive on doing so. Most of the dates are a few years ago and really nothing has been said about the new models. Mine was just purchased. Seems like its running fine. Also does anyone know what was fixed with the update?

Thanks in advance

Hello,

I'm not sure if it is related to a firmware update or not, but one problem you might run into is much higher than normal overshoot in temperature. This has been know to happen if the Minimum Feed Rate is set to 3.5% and burning good pellets.

Normal overshoot is within 5 degrees. Anything outside of that range is due to too much fuel being dumped in after reaching set temp. Lowering the MFR to 2.0% allows for less fuel to go in when the PID says, "stop heating". Thus, less fuel, less heating, no more overshoot.

Some people won't notice this unless the set temp is 225 or below, but one person had their grill go 100 degrees over a set temp of 325. They set the MFR lower, and viola'!, fixed the problem.

Other than perhaps that being the case, I know of no reason to not update the firmware.


Cheers

 

[Waterboy]

@BChristo I’d be careful saying a 5 degree overshoot is the only normal number that is normal. Your kitchen oven will overshoot more than that. 100 degrees is extreme but 15-20 degree overshoot isn’t out of the norm. I adjusted my minimum feed rate several times when I first got my grill and it never settled into 5 degree range. Maybe the newer controllers can do that (I doubt it) but there are too many variables to set a hard number like that.

 

[BChristo]

@BChristo I’d be careful saying a 5 degree overshoot is the only normal number that is normal. Your kitchen oven will overshoot more than that. 100 degrees is extreme but 15-20 degree overshoot isn’t out of the norm. I adjusted my minimum feed rate several times when I first got my grill and it never settled into 5 degree range. Maybe the newer controllers can do that (I doubt it) but there are too many variables to set a hard number like that.

Yes, you are correct. I realize now 5 degrees is a hard number to justify. Recteq advertises within a "few degrees", but I suppose even that is subjective.

I was going by my results as shown in the first chart below. That was in extreme cold weather, so that helps things cool quickly; however, I get the same results all the time with my RT-590 now. Once I adjusted the MFR, it has stayed within 5 degrees of set temp. Well, there was the time I switched to hotter pellets and had to lower it a bit. My experience doesn't prove anything about all the other grills out there I know.

So, I agree with what you are saying -- I can't say for sure all grills everywhere will keep within 5 degrees of set temp. I withdraw that statement.

Thanks for the engagement and allowing me to rethink that idea.

I guess the main point is adjusting the MFR helps the PID out when it wants to allow the grill to compensate for any overshoot.

As I think about it, even the fact the PID starts into MFR within 5 degrees of overshoot could be dependent on the set temp. Higher set temp could mean higher absolute variation is allowed -- because the relative variation is the same. E.g., 5 degrees at 200 is more relative error than 5 degrees at 500. In terms of relative error, 5 degrees at 200 is the same as 12.5 degrees at 500.

That ties into the fact that the displayed "actual temperature" is relative the the set temp. Look at the second chart below, I simply change set temp from 225 to 500 after getting the grill to settle at 225, and the "actual temperature" reading jumps up immediately.

Yes, the controller manipulates the input before displaying actual temperature. It makes sense that it would use relative measurements for other PID controls as well -- fan speed; auger rate.

You should try that set temp trick next time your grill is at 200. It's kinda fun I think.

 

[BChristo]

@BChristo I’d be careful saying a 5 degree overshoot is the only normal number that is normal. Your kitchen oven will overshoot more than that. 100 degrees is extreme but 15-20 degree overshoot isn’t out of the norm. I adjusted my minimum feed rate several times when I first got my grill and it never settled into 5 degree range. Maybe the newer controllers can do that (I doubt it) but there are too many variables to set a hard number like that.

Hey. Now that I think about it, Recteq did at one point send me a new controller when I had temperature swings like you are talking about. They specifically said it fixes some problems with temperature variation. Of course, I don't know if it would help you, but even my RT-700 doesn't vary by more than 5 degrees after installing that newer controller.

Maybe call or write Recteq and ask? They know better than I do.

I mean, if you are happy with what you have, so be it. I don't mean to tell you what to do with your grill. I'm just responding to your statement about newer controllers being able to do that, as I remembered the new controller they sent specifically addressed that.

 

[1948hummer]

Thanks for all of the info, I looked at my MFR and its at 1 so I really don't have anywhere to go from there. I have also heard that these new controllers actually learn as they have been used a few times, so I guess I will just use it a few time and decide if it is still very erratic and if so I will contact RecTeq. Thanks again for your input.

 

[BChristo]

Thanks for all of the info, I looked at my MFR and its at 1 so I really don't have anywhere to go from there. I have also heard that these new controllers actually learn as they have been used a few times, so I guess I will just use it a few time and decide if it is still very erratic and if so I will contact RecTeq. Thanks again for your input.

1% is possibly too low, but you have been having good results, so why fix what ain't broke.

I mean, the only thing I noticed with a lower setting of 1.5% was a bit more variation around set temp. It seemed to stabilize more quickly at 2.0% for me for my grill burning Recteq pellets.

I'm guessing you didn't do the firmware update? I'm using version 5.0.7 without issue except the MFR one I had that's fixed now. It would be interesting to see if the MFR goes up to 3.5% with the update if you choose to do it.

I would suggest doing the update. I see some things mentioned in 2022, 2023, but none this year. I'm guessing they resolved any issues. I guess you could call them and find out for sure, and ask them what has been fixed.

At any rate, you're welcome, and welcome to the forum. Everyone here seems happy to provide comments.

 

[1948hummer]

Ok, so i update my ap/ firmare. now its showing the minimum feed rate as 3.5. should i change that? I am so confused right now.

 

[SmokeOCD]

Ok, so i update my ap/ firmare. now its showing the minimum feed rate as 3.5. should i change that? I am so confused right now.

If it works, numbers don’t matter. Spinal Tap had amps that go to 11. If the new firmware math is 3.5 to work as well as the old 1.0 don’t fight it.

 

[Jim6820]

I think @SmokeOCD nailed it. Try a cook or two and see how it works. If you have issues, THEN make some changes. I’m a big fan of “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.”

 

[1948hummer]

I agree with "if it ain't broke don't fix it", that is why I was debating on upgrading the software. Going to smoke up some shot gun shells on Thanksgiving and will see how the temps do. Thanks for everyone's help and opinions! This is a whole new thing to me!