The Display

The DigiQ DX3 has a 3-digit 7-segment LED display that is used for displaying temperatures, alarms, and menu settings. The display is highly visible, even in bright daylight, and large enough to be read from a distance. This is a nice feature to have if you want to view your controller from inside your house.

The following photos show various displays that might appear on the display of the DigiQ DX3 system unit:

The power-on test display showing all elements lit up.

The version number is displayed on power-up.

Indication that either a probe is not plugged in or is defective.

Menu option for setting the Smart Cook setting.

Menu option for selecting the Alarm Deviation Setpoint.

Menu option for turning Ramp Mode on or off.

Menu option for setting the Alarm Intensity value.

Menu option for turning Open Lid Detect on or off.

Menu option for selecting temperature units of F or C.

Pit temperature display. (Middle dot is off.)

Food temperature display. (Middle dot is on.)

Indication that pit temperature has fallen below the alarm deviation setpoint.

Indication that pit temperature has risen above the alarm deviation setpoint.

Indication that food temperature has reached the target temperature.

Connections

All the connections are on the bottom edge of the DigiQ DX3 unit. From left to right are the plugs for power, the blower, the pit probe, and the food probe. They are labeled on the front of the unit.

The bottom side of the DigiQ DX3 showing the connectors.

Power

The DigiQ DX3 unit is powered by 12V DC. It comes with a power adapter that can be used with 100-240 VAC, 50-60 Hz. The power adapter has a 5-foot cord. Since the unit has a standard 5.5mm/2.5mm 12V barrel socket on it, you can use an automobile jump start battery with a cigarette plug to power the unit.

It is important to note that these new power supplies come with a separate power cord that must be attached via a plug with screw ring. While the plug is keyed, it is possible to insert the plug incorrectly far enough to make contact with the power supply and damage the power supply. Be careful when you install the cord to be sure that you get the plug inserted correctly. It is a good idea to make sure that the power cord is not plugged in while you attach it to the power supply in order to avoid an accidental mismatch that would damage the power supply.

You can see the plug incorrectly inserted in the photo on the left below. The middle photo shows the plug inserted correctly while the photo on the right shows the screw ring tightened and holding the plug in place.

Temperature Probes

The DigiQ DX3 comes with one pit temperature probe and one food temperature probe. The probes which come with the DigiQ DX3 are new and improved over previous probes sold by BBQ Guru as these new probes are now dishwasher safe.

Thermocouples: Type T vs K Type K thermocouples are the most common type of thermocouple. They are inexpensive, accurate, reliable, and have a wide temperature range. They are made from Nickel-Chromium / Nickel-Alumel and have a range of -454°F to +2,300°F and an accuracy of ±4°F or ±0.75%, whichever is greater. Type T thermocouples are very stable and often found in laboratory environments. They are made from Copper / Constantan and have a smaller range of -454°F to +700°F, but greater accuracy of ±2.0°F or ±0.75%, whichever is greater.

The probes are made from stainless steel and each probe contains a type T thermocouple, a more accurate type of thermocouple than the more common Type K thermocouuple. (See sidebar). Each probe has a 72" braided stainless steel cable and can handle up to 500°F (260°C). An alligator clip is provided with the pit probe which you can use to clip the probe to your food grid or the stem of your dome thermometer. (Cooks debate which location is better. Presumably, placing the pit probe on the grate near the food will measure the air temperature where the food is cooking. On the other hand, if you are used to cooking by dome temperature, placing the pit probe on the stem of the dome thermometer will allow you to continue cooking the way you always have.)

The probes and the wires should be shielded from direct radiation from a hot fire. Do not let them come into direct contact with flames. If you need to shield the wire, you can place a layer of aluminum foil beneath it. Also, having the pit probe itself exposed to direct radiant heat can cause it to register a temperature which is higher than the air temperature in the cooker, and thus fool the controller into cutting back on the fire.

Temperature Probe Accuracy

We measured the temperature of boiling water using the DigiQ DX3 controller. Using our boiling point calculator to determine the boiling point of water in our locaton (212.4°F), we then measured the temperature of boiling water with each of the probes:

Probe	Room Temperature	Boiling Water
Actual	74.5°F	212.4°F
Food 1	74°F	213°F
Pit Probe	75°F	213°F

As you can see, both probes were within 0.5°F of the actual room temperature, one high and one low. As you can also see, both probes registered the same temperature of boiling water, which was about 0.6°F high compared to the actual boiling point of water. So, both probes were well within the ±2.0° error limit for a Type T thermocouple, and exhibit more than enough accuracy to control the temperature of a cooker. And compared to the 50°F swing that is typical of most kitchen ovens, these results are phenomenal. Here is how well our $2200 Bosch oven holds 300°F:

That's a 43°F swing on the last oscillation. Again, an error of a few degrees on your pit temp is irrelevant.

Snap To Set Point

If your pit temperature is within ±5°F of your desired set point, the DigiQ DX3 will display the pit temperature as the value chosen for your set point. For example, if you have selected a set point of 225°F and your pit temperature hits 220°F, the DigiQ DX3 display will suddenly "snap" your pit temperature to 225°F. And as long as the pit temperature remains between 220°F and 230°F the DigiQ DX3 will continue to display your pit temperature as 225°F.

This is to avoid worrying you as you see the pit temperature go up and down by a couple of degrees over time. It is also probably to avoid calls from customers about why their pit temperature is going up and down by a couple of degrees over time, when they expected it to be rock solid on the set point.

Calibration

The temperature probes cannot be calibrated, or more correctly, the DigiQ DX3 controller cannot be calibrated by the user. If one or both of your probes consistently read off by a significant amount when placed in boiling water, you should contact BBQ Guru support to consider having them take a look.