Amerique Control Unit Not Working Properly

not many mentiion AmQ control problems here. I've never had any problems with mine. You might try resetting everything. You menetion temp setting of 175; was this your probe temp setting? At what temp was the cook temp set? Make sure the temp probe is set in the thickest part of the meat; also make sure niothing is touching the oven temp probe.

Cook temp set at 250 degrees. Probe temp set at 175 degrees. Hit start and probe temp read 200 degrees the unit beeped and said, "Done". Probe inserted into deepest part of chicken thigh which was still cool.

does it work fine without the probe? if so the probe may be shorted

Yes, it seemed to work fine with just time and temp cooking only.

hopefully you have a separate therm with probe. Call CS Monday and they can work with you to trobleshoot the CS probe problem. They'll take care of you.

I have numerous meat thermometers. One other issue cropped up first time I used the AQ is condensation in the display. The control unit housing is not sealed, however, the display should be, at the very least.

I'm with TN Q, give CS a call Monday and tell them of your problems. They have the best customer service around and work hard to please us CS family members.

It does sound like some type of moisture problem, you might be able to use a hair dryer to dry out the probe and display, that might get you through the weekend until you can see what they can do for you.

Let us know how it works out!

First welcome to the forum.

When you get ANY new item with electronics you need to plug it in, test it and make sure everything works. Unfortunately during SHIPPING the truckers don't take care of them.

That's why we like to recommend you test during the week so you can call CS for help. They don't work weekends, but they WILL make it right, so don't worry about that.

I'm with the guys above, try to isolate the problem.

Test the unit without the probe. Does it hold the temp? How are you testing. Test the temp probes you have with boiling water and see if they're close to boiling.

Don't try to chase the temp. Set it for a temp, say 250, and give it time to start, heat up, it will overshoot, but then settle down.

Watch it over say a 6 to 8 hour period see how it performs.

Now the probe. Once you've got the unit tested and you're sure, check the probe. Do just what you did. You plug it in (did it go all the way in, sometimes they don't get pushed in far enough).

Many times, the display will flash or do something different. That's the moisture problem they indicated.

That fact that it's indicating done so quick, as you've indicated seems to be the issue. I don't have an AQ any more, but sometimes people don't set the temps right, one for cooking and one for holding/finish. What temp did you set the smoker and what temp did you set for done?

Give them a call Monday and let us know what they decided to do, always good to hear the resolution.

I had the temperatures set correctly and probe was all of the way in. Either a short in the probe as suggested, or bad circuit board. I am concerned about the moisture issue. I believe the control housing should be sealed against moisture. The idea is to cook outdoors. Whenever you have significant temperature variances you will get moisture, so better design is to spend the dollars and produce housing that is sealed against moisture. First thing I noticed is that housing is not sealed, and the circuits are exposed. This will eventually result in corrosion and faulty circuits. I will give them a call on Monday.

quote:

Originally posted by jrich:
... First thing I noticed is that housing is not sealed, and the circuits are exposed. This will eventually result in corrosion and faulty circuits. I will give them a call on Monday.

When you talk to CS, mention your concerns, they don't really monitor the forum for suggestions.

I would say also that in the years since it's been introduced, I've not heard one issue here about corrison (and that causing faulty circuits).

So talk with them about your concerns.

Russ

Resolution - Tony called this morning in response to email I sent over the weekend. I removed the control unit. The first thing I noticed is the white plug in the top of the cabinet for the temperature probe lead (not the cooking probe) is smoked stained. Tony had me remove the back of the cabinet. The top piece of insulation that runs across the top of the cabinet was wet. I pulled the insulation and the back of the insulation that runs across the top is smoked stained. I viewed the top of the inner cabinet. The top of the inner cabinet, or cooking chamber, folds over the back of the inner cabinet and is spot welded in place. That seam is supposed to be sealed with a bead of high temp sealant. The seam is not sealed. This is where the moisture that entered the control unit was escaping the cooking chamber and causing severe condensation.

Tony is shipping me a new unit along with a RMA, and I will return the unsealed unit.

The customer service Cookshack delivered is timely and excellent.

Sorry for your problems, but as experienced, Cookshack customer service is the best!
You are going to love your new AmeriQue, I cook on mine at least 1 or 2 times every week.
Good luck.

Geaux Tigers!!!!!

Thanks Tigerfan. I have used it three times and I am having a blast. I love to cook so this is giving me a new outlet, and letting me expand my menus. I spent a long time perfecting jambalaya, gumbos, red beans and rice, etc, so now time for good bbq. Can't find any good bbq in Baton Rouge so decided to make my own

quote:

Originally posted by jrich:
Resolution - Tony called this morning in response to email I sent over the weekend. I removed the control unit. The first thing I noticed is the white plug in the top of the cabinet for the temperature probe lead (not the cooking probe) is smoked stained. Tony had me remove the back of the cabinet. The top piece of insulation that runs across the top of the cabinet was wet. I pulled the insulation and the back of the insulation that runs across the top is smoked stained. I viewed the top of the inner cabinet. The top of the inner cabinet, or cooking chamber, folds over the back of the inner cabinet and is spot welded in place. That seam is supposed to be sealed with a bead of high temp sealant. The seam is not sealed. This is where the moisture that entered the control unit was escaping the cooking chamber and causing severe condensation.

Tony is shipping me a new unit along with a RMA, and I will return the unsealed unit.

The customer service Cookshack delivered is timely and excellent.

Ugh. This scares me as I've had a condensation problem with my AQ since I bought it in July. I've talked to Tony many times and this never came up. Maybe it was discovered after our last conversation. I suppose I should try and disassemble before the snow hits but when it comes to fixing things I'm all thumbs. I'd rather be smoking/cooking and eating.

re: pigskins

Unscrew the control housing from the top of the smoker after smoking. Look to see if there is condensation inside the housing. If there is, look at the white plug for the temperature probe lead. Is it smoke stained? If is is unscrew the back and remove it. The only tool you need is a phillips head screw driver. Pop out the top piece of insulation and you will see the seam where the top of the oven is spot welded to the side. Do you see a bead of sealant along the seam? It shouldn't take more than five minutes. Re-assembly is a breeze.

quote:

Originally posted by jrich:
re: pigskins

Unscrew the control housing from the top of the smoker after smoking. Look to see if there is condensation inside the housing. If there is, look at the white plug for the temperature probe lead. Is it smoke stained? If is is unscrew the back and remove it. The only tool you need is a phillips head screw driver. Pop out the top piece of insulation and you will see the seam where the top of the oven is spot welded to the side. Do you see a bead of sealant along the seam? It shouldn't take more than five minutes. Re-assembly is a breeze.

I get condensation on the display every time I use the smoker. The controller is already detached from the rest of the smoker, it helps somewhat with the condensation and was recommended by Tony.

Maybe I'll have time this weekend to attempt disassembly.

quote:

Originally posted by pigskins:
I get condensation on the display every time I use the smoker. The controller is already detached from the rest of the smoker, it helps somewhat with the condensation and was recommended by Tony.

Maybe I'll have time this weekend to attempt disassembly.

don't have this problem with the older model. sounds like a design problem with the new ones.