The FireBoard App Basics, Part 2: Drive Programs

Drive Program

One of the great features of the FireBoard App is the Programs tool, which as we mentioned before enables users of FireBoard Drive enabled technology (Fireboard 2 Drive and Pro, Yoder Smokers, Kando Pellet Grills, Black Earth Grills, or Lone Star Grillz)  to program custom temperature profiles.   You can automate your session’s temperature to follow steps of your choosing, or even set a program to hold at a lower temp at the end of your session.  

It dosen’t take much to get set up with a Drive Program. This classic weber plus a FireBoard 2 Drive and Blower will get you started in the world of FireBoard Programs.

For classic BBQ grilles FireBoard sells the Drive Blower Nozzle Adaptor that allows users to install a fan onto a kettle style grill.

This temperature control is accomplished by the FireBoard’s monitoring of your pit temp AND varying the speed of our 12v 20CFM Drive Blower from 0-100%.  If the temp goes down, the fan speeds up.  If you already have a 12v fan with a 2.5mm barrel plug, chances are good that it will work too. 

Getting Started

Start by tapping the Programs icon at  the bottom of your screen, then tap Add Drive Program  highlighted in blue near the bottom of the screen.  Here you will find three program options: Time Program, Temp Program and Custom Drive Program.   Select Time Program if your priority is for your cook to maintain temp for a certain amount of time.  After the set time is up, the program will maintain a low temp, default is 180ºF keeping your food warm, tasty, and out of the danger zone.  

In addition to being able set a quick Drive Program based on time or temperature, the FireBoard App allows you to create fully customized Drive Programs.

Use the Temp Program if you want your cook to hit a specific temperature, and then you can program how long to stay at that temp until moving on. Like the Time Program  Temp Programs will end with a hold step.

Create a Custom Drive Program

The third program option is the Custom Drive Program, which gives you options of adding multiple steps with priority focusing on a temp level or duration of time of your choosing.

Using a rib cook as an example,  where the ribs will smoke for two hours at 250ºF and then continue until the ribs reach an internal doneness temp of 200ºF.  With a food prob in the ribs, tap Custom Drive Program then Add Step in lower left of that page.  Now enter a Setpoint Temperatue of 250ºF with Duration enabled, enter a duration of two hours from the dropdown.  Tap Back in the upper left of the screen, then add another step.  Again enter a Setpoint Temperatue of 250ºF on the top line, next switch Target Temp on and enter a target temp of 200ºF then select which channel your internal food probe is connected to.  Tap Back again to save to save the step.  As a convenience, a Hold step of 180ºF is created by default, and can be edited as desired. 

The steps of a custom Drive Program for smoking ribs on the FireBoard App’s Programs page.

The FireBoard Knowledge Base

Be sure to consult the FireBoard Knowledge Base with any questions that might come when setting your Drive Program.  This page deals specifically with Drive Programs.