Brinsea Incubator App Review: A Game-Changer for Hassle-Free Egg Hatching

When it comes to hatching eggs at home, having a reliable incubator can make all the difference between a successful hatch and a disappointing failure. As someone deeply involved in poultry and small farm life, I’ve tested my fair share of incubators over the years. Recently, I partnered with Brinsea to try out their Maxi 24 EX Connect incubator, and I want to share my honest experience and a thorough review of their smart incubator app. This brinsea incubator app review will walk you through how this connected incubator works, what makes it stand out, and why it might just be the best incubator investment you’ll ever make.

Table of Contents

• Introduction to the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Incubator
• Setting Up the Brinsea Incubator App
• Features of the Brinsea Connect App
• Using the Incubator in Real Life: My Experience
• Comparing the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect to Other Incubators
• Who Should Consider the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect?
• Potential Drawbacks
• Additional Tips for Successful Incubation with the Brinsea Incubator
• FAQ About the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Incubator
• Conclusion: Is the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Worth It?

Introduction to the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Incubator

Before diving into the app itself, let me give you a bit of background. The Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect is an advanced, app-controlled incubator designed to simplify the incubation process. Unlike traditional incubators that require constant manual monitoring and adjustments, this model connects to your phone via the Brinsea Connect app, allowing you to monitor and control incubation conditions remotely.

Initially, I was skeptical. Having dealt with failed hatches from less sophisticated incubators—especially the popular but basic farm series incubators sold at Tractor Supply (those square styrofoam ones)—I wasn’t sure this higher-priced model would live up to the hype. But after using the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect for several days, I am genuinely impressed and in love with how it operates.

Setting Up the Brinsea Incubator App

The Brinsea Connect app is at the heart of this incubator’s smart functionality. It’s available for download on your phone and makes controlling the incubator intuitive and straightforward. Here’s a quick rundown of the setup process:

1. Download and open the Brinsea Connect app on your smartphone.
2. Add a new incubator device by scanning the QR code located on the back of the incubator.
3. Follow the in-app prompts to connect the incubator to your Wi-Fi network.
4. Once connected, you can access real-time data and control settings remotely.

What impressed me most is how seamless this process was. I was able to scan the QR code and get the incubator connected within minutes. The app guides you through everything, making it accessible even if you’re not tech-savvy.

Features of the Brinsea Connect App

The app offers a wealth of features designed to make incubation easier and more precise. Here are some of the highlights that stood out during my use:

Real-Time Monitoring and Alerts

One of the biggest challenges with incubation is maintaining the right temperature and humidity levels. The Brinsea app constantly monitors these vital parameters and sends instant notifications to your phone if something goes off track. For example, if the temperature drops below your preset threshold or the humidity is too low, you’ll get a pop-up alert—no need to constantly check the incubator manually.

In my experience, I had zero active alarms, which means the incubator maintained stable conditions throughout. This “set it and forget it” reliability is a huge time-saver and stress reducer.

Customizable Temperature and Humidity Settings

The app allows you to adjust temperature and humidity thresholds easily. For instance, I was able to switch the temperature alarm from Celsius to Fahrenheit, which was a relief since I’m more familiar with Fahrenheit measurements. You can set both low and high alarms for temperature and humidity, ensuring you’re always in control of your hatch conditions.

Another cool feature is the automatic humidity adjustment. The incubator has a water reservoir connected to a tube that regulates humidity internally, so you don’t have to constantly add water or fiddle with settings manually. This is a huge upgrade from older models where you had to frequently check and adjust the water levels.

Automatic Egg Turning with Custom Intervals and Angles

Turning eggs is critical for proper embryo development. This incubator offers automatic turning with customizable intervals and turning angles. I set mine to turn every 60 minutes with a moderate angle, but you can adjust this to suit the species you’re hatching. For example, some eggs might benefit from more or less frequent turns or different angles.

The app also includes a test turn feature so you can confirm the turning mechanism is working without waiting for the scheduled time. You can even enable or disable the beep sound that plays when the incubator turns, which I personally turned off to avoid alarm confusion.

Periodic Cooling Option

For certain species like waterfowl, periodic cooling during incubation can improve hatch rates. The app offers a toggle to enable or disable this feature. According to Graham from Judd’s Quail, who I consulted, quail eggs do not require periodic cooling, so I left this feature off for my quail hatch.

When enabled, the incubator’s heater switches off every 24 hours for a preset cooling duration, mimicking natural cooling that some eggs experience in the wild. The app warns not to use cooling during the first week or during hatching, and reminds users that this feature may not be appropriate for all species.

Using the Incubator in Real Life: My Experience

Currently, I’m hatching quail eggs that I bought from Judd’s Quail, a company I highly recommend for quality eggs. Over the first four days of use, the incubator has truly been “set it and forget it.” I check the app occasionally because I enjoy seeing the data, but I haven’t had to intervene once.

The temperature and humidity have remained rock stable, and the eggs are turning automatically as programmed. This reliable performance is a huge upgrade compared to the two less expensive incubators I tried previously, which failed to maintain proper conditions.

What’s more, the incubator’s clear design lets me see the eggs easily without opening the lid and disturbing the environment. This is a subtle but important feature for maintaining stable conditions.

Comparing the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect to Other Incubators

Price-wise, the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect is a bit more expensive than basic incubators you might find at farm stores or online. I was hesitant at first because of this cost difference. However, the convenience, precise control, and peace of mind it provides justify the investment.

Many cheaper incubators lack smart features, require manual monitoring, and often fail to maintain consistent conditions, leading to lower hatch rates and wasted eggs. The Brinsea app’s remote monitoring and automatic adjustments save time and reduce stress, making it ideal for busy people or those new to incubation.

For serious hobbyists, small farmers, or educators, the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect offers a professional-grade experience without the complexity of industrial incubators.

Who Should Consider the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect?

• Beginners: The guided app setup and automatic controls make it easy to start hatching with confidence.
• Busy Farmers and Hobbyists: Remote monitoring means you can keep an eye on your hatch while managing other tasks.
• Small Flocks and Specialty Birds: Customizable settings and periodic cooling options cater to different species’ needs.
• Educators and Schools: The clear incubator and live monitoring are great for classroom learning and demonstrations.

If you’re someone who values reliability and technology that simplifies life, this incubator is definitely worth considering.

Potential Drawbacks

• Price: It is more expensive than basic models, which might be a barrier for those on a tight budget.
• Wi-Fi Dependence: Since the app relies on Wi-Fi connectivity, a poor internet connection may limit remote monitoring capabilities.
• App Learning Curve: While the app is user-friendly, it may take a little time to explore all its features fully.

Additional Tips for Successful Incubation with the Brinsea Incubator

• Consult Species-Specific Guidelines: For example, avoid periodic cooling for quail eggs but consider it for waterfowl like geese.
• Use Quality Eggs: I recommend Judd’s Quail for quail eggs, but sourcing fresh, fertile eggs is critical for success.
• Monitor Regularly: Even with automation, it’s good practice to check the app and incubator physically to ensure everything runs smoothly.
• Prepare for Hatching: The incubator’s app tracks incubation days, so you know exactly when to expect hatch day and prepare accordingly.

FAQ About the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Incubator

Q: Can I control the incubator entirely from my phone?

A: Yes! The Brinsea Connect app lets you monitor and adjust temperature, humidity, turning intervals, and more directly from your phone.

Q: Does the incubator support multiple devices or species at once?

A: Absolutely. You can add multiple incubators to the app and rename each one (e.g., “Quail Eggs” or “Goose Eggs”) to keep track of different hatches.

Q: What happens if the Wi-Fi connection drops?

A: The incubator will continue operating with the last saved settings, but you won’t receive real-time updates or be able to change settings remotely until the connection is restored.

Q: Is periodic cooling necessary for all eggs?

A: No. Periodic cooling is beneficial mainly for certain waterfowl species but not recommended for quail or chicken eggs.

Q: How often should eggs be turned?

A: For most species, turning every 1-2 hours is ideal. The Brinsea app lets you customize turning frequency and angle to suit your needs.

Q: Can I switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit in the app?

A: Yes, the app allows you to toggle between Celsius and Fahrenheit for temperature readings and alarms.

Conclusion: Is the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect Worth It?

After using the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect incubator and its smart app for several days, I can confidently say this is a game-changer for anyone serious about hatching eggs. The precision, ease of use, and peace of mind it offers are unmatched by other incubators I’ve tried. While it comes at a higher price point, the investment pays off in better hatch success and less stress.

Whether you’re hatching quail, chickens, waterfowl, or specialty birds, this incubator adapts to your needs and simplifies the process. The app’s real-time monitoring and control make it perfect for busy farmers and hobbyists who want to keep eggs safe without constant hands-on management.

For anyone considering upgrading their incubation setup, the Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect is well worth a look. Plus, if you decide to get one, there’s a discount code available: onlygoats (all lowercase, no spaces) which gives you 10% off anything in the Brinsea store.

Stay tuned for future updates, including live hatch cams and more detailed walkthroughs of the incubator setup. Happy hatching!

For more information and to purchase, visit the official Brinsea Maxi 24 EX Connect incubator page.

Get The Brinsea Incubator

Make sure you use the discount code onlygoats for a discount. Check it out

This article was created from the video Brinsea Incubation App Review/ Tutorial.