New to smoking. Temperature gauge help

camox413

Fire Starter

Original poster

Mar 14, 2016

60

18

• Mar 20, 2016

• #1

Hey everybody I'm new to the Forum and new to smoking. I'm doing my first smoke right now and I'm pretty sure the factory thermometer on my smoker is off. I know they make the thermometers that you stick into the meat to monitor the temperature while you're away from your smoker but what kind of a thermometer do I get to replace the one on the door of my smoker?

 

timberjet

Master of the Pit

Jan 29, 2010

3,549

165

Waitsburg Washington

• Mar 20, 2016

• #2

CamoX413 said:

Hey everybody I'm new to the Forum and new to smoking. I'm doing my first smoke right now and I'm pretty sure the factory thermometer on my smoker is off. I know they make the thermometers that you stick into the meat to monitor the temperature while you're away from your smoker but what kind of a thermometer do I get to replace the one on the door of my smoker?

Click to expand...

I have a Maverick et 733. It monitors both smoker temperature and meat temperature. I would recommend it highly. I had the former model 732 and the 73 before that so I have tried them all. So far that is the one that has had the best range and performance that I have used. Do yourself a favor and get one. You will be glad you did. 

 

timberjet

Master of the Pit

Jan 29, 2010

3,549

165

Waitsburg Washington

• Mar 20, 2016

• #3

If you want to read all about it type Maverick into the search bar at the top of the page.

 

camox413

Fire Starter

Original poster

Thread starter

Mar 14, 2016

60

18

• Mar 20, 2016

• #4

I will do that. Thank you much!

 

SmokinAl

SMF Hall of Fame Pitmaster

Staff member

Moderator

OTBS Member

★ Lifetime Premier ★

Jun 22, 2009

51,385

12,221

Central Florida (Sebring)

• Mar 21, 2016

• #5

I agree on the Maverick!

They are a little pricey, so if money is a concern you can get one that will work at Walmart for about $15.

Al

 

gearjammer

Master of the Pit

Apr 6, 2015

1,472

173

Central New York

• Mar 21, 2016

• #6

I can say that I have a Maverick 733 and it is a good

reliable unit it works great.

But the probe wires could be longer, when I do have to

replace them it will be with six footers.

Keep on smokin'                              Ed

 

westby

Smoking Fanatic

Jan 17, 2011

384

75

Winona, MN

• Mar 21, 2016

• #7

I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but don't bother replacing the door thermometer.  Not worth the effort and still won't tell you what your grate temps are with any accuracy.  Just get a decent multiprobe like a Maverick, iGrill, Thermopro, etc.  You can go higher end with ones from Thermoworks or the Tappeque, but it isn't necessary.

 

dirtsailor2003

Epic Pitmaster

OTBS Member

Oct 4, 2012

21,947

4,224

Bend Oregon

• Mar 21, 2016

• #8

I started out using the Maverick 732 dual probe therm. I still have it and use it as a backup.  I moved to the iGrill unit when it came out. Used it until the iGrill2 came out. The iGrill2 has worked flawlessly and the app is eassy to set up and use. If your smoker is a good distance from your house it may not be for you. The bluetooth range isn't as far as the Maverick.

I also have a Thermowand instant read therm from Lavatools for checking meat temps. These can be found on Amazon for $25.

No matter what unit you end up with you need to verify the accuracy of your probes. +/- 5 degrees is okay for monitoring pit temps, but not great for checking food temps. I check my probes monthly. Here's a link to the method that I use and a handy calculator to use.

http://www.smokingmeatforums.com/t/...is-212-f-an-accurate-measure-of-boiling-water

 

rockymtnsmoker

Newbie

Mar 28, 2012

28

12

Denver, CO

• Mar 21, 2016

• #9

westby said:

 
I don't think anyone mentioned it yet, but don't bother replacing the door thermometer.  Not worth the effort and still won't tell you what your grate temps are with any accuracy.  Just get a decent multiprobe like a Maverick, iGrill, Thermopro, etc.  You can go higher end with ones from Thermoworks or the Tappeque, but it isn't necessary.

Click to expand...

This.  

Although it might not be stated outright, a probe at the cooking surface will probably be more helpful than a thermometer on a door or lid to a smoker.  I think a good quality thermometer is a good investment no matter the smoker.

 

GaryHibbert

Epic Pitmaster

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Jun 20, 2013

10,099

3,751

Drayton Valley, AB, Canada (Heavy Duty Oilpatch co

• Mar 21, 2016

• #10

I agree totally about the door therm--just leave it be and ignore it.  My Mes 30's built in temp guage is way off--I just use it to preheat the cook chamber (I know roughly where to set it to get close to the temp I want.  Other than that, I use and instant read therm and a Maverick 733 for cook chamber and meat temps.  I'm not real impressed with the 733--the longer I have it, the less I like it.  So, I'll probably get an iGrill when I can afford it.

Gary