Thermometers??

jal1639

Newbie

Original poster

Jun 29, 2008

5

10

• Jul 3, 2008

• #1

I have been smoking for close to 20 yrs and have never used a meat thermo or a oven thermo sitting next to the meat. I only use the thermo that is built into my Lyfe Tyme and have never had issues!

WHY are so many people obsessed with sticking a probe into EVERY piece of meat?? I found it humorous to look through the gallery and see so many pics of people who have more money invested in their thermos than their actual smoker, anyway just a question.

 

geek with fire

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Aug 5, 2007

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Rural out-skirts of Sedalia, MO

• Jul 3, 2008

• #2

I guess the short answer is: to each his own. I learned to cook by temperature so that's what I do. Now, if I'm cooking a steak, I'm OK giving it the push test, but I have no clue how you could possibly cook a boston butt to the point of pulling temperatures without a probe. I'm sure they did it back in the ol' days, but that was then.

I'm probably the wrong person to ask on this topic as I'm sure I'm one that you find funny. I put a probe in everything in the smoker. I have 8 thermistor probes and 3 thermocouples, all of which connect to the laptop for food measurements and automatic temperature control; each storing their measurements every 3o seconds for charting purposes.

Ironically, I am also expecting a plug type thermapen to be shipped to me in the morning. I could probably cook without all of this stuff, but why? I could also ride the bicycle to work in the morning, but I think I'll take the gas sucking SUV just for fun.

(All in good humor. As I said: to each his own)

 

ronp

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Apr 27, 2008

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• Jul 3, 2008

• #3

I doubt that people have more money invested in therms than their smokers. In your 20 years of smoking I guess you have never encountered
inconsistencies in your results, AMAZNG!!


It's called technology.

Its all about temps and not about time. I have been cooking for 55 years and I embrace change, that is what makes me better.

Good luck

 

flatbroke

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Sep 16, 2007

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• Jul 3, 2008

• #4

Kinda like a fuel gauge in a vehicle, not needed but its nice to have.

 

island boy

Fire Starter

Mar 14, 2008

31

10

Hollywood

• Jul 3, 2008

• #5

Please tell me more about your setup with probes etc. attached to a laptop (Where are they available, program, interface hardware etc.) I just love technology.

 

fishawn

Smoking Fanatic

Jan 8, 2008

736

10

Olympia, WA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #6

My dog barks when the food is done.....:-)......I just recently got a Polder probe thermometer. My main reason was I think I was overcooking my FATTYS & they were getting a little more crispy on the outside than I would like them. I have the probe in a brisket right now & kinda like watching the temps. I also have not seen the brisket "plateau" via probe inserted in meat........... Another reason, for me anyway, is for safety purposes with kids/family/friends...........Interesting topic...... If no thermo is used, what signals "done" for you in the smoker? ......And I do ask this with respect.....Visual, time, touch, smell?.......Just curious.

 

pineywoods

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• Jul 3, 2008

• #7

Repeatable results and food safety are the two biggest reasons I can think of. I did two butts a couple days ago and one had a three and a half hour stall while the outside looked nice I wouldn't have wanted to pull it at the same time as the other butt. Yes I know that when the bone pulls easily its done but I still feel better with the thermo.

 

daboys

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Ft. Dodge Ia

• Jul 3, 2008

• #8

You know Ron, funny you should say that. My wife just told me the other day, "NO MORE THERMOMETERS!! You have more money in those than the smokers". Well, 2 on each side of the SnP, 5 digitals, hmmm, gettin close I quess.

 

bustedluckbarbq

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Havre de Grace Maryland

• Jul 3, 2008

• #9

I'm guilty....




Like stated earlier.... to produce consistant results... different peices of meat definately have different times and reaction during the process....

 

yankeerob

Meat Mopper

Jun 9, 2008

231

10

Colchester, VT

• Jul 3, 2008

• #10

All the big guys who are actually winning are using a Guru or Stoker or some device specific to their cooker. It's all about temp, not time. Butts and brisket get foiled at 165 and are done around 200.

I admit I'm a little biased because my stoker can control 3 pits at once, is hooked up to my wireless network and can be controlled by a web browser on a wireless PDA. If you're not using technology you'll be left behind in the contest world.

-rob

 

ddave

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Far Northern California

• Jul 3, 2008

• #11

What he said.

Dave

 

fatback joe

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Hampden, MA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #12

I am a fan of thermometers for several reasons, but I also think you should be able to tell how various items are done by the "old school" methods also.

Guess I support thermometer use, but not thermometer reliance. (I think I am joining the modern age, Richtee

) Don't declare that brisket or butt done just becuase the thermometer said it is.

 

cinnamonkc

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Mar 7, 2008

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New Hampshire

• Jul 3, 2008

• #13

You found it humorous? Sounds kind of disdainful. Perhaps with your years of experience you could share alternative methods to gauging smoker temps and meat doneness to all those here new to smoking. I think it would be a better alternative to mocking. Most folks are here to share and learn.

 

walking dude

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Des Moines, IOWA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #14

What Karen said.........we are NOT here for YOUR amusement Sir! !

 

fatback joe

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• Jul 3, 2008

• #15

Goodfellas flashback.

Tommy DeVito: You mean, let me understand this cause, ya know maybe it's me, I'm a little ****ed up maybe, but I'm funny how, I mean funny like I'm a clown, I amuse you? I make you laugh, I'm here to ****in' amuse you? What do you mean funny, funny how? How am I funny?

 

walking dude

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Des Moines, IOWA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #16

LOLOLOL.........Joe Pesci, giving Ray Loitto (?) a hard time........LOLOL

 

fatback joe

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Hampden, MA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #17

Except in our version it all culminates when he sticks him with a thermometer.

 

walking dude

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Des Moines, IOWA

• Jul 3, 2008

• #18

THANKX..............there went my adult beverage all over the monitor screen.............

 

cinnamonkc

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New Hampshire

• Jul 3, 2008

• #19

Fatback...are you a middle child??

Either way...nice diversion!!

Points even!

 

fatback joe

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• Jul 3, 2008

• #20

Nope, 1st of 3...........guess the parents thought they could do better after I came along. LOL