Curious about digital probe/analog

[hinds90]

I made a mini wsm and have been using a river country analog temp gauge on the smoker itself and have been using the thermopro tp08 dual digital probe to monitor meat and a back up to inside temps of the smoker.

This past weekend I smoked a meatloaf and it seemed my temps where all over the place so I didn't know what to trust. The anolog was showing 350, the meat probe was showing off so I took it out to see which was off between it and the digital smoker probe and the meat probe settle at 440 so that narrowed it down.

Thermopro sent out new probes (great customer service) and I tested everything today with boiling water. The old set of probes, new set of probes , and anolog temp gauge all showed 215. Wondering what gives or is it just apart of smoking?

 

[wild west]

No its certainly not just part of smoking. If it was me i would trust the new probes and get rid of the old ones. They've proven to be inacurate.

 

[browneyesvictim]

That's normal from my experience. Consider your analog temp gauge just for looks. Trust your digitals once you have done the boiling water test.
Placement location of the probe(s) is also critical. Keep it at grate level. Use the grate clips.
Lastly, keep the lid on your Mini! I see major temp differences and swings when I peek. It takes a while for the smoker to stabilize temps after I've been lookin. I don't use a water or sand in my pan but I can see the benefit for that reason.

 

[Rings Я Us]

Now you have an extra set of probes.

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• Rings Я Us
• Aug 27, 2017

 

[hinds90]

True. They also sent a new transmitter.

If I have the smoker probe under the top vent would that affect the temps a lot?

 

[troutman]

The bi-metal analog gauges that most folks have pre-installed (or even bought) on their smokers are junk imho. Go with your digitals as long as you can verify accuracy with boiling water or some other means. I do like to watch my analog gauge and see where it temps out with my digital, at least that gives you a relative reading.

 

[browneyesvictim]

Naw... I do it all the time. Oh... wait.. You said the top VENT or do you mean under the lid? You can go through the vent or under the lid is fine. Top vent I leave wide open all the time anyway and always control with the bottom.

 

[hinds90]

Yep I do the same. Route it through the top vent and try to sit it in the middle. I'll find out tonight since I'll be doing some leg quarters for dinner.

 

[browneyesvictim]

I used to mess with routing my probes through the top vent. That was getting annoying. They route just fine going under the lid without much leakage. Havent hurt my probes either. I keep telling myself I'm going to install a Webber probe grommet or just simply cut a small notch in the top of the steamer lip.

Now that I use the Guru Party-Q, the pit probe for it has an alligator clip on the end of the probe that holds it directly on to the grate. That works fantastic! The grate clips that come with the my Maverick work fine for holding it where I want at grate level and not touching the food, but the alligator clip works WAY better! Takes up less grill space too.