Keep Damaging probe wires!!!

[xtexan]

I have now damaged two probe wires on my Maverick thermo, at $12 a pop i'm not happy!
How do you guys keep from doing this? I crimp them in my vertical door and they are ruined!! Also, last time I did a hi-heat cook I think I burned one??
Please help!!!

 

[geek with fire]

There was a past thread (which I can't find right now) that some of the guys drilled a hole in the side of the smoke chamber and screwd pipe fittings on each side. Poke the probe wires through the fitting and fill with high temp silicone. I think Rich contributed to the thread, so maybe he can find the thread for you.

 

[xtexan]

Josh,

Do you recall if they were permantly leaving the wires in the smoker??

 

[peculiarmike]

On my trusty "just now getting seasoned" ECB I drilled a hole in the lid for probe cables to pass through. I run them through the top vent on my GOSM's and through the exhaust holes in the lid of my drums. I am going to drill a hole in the drums near the top for the probes because there is too much hassle when the lid is removed with the cables through it.
I also drilled a hole in the top of the ECB lid and insert a thermometer there to monitor interior temperature.
OR, you might want to talk to GeekWithFire. He's a bit more "high tech".

$.02.

 

[geek with fire]

I believe so. Honestly, what I do is drilled holes just large enough for the the probe to fit through and stuff the open space with aluminum foil. However, I've seen your rig and it would hurt me physically to put a drill to it! Mine's just a cheap ol' Chargriller pro.

 

[xtexan]

Actually I was talking about my small Smoke Hollow vertical. I don't have a problem w/ the bigger rig as it does not have sharp edges like the vert.

 

[jerrykr]

I have a smoke hollow vert, and I thread mine thru the open door between the hinges. mine does not fit tight enough to smash the probe cable when I close the door. the handle side of the door has magnets to hold it closed, so it's probably tighter. you could always put it thru the rear vent at the top. It never closes all the way.

 

[oillogger]

I pass my Maverick ET-7 two probes thru the top vent of my GOSM Big Block when I add the meat to the preheated smoker. I never allow the probes to see temps over 400F and they only get cleaned with a slightly soapy wet dish rag. Both of my probes are currently 16 months old and have survived about 14 smokes so far.

I wish you better luck with your probes in the future.

 

[white cloud]

I also have a smole hollow. I just filed the lip inside the door with a notch and fit two probe wires through it.

 

[peculiarmike]

You can use a mild abrasive, such as Scotchbrite, or the pot scrubbers they sell, it won't hurt the probe. I've had my Brookstone GrillAlert 4 years.
The thing that kills probes is kinked or sharply bent cable, too much flexing where the wires enter the plug or probe, or plug failure. The probe itself is hard to kill and rarely causes a problem. And they can not be "shorted out" by touching metal.
It's all in how you treat them.

 

[richtee]

Just don't soak them above the crimp. And Mike is right- The probe itself is just a jacket for the temp sensing thermistor, and not part of the "circuit".

 

[morkdach]

i pass mine thru a small electrical strain relief i mounted in the side same hieght as meat rack on a vertical has a rubber gromit that has lasted 5 years with no problems made out of alum. and cost of less than 3 bucks

 

[peculiarmike]

Post us a pic Terry.

 

[av8tor]

I run mine through the top vent on my GOSM BB.

 

[k5yac]

Here is what I did...

Drilled (and deburred) a couple of holes just large enough for the temp probes to pass through. I take them out when I'm done and wash (scrub lightly) with the green side of a sponge and warm soapy water, never washing past the crimp. I've only cooked with my digi probes 5 or 6 times, but they continue to work well.

I'm sold on these things... LOL!

 

[morkdach]

heres a couple of pics ya can get these at ace hardware or your local elec supply house.