Maverick ET-732 wild probe reading

[highland124]

I did some pork shoulders yesterday in my Smoke Hollow Pro 44, using a Maverick ET-732 therm. All was fine for just over 8 hours; at the 8 hour mark it read 252 smoker, 187 meat. When the remote was checked again about 15 mins. later, the meat reading had gone haywire... 250, with the smoker still apparently correct at 252. I thought maybe something went wrong with the remote and checked the transmitter, which was placed on top of the smoker. Same readings.

I've used this unit 4 times previously without a hitch, so this threw me for a loop - especially since the meat was getting close to done. Also, being a relative newbie I haven't had any digital therm experience before I got the ET-732. So, unsure what to do to try fixing the problem, I turned off both transmitter and receiver and restarted them with the standard procedure. They fired up normally and appeared to return to normal - showing 252 on the smoker and 187 meat. Breathing a sigh of relief, I went back in the pool with the family and put my son-in-law in charge of monitoring the remote and updating me periodically. About 10 minutes later he saw the meat temp go crazy, again showing 250; smoker temp 252. Panic time!

Checked the meat (all 6 pieces) with a Thermopop; temps had about a 5 degree variation ranging from 183-188. I closed it back up and let it keep cooking for half an hour more. At that time I did the fork test and it turned without much resistance. That and the last temp check told me they were done.

Can anyone shed some light on what could be causing this problem with my ET-732? Needless to say, I need to get things back in order before the next cook... sure don't want to go through this again. Also, If there is a procedure for attempting to set it straight when bad things happen, I'd like to find out.

Appreciate any and all suggestions or advice. Thanks!

Eric

 

[bbqwillie]

"checked the transmitter, which was placed on top of the smoker."

That's  not the best of ideas. Heat is a real killer of electronics. If you have to place it there, take a Bradley rack and place it upside down on the cooker and put your electronics in a ceramic plate placed on the rack. That will allow airflow under the electronics and insulate it from the direct heat.

You may also want to check the terminals and make sure that there is no corrosion at the attach points. Another possibility is that you could have a probe going bad. Good Luck

Willie

 

[SmokinAl]

If you have washed the probe & got water at the connection where the probe meets the wire, then the probe is bad. If you bought the Mav from Todd. just give him a call & if it's fairly new he will send you a new probe.

Al

 

[davidhef88]

My meat probe will occasionally do the same. I think mine is from the cable being pinched too tightly in the door, or from s kink in it. Haven't been able to pinpoint it. Only usually happens toward the end of a cook, beginning now to wonder if it's heat related???? Usually have it far enough away from the unit where I don't think heat would affect it

 

[GaryHibbert]

My 733 did the same thing. Turned out it was just a bad connection where the probe plugs into the transmitter. Cleaned it up and all was good.

Gary

 

[venture]

I have also had occasional issues with the probe jack.

Try a good cleaning on that and a twisting motion when inserting.

Good luck and good smoking.

 

[highland124]

Thanks for the helpful advice, guys! The first few times I used it, I wiped down the probe wires with a damp sponge trying to get them clean and shiny again. I can be a little OCD when cleaning stuff. Tried to be careful not to get the connections but it was a rookie mistake nonetheless. Since that last wipe down it went through a 9 hour smoke without a hitch (no cleaning after) and most of the other day's also. If water did get in  would it kill the probe right away, or maybe just weaken it to the point where it worked again for awhile before going bad?

Willie, I've never been very comfortable with having it placed on top. Trouble is, it can't go anywhere else due to the short length of the standard probe wires. There are two ways to get them inside the smoker; either through the smokestack on top, or through the doorway. I was afraid of pinching the wires in the door or adjusting the latch so it wouldn't close as tightly. The door seals surprisingly well - a small amount of smoke leaks, but it doesn't sound nearly as bad as what I've often read about with cabinets like this. So, I opted for the smokestack. I just discovered that probes are now available with longer wires, so I may get some which should allow me to put the unit on a table. I'm definitely not going to run it this way again... I'll either get the long wires or insulate it as you suggested.

I've cleaned the jack, and I'm going to do the boiling water test to see if it gives a good reading. Will let you know!

Eric