I can't picture how you've got your BBQ probe placed. What's chamber one and what do you mean "2 deg low in boiling water"? The way I tested mine was to place both probes in boiling water on a stovetop burner (careful to only insert them part way) and I also tested both probes in ice water. With the boiling water test I got a solid 212° (or it may have gone up to 213, but that was it, no temp swings either).
Without More details about your smoker, where it was located and the weather at the time it would be difficult to make meaningful suggestions. Wind, rain and especially sun can have a significant influence on the internal temperatures over quite short periods of time if the smoker is in an exposed position. One easy way to find out whether the probe is the reason for the swings would be to use a second thermometer in addition. If both thermometers agree then it is almost certain to be the cooking chamber. If they don't then investigate the thermometer further. Make sure that you place both probes right next to each other though (without actually touching), as there are likely to be temperature gradients throughout the chamber in every smoker.
If you look again at the owners manual it says the probes temps can vary by a couple of degrees. I think it even says that for ThermoWorks therms. A couple of degrees variance is fine. It' possible if you complain about it to Maverick they might send you a replacement if they feel the probe is defective.
A swing between 208 to 250 would not be as a result of probe variations though. Test it against another thermometer. I suspect that you will find it was actually the smoking chamber that was varying.
Totally agree, Wade. I was just restricting my comment to the boiling water test. I agree there could be an issue with the smoking chamber. Saltasylum said it was a used Cookshack so who knows?
You are fine gently closing the lid on the wires. Been doing it with my mavericks for many years with no problems. Just keep the wire up out of the fire and they are rated for pretty high heat. Just be careful not to let them hang right in the flame or something.
I have a gasket on my Kamado so no stress on the cable. On my offset I go through the upper vent. I did drill a hole and you can always put a piece of a magnetic business card over the hole when not in use. Shrink tubing can melt or get sticky so I got the 700*F Permetex Ultra Copper RTV Silicone (at any auto parts store.) They have other temp ratings in different colors.
Hang from a hanger with binder clips by the plastic lug on the plug end. Or a hanger with spring clips for pants. Mine are hanging by the grate clips off of my microwave stand.
no offense, but you must be single
I'm anal when it comes to what I call keeping things "nice". I loosely coil the wires similar to how they originally were---but not nearly as tightly--put ties around them and store the probes and the two units in the Maverick box along with the owners manual. I keep it in our bedroom near I keep my smoker/grilling cookbooks so everything is right where I can find it. All my actual smoker and grilling stuff is stored in my garage.
LOL----I put mine on the barrel rest in my living room gun cabinet. I lay the transmitter right behind my double barrel, and let the probes hang straight down, one on each side of the barrels. That keeps them from getting twisted or kinked.
