Problems with wireless thermometers....

[keywesmoke]

There's a thread elsewhere about wireless transmitters failing after just a few smokes. I've done 5 smokes with the Maverick 73 (I won it here! Thanks again) with zero problems. Anyone notice early failures with them? Oregon Scientific came up a lot too.
Tricks to extend the life of them??

 

[ron50]

I have the same therm and so far, no problems. I think the two biggest things you can do to extend the therms lifespan is to

1) keep it out of water
2) avoid touching any hot metal directly

I clean it with a damp paper towel. So far so good.

 

[peculiarmike]

Well.................. Here's the deal on the probes -
They contain a thermocouple, inside the probe tube, two fine wires of dissimilar metals, e.g. iron & copper, that are connected together on the end used to measure temperature. The temperature difference makes them generate a TINY electrical impulse that is fed to circuitry designed to amplify it and calculate the temperature. Gives a fast reading.
They can't be "shorted out" by touching metal, hot or cold, they are connected and, thus, are already "shorted". They are also sealed inside the probe tube.
The most common failure cause is a break in the wire lead from the probe to the plug, or a plug failure. This is usually caused by a sharp bend or kink in the lead, also a lot of bending where the wire enters the probe tube is common. Plug failure can be from bending or failure of the wire connection to the plug. Be careful how you plug it in and unplug it.
Bottom line - Take good care of your probe and it will last a long time. Don't be afraid to clean it, but don't dump the whole thing in a sink of water to do it, just follow the manufacturer's instructions.
The thermometer rarely fails.
I have had my Brookstone Grill Alert 6 years and no problem yet.
$.02.

 

[smokin for life]

I have the Maverick E-7 & the E-73, The only problem I've had is if I use them both at the same time one of the will act up a little. (meaning giving the wrong temp.once in a while) I think one of the probes must use the same frequentsy(?). Other then that they're fine. I've had them for about 5 months. I won't turn them on untill I have everything set up, so I don't touch any metal by mistake.

 

[moltenone]

i've been using a $30.00 charmglow since spring and have had no problems at all,got it plugged into a fatty at the moment

Mark

 

[badss]

Interesting.... I've got 3 regular electronic probes and took copper snare wire and made loops inside the smoker off the three racks and just insert the probes into these loops to hang off the grates to monitor the different heat zones....but I am a little confused...are you saying that the probes should not touch any of the metal on the racks or am I reading this wrong? The probes are looped into two small wire hoops so they lay perpendicular to the rack bottom but don't actually touch the rack itself. I just bought a wireless and haven't tried it yet. Looking forward to that as then one doesn't have to stand right over the smoker to keep watch and can still do something else...I am thinking ....that is the way to do it but ... I am still relatively new to this game so feel free to blast away at me with any knowledge or if I am on the right path here.
BADSS

 

[richtee]

Heeey... not bad...not bad a'tall ;{)

 

[smokin for life]

Badss If I'm not mistaken the real concern is the tip. I belive that is where the sensor that picks up the heat is. And if that touches the metal it'll short out. I drilled a hole in a chunck of wood and push the probe through the hole. And just lay the wood on a rack. Like I said I'm not 100 percent sure I'm right on this.

 

[ron50]

Thanks Mike, I stand corrected on the metal touching metal. My reference to keep it out of water should have stated not to submerge it in water.

 

[badss]

Now there is an idea for sure. Gonna do the same. Just got back from Canadian Tire and they had electronic probes on for $4.99. I thought, Hell...I might just buy me couple of spares.....but the big bad wolf ( wife was watching) Got some rib racks on sale as well. I am going to do the wood thing....makes sense ...thanks for the tip Michael.
Ray

 

[richoso1]

Great reply from Peculiarmike, easy to understand and not long winded. Great job.

 

[squeezy]

I have had no problems with my ET-73 ... what Peculiarmike says makes total sense. The reason to not let the probe tip touch metal is that it will give you a false reading ... we want the air temp near the meat, not the temp of the grid.