Thermometer questions

[Tyler Anthony]

Quick question. I just got an Oklahoma Joe highland and am currently seasoning it. My question is about the thermometer. It has the standard Oklahoma Joe thermometer built in but I put a Chugod probe on the rack. They are 20-30 degrees different. I am inclined to trust the probe, but I thought I’d ask. Should I trust the probe or the built in thermometer?

 

[eddiememphis]

The thermometers in the lids of most grills are not very accurate. However, remember that it is much higher than the rack and that can account for a variation in temperature.

Remove the stock thermometer and place the probe end in boiling water. It should be around 212° depending on altitude (the higher the elevation, the lower the boiling point due to lower air pressure).

 

[jcam222]

Alway get better accuracy with a good probe type thermo. The door thermometer on my smoker reads of by about 50F and it’s theoretically a good one.

 

[SmokinAl]

I would always trust the probe over the factory therms. However when you figure out the difference, you will be able to use the factory therm effectively. In other words if the grate temp is 250 & the factory therm says it's 275. Then when you want to run at 250 grate temp just keep the factory therm at 275. I spin my therms so that 250 is with the needle straight up & down. That way I can see them from across the yard & don't have to bother with a remote therm.
Al

 

[Danno44]

Agree with others. I trust my probes over the dial on my Highland. I know that my dial reads 50 degrees off from cooking grate.
Now for some reason my dial on my Bronco after a few uses, evened out and is within 5 degrees of my probes. Maybe because it’s actually mounted near the grates, not sure.
I still however trust my Inkbird’s, they are always accurate.

 

[smokininidaho]

My Akorn thermometer is always off from the grate temp by 25 -35 degrees or so using my Thermpro. Funny thing though after about 5 hours or so the Akorn thermometer gets pretty close to the actual grate temp.