What should I do? First time smoking and no probe!

[Stopsign32v]

So I made a thread about I just got a thin COS. I ordered a Inkbird IRF-4S but it will not be here until May! I have to cook a Butt and Brisket in 3 days! The smoker has a thermometer on the lid of the grill but that will be all I have to use.

What should I do now???? Only other option I could think is go buy a cheap digital thermometer from a local store to go up under the lid but then that will ultimately be a waste of money. Options and opinions wanted.

 

[Winterrider]

The butt would be easy enough to tell, bone (providing bone in) would wiggle loose easily, and butts don't care what temp ya use as long as not too low. Brisket would be a little tougher to tell. Brisket makers probably have a few tricks.
If you were close, I'd borrow ya one.

 

[bradger]

you really don't have many options, get the cheap one, or get an instant read. and wait till the estimated done time to check. so you don't lose all the heat and smoke during the cook.

 

[bmudd14474]

Get a over thermometer to sit on the grate so you know your cooking at the proper temp then as others have said when you pull on the bone it will slide out when ready.

 

[jcam222]

Not an Amazon member? Most Inkbird products arrive for me in 1-2 days and I'm in a small rural town in Ohio. Maybe you are in a area that's slower or not served by them?

 

[smokerjim]

Without thermometer you could probe the brisket with a skewer or something like that, it will slide through like butter when its done.

 

[BigW.]

Grab an instant read therm such as a ThermoPro. Several versions, mine was about $22. Very handy for steaks and chicken. Will work as a probe for tenderness and also tell you the temp.

 

[Stopsign32v]

Grab an instant read therm such as a ThermoPro. Several versions, mine was about $22. Very handy for steaks and chicken. Will work as a probe for tenderness and also tell you the temp.

Well I have an instant read thermometer that I can check the meat with. I was more concerned about keeping the internal temp of the smoker at a correct level.

 

[TNJAKE]

bmudd14474 has you covered with an oven thermometer at grate level. They can be had for under 10 bucks at most grocery stores

 

[forktender]

Or you could always learn the old school method.
Hold your hand 6'' above the grate, if you can only hold it there for 2 to 4 seconds, the heat is high, if you can keep it there for 5 to 8 seconds the heat is medium, if you can hold it there for 9 to 11 second the heat is low. I smoke low and slow, I can hold my hand over the grates for 9 to 12 seconds when it's ideal temp.

Growing up in a Sicilian restaurant surrounded by amazing Chefs was an amazing experience.

Good luck, it's just cooking, not "rocket surgery" use your inner mojo, you'll know when it's too hot or too cool.
Dan.