WSM thermometer way off?

[matty gunns]

Using my wsm i noticed the factory thermometer at the dome compared with temp at the grate level shows a difference if 100 degrees. Is that normal or should i just never trust the dome temp again. Kind of suprised. I know there is a difference between grate level and dome temps but 100 degrees? Im smoking wings and removed the water pan completely maybe thag has something to do with it

 

[timstalltaletav]

Mine's off about 50° with the empty water bowl in it. Sounds like it's feasible.

 

[SmokinAl]

Yea the dome gets a lot hotter than the grate.

I drilled a hole in the side of mine at grate level & put in a Tel-Tru therm.

Al

 

[gr8day]

Mine is usually reads -30 degrees or more from grate temps so I could be really cooking at 290 and the thermo is showing 255, I use a Maverick to monitor cooking temps, the WSM thermo is worthless. I have an 18.5 I'm getting ready to sell, love how it cooks just want something with more capacity. If I was keeping it, I would replace the thermo with a Tel-Tru or River Country thermo.

 

[lu1847]

Notice mone reads about 50* hotter on dome compared to top rack.

 

[slotown]

It's not unusual.  In fact it is a norm.  Watch the temps and sometimes it will flip flop.  On a long smoke, it usually will come very close to evening out..  I replaced the factory with a tel tru and put the same in the side near the grate.  I wanted both thermometers to be the same brand.

Now that I think about it, mine did not come with a factory thermometer.  I'm getting old.....

 

[briggy]

My factory therm quit working all together, I use the Maverick for grate temps.