FB200 pit probe location

MN-Egger

Just received my Fb200 today and have it all setup. I was curious on where and how to place the pit probe and have run into two schools of thought on this. Many videos on this also adding to the debate. Boils down to either the dome thermo stem or on the cooking grate. I have always used the grate and used the plate setter  legs to shield it from direct charcoal heat. Will this work for me? Also should I wrap the pit probe with foil up to the clip?

bhedges1987

Don't wrap the probe. You can place it where you want. I do the dome though. A lot of people stick it on the meat thermometer. 

MN-Egger

bhedges1987 said:

Don't wrap the probe. You can place it where you want. I do the dome though. A lot of people stick it on the meat thermometer. 

Does wrapping probe wire distort temp readings then?

Big_Green_Craig

I clip mine onto the cooking grate. I always make sure that it's not located over one of the hot spots coming up from around the plate setter to ensure an accurate reading. IMO, clipping it to the thermometer stem will inaccurately measure your actual grate cooking temp due to the height difference. 

MN-Egger

Big_Green_Craig said:

I clip mine onto the cooking grate. I always make sure that it's not located over one of the hot spots coming up from around the plate setter to ensure an accurate reading. IMO, clipping it to the thermometer stem will inaccurately measure your actual grate cooking temp due to the height difference. 

Yeah that was my thinking too. I know I can just do the quick math if clipped to the thermo stem but always elected for the grate. 

bhedges1987

Big_Green_Craig said:

I clip mine onto the cooking grate. I always make sure that it's not located over one of the hot spots coming up from around the plate setter to ensure an accurate reading. IMO, clipping it to the thermometer stem will inaccurately measure your actual grate cooking temp due to the height difference. 

If you know the difference in grate temp to dome temp just factor that in. Mine typically is 25 degrees off. So 250 dome for me is 225 grate.  

Big_Green_Craig

bhedges1987 said:

Big_Green_Craig said:

I clip mine onto the cooking grate. I always make sure that it's not located over one of the hot spots coming up from around the plate setter to ensure an accurate reading. IMO, clipping it to the thermometer stem will inaccurately measure your actual grate cooking temp due to the height difference. 

If you know the difference in grate temp to dome temp just factor that in. Mine typically is 25 degrees off. So 250 dome for me is 225 grate.  

I agree with that. However, why not just clip it to the grate to take the guess work out of it. Let the Flame Boss do it's thing. 

DrKrieger

And time I've used mine, I just clip it to the grate away from the edge of the oval stone on my adjustable rig. 

smokeyw

bhedges1987 said:

Don't wrap the probe. You can place it where you want. I do the dome though. A lot of people stick it on the meat thermometer. 

Don't clip it to the meat thermometer probe. The cooler meat will lower the temp of the probe giving a false reading.

SmokingPiney

I clip mine to the grate.

bhedges1987

Big_Green_Craig said:

bhedges1987 said:

Big_Green_Craig said:

I clip mine onto the cooking grate. I always make sure that it's not located over one of the hot spots coming up from around the plate setter to ensure an accurate reading. IMO, clipping it to the thermometer stem will inaccurately measure your actual grate cooking temp due to the height difference. 

If you know the difference in grate temp to dome temp just factor that in. Mine typically is 25 degrees off. So 250 dome for me is 225 grate.  

I agree with that. However, why not just clip it to the grate to take the guess work out of it. Let the Flame Boss do it's thing. 

Depends what size egg.... Some of my briskets barley fit on my large.... I would rather place it somewhere where I know with confidence the temperature reading is accurate without having to worry I may be over a hot spot, or it may be getting an inaccurate reading from being to close to cold meat. 

To each his own.

SmokingPiney

As far as clipping to probe to the grate goes, make sure the probe isn't touching or too close to the meat. It will definitely throw off the reading.