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Unbelievable forum--new owner-thermometer

Unknown
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
Word has it that Santa is delivering me a Large BGE. Word has it, My BGE and accessories will arrive 12/23. That's 15 days.[p]I decided to check out your forum and see what the egg was all about. I can see that it's all about cooking, grilling-aholics. You guys are hilarius. It's funny to see people sharing in thier passions. This forum is every bit as energetic as some fly fishing forums I read, and that is pretty suprising to me.[p]Thermometer. I was dissappointed to see the the egg's thermometer is apparently less than impressive. I was so convinced by reading one of the threads, that I'm considering ordering a Tel-tru thermometer
to coincide w/the delivery of my egg. My questions are:
1-Is there any doubt that I should do this?[p]2-Does the 2 1/2" thermometer not work on the Large egg?[p]3-Did anyone try the "wine cork trick" with the original egg thermometer?[p]

Comments

  • Scott Borders,
    welcome aboard. . .yes, we are a fun bunch. ...once you get your egg and actually start cooking, you will see why we are all so loyal, insane, devoted, etc. . . .we cook in snow storms, hurricanes, heat waves, cold spells. . .it doesn't really matter, cause its WORTH IT for the magic the egg imparts on/in food. . . my personal motto is "if it was cooked in the oven, on the stove, or in a pot, it now goes in the egg. . .i haven't used my oven for anything other than baked potatoes since i got my egg (and you can bake spuds in the egg too if you want). . .make sure you go check out the naked whiz's and nature boy's web sites for some great cooking ideas, outstanding rubs etc. . .and depending where you live, keep an eye out for an eggfest in your area. . .heck, in any area. . .people travel thousands of miles to attend them, they are not to be missed. . .i already have may 8, 2004 on my calendar for waldorf maryland. . .

  • Pakak
    Pakak Posts: 523
    Scott Borders,[p]So far as the thermometer that comes with the BGE - I've had mine for a year now with no problems. I guess I'd wait until something went wrong with it, but that could just be me. If it's not broke ...
  • Pakak,
    i meant to mention that also. . .i have no problems with my dome thermometer either. .. not sure what the hub-bub is all about. ..

  • Scott Borders,I have never had a problem with the BGE factory temperature guage. I didn't understand all the hub bub about it either. You should check it in boiling water when you get it, make sure it is adjusted to 212 degrees. Also, get a polder type remote themometer to measure meat temperatures. Everybody uses them. Have fun and welcome aboard!!

  • Scott Borders,[p]I've had my BGE about 18 months and I probably need to replace the thermometer. I pretty much need to recalibrate it every second cook or so and I think steam from the boiling water test has gotten under the face, causing considerable condensation, making it difficult to read and probably causing something to rust. It's not that big a deal and as long as I calibrate everything comes out great - kind of a pain to do though. If you're careful I bet your BGE thermometer will work out fine for you for quite sometime. When I get around to it I probably am going to order a Tel-tru - I researched them awhile back and the general consensus was that the 2.5 in probe is just fine.[p]Good luck and welcome.[p]JP

  • CR
    CR Posts: 175
    Scott Borders, been cooking with the original BGE thermometer for about 3 years without any problems. Check once in a while in boiling water but have never needed to adjust. Just clean off the baked-on gunk once in a while.

  • Smokey
    Smokey Posts: 2,468
    Scott Borders,[p]I have to agree with the others in that I have had no issues with any of the thermometer in any of my eggs. Additionally, I find that the thermometer just gives me an idea of the tempersture (range). I don't care if its off a a dozen degrees or not. After all, that's what cooking is about ... isn't it![p]Smokey
  • Sundown
    Sundown Posts: 2,980
    Scott Borders,[p]If it ain't broke don't fix it. I've had my original dome thermometer coming up on 6 years and it still is on the money! I even got anal "way back" and bought a second one . . . just in case. Sits in a desk drawer waiting to be called. One suggestion would be take some clear silicone and lay a little in around the face and the bezel to insure no rain gets in.
  • Lawn Ranger
    Lawn Ranger Posts: 5,467
    Scott Borders,
    Not only are we entertaining, some of us don't even know how to post correctly without trying it 3 times...duh! Sorry about that.[p]I've not seen a thermometer problem on my large....I just lose the entire lid doing Thanksgiving Turkey. [p]Glad to have you on board......Fly fishing, huh? My kind of guy.[p]Welcome.[p]Mike

  • YB
    YB Posts: 3,861
    wardeggs.jpg
    <p />Scott Borders,
    I have not had a problem with my BGE thermometers and I have a few.
    Larry

  • Scott Borders,
    You have gotten so many good tips, all I can say is welcome.[p]CWM

  • Gfw
    Gfw Posts: 1,598
    FAQ_do3.jpg
    <p />Scott Borders, I have had very good luck with the BGE thermometer - been using the current one since 03/2001 with absolutely no problems - if you want to browse, check out the link below - all done on my medium BGE, but would be about the same done on a large![p]Life is GOOD :~}

    [ul][li]Gfw's BBQ[/ul]
  • Scott,
    Unless you happen to get an older style, plastic lensed thermometer, you should NOT have a problem providing you calibrate it now and then. If you get a thermometer with with a plastic lense, do NOT except it. Period.[p]A little caulking around the outside with a silocon caulk should help with the leakage problems, but I haven't bothered. When I get a little condensation I just slap the thermometer in the oven for a little bit and bake it out.[p]Now the Mini is a whole 'nother story...[p]The REAL thermometer is stuck in the meat anyway![p]Kelly Keefe
    Jefferson City, MO

  • Scott Borders,
    Did you go to Fayette County High School?

  • Hammer
    Hammer Posts: 1,001
    Scott Borders,
    First of all, "Welcome to the Green Room"> As to your questions:
    1. I switched to the Tel-True because of my luck with the original BGE Thermometer, and I have been very satisfied with them. I find that the accuracy is better, and I don't have to calibrate them as often. I do an accuracy check before each cook.
    2. Yes the 2 inch stem will work on the Large
    BGE. I use this when I am utilizing a raised grid, and have found that I haven't had any of what I am cooking come in contact with the stem, like I did when using the % inch stem.
    3. Yes, you can use the wine cork on the BGE thermometer. This idea can from people on the forum that had and has a lot more experience with the BGE than I have, and I trust their opinions, and I follow their lead.
    Again, Welcome Aboard!
    Hammer[p]

  • Scott Borders, Don't waste your money on a thermometer. The one you get will work fine and you will soon discover a lot of other ways to spend the cash.[p]p.s. I expect you to post some trout recipes next summer.

  • Scott Borders,
    The original will work...for awhile or forever. But it DOES need calibration on a regular basis. The TelTrue doesn't[p]EZ to calibrate, just one more thing to do.[p]My original lasted about a month before it fogged over. (Minnesota weather) [p]After fighting with the junk original, I spent $40 on the TelTrue, and that ended everything. BIG display, accurate, no fog, no calibration.[p]End of story.[p]
    Your first purchase should be a dual probe remote thermometer. Redi check ET73 is the preferred model. Reasonably priced, ends the guesswork, accurate, works like a champ.[p]Mike in MN

  • Gfw
    Gfw Posts: 1,598
    MyBge.jpg
    <p />Mike in MN, I just calibrated mine after a few uses (since 3/01 and I stilluse the BGE a minimum of twice each week) and it really didn't need any adjustments - in fact I just did two 7lb butts for 22+ hours with only the BGE dome thermometer as a guide - at 19 hours I added my polder and at 23 hours all was perfect. [p]Before spending any money, try what comes with the egg. After trying, if it doesn't work, you can always buy something different - just my thoughts.[p][p]

    [ul][li]Gfw's BBQ[/ul]
  • Bordello
    Bordello Posts: 5,926
    Scott Borders,
    Welcome to the forum and congratulations on the new egg you have coming. I have read all the post below, now my two cents worth. LOL[p]I went through two BGE thermometers in the first 6 months of owning my first egg, these had the plastic lens and after awhile I could just spin the dial by hand. In my area they are just under $20. I have one of the newer BGE glass thermometers and it's' working O.K. [p]I also have two Tel_Tru for my other eggs. As you can see below some of us have had good luck or bad luck. I think I would go with the Tel-Tru at $19 plus shipping and would probably get two, always good to have a spare or maybe for the second egg you will want later. LOL[p]That being said, my BGE thermometer was not included with the egg, it was extra. If you get a BGE thermometer as a package deal or gift just use it till it gives you trouble, you may be one of the lucky ones.[p]Good Luck with whatever you decide,[p]New Bob

  • chainsmoker,
    No I'm a Tampa boy. However, I learned of a lawyer in Kentucky that shares my name. I'm a lawyer too, so that was pretty funny. Speaking of funny, "chainsmoker" is real funny.

  • Larry,
    You need counseling, not thermometers.

  • YB
    YB Posts: 3,861
    Scott Borders,
    Have you been talking to my wife? I have one more,it's here at my office...Welcome to the BGE family.
    Larry

  • YB,I just noticed the front, featured postion of your mini and the table holding it. Is that a stock table? I need something like that...mini on the way

  • YB
    YB Posts: 3,861
    tn slagamater,
    I made the table out of a old typewriter table and Corian.The one I have at work for the mini is made out of a table I bought at Sam's.The one from Sam's is chrome wire with three shelves.
    Larry

    [ul][li]Mini Corian table[/ul]
  • Gfw,[p]Funny you mention the two Butts. I did two 6 pounders at the same time this weekend. My fire got a little cold on me during the night as the wind caused the coals to burn unevenly, and mine took about 24 hours. Curious to know what temp you were using. I kept my fire around 200 degrees, which may have been a tad low.
  • Gfw
    Gfw Posts: 1,598
    ToyCollector, The temp was stuck right at 250 right through the night. I think you may be right, 200 is a little low. In fact I let the temp go to 300+ after the pleateau was finished.[p]
  • YB,[p]Very nice deck. I just picked up a BGE Chiminea last Friday.
  • wdan
    wdan Posts: 261
    New Bob,
    My BGE thermometer was part of the package deal that came with my egg. It's ludicrous that the thermometer, daisey wheel, and plate setter are sold a la carte when they are fundamental to the basic function of the egg. I was sooooo glad the dealer I bought mine from is as "reasonable" as me LOL![p]Anyway, I too, have a glass-dial thermometer. The only time I've had trouble with it (since new in July), is when I went nuclear temps and "spun the dial." Re-calibration in boiling water per the owner's manual so far, has always brought it back to normal operation. I was ready to go to Tel-Tru (and still am when I do need anew bulb), but haven't had any real trouble since I learned how to pay attention to my dome temps and react at the right times to keep from spinning the dial.[p]Back to my original message: As a new egger, get a thermometer (and a daisy wheel and a plate setter and an egg nest...or a table that holds the grid level near your waistline).