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is my bge thermometer fried or just off?

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mwraulst
mwraulst Posts: 131
edited January 2012 in EggHead Forum

I has a cleaning session that got out of control heat wise and when i noticed the thermometer on my medium was past the max and closer to the 1100 degree range (guessing). Now that the grill is cold i've noticed the resting point of the needle is much further back from 0 than it was before. My questions are: 1) is my thermometer fried? 2) if not, how to i recalibrate it to make sure its reading correctly 3.) if fried, what is my cheapest/best option to get a new one?

This kinda stinks, why have a egg that can get up to 1000+ and thermometers that go to 800? Especially how quick these things can get hot.

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  • Mighty_Quinn
    Mighty_Quinn Posts: 1,878
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    Turning the nut behind the face of the thermometer will move the dial, but I would recalibrate it to boiling water instead of just moving it back to zero.
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  • Gato
    Gato Posts: 766
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    Depending on the ambient outside temperature, your needle may not always be in the same position. Not sure if this is what you mean
    Geaux Tigers!!!
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  • The Naked Whiz
    The Naked Whiz Posts: 7,777
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    If you thermometer is a Tel Tru, then that 0 is probably the degree sign at the bottom where they are indicating that the thermometer is calibrated in degrees F.  It doesn't indicate 0 degrees or anything useful as far as where the needle should be at ambient temperatures.  Like MQ says, go ahead and calibrate it again with boiling water and then see how it does. 

    1) Yes, it might be, but then it might not.
    2) You can do a rough calibration by dipping the tip in boiling water and seeing if it is at 212.  If not, rotate the dial/nut until it reads 212 in the water.  If you live in Denver or something, see this: How Do I Calibrate My Thermometer?
    3) If you do find your thermometer is fried, the current BGE Thermometers are made by Tel Tru and should be a good choice.  You can also buy other models direct from Tel Tru with 2.5" or 5" stems.  The 2.5" stem model will read 10-15% low, while the 5" stem will read more accurately.

    Good luck!
    The Naked Whiz
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  • mwraulst
    mwraulst Posts: 131
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    thanks to all, will pull it off tonight and test in boiling water
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  • butwhymalemodels
    butwhymalemodels Posts: 267
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    Does water temperature max out at 212?

    A muslim, a socialist and an illegal immigrant walk into a bar 

    Blogging: Never before have so many with so little to say said so much to so few.

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  • stevesails
    stevesails Posts: 990
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    unless you pressurize it or it is heated steam.
    XL   Walled Lake, MI

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  • Mighty_Quinn
    Mighty_Quinn Posts: 1,878
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    Yes, at sea level. Under normal conditions.
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