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Importance of Dome Thermometer Calibration

Maybe this should be labeled OT, or PSA.  I'm not sure, but I keep seeing posts regarding temperature monitoring devices so I thought I would share one of my blunders.  I was cruising along into about year three or four of owning my Egg and I had never bothered to calibrate my dome thermometer.  I had two incidents related to this that I can share.  First, I burned up a Maverick probe because I thought I was well within the temperature constraints, but didn't realize that my thermometer was way, way off.  Secondly, I burned a spatchcock chicken.  Turns out that my thermometer was probably close to 100 degrees off.  Since then I calibrate at least once every other month and I now just have it inserted loosely (credit @RRP for this piece of wisdom).

I think my experience is probably an outlier since I noticed that the stem of my thermometer is a little bent.  Still seems to function properly, though, but the fact that it is bent means it experienced some trauma from a large piece of protein at some point, which is the reason why it's a good idea to leave it loose. 

So, every now and then boil a pot of water and calibrate your thermometer (there is a small nut on the back).
LG BGE, KJ Jr, Smokin Bros. Premier 36 and Pizza Party Bollore



Comments

  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 32,162
    Couldn't agree more-it's the one instrument that is standard across all BGE's. You need confidence in the data you cook with.
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood. # 38 for the win.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period.
  • Good reminder, It's been awhile since I checked mine, thanks.
  • time to check my thermo! thanks for the reminder

    XL BGE with adj rig & woo2

  • mahenryak
    mahenryak Posts: 1,324
    You're welcome... 
    LG BGE, KJ Jr, Smokin Bros. Premier 36 and Pizza Party Bollore



  • Zmokin
    Zmokin Posts: 1,938
    I calibrated mine once.  But as I connect my DigiQ to the clamp of the BGE gauge, so far they read pretty close to each other, so I go with the idea that 2 gauges won't degrade exactly the same.
    Large BGE in a Sole' Gourmet Table
    Using the Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter,
     and a BBQ Guru temp controller.

    Medium BGE in custom modified off-road nest.
    Black Cast Iron grill, Plate Setter, and a Party-Q temp controller.

    Location: somewhere West of the Mason-Dixon Line
  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,533
    I will check mine.  Thanks
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,323
    The Thermoworks folks should adapt their technology to a form that would replace these old analog metal spring type of thermometers.

    If they took their new DOT model and just made it with a permanently attached probe out the back that could be screwed or clipped into the hole that most grills have I bet they would sell like hotcakes (so to speak).
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk