Cleaning the Dome Thermometer Probe?

tjp1060

I bought a used small BGE in a nest a few weeks ago. It didnt come with most of the essentials like the DFMT, ceramic cap, ash tool, or the dome thermometer. I only paid $100 so i figured it wasnt a bad deal.

 I forgot to purchase the thermometer when I bought the other items.

So, tonight I wanted to grill a couple of ribeyes in my new aquisition. I pulled the dome thermometer out of my large BGE to put it in the small dome and noticed that it had a pretty good build-up of soot, grease, or whatever on the probe.

I haven't read any posts regarding a periodic cleaning of the dome thermometer so I was wondering if it is needed. It seems that if not cleaned regularly, the temp might be slow to register and may even be inaccurate enough to make a difference.

medic119

I cleaned mine the other day when I calibrated it with hot water, dawn and a green scrubber pad.

Austin Egghead

Clean all mine when I calibrate the thermometers.  Liquid soap/bartender's friend, elbow grease and the boiling water usually get it fairly clean

lousubcap

+1 with Austin Egghead-and I always check the calibration about every other low&slow (where the temp over time does make a difference) and that's about every 3-4 weeks.  Calibration is good-and with the Tel Tru, no adjustment needed.

tjp1060

I assumed that once it was calibrated, I didn't need to mess with it. I guess I will start checking it every couple of weeks.