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thermometers and temp control

matt121966
matt121966 Posts: 76
in EggHead Forum
Any tips on thermometers and controlling the temp ???? 

Turkey on roasting pan elevated above placesetter with tin foil balls. Through the lid BGE thermometer said 350ish. Little cheap oven thermometer sitting on placesetter said 450ish. 

I think I need to replace the lid BGE thermometer but what do you do to feel comfortable or confident of the temperature ???

I think my turkey cooked too fast and was 'chewy'. Juicy but chewy.

Thanks, Matt

Toledo, OH

XL BGE (December 2014), 2 burner weber gas
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Comments

  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,524
    Have you calibrated your dome thermometer lately?
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • matt121966
    matt121966 Posts: 76
    WeberWho? said:
    Have you calibrated your dome thermometer lately?
    Nope. How do you do that ????
    Toledo, OH

    XL BGE (December 2014), 2 burner weber gas
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  • pgprescott
    pgprescott Posts: 14,544
    What he said. It's adjustable. Just turn the nut on the back while in some boiling or ice water. 
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,524
    https://youtu.be/pmqKlXOjGNo
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • blind99
    blind99 Posts: 4,974
    is that really 12 minutes of calibrating a thermometer?  I'm not watching it unless a buffalo or a stop sign flies through.
    Chicago, IL - Large and Small BGE - Weber Gasser and Kettle
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  • WeberWho
    WeberWho Posts: 11,524
    edited December 2015
    blind99 said:
    is that really 12 minutes of calibrating a thermometer?  I'm not watching it unless a buffalo or a stop sign flies through.
    To each his own
    "The pig is an amazing animal. You feed a pig an apple and it makes bacon. Let's see Michael Phelps do that" - Jim Gaffigan

    Minnesota
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    "Little cheap oven thermometer sitting on placesetter said 450ish."  Cheap oven thermometers are not known for their accuracy.  Sitting directly on the platesetter will read high compared to the air temp in the dome area. 

    It is very possible both were close to actual temps considering their locations. As others said, calibrate your dome thermometer to make sure you trust it.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • cjxlbge
    cjxlbge Posts: 3
    I have a Lavatools Thermawand and a ThermoWorks Chef Alarm (with both an internal meat probe and a probe for grate level temp).  I boiled some water and both the Thermawand and the Chef Alarm indicated the temp was 203.5 and 203.4, respectively.  Are my thermometers broken?  I am cooking a prime rib dinner tomorrow night and am getting concerned.  Thanks for any help.
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  • DMW
    DMW Posts: 13,836
    cjxlbge said:
    I have a Lavatools Thermawand and a ThermoWorks Chef Alarm (with both an internal meat probe and a probe for grate level temp).  I boiled some water and both the Thermawand and the Chef Alarm indicated the temp was 203.5 and 203.4, respectively.  Are my thermometers broken?  I am cooking a prime rib dinner tomorrow night and am getting concerned.  Thanks for any help.
    What elevation are you at? 212* boiling temp is at sea level. Any chance you are around 5000' elevation?
    They/Them
    Morgantown, PA

    XL BGE - S BGE - KJ Jr - HB Legacy - BS Pizza Oven - 30" Firepit - King Kooker Fryer -  PR72T - WSJ - BS 17" Griddle - XXL BGE  - BS SS36" Griddle - 2 Burner Gasser - Pellet Smoker
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  • lousubcap
    lousubcap Posts: 36,720
    Am I missing the deal here-either you figure out that your indications are good to go or you don't care.  And if the latter then you are stuck with the outcome(s).
    And a few degrees left or right of center is not that big a del.  The finish-line is either the finish cook temp or the feel.  The protein will drive what the end-game indicator is.  FWIW-
    Louisville; Rolling smoke in the neighbourhood.  Life is too short for light/lite beer!  Seems I'm livin in a transitional period. CHEETO (aka Agent Orange) makes Nixon look like a saint.  
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  • cjxlbge
    cjxlbge Posts: 3
    I could use a little help.  I have a Lavatools Thermawand and a ThermoWorks Chef Alarm (with both an internal meat probe and a probe for grate level temp).  To check the accuracy of my thermometers, I boiled some water and both the Thermawand and the Chef Alarm indicated the temp was 203.5 and 203.4, respectively (I live at altitude 4930 feet, if that makes a difference).   Are both my thermometers broken?  I am cooking a prime rib dinner tomorrow night and am getting concerned.  Thanks for any help.
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  • Mattman3969
    Mattman3969 Posts: 10,458
    According to this your OK


    -----------------------------------------

    analyze adapt overcome

    2008 -Large BGE. 2013- Small BGE and 2015 - Mini. Henderson, Ky.
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  • nolaegghead
    nolaegghead Posts: 42,109
    well done @Mattman3969
    ______________________________________________
    I love lamp..
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  • Sonny3
    Sonny3 Posts: 455
    I  must be one of the lucky ones.  I have used mine on 8-10 cooks and only changed the batteries yesterday before I started the brisket cook.  I only  changed them to insure I had no issues on an overnighter.

    It worked great and alerted me twice during the nite when the temps got out of whack and to tell me the meat had reached temp long before I expected it to.

    That being said, I plan to purchase a FlameBoss 200 in the next few days just to control temp on overnites.
    Titusville, Fl. and just bought XL and Med BGE.  "Every Day is A Bonus" in my world, and my job is to choke the life out of them. Cancer Sucks.
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