FB500 Probe Lifespan… meh…

MaskedMarvel

Greetings friends,

I have two FLAMEBOSS 500s. Game changers. Makes life incredible easy. Until you figure out the probe is failing. 

And this happens.. A LOT. 

I have next day shipped more probes, and flameboss doesn’t even HAVE alligator pit probes on Amazon anymore. Sheesh. 

The branded ones aren’t particularly cheap. The unbranded is what I’m trying next. As long as they keep dying, I’ll keep ordering. 

Ferkin probes. 

8-D

thermoworks ends up being my backup wireless probe. I have the unit that also does WiFi, but doesn’t have a fan controller. I’ve used it for everything from backing up a cook to monitoring my outdoor freezer for failure. And I think I’ve MAYBE changed the batteries once. 

The “Smoke,” maybe? Is that what it’s called?

lkapigian

I use my 500 pretty regularly, I keep spare probes but my last pit probe purchased was 2022 and I still have a spare , Amazon does have the alligator probe , just the 90 vs the straight ..I do a lot of event cooks in my Stumps which I use the FB 500 on, I keep probes fans even a spare Controller. I think the probes may be a “ lot issue “ I bought 4 in a matter.of a year or so and none since 

MaskedMarvel

lkapigian said:

I use my 500 pretty regularly, I keep spare probes but my last pit probe purchased was 2022 and I still have a spare , Amazon does have the alligator probe , just the 90 vs the straight ..I do a lot of event cooks in my Stumps which I use the FB 500 on, I keep probes fans even a spare Controller. I think the probes may be a “ lot issue “ I bought 4 in a matter.of a year or so and none since 

Any trick to “revive” them? 

lkapigian

MaskedMarvel said:

lkapigian said:

I use my 500 pretty regularly, I keep spare probes but my last pit probe purchased was 2022 and I still have a spare , Amazon does have the alligator probe , just the 90 vs the straight ..I do a lot of event cooks in my Stumps which I use the FB 500 on, I keep probes fans even a spare Controller. I think the probes may be a “ lot issue “ I bought 4 in a matter.of a year or so and none since 

Any trick to “revive” them? 

I just trash mine but you could likely solder on a new thermistor , I’m sure you can by them for pennys … Note : resister as temp goes up resistance goes up Thermistor as temp goes up resistance goes down 

caliking

Have you let FlameBoss know about these issues? They are usually very responsive, and customer friendly. 

MaskedMarvel

caliking said:

Have you let FlameBoss know about these issues? They are usually very responsive, and customer friendly. 

I had a fan and controller go bad on my first one. They were pretty good with me about replacing those. 

Probes - almost seems like they’re expected to go bad? 

Maybe I’ll email them. 

WeberWho

Yeah, their probes suck. I don't think I had more than 6 cooks on it before my first one died. I pretty much only ever use it for my gravity feed smoker. So it doesn't see any direct heat and nothing more than 275. I've been less than impressed with the probes. The controller itself is fantastic!

alaskanassasin

Are the probes not interchangeable with other brands? I use my Thermoworks dot probe with my smobot controller. 

alaskanassasin

Looks like a headphone jack only smaller

MaskedMarvel

alaskanassasin said:

Are the probes not interchangeable with other brands? I use my Thermoworks dot probe with my smobot controller. 

Trying that out this weekend. 

alaskanassasin

MaskedMarvel said:I

alaskanassasin said:

Are the probes not interchangeable with other brands? I use my Thermoworks dot probe with my smobot controller. 

Trying that out this weekend. 

Good luck, I prefer the thermoworks probe it is a much smaller diameter.

lkapigian

alaskanassasin said:

MaskedMarvel said:I

alaskanassasin said:

Are the probes not interchangeable with other brands? I use my Thermoworks dot probe with my smobot controller. 

Trying that out this weekend. 

Good luck, I prefer the thermoworks probe it is a much smaller diameter.

There's a joke in there somewhere