probe cleaning poll

RRP

I'm not a germ freak, but when I am going to insert a probe into my meat which is going to stay there during the cook such as a cabled Polder type or the Guru probe...I always wipe it with a wet rag (for some reason) and then stick it in a handy bottle of 70% isopropyl rubbing alcohol, but don't wipe it again but insert in the meat. I know some people use alcohol wipes but my method just seems cheaper and cleaner to me. Any thoughts? BTW I never do this with my Thermapen though - see I told you I'm not a germ freak! :laugh:

Rolling Egg

I clean my probes pretty good after the cook and place them in a drawer. When I get ready to use them I just get them out and stick the meat. Call me nasty but theres been no fatalities yet! :woohoo:

fishlessman

i just wipe with a paper towel, after use, germ freaks would freak out :laugh: now if you had to clean it, what do you think happens when you put a clean probe throu surface bacteria on cold meat, how many wait til the meats surface is over 140 degrees

Sooner Egg

I'm clean my probe after each use, I have yet to wipe it down prior to sticking into meat....so far so good

FlaMike

I guess you can't be too careful.
As for me, that's a bit too much trouble. I just insert the probe, and clean it with soapy water after the cook. The thermopen just gets a towel wipe after each use.

RRP

as an aside what the hell is that scribbling at the end of each of your posts?

Boatman

Wet rag wipe after each insertion seems to work for me

fishlessman

was supposed to be a fish, looks different when it was added to profile than when it posted, will soon dissapear, origionally started as a whole lot of fish on a fishfinder screen but it really screws up when going from profile signature to forum view, :laugh: ill never be good with puters :laugh:

field hand

I always use warm soapy water to clean the probe after using it. Goes into the draw until needed again. Don't do any re-cleaning of the probe before using again. Maverick probe does go into cold meat but the thermapen isn't used until well into the cook, usually after the meat has past the 140* mark. So far so good.

Barry
Marthasville, MO

NibbleMeThis

For my remotes, I clean those probes.

On my Thermapen and other instant reads, I just wipe them clean.

NibbleMeThis

ResQue

Catfish?

BayouMark

I usually wipe the tip of my thermapen with a dish towel. My theory is I am usually probing the meat when it's past 150. If I'm checking chicken or fish I may wipe with a bleach wipe. I don't think the Thermapen is risky. I do think the dial probes that fit in a plastic holder are risky. Microbes love that kind of environment.

THA

I can't believe you guys. I simply lick the probe getting the good flavor and juice off of it and then wipe in on my pants leg. After I am through with it I simply put it in a drawer :P :evil: :woohoo: :ermm:

Misippi Egger

:ohmy: :silly: :laugh: :laugh:

wade chamberlain

I use 91% isopropyl alcohol to start my fires and to clean my probes. Works great.

tjv

I clean my probes before and after each use. On long cooks, I'll put the meat probe in the hot egg for couple minutes to let the 200+ heat kill anything, then stick the meat. t

Carolina Q

You guys clean your probes?

Smokin' not stirred

I lick mine.

Brokersmoker

Wipe the Thermapen with anti bacterial wipes, meat probes I wash pretty good after the cook then store in a zip lock till next time

DrZaius

I borrow my neighbors guru so I don't have to wash them... :P :P :P

:P :P :P :P :P

THA

You think I'm kidding???

THA

ahhh, a fellow licker. Those others don't know what they are missing

uglydog

For those who clean their probes with alcohol: in order for the alcohol to work it's disinfecting magic, you have to allow the alcohol to evaporate off the surface it's cleaning. Dipping the probe in alcohol and then wiping it off doesn't disinfect. Maybe some biologist on the forum can explain the mechanism for how this works. As for myself, I just wipe the probe with the same sponge I use for washing the dishes. Probably not very sanitary.

I enjoy all these thought provoking posts that bring up all sorts of new things I never thought to worry about.

Uglydog

Marc from IL

I am hooked on Clorox wipes, If I do... Hot water works too,right!

Hungry in Lilburn

ROFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!

eenie meenie

You must not own a dog THA. :woohoo:

Hungry in Lilburn

The sponge does have a bacterial count in if you use it and let it air dry. Sponges should be wet, then put in microwave for 10 secs. That kills all germs. Do not put in dry, it will catch fire.

Hungry in Lilburn

I wash my probes in anti bacterial soap and hot water before and after use. Food sanitation is a big issue to me.

THA

You don't think I would waste that good taste on my dog do you. Hey, when you have a 220 lb Mastiff, he gets plenty of licks when ever he wants them and more than the probe. Doesn't matter if I allow it or not, can't turn my back on him. I just switch the position of the meat on the grill to a different side and wife never realizes which steak she gets.