Wrapping probes in foil

tikigriller · October 2016

See pictures now and then with some that wrap their temp probes in foil. Is this really a needed step? Is it really saving the life span of the probes? Do you only do it at certain temps?

Carolina Q · October 2016

I don't know. I've had a DigiQ for nearly 7 years and have never wrapped. I just route the wires so they are never over any direct heat. Also, 350° is about the highest dome temp I've used with it. Most have been 250°.

I've had a Maverick for about the same length of time. Never wrapped those either, but then, I doubt I've used the Mav more than half a dozen times. I don't find it at all useful. Don't remember what temps, it's been years.

SemolinaPilchard · October 2016

All I do is run the probe out of the egg over one of the legs of the plate setter. If you have a different setup like a woo, I would place a piece of foil under the wire. Some say wrapping the wire in foil makes it worse, I have no idea. The main thing is to not let the egg get too hot for the wires. Most I have owned say the limit is 392 degrees. I only use them at 350 or below and they've all lasted a long time.

Ladeback69 · October 2016

I did it for a while, but don't do it anymore. I do what @Carolina Q does. Now on my grate temp gauge I wrap foil around it to keep it up off the grate a little, since the clip I have is to small for it. Just make sure to not kink the cables or you will be replacing them soon.

tikigriller · October 2016

You would think the makers of these products would be able to design something that will handle the heat of the grill, etc while cooking and not having to worry about these things and how they are routed in and out of the egg. Etc.

Focker · October 2016

No
No
No

bhedges1987 · October 2016

Nope

Focker · October 2016

tikigriller said:

You would think the makers of these products would be able to design something that will handle the heat of the grill, etc while cooking and not having to worry about these things and how they are routed in and out of the egg. Etc.

They do, but things go awry when users lack common sense. I have never worried about routing any probe, in any grill. So far, no failures.

If you're that concerned, a friend uses auotomotive cable protectors over the probe wires.

Toxarch · October 2016

A wire might be rated for 450 or even 950 degrees, but it might not handle the infrared or direct flame off the coals for a 250 degree fire. Wrapping helps protect the wires. It also keeps them cleaner. I've melted 2 wires on my probes. I have since put automotive cable protectors on mine so I don't have to worry about how they are run. It works great.

SmokingPiney · October 2016

If I cook hot and fast, I don't use temp probes..........that's where my Thermapen comes in.

Low and slow is where I need the temp probe. I drape the wire over my plate setter to keep it away from the direct heat.

Carolina Q · October 2016

The more I think about this...

I NEVER use my Maverick. Thought there was a point so I bought one. I was wrong. Complete waste of money.

I also have a DigiQ. Unlike the Mav, the DigiQ actually does something, but I use it only on lo n slo cooks. However, the other day, I got off to a late start on a pork butt (10am or so before I got it on the egg) so I bumped the dome temp to 300°. Perfectly cooked 8 lb butt by dinner time. No more overnight cooks for me. I never cook unless I'm at home anyway, so all I plan to do in the future is stabilize at 300-350° sometime in the morning, put the meat on and then check on it every so often. No electronics...and no cables...needed. Just like @Mickey has been saying for forever.

Since I never use wires for any other cook, I guess I've cut cord.

TheToast · October 2016

My Maverick broke and they replaced it. Maverick support advised me to wrap foil at the joint where the wires come out of the probe - they said that's the weak spot. So I do that. But I always run the wire over one of the three platesetter legs anyway.

Mickey · October 2016

Carolina Q said:

The more I think about this...

I NEVER use my Maverick. Thought there was a point so I bought one. I was wrong. Complete waste of money.

I also have a DigiQ. Unlike the Mav, the DigiQ actually does something, but I use it only on lo n slo cooks. However, the other day, I got off to a late start on a pork butt (10am or so before I got it on the egg) so I bumped the dome temp to 300°. Perfectly cooked 8 lb butt by dinner time. No more overnight cooks for me. I never cook unless I'm at home anyway, so all I plan to do in the future is stabilize at 300-350° sometime in the morning, put the meat on and then check on it every so often. No electronics...and no cables...needed. Just like @Mickey has been saying for forever.

Since I never use wires for any other cook, I guess I've cut cord.

WELCOME TO THE CLUB

tikigriller · October 2016

I quickly figured out that I use FB on Low and slow, and thermapen on most other items. For now, I just don't have the timing down yet on things, and based on my first brisket attempt, don't have the feel down yet either so using all the technology is extremely helpful.

Toxarch · October 2016

I like technology. I could ride a horse to work and save money on gasoline. But a combustion engine vehicle saves me time and makes the commute comfortable. Same with a digital controller for the egg on low and slows.

tikigriller · October 2016

Thanks for all the replies. I had a feeling there was going to be each on each side. I'll probably wrap them right at the joint as mentioned above just to be in the safe side. Can't hurt any and if it gives it a chance at lasting longer, then it is worth it to wrap it a little.

Thanks again as always.

Wrapping probes in foil

Comments

Categories