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Dome temp vs Grid temp

Rtrdeng
Rtrdeng Posts: 14
in EggHead Forum
Most recipes don't indicate which their cook temperatue refers to, whether a dome location or grid location. I think i saw one post that said if it wasn't specified it was Dome. I have replaced my dome thermometer in my egg with a Fireboard probe so am fairly confident in getting accurate readings from it. I also place a grid probe when there is enough room for it. The grid probe usually indicates a temp ~ 30° cooler than the dome probe. I prefer to regulate my Cook based on the dome probe because I feel it is more consistent. The grid probe is very dependent on its location with respect to the food and the PS. Just wondering which location is preferred and which is the general rule for recipes?
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Comments

  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,806
    have a new therm in a box, but have not used one in maybe 10 years. going with it does not matter with a 30 degree difference for the majority of cooks. i would just go with the dome as its easier to look at
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Mark_B_Good
    Mark_B_Good Posts: 1,662
    Go with Dome Temperature ... you will probably realize if you've measured the grid and compared to dome is that the grid temperature slowly rises and becomes almost the same as dome temperature towards the end of the cook.  This is obviously an indication that the cook itself is cooling the ambient in the vicinity of the meat ... which is expected ... all that heat has to go into the meat for it to be cooking.

    Dome temperature on the other hand is fairly steady ... so when we say 225F ... or 275F ... it's dome ... because it's actually the only thing you can keep steady ... as per above the grid temp will change over time ... impossible to control at a certain steady number.  

    In the end, for indirect cooks I found measuring the grid isn't really necessary, it is just more information ... but nothing you really act on.  Perhaps if you had half grid on indirect and other on direct, you'd be more interested ...
    Napoleon Prestige Pro 665, XL BGE, Lots of time for BBQ!
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    I think i saw one post that said if it wasn't specified it was Dome.
    That is the standard convention for this site.

    More important than the exact temp is the ability to detect if things are heating up or down inside the egg.  A steady state is desired.  Dome probes are good at detecting these changes. Grid level probes are susceptible to changes even if the fire has not changed its heat output. 
    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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