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Thermometer Testing

Unknown
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
Through the course of my BBQ'ing obsession, I have accumulated a few thermometers. Also, I posted on the board recently about a problem I was having whereas my grate temp was measuring at ~50 degrees higher than my dome temp. So, my 8 year old son and I conducted a "science" experiment on calibration. We tested the therms using boiling water as the standard of measurement. [p]Results:[p]- Thermapen - 212
- ET-73 Meat Probe 211
- ET-73 Pit Therm 211
- Old Maverick [don't remember the model #] 212
- BGE Therm 150 [No, that is not a typo][p]Therefore, my BGE therm was reporting low by almost 60 degrees![p]I am not sure, but I think one of my high temp cooks may have fried it or something. [p]Anyway, I am hoping this is why I was scratching my head with the dome temp being 250,my expected grate temp at 225 and my pit probe at 275. [p]In actuality, the dome temp was more like 310. This explains why my pork shoulder cooked in 8 hrs as opposed to longer and never reached the plateau around 160-170. At least, that is what I am hoping. The pulled pork was still really good but not my best effort. [p]It seems to rain every day in Atlanta now so I have not been able to get back out there and test our science experiment.[p]My son has a really great time doing experiments like this and I have to make sure his brain still works since school starts back up in a month or so![p]Thanks,
BHD[p]

Comments

  • Photo Egg
    Photo Egg Posts: 12,137
    Big Hairy Dawg,
    All very good points.
    I know I need to check all mine again.
    At a dome temp a little over 300 I think you
    are on the money about your 8 hour cook.
    At a temp that high you blew right through
    your plateau stall temp range.
    That's why I like pork shoulder and butt cooks.
    They give room for error. If that was a brisket
    you might have great door stop out of the cook.[p]In the word rhythm of one of the greats:[p]Photo "checking his probes this weekend" Egg

    Thank you,
    Darian

    Galveston Texas
  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
    Big Hairy Dawg,[p] The BGE probe can get messed up if the dial is rotated and the spring clamp is tight. I have re-adjusted many by simply putting a wrench on the backing nut and turning the dial in against the direction of the error. Then fine tune while comparing to another reference.[p]Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

  • AZ Traveler
    AZ Traveler Posts: 664
    Big Hairy Dawg,
    Use the nut behind the dial to adjust your BGE thermometer. You can zero it right in. Enjoy your cooks, AZ

  • AZ Traveler
    AZ Traveler Posts: 664
    Big Hairy Dawg,
    Here is the spot you need? Hope this helps AZ

    [ul][li]TNW Thermometer Calibration[/ul]
  • fieroguy
    fieroguy Posts: 777
    Little Steven,
    Remove and discard the spring clamp!