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Dome Thermometer Calibration Results

4Runner
4Runner Posts: 2,948
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
I'm not sure but it seems like when I reply to some threads they don't come to the top of the forum.

Anyway, I did the boiling water calibration technique the other night and my original thermometer register 170. Wow! This explains why my ribs seems overcooked during the initial smoking period. I was adjusting by going to the foil sooner and for longer. Anyway, just received my Tel Tru and checked it and it register 200. Made a slight turn and it is now ready. I do have a couple of questions.

Will this calibration hold true throughout the entire temperature band? I’m just curious how linear it is. Probably splitting hairs here but I’m just curious. The Tel Tru instructions said to calibrate at the temp you most use.

My original was off some 42 degrees and I’m curious if this is pretty normal to have to make that large of an adjustment on a virtually new (12/25) thermometer?

Thanks
Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat

Comments

  • fieroguy
    fieroguy Posts: 777
    I re-calibrate both of my Tel Tru's at least once each month. Check the calibration on my Thermapen at the same time and re-calibrate if required (only one time did the Thermapen require re-calibration).

    Mike
    30833
  • I have the same problem. I was given the BGE for xmas and set it up immediately and calibrated the dome thermometer with boiling water. I use the grill 2-3 times per week. Before the Super Bowl I noticed the thermometer wasn't zeroing out when the dome cooled. I reset it, finding out it was 35 degrees high, and it worked twice now. I've only used the cooker in temps lower than 10 degrees F. I don't know if that affects the life of the thermometer. Is there a better thermometer for the dome? Do they all have a limited life?
    What is a good way to gauge the temp of the cooking food without opening the grill all the time? Is it mostly experience? Do those temp probes that stay in the food during cooking have a limited life too?

    Phil
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Just general reply

    Stike - emails keep bouncing back. Just an FYI. I'm kind of geek about everything so I like all the details. I purchased the Tel Tru and whether it is better or not is moot for me….I like the face better than the oringinal...just a preference thing. I have both calibrated so I’m good to cook now! Thanks for the info!
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • Pick up a Maverik ET-73 remote thermometer. It stays in the meat and will transmit remotely into the house. If you protect the meat probe and cord from the direct heat by wrapping in foil, it will prolong the life of that probe. All will eventually "die", but you can practice 'preventive care' to extent that life. Also do not immerse in water.

    Good luck.
  • The leave in probes have a limited life. When you use them, run the wire on the way out of the egg over a leg of the plate setter to keep it from being blasted with direct heat, that will extend the life. Some manufacturers sell replacement probes (such as Maverick) for about $12 a piece.
    Most of those in the know on here buy Tel Tru replacements. I have not needed a replacement yet, but I think I will go with the BGE original as long as I get a decent run with it. Using other thermometers is kind of like having a Harley and using Japanese parts. Just my opinion.
  • It certainly is counter-intuitive, but supposedly wrapping in foil causes more heat to hit the wire. The Naked Whiz talked about it on here, I would imagine it is on his site, I can't remember.
  • I got that information from Shotgun Fred at BBQ Guru. He says that completely enclosing the wire can cause damage. He recommends making a "tray" to place underneath the cable, but not enclosing it.
    The Naked Whiz
  • Thanks. Good info!

    I usually find a way to position my wires over and indirect spot, but sometimes I have wrapped in foil, like pictures I have seen here. This info makes sense!
  • Thanks for the info. Would you also consider the Maverik ET-73 remote thermometer to be the "better" one to purchase?

    Phil
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Good stuff. Thanks for all the info.

    I purchased a Thermapen with the interchangeable probes. Thus far I have only use the fast response meat probe. However, in anticipation of my first long smoke with a huge hunk of yet to be determined meat, I pinged Thermoworks on whether I should wrap my Smoke House Penetration Probe - Stainless Overbraid wire with foil or not. They recommended I wrap it but it wasn’t really necessary. He mentioned it was a good idea not b/c of the heat but b/c of the moisture retention of the BGE. I have no clue on this so that is why I asked and that was the response I received from Thermoworks.
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • I have had the Maverik the longest, but I also have a BBQ Guru.

    They can be used together, especially on a long, slow cook. I use the Maverik for quick cooks, like steaks where I can sit inside an read/write on the forum whilst the steaks are finishing up on the porch.

    If I were only buying one (or for my first one) I would get the Maverik ET-73.

    IMHO
  • Some thoughts/questions...

    How is it determined that probes have a limited life and what is that limit?

    The forum trend has been to go to Tru-Tel Thermometers. Some of the Tru-Tell's read to 1000° which might be nice.

    Thermometer never zero's out - it won't unless it is 0° ambient. In the summer time my egg resting temperature at times will show 100° or more - it gets hot out in the sun.

    Personally I don't think the Maverick ET-73 is all that accurate, however it sure is nice to have a remote reading dual probe thermometer. I think I will do some temperature testing to see how my thermometers are reading.

    GG
  • to solve this...
    I'm not sure but it seems like when I reply to some threads they don't come to the top of the forum.
  • A note on the 1000 degree TelTru. The instructions say that it should only be used above 800 degrees intermittently or something like that. It doesn't define "intermittently" however.
    The Naked Whiz
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Canugghead not signed in wrote:
    to solve this...
    I'm not sure but it seems like when I reply to some threads they don't come to the top of the forum.

    Tried that...no luck. I replied to a thread titled "Calibration" and it never came to the top. I replied to another older thread and it never surfaced either. Not a biggie but if you ask a ? and it doesn't move to the top. chances are no replies.
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Crazy - I'm working TREX method on the chops right now and my Tel Tru just wrapped past the 750 and backup to the 300 mark....guessing 1050. My BGE thermometer never did that. I know it is just the flames but do I need to be concerned with damaging the thermometer?
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • I decided to test my thermometers which haven't been checked now for 4 months or so.

    1 of the 4 was on the other 3 were 40 to 60 degrees low. I never did an original test/calibration on the mini but I have on the other 3 eggs.

    My DigiQII was 8 to 12 degrees low on both pit and meat probes.

    Maverick ET-73 =/- 7° Maberick ET-7 probe one 200° off to hhh (fried) other probe +/- 4°

    What is interesting to me. When I use the DigiQII I most always also use the Maverick ET-73 with probes of each device very close to one another - within 1.5 inches.

    Both units check very close to accurate, however, often the Maverick or q2 will read 15° to 35°different from one another. I was thinking the Maverick was off.

    I didn't check the Therompen, which I will do later on tonight.

    GG
  • How do you calibrate the thermopen?
  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,452
    (probably a dumb question but i'll ask) did you try the browser refresh button?
    canuckland
  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    Canugghead wrote:
    (probably a dumb question but i'll ask) did you try the browser refresh button?

    I thought the same...tried it several times. Just posted a test reply to the thread in question.

    http://www.eggheadforum.com/index.php?option=com_simpleboard&func=view&id=584810&catid=1#

    Dunno.
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
  • I had just ordered a new BGE thermo when this thread started. I just got it and the results for a virgin thermo in the boiling wate test was -2 degrees. Not bad.

    I had to buy a new one, the old one after 10 years was swimming in water.

    Just my 10 cents worth, inflation...