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Removing thermometer from Egg dome

SyraQ
SyraQ Posts: 95
edited November -0001 in EggHead Forum
First, I just wanted to take it out and recalibrate it. It's a Tel-Tru that has been in the egg for over 5 years.
In my efforts to get it out, well it doesn't look too good anymore. I actually have purchased a new thermometer but can't put it in until I get the old one out. I have tried WD-40, a variety of tools and it just does not seem to budge. Any ideas ? At this point, damage to the thermometer is irrelevant. I just don't want to hurt my egg.
thanks!
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Comments

  • Fidel
    Fidel Posts: 10,172
    My guess is you have a bunch of baked on gunk on the stem and it's diameter is not larger than the hole in the dome.

    Use a brillo pad, 60 grit sandpaper, a utility knife, or something to remove the gunk and it should slide out.
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  • FearlessGrill
    FearlessGrill Posts: 695
    Is the metal clip installed on the inside of the Egg? If so, you'll need to get that off before it will pull out. If the thermometer stem is too crudded up to slide the clip off, you may need to clean the stem per Fidel's message. If all else fails, since you don't care about the old thermometer anyway, use a pair of cutting pliers, bolt cutter, hacksaw, etc to just cut off the stem.

    -John
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    what Fidel said, but first I assume you have removed the spring clip from the inside...
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    I lost by 32 seconds :laugh:
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • SyraQ
    SyraQ Posts: 95
    Thanks all. Yes, the clip is off. I will get to work on crud removal. If that does not do it, a few expletives deleted and some serious tools should do it.
    Thanks again.
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  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    After you remove as much as crud as possible Tap the probe a couple times with a hammer. I said "TAP" you want to get it started, not try to launch it into Oneida Lake.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,453
    how about using a block of wood instead. Not everybody's aim with a hammer from a weird angle to start with is good enough to hit the tiny tip!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
    Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker Posts: 3,743
    it's bent, is my guess.

    straight direct tap with a hammer. from inside. then grip whatever protrudes with a pair of channel-lock pliers and hit the pliers with a hammer gently so as to tug it out of the hole.

    you could torque the spindle around a bit as you do it.

    maybe a slight chance of chipping as it come out, but i'd doubt it.

    if you can get it to come free from the dome surface a bit, slide a hacksaw behind the dial and cut it off. then try the pliers/hammer gag from the inside (though it'll be harder because of curve of the dome)
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  • SyraQ
    SyraQ Posts: 95
    Ha!
    I can tell my frustration must be showing with the Oneida Lake comment! I'm going to tackle it this afternoon. We'll see what happens! Thanks.
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  • vidalia1
    vidalia1 Posts: 7,092
    Good luck and please don't spray it any more with WD-40...I don't want the oil based product to ruin your BGE.... :sick: :S
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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 34,583
    i dont keep oven cleaner around, but some do :laugh: maybe give it a little spray both sides to soften the gunk and wait a little while for it to soften the gunk in the hole a little. then clean it and tap it gently out
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Cecil
    Cecil Posts: 771
    My old one was bent, it took some twisting and jiggling but it came out no problem. It did look strange - curved like a"C".

    Walt
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  • civil eggineer
    civil eggineer Posts: 1,547
    A rag saturated with kerosene rubbed on the stem (getting slightly aroused) will quickly disolve any gunk that may be impeeding the removal. I have to go take a cold shower.
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  • Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker
    Humphrey Chimpden Earwicker Posts: 3,743
    i'm guessing it ain't gunk that does it, or it would pull out hot.

    i wouldn't spray anything in that hole. it is drilled after firing and glazing, and the interior of the drill hole is raw ceramic. wouldn't spray WD40 in the egg, so i wouldn't spray it in the thermo hole either.

    just grow a pair and tap that sucker out :laugh:
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  • Fidel
    Fidel Posts: 10,172
    Of course you don't get much gunk build up cooking stuff like couscous, poison duck breasts, and gazpacho.

    I had a thick layer of burned on crud that I had to scrape off to remove my thermometer. Dunno if it would have pulled out when hot, I never tried it.
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  • Mainegg
    Mainegg Posts: 7,787
    :P
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  • Celtic Wolf
    Celtic Wolf Posts: 9,773
    I would have said Onondaga Lake, but it would corrode before it hit the water..
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  • Ripnem
    Ripnem Posts: 5,511
    I might just calibrate it in place first. If it's a tel-tru, it may not need replacing. A wireless therm or a thermapen in the daisy will do the trick to check it out.
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