On my 9 yr old----hold the smoker HI button down, temp should flash. release then press & hold HI and the temp will surge up, or just tap for one degree at a time--hit the mode button to set the high smoker temp. Same process for the smoker MIN temp
If you want a medium rare finished product, PULL temp IMO is no higher than 125, that's after the sear. It will rise to low130's during the rest.
http://blog2.thermoworks.com/2010/10/chef-recommended-tw-approved/
That's the problem with cooking to a specific temp. The brisket continued to cook for the hour it was in the cooler wrapped. Might have gone up to 210, 215 who knows
I have a Thermapen, Chef Alarm and Thermopop. All work as advertised, quick, easy to use and accurate. Only buy from the Thermoworks website to be sure you are getting the real thing
It varies from person to person. I don't wait for the white smoke to subside and my food tastes fine. Put wood on hot coals and it smokes. If taste bothers you, then wait.