Dome thermometer clouding


 
M

Mike Leiter

TVWBB Pro
I received my 22 WSM yesterday and actually used it today to do a few chickens to break it in. I did use a small amount of water in the pan and it kept the temp rock solid at 235 at the grate all the time. My question is the dome thermometer started clouding up pretty soon after closing it all up for the first time. I thought maybe it was condensation but it got worse as it went and it turned to a cloudy grey color hazing the whole display. I actually looked at it through a magnify glass and it doesn't appear to be water droplets at all in there.
Anyone ever have their dome thermometer do this on it when new?? Should I call Weber or just wait a few days and see if it goes away. Hoping this is just a bad one and it wont be doing this on each use.
 
I've noticed a small amount of condensation in the center but not the whole lens. Weber will probably send another one to you.
 
I`ll probably give them a call. Took the thermometer and trim ring off last night and brought in house. I laid it behind a small fan for the night with the back vent hole unobstructed and its still clouded. There was no condensation at all on the back or in the mounting ring when I took it off. It may just be a fluke or something in it smoked when it got hot and discolored the glass...
 
Mike Leiter said:
I received my 22 WSM yesterday and actually used it today to do a few chickens to break it in. I did use a small amount of water in the pan and it kept the temp rock solid at 235 at the grate all the time. My question is the dome thermometer started clouding up pretty soon after closing it all up for the first time. I thought maybe it was condensation but it got worse as it went and it turned to a cloudy grey color hazing the whole display. I actually looked at it through a magnify glass and it doesn't appear to be water droplets at all in there.
Anyone ever have their dome thermometer do this on it when new?? Should I call Weber or just wait a few days and see if it goes away. Hoping this is just a bad one and it wont be doing this on each use.
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Got the same thing on mine. I used it Sunday and this is what the thermo looks like today.
Very similar situation - new WSM, first cook, cooked chicken (then ribs - total of 8 hours,) some water in the pan, 235 degrees,

Edit to add - the moisture beads in the center appeared shortly after the smoker got up to temp.
The full cloudy glass didn't happen until after it cooled down. (as in, noticed it the following morning when I cleaned up)

Thermometer.jpg
 
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I never got the moisture droplets in mine and even looked at it under 20x magnification but not saying it couldn't be...I have had mine sitting behind a small ceramic heater on the low setting and the Thermometer is pretty warm but 0 decrease in the cloudy look even up to 5 minutes ago after cooling down. Weber did say they would do a courtesy replacement after I emailed a picture to show them this about an hr ago so I have one on the way.

This is what mine looked like a short time ago after almost 19hrs of heated air blowing across it and the vent hole in the back. I don't rely solely on this as I have probes I put in the meat plus put another thermometer in the grill vent since I know for sure its only 1 degree off. It would just be nice to have a lid one that's not clouded up and hopefully the new one coming will take care of that..
IMAG0415.jpg
 
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Mike Leiter said:
Weber did say they would do a courtesy replacement after I emailed a picture to show them this about an hr ago so I have one on the way.
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Really..... I sent Weber an email, along with my photo, and this was the reply I got.


Hello Chad,

If a thermometer gets condensation inside, there is a "weep hole" that prevents it from breaking. It is not unusual for thermometers to "fog". As the grill heats, this may go away, or it will eventually dry out. If the temperature is not hot enough in a grill, or in a smoker, it will take longer for the moisture to dissipate.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Ray
Weber-Stephen Products, Co.
90 W Hillcrest Blvd, Suite 308
Schaumburg, IL 60195
Phone 800.446.1071
Fax 847.407.8900
 
This is the reply I got...I omitted the persons name as I don't know if he wants his name on a forum without his permission......even if it is a Weber issued one....
Looks to be a copy and paste statement they issue to people as yours is worded the exact same except the first 2 sentences..

Hello,

Thank you for your email. Please reply with your shipping address so we can ship you a thermometer as a courtesy. This may happen again as there is a "weep hole" that prevents it from breaking which may also cause it to "fog". As the grill heats, this may go away, or it will eventually dry out. If the temperature is not hot enough in a grill, or in a smoker, it will take longer for the moisture to dissipate.

If you need further assistance, please let me know.

Thank you,

XXXXX
Customer Service Representative
Weber-Stephen Products LLC
90 West Hillcrest Blvd.
Suite 308
Schaumburg, Il 60195
Phone 800.446.1071
Fax 847.407.8900

Chad Bman
I sent you a PM with his full name..
 
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Chad Bman said:
Thermometer.jpg
Click to expand...

Update - I fired up the smoker today and it didn't take long for the 'cloud' to go away. A while later, the water droplets started to appear. Curious to see what it looks like tomorrow as the smoker still reads 150 degrees. (shut it down about 3 hours ago)
 
Mine still has not gotten clear and its in the house in warm and semi breezy spot. I'm hoping the new one will be okay when it comes. I never did get the moisture droplets like you got though.
 
Mike - before you swap for the new one, put the old one back in & use it. I'm willing to bet it'll clear up. Mine was clear before I even got the meat on it.
 
Well it may be good I have another one coming anyways.. I did the boiling water temp test this a.m with this one and a few other probes and it wouldn't even clear 190 degree reading so its around 22 degrees off. Luckily I don't rely on lid ones solely as I have a few probe thermometers for the more precise stuff. Its just nice to take a glance at the lid once in awhile to see ballpark dome temps.
 
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I haven't tested my thermo, but that's on my to-do list. Then again, so is getting a Maverick. lol
Just checked the thermo after yesterdays cook and it's crystal clear. Weird.
Seeing others pop in here with their comments, I'll not worry about it anymore even if it does cloud up from time to time.
 
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