My thermometers always register the same temps. Unusual?


 
S

StanSulli

TVWBB Fan
Hi,

I'm using too many thermometers on my 18.5 WSM. They used to be security bankets for me but it occurred to me today that I don't need them.

Besides an internal probe in the meat, I have been using 3 thermometers for way too long. These days I look at their readings as just a curiosity more than anything else.

I'm thinking of getting rid of two of the three and just using the Weber lid thermometer. Right now I have a butt going and the Weber reads a hair over 250.

I also have a 12" therm. (turkey frier therm. I think) that I run through a grommet at top grate height. It is registering just a bit over 250.

The third one is a plain old oven thermometer that I sit on the top grate. It too is just slightly over 250 at the moment.

I have always read that the Weber lid thermometers are supposed to run higher than grate level thermometers by 10-15 deg. or more. But this Weber doesn't!

I know this is strange but it's just the way it is. And I have tested both the oven and the 12" therm. and they are on the money.

Do you think I'd be okay just using the Weber lid thermometer? I really feel like doing it but the Weber factory lid therms have such crappy reputations.
 
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My 08 18.5" WSM didn't come with a built in lid thermo so I use a 6" turkey fryer therm clipped into the top vent. That usually reads 10-15 deg higher than grate. I do the same on my 22.5" WSM which does have the Weber one, but I barely look at it.

Tim
 
Once my cooker stabilizes, my lid and grate temps are pretty darn close as well. I simply use the lid any more. Once less thing to fiddle with.
 
I use a Maverick 732 and will continue to do so. It varies quite a bit from the lid thermometer. However, when I built my Mini-Joe Gold, I installed the long stem thermometer just under the top grate and often use just that one. It's placement is such that the temps given me agree pretty much with the Maverick.

One of the reasons I like my Maverick so much is that I can monitor the smoker from inside the house. That is a BIG plus!

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
The only time I see a drastic difference between the lid and grate temp is in very sunny conditions. I'm not sure why because it should be reading from the probe that sticks out the bottom of it, but if it's sunny and calm (not windy), the lid always shows 20-30* higher than the top grate. When it's cloudy or dark, they're pretty darn close, usually within about 5-10*.
 
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