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Need thermometer help


 
M

Matt Grabill

TVWBB Fan
I am considering getting a digital thermometer to monitor meat/grate temps. After much research on this site and others it appears that the Maverick ET 732 is the way to go.However,it seems durability of the probes is an issue,and after reading reviews people either love it or hate it. I have an 18.5 WSM and would like to modify it so the probe wires don't get crimped by the lid.My friend has a 22.5 WSM and it has a rubber grommet for the probes.Does anyone know if the Maverick probes fit through that as I thought I may be able to get that part from Weber. Liked the piece from BBQ guru that replaces a bolt for the grate tab( no drilling) but it says Maverick probes don't fit.Thanks in advance for any input,this site is invaluable!
Matt
 
have a new 14.5 with the rubber grommet, maverick probes fit through no problem at all. I can only assume the grommet is the same on all models, and if not the 14.5 would essentially be the smallest so you should be fine.

I will say this, assembling the wsm, getting the grommet on was a bit tricky - so if modifying on your own you'll need to be pretty precise i would imagine with cutting the hole.
 
Thanks Len,been all through that,some pretty creative mods there! Mike,my friend had the same trouble installing the grommet,I think he ended up using a little WD40,I would probably try some dish soap if I end up doing it.
Matt
 
The only thing I don't like in using the grommet is having to run the wires up from under the top grate, but I am not to the point of cutting a channel in the top rim (yet)
 
The Mav is a nice tool to have at first, but IMO after awhile, and getting to know your WSM it's only needed for doing a beef roast that you want to pull at a certain temp or a turkey.
So I would suggest the easiest way to route the probes. You already said that you don't want to pinch the leads with the lid, I get that, but have done that with mine for the first few years with zero probs. Seems to me the other easiest way, is to do the notch that so many have done.
I'll step back and let someone who has done that mod chime in.

Tim
 
I have notched the rim of my 18.5" WSM and my Mini-Joe Gold. It works prefectly. I will take delivery of a new 14.5" (don't ask) Saturday, and, no doubt, it will end up with a notch too. I will give the supplied port a trial but I can't believe that it'll work nearly as well as the "notch".

I have had a Maverick 732 ever since I got my first WSM and I LIKE it, a LOT!

Keep on smokin',
Dale53:wsm:
 
timothy said:
The Mav is a nice tool to have at first, but IMO after awhile, and getting to know your WSM it's only needed for doing a beef roast that you want to pull at a certain temp or a turkey.

Tim
Click to expand...

I agree except that I don't even use mine for beef or turkey any longer. I also just ran mine under the lid with no problems. I guess we all need to buy things that we don't need and use them for awhile until we figure out we don't need them. Part of any hobby I guess. At this point, I'm down to my lid thermometer for the pit temp and my thermapen for checking the meat. I like the thermapen because it is a probe that you can feel the texture of the meat with as you use it plus a great thermometer.
 
Well put Jerry,I was actually looking at the Thermapen as well .Seems like a great option,think I may go that route.All my smokes so far have come out great using only lid thermometer and a regular meat thermometer,so why mess with success?!
Thanks,Matt
 
I have the Maverick, got for and find it is good for remotely monitoring the cooker temps from inside the house while I watch TV, that the main reason I bought it. I was used to the old New Braunfels that you couldn't even begin to control temps on. and you had to monkey with it every 10 minutes. Now with the WSM it holds temps so well I even go to the shooting range for 2 or 3 hours during a cook and don't worry about it.
I bought a couple of the instant read thermometers from HD and they work well, may look into a fancy one but the $9 ones are working fine at this point.
 
Yep, the Thermapen is one tool I don't feel guilty about buying, and the Mav does have it's place, perfect in the wintertime when I don't want to bundle up and go check meat or WSM temps. :wsm:

Tim
 
I have had the Maverick ever since I got my 18.5 and like it, it is like anything if you take care of things they last. I could see if you pull a probe out of meat by the cable when hot that would be a problem. I have not done the notch mod but I will when the weather warms up,Oh that is another reason to own a Mav when it 10 outside you be warm inside.
As others have said I use it more for big thick meats like Turkey, Whole chickens, shoulders etc. As you are not openng up the unit to check on things. I like having the grate temp right at the meat also. It is a tool that helps you to learn things about your smoker faster so you build that history quicker thus confindence making me at leat a better cook. I love the WSM and what I can make come out of it taste great to me and my freinds.
Wordy I know sorry.
 
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