Temp guage placement

[Dave Ashcroft]

I'm new to the forum and i'm sure this question has been asked and answered before but where is the most accurate position for sticking the temp guage. I've used the vents in the lid and also the side door. Ive noticed 250F to 260F at the door and then 200F to 225F at the lid vent.Is this normally how it goes for all you die hard smokers.

 

[Guy Wallace]

I use a Maverick My lid temps is normaly lower than my grate temp Until the meat catches up ! All of this depends on a bunch a things thou . How much meat I start with the temp of said meat when starting . I don't get overly excited about temps I just try and keep the lid around 225 to 250 on the lid gauge and leter rip .

I don't think it matter were you ck temps as long as your consistent in checking them in the same place all the time of that cook . IMO ymmv thou .

 

[Lew]

What you're looking for is temperature at the cooking grate. I used a probe type on both cooking grates and compared to the lid thermometer. Now I just use the lid and do the math. I wouldn't recommend measuring on the side door.

 

[Glenn W]

Once you know your vent settings for your temp, it is best to run 100% open until 20-30 deg from target then set to your normal position. Unless you are loading up a ton of cold meat then just set 100% for 1hr then set em for your target and just wait, if you rush it you will burn up most of your cc.

It is hard to say where the prime location is because of the meat and how much there is. Once the meat has come up in temp there is little difference in lid/vent temp and top grate temp.

Try comparing the top grate temp with a oven thermo and the vent temp with no food on the WSM and you will see that they are very close.

After 2hrs my WSM's are within 10 deg from grate to vent to lid unless there is a bunch of meat in then its more like 4 hrs.

Bottom line, run your cooker with guages on the grate and the vent w/o meat and figure where your vents have to be for your target temp then do as I stated at the first.

Anyway that's my .02.

If your using water..... all of the above changes

 

[timothy]

I just stick a probe into the lid vent..
Easy-peasy.

Tim

 

[Dave Ashcroft]

Thanx for the fast replies. I'll probably continue to use the lid vent as it seems i've never got up enough jam to drill a hole in the side of my WSM.I'm truly amazed at how well it does hold its temp in all kinds of northern weather,eh.