Tru Tel through stock grommet


 
C

ChadB

TVWBB Member
Hello all. New owner of WSM 22.5 (2014 model) and have question regarding placement of bimetal therms through stock grommet. There looks to be a small slit for feeding larger things through (meat probes ect...) and right next to that a small hole for placement of bimetal therm. I guess my question is will the grommet hold heavy thermometer in place (Tru Tel BQ300)? That would allow me to use 2 meat probes (Maverick 732) to measure temps of food on both upper and lower grate during cook. Do I use 4 inch stem Tru Tel so as not to get false high temp readings too close to wall of cooker? Any advice/experience helps.

Thanks
Chad
 
My atc probe sits just inside the wall of the WSM by maybe an 1"- 1/1/2" or so. In my case, I measure the temperature of the heated air as it is being delivered to the cooking area.
 
Thanks for the reply Bob. I guess what I'm getting at is I'm trying to figure a way to measure two food temps with maverick 732 (2 meat probes, no grate probe) and get an accurate grate temp at the same time. I was thinking the bimetal through grommet would work to measure a temp close to grate. I have read where bimetal thermometers are inaccurate though (even nice ones). Would the BQ300 through the grommet give me an accurate grate temp?
 
Hi Chad,

Tel-True makes excellent thermometers. You will normally see their industrial grade bimetal thermometer with an accuracy of +/- 1% of full span. If you have a 0 - 500deg thermometer, that would be +/- 5 degrees, which is close to the accuracy of a general purpose type T thermocouple. More than good enough for BBQ, if you mount it outside with the probe inserted through the side of the WSM. I would not place any bimetal thermometer totally inside the WSM since the display end has a working temperature much less than the measuring temperature.

Take a look at the pictures James Lake posted from last Saturday with Harry Soo's class. Looking at the far 18 1/2 WSM, very top edge of the middle section. You will see Harry's pit thermocouple just barely inserted into the WSM. This is really the only place to measure true temperature as it is being applied to the cooking area. All other areas, such as on the grate or through the top vent, are being negatively influenced by the cooler meat.

I'm sure you already know that measuring the meat temperature does not indicate when BBQ is tender, especially if doing big cuts of meat. But it will indicate when you are in the temperature range to start manually checking (probing) for tenderness.

btw, Here is a link to Tel-True's line of bimetal thermometers.

Hope that helps.

Bob
 
Thanks so much Bob. Great info that really helps. Think my plan of inserting bimetal through the grommet will work and allow me to measure two different meat temps with maverick. How much fun would it be to meet Harry and attend a class. Awesome! Thanks again Bob.

Chad
 
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