Update to correct my comments to Michele - sorry forgot that you have a Weber remote. Don't know that they sell heavy duty probes as an option. My comments to you below were referring to Maverick ET 73. Sorry for the confusion. The comments regarding BBQ GURU eyelets still apply.
<STRIKE>Michele - be sure to order a pair of the heavy duty probes. You won't be sorry. They also have longer leads.</STRIKE> You might also want to consider installing a set of the probe eyelets from BBQ Guru. They allow you to feed the probe into the WSM without having to set the lid on top of the wires. I think this helps too. <STRIKE>When you order the pair of heavy duty probes you can use either interchangeably as food or pit probes and have a higher temp range as well.</STRIKE>
Hey Dan - I hear you, can be frustrating. The Mavericks, as well as other units I believe use cheaper probe wiring and lower temp range probes to keep the price down due to competition. At least Maverick seems to recognize this and give you the option to buy heavy duty probes as an option in their manual.
I started with Poulder non remotes. I am on my second and use this unit for indoors only now. I had the same problem with the probe where it hardened and failed. I also found the Polder to be non resistant to moisture and less resistant to heat (the plastic housing). Could have been limited to my model.
Ray