First GOOD thermometers?

666 · Jan 28, 2013

Hey, i've only recently joined up and this is my first thread, but have been reading for a good while.

I'm finally sick of my rough ****ty thermometers and i'm looking at getting something for my Weber Kettle to get some accurate reads. I'm a bit split between what to get first, a Thermapen & Tel-Tru gauge to drill through the lid or side, or a Maverick ET732. I'll end up getting them all over time, but to start, i'm not sure what to go for first, and thought you guys might have some decent advice.

The Thermapen has a wide range of uses, I guess and a hardware therm on my Weber is a must sooner or later, but the Maverick would offer a detailed look at my heat wrangling, and could benefit my skills quicker.

Also, when drilling in a hardware thermometer to a Weber Kettle, i'm thinking of doing it either near the grill under the vent, or perhaps through the bottom bell, right near the grill. Haven't really seen many people put them here, so I was wondering if there's a reason for that.

Thanks guys.

Offthehook · Jan 28, 2013

I set my stoker to my desired temp and go by look and feel.

HankB · Jan 28, 2013

I really like my ET-732 (for the one time I've used it so far.) I liked the ET-73 that I used for a couple years. Some folks had trouble with the range that the remote would work but it never seemed to be a problem for me. I could look out a window and see the cooker so I wasn't too far away. I got the ET-732 because it covers higher temperature 500+ vs. 400+.

I'll probably never own a Thermapen. I have a Taylor Weekend Warrior that gets to temp a couple seconds after a Thermapen and cost about $15.

Edit: I've put eyelets in my WSMs for running the probes but on my kettles I just put the meat probe under the lid and dangle the cooker probe in the lid vent.

Offthehook · Jan 28, 2013

HankB said:
I really like my ET-732 (for the one time I've used it so far.) I liked the ET-73 that I used for a couple years. Some folks had trouble with the range that the remote would work but it never seemed to be a problem for me. I could look out a window and see the cooker so I wasn't too far away. I got the ET-732 because it covers higher temperature 500+ vs. 400+.

I'll probably never own a Thermapen. I have a Taylor Weekend Warrior that gets to temp a couple seconds after a Thermapen and cost about $15.

Edit: I've put eyelets in my WSMs for running the probes but on my kettles I just put the meat probe under the lid and dangle the cooker probe in the lid vent.

I have one of those weekend warriors, it's nice for tri tip where I set an alarm and let it go. I have had it a couple years and works fine.

code3rrt · Jan 28, 2013

Well, let me see, I have a ET-732,I've had it for a couple years and have never had a problem with it. I also have a Weber Performer with the therm. in the lid, it seems to run about 50* higher than my grill temp, per my ET-732. I do not have a Thermopen, I might get one some day, but really don't neccessarily see a reason for one in my situation right now. I'm not really sure what your application is.....low and slow, hot and fast, grilling etc. For my purposes, the ET-32 works great.

garzanium · Jan 28, 2013

732. Two birds with one stone. Meat temps and grill temps.

Sent from my SGH-T999 using Tapatalk 2

seattlepitboss · Jan 29, 2013

I'm not sure I'd puncture the ceramic-coated lid of a Weber kettle just to add a thermometer hole. Because it will rust all around the hole. I had a lid with a rusty spot, so I went ahead and drilled out a hole there. I like to put short pieces of pipe couplers over my thermo hole, centered over a 1/4" hole, so I can thread in thermometers with 1/2" threaded backs (or 3/8" or 1/4" with bushings as needed). I weld the pipe coupler pieces in and just paint it black. I'm not one of those guys whose cookers has to look like a museum piece! - seattlepitboss

HankB · Jan 29, 2013

seattlepitboss said:
I'm not sure I'd puncture the ceramic-coated lid of a Weber kettle just to add a thermometer hole. Because it will rust all around the hole.

I've only done one lid and that's on my mini-WSM. I've had an eyelet in my 18.5 WSM for several years with no problem. It seems that enough smoke/grease deposits on the inner walls to prevent rust (so far.) On my mini-WSM which has a silver barrel, the tracks where it runs down the outside are obvious (but not overly objectionable.

)

chriscw81 · Jan 29, 2013

get a maverick. you'll be glad you did. The thermapen is a beast and worth every penny. that being said, i use my maverick PT-100 regularly because i cook at night a lot and it has a backlight

First GOOD thermometers?

666

Found some matches.

Offthehook

is Blowin Smoke!

HankB

is Blowin Smoke!

Offthehook

is Blowin Smoke!

code3rrt

Babbling Farker

garzanium

Full Fledged Farker

seattlepitboss

is one Smokin' Farker

HankB

is Blowin Smoke!

chriscw81

is Blowin Smoke!

Similar threads