Thermometer Accuracy?

ssj4vinh · 01-12-2011, 04:04 AM

Hello,

So I drilled a small hole in the lid of my kettle grill in order to insert a thermometer like this one:

My question is: how accurate of a reading will this give me for the temperature on the cooking grate? I've been smoking @ 220ish and I've heard that the temperature at the grate is lower.

All advice welcomed! THANKS!

NRA4Life · 01-12-2011, 05:35 AM

The only way to know for sure what your grate temp is, is to monitor it at grate level. How close to the grate is the thermometer?

Jlane21034 · 01-12-2011, 06:50 AM

The old saying "heat rises" is the truth but I wouldn't expect a crazy difference in temps as long as you are relatively close to cooking surface. I also like to check any new thermos I get by testing their accuracy in boiling water (No offense if you have already done this). Should read close to 212F depending on atmospheric pressure (elevation). I have been told water will boil at 162F on top of Everest. So as long as you aren't smoking above 29,000 ft you should be close.

Teleking · 01-12-2011, 07:19 AM

Buy a $4 oven therm at wal-fart to set on the cooking grate to check temps.

Cheers

Lake Dogs · 01-12-2011, 07:48 AM

^^^ I suggest purchasing multiple $4 oven thermometers and placing them around
on your cooking grate to determine if you have hot spots, etc. I've cooked on many
different types of cookers/smokers and my experience is that the exterior mounted
thermometer is always off by as much as 50 degrees depending on placement, some
high and some low. Once you learn the difference (yours, surface temp to outside
monitored temp) then you can rely on that thermometer, but not until then.

inv3ctiv3 · 01-12-2011, 11:20 AM

I've been interested in adding a good thermometer to my smoker around grate level, any suggestions?

Teleking · 01-12-2011, 11:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by inv3ctiv3

I've been interested in adding a good thermometer to my smoker around grate level, any suggestions?

Tel-tru

01-12-2011, 04:04 AM	#1
ssj4vinh Got Wood. Join Date: 01-09-11 Location: Torrance, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Thermometer Accuracy? Hello, So I drilled a small hole in the lid of my kettle grill in order to insert a thermometer like this one: My question is: how accurate of a reading will this give me for the temperature on the cooking grate? I've been smoking @ 220ish and I've heard that the temperature at the grate is lower. All advice welcomed! THANKS!

01-12-2011, 05:35 AM	#2
NRA4Life is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 07-07-09 Location: Newark, OH Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The only way to know for sure what your grate temp is, is to monitor it at grate level. How close to the grate is the thermometer? __________________ - Kevin Team: Smitty's Real Pit BBQ KCBS CBJ 2 Custom Built Reverse Flow Stickburners 22.5" WSM Weber 26.75" OTG Weber 22.5" OTS Weber Blue 2000 Stainless Performer

01-12-2011, 07:48 AM	#5
Lake Dogs Babbling Farker Join Date: 07-14-09 Location: Lake Sinclair, GA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	^^^ I suggest purchasing multiple $4 oven thermometers and placing them around on your cooking grate to determine if you have hot spots, etc. I've cooked on many different types of cookers/smokers and my experience is that the exterior mounted thermometer is always off by as much as 50 degrees depending on placement, some high and some low. Once you learn the difference (yours, surface temp to outside monitored temp) then you can rely on that thermometer, but not until then. __________________ Hance - Lake Dogs Cooking Team - MiM/MBN/GBA CBJ and comp cook Lake Sinclair, GA (strategically about an hour from everywhere)

01-12-2011, 11:20 AM	#6
inv3ctiv3 is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 01-05-11 Location: Santa Barbara, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I've been interested in adding a good thermometer to my smoker around grate level, any suggestions? __________________ Jim Bob BBQ - 18.5" WSM - 22.5" Weber Master Touch Green - UDS - RED Thermapen

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01-12-2011, 06:50 AM	#3
Jlane21034 Got Wood. Join Date: 01-11-11 Location: White Pine, TN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	The old saying "heat rises" is the truth but I wouldn't expect a crazy difference in temps as long as you are relatively close to cooking surface. I also like to check any new thermos I get by testing their accuracy in boiling water (No offense if you have already done this). Should read close to 212F depending on atmospheric pressure (elevation). I have been told water will boil at 162F on top of Everest. So as long as you aren't smoking above 29,000 ft you should be close.

01-12-2011, 07:19 AM	#4
Teleking is one Smokin' Farker Join Date: 11-10-08 Location: Maine Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Buy a $4 oven therm at wal-fart to set on the cooking grate to check temps. Cheers