WSM Thermometer Probe Length?

Unfathomable Bastid

Unfathomable Bastid

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Hey Brethren:

Thinking of installing a couple grate-level thermometers on my 22.5" WSM this weekend, and was wondering if there's consensus on the ideal probe length. They apparently come in a variety of different lengths.

Thanks!

-Bastid
 
I would think 3"-5" would be ok. It will get you past the very edge that is a little hotter than the center due to the way heat circulates in the weber.
 
Seems like I'd want at least a 4" probe (no jokes please) for fear that taking readings too close to the side of the cooker would be 25-50 degrees hotter than a couple inches further towards the middle.

Am I incorrect in assuming this?

Of course, if I choose anything larger than 3" and plan on installing it above the cooking grate, I could be sacrificing quite a bit of cooking real estate. Hmmm...

-Bastid
 
Why not do the grommets and just put the thermometer in when you need to read the temp? I would be concerned mounting it would get in the way of taking the grate out. BobM should be able to address that for you.
 
Cayman1 said:
Why not do the grommets and just put the thermometer in when you need to read the temp?
Click to expand...
You can do that and it works well. For convenience I wanted something permanent.


Cayman1 said:
I would be concerned mounting it would get in the way of taking the grate out. BobM should be able to address that for you.
Click to expand...
You have to tilt the grates on a slight angle when you put them in or take them out, but it's no big deal.
 
I might be going overboard on this whole idea since I also use the DigiQ DX2 temperature management system which has a pit probe. I just like the idea of having a second ACCURATE thermometer installed to tell me temps independently of the computer. And I also like the way the installed thermometer looks on the unit.

It's like airliners with GPS navigation units still having vacuum pumps running their analog instruments. You don't need them -- until you need them.

-Bastid
 
I usually see therms with two or four inch stems and my pick would be the four inch because I would want to see what the temp is as close to where the cooking is being done as possible.
 
oldbill said:
I usually see therms with two or four inch stems and my pick would be the four inch because I would want to see what the temp is as close to where the cooking is being done as possible.
Click to expand...

Yeah, I believe a minimum of 3" probe is necessary. 4" is my preferred length. The question remains as to whether the install should be below or above the grate.

Personally, I think it should be above the grate as that's likely to have a more correct temp reading, and would also avoid dripping foods.

-Bastid
 
Unfathomable Bastid said:
Yeah, I believe a minimum of 3" probe is necessary. 4" is my preferred length. The question remains as to whether the install should be below or above the grate.

Personally, I think it should be above the grate as that's likely to have a more correct temp reading, and would also avoid dripping foods.

-Bastid
Click to expand...
Yeah definitely above the grate as close to the level of the food area as possible.
 
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