Bandera 101 Question

tjack · 07-10-2011, 05:24 PM

Thanks to Kapn and others, I have downloaded and read the Bandera 101 document and plan on making the mods necessary to make it a good smoker.

The document states: "The Banderas’ thermometer has been reported to be off as much as 75 degrees. DON’T count on that thermometer"

It recommends to buy probe thermometers to off set this issue. My question is, has anyone found a good reliable thermometer to replace the one on the door?

I have nothing again using the probes, but sometimes it's nice to have a door mount to check out. It won't short out if it rains on me while I'm smoking.

Thanks in advance.

The_Kapn · 07-10-2011, 06:39 PM

The door thermometer's quality is not the problem.

The heat runs right up that front wall and causes really high indicated temps.
So, you need to measure the temp further toward the middle of the cooker.

I spent many hours cooking and messing with mine.
I finally knew it to the point that I just dropped a probe thermometer in the vent and that is all I needed to know.

But, that takes time.

A probe in the interior is still the best way to quickly learn your cooker.

Makes Good Eats!

TIM

07-10-2011, 05:24 PM	#1
tjack Is lookin for wood to cook with. Join Date: 06-21-11 Location: Columbia, TN	Bandera 101 Question Thanks to Kapn and others, I have downloaded and read the Bandera 101 document and plan on making the mods necessary to make it a good smoker. The document states: "The Banderas’ thermometer has been reported to be off as much as 75 degrees. DON’T count on that thermometer" It recommends to buy probe thermometers to off set this issue. My question is, has anyone found a good reliable thermometer to replace the one on the door? I have nothing again using the probes, but sometimes it's nice to have a door mount to check out. It won't short out if it rains on me while I'm smoking. Thanks in advance.

07-10-2011, 06:39 PM	#2
The_Kapn Moderator Emeritus Join Date: 04-08-04 Location: Marianna, FL Name/Nickname : Tim	The door thermometer's quality is not the problem. The heat runs right up that front wall and causes really high indicated temps. So, you need to measure the temp further toward the middle of the cooker. I spent many hours cooking and messing with mine. I finally knew it to the point that I just dropped a probe thermometer in the vent and that is all I needed to know. But, that takes time. A probe in the interior is still the best way to quickly learn your cooker. Makes Good Eats! TIM __________________ "Flirtin' with Disaster" BBQ Team (RETIRED) FBA and KCBS Cook and Judge. Former owner of a WSM, a Smokey Joe, a Charbroil Commercial gasser (junk), the legendary "StudeDera", a FEC100, a Fast Eddy PG500, and Sherman the Wonder Trailer. Now cooking with a Yoder YS640 Proud Pellet guy cooking on real wood.

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