Hi guys, I am loving this section of the forum, I've always loved cooking and trying something new. I think I'm going to pick up a small weber charcoal grill and start messing around with cooking over indirect heat/smoking. I see a lot of you have a probe with a wire attached to it that you can leave inside your grills and have the other end connected to the reader on the outside of the grills. I have been browsing around but am having a hard time figuring out if some are just meant to be inserted into the actual food to check the temp or if they are meant to be laid right on the grill to check temp. Or doesn't it matter/can be used for both? Well anyway, I don't need top of the line or anything but can anyone recommend me a good temp probe to start out with?
Hi Razo. I've had real good luck with my Maverick et-732. Nice unit that's not too ridiculous price-wise (I paid 59 bucks for mine which came with a pair of grizzly paw meat pullers). Comes with a transmitter with two probes (one for grill temp, one for food temp) and the reciever which is good out to 300 feet or something like that.
That ET-72 is supposed to be the best. I haven't figured out the difference between it, and the newest version ET-733, for $10 bucks more? I currently use two cheapo Taylor probes, sold at Walmart and Target for about $14. They work well enough, but I'm always frying the probes. Once they get hotter than 450F, they're toast. Both retailers always take them back, so save your receipt. I return them even they aren't busted yet every month.
Mr A. As near as I can remember, the difference between the 732 and 733 is just some bells and whistles (and 10 bucks) that don't matter to me. The 732 is about perfect for what I need a thermo for so I'm glad I went with it. That being said, any accurate thermo is gonna be fine so I'm all for saving a few bucks. Were I you, I'd stick with the Taylors...
I've got the Maverick ET733 with the upgraded made in USA probes that are suppose to last longer and be more water resistant than the made in China probes have had the set up for about a year now, so far like it alot. Definitely need to know your grill temps as well as your internal food temps. Yes these are meant to be inserted into your food as well as clipped on to your grill grates to monitor the temps of both. bought them here http://www.bbqequipmentstore.com/Ma...1CD1E133CE5152815B1ECC1C7860B5.m1plqscsfapp06
Thanks for the recommendations everyone, that ET733 sure is nice, about what I was planning on spending for the grill itself haha. I have it bookmarked and am going to think it over.
Backyard Grill wireless thermometer is a good starting meter. Wallyworld sells them for a lot less than Lowes. Just don't pull the probe out of meat when it is hot/directly off the grill, let it cool down a bit otherwise the silicone boot tugs the thermocouple wires out. http://www.walmart.com/ip/Backyard-Grill-Wireless-Thermometer/19525225
Perfect thank you basod Those other models are very nice and would love to have one some day but this is very approachable. Thanks again for the recommendation.
I picked up an open box ET732 for $35 off of ebay. Keep an eye out for good deals just be aware of buying a used one due to the fragility of the probes.
http://slickdeals.net/f/7233782-iva...rmometer-set-43-free-shipping?page=3#comments There's a promo code in the link to make it $43