Don’t leave home without it!

[smokenoob]

No, I’m not talking about your American Express card, I talking about your digital thermometer!

While visiting my sister I volunteered to cook St Louis ribs on her pellet smoker. Imagine my horror when I found out she had no instant read thermometer or a precise cook temp thermometer! I had to rely on the smoker button top thermometer and after boneing up on ribs, the tong crack method. Well, I overcooked ‘em, everyone liked ‘em but I knew they were average at best. I started thinking about all the times I have been asked to help cook and felt like a cave man without a digital temp reader. So, I’m gettin’ another pocket digital thermometer and ain’t leavin’ home without it!!!

Wonder when the next sale from Thermoworks will be? lol!!!!

[realdocBBQ]

How do you measure temp on ribs? I've never used a thermometer on ribs, but I have monitored grate temp. I usually just go by feel.

[smokenoob]

I know I’ve read ya can’t do it but I do anyway. I just try to hit a meaty part without hitting the bone. It has worked for me!

[jgreen]

I don’t try to temp the ribs either though I definitely watch the grill temps. What temps do try to hit for the meat?

[smokenoob]

190-200

[Dewesq55]

185-190. I always cook ribs with a probe suck between the 8th and 9th ribs in the wider bone side

[Pirate Scott]

I use a thermometer to test Probe Tender, measure the thick parts away from the bone. It is a good reference for future cooks too.

[JCGrill]

Excellent point, and a toothpick works great for probe tender.

[HouseHomey]

i don't temp them either but I get it. Other people temp too. Whatever makes your boat float....or kayak.

try the "RTC 600C" from thermoworks. They advertise it as their "Super fast" pocket thermometer. I use it in my Chef coat sleeve pocket and LOVE IT!

Its a bit long but thats ok, works great on large hunks o meat and has a nice thin probe as well as some other features. As we all know I'm a bit of a clutz, bull in the China shop and I'm constantly knocking and bumping into things. My old thermometers ALWAYS "got loose" at the pocket clip and the thermometer/probe connection where it clips back into the case/housing that remains in your pocket while using it.

This one is super tight in both respects and I don't have the problem if it accidentally falling out as others did, and yes even into the fryer.... don't ask. If I need another one it's gonna be my fault, trust me.

Better yet it's only like 24 bucks. Awesome price for such stellar quality and precision.

https://www.thermoworks.com/Pocket-Digital

Here you can see it on my sleeve. It's kinda long but I love it! That's my review and MHO of the product. It worth everything you paid for it. I hope this helps you.

[smokenoob]

I was thinking another thermapen cause I can fold it and put it in my pocket safely when traveling to friends. Wonder what they would think about it at the airline checkpoint?

[HouseHomey]

Ehh.... nope! Perhaps gift them the RTC600 instaread at 24 bucks.

[theroc]

Sounds advice smokenoob. I travel with my Thermopop, and whenever possible, a 6" Victorinox chef/utility knife. Can't tell you how many times I've been asked to step in and help cook. Nothing worse than having to make do with a poor or no thermometer and dull knives. Having those two items make it so much easier to get good results.

[HawkerXP]

I take my pop and dot whenever we travel.

[Troutman]

I like and use my therms but a lot of what I cook is also by sight, smell and feel. Pork ribs are a 4-1-1 time thing at 250*. As long as I can maintain the heat in the cooker, I don’t need no stinking badges....

[smokenoob]

Troutman I’m talkin’ bout away grills that I have no familiarity with, give me one tool, temp!!!

[Steve B]

I think I know what you’re sisters getting for Christmas this year.
Same deal happened to me 3 Years ago.
I got sister a thermopop 2 Christmas’s ago.
Now all is good.

[smokenoob]

so tonight I’m cookin ribeyes, I’m flyin’ blind! gotta use the hand palm method....

[theroc]

Trust the force

[HouseHomey]

They are ready. Pull them. Now!

[smokenoob]

thanks! they were perfect!

[Frozen Smoke]

Bend test on ribs I never even look for my therm when doing ribs. I would cut into the rib eyes about the time I thought they were done to check the inside pinkness if I didn't have a therm. I consider a quality therm to be the one and only required tool for cooking but there are ways to work around not having one.

[smokenoob]

I’m gettin’ there, still learning

[Black99vette]

They need a temp probe that plugs into a smart phone.

[FireMan]

I hear ya bout being asked to "help" out in the out door cookin area. Funny thing happens when people find out you’re "good at the grill", and that is without boasting. Word just seems to spread. Before I know it I’m being asked to cook venison steaks or just plain ol’ burgers. Yup, carry a temp read of some kind. Me it’s a "pop" or a "pen". I’m still old school on Ribs, use bend test, it works.

[smokenoob]

yeah, I’ll keep bendin’ ‘em until I get it!