I recently installed an Auber controller on my PBC, and on my first cook I noticed almost a 12 deg difference between the Auber temperature reading and my Maverick ET-732 (high). The probes were within a few inches of each other. I changed the location so that the Auber probe was clipped onto the Maverick probe, and the difference was reduced but was still about 6 degrees. Not much, but I decided to do a calibration in the oven comparing the Auber, the food and BBQ Maverick probes, and a ThermoWorks ChefAlarm probe. All four probes were in free air, at the same height, within 3 inches of each other laterally. I set the oven for 225, let everything stabilize, and took several sets of measurements (I know the oven has +/- 15 deg variations). In summary, the results are:
Auber: 225
ThermoWorks: 224
Maverick food: 225
Maverick BBQ: 228
So, my Maverick BBQ probe, or that port, reads a bit high. My inclination is that the Auber thermocouple should be the most accurate, as thermocouple voltage is determined directly by the physics of the two different metals forming the couple, and so long as Auber is using a reasonable chip to read the voltage (many are available), it should be fine. The other probes are all temperature-sensitive resistors that have to be calibrated individually, can change over time, and are sensitive to any resistance in the circuit. Given the small differences, I didn't try exchanging the Maverick probes and ports, or testing other probes I have. My experience indicates that probe placement is more significant than probe calibration --- unless something bad happens. I'll rely on the Auber TC; TCs are either correct, or they don't read at all.
Auber: 225
ThermoWorks: 224
Maverick food: 225
Maverick BBQ: 228
So, my Maverick BBQ probe, or that port, reads a bit high. My inclination is that the Auber thermocouple should be the most accurate, as thermocouple voltage is determined directly by the physics of the two different metals forming the couple, and so long as Auber is using a reasonable chip to read the voltage (many are available), it should be fine. The other probes are all temperature-sensitive resistors that have to be calibrated individually, can change over time, and are sensitive to any resistance in the circuit. Given the small differences, I didn't try exchanging the Maverick probes and ports, or testing other probes I have. My experience indicates that probe placement is more significant than probe calibration --- unless something bad happens. I'll rely on the Auber TC; TCs are either correct, or they don't read at all.
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