Probe readings varying +/- 3 degrees

[Ken C]

The temps from my probes are varying by +/3 degrees. I'm thinking it has to be the control box (CyberQ), or is it the probes? One pit and two food probes doing this.... TIA!

[Mosca]

For pit thermometers, I’ve had this from the very first time I started using digital thermometers. I calibrated all my thermometers, and the next time I used them, the same thing happened.

The only explanation is that the temperature in the pit isn’t uniform across the grate. There are most likely eddies and flows, and places where heat concentrates and places where it doesn’t.

For food thermometers, different roasts, and different parts of the same roast, will be different. That is normal.

Over time, everything evens out. If it doesn’t, trust the probe. (Unless it’s off by like 50*.)

I use CyberQ, DigiQ, or Thermoworks Smoke.

[bbqLuv]

3* no biggie, adjust accordingly or not.
swap position in controller, does 3* travel with probe, its the probe, if not its the controller.
You could send them to me and buy new.

[HawkerXP]

pbr, pbr, pbr!

[Troutman]

Pabst Blue Ribbon?

[bbqLuv]

PBR problem fixing, 101
LOL

[Loren]

3 degrees is nothing to worry about; as folks have said, it's either temp variances in the cooker, or the probe is slightly off (which is not a huge deal).

If you want to find out how off probes are, make an ice bath (I believe Thermoworks has a how to guide) and see. I did that for a while. Then I got lazy - a few degrees off is not going to ruin my food when the range of "done" for most barbecue is a 5-10 degree window (ie pulled pork is 203-210, etc).

I have found that my probes from Thermoworks are usually more accurate then the probes I get for my Maverick 732 and XR. But my food always turns out good with either brand of probe

[RonB]

Just for piece of mind, put the probes in boiling water to check accuracy, but I would not worry about 3° unless I wanted to pull a steak at an exact temp.

[scottranda]

3 degrees ain’t nothing to sweat.

[EdF]

Back when I was younger and had more OCD (or maybe was more of a science guy), I found this kind of inquiry a fine accompaniment to a few adult beverages. Curiosity satisfied, I realized that my ability to execute on it made the point moot. Where'd those adult beverages go anyway?

[Troutman]

Adult beverages have been known to fix more than one problem in life!!!