I’ve got my new PBC on the way and hoping it’s here in time for cooking this weekend. I already own an instant read thermapen but I’m looking for recommendations on good thermometers for tracking internal smoker and meat temp given the small holes where the hanger bars go through. I know many on here say that you just let the PBC do its thing but given I’m new to cooking on charcoal and just learning the PBC I’d like the piece of mind that temps are where they should be while I’m learning. Thanks in advance and can’t wait to learn even more from the forum.
What's your price range? You can spend anywhere from $30 to the price you paid for the PBC. FWIW, in the PBC, just monitor for information only. You really should let the cooker do it's thing. Unless of course you are looking for higher temps in regards to chicken.
I've used a Maverick 732 for a long time.
It's good for bbq temp and 1 peice of meat.
The probes are a little short for the PBc. I ended up putting the unit in an oven mit so it wouldn't get too hot on the barrel.
But it measures remotely and has alarms.
There are fancier ones, with more probes, internet connectivity, and alexa voice commands.....
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I just got the new fireboard and like it. Glad I started with the maverick, it's served me well for 6+ years, kept going even when I melted it a little. Not bad for $50.
I’ve been using the Therma Pro with pretty good results. Easy to use, easy to clean. The base has a good range so I can go in the house and not worry about losing signal.
What's your price range? You can spend anywhere from $30 to the price you paid for the PBC. FWIW, in the PBC, just monitor for information only. You really should let the cooker do it's thing. Unless of course you are looking for higher temps in regards to chicken.
I know you are new to cooking on charcoal, but I would suggest giving it a few cooks without a thermometer. If you have one, you will be looking at it often to "make sure it's going OK". You will wanting to do that anyway, but just trust the device and follow the instructions and you'll have awesome food. I would suggest a chimney started if you don't have one as it make lighting it easier. If you know it's started well, you will know it's going to work.
Kamado Joe Big Joe III
Pit Barrel Cooker
Camp Chef Flat Top 900
Weber Performer 22
PowerFlamer Propane 160
Meater +
Thermoworks Smoke
Thermoworks Thermapen
Temp Spike
I've used the Thermoworks Smoke with terrific results for quite some time. They are accurate, durable, and somehow seem to never need battery changes no matter how often I use them. Customer service is old school excellent. That said, heed what Runaround said. In my experience it is often counterproductive to manipulate the PBC to control temps. If left alone they usually settle in to their sweet spot, which is between 270-290.
My toys:
Weber Summit Charcoal Grilling Center (WSCGC) aka Mr. Fancypants
Pit Barrel Cooker (which rocks), named Pretty Baby
Weber Summit S650 Gas Grill, named Hot 'n Fast (used mostly for searing and griddling)
Weber Kettle Premium 22" named Kettle Kid, eager to horn in with more cooks in the future
Camp Chef Somerset IV 4-burner outdoor gas range named AfterBurner due to its 30kBTU burners
Adrenaline BBQ Company Gear:
SnS Low Profile, DnG, and Large Charcoal Basket, for WSCGC
SnS Deluxe for 22" Kettle
Elevated SS Rack for WSCGC
SS Rack for DnG
Cast Iron Griddle
Grill Grate for SnS
Grill Grates: five 17.375 sections (retired to storage)
Grill Grates: six 19.25 panels for exact fit for Summit S650
gasser
Grill Grates for 22" Kettle
2 Grill Grate Griddles
Steelmade Griddle for Summit gas grill
Fireboard Gear:
Extreme BBQ Thermometer Package
Additional control unit
Additional probes: Competition Probes 1" (3) and 4" (1), 3 additional Ambient Probes. 1 additional Food Probe
2 Driver Cables
Pit Viper Fan (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Pit Viper Fan new design (to pair with Fireboard Fan Driver Cable)
Thermoworks Gear:
Thermapen MK4 (pink)
Thermapen Classic (pink too)
Thermoworks MK4 orange
Temp Test 2 Smart Thermometer
Extra Big and Loud Timer
Timestick Trio
Maverick ET 73 a little workhorse with limited range
Maverick ET 733
Maverick (Ivation) ET 732
Grill Pinz
Vortex (two of them)
18" drip pan for WSCGC
Ceramic Spacers for WSCGC in Kamado Mode: 2 sets each 1/2", 1", 2". The 2" spacers work best with the 18" drip pan. The 1+1/2 inch spacers work best with the 14 inch cake pan.
Two Joule Sous Vide devices
3 Lipavi Sous Vide Tubs with Lids: 12, 18 and 26 quarts
Avid Armor Ultra Pro V32 Chamber Sealer
Instant Pot 6 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Instant Pot 10 Quart Electric Pressure Cooker
Charcoal Companion TurboQue
A-Maze-N tube 12 inch tube smoker accessory for use with pellets
BBQ Dragon and Dragon Chimney
Shun Classic Series:
8" Chef Knife
6" Chef's Knife
Gokujo Boning and Fillet Knife
3 1/2 inch Paring Knife
I would go with the Maverick XR 50 purchased from SnSGrills.com . The owner, Dave Parrish was the first Pit Boss here (and still a member). His company sells quality products. The XR-50 sells for $80 or so. Here's the link:
I have a Thermoworks Smoke, which is $99 normally, but can be seen on sale for 10% to 20% off different times of year. If I had to buy one today, I would follow with Kathryn's advice above, and get a Maverick XR-50, as it has 4 probes - you may not need all of them now, but you might at some point - the probes are water proof - and it has better range than my Smoke. And it is $20 cheaper than the Smoke, at $79.99.
Weber S-335 gas grill
Weber 26†kettle
Weber 22†kettle
Camp Chef XL Smoke Vault
Camp Chef 3 Burner cook top
Camp Chef Woodwind 36 Pellet grill with sidekick burner
PBC
Accessories:
SnS XL
SnS standard
Vortex
Weber Rotisserie for 22†Kettle
1st gen FireBoard
2nd gen FireBoard
Griddle for Camp Chef cooktop
Several Thermoworks items
Set of Grill Grates
If you are wanting something that has the ability to track up to 6 temps or think that you would ever need the use of a fan I would recommend the Fireboard. The second generations are out now but the old ones are selling for a savings. If you don't think you would ever need to use a fan then I agree with the XR-50 recommendations above.
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