What temperature probes are you guys using with your KBQ, and how are you routing them into the cook box?
I have an older Maverick wireless, and the probes don't fit through the top corners as noted in the instruction manual. I'm not sure if other probes will fit through those holes better. I'm thinking about getting and installing one of these: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BC4TYQ5/
I use a Thermapen Air for the ambient temp, and put it in the port next to the controller. No meat probes unless I go in and check it with a regular Thermapen. I've observed over a number of cooks that when the meat is about ready, you start to smell it outside the box, but not before. Uncanny!
I have noticed that, too! I haven't needed temp probes for chicken or ribs. Maybe because I am tending to the fire frequently enough that I can just open the door to take a peek or pop in a thermo. I want to do salmon soon so I will want better internal temp monitoring. It seems like the first thing to try is using the upper door corners. We will see!
My probes won't fit through the little holes in the corner either, however the door will close on the wires in the top corner without damage. I use the Smoke by Thermoworks.
Lonestar Grillz 24x36 offset smoker, grill, w/ main chamber charcoal grate and 3 tel-tru thermometers - left, right and center
Yoke Up custom charcoal basket and a Grill Wraps cover.
22.5 copper kettle w/ SnS, DnG, BBQ vortex, gasket and stainless steel hinge kit.
Napoleon gas grill (soon to go bye bye) rotting out.
1 maverick et-733 digital thermometer - black
1 maverick et-733 - gray
1 new standard grilling remote digital thermometer
1 thermoworks thermopen mk4 - red
1 thermoworks thermopop - red
Pre Miala flavor injector
taylor digital scale
TSM meat grinder
chefs choice food slicer
cuisinhart food processor
food saver vacuum sealer
TSM harvest food dehydrator
I use the top right hand corner of my cook box. There is a small gap where the door meets the corner. Just make sure not to shut your cables in the door, it fits so tight that the metal can cut the wires, or at least damage them.
The wires will not run through the little holes in the cook box corners. Installing probe ports is not a terrible idea. It would be helpful, but I don't think it is totally necessary.
You can see the wires I run, in the top right hand corner.
Thanks for the image! Pictures always help. Do you find it frustrating to open the door and have the wires fall, or have to rearrange them when you close the door?
No, opening the door is easy, they don't get in the way. When You are closing the door, simply hold them at a 45 degrees angle and close the door. There is actually a small notch that the wires will sit in. Like new2smokingsays, I rarely open the door once the meat is loaded. goldp18
Dr. Pepper do you happen to have a picture for a reference? for some reason, Spinaker 's post above running them through the door/where the door closes on them offends my prior cooker sensibilities about "breaking the seal"... I know that isn't important with the KBQ but it still feels... weird
I use a ThermoPro TP 20 and run the wires in both top corners. ThermoPro has a great warranty and super customer service. I had a problem with one probe. I emailed them on Sunday night and had a new one by Friday.
I would try to " worm" out the corner holes with a drill just enough to get your probe in, 1 probe per corner.
Thanks for all the advice and pictures! I didn't consider looking for gaps in the door due to the instruction manual, but it looks like the top corners are the ticket.
I could still see ports being useful as I don't like having to mess with wires when I open or close a cooker. The next cook is likely salmon so I'll give it a shot. Maybe a little hook or eyelet to hold the wires as the door opens and closes would be useful...
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