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I have one of the original Ameriques and my meat thermometer unit has gone bad. Does anyone have an extra they want to sell?  I looked on the accessories page and  they only have the new style thermometer plug. I would need the whole new assembly with the new thermometer. I know they used to sell it but I don’t see it anymore. Does anyone have any recommendations where I can get either an old assembly or the new assembly with the thermometer?

 

Just for clarification the plug that my thermometer has looks like a plug for a guitar or to plug headphones into a tuner unit. 

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I am in the same situation. We purchased the Amerique unit a number of years ago from Cabelas. The probe went to pot and we contacted Cookshack customer service to purchase a replacement. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! The quality original probe was discontinued and replaced by a cheap, complicated set of parts that required disassembling the control unit and soldering various connections (which clearly voids the warranty).

TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON AN EXPENSIVE UNIT!

Last edited by TurkeyRaiser
TurkeyRaiser posted:

I am in the same situation. We purchased the Amerique unit a number of years ago from Cabelas. The probe went to pot and we contacted Cookshack customer service to purchase a replacement. WHAT A DISAPPOINTMENT! The quality original probe was discontinued and replaced by a cheap, complicated set of parts that required disassembling the control unit and soldering various connections (which clearly voids the warranty).

TOTALLY UNSATISFACTORY CUSTOMER SERVICE ON AN EXPENSIVE UNIT!

It is even worse now, the only option they give you is to purchase the brand new control unit and a new probe.  That comes to about $1k with tax.  That would be a hard pass.  

oldsarge posted:

May I ask if you repaired the unit and does it work now?  I also have an Amerique and while nothing lasts forever, I would like to know if the replacement worked. Thanks.

I got my monies worth out of the probe and I didn't expect every component to last a decade. Just sad that they won't stand behind the product to provide other options besides dropping $1k to repair it.  

I am not going to take it apart simply because everything else works.  I have a multi-probe wireless that will do the trick.  

Here at Cookshack we do try our best to insure our products are of good quality. Our original meat probe with the RCA style jack was discontinued due to an issue with the jack tarnishing in very humid environments. We now use a gold plated two pin twist lock jack for better reliability.  As with a lot of updates for equipment on the market this can cause you to have to make some modifications for the update. In this case you would just need to drill out the original mount hole to a 5/8 and mount the new style jack in the same spot plunging it back into the control board. This is typically about a ten minute job. We do apologize for any inconvenience and will continue to do our best to supply our customers with the best quality product that we can.

I have two electric smokers. A couple of years ago the manufacturer of the non-Cookshack smoker changed out the probe as well. My switching the probe took just a couple of minutes. Sounds like the new probe from CS is very similar. The  controller is removed and the female plug removed and the hole enlarged by drilling. The new plug is installed. Inside the controller the female connector is attached to the motherboard by a small plug. Unplug (carefully) the old and attach the new.  A very simple repair. No soldering. Remount controller and done. 

Last edited by oldsarge

Yep - I've taken to using a piece of crumpled up foil to keep it centered in the hole. Works ok. I think I have the new style probe that can be replaced, but for a part at $90+ (ridiculously overpriced given the cost of any good oven thermometer probe with wire mesh outer sheath), and with all-negative reviews, I'm not very happy at that prospect. What has happened to CS with this new lousy forum, and seemingly ever-increasing prices for inferior replacement parts? Customer service on the phone seems ok but that's only two or three employees with dedication, not necessarily reflecting the company business model, which seems to have gotten less admirable.

Last edited by jay1924

I communicated with CS and sent the link to this post a while back and thus their reply above. I also suggested that they list the replacement parts and prices on the web site  so that those of us without problems can fully understand what all the fuss is about. Another site that sells similar stainless steel electric smokers has what appears to be a very similar probe set up at $50.00. I have it and it is not overly fragile, but I would not abuse it and it works.  But even at that price I consider it expensive.  But when the controller is dependent upon it, I reckon you can charge what you want.

As for the forum,  not many are happy with it but are coping. Certainly does not feel like family any more.

Last edited by oldsarge
electrotech posted:

Here at Cookshack we do try our best to insure our products are of good quality. Our original meat probe with the RCA style jack was discontinued due to an issue with the jack tarnishing in very humid environments. We now use a gold plated two pin twist lock jack for better reliability.  As with a lot of updates for equipment on the market this can cause you to have to make some modifications for the update. In this case you would just need to drill out the original mount hole to a 5/8 and mount the new style jack in the same spot plunging it back into the control board. This is typically about a ten minute job. We do apologize for any inconvenience and will continue to do our best to supply our customers with the best quality product that we can.

I called and talked to a person in tech support and was told that this was no longer available and I would need to purchase the entire Control Board.  If you still have the new probe as an option why was this not given to me?  I feel like it is just a way to get additional money out of your customers.  If this is an option how do I purchase it?  

oldsarge posted:

I communicated with CS and sent the link to this post a while back and thus their reply above. I also suggested that they list the replacement parts and prices on the web site  so that those of us without problems can fully understand what all the fuss is about. Another site that sells similar stainless steel electric smokers has what appears to be a very similar probe set up at $50.00. I have it and it is not overly fragile, but I would not abuse it and it works.  But even at that price I consider it expensive.  But when the controller is dependent upon it, I reckon you can charge what you want.

As for the forum,  not many are happy with it but are coping. Certainly does not feel like family any more.

I appreciate you forwarding this to CS but as you can see in my response I got a very different explanation when I called.  I actually asked about the option that electrotech mentioned and I was told this wasn't an option any more.  I guess we will see what will happen.  I am glad you knew how to forward this to them, I had no idea.  Thanks again!

 

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