Trouble with the thermometer probes

Larry,

When you write the probes "seem to not work," what do you mean? Too high (maybe in a fat pocket or against a bone), or too low?

I have read that the probe can get moisture in it. The remedy is to boil the probe in oil. The probe can be shrink wrapped at the joint with the cable.

This thread addresses probe issues (there are many other threads--do a search inside "FIND"). http://forum.cookshack.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/299102888...871003983#7871003983

Mike

Be sure it has good hot batteries in it. I know that is a no brainer, but when the batts get low, it is not as accurate.

Me too. I believe also a taylor. after 5-6 smokes it was reading 180 outside when the temp was 30. put it iin the cold turkey and still was in the 180 something range. change batteries- not change in readings. turn on and off several times with no help.

I go through the same thing with the taylors I have. I called the company in Canada and they said they would replace the first one. Then you can buy them from them for $5.00 each.

The ones they sent me, only one of the two worked. I have the same problem with mine. After about six or seven uses they quit working.

Like michael said.

many of us have abused Taylors for years.

They usually come back ok.

Pay attention to the water at the junctions.

Just this morning, I found a new (to me) Thermapen:

http://www.thermoworks.com/products/thermapen/thermapen_3_7.html

Scroll down to find "Smoke House Penetration Probe."

Expensive in the short run ($79 + $52), but maybe not so in the long run. I haven't investigated to determine how the probe is different, or what the guarantee is.

Just boil them in oil till they quit bubbling at the spot where the braid goes into the probe. Then keep them out of water.........

Michael,

Yes the Thermapen's are expensive, but they're different use. They do make a remote Probe type, what your link points to is the "instant read" type.

I have that very one (in fact I have 3 thermopens). That one I bought with a coiled extension and small probe (it's real tiny, juices don't come squirting out when I check) but that creates a different problem. I need to buy the larger probe for it, as I use the "poke and prod" method of determining doneness.

The biggest complaint about the wired probes is that moisture gets down into them.

I HIGHLY recommend, going to radio shack, get some high temp shrink tubing and seal it off as soon as you buy it. Water gets in the thermocouple and causes it to short out.

OR...it's just a cheap on to begin with

Its just a thought, but Ive got 4-5 Taylor probes and havent lost 1 yet. But when I put them in a hunk of meat, I always make sure the probe/cable junction is pointing down. If its pointing up, the moisture in the smoker will run down the cable into the probe junction. Just sayin...

bob