If you had your druthers...

Kansafornian · Post by **Kansafornian** » June 27th, 2012, 2:03 am

I'm sure this thread is somewhere on the site, however, having not found it after kicking about for a while, I thought I'd start a 'new' thread.

Given the collective wisdom herein, and your druthers, what are the top 5 smoker thermometers on the market today? I plan to start my UDS build this weekend and am prepping the parts order. There appears to be any number of thermometer options/configurations. Which are best? Which to buy?

A follow-on question: Given UDS as the soaker du jour, what are the optimal thermometer location(s)? Both racks? Lid? Elsewhere?

Thx in advance. Your opinations are much appreciated.

Gizmo · Post by **Gizmo** » June 27th, 2012, 6:50 am

I've had the best luck with the Tel-Tru brand of t-guages.
The longer the stem the better.
I posted a thread on here showing the label off of one ...

The Czar · Post by **The Czar** » June 27th, 2012, 7:33 am

I think they all suck

.....I use a Maverick.....but True Tel seems to be the winner of the losers

.....and from the top of the barrel down.....7 to 8 inches seems optimal.....

alleyrat58 · Post by **alleyrat58** » June 27th, 2012, 9:22 am

Bi-metal therms are a good gauge of how close you might be to your mark. The article below gives a lot more information on therms in general. The maverick digital therms are great! I use my Guru, of course, but all remote probe type therms suffer from another flaw - you can't pinch their cords or the readings will be off, and worse, eventually you will wear them out completely only you won't know it until you move the cord and your temperature spikes or drops significantly. So if you want my honest opinion - I use both. Tel-tru therms in the doors to keep an eye on things and my Guru to really dial in the temp.

http://www.amazingribs.com/BBQ_buyers_g ... guide.html

SoloQue · Post by **SoloQue** » June 27th, 2012, 10:54 am

I rely heavily on digital therms for zeroing in on temps that are right in the cooking area but I agree that having a dial therm or two on the doors as a confirmation that the digitals are working can be a lifesaver. The Mavericks get great reviews but suffer the same as any model in that the lead wires will give eventually due to abrasion. No issues with Tel-tru and getting a longer stem is preferred. I always do a icewater/boiling water test on any new therms to verify that out of the package they are worth installing. JM2C

Kansafornian · Post by **Kansafornian** » June 27th, 2012, 2:41 pm

Thx gentlemen! I'll proceed accordingly.

YouTube · Post by **Frank_Cox** » June 27th, 2012, 7:59 pm

k.a.m. · Post by **k.a.m.** » June 27th, 2012, 8:40 pm

Kansafornian, for UDS's it is hard to beat a good 12" stem turkey frying thermometer. the price is right and for the most part they are usually dead nut on.
I place mine 1" below the grates and have sleeves that allow me to remove them if I need to pull a lower grate.

I do use Mavericks for there remote access but the analogs keep me in touch if I am close by.

Kansafornian · Post by **Kansafornian** » June 28th, 2012, 12:06 am

Thx k.a.m. I've just picked up the pieces for my UDS and will likely use multiple bi-metals (turkey-length) and a Mavrick or

SmokerBuilder.com

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