3rd Party probe location

[Bambino885]

Question, I have the Ironwood 885, and using the Fireboard 2 Pro. Wondering where is the best location to place the probe? Right now I have it located on bottom grate, middle in the back. It that a good location or should I place it somewhere else.

 

[midwest]

I don't have an Irondwood but a 780 Pro so I am not sure how yours is set up. But I put my Inkbird probe right next to where the factory Traeger probe it. Only reason did this is so I know how far off the factory probe is. More then likely temps are going to vary from one side of the cooker to the other, so as long as you leave it in the same place so you have some consistency I think that is what is most important.

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

I don't have an Irondwood but a 780 Pro so I am not sure how yours is set up. But I put my Inkbird probe right next to where the factory Traeger probe it. Only reason did this is so I know how far off the factory probe is. More then likely temps are going to vary from one side of the cooker to the other, so as long as you leave it in the same place so you have some consistency I think that is what is most important.

I'd tend to agree - I have a T-1300 and keep mine typically on the top rack near the Traeger probe. It's out of the way from most of what's on the grill and I can adjust temps based on that. If you have extra probes, I've seen some people put one on each side to to check for hot spots as well.

 

[magoo40]

Next to the cooking zone (about 3" from the meat) is where i run mine, im not interested in the temp near the existing probe which we know is wrong.

 

[FlyersFan76]

I have a Timberline and a Fireboard. I have 2 ambient temperature probes 1 on either side. The right side is right in front of the factory probe and the left probe is complete opposite.

 

[DJDDay]

I have a Timberline and a Fireboard. I have 2 ambient temperature probes 1 on either side. The right side is right in front of the factory probe and the left probe is complete opposite.

Neither of which are near your main cooking surface, which is where it actually should be.

Next [to] the cooking zone (about 3" from the meat) is where i run mine, im not interested in the temp near the existing probe which we know is wrong.

^^ THIS x1000 ^^

 

[FlyersFan76]

Neither of which are near your main cooking surface, which is where it actually should be.



^^ THIS x1000 ^^

True. I am buying more probes to add or move around. I had the grill apart for cleaning which made me eager to run the wires out of the way.

Since they are fireboard are there other probes on the market that have a longer wire? The extensions are good but they need to be out of the hot zone which makes running the wires a tight issue.

 

[DJDDay]

True. I am buying more probes to add or move around. I had the grill apart for cleaning which made me eager to run the wires out of the way.

Since they are fireboard are there other probes on the market that have a longer wire? The extensions are good but they need to be out of the hot zone which makes running the wires a tight issue.

How you ran your wires looks very clean - nice job on that at least! I use probes from ThermoWorks (I've got Signals, and wouldn't trade it for the world). Not sure how long the wires are, though. Will have to measure.

Signals™ BBQ Alarm Thermometer with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Specializing in cool, unique and professional temperature tools. Super-Fast thermocouples, thermistors, infrared thermometers, data logging and more.

www.thermoworks.com

UPDATE; looks like the cable length of the pro series grate probe is 47 inches / 1.2 meters:

Pro-Series® High Temp Air Probe With Grate Clip (included with Smoke and Square DOT)

Specializing in cool, unique and professional temperature tools. Super-Fast thermocouples, thermistors, infrared thermometers, data logging and more.

www.thermoworks.com

The Fireboard grate probes are 6 foot (72 inches)!

Ambient Probe - FireBoard Labs

The Ambient Temperature Probe provides accurate temperature readings in hot and cold environments. Easy to mount inside of an oven or grill.

www.fireboard.com

 

[Svenster]

New T1300 owner, and have quickly realized the Traeger probe is not all that accurate (even after going through the calibration process and offset process). I am looking at the Thermoworks Signals as well, seems like a good option to consider to the MEATER and FireBoard devices. I can't tell from the Thermoworks website if the Signals has magnets on the back. Can you confirm? Only other concern I have is "water resistant", here in the PNW I deal with a lot of rain, can you leave this on the T-1300 shelf exposed to rain while cooking? (Hence if it has magnets, maybe I can attach it under the shelf to protect it from rain). Any other pros/cons to the Signals would be greatly appreciated.

I do have the ThermapenONE too.

 

[JPSBBQ]

New T1300 owner, and have quickly realized the Traeger probe is not all that accurate (even after going through the calibration process and offset process). I am looking at the Thermoworks Signals as well, seems like a good option to consider to the MEATER and FireBoard devices. I can't tell from the Thermoworks website if the Signals has magnets on the back. Can you confirm? Only other concern I have is "water resistant", here in the PNW I deal with a lot of rain, can you leave this on the T-1300 shelf exposed to rain while cooking? (Hence if it has magnets, maybe I can attach it under the shelf to protect it from rain). Any other pros/cons to the Signals would be greatly appreciated.

I do have the ThermapenONE too.

I’m 99.9% sure it does. I think all ThermoWorks stick and stay devices have magnets in the back. Someone will know for sure but I’m very confident.

 

[DJDDay]

I am looking at the Thermoworks Signals as well, seems like a good option to consider to the MEATER and FireBoard devices. I can't tell from the Thermoworks website if the Signals has magnets on the back. Can you confirm? Only other concern I have is "water resistant", here in the PNW I deal with a lot of rain, can you leave this on the T-1300 shelf exposed to rain while cooking? (Hence if it has magnets, maybe I can attach it under the shelf to protect it from rain). Any other pros/cons to the Signals would be greatly appreciated.

I do have the ThermapenONE too.

I've been using Signals for about 2 years now and absolutely love it. Yes, it does indeed have magnets on the back (strong ones!) so you can mount it to the front of your pellet hopper or under the shelf, and as it is angled slightly up, it's actually easier to read than the stock Traeger LCD display (I've got the Pro 780). As for water resistance, it is rated at IP66. I wouldn't leave it out in a constant downpour, but it will be fine in a light rain or a splash. Basically, if I wouldn't leave my Traeger plugged in and running in it, I wouldn't leave my Signals out in it either.

As for pros, range is excellent (I highly recommend just using it on your WiFi). You have to connect via Bluetooth initially, and you have to be connected to Bluetooth to do firmware updates. Speaking of which, it is updated frequently - Thermoworks support for Signals (and their mobile apps) is excellent. Stock probes are commercial grade and good quality, but they aren't water proof (meaning, don't submerge them). I always keep an extra set laying around. All in all, I highly recommend Signals. The only other one I'd consider would be something from FireBoard.

About Meater - they're nice in theory; I've owned a set (second gen). The batteries cannot be replaced, so once they go out - they're trash. App is kinda' slick, but the range of the actual Meater probes (which require a Bluetooth base station) are pretty crappy IMHO. I also worry about their temp range - it's easy to destroy a Meater probe if they get too hot (though that's unlikely in most Traeger). I'd rate Meater at the bottom of the three choices being discussed.

 

[JPSBBQ]

I've been using Signals for about 2 years now and absolutely love it. Yes, it does indeed have magnets on the back (strong ones!) so you can mount it to the front of your pellet hopper or under the shelf, and as it is angled slightly up, it's actually easier to read than the stock Traeger LCD display (I've got the Pro 780). As for water resistance, it is rated at IP66. I wouldn't leave it out in a constant downpour, but it will be fine in a light rain or a splash. Basically, if I wouldn't leave my Traeger plugged in and running in it, I wouldn't leave my Signals out in it either.

As for pros, range is excellent (I highly recommend just using it on your WiFi). You have to connect via Bluetooth initially, and you have to be connected to Bluetooth to do firmware updates. Speaking of which, it is updated frequently - Thermoworks support for Signals (and their mobile apps) is excellent. Stock probes are commercial grade and good quality, but they aren't water proof (meaning, don't submerge them). I always keep an extra set laying around. All in all, I highly recommend Signals. The only other one I'd consider would be something from FireBoard.

About Meater - they're nice in theory; I've owned a set (second gen). The batteries cannot be replaced, so once they go out - they're trash. App is kinda' slick, but the range of the actual Meater probes (which require a Bluetooth base station) are pretty crappy IMHO. I also worry about their temp range - it's easy to destroy a Meater probe if they get too hot (though that's unlikely in most Traeger). I'd rate Meater at the bottom of the three choices being discussed.

The MEATER is great for rotisserie and certain situations but I loose range in parts of my house because it’s blue tooth. It has its place for sure but limitations like you mentioned. Great advice.

 

[Svenster]

Thank all of you for the sound, well thought out advice. I'll go with the Signals, as they have a sale right now that I can save a few $ over the FireBoard and the MEATER non-replaceable battery is a big con.

 

[M3HNGRY]

How you ran your wires looks very clean - nice job on that at least! I use probes from ThermoWorks (I've got Signals, and wouldn't trade it for the world). Not sure how long the wires are, though. Will have to measure.

Signals™ BBQ Alarm Thermometer with Wi-Fi and Bluetooth® Wireless Technology

Specializing in cool, unique and professional temperature tools. Super-Fast thermocouples, thermistors, infrared thermometers, data logging and more.

www.thermoworks.com

UPDATE; looks like the cable length of the pro series grate probe is 47 inches / 1.2 meters:

Pro-Series® High Temp Air Probe With Grate Clip (included with Smoke and Square DOT)

Specializing in cool, unique and professional temperature tools. Super-Fast thermocouples, thermistors, infrared thermometers, data logging and more.

www.thermoworks.com

The Fireboard grate probes are 6 foot (72 inches)!

Ambient Probe - FireBoard Labs

The Ambient Temperature Probe provides accurate temperature readings in hot and cold environments. Easy to mount inside of an oven or grill.

www.fireboard.com

Is there a probe that work with D2 controller that I can use the Grate clip? Thanks