Fireboard 2 - Accuracy

[MidwestSmoker]

One of the downsides of FireBoard 2 is that the company does not allow you to choose the probes you get with the base system. You get one ambient probe and two regular meat probes. I think most of us went ahead and bought extra competition probes which are so much better and thats what we use for all the meats.

This leaves you with what to do with two regular meat probes you get with the system. Well, it turns out that there is no difference between FireBoard meat probes and ambient probes except in their shapes. So I just use the meat probes as ambient probes for different spots on the pit and they work very well.

But just like Timmy, this means I have numerous probes running every time I cook! I love this!

 

[dflaher]

Well, it turns out that there is no difference between FireBoard meat probes and ambient probes except in their shapes. So I just use the meat probes as ambient probes for different spots on the pit and they work very well.

Great tip, @MidwestSmoker. Do the meat probes fit in the ambient probe grill clips?

 

[MidwestSmoker]

Great tip, @MidwestSmoker. Do the meat probes fit in the ambient probe grill clips?

Yes, they do!

 

[FlyersFan76]

@Timmy What do you mean by this? Do you place the Fireboard ambient probe next to the Traeger's built in probe? And do you change the Traeger's target temperature up/down to hit your desired temperature target on the Fireboard?

These are mine ambient grill locations. I haven't look any data since doing it though to figure out the correct temp. My Traeger ambient sensor was pretty accurate when I started using it but not sure how it compares now. I haven't done any long or complicated (for me) cooks in the last 2 months though.

 

[FlyersFan76]

Probably a dumb question but...where are the cables for the probes routed? Are the cables routed through the same hole on the right side of the grill that the Traeger meat probe is designed for? If so, how many probes (ambient, long/short comp) will fit?

My 2 ambient probes route though the same hole that the traeger ambient probe is and under the hopper. I needed the 6' extension on my left probe.

On a side note does anyone know how much the 6' extension can effect the temp data? Should I get another extension for my right probe so that the wires are both the same length?

 

[KraZ440]

On a side note does anyone know how much the 6' extension can effect the temp data? Should I get another extension for my right probe so that the wires are both the same length?

I would expect the difference with a 6 foot extension to be less than 1 degree. I'll assume you are using the thermistor probe (the default for Fireboard 2). The resistance of a 6 foot extension is less than 1 ohm, which is significantly less than the change in resistance of the thermistor with a 1 degree change of cooking temp.

Someone with a proper EE degree may be able to explain it more accurately.

In my mind, what is more important than accuracy, is consistency (especially for pit temp). I honestly don't care what number the thermometer displays for a given temperature, as long as I can trust the temperature to be the same from cook to cook. After all, there are so may other things that can effect the cook, that I try to confirm doneness by feel.