RTD Probe question on 575 Pro

[whicfo]

I have the 575 Pro - I have smoked several items and have been somewhat disappointed. My sense is that the temperature of the grill is not what the reading and therefor it either takes a much longer time to get to the desired temperature or the meat is under cooked.

I did some research and believe I have a problem with the RTD probe - I have attached a picture of the probe that is installed in my grill, it looks like the installer broke the probe and rigged it to make it work. Could this be my issue with my grill or am I still an amateur learning how to use this grill properly.

PS - my local Ace hardware store delivered the grill and installed the grill for me.

 

[JamesB]

From that pic, it looks ok to me. It may have been bumped slightly, but looks to be intact. That certainly does not mean that it’s accurate though. Check it with a calibrated thermometer like FireBoard or Thermoworks.
The Traeger meat probe is usually wildly inaccurate also, and many of us here use FireBoard to monitor pit temp, as well as internal temp of the protein.

 

[whicfo]

Understood - do you install the fan that goes with the Fireboard drive or do you just use the thermometer to know what the traeger grill temperature should be set to get the temperature you want?

 

[JamesB]

Most here didn’t get the Drive model.
A few people that also have Big Green Eggs, did get the Drive, and use the fan on that..
I use the FireBoard II for both the pit temp, and the internal temp of the protein.

 

[Walleye Hunter]

Yep, Traeger probes are inaccurate and I also use a fireboard for all readings. No, I did not get any fan hookup.

 

[JamesB]

And yes, I set my Traeger up or down, according to what the FireBoard says.
My Timberline is actually about 10-15 degrees high at 200-225. So, if I want 200 on the FireBoard, the Traeger is set around 190.