Bought a $120 digital probe thermometer for my smoker and it changed everything

I was always just going by time and feel for my briskets and pork butts, and the results were hit or miss. Last month I finally got one of those wireless probes you can check from your phone. The first brisket I did with it, I saw the temp stall at 165 for like two hours, which I would have totally panicked about before. I just let it ride and it pushed through perfectly. The cost felt steep but it took all the guesswork out. Anyone have a favorite brand for these, or tips on keeping the probes clean?

3 comments

3 Comments

henrym141mo ago

Oh man, that's the best money you'll ever spend. I put it off for years too, and it feels silly until you use it. Seeing that stall and not freaking out is a total game changer. I just soak my probes in hot soapy water right after I'm done.

julia_carter12d ago

Can't believe I used to babysit my grill like a nervous parent.

sandra_martinez571mo ago

Totally agree, that stall used to make me pull my hair out. I ruined a pork shoulder once by cranking the heat when it got stuck. For cleaning, hot soapy water is good, but I found a little baking soda paste works wonders on any grease or gunk that sticks. Just make sure you never submerge the actual transmitter unit, just the probe end.