BRADLEY SMOKER | "Taste the Great Outdoors"

Hey folks

I am doing some research  and considering purchasing a maverick, I was reading the user reviews on Amazon about this unit and I am concerned with a few issues it seems people are experiencing.

A general complaint is getting bad temp readings, do these units have issues with the probes, some are saying the braided cable on the probes cannot get wet, some are saying their unit only worked a few times and then stopped, it seems 14 different people gave this unit a 1 star rating.  So my question is, in your opinion and being an owner of one yourself, should I get one of these.  Thanks for any insight into this.       Bill

billy,

i have a et 732 and yes you  can not  get the braided wire  where it enters the probe wet , if it does it  will no longer function and will have to order new ones, what i have done is applied high temperature silicone a the point where the braid enters the probe  sealing it  from moisture. have had no more problems.

i have  used my  unit 20 times so far, other then loosing a  probe the first time  when  washing it , i have had no other issues

I give my ET-732 Five gold stars. used it countless times with no problems. I am also aware of the moisture problem getting into the probe because of all who have warned on this forum so am always cautious not to get the probes wet or set them so grease could drip in them. If mine went bad I would buy another set. If you take good care of your equipment it should last years.

Ditto... what was said about keeping the section where the cable attaches to the probe dry, not a difficult thing to do, a little care is all...and I really like the 732...

Quote from: bille on December 07, 2011, 04:34:37 PMit seems 14 different people gave this unit a 1 star rating.  So my question is, in your opinion and being an owner of one yourself, should I get one of these. 

Don't overlook the 75 people who gave it a 4 and 5 star review.   ;)

I bought an ET-732 about 6 months ago. I've had 3-4 others before it.  My ET-732 is the best one I've ever owned.  The signal strength is excellent, unlike some of my others which would lose communication if they were more than 20' away through an outside wall.

You do have to be careful about keeping the wire dry where it enters the probe but I think they're all like that, regardless of model.

don't mean to hijack the thread bille,

i have a maverick 732 sitting at home i haven't seen yet, but from
what i have read on here about the probes, mostly moisture problems
i am bringing home some heat shrink wrap for electrical wire i was going to use on the
end of the probe, and over the wire. and heat shrink it over both, to elimnate the moisture
i thought it would be a good idea as it seems all the problems encounters are due
to moisture.
is this a bad idea?

Quote from: rigstar on December 07, 2011, 09:12:35 PM
don't mean to hijack the thread bille,

i have a maverick 732 sitting at home i haven't seen yet, but from
what i have read on here about the probes, mostly moisture problems
i am bringing home some heat shrink wrap for electrical wire i was going to use on the
end of the probe, and over the wire. and heat shrink it over both, to elimnate the moisture
i thought it would be a good idea as it seems all the problems encounters are due
to moisture.
is this a bad idea?

I don't know the temp that the heat wrap can take but there may be times that you may want to use it in a BBQ or oven. Per their site, the probes are rated to 716 degrees. If your heat wrap is less then you are limiting the capability versus using a high temp sealant.

Thanks for the replies guys, I just ordered the unit. ;D

Quote from: bille on December 08, 2011, 10:48:30 AM
Thanks for the replies guys, I just ordered the unit. ;D

I think you'll really like it.  It has some nice features. 

I have mine set to alert me if the cooking chamber temp drops below 175*F, indicating a heating element failure, or if it climbs above 250*F, indicating a fire.  I just set the receiver on my nightstand when doing an overnight pork shoulder smoke and I know it'll wake me if there's a problem.

Ditto.

My advice would be to get some real batteries for it..    A low battery can cause all kinds of crazy behavior in both the transmitter and the receiver.

Not sure on covering wires with any thing that could possibly get condensation in it. I love mine and also use it to watch heat drop and rise in case of bad element or fire. But I do not sleep while smoking unless I have some one helping.

Just wanted to give an update on my maverick, I absolutely love it. There is a slight learning curve but that is no real issue. I have used it on several smokes now and I am thrilled to have it, I knew nothing about it and many other things as well till I found this forum. I have learned so much from the great folks that come here.

Ok I'll go ahead and say it . . . . . .


We told you so !!

Glad you like it and are a happy smoker !!

Quote from: Indy Smoker on January 05, 2012, 07:46:54 PM
Ok I'll go ahead and say it . . . . . .


We told you so !!

Glad you like it and are a happy smoker !!

;D

Quote from: bille on January 04, 2012, 01:51:42 PM
Just wanted to give an update on my maverick, I absolutely love it. There is a slight learning curve but that is no real issue. I have used it on several smokes now and I am thrilled to have it, I knew nothing about it and many other things as well till I found this forum. I have learned so much from the great folks that come here.

love my et 732 as well.. congrats on the use of it,,,, yes there are a lot of good folks here .. most to all are willing to help if they can

Me too! Saves a lot of trips,tells me meat temps with out opening. Also I set me temp 10 degrees higher then cooking temp and set the alarm.  Should warn you in case of fire.

absolutely LOVE my Maverick, a bit on the pricey side but the best one I have seen available and is pretty much spot on!

I was a little dissapointed to say the least when I wrote to them. I informed them of us fixing these probes and the numbers of them going bad also suggested a little dap of sealer would take care of complaints and failing probes. I was concerned a great product would lose their customer standing. They wrote back informing me that their probes crimp and plastic insert was all that was needed and that their probe approval rate  was 99.9 %. So they see no need for improving it. Well I did write back and said it was probably because every one was buying their probes some place else. Just sorry they didn't see a reason for concern as I see it on every site I frequent and in large numbers. So my approval rate just dropped. And if you use protect your self with RTV high temp silicon.I went through 4 probes in the Bradley in less the 90 days.

Quote from: viper125 on March 09, 2012, 08:53:31 AM
I was a little dissapointed to say the least when I wrote to them. I informed them of us fixing these probes and the numbers of them going bad also suggested a little dap of sealer would take care of complaints and failing probes. I was concerned a great product would lose their customer standing. They wrote back informing me that their probes crimp and plastic insert was all that was needed and that their probe approval rate  was 99.9 %. So they see no need for improving it. Well I did write back and said it was probably because every one was buying their probes some place else. Just sorry they didn't see a reason for concern as I see it on every site I frequent and in large numbers. So my approval rate just dropped. And if you use protect your self with RTV high temp silicon.I went through 4 probes in the Bradley in less the 90 days.

I called earlier acting like I was callling about a problem with mine. My buddy's 732 will loose sync at around 3 or 4 feet. No Joking.  The lady told me that even though is under warranty, I would have to pay to ship it back and then they would test it, and send me back the good unit out of the two along with a new one of the deffective one.
Going to call about the probes next. Im off today so I have nothing better to do.  ;D ;D

I just sent Maverick Industries (http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et732.htm) the following email. Perhaps if enough of us mention it to them they might realize that it is not just a few isolated cases.

Hi.  Have an ET-732 that I use in my electric smoker.  I love the extended range and everything else about it except for a problem with moisture getting in the probes.  I am on several BBQ forums and the problem seems to be widespread with this unit.

I am very careful about not letting water get on the probes or wire and when I clean them I wipe them off with a damp cloth but not at the opening.  The problem with mine is moisture in the smoker cabinet works its way between the wire and the metal probe where they are crimped together.  Mine start showing temp readings that were WAY off.

To correct the problem I put the probes in my household oven at 350*F for several hours.  That got rid of the moisture and they began working normally again.  I then sealed the crimp joint with some food safe high temp RTV. (Permatex red).  This has prevented the moisture problem from coming back so far.

You might consider sealing your probes a bit better on a product upgrade.  Other than probes going bad way too soon most people seem to think highly of the ET-732.  Thanks.

Jeff
St. Louis, MO

WHat kind of sealant is everyone using. I went to the local  Lowe's and they didn't have anything that would withstand above 300 degrees.

Quote from: Consooger on March 09, 2012, 11:34:21 PM
WHat kind of sealant is everyone using. I went to the local  Lowe's and they didn't have anything that would withstand above 300 degrees.

I ordered some Permatex RTV high temp red (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0002UEN1A/ref=oh_o00_s00_i00_details) off Amazon.  According to the manufacturer it is food safe.  Free 2-day shipping with Amazon Prime and no sales tax.

If you have an auto parts store check there first. I found it at Auto Zone.

I found it at walmart and paid $4.45 total.
The auto store parts where I'm at had it starting at $6.99 b4 tax. :o


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I used silicone heat shrink tubing on my probes that seals water tight and is safe to 260F. Seems to work well and have not had a problem with moisture since....

Quote from: mikecorn.1 on March 10, 2012, 05:44:07 AM
I found it at walmart and paid $4.45 total.
The auto store parts where I'm at had it starting at $6.99 b4 tax. :o


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Before Auto Zone I check three Wal-Marts, two Lowes and one Home Depot. So it cost me $6.99 + tax, not including the gas and time I spent looking for it at other places.  :) (Though those trips were not solely for looking of that one item.)

Well any one live close is welcome to use mine. lOL I got it at Wally world. 4 something.

Quote from: TedEbear on March 09, 2012, 09:58:50 AM
I just sent Maverick Industries (http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et732.htm) the following email. Perhaps if enough of us mention it to them they might realize that it is not just a few isolated cases.

Here's an email reply I received from Maverick today:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your suggestions. I will pass it along to our operations manager.


Thank you
Nijmeh

Maverick Industries, Inc.
94 Mayfield Ave
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 1-800-526-0954 ext. 211
Fax: 732-417-9673

Quote from: TedEbear on March 14, 2012, 06:52:56 PM

Quote from: TedEbear on March 09, 2012, 09:58:50 AM
I just sent Maverick Industries (http://www.maverickhousewares.com/et732.htm) the following email. Perhaps if enough of us mention it to them they might realize that it is not just a few isolated cases.

Here's an email reply I received from Maverick today:

Hi Jeff,

Thanks for your suggestions. I will pass it along to our operations manager.


Thank you
Nijmeh

Maverick Industries, Inc.
94 Mayfield Ave
Edison, NJ 08837
Phone: 1-800-526-0954 ext. 211
Fax: 732-417-9673

hopefully it doesn't get passed along to the "trashcan manager"

Here is the one I originally received hope you do better

Paul,

Thanks for sharing your Permatex RTV silicon high temp gasket solution with us. 99.99% of the time the crimp is a suitable seal and will not allow moisture inside the probe tube even with the environment inside a smoker .

Darren






On 2/29/2012 10:46 AM, Maverick wrote:
Hi Paul,

Thanks for the info. I will forward your suggestions to our operations manager for consideration.

Thanks again,
Nijmeh

-------- Original Message -------- Subject:  732
Date:  Wed, 22 Feb 2012 15:27:20 -0500
From:  Paul <[email protected]>
To:  <[email protected]>



I sent you a letter yesterday about my probes going bad 3 times in a few
months. I am on a smoking site for Bradley smoking and after a lot of talk
we find we are all having problems. We have come up with the conclusion that
it is the humidity in the smokers that are shorting out your wires as they
are not sealed against water. We have found that a simple fix by a few
members has fixed this problem so far as much as a year. It just takes a
small amount of Permatex RTV silicon high temp gasket maker to do it. Just
work it in and seal around the probe and wire. We contacted permatex and
they said this silicone is certified safe for food. Her is the last letter I
posted to the site. Hope you see fit to fix this problem soon. I had talked
quit a few guys into this thermometer telling it was the best. So I was
eager to  find a cure.

At least you Guys got a response. I've sent two emails and no reply.


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I think operational manager = trash bin. Didn't seem to care to me.