Check your thermometer.

[manxman]

A thermometer is possibly the single most important tool to protect food.

On a B.S reliance should not be placed on the door thermometer alone, there are numerous posting about the use of separate thermometers for both checking the temperature of the smoker and the internal temperature of food. (e.g Maverick, Bradley etc)

But how do you know it is reading the correct temperature? Two quick checks, that I am sure quite a lot of people already know, that can be employed are:

Ice Point Method:

Fill a large container with crushed ice. Add clean tap water and stir well and leave for a few minutes.
Put the thermometer stem or probe into the water so the sensing area is completely submerged. Wait 30 seconds or until the temperature indicator stops moving.
Do not let the stem or probe touch the sides or bottom of the container.
The thermometer should read 32F (0C)

Boiling Point Method:

Bring clean tap water to the boil in a deep pan.
Put the thermometer stem or probe into the boiling water, taking care not to scald yourself!! The sensing area must be completely summerged. Wait 30 seconds or until the indicator stops moving.
Do not let the stem of probe touch the sides or bottom of the pan.
The temperature should read 212F (100C)

Note that the boiling point of water is about 1F (0.5C) lower for every 550 feet (168m) above sea level, not important for most folks I would guess.

Some thermometers have a lower cut off point of around 50F (10C) so only the boiling point method is applicable.

If the thermometer does not read the expected temperature some units may be recalibrated, or if under warranty returned to the manufacturer.

The accuracy of the thermometer built into the door of the B.S can then be checked against the thermometer that has been tested as described above.

Certainly may be worth checking a thermometer for accuracy before you use it for the first time.

Manxman.

[SMOKEHOUSE ROB]

manxman, good post! chez should make this a sticky, [:)]

[jaeger]

Good job Manxman!
 
Olds may want to have a section with like topics also. Made a copy for quick ref.







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