chilled PID

[neocostical]

a couple weeks ago I fired up my smoker and the pid would not work. I had a error on the display.  it was below zero that morning so I warmed up the pid with a hair dryer for a couple minutes and it worked just fine. anyone else have that problem.  I thought about installing a small strip heater or a small incandescent light on the inside of the box (12x12x6) that I mounted the pid in. 

[KyNola]

Have read that is a pretty common problem.  I think the "fix" is warming the probes if I remember correctly.

[TedEbear]

The specs on my Auber PID says the ambient operating temp is 32-122*F (0-50*C).  Might have been a tad too cold for the environment it was designed to work in.

[HawkeyeSmokes]

Have read that is a pretty common problem.  I think the "fix" is warming the probes if I remember correctly.

Agree with Kynola. I've used mine at temps below zero. Just warmed the cabinet probe in my hand and let the smoker warm up a bit. Then it worked fine with out warming the PID.

[bears fan]

Yep i had that problem, but my fix this last time i used it was to put a warm cup of water inside the smoker and the put both probe tips in the water and it worked great.  When it started warming up inside, i took the probes out of the water.

[squirtthecat]

Ditto.

Pour a cup of coffee for yourself, pour 2 fingers for the PID and dip the probe(s) in..

[neocostical]

Thanks for the help everyone.  In northern minnesota you never know what kind of temp your going to have. 

[seemore]

I put my probes in the house till I need them works for me
seemore

[OU812]

I unplug the heating element from the PID and plug it directly in the wall outlet to warm up the smoker, then when its above 32 F I replug the heating element to the PID. Only takes a couple min.