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Back in 2012, I dropped $80 on a fancy digital meat thermometer for my first brisket.
The probe wire melted right into the smoker because I didn't realize it wasn't rated for high heat, so I had to guess the temp for the next 8 hours and served what felt like shoe leather. Anyone else have a kitchen gadget story that started with high hopes and ended in flames?
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lunaw725mo ago
Check the wire rating before you buy. Those probes have different heat limits for oven, grill, or smoker use. A quick look at the specs would have saved your brisket.
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lunaw725mo ago
Totally right about checking the specs. It's not just the probe tip either, the cable insulation matters a ton. That plastic coating can melt way before the probe fails, leaving you with a useless wire stuck in your meat. Seen it happen. Always look for the full temp range for both parts, and maybe add a high temp sleeve if you're going really hot.
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the_alex4mo ago
That "wire stuck in your meat" line brought back a bad memory. I had a cheap probe fail during a long smoke, and the cable jacket basically turned to glue. Spent twenty minutes picking little bits of melted plastic and wire strands out of the pork shoulder. Ruined the bark and my mood. Now I just assume the cable rating is a lie and give it a wide berth from direct heat.
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