Yeah, totally get it. Some things just click when you finally hear them said out loud.

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.

Ever tried a bucket with a horse that really leans? Mine just pushes it over.