Temperature Matching

[rodlech]

Hi all first time poster here.
I own a 1000SC and I recently upgraded to a V4 digital control board upgrade 80106. The problem is that for the life of me I cannot get the probe and dome temps to get even close to the same temps. Dome temp is consistently 25 to 50 F higher than set point. I've adjusted the height on the chimney too many times to mention. I could always dial in my temps with the P setting before, but this board does not have that option. Is it possible that the old sensor probe is not compatible with the new control board? Or maybe just replace the probe? Thanks in advance for any help

 

[Cowboy1955]

Welcome from Texas to the group!!
I own a INKBIRD and it’s served me well. Don’t even use the PitBoss probes

 

[rodlech]

Thanks very much Cowboy

 

[Sparky]

Welcome to the group from Mesquite, Texas

 

[bobissmokin]

Welcome!

 

[Mike From R.I.]

Welcome from Rhode Island.

 

[sparkyv]

Howdy from Deepinnaheartta, Texas.

The probe and dome temps rarely, if ever, agree, and that agreement is irrelevant anyways, IMO. I rely on internal temperature to determine how the cook is progressing.

 

[MikeInFla]

My experience with the PB probes is that they are WAY off. I could never get mine to match even when they sent replacements so I stopped using them years ago. Temps are going to vary anyway depending on the fire box, etc. smoke stack cap is just to stop rain from getting it, it really doesn’t do much (though some claim it does, I dunno I’ve never noticed a difference whether it’s all the way down or completely off).

 

[Freedbyjc]

Hi all first time poster here.
I own a 1000SC and I recently upgraded to a V4 digital control board upgrade 80106. The problem is that for the life of me I cannot get the probe and dome temps to get even close to the same temps. Dome temp is consistently 25 to 50 F higher than set point. I've adjusted the height on the chimney too many times to mention. I could always dial in my temps with the P setting before, but this board does not have that option. Is it possible that the old sensor probe is not compatible with the new control board? Or maybe just replace the probe? Thanks in advance for any help

Absolutely normal … your Pitboss’s and aftermarket thermometers ... if you’ve tested them and KNOW they’re correct ... their readings are all accurate ... for each of the thermometers is in a widely different position in the smoker and will almost never match the others.



The digital temperature showing is NOT the grate temperature. It is not designed to be. It is the reading of the temperature probe on the left side of your barrel or the back side of your cabinet. It constantly sends that temperature to the controller, whose algorithm constantly runs your auger to feed the pellets to maintain your dial set temperature.



Your digital temperature probes readings, feed the PitBoss auger algorithm built into your controller to run the auger that feeds pellets to the burn pot to maintain your dial set temperature. That algorithm is designed to maintain temperatures throughout the barrel/cabinet that approximate your dial set temperature.



The most important temperature is your meats Internal temperature. Get a good wireless thermometer to monitor your meats internal temperature. Test it with an ice bath and a boiling water test regularly.



The “lid liar” is directly over the firepot and will almost always be different. And have you noticed that PitBoss no longer puts them in their smoker’s? https://blog.thermoworks.com/bbq-grilling/dome-temperature-grill-temperature/



If you’re interested in the actual grate temperatures, you should get a secondary grate probe (squared tip) specifically designed to measure that. Meat thermometer probes (pointed) are not designed to measure air temperatures but can if grate clips are used.

 

[Freedbyjc]

Hi all first time poster here.
I own a 1000SC and I recently upgraded to a V4 digital control board upgrade 80106. The problem is that for the life of me I cannot get the probe and dome temps to get even close to the same temps. Dome temp is consistently 25 to 50 F higher than set point. I've adjusted the height on the chimney too many times to mention. I could always dial in my temps with the P setting before, but this board does not have that option. Is it possible that the old sensor probe is not compatible with the new control board? Or maybe just replace the probe? Thanks in advance for any help

Also….
Absolutely normal for all pellet smokers … Unless your oven thermometers or meat probes, even if it is specifically meant for measuring air temperatures, were positioned EXACTLY like this (see photo) the tip of the thermometer almost touching the digital temperature probe, your personal temperature reading comparisons are totally invalid for comparison to the “Actual” temperature shown on the controller. Your grate temperatures are NEVER going to match the actual temperature shown on the controller.



The PitBoss controllers algorithms are set to create a stable temperature environment throughout the barrel ... not that exact temperature readings at every point across the grates. It just not possible with any pellet smoker.



If you’re interested in the grate temperatures, you’ll have to get a secondary thermometer probe specifically designed to measure that. Usually they have squared off or blunted tips and always come with grate clips to hold it off the smoker grates surface.



The ACTUAL temperature showing on the smokers controller is the reading of the digital temperature probe mounted on the left side of the barrel at that specific position ... it’s not “the grill” or “grate” temperatures by any means. Your grate and lid probes (if so equipped) are going to be different and probably higher or lower due to their placement in the barrel.



Watch your ACTUAL digital temperature, as it controls the controller, and if you feel it’s necessary, keep an eye on your grate temperature but the IT on your meat probe is the one temperature that’s the most important.



The supposed “probe problem” is that folks don’t know enough about their PitBoss smokers design to know that the digital temperature shown on the controller and the grate temperatures are almost never going to match.



Remember, your PitBoss has a controller with an awesome algorithm that runs the smoker. After you’ve used it a few times you’ll realize that it works and works well. Relax... put your temperature probes in the food where they belong and let that awesome smoker you bought do the work for you. Smoke On!



It’s definitely not a question of BELIEF of what’s correct but CHOICE of which to follow.