Any recommendations on Temp Gauges for the doors of my smoker?

  • Some of the links on this forum allow SMF, at no cost to you, to earn a small commission when you click through and make a purchase. Let me know if you have any questions about this.
SMF is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.
 
Preferably something you can calibrate in the event it gets dinged...   Usually folks get a therm that screws into a 1/2" NPT fitting, so it can be removed easily...

http://www.mcmaster.com/#pipeline-dial-thermometers/=10ywsxl
Thanks Dave. I plan to put some guards over them to prevent any damage. Next questions, temp ranges, stem lengths, and dial diameter. What do you all prefer and is one any better than the other?
 
river country
Thanks, I'll check them out also.
 
Gauge diameter...  2.5 or 3"...   something easy to read from across the patio...   Turn the gauge so the desired temperature is up or down or what ever is convenient to look at , so you don't have to read the numbers....   In order to do that, don't tighten the gauge in the smoker...   keep it loose so it can be turned....

Stem length...   2" is OK .....   The therm is just an indicator....   It won't read the actual temp of where the meat is....   You will have to get accustomed to that....   If the gauge reads 200 and your therm on the meat rack reads 230....   Now you know...  Add ~30 degrees to the door therm for the meat rack real temp....  

Example....   If you want the smoker, at the meat rack, to be 250 deg. F.....   set the gauge so 220 deg. F is down....   Then from across the patio, if the arrow points down, the meat rack is 250....  it's so simple even a member of SMF can do it...
 
Last edited:
 
Gauge diameter...  2.5 or 3"...   something easy to read from across the patio...   Turn the gauge so the desired temperature is up or down or what ever is convenient to look at , so you don't have to read the numbers....   In order to do that, don't tighten the gauge in the smoker...   keep it loose so it can be turned....

Stem length...   2" is OK .....   The therm is just an indicator....   It won't read the actual temp of where the meat is....   You will have to get accustomed to that....   If the gauge reads 200 and your therm on the meat rack reads 230....   Now you know...  Add ~30 degrees to the door therm for the meat rack real temp....  

Example....   If you want the smoker, at the meat rack, to be 250 deg. F.....   set the gauge so 220 deg. F is down....   Then from across the patio, if the arrow points down, the meat rack is 250....  it's so simple even a member of SMF can do it...
That's a great idea Dave, but I'm so OCD that if the gauge isn't perfectly aligned I can't stand it.

Al
 
I have 4 River Country gauges on my smoker. I have 3" dials and 4" stems. Yes, the stem length doesn't really give a truly accurate grate reading, but I just want it to be as far in as possible. I have 2 above the lower grate at the FB end and the stack end. Then 2 above the upper grate at the center of each door. You can blow up my avatar and get a good look.

By the way, it's not OCD, it's CDO. That way the letters are in the proper order.

Good luck with the gauges. The River Country are very good quality, adjustable and reasonably priced.
 
So what temperature graduations should I be looking for? Is there a specific range that's better for a smoker?
 
My River Country therms read from about 50* to about 550*. I think most therms are about the same. As for graduations, I think 5* is about standard. After you have looked at your therms for a few cooks, you will be able to look at the needle from 15' away and know within 10* what your temp is.

Good luck with it. Just jump in and have some fun. Don't overthink it. Joe
 
I have 4 River Country gauges on my smoker. I have 3" dials and 4" stems. Yes, the stem length doesn't really give a truly accurate grate reading, but I just want it to be as far in as possible. I have 2 above the lower grate at the FB end and the stack end. Then 2 above the upper grate at the center of each door. You can blow up my avatar and get a good look.

By the way, it's not OCD, it's CDO. That way the letters are in the proper order.

Good luck with the gauges. The River Country are very good quality, adjustable and reasonably priced.
Just ordered two of these for my new unit. Glad to see your happy with them.
 
SmokingMeatForums.com is reader supported and as an Amazon Associate, we may earn commissions from qualifying purchases.

Latest posts

Hot Threads

Clicky