?? Et-7, Et-73 ??

[bigsteve]

What's the differance between the Maverick ET 7 and ET 73? The 7 looks like it would be fine, and is noticeably less than the 73. Do I want the 73 instead?

 

[jaxgatorz]

I have both... Only real difference to me is that the 73 has a food probe and a smoker temp probe... The 7 has 2 food probes... I would recommend either...

 

[pignit]

I went through this same dilemma. Couldn't decide which one to buy. In a perfect world I would say have one of each. If I had to choose it would be the ET-73. The reason being...... even if you happen to have the one factory therm on your smoker that actually works, it's not giving you the reading at the grate where your food is. The 73 provides a probe that not only takes the temp at the desired location, it also has an alarm for a preset high and preset low temp. This comes in really handy. Especially with a gas and for sure a stick burner or charcoal burner. The 7 will only give you a set temp to reach for the food. Although it will give you a reading it will not alarm at a preset except for a food temp. After getting the 73... actually 2 of them for Christmas, I would have to say it would be my first investment in a therm. Next would be a 7. From that point it really doesn't matter because it is considered an illness anyway...

 

[smokeguy]

PignIt says it all almost. And there is some durn good Smokewood Q (lol) to back it up!

The "set" alarms are huge.
You want a nap? You want to know when to foil wrap? Etc. When whatever. The alarm can be set high, and low. To alarm you with whatever you want to be awakened or reminded for.

The -73 is the one to get.

 

[bigsteve]

Interesting. A question though. I thought I read (somewhere) that guys take the second meat probe, (on an ET-7) and push it through a pototo, or a hole in a piece of wood set on the grate next to the food. I have a thermometer in my hood. I was thinking to use an ET-7 to calibrate the grate tempurature against the hood. Then I can have two probes for different types of foods. Or I thought I could do the wood trick to have remote grate tempurature. Bad idea?

Alarms don't mean much to me. I have severe hearing loss. I get along okay with hearing aides, but I almost never hear those electronic type alarms. They're either not loud enough, or at a frequency I can't hear.

 

[pignit]

I'm sure that would work. Lots of folks use a regular meat probe to monitor the grate temp. I'd say it's your call. Both units do the same thing except the 73 is designed to monitor the internal temp of your smoker at the grate. The 7 is designed to monitor 2 pieces of meat. Just a matter of choice and need. As you can see.... all of us don't necessarily use things the way they were designed.

 

[mofo]

I have the ET-7 and I always use the 2nd probe for rack temperature. My other one is an oregon which does not go above 199, so is basically worthless for rack temps. I hope to soon purchase the ET-73.

 

[bigsteve]

Yeah, normally I don't use a wrench as a hammer. Guess I'll get the 73.

 

[pignit]

I think you'll be happy with that decision. One thing I didn't think of... I know you said that you probably wouldn't hear the alarm but the display also blinks when an alarm has been activated. Don't get me wrong... I'm not trying to convince you to buy the ET-73. I've just been where you are right now trying my best to decide. My opinion.... ET-73 first.... then if you need to probe more than one piece of meat... pick up the 7.

 

[nomorecoop]

I have both. Had a 73 for a long time & just bought a 7.

I'd start with the 73. The only reason I bought the 7 is so that I could check 2 more meat temps.

As far as usablility, I'll take the 73 over the 7 any day.

 

[billbo]

I have a 73 and love it, you won't be regret getting it. I would check ebay. I found mine on there for less than retail at other sites. I saw one on ther today as a matter of fact.

 

[vtanker]

I have the ET-73 I is the greatest invention since the smoker. I dont know how I ever lived without it. Witch ever one you buy do not forget to foil wrap your probes!!!!

 

[pinkmeat]

What are the maximum temps the probes will read? I had a cheapo Taylor from Lowe's that will only read about 212.

 

[nomorecoop]

Never had them above 280, but you can set temps with the alarm function. It goes to 400. fwiw.

 

[pinkmeat]

Not that I care about having exactly 375...when it's that hot, I dozed off!

More worried about that 300 and below mark, just found one on ebay for 42.95.