How many probes are too many?

[backyardsmokin]

Let me start by stating that I have the ET-732 and I have looked at the Digi-Q, BBQ Guru, Tappecue among others out on the market but none of them have what I am looking for.

Having a pellet grill, I have created a basic sonar system (in another thread) to alert me when I need to add pellets, but even this one is with flaws.

I am building a new system that can alert (via text or email) me on the following:

• low pellets in the hopper
• if pit temp goes out of whack
• when food reaches temp
• graphs the progress of temp over time

I have the circuit design and programming figured out for the most part.  But I am stumbling on one part and would like everyone's thoughts.

I will be using type K thermocouplers for the probes and the system can logically handle up to 96 probes. I was thinking of building with 16 connections in place, but only 4 probes to start.

Some of those that I have spoke too think that this system is way too much and I will never need 16 probes.  

My question is, for 1 pit how many probes is too many?  Am I going overboard building something can handle 16 probes?

 

[JckDanls 07]

If you put 16 probes in the smoker.... where will you put the meat... there will be no room left for meat with all the probes in there.... myself, 16's a lil much ... one probe next to the meat would be good enough for me ... a low pellet hopper alert would be nice ...

 

[oddball]

Depends on the size of the smoker I would guess.  The average person wouldn't likely need more than 4.  Even if you were cooking 3+ items in the smoker, you don't need to monitor them all, just a couple, specifically the smallest.  When they are done, the probes could then be moved.

So yes, I'd say that many is overkill.

 

[backyardsmokin]

After talking to you all and few other people from an internal circuitry standpoint I will put the guts in for 16 since the price difference between 4 and 16 probes is $40.  However, from a connectivity standpoint on the outside of the box I am going to put connections for 4 probes for now.  

This way the box is built so if I ever get more pits or need to temp other things I have the ability to expand without having to redesign the system.

 

[drewed]

2 pit temp probes ( one for each rack or each side ) and 4 food temp probes.  Sure you don't need to probe every hunk of meat, But I'll be short one probe this weekend - I guess the bean will just have to wing it!