Trying to smoke a turkey but my ET73 is WAY off

[coryroc]

after about 2 hours of smoking, my ET-73 alarm went off. It said the turkey was 180* already! o.O

Last night i did the ice water and boiling test and they were spot on. I proceeded to take the turkey out of the smoker and could immeidately tell it wasn't done and used a digital thermometer I have to verify, which said 130*.

What do i do? I just got the ET-73 and it appears to malfunctioning already.

 

[meat hunter]

You said you did the ice water and boiling test and they were spot on? Is it possible you had the probe next to or maybe into the breast bone? If the therms passed the ice and boil test, something else wrong. Where did you have the therm in the bird?

 

[coryroc]

At first, this is what i thought it was too...however, once i take the probe out of the bird, it says 101* while running under ice water. The smoker probe/temp seem to be accurate still.

 

[meat hunter]

Hmmm, that is odd. That is a great therm, but if its acting up, then take it back and get another one. Very seldom do you hear problems with them. Stick that bird back in and check it with your digital probe from time to time. At least you had a back up therm, so all is not lost or under or over cooked

 

[meat hunter]

Just a thought, I know the answer is probably yes, but are there fresh batteries in it? I know you say its a new unit but if your like me, I will take batteries from something if I need them and install them in what I need at the time LOL. Just asking as you know sometimes its the most obvious things that are overlooked.

 

[3montes]

I don't think this is uncommon. The Mavericks have been known to have operating issues both with the probes and the units themselves. I had a meat probe go down on the second time out. They have great customer service I understand but that dosen't do you much good in the heat of the battle so to speak.
I am not aware of a equal to the Maverick ET73. By that I mean a smoker probe and a meat probe in one unit. If someone knows of one please provide a link.

I have two ET73's and a backup meat and a backup smoker probe so I am covered in the event of a failure but if I could find a better quality unit than the Maverick I would be willing to pay more for it if it provided both functions in one unit like the Maverick.

 

[nwbhoss]

One thing I have noticed in a lot of Q-View pictures is that people tend to put the sender unit on top of there smoker which is a no no according to the instructions. I plan on keeping my sender on a table next to my smoker. I do not know if this is your issue or not just something to think about.

 

[nwbhoss]

I am thinking about getting a second one as a backup just in case.

 

[nickelmore]

I use my PID controller as a "reassurance" probe to the maverick. For the cost and the accuracy, I may buy a PID and a commercial probe to use as a meat probe as well.

I still like the modified ET73 for increased range.

 

[alx]

Weird,I just checked both my mavericks and podlers....All within 2 degree of 210 degree....I have a taylor commercial and thermapen for quick reads i always double check with...

My newest maverick is 4 years old and has done 100s of cooks.

As mentioned could be an internal issue with the thermo....I have had batteries wear out as well...

 

[mballi3011]

The only thing that I can think of is the batteries for the weird acting up of the thremo meter. I have about 6 thermometers for back up and just all around if I need one. So always have a back up for emergencies

 

[beer-b-q]

How did you have the wires to the probe ran? Is it possible that you maybe broke the wires in it? If you closed a lid or door tightly on it this is a possibility...

 

[DanMcG]

Is it possible the braided cable got submerged in the water when you were doing your tests? I know they are not water proof but i can't say if it will screw it up.
to test to see if its the thermo or the probe, take the good working probe and insert it where the meat probe was and see if it reads accurate. If so, it's the probe, if it reads 180° like before it's the thermometer.

 

[okjsmoker]

Sorry to dig up an old thread, but I got a ET 73 for Christmas. I decided to give it a go today, I think it worked ok, except now that Im done... the thing is reading wrong.

Ive got the two probes laying on the counter and its reading 112 and 198. I thought maybe if I cycle the power off and on would reset it. but no dice I turn it on and it still reads 112 and 198.

First time out and its kaput??

Glad I have a backup!