I know that there are about "10 kazillion" folks out there who have had
their smokers and grills just about forever. If you are fortunate enough
to have a chamber thermometer which reflects "degrees", when is the last
time you took a wrench, removed the thermometer and tested it for accuracy?
Well, that's too long . . . . and besides this is a great time to spruce up
your grill!
We spend a TON of time talking about the correct temperature of cooking
this or that, and never even suggest the thermometer be checked for
accuracy! Well, we are addressing the matter, here and now. It only takes
a second. Get a wrench, or other tool and carefully remove the thermometer
from the grill/barbecue pit. This will only work if it has a stem that can
be immerged into water with out damaging the unit.
One easy test is to check the temperature outdoors and see if they are the
same! Keep in mind that direct exposure to the sun will obviously raise
the temperature being reflected. Next, get a pot of boiling water.
Carefully suspend the thermometer stem into the water and it should read
210 to 212 degrees. Next place the thermometer stem in ice cold water. It
should read about 33 to 34 degrees. It it is off by 5 degrees or more,
consider replacing it. The outcome of future outdoor cooking events is at
"steak", my friends!
Subscribe now to The Smoke 'N Fire Enquirer, the Internet's most popular backyard grilling and barbecuing on-line tutorial and we'll send you FREE recipes, techniques and tips for preparing the finest outdoor meals. FREE! See a 
