Fireboard 2/Thermapen

[JS2021]

One thing I didn’t ask...where would you position the fireboard ambient probe? This will depend what I’m cooking/how full the grill is etc. I appreciate and I can see that more than one is helpful in some circumstances.

Say my next brisket cook, one brisket in the centre, where should I position the ambient probe? The other end to the Traeger fixed one, next to the meat perhaps? Not too close? Thanks for guidance!

 

[RemE]

One thing I didn’t ask...where would you position the fireboard ambient probe? This will depend what I’m cooking/how full the grill is etc. I appreciate and I can see that more than one is helpful in some circumstances.

Say my next brisket cook, one brisket in the centre, where should I position the ambient probe? The other end to the Traeger fixed one, next to the meat perhaps? Not too close? Thanks for guidance!

I put a clip next to the Traeger probe. I like a consistent spot for all cooking, but some clip to the grate next to their meat

 

[JS2021]

I put a clip next to the Traeger probe. I like a consistent spot for all cooking, but some clip to the grate next to their meat

I guess that way I will also get to compare the two most accurately too at least to start with as I get to understand the differences

 

[JamesB]

I put a clip next to the Traeger probe. I like a consistent spot for all cooking, but some clip to the grate next to their meat

I agree with @RemE, next to or close to the stock probe. I used to place mine near the meat but found that I get very inaccurate readings, because the meat has a cooling effect on the probe

 

[KraZ440]

If I order an extra ambient probe with a new FB, it looks like I could either go with thermistor or RTD. Is there an advantage to one over the other (other than the expanded temperature range of the RTD)?

 

[JamesB]

If I order an extra ambient probe with a new FB, it looks like I could either go with thermistor or RTD. Is there an advantage to one over the other (other than the expanded temperature range of the RTD)?

Some here have ordered the RTD, but I really don’t see any advantage other that the temp range. My Traeger rarely gets above 350. If I want to sear, I use the gasser

 

[RemE]

If I order an extra ambient probe with a new FB, it looks like I could either go with thermistor or RTD. Is there an advantage to one over the other (other than the expanded temperature range of the RTD)?

I chose RTD since the grill can spike well over 500F at times, either by setting high, or flame out / misfire event.

 

[Slimpicker]

If I order an extra ambient probe with a new FB, it looks like I could either go with thermistor or RTD. Is there an advantage to one over the other (other than the expanded temperature range of the RTD)?

Some here have ordered the RTD, but I really don’t see any advantage other that the temp range. My Traeger rarely gets above 350. If I want to sear, I use the gasser

I own 1 RTD and don't use it at all... First, you have to dedicate a port for it and SET that port to RTD in your fireboard APP
2nd experience for me was the RTD probe needed to to set +30° to read the same temp as my Thermistor Ambient was reading (side by side in my grill)
I've only taken my grill to 450 once anyway, I'm not going higher than that for any reason.

 

[Timmy]

One thing I didn’t ask...where would you position the fireboard ambient probe? This will depend what I’m cooking/how full the grill is etc. I appreciate and I can see that more than one is helpful in some circumstances.

Say my next brisket cook, one brisket in the centre, where should I position the ambient probe? The other end to the Traeger fixed one, next to the meat perhaps? Not too close? Thanks for guidance!

This is where I put mine, I wanted to know the difference between the Traeger rtd and the FireBoard. Last I checked the gradient left to right in my 780 it was only 8f difference.

Edit: I ordered an rtd , it’s what you see in the photo. I set it up on channel 1, it was 4 F off.
I leave the FireBoard rtd in the grill I don’t remove it, so I don’t plug any other probes into that slot on the FireBoard.

Edit 2: it also helps protect the Traeger rtd from getting damaged.

 

[RemE]

I do the same with mine, use ch6 as the pit temp always. It reads +5-10F below 250 and tracks pretty close above 250F.

 

[Puertex]

One thing I didn’t ask...where would you position the fireboard ambient probe? This will depend what I’m cooking/how full the grill is etc. I appreciate and I can see that more than one is helpful in some circumstances.

Say my next brisket cook, one brisket in the centre, where should I position the ambient probe? The other end to the Traeger fixed one, next to the meat perhaps? Not too close? Thanks for guidance!

Certainly, there are different opinions on where to place the ambient probe.
I respect those opinions but have a different point of view.
Let me explain...
IMO, what is important is what temperature the meat is subjected to, not the temperature somewhere else.
At what temperature is the air surrounding the meat. I am talking about the air touching the meat surface because that is the air that tranfers the heat to the meat. This is convection heat flow.
The challenge with probe location away from the meat is that these smokers have significant temperature variations dependent on probe placement and then you are back to not knowing at what temperature you are cooking.
I have read here in the forum that some folks use two ambient probes to better "sample" the temperature surrounding the meat. This may be overkill but to each their own.
Certainly some folks are succesful placing the probe farther away from the meat and that is what matters at the end of the day...

 

[JS2021]

Thanks for all the thoughts and information, much appreciated! Fireboard just arrived and off to pick up the Brisket this afternoon. First brisket so fingers crossed!!

 

[RemE]

Thanks for all the thoughts and information, much appreciated! Fireboard just arrived and off to pick up the Brisket this afternoon. First brisket so fingers crossed!!

Oh, the fun you will have! Good luck!!

 

[John S.]

I have a T1300 so a fairly large distance right to left, I use 2 FB ambient probes, one next to the Treager grill probe and the second one same location on the other side. This gives me the grill gradient, and assuming linearity roughly the temperature where the meat is, I have been using the middle shelf if possible.

 

[JamesB]

I have a T1300 so a fairly large distance right to left, I use 2 FB ambient probes, one next to the Treager grill probe and the second one same location on the other side. This gives me the grill gradient, and assuming linearity roughly the temperature where the meat is, I have been using the middle shelf if possible.

I also use the middle shelf with an aluminum pan below to catch the grease.
Saves on clean up!