New Pro 34 ambient temp is 100 degrees low

[Petepetepete]

Just bought a pro 34 and have done a couple cooks where the actual grill temp measured via my own probe seems to be about 100 degrees below what's listed on the controller reading.

I'm using a Meater probe that lists ambient temp in the grill as well as meat IT. The Meater is showing the ambient temp in the grill is roughly 100 degrees below the temp listed on the grill control (and I mean the temperature control reading vs. what it's set at). For example, the grill Control will be set at 375, the reading on the control will be somewhere in the neighborhood of 375 (~380), but the Meater is showing an ambient temp of 270. I think the Meater is correct as it seems to track with the amount of time it's taking to cook the meat.

Has anyone else had this experience with a 34? I'm using a brand new bag of pellets and a brand new grill so it shouldn't be an issue with the pellets or grill cleaning.

 

[RayClem]

Although it is common for Traeger temperature probes to be inaccurate compared to 3rd party thermometers, I have never heard of one being off by 100F. Is there any chance that you left the protective cover over the thermocouple when you set up the grill?

I have an Ironwood with the D2 controller. When I set my controller to 225F, I get 200F. I have to set the controller to 450F to achieve a cook temperature of 400F. Many others report similar issues, but being off by 100F is certainly unusual.

If your grill can connect to WiFi, did you connect it and allow it to update the firmware? If not a firmware update might help.

After you check to see if your removed the protective cover, I suggest you contact Traeger customer service and have them help you troubleshoot the problem. They might replace the thermocouple or even the controller under warranty since the grill is new. The community of members on this site try to help; but the forum has no official connection with Traeger, nor are we aware of Traeger support monitoring the posts.

Presumably, you have checked your Meater thermometer to insure that it reads properly both in an ice bath and in boiling water. Always cook to the temperature as measured by a thermometer you know to be accurate rather than the Traeger thermometers. That goes both for the ambient cooking temperature as well as the internal meat temperature. If you think you are cooking at 375F, but the actual cook temperature is only 275F, it will take a lot longer to complete your cook. While you could use your grill even with the temperature 100 F low for low and slow cooks, you might not be able to achieve 400F as needed for some cooks. Achieving the proper internal temperature is critical to food safety as well as food quality. You do not want the food to be undercooked or overcooked.

Be sure to come back to this thread an let us know your progress.

 

[traeger860]

Is there any chance that you left the protective cover over the thermocouple when you set up the grill?

This is exactly what I was going to ask as well.

 

[Petepetepete]

Thanks for the tips. I didn’t remove any thermocouple cover, but I don’t see any cover on what appears to be the grill thermometer (see photo). Maybe the thermocouple is only covered on the newer pro series?

 

[traeger860]

Thanks for the tips. I didn’t remove any thermocouple cover, but I don’t see any cover on what appears to be the grill thermometer (see photo). Maybe the thermocouple is only covered on the newer pro series?

Maybe. I'd try reaching out to Traeger. Live chat on their website seems to be the easiest way these days. They'll probably just sent you a new probe. It's an easy install. That should fix the problem if it's the grill.

Any chance it's the Meater that has the problem? If you have the Meater probe on the other side of the grill, there will be some fluctuation. But it shouldn't be a 100 degree difference. When you have the Meater inside of your house, does the ambient temp seem to line up with the indoor temperature on your thermostat?

 

[Slimpicker]

Any chance it's the Meater that has the problem? If you have the Meater probe on the other side of the grill, there will be some fluctuation. But it shouldn't be a 100 degree difference. When you have the Meater inside of your house, does the ambient temp seem to line up with the indoor temperature on your thermostat?

AGREED, try your Meater in your oven too...

If your grill can connect to WiFi, did you connect it and allow it to update the firmware? If not a firmware update might help.

Pro 34 is not WiFi

Call CS and be prepared to PROVE you can measure your pit temp with something accurate and show the 100° difference

 

[RayClem]

If there is any question about the calibration of your Meater probe, you can check several places throughout the range.

The most precise calibration point is the freezing point of water (0 C /32 F). you can achieve this my mixing crushed ice and distilled water in a glass. Unfortunately, this temperature is not very useful in cooking.

You can check the ambient temperature in your home and compare it to your thermostat and other thermometers you might have.

You can check your oral body temperature with the probe. If it does not read in your normal range, either the probe is bad or you need to see a doctor.

Finally, you can check the temperature of boiling water. That is the most useful calibration point, but it is also the least accurate as the boiling point of water depends upon barometric pressure and whether or not you are getting a proper mixture of liquid water and water vapor. However, it should be reasonably close. If you live at high altitude, be sure to adjust the boiling point for your elevation. Use distilled water for the test as dissolved salts elevate the boiling point.