My brisket probe melted into a weird plastic blob during a cook last night

I was running my offset at 250 degrees for about 8 hours when I noticed the digital readout went blank. Opened the lid to find the probe's plastic handle had slumped over the grate like a sad candle, leaving just the metal tip. Has anyone else had a probe just give up the ghost mid-smoke, and what's a good sturdy brand that won't melt?

3 comments

3 Comments

ninamartin1mo agoMost Upvoted

That's brutal, sorry man. Honestly check the probe's max temp rating next time, some are only rated for like 400 degrees and the handle area near the firebox can get way hotter. The Thermoworks Smoke probes have a thicker cable and can take the heat, mine's been solid.

zarapalmer9d ago

Snap a pic if you still have it, that sounds wild lol. @ninamartin is right, it's like how people put a cheap plastic spatula too close to a burner and wonder why it warps. Same thing happens with probes if you don't check the heat rating first.

parkerm561mo ago

Yeah, that "sad candle" probe is a real bummer. ninamartin is right about checking the max temp, because that area gets way hotter than the air. You really need a probe built for grill temps, not just oven use.