Smokin-It User Forum!

Auber PID Controllers => Auber PID Tips and Tricks => Topic started by: cwshiles on January 01, 2014, 05:05:52 PM

Title: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: cwshiles on January 01, 2014, 05:05:52 PM
How did everyone with the Aubers set up their cabinet temp probe?  Did you install the through the wall of the smoker cabinet or just drop down through the hole in the top of the smoker. Also, if you drop through the hole, what height do you put the temp probe and how do you attach it (block of wood or probe clip to rack)?  I am planning to put it at the same height as the meat I am smoking with a clip or block of wood.

This is also assuming you bypassed the thermostat in the SI

Thanks
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Wik on January 01, 2014, 05:39:27 PM
Thru the hole on the top and I ordered some maverick probe replacement holders on ebay, then I just clip to the same rack the meat is on.  Also just ordered some small silicone o-rings to hold the probe to the holder and not slide out too easily.

I'm sure a block of wood with a small hole is just as easy, if I did it over I'd probably just try that with a small wooden dowel or something.

Wik
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: DivotMaker on January 01, 2014, 06:20:47 PM
Is the Auber probe smaller than the Maverick?  I was thinking the same thing about using a Maverick clip to hold it.  Even if the hole is larger in the clip, seems you could bend it apart and put it between 2 shelf cross members instead of one.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 01, 2014, 07:07:47 PM
Wik:

Replacement holders? Now you are talking. That's my next fiasco to figure out because today I let the float. Was trying to think of a clip... Will search websites now!!

Thanks

Steve
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Wik on January 01, 2014, 07:28:41 PM
It is a looser fit for the PID probe, which is why I went with some 104 size o-rings.  I tried bending apart to cause a tighter fit, but didn't work that well.

Not sure if it is against forum policy to post links like this or not...(I'm sure the ebay link may break over time, but thought I'd save you some time)

http://www.oringsandmore.com/silicone-o-rings-size-104-price-for-50-pcs/ (http://www.oringsandmore.com/silicone-o-rings-size-104-price-for-50-pcs/)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maverick-Thermometer-Probe-Grill-Clip-Holds-BBQ-Chamber-Smoker-Probe-to-Grill-/300705525736?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4603722fe8 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Maverick-Thermometer-Probe-Grill-Clip-Holds-BBQ-Chamber-Smoker-Probe-to-Grill-/300705525736?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&var=&hash=item4603722fe8)
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: DivotMaker on January 01, 2014, 09:37:18 PM
No problem with links like that, Wik!  Any links that help us are OK!
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: rickne on January 02, 2014, 08:30:16 AM
Since I always have a large roll of foil around, I usually just bake a foil ball, stick the probe through it, and lay it on the grate.

Or I just let it hang there, if it's a small cook.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Walt on January 02, 2014, 09:45:14 AM
Thermoworks recommends the foil trick placing the probe 1 inch from the food.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: johnnytex on January 02, 2014, 10:10:54 AM
I took a block of wood and drilled the correct size hole for the probe.
Then I tool a cup hook and screwed it onto the top.
This way, I hang the probe on the bottom of a rack and it will be out of the way of the meat.

Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: bocaboy on January 02, 2014, 04:55:18 PM
 I just got my PID today and the idea of hanging it off the shelf with a cup hook sounds like a winner. I also bypassed the thermostat as suggested by Johnnytex. Now I just have to learn how to program it and I'm off to the races!
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 02, 2014, 06:13:58 PM
Johnny :

Got picture?

Steve
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 04, 2014, 12:44:04 AM
Wik:
Ordered the clips and the o-rings to hold the Auber probe for smoker temp.

JohnnyTex:
Also took a piece of wood and drilled a hole in it as well.

Indecision got the better of me so I will have both options in my tool kit.  :o





Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: old sarge on January 04, 2014, 01:01:58 AM
I think a nice Idaho spud would work.  And provide a starch to go with the meal.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Walt on January 04, 2014, 01:09:17 AM
Brilliant!
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: rickne on January 04, 2014, 10:10:47 AM
I love the "hanging block" idea.  I'm going to try that.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: johnnytex on January 05, 2014, 10:36:30 AM
Here ya go.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 05, 2014, 01:18:55 PM
Ahhhh.

I see the issue. Your Auber probe (others too?) seems different.

The one I received is about 1.5" long. I'm guessing the one I have is assumed to be used for permanently mounting in the box; however I prefer just dropping it through the vent.

That said if I jammed it into a 2x4 it would be completely insulated from the air temp.

I will need get a photo at some point and post it.... Possibly next week.


Steve
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: cwshiles on January 05, 2014, 01:40:56 PM
I have that same shorty temp probe too.  It came with the Auber I ordered from Smokin it.  I think its fine and actually makes it easier to determine which temp probe is which after you put them through the hole.  I may just try it with a thinner piece of wood.  I put mine up with a maverick probe holder earlier but it's a tad loose.  I need to find some o-rings to keep the probe from sliding out.  Once its in place, its fine.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: DivotMaker on January 05, 2014, 03:02:14 PM
Curious, Tex...is that the meat probe?  Did the Aubers come with two of the pointed ones when you got yours?
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 05, 2014, 04:29:37 PM
Yup. Ordered that same clip... And o-rings too just last week. If all works well I will repost the link where I ordered the orings (someone else posted it in another link so I copied there work)  :-[
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: johnnytex on January 06, 2014, 01:01:59 PM
Curious, Tex...is that the meat probe?  Did the Aubers come with two of the pointed ones when you got yours?

Sorry folks.
Just grabbed the wrong probe for the picture.
It was about 20 degrees out there!

I have the blunt one as well.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Three Sons BBQ on January 06, 2014, 06:57:09 PM
Clips arrived with orings. Nice snug fit ... But wasn't able to get a picture as travel week started.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: Tom22510 on January 27, 2014, 08:10:15 AM
I have had my aubertemp. Probe over a year now and I think the simplest and easiest way to mount the probe is to make a small ball with foil with the probe sticking out the end and gently force the foil down between two of the rack bars that you are smoking your meat on that way you know the temp. Of the area in the smoker your foods at, it varies from bottom to the top of the smoker. I own the smokin it #3 and it works great every time.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: mnsmoker on February 05, 2014, 05:34:34 PM
I use the cork from a wine bottle.Drill ahole through the cork slide the probe through and position between the wire on the rack hang about an inch below desired rack. I like the cork because its softer than wood and will develop grooves after awhile.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: DivotMaker on February 05, 2014, 08:07:08 PM
Pretty creative, MN!  There's definitely more than one way to skin a monkey! ;)

I was checking out the accessory probe you have to permanently mount on the Auber site.  One thing that struck me about it was their explanation of the stainless smoker wall acting as a "heat sink" for wall-mounted probes.  This makes the probe read lower than actual temp.  They counter that with use of a thermoplastic base that insulates the probe!  I thought that was pretty cool, if you choose to go the permanent mount. 
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: benjammn on February 09, 2014, 06:44:09 PM
Well now, do you think that this might be the reason for the stock probe having different temps? Seems to me that this could very well be the case.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: old sarge on February 09, 2014, 07:07:13 PM
Could be a valid reason why the SI probe reads lower than a Maverick hanging out away from the wall of the smoker.  And that the smoker is working pretty much as designed.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: benjammn on February 09, 2014, 07:26:38 PM
you picking up what I am dropping Sarge
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: DivotMaker on February 09, 2014, 07:35:49 PM
This is possibly why the digital SI proto has had some temp problems.  If I were to mount a permanent probe for an Auber, I'd definitely use the insulated model.
Title: Re: Auber Smoker Cabinet temp probe
Post by: old sarge on February 09, 2014, 07:49:58 PM
Ben,

Reckon so.

Dave