A Guide to Choosing the Right Temperature Gauge for Your Smoker

Smoking is hard work. Sure, you may spend much of that time kicking back with a beverage in hand, but under the surface, you may feel some anxiety about whether this 12+ hour cook will pay off. Depending on the scale of the event, this anxiety can sometimes turn to panic – if something goes wrong, there’s no do-over: you get one shot to get it right.

A dial-type temperature gauge is on a Primo Ceramic Kamado.

That means precision in your timing and control over your temperatures are the keys to avoiding disaster and achieving that perfect smoky flavor for any cook. This guide will help you determine which type of temperature gauge for your smoker best fits your needs. By the end, you should know what you’ll need for the perfect cook every time.

What Is a Smoker Temperature Gauge, and Why Do I Need One?

A smoker temperature gauge, also known as a smoker thermometer or temperature probe, is used to measure the temperature inside a smoker or barbecue grill. This keeps you in touch with the base element of cooking: heat. Understanding your smoker’s temperature, velocity, and stability helps you make critical decisions in cooking.

Many smokers use mechanical thermometers like this Tel-Tru with a ½” NPT fitting (read more about thread types here)

Depending on the situation, one type of temperature gauge may be more effective than another. So, while understanding the differences between a digital and mechanical thermometer may be simple enough, knowing when to use one or the other can require a little more expertise.

Types of Smoker Temperature Gauges

When selecting the right smoker temperature gauge, understanding the different types available on the market is crucial. Here’s a comprehensive look at the options:

• Analog Thermometers. Analog, aka mechanical thermometers, consist of a probe mounted on the outside of the cooker with a simple needle and dial gauge displaying the temperature. While straightforward, they may lack the precision of their digital counterparts. Regular calibration is essential to ensure accurate readings, so if you go this route, be sure it reads accurately and calibrate if needed before you begin.
  
• Digital Thermometers. Digital thermometers have gained popularity for their accuracy and ease of use. With a clear digital display, these thermometers provide real-time temperature readings with greater precision. Some models come with additional features such as timers and alarms, making them versatile tools for grilling enthusiasts.  When properly calibrated by the manufacturer, further calibration is rarely required.  Below are some broad categories of digital thermometers; note that many of these categories overlap each other.
  
  • Bluetooth-Enabled Thermometers. Bluetooth-enabled thermometers take wireless capabilities a step further by allowing you to connect your device directly to your smartphone or tablet, albeit with limited range.  This feature provides connectivity to a mobile app, allowing some basic remote monitoring. FireBoard thermometers are Bluetooth-enabled to give connectivity to smokers or pits that are outside of WiFi range.  Temperature data goes to your smartphone and then is pushed to the cloud.
  • Wi-Fi-Connected Thermometers. Wi-Fi-connected thermometers, like the FireBoard 2, take remote monitoring to the next level. With Wi-Fi capabilities, these devices enable you to check temperature readings and control your smoker from virtually anywhere, as long as you have an internet connection. This is especially advantageous for long smoking sessions or when you’re entertaining guests and want to keep an eye on your barbecue without being physically present.
  • Multi-Probe Thermometers. Multi-probe thermometers are designed for those who want to simultaneously monitor the temperature of multiple cuts of meat. This feature is particularly useful for larger smokers or when cooking a variety of meats at the same time. It allows you to achieve consistent doneness across different pieces.  The FireBoard 2 also checks the multi-probe box, being a 6 channel thermometer.
  • Instant-Read Thermometers. Instant-read thermometers, like the FireBoard Spark, are versatile tools that provide quick and accurate temperature readings. Perfect for taking quick checks while grilling for desired doneness temp and food safety.  

Understanding the nuances of these different types of smoker temperature gauges will help you decide based on your specific grilling needs and preferences. Choose the thermometer that aligns with your style and elevate your barbecue game to new heights.

What If I Need A Smarter Thermometer?

The FireBoard Spark is an outlier in that it serves the function of all of the above thermometer types. This Wi-Fi-enabled Bluetooth smart thermometer provides accurate temperature readings instantly and allows you to monitor and control your smoker remotely using an external probe. It’s a great all-in-one device, keeping the tools required for a high-maintenance cook to a minimum.

Upgrading your Grill to  FireBoard

The FireBoard 1/2″ Smoker Probe brings digital accuracy to your fingertips, offering real-time temperature monitoring that can be seen in real-time in the FireBoard Mobile App.   No more squinting at a mechanical dial – now you have a clear, digital display providing instant and accurate temperature readings on your chosen device: laptop, phone, tablet, watch, or the device itself.

Upgrading your smoker’s mechanical gauge with FireBoard’s 1/2″ Smoker Probe is like swapping an old compass for a state-of-the-art GPS in the world of smoking and grilling.

If your smoker isn’t fitted with a ½” NPT port, you can simply add your own with FireBoard’s Theaded Ambient Probe and these hex nuts.  This is the probe I installed on our drum smoker.  Installation requires drilling a ¼” hole and holding the probe in place with the hex nuts on either side of the wall of your smoker.  

Installation of FireBoard threaded ambient probe, using 1/4″ hole and hex nuts.

FireBoard offers a variety of probes with different applications for ambient temperature measuring.

They say cooking is an art and baking is a science, but smoking is a blend of both. Unless you’ve got the keen intuition of a seasoned pitmaster (and maybe even then), you will need a tool you can rely on to provide accurate information about your temperatures in real time. Every second counts, so choosing the right temperature gauge for your smoker is crucial. Our recommendation is to invest in precision, take control, and savor the rich, smoky flavors that only a perfectly controlled temperature can deliver.