BBQ Tools - Thermometers

I've been experimenting with my new Primo grill, and I love it.

But, I've learned a thing or two already, and bought a couple of "BBQ tools" (hey, any excuse to buy a tool).

First, I noticed that the built in analog thermometer in the lid of the Primo seemed to read about 25 degrees lower than my digital Polder probe thermometer when I hung the Polder's probe down through the top vent to a similar height as the built-in one.  The discrepancy had been causing me some problems in keeping an accurate temperature for "low and slow" cooking.

So, after some advice from the good folks on the Primo users forum, I re-calibrated the Primo's built in thermometer using the process on their website (click here).   It was, indeed, almost 30 degrees low.

The folks on the forum noted that the calculation on the Primo website did not properly correct for sea-level, so I used a different website this calculation (click here).

Soon after getting the Primo's thermometer re-calibrated, I "fried" my Polder thermometer (again).  I have killed three Polders in the last couple of years by placing them in environments that are too hot. I have read on the web that temperatures above 400 tend to kill the Polder's probes, and that seems to be correct from my experience.

So.....I invested in a Thermapen thermometer from ThermoWorks.  Too expensive?  Yes....but it works up to 572 degrees and reads in 4 seconds.  I love it.  Hey, Alton Brown says that it is #1 and I agree.

Polders are good for the kitchen, but don't work well for me on the grill.