Question about those $200 remote thermometer kits for my WSM, are they actually worth it over a $15 probe?

Oliver Martinez · 2026-10-03T05:25:04.296632+00:00

I always figured the fancy multi-probe wireless kits were for guys who like gadgets more than meat, so I ran a $15 oven probe through the lid vent of my 18 inch WSM at a comp in Fort Worth in April and just babysat the dial. After two 11 hour brisket cooks where the dial and the probe read within 8 degrees of each other, I started to wonder if I was leaving something on the table. Then a guy parked next to me pulled 3rd place in pork with one of those kits and showed me his grate temp never moved more than 5 degrees all day while mine was swinging 30. Now I'm half convinced the $200 is paying for knowing your hot spot, not for the thermometer itself. Has anyone here actually switched back after running a good remote kit, or is it just a competition crutch?

The Community Guide

Loading…

Question about those $200 remote thermometer kits for my WSM, are they actually worth it over a $15 probe? | BBQ Pitmasters - The Community Guide