How to install a permanent Auber temperature probe

[foodeefish]

I am confused and very nervous about buying the Auber and drilling through my Model #3.

- What size hole needs to be drilled and to be sure, just through the inner cabinet correct?
I am asking because the picture looks like the wire is coming out the Back of the smoker.

- Is the wire from the temp probe long enough to run down the inside of the cabinet and out where the power cord comes in and then up to the back of the actual Auber? It seems it would have to be a super long wire.

Thnx

 

[DivotMaker]

No worries, Fish!  The interior hole is 5/16".  I ran my cord out the back because I actually didn't think of running out the bottom with the power cord! :-[  The cord on the sensor is 5' long, so yes, it will reach.  The plug on the new-style sensor is the 1/4" stereo plug, so the housing is bigger.  What that means is that you'll likely have to remove the power cord to get it through the hole, then replace the cord.  It attaches with spade connectors, so it's not a big deal.

I think the permanent probe is well-worth the effort, if you have an Auber.

 

[CUTiger80]

Tony,
I bit the bullet today and ordered the Auber with the permanent installed temperature probe.  I noticed in your original post that you indicated that you used a 1" spacer on the back side of the probe so that only the probe itself protruded into the smoker.  What did you use for the spacer? In the photo, it looks like another piece of nylon.  I'm guessing that a piece of copper tubing or a bunch of 5/16" metal washers would also work.
Also, in a later post, you or someone indicated that if you had to do over you would put the temperature probe up at about 1" from the top of the smoker (ceiling).  Is that still your thought?
One other question about the smoker itself.  You indicated in your original post of this modification that the side racks can be place in two positions.  Mine has holes in the racks like yours does, but the pegs that protrude from the sides of the smoker are angled up at such a steep angle that I can't lift the racks up high enough (they hit the top of the smoker) to let them hang from the lower holes.  Another words, I can't put the racks at the highest position.  Now it is possible that I can take some pliers and bend the pegs down some, but I don't want to chance breaking the weld loose.  The other options is to grind off some of the tops of the racks so that it will slip over the holes before hitting the top of the smoker.  I guess my question is, how often do you put your racks at this higher position and is it worth worrying about?  (If this is unclear, I can take some photos and post them to illustrate what I am talking about.)

 

[NDKoze]

Ravel, my siderails are hard to fit in to because of the angled pegs. If I really work it, I can get it in, but it does not hang right until I slide some shelves in.

I am going take the Dremel to my side rails some day as I don't think it is going to take a whole lot to make this more usable.

However, when I have put my side rails up high, I always moved them back down because I thought the top shelf was too high. The only time, I can see needing it to be that high is when smoking Snack Stix or Jerky that would fit on the top shelf.

 

[SuperDave]

I'm curious about the probe placement.  In doing many temp tests, it seems like the box temp around the center of the box is generally a lower temp than the top of the box.  I assume because the meat is acting like a heat sink.  Do I really want to control the temp where I don't have meat vs. where I do? 

 

[NDKoze]

I haven't done any testing, but from what others have said, the temperature is more stable toward the top of the box verses the bottom. That is why most are putting their permanent probe toward the top.

 

[SuperDave]

For those that have done the permanent probe, did you feel that the homemade spacer on the backside was necessary?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VA_O591nGnU

 

[CUTiger80]

I am still confused about the best location for the probe.
In previous posts by Tony, he indicated that he would put the probe about 1" from the top of the smoker (if he had to do over again).
In the Youtube video posted by Ed (with a link provided in the previous post by SuperDave), he mounted the probe 4-3/4" below the top of the inner cabinet which puts the probe about 3/4" below the top rack.
Wondering what you guys that have installed this before have done and what your results have been.
I don't want to have to drill multiple holes in my cabinet when I install this thing in the next couple of days.

 

[bigfoot21075]

I am curious about this too, I have not installed mine as of yet....

 

[SuperDave]

Since so much of smoking is taking a course of action and making adjustments in the next smoke, I'm not sure 4" is something to micro manage over.  IMO, the baseline is what we go by so either of those placements will establish a consistent baseline that we learn to predict our smokes from. 

 

[CUTiger80]

Dave,
You are sure waxing philosophical today!!
As an engineer, I know what you mean.  Sometimes we get bogged down in details that, in the long run, probably don't matter.  But, that kind of stuff just pops into our left-brain and sometimes it is very difficult to get out (just ask my wife).
Thanks for aligning our compass!!
I think that I will mount mine up high (like 1" from the top) because, if nothing else, it will be less likely to interfere with anything that I smoke.

 

[SuperDave]

So, are you guys going to use the spacer like the video or go full penetration?

 

[Walt]

Tony,

Any further detail on the 1" nylon spacer?  Where did you purchase it & did it come with a hole in it or did you drill it & what size ID?  Would a 1" long socket from a ratchet work as a spacer?  I will be receiving an Auber for Christmas & am trying to get the parts together to permanently mount the thermocouple with the missile launcher switch.

 

[Walt]

I agree with you Dave.  I plan 1" from the top as well for the same reason, to keep clear of any possible meat. I do intend on useing the spacer.

 

[SuperDave]

Walt, the socket should absolutely work.  I'm going to use a couple SS nuts with a washer at each end.

 

[CUTiger80]

I just received my Auber and temperature probe and, although I have not started the install yet, I plan to use a spacer of some type to minimize the projection of the probe into the smoker box. 
The threaded portion of the probe is 5/16" diameter.  I am hoping that I have a piece of 5/16" ID copper tubing that I can cut to length for a spacer.  If not, I will stack several 5/16" washers to create a spacer of the correct thickness.  The socket idea should work also, but I certainly don't have any spare sockets laying around.  I believe that a piece of hardwood (like maple or ash) would work, but I'm not sure that I want to take a chance on it getting hot enough to start smoldering inside the back wall of the SI.

 

[SuperDave]

CUTiger, copper and stainless create a dissimilar metal reaction? 

 

[Walt]

I have a drawer full of misfit sockets.

Wrt the tabs that hold the rack supports, there was a thread on that topic many months ago.  This sounds like a common issue with regards to quality control.  Something Steve needs to address with his manufacturer.  I ground mine down with an angle grinder months ago but have NEVER actually used the higher position. 

 

[NDKoze]

I wonder if it would be wise to place the probe 1" from the top and midway from the side and the middle to stay as clear as possible from the smoke hole?

Just thinking out loud.

I like the idea of placing the probe up high because there are several smokes where I am not using the top rack and the permanent probe if placed below the top rack could be right up against the meat.

 

[NDKoze]

This is kind of what I was thinking.

Thoughts?