PSA: I dropped $180 on a Thermopen and a cheapo $15 dial thermo for my offset, and the cheap one was closer at brisket temp

Aaron Mitchell · 2026-10-21T22:15:05.412887+00:00

Bought the fancy instant read for comps in Fort Worth last month and a $15 dial to leave stuck in the lid. At 225 both were dead on, but at 275 the dial was within 3 degrees while the Thermopen jumped around and read 9 low until I let it sit. Now I'm second guessing whether I needed to spend that much. Anyone else find their cheap gear beating the pricey stuff on long cooks, or did I get a bad unit?

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PSA: I dropped $180 on a Thermopen and a cheapo $15 dial thermo for my offset, and the cheap one was closer at brisket temp | BBQ Pitmasters - Free To Speak