Temperature probes are a vital part of using a Pit Boss grill. They help you ensure your food is cooked evenly and at the correct temperature. But what happens if one of your temperature probes goes bad? Can you use a different probe with your Pit Boss grill? Can you use a Traeger probe or any other probe you have at home with your Pit Boss Model?
The Pit Boss uses a 3.5mm temperature probe, which is the same size that fits Traeger, Camp Chef Memphis grills, and several other brands. This means you can interchange the probe and use it on any grill with the same size and shape temperature probe.
The temperature probe is a vital part of grilling, and it’s nice to know that they are interchangeable.
But what do you do if you can’t find it, or it’s broken? We’ll answer some of the most critical questions regarding the Pit Boss temperature probe and using it with other grills.
What Is A Temperature Probe?
The Pit Boss temperature probes are accessories that come with the grill and help monitor the internal and ambient temperature of the grill and the food protein you are cooking.
When cooking with the probes, you don’t have to worry about constantly opening the lid to monitor the internal temperature.
Insert the probe into the protein without touching the bone, then close the lid and let the grill do its job. You can monitor the grill by looking at the LCD display. When the food reaches your desired internal temperature, remove the food and probes and enjoy your food.
Where Can I Buy A Temperature Probe?
All Pit Boss grills come with 1 or 2 temperature probes, depending on the model. If you lose one or it breaks, you can order a replacement at any online retailer.
I ordered some replacements on Amazon because they were reasonably priced. You can also order them on the official Pit Boss website.
Can I Use A Traeger Probe On My Pit Boss Grill?
The 3.5mm temperature probes are interchangeable between Traeger and Pit Boss grills. If you have an extra probe lying around from a different brand of grill, chances are it’ll work with your Pit Boss as well!
How To Know If A Temperature Probe Is Interchangeable?
The best way to know if a temperature probe is interchangeable is to try inserting it into the grill. Then, you can use it interchangeably. That said, it will fit without you having to force it.
If it doesn’t fit without you forcing it, don’t force it. Otherwise, you may cause damage to the probe or grill.
The last thing you want to do is break the plug’s tip into the grill. Otherwise, you’ll be looking for a YouTube video on how to remove a broken 3.5mm jack. Plus, you won’t be able to use the jack until you remove it.
Thankfully, I’ve never had that happen before, but if it does, this article discusses some tips for removing a broken headphone from a standard 3.5mm jack.
Grills That Use A 3.5 MM Temperature Probe
At the time of this writing, over 30 brands of pellet grills are available on the marketplace.
Here are some of the most popular brands that have a 3.5mm temperature jack, meaning the probes are universal with other grills that use the same size and shape temperature probe.
- Traeger
- Camp Chef
- Pit Boss
- Memphis Grills
If you have a different model, consult the owners manual to find out what size jack the grill has.
How Do You Know If A Temperature Probe Is Accurate?
One of the easiest ways to know if your probe is accurate is to compare it with a handheld thermometer. When cooking chicken, briskets, etc., I use probes and a handheld thermometer.
If the readings are the same or within 1-2 degrees, the probe is functioning correctly. However, if the readings are drastically different, you may need to replace or calibrate your probes.
I don’t like to rely 100% on the probes because I’ve found that they are not as accurate as my ThermoWorks thermometer.
If this is your first time using the probes, I recommend checking the internal temperature with a good thermometer. This will ensure the food is cooked properly before removing it from the grill.
The last thing you want to do is remove the food too early, only to realize that the probes were inaccurate. Then you’re left with uncooked food that you will need to finish cooking in the oven.
Why Use A Temperature Probe?
As mentioned, the biggest reason to use a temperature probe is to make it easier to cook your food to the proper internal temperature.
With an accurately placed probe, your food will cook quicker and more thoroughly without a lot of effort on your part. Otherwise, you’ll have to continually lift the lid to monitor the temperature.
Continually opening and closing the lid on the pellet grill will cause the temperature to keep fluctuating.
This will make it nearly impossible to maintain a consistent temperature throughout the cook, which will cause the food to take longer to cook or increase the chances of overcooking it.
Can You Grill Without Using A Temperature Probe?
Yes, all grills will work properly without using the probe. Instead, it’s an accessory that makes monitoring the temperature and maintaining consistent heat throughout the cook easier.
If you don’t have access to a 3.5mm probe or just don’t feel comfortable using one, then you can always use a standard thermometer to check the internal temperature of your food.
I don’t always use the probe because I hate cleaning it. But, as mentioned, I always use the probe when I’m doing a long cook. So if you prefer not to use it, it’s perfectly fine. You’ll have to spend more time watching the grill.
Final Word
All Pit Boss pellet grills, including vertical grills, use a meat probe with a 3.5mm plug. So regardless of which model you own, using the same temperature probe on all your grills is possible.
If you own any other grill that uses the same size and shape probe, it’s possible to use the same probe interchangeably.
That said, it’s essential to ensure the probes are correctly calibrated and get accurate readings. Always replace any damaged probes immediately, so your food is cooked to the correct temperature.
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