How accurate is the Master Touch lid thermometer?

[dogman]

Has anybody checked this against a reliable thermometer? How close is it? Thanks.

[ReanimatedRobot]

I have heard that it is probably within 30 to 50 degrees of the actual temperature on the grill top, but I can't say I have tested this myself.  Those who would know for certain would have a wireless thermometer set up that sits right on top of the grill grates.  If you have a wireless thermometer or a friend who does you could give it a try and see what you find. 

[Davescprktl]

I would not trust it at all.  It is only giving you temp in the dome and not on the grate where you really need it.  I would suggest getting an oven thermometer or a system with probes like the Thermoworks Smoke or a Maverick system. 

[PotsieWeber]

I have an ANALOG (dial) thermometer I put on the top grate of a WSM.  It always seems close enough that I don't always bother.  I don't recall if I've ever used it on any of my kettles with thermometers.

[1ROW]

I've done a boil test with several weber lid therms and they were all spot on. However, as previously mentioned, the difference between the dome and the grate can be 15-50 degrees. I use the lid therm more as a guide post of what my grill is doing rather than a hard and fast indicator of actual grate temperature.

[dogman]

Thanks guys. I'm planning to cook mostly fish and it's a lot easier to tell than meat so I wasn't thinking about a probe thermometer. And I realize because of the position it's not the temp on the grate.

What I didn't realize is what you guys said about the temp being so much lower than at the grate. I guess I'll wing it for now but eventually get some kind of thermometer.

[dogman]

Ok, I went ahead and bought a thermapen. I still need to get a thermometer for the grill. Damn, this is starting to become another black hole for money like all the other hobbies in the world.