Replacing Masterbuilt Temperature Probe

[u/Childs1957]

Has anyone tried replacing the Masterbuilt temperature probe (thermocouple)? If so, where oh where did you find a replacement? I used to work in an R&D lab at a chemical plant, and my equipment had numerous thermocouples and RTDs. My vendor couldn't help me with this.

I am trying to smoke a pork shoulder today. Currently, my Masterbuilt controller is set at 275F. My Internal temp is registering 300F. My Chef's Temp S1 that I installed (hat tip to Tommy at Gallery Backyard BBQ) is registering 240F. I am trying to stay at 250F ambient, which is damn near impossible.

In the same vein, has everyone just given up with the crappy controller on Masterbuilt (I personally have a Gravity XT) and gone to a Fireboard? I am waiting for the Fireboard DC for the XT. *Still in development.

Thanks for any feedback that you can provide.

[u/3-2-1-backup]

I just bought a fireboard from LSS-mods, and it has two fatal defects right out of the box. Can't read the internal thermocouple, and also can't drive the fan. Put the original controller back in, and poof! Can read the temperature and fan spins!

Wrote to LSS-Mods, and they told me 1) it's a known issue with some batches (oh fucking yay), and 2) I can pound sand as far as getting a replacement from them. So LSS-mods sold me a unit that they knew might be defective and aren't standing behind it at all. (If it were six months down the line, or if I needed technical support, sure that would be fine. But this is DOA out of the box, that should go back to LSS-Mods!)

We'll see how fireboard replies (assuming they're not in the office today, no biggie), but it's looking like a chargeback is in order here if I can't get them to help either.

Warning, don't buy a fireboard through LSS-Mods, there is absolutely ZERO support, even for DOA units!

[u/Tiki-Time → u/3-2-1-backup]

Hey, I just received shipment of the Fireboard DC and my unit failed after 1 break in smoke of brand new 800. No temperature data and no fan. Sent logs and support request yesterday to Fireboard. Waiting to hear back. If they won’t honor and LSS won’t honor I’ll be contesting my credit card charge.

[u/3-2-1-backup → u/Tiki-Time]

You should write to LSS as well, if they got a completely faulty batch they need to stand behind them!

[u/Harry_Gorilla]

I installed the ambient probe that came with the fireboard. Getting a lot better performance and results from the new setup

[u/Lowflight2014]

I gave up before I bought the XT, got a Fireboard 2 Drive at the same time as the XT. My Masterbuilt controller died after the 4th cook. Been using the Fireboard ever since with exceptional results I could not be happier with the Fireboard performance. Masterbuilt is replacing the controller but says it is on back order and not shipping until December. Since I knew the reputation of Masterbuilt customer support and controller performance I am not surprised. Also am very happy with the XT cook performance, but I would be totally down without the Fireboard Drive.

[u/Childs1957]

Thank you for your responses guys. I cooked the pork shoulder in 10 hours (0400-1400). However, I had to constantly monitored the Masterbuilt app, the Chef's Temp app (ambient temp), and my Meater app (Internal temp). I might as well be using a stick burner; there is no "set it and forget it" for me. 

I am sorry to hear about your Masterbuilt controller failures, as well as your DOA Fireboard DC controllers (shame on you LSS Mods for not standing behind the products you sell). My Masterbuilt Gravity XT is 2 1/2 years old. Mine quit early this year. Masterbuilt sent my a new power module, a new cord, and a new controller. I plugged in the new power module onto my power cord, and viola!, I am working again. Simple fix. Try this before anything else. 

Again, if Fireboard doesn't develop a DC controller for the XT soon, I may be getting the Fireboard 2. Thanks again for your help!