Homemade delicacies deserve special care: installing a thermometer and temperature controller for a smokehouse

Smoking is a complex process, during which it is important maintain temperature conditionsFor this purpose, devices such as thermometers and thermostats are used.

The thermometer shows the temperature as in the device, and inside of the product being preparedThe thermostat, in turn, is a more complex device that controls and regulates the temperature inside the chamber.

Smokehouse Thermometers: Mechanical and Electronic

The most common thermometer used for a smokehouse is one consisting of: sensor, showing the temperature, probe, which is inserted into the product, and heat-resistant cable, connecting these two devices.

Types thermometers:

• Some devices have scales that do not contain degrees, but image of several types of meat and fish, which allows you to control the smoking of a specific product.
• WITH manual And automatic sensorsThe first ones have to be periodically inserted into the product and determine its temperature, the second ones show it constantly.
• To control the temperature of meat there is mechanical And electronic devices.
• The display happens electronic or with normal scale.
• Autonomous pin The devices are used to control the temperature inside the chamber and are usually built into its lid.
• Autonomous equipment that is equipped with sound sensor, notifies about the end of the cooking process.

Installing a temperature sensor

Usually a stand-alone thermometer is inserted in the lid, but you can do it too in any other convenient place constructions.

The installation process is simple and consists of the following stages:

1. Choosing a thermometer - the probe length is usually up to 15 cm.
2. During installation, one condition is observed - a thermal sensor should not come into direct contact with metal parts, to isolate it, special insulators are used (they can be made from scrap materials).
3. In the lid or in another chosen place, using a drill, make hole of the required diameter.
4. Insert the device and they fix it well, usually the kit includes a threaded wing nut, which allows you to quickly install and remove the device.

Thermoregulators for hot or cold smoking

The thermostat allows simplify the process smoking. Such a device is installed in the smokehouse with smoke generator or electric heating. A sensor connected to the control unit is fixed inside the chamber. This equipment allows you to regulate the heating power and the position of the chamber flap in the smoke generator, so the temperature inside the smokehouse is maintained in a given mode. automatically, without human intervention.

Almost any thermostat can be used for the smokehouse, for example, from an incubator or from a gas boilerThe main thing is to organize its feedback with the heating or smoke supply mechanism.

Types devices:

• Mechanical — is characterized by a simple design, has a long service life and low cost. Since it does not have a complex control system, it works reliably. Quite using a wheel or lever set the required temperature, and the device will maintain it in the specified mode. The disadvantage is that the device does not have a screen, so it is impossible to visually control the heating process.

Photo 1. Mechanical thermostat, top and side view. It is distinguished by its rather simple design and reliability.

• Electronic — is a modern equipment that regulates temperature more flexibly and accurately. Such devices allow you to save more electricity, if a heating element is used for heatingFor example, you can save money with a mechanical thermostat. up to 30% of electricity, and the electronic device will save up to 50%The disadvantage is that the cost of such equipment is high.

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How to install the device in the smokehouse

Usually, at home, a smokehouse with electric heating is used. The process of connecting the thermostat with your own hands consists of the following steps:

1. The thermostat of the purchased thermostat is connected to the heating element, for which they make hole in the body next to the heating element.

2. Thermostat and heating element are connected in series.
3. In the chamber where the products are located, the sensor is installed thermostat.
4. Sensor connects to the control unit, on which the required temperature will be set.
5. To control the temperature inside, you can additionally install a thermometer in the lid of the smokehouse.

When using a smoke generator, the thermostat sensor connects to the damper controls supply of smoke and thus control the temperature regime.

Possible complications

When installing a thermometer and thermostat, it is usually there are no difficultiesIf a person has basic skills in construction and installation work, then he can easily cope with this task on his own.

When installing a thermometer, it is important to ensure that its temperature sensor did not come into contact with metal parts smokehouse, otherwise it will show not the air temperature, but the temperature of the equipment itself. To avoid this, be sure to install the gasket that comes with the kit.

When using a heating element as a heating element during smoking, fat drips from meat and fish. To prevent them from damaging the electrical elements, Be sure to install a grease tray.

Useful video

A video that looks at 2 mechanical thermometers and tests their accuracy against similar electronic devices.

Advantages of a temperature sensor and a thermostat

The thermometer helps to control the cooking process of food, suggests the degree of their readinessThe use of a thermostat allows the process to take place without human intervention; the owner only needs to put in the products, turn on the smokehouse and after a while pick up the finished meat or fish.

Such additional equipment allows you to prepare smoked products at home, which in their appearance will not be inferior to products purchased in a store, and in terms of taste they will even surpass them.