If you are going for smoke but not looking to "BBQ" a pork loin or turkey(by that I mean cooking beyond done to that tender point of pulled BBQ) In other words if you want that smokey flavor but you are going for that sliced, juicy point, a digital thermometer is unbelieveable!!
I have one that has a cord to the probe so that the probe stays in the smoker(or grill) in the meat, while the readout is outside where you can see it.
For Pork and Turkey it is a must because you have to err on the side of caution. Overdone is better than salmonella.
On the digital thermometer I can set the alarm to 160 or so for a large Turkey(it comes up to 165 at rest)and it is the juiciest you have ever eaten. Same for a pork loin.
The only drawback is that they can't stand temps over 395 or so, but that is way beyond anything I do in my smoker. I got mine for $15 or so. There was a remote one that sounded bad ass, but it had preset donnesses that were way too high. I am a serious chef and I can't stress enough how great it is. I also use one to alert me if my smoker goes over 225! I stick the probe through a hole meant for a thermometer and it lets me know if the chips start to blaze.
I have one that has a cord to the probe so that the probe stays in the smoker(or grill) in the meat, while the readout is outside where you can see it.
For Pork and Turkey it is a must because you have to err on the side of caution. Overdone is better than salmonella.
On the digital thermometer I can set the alarm to 160 or so for a large Turkey(it comes up to 165 at rest)and it is the juiciest you have ever eaten. Same for a pork loin.
The only drawback is that they can't stand temps over 395 or so, but that is way beyond anything I do in my smoker. I got mine for $15 or so. There was a remote one that sounded bad ass, but it had preset donnesses that were way too high. I am a serious chef and I can't stress enough how great it is. I also use one to alert me if my smoker goes over 225! I stick the probe through a hole meant for a thermometer and it lets me know if the chips start to blaze.