Probe holes in ProQ Excel

[GuyB]

Hi, have just been given a maverick ET-733 for christmas but have noticed that the probes can't be pulled through the dedicated holes in the Excel as they are crimped at the base. I can leave one in the hole to give me BBQ temp but if I want to use the probes on meat I have to run cable between the stackers (causing an air-leak). Anyone else had this problem? Any ideas on how to solve it? I could remove the gland on the probe-hole making the hole bigger but would this leave sharp edges (possibly damaging cables). Has anyone managed to find a replacement (bigger) gland and fitted it? If so how?! Questions questions!

[keith157]

I had the same problem, but decided to "GENTLY" squeeze the crimps with a pair of pliers rather than trying to expand the holes in the Excel. This worked a treat and have had no problems with the probes misreading or not working.

[GuyB]

Great thanks Keith - will give it a go. Did you just fold them over so they lay flat along the probe?

[Saucy Pig]

I took a needle file to the holes and made them slightly bigger. I figured it was safer then trying to make the probes smaller with my luck I'd squeeze them a little too hard.

[GuyB]

That might be a better plan - tried squishing mine but I don't appear to be man enough! Got a brisket and a rack of ribs on at the moment and noticed that I was leaking from the joint where the cable goes through so I need to do something! Needle fe it is then. How many mil did you take out? Did you break through the side of the gland at all?

[Saucy Pig]

I'm seriously no technical wiz so excuse me using layman's terms here.
I noticed the probes at their widest point were more elliptical. I took a needle file to each side and just had at it, silver ring and all still in place. Didn't take long at all, took a bit out of the silver bit but not much. Just kept filing till it fit.

[GuyB]

Sounds simple enough - will give it a go when I have recovered from my meat-over! Cheers.

[keith157]

They really don't need much pressure, as noted they are kind of oval, I just rounded them over/up made the round and they fitted.

[Howie77]

This is handy as I was eyeing up the mavericks but noticed this issue when I tried too use my mates mavericks with my ProQ when we did a charity cook at work last summer. Bit of a design flaw in the eyelets if you ask me as just about everyone with anything to say on the subject seems to recommend the maverick as the thermometer of choice?

[paulfire]

You are right about it being a design flaw, maverick seem to be the weapon of choice in BBQ land, you would think the eyelets on a popular BBQ should take their probes !!!!! If you search this forum you will find the subject repeatedly, I did the squeeze the probe route and it worked! don't try drilling out the eyelet a little! I did and had a loose eyelet and a broken dril bit