It’s always frustrating to see your Char-Broil grill thermometer not working properly. When it comes to cooks, temperature accuracy is everything. Even when it’s off by 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it can entirely change the outcome.
I remember how frustrating it was when the temperature in my grill showed over 700°F even when it was cooled down. That’s how I knew it was bad.
If your grill’s thermometer is also defective, don’t worry about it. It can be fixed very easily, and I’ll show you exactly how to do it. Let’s dive in!
Char-Broil Grill Thermometer Not Working [Solved A-Z]
The most common reason behind your Char-Broil grill temperature gauge not working is that it’s defective. In my case, I figured out it was bad when it was stuck at one temperature. It wouldn’t come down even when the grill was completely cooled down.
Apart from that, the gauge is not moving, or condensation in the gauge could also be the reason why it doesn’t work properly. And sometimes, the gauge gets dirty, which also makes it give inaccurate readings.
The solution is simple: when the gauge is dirty, you can clean it. If it starts to work properly, you’ve solved the issue. If it still gives out faulty readings, the thermometer could be faulty.
In some scenarios, the thermometer is actually working ok, but it’s not calibrated properly. In other cases, it’s just defective. The solution in the first case is to recalibrate it to the right temperature. And the solution in the second case is to replace it. I’ll show you how to do both.
Why Recalibrate The Char-Broil Grill Thermometer?
Before getting into how you can recalibrate the thermometer, let’s talk about how you’ll know if it’s the right time to do it. If the temperature gauge in your thermometer doesn’t move at all, recalibrating it won’t help. Because at that stage, it is already fully damaged.
But if the thermometer gives inaccurate readings, that’s when you know you need to recalibrate it. And I don’t want to mince my words—it’s really important that you recalibrate the grill at least twice a year.
So, why do you even need to recalibrate the grill? Due to the weather and other external conditions, the temperature reading of the thermometer changes over time. It can be off by a few degrees and even up to 50 degrees in some cases. Trust me, I’ve seen it.
What that means is that you may think you’re cooking at 350°F. But in reality, it’s cooking at 300°F or 400°F. It depends on how the reading is skewed. It’s an example of how bad it can be.
And when you want to cook precisely, you know that even a change of 5 degrees over a long period can make the difference between the meat being underdone or overdone. That’s where recalibration comes in.
Before starting, again, I recommend you do this twice a year. That’ll make sure that you always get the right reading and enjoy consistent cooks. Now, let’s look at how to actually do it.
How To Recalibrate The Char-Broil Grill Thermometer
There are two common ways to calibrate the thermometer. I always prefer the first one because it’s more convenient for me. But you can pick whichever one you like. Let’s go through them.
Method 01 – The Boiling Water Method
Here’s what you’ll be needing to do this:
- A pot of boiling water
- Your grill’s thermometer (remove it from the grill)
- Tongs or chopsticks to hold the thermometer above the pot
- Needle-nose pliers (to adjust the thermometer)
- A towel (optional, for heat protection)
I hope you know how to remove the thermometer from the grill. It’s a pretty straightforward process. If you don’t, go to the replacement section, and you’ll find detailed instructions there. Now, let’s move on to how you can recalibrate the thermometer.
Start by cleaning the thermometer tip, as it might have soot on it that affects readings. Boil some water in a pot and bring it to a boil. At sea level, it should be exactly 212 degrees. But it could be a little more or less depending on the sea level and where you live.
Google “Your Area Boiling Water Temperature” and get the right reading. For example, in New Mexico, the water boils at 202°F as it’s approximately 5000 feet above sea level.
Next, dip the tip of the thermometer (not the whole stem) in the boiling water. Make sure you don’t dip the whole thing and use tongs or chopsticks so that it doesn’t go fully in. Use this picture as a reference:
If it reads the right temperature, your thermometer is fine. If it doesn’t, you have to adjust the thermometer. More instructions on how you can do it. Just keep scrolling through to read it. Meanwhile, let’s discuss the other method.
Method 02 – The Ice Method
In the first method, we used the boiling water temperature as a reference. Here, we’ll be using the freezing water, aka ice temperature, as the starting point. You can fill a glass with ice and pour some cold water to fill the space between the ice.
Stir it for a few seconds together to let the water become stable, and then dip your thermometer in. It should say 32°F, and if not, you can tell that the thermometer is bad. Now, the temperature of the ice will automatically start to rise as you’re putting it outside when testing.
So, when you adjust it, it’s going to be difficult. But when you’re boiling water, it’ll remain at the same temperature even during adjustment as long as the heat source is on. That’s why I always prefer the boiling water method to achieve the highest possible accurate settings.
Adjusting The Thermometer Based on The Readings
Depending on the readings you see in the thermometer, you may or may not have to adjust it. But how do you do this? On the back of the thermometer, there’s a small nut. You can use the pliers to turn the reading.
Here’s how it works:
- Turn clockwise to lower the reading.
- Turn counterclockwise to raise it.
Now, it’s just a matter of turning the nut and adjusting the temperature to the right level. Most thermometers have a dot marking 212°F. Try to get it close to it if it’s the right temperature according to your level.
You just have to go back and forth. You move the nut with the pliers and put it back into the boiling water. Then, you see the reading. If there are still adjustments to make, turn the reading with the pliers again. I find that it takes 2-3 times to get it calibrated to the right level.
How To Replace The Char-Broil Grill Thermometer
When your thermometer is bad, calibrating it won’t help. The only solution is a full-on Char-Broil grill thermometer replacement. The good news is that it’s really inexpensive, widely available, and easy to replace.
In fact, replacing the thermometer is easier than recalibrating it. Yes, just loosen the wing nut from the back of the grill lid holding the thermometer in place and replace it with the new one. That’s it, you’re all done. There’s no need to make it more complicated than that.
But remember that it’s still important to recalibrate the thermometer after every six months or so. That’s because the readings change automatically due to external conditions.
FAQs
Does Char-Broil replace a bad thermometer?
Yes, if it’s covered by the warranty, Char-Broil is more than likely to replace it for you. But they’ll charge you for shipping in most cases, which is often more expensive than the thermometer itself.
How accurately should you calibrate the thermometer?
No matter which method you use, I recommend keeping it between +/- 2 degrees Fahrenheit. If it’s more than that, it’ll be too big a difference. Of course, the closer it is to the original, the better it is.
Should I use an extra thermometer along with the one that Char-Broil provides?
Yes, the default thermometers aren’t always the best in my experience. And when it comes to cooking, accuracy is king. So, I’d suggest that you use an instant-read thermometer instead.
Can you cook without an accurate thermometer?
Absolutely not. When it comes to grilling, doing it at the right temperature is everything. So, you always need a thermometer that’s working properly.
Concluson
Now, you know the solutions to your Char-Broil grill thermometer not working properly. First, start by cleaning it. Then, depending on the situation with your thermometer, you may have to recalibrate it or replace it altogether.
I recommend not opening the lid of your grill during the cook, as that’s what messes up the thermometer in the long run. If your Char-Broil grill doesn’t get hot, I have a dedicated guide on how you can solve it. Good luck!
