How to Calibrate Your BBQ Thermometer
If your thermometer has the ability to be calibrated, you can re-calibrate your barbecue thermometer from home.
Thermometers intended for measuring higher temperatures — such as BBQ grills — should be calibrated using boiling water. Always use distilled water, as minerals in tap water can significantly affect the boiling point. Your local altitude is equally important: at sea level, pure distilled water boils at 212° F, but at 10,000 feet above sea level it boils at only 194° F. You can use Google or visit zipdatamaps.com to find the altitude of your city.
Calibration in Boiling Water
- Bring a clean container of distilled water to a rolling boil.
- Place the thermometer probe into the boiling water for at least one minute, taking care not to let the probe contact the sides or bottom of the container.
- If the thermometer does not read between 210° F and 214° F, adjust it to read 212° F (or the appropriate boiling point for your altitude — see Table A below).
Table A — Boiling Point of Pure Water by Altitude
| Feet Above Sea Level | Boiling Point | Feet Above Sea Level | Boiling Point |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 | 212° F | 4,500 | 203° F |
| 500 | 211° F | 5,000 | 203° F |
| 1,000 | 210° F | 6,000 | 201° F |
| 1,500 | 209° F | 7,000 | 199° F |
| 2,000 | 208° F | 8,000 | 197° F |
| 2,500 | 207° F | 10,000 | 194° F |
| 3,000 | 206° F | 12,000 | 190° F |
| 3,500 | 205° F | 14,000 | 187° F |