Tame the Tangle: Universal BBQ Probe Holder for Smoker & Grill Probes

🔥 How a 3D Printer and a Kid's Fishing Pole Solved My BBQ Probe Problem

I didn’t set out to design a BBQ probe holder — I was actually 3D printing a toy fishing pole for my son. While watching the spool print layer by layer, it hit me: that little reel design could solve the tangled mess of temperature probes I had shoved in a drawer.

Like a lot of backyard pitmasters, I’ve collected my fair share of probes over the years — straight, angled, ambient, different brands. No matter how I wrapped or clipped them, they always turned into a spaghetti knot in the cabinet. And don’t even get me started on the grill clips — those things just vanish.

I dumped everything out on the table and started taking measurements: probe cable diameters, lengths, even the shape and bend of angled plugs. I also looked at how poorly the grill clips were holding on to the toy rod I was testing. That’s when I knew — if I could design a reel-style holder that worked like a spool, it might just be the answer.

🛠 From CAD to Cookout:

I started mocking up prototypes in CAD, inspired partly by some oval holders a friend had printed for me a while back. Those were great — but only fit a few probe styles. I took their outer diameter into account and started tweaking. Over time, I tried dozens of handle styles and configurations — but 3D printing can be fussy, and a lot of them failed mid-print or warped under heat.

After about 20 different iterations and way too many misprints, I finally landed on the current design. It works beautifully: simple to wind, holds the plug snug, and even includes a notch to clip on your grill clip so nothing gets lost.

To help folks keep things even neater, I also created a 4-slot Probe Holder Rack that keeps up to four holders lined up and drawer-ready. Whether you're a BBQ nerd like me or just tired of cable clutter, I hope this little setup helps you stay organized — and helps your probes last longer too.

🎥 Watch the Demo in Action

Want to see how it works? I walk through the full process — from straight and angled probes, to grill clips and ambient sensors — in the video below.

🧩 Where to Get One

This product is 3D printed in-house using durable, heat-resistant filament. As with all 3D printed items, slight variations or layer lines may be visible — this is normal and does not affect function. Designed and tested by BBQ by Biggs with real-world BBQ use in mind.

This post may contain affiliate links. If you click and purchase, I may earn a small commission — at no additional cost to you. These commissions help keep the fire lit and the smoke rollin’. I only recommend products I trust and use myself. Thanks for supporting BBQ by Biggs!