avery366•7d agoProlific Poster

I stopped using thermal paste spreaders and never looked back

I used to think those little plastic spreaders were the only way to get a good application. Then last month I rebuilt a old Optiplex 790 and just did the pea method in the center. Temperatures dropped 3 degrees compared to my last build with the spreader. Anyone else waste money on those tools or am I alone on this?

2 comments

2 Comments

king.dakota7d ago

3 degrees better just from skipping the spreader on a 790?

holly477d ago

Oh man I gotta push back on that one. I've run a 790 for two years and the spreader actually helped me get more consistent temps across the dome. Without it I'd get hot spots near the firebox and cold edges on the opposite side. That 3 degree difference might just be a fluke or a different fuel load. I've seen guys chase 2-3 degrees and end up ruining a good cook because they started opening the lid too much trying to dial it in.