Meater Block: Reviews? Any better wireless?

[jjdbike]

Hello folks,

Up till now, my mainstay cookers has been a BGE w/ a Flamboss 500 thermometer & pit fan - controller.

Now I have a "new to me" Karubecue (KBQ) and absolutely love it. I'd really love to have a wireless unit that gives me internal food temp reading for multiple items. It would also be really nice to have ambient pit temps. It would be a dream to have mulipule ambient temps (i.e. different locations within pit (e.g. different levels).

I am looking at the "Meater Board". It has 4 wireless probes. Each wireless probes have two temp sensors, one for internal food temp and one for ambient pit temp. That would be fantastic for different meat's on different shelves.
At $299 it's not inexpensive.

Can anyone offer any input on this unit?

Anyone know if any other comparable or better wireless units?

I'm focused on wireless for two reasons. 1st, on both my older Maverics and my current Flame Boss, the wires get easily damaged and render the probes useless. Second, it's a PIA to try to fish the probes and wires through the small holes in the side of the KBQ and only one probe - wire can fit through each hole.

Looking forward to any and all input.
Thanks in advance!
JD

[ItsAllGoneToTheDogs]

The only 2 options I've seen are Meater (which is now owned by Traeger, not that it really matters but at some point it could come into play price or support wise) and Meatstick. There's a few others out there, but they look really cheap.

For smoking I would guess both are fine, though the Meater is more susceptible to damage when grilling with a max temp of 520 something. I think the Meatstick is closer to 600.

I've not seen any posts about the KBQ going haywire or having a massive flareup like some pellet grills and going to very high temps but just something to think about.

[STEbbq]

I have preordered one of these thermometers and it is expected to ship in June. It could be worth waiting to see what the early reviews are as it could be a material upgrade over anything else wireless out there.

https://combustion.inc/

[au4stree]

I’m in the research stages for wireless thermometers, what’s your experience been thus far?

[STEbbq]

au4stree I have not got it yet. I think it should arrive in a few weeks though.

[Waster]

Me too - pre-ordered and just received shipment notification. The specs smash anything else out there, but its new and as STEbbq says, might be worth waiting and seeing if the actual performance matches the promises.

[jjdbike]

I have preordered one of these thermometers and it is expected to ship in June. It could be worth waiting to see what the early reviews are as it could be a material upgrade over anything else wireless out there.

https://combustion.inc/

Thanks IFindZero,
I have same question as Potkettle. It looks like it only has one probe.
How many probe, zones etc can one use with that?
JD

[efincoop]

If I'm reading the promo materiel correctly it says it can use up to 4 probes.

The Predictive Timer displays core, surface, andThe Predictive Timer displays core, surface, and ambient temp for up to 4 thermometers. ambient temp for up to 4 thermometers.

[STEbbq]

jjdbike and Potkettleblack , Yes, it can manage up to 4. See this comment from the FAQ.

What if I need multiple thermometers?

The Predictive Timer can manage up to 4 thermometers simultaneously.


I ordered the "double barrel" set which came with 2 thermometers. They did not offer an option for ordering more probes at the time of the preorder.

[das85]

I've had poor experience with Meater. Maybe it's just user error but trouble with connectivity, app, charge depletion...just not great all around.

I've had better luck with Tappecue's product, reviewed here by AR expert: https://amazingribs.com/ratings_revi...bundle-review/

Even so, right now I am primarily using this for rotisserie where wired is truly impossible. And sometimes Santa Maria.

[jfmorris]

Aside from the long delayed shipment to initial backers of the Meater (we are talking YEARS after money was paid to them), I've heard issues on range if it is inside an enclosed metal grill. I imagine the block, which I think bridges BT to Wifi, would resolve those issues if placed near the grill.

I don't see a smoker getting hot enough to exceed the temp limit - you are not running the KBQ cook chamber at 500+ degrees after all.

[DaveD]

I have a single Meater+ and absolutely love it. I've had none of the problems that das85 reported. Y'all have seen the data plots in just about all my cook threads. Now, I have a couple of wifi repeaters in the house in order to ensure good coverage in general, so maybe that's why it's been all smooth for me. The only time I lose contact is when I go down to the basement, there's just a whole lot of stuff in the way from down there. But once I walk back upstairs it immediately reconnects and all is well.

If I were routinely cooking multiple cuts I'd get the full block in a heartbeat. But it's just the two of us, and I get by fine with the M+ and the four wired probes via my SnS-500 (it has an RF remote monitor unit).

[das85]

Glad to hear it's working well for you! Curious what kind of cooker are you using it in?

[DaveD]

das85 - I have two cookers, and I use it in both provided the meat is, uh, meaty enough to take the diameter of the unit. No go for thin cuts as someone has commented. I have a Pit Boss Copperhead 5 vertical pellet smoker and a Weber Spirit gas grill. I've found it's more important for the M+ and its block to be nearby one another than the opposite. So I stick it on a non-heated piece of metal on the cooker and that works great.

[Mosca]

I’d only use something like this for rotisserie or sous vide, and I’ve already incorporated the workarounds for both of those into my process. Nice to have, but a few years too late for me.

[Texas Larry]

I’ve used the Meater Block for a couple of years. Works mostly as advertised with a couple of issues. I find it indispensable for rotisserie cooks, but use it for some others as well. I have other options. I have no need for four probes, but that was the only way at the time to get Wi-Fi. The range is sufficient for my needs, but if I forget to take my phone in with me when I take the meat inside to rest I lose the connection. The other issue as noted by others here is the size of the probes. They leave a big hole, not really good for thinner cuts.

[Polarbear777]

The Tappecue is ok but still lots of finicky connection issues with zero ability to diagnose the problem or quickly tell if it’s working after resetting.

all of these types of probes depend on being embedded into the food up to a certain line, so that the electronics inside don’t exceed a limit. If it falls out it could die in a hot smoker chamber.

[dshaffes]

I’ve had the meater+ for 3-4 months now and think it works great. This is the future which gets rid of all those wires. The next innovation should be wireless connectivity to a fan for temperature control.

[58limited]

I have a single Meater and it works fine but has a short range - 30 or so feet.

I used to have a Maverick SR50 and currently have an SnS-500, both with 4 wired probes. I have no trouble fitting two probes into each corner of the KBQ.

[BBQPhil]

Have a meater plus and it continues to work, even after is came apart because of too high a temp. It's ideal for rotisserie chicken or a quick steak. Setup time is much quicker than my Fireboard.