ChefIQ Smart Thermometer Initial Impressions

[GolfGeezer]

I just received the ChefIQ wireless Smart Thermometer late last evening. Bought it on Amazon for $75 (that includes taxes - no shipping as I have Prime). I could have got it for $10 less from Walmart , but missed that when I first ordered it.

It comes in a very large box - I mean, lots of wasted space. One obvious thing "missing" was a Getting Started instruction sheet. It does include 2 very nicely printed, glossy fold-outs, one for "Safety & Warranty" and one that seems more like a marketing flyer. It did provide one clue - you must download their App first. What it doesn't say is that you need to plug the hub with probe into a charger - a USB cord is provided, but no charger. Fortunately, I have a ton of those laying around for all my various devices.

Once you get all the parts out of the packaging, and then have figured out how to open the Hub so you can place the probe in it, plug it in right away. Two things here: 1) the cover for the Hub is not easy to open, at least not the first time. Once you figure out how to squeeze/twist the cover, it is fairly straightforward. 2) before going any further, either go to their website or use Help in the App to read the FAQs. You will wonder how to turn things off and on, how to pair the Bluetooth between the Hub and the probe, what the blinking color means on the Hub, how to connect the WiFi. I kind of stumbled through it because the App, when opened, starts the probe pairing process and then the WiFi connectivity, which work fine, although not knowing the sequence beforehand led to some missteps.

One other big point is that even though the Probe supposedly has 40 hours of runtime and the Hub 20 hours without being plugged into a charger, the Probe is ALWAYS ON. So, even if you charge it fully, you will always want to put the Hub and Probe on a charger before using for at least 10 minutes. There is a note in the FAQs stating to plug it in for at least 5 minutes, but 10 is supposedly enough to fully charge the Probe.

I do also own the Combustion Inc wireless thermometer, so I wanted to do a quick comparison. I used to have a Thermoworks TempSpike , but gave it away as I did not find the App nor the device that beneficial.

My main beef with the CI device is that it does not use WiFi. I have had issues with connectivity with their Bluetooth-only approach, having to move the Display (CI's Hub) around my backyard to get it to stay connected to the App, and only from downstairs in my house. ChefIQ's WiFi was a breeze to setup. Caveat: I have not tried from my backyard yet. I'll do that later today and report.

Both products claim they are the thinnest on the market. I placed them side-by-side although I'm hoping to find my micrometer that I used to have when I was a machinist 45 years ago - I still have a lot of those calibration devices hiding in my garage somewhere. Here is a pic:



They look very close, but my eyeballs says the CI is a fraction thinner.

The ChefIQ Hub can actually hold and support 3 Probes, although it can only charge 1 at a time - a big "flaw" in my mind. Here are the ChefIQ and CI products side by side:



I realize it is hard to see them clearly - my apologizes for no camera skills. The cover for the ChefIQ's Hub is on the right and you can just see 2 indents for additional probes. CI's probes use a separate holder. The one I am showing is the Booster version that supposedly has greater Bluetooth range and charging capability.

So, that's it for now. Gotta go take my morning Constitutional. Later I'll report on WiFi testing. We are traveling soon, so not sure when I'll get to a cooking session with it. Right now, it is looking good. The price difference is HUGE, which makes up for a lot of possible "weaknesses".

[GolfGeezer]

A quick update: I just tested the WiFi connectivity in my backyard, sitting the Hub on my MAK. It stayed connected just fine! I also did a quick ice bath test. Not as good: it registered 3* high versus my Thermoworks One and MK4. I have reached out to them to inquire if the probes can be calibrated.

UPDATE: Their Support asked that I test using boiling water instead of an ice bath. Doing that yielded both the Smart IQ and my Thermoworks within 1 degree of each, so I'll consider this issue "closed".

[STEbbq]

What kind of app functions do we have available?

[GolfGeezer]

STEbbq From what I can see, as the User Guide is rather sparse, the Home function gives you access to the Getting Started guided setup and cooks, and a slew of recipes for a wide variety of dishes. Lots of pictures and how to's with videos.

The Cook Control is where you start a specific cook. touching Start gives you a guided Plan to Cook where you can select a preset Plan like "Beef - Roast - Brisket - Smoker (vs Oven)". It then shows target temp (205*, Time to cook (12 hrs) and 5 "steps" in the process (Set smoker temp to 225*, setup a spray bottle of apple cider/water, where and how to insert the Probe, place in smoker). The last step in that cook is that it will alert you when to wrap the brisket and raise the smoker temp to 275*. other meats have other options in their Plan (such as using a grill versus smoker or Oven). I did not see a way to modify their preset Plans.

I also do not see how to set your own custom alerts. Their website states it will alert you via the App when a cook gets to Plan temp, but I do not see how that works yet. Custom alerts do not seem available, such as ambient temp falling below a certain temp which might indicate a flame out or such, or exceeding a certain temp which might indicate a grease fire. I also do not see how to have it use the built-in alerts sent via SMS or email. they all seem to be literally Voice alerts via a speaker in the Hub. That isn't a very good approach since the Hub would be outside, while obviously monitoring inside.

I have pinged their Support about the alert system. I have also done a boiling water test - that went very well, as their Probe matched my Thermoworks One.

[STEbbq]

Being hard of hearing the voice alerts would be a bit of a deal breaker, though as you mention, it could easily be a deal breaker for a hearing person as well.

[Jerod Broussard]

I could use something like this in my vertical, but two walls of 11 gauge metal with 1.25" of insulation makes me a little kevin O' Leary. (Leery misspelled on purpose)

[GolfGeezer]

Jerod Broussard OK Mr. Cooking Shark Tank. I tested with my MAK, which is 16 gauge 304 SS. I’m pretty sure this would work in what you have as the Hub would be sitting next to the smoker. That is, unless you do not use WiFi - the the Bluetooth limitations would be significant.

[Jerod Broussard]

Yeah, Bluetooth is horrible... GolfGeezer

[realdocBBQ]

Agreed, BT sucks.... uhhh... smallish round things. Anyways... I am SUPER interested in this. The WiFi capability with true wireless is a big plus, AND believe it or not, the "1, 2, 3" numbering on the probes is awesome, for me. I have several TempSpikes and find myself seldom using them - the app isn't great, the BlueTooth only annoys me and not being able to tell which Spike is paired with which booster SUCKS. A unit that can handle 3 probes AND they're labeled! I'm in!

[realdocBBQ]

Ok, I'm seriously into this, but.... on Amazon there are multiple options listed, but they don't make SENSE to me.

There is the "Hub + Probe #1" package for $69.99
Then there are the "Extra Probe #2" and "Extra Probe #3" packages each for $49.99.

Ok, got it.

Then there's the "Hub + Probe #1 (2023)" package for $99.99.

But... this last one, in spite of being more expensive AND the "2023" version, does NOT specifically list WiFi capability. It shows it in the ad header as Bluetooth only.***

WTH is up with this?

The pictures associated with the new "2023" one show an app that looks like it might have been updated for additional functionality - I think it shows an alert at the top ("It's time to flip your food") which may address the discussion above about 'only' audible notifications from the booster unit, as if they ALSO display on your phone that would be helpful - but not without some kind of alert. In fact, personally, I'd prefer to do away with the audible warnings and messages from the booster unit. This app also seems to have a toggle button/switch to go from regular display to graphed plot, which is a big plus for me. Major complaint about some of the other apps and products out there.

Also - the 'old'(?) probe's app picture shows something that is VERY interesting to me... at the top, it says "Smart Thermometer 7". I'm wondering how many probes you can control/monitor from this app, from each booster/base/sending unit, etc.? I am really annoyed with the TempSpike limitation of 3 probes. And a single probe charging capability per booster. And the pairing of one booster with one probe - permanently. And no ability to distinguish between probes. I'm all over this if I can run 5, 6 or 8 probes, and even if they only have them labeled up to 3, I'll buy 2 sets or whatever. I'm on it. But I really want a multi-probe base that can charge several probes, and I want to know how many I can use at once, and I want to know if I can change the designation of each probe or at least give it a 'label' during the cooking session or something.

Lots of questions. I was about to pull the trigger, but I have so damned many thermometers now, I know it's gonna end up in the drawer like most of them if it doesn't fit all the things I want it to do. And despite all of them I have, I still keep coming back to my Fireboard over and over and over due to the flexibility of the software and the 6-probe capability - in spite of having to deal with wires.

Hope some company out there is listening...


A true wireless 6- or 8-probe system (expandable, maybe from 2 or something) with all the flexibility of the Fireboard software and monitoring would definitely get my business. Unfortunately, no one has as yet incorporated all these things.

<edit> I do see now a dual-probe version with 2 slots in the hub for $140, and a $10 coupon I can click. I THINK I may go ahead and get this one - it shows the seemingly newer updated app, and while it DOESN'T mention WiFi in the title of the ad, it DOES specifically say WiFi in the specs. So... I may jump on this one.

*** I notice now, the other ones DO mention WiFi in the specs - but not in the ad header. Weird. And What's with the (2023) version over the previous ones? They really oughtta pull them, or separate the ads and clarify any differences. I'm confused, and when spending money, confusion makes me hesitate...

[GolfGeezer]

Interesting: I did not notice this difference when I bought the 1 I have. The 2023 Hub is shorter than the one I have. I do not see where it charges more than 1 probe. Neither version supports more than 3 probes. The 2023 probe appears to have more sensors, but I need to check mine to compare. Still not clear on Notifications, but it looks like they both do voice at the Hub and text or pop-ups in the App.

[GolfGeezer]

And I did not see another version of the App in Google Play Store. But need to check that out as I was not looking for a "newer" version.

[GolfGeezer]

Muting seems to turn off Notification completely, including through the App. At least, when i muted mine, the Notifications function is greyed out. Gotta do more testing....

[GolfGeezer]

realdocBBQ The adventure continues. After seeing the Newer 2023 Model in your post, I decided to return the one I bought and get this so-called "newer" version. Foolish me, I thought they had improved the functionality or added features or some such. NOT! The App is exactly the same. the Probe is Exactly the same. The Hub, however, is shorter. However, this "newer" hub actually eliminates the ability to store 2 extra probes in the Hub case. The older version had 2 formfitting slots in the removal cover to hold these 2 extra probes.

Of course, neither version allows you to charge more than 1 probe at a time. That is an annoyance if you want to use 2 or 3 probes at once, since you will have to serially charge them just before cooking. While they supposedly hold a charge for 40 hours, you must charge them before use as you cannot power off the probes - they are always "on".

I still find the WiFi connectivity to be a significant improvement over all the other ones out there: TempSpike, Yummly, Combustion Inc. and others only do Bluetooth. If you want to check it out, I'd get the version on Amazon for $70 versus the 2023 for $100 - they are functionally identical.

[realdocBBQ]

So that's weird.... what is this model???

https://www.amazon.com/CHEF-iQ-Smart-Thermometer-Probes/dp/B0C7JM4Y9G/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?crid=3IL78A3LVZLWZ&keywords=chefq+smart+thermometer&qid=1694391815&sprefix=ChefIQ+%2Caps%2C193&sr=8-2-spons&ufe=app_do%3Aamzn1.fos.f5122f16-c3e8-4386-bf32-63e904010ad0&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&psc=1&smid=A1GQPMX61VIPM8

It looks like it holds and I would 'expect' CHARGES two probes at once.

Just strange. Some of the implementation of these devices coming to market really makes me scratch my head. Who in the ever-loving world of business thinks it's a GOOD idea to downgrade from a 2-probe capability to a single probe capability (for charging)?

God I wish I had the capital to invest in research and design. I just can't understand how these things don't occur to people.

[GolfGeezer]

Well, darn. I did not see that one. Yes, that does charge 2 at once. Of course, begs the question, why not 3? That’s the max any of the Hubs can support. And the lack of setting your own Alerts, or use text/email for them, is a big miss.

[realdocBBQ]

Riiiiiight... you see what I'm saying. Some companies just don't get it, man.

[GolfGeezer]

I keep hoping FireBoard will add this kind of probe to their product. I mean, theirs does WiFi and Bluetooth, has great Apps and cloud services, lots of features, just no wireless probe. I’ve emailed about it, but no hints they are adding such.

[GolfGeezer]

I also have this beef with Combustion Inc. Chris Young has explained his lack of WiFi, but I just don’t buy it in today’s market and tech capabilities. Very nice product otherwise.

[GolfGeezer]

CODA: I will be returning this newer unit as well to Amazon. While the WiFi capability is good, and very desirable, the lack of features in the App, plus the limited probe charging capability just do not warrant the $110 (taxes included).
Back to waiting for FireBoard to come out with a wireless probe or for Combustion Inc to add WiFi.