I'm looking to purchase an internal probe remote thermometer without spending a fortune. I don't mind paying a decent price but I want something that is remote and works well and doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out. There is a lot to choose from out there. Any ideas?
I have the Thermoworks Smoke. It's got 2 channels (one for air temp and the other food temp) and a remote whose range covers our house and 1/2 acre yard. Pretty solid, I love it. I think it retails around $100, but they have sales pretty regularly. Highly recommend.
I second the Smoke. While I have the wifi gateway add-on, I find that I more often than not just use it with the dedicated remote. I don't need a phone app and graphs most of the time.
SnS Kettle
Napoleon 500 Pro gasser grill
Weber Slate 30” griddle
Gozney Arc XL pizza oven
Instant Pot Duo Crisper 8 qt
Cuisinart food processor
Kitchenaid Stand Mixer
Breville Smart toaster oven
Anova Sous vide (Pro version and Standard Version)
Cabella 15” Vacuum Sealer
Combustion Inc Wireless Probes (Gen2 upgrades)
Fireboard v2
Fireboard Spark
Fireboard Pulse (3) probes and S1G antenna
ThermoWorks RFX gateway and 2 RFX meat probes
Thermoworks IR gun
Thermoworks MK4
Thermoworks Zero
Thermoworks Signals
7 Shun knives (paring to 12" slicer)
Misen Chef's knife
Dalstrong Phantom Series Boning Knife
8-9 other knives (enough to get an eye roll from wife!)
2 Mandolins, 1 veggie spiralizer
Work Sharp E5 sharpener
Chef's Choice sharpener
Hone Rolling Sharpener
How remote? I mean, do you require WiFi capability wherein you can see what is being monitored from any location including work or otherwise while away from home? If so, staying under $100 will be a challenge.
If not, and you want a dependable one around the house, the ThermoPro TempSpike is about $80 before taxes/shipping. The Maverick XR-50 is about the same cost, but it is uses wired probes versus the ones like the Meater 2 Plus ($129) or Combustion Inc ($199 with display that extends range).
Hope that gives you some guidance. I own or have owned most of them out there, so feel free to ask any question.
I have a 2 channel Smoke which I use regularly to monitor my pit temps. They also make a 4 channel one for not much more. Thermoworks is a great company with great service. And their product has lasted years without any issues.
I also have wireless thermometers that are pricey and awesome (combustion). They perform best in my home kitchen and in my Kamado. The signal fade is pretty bad in metal cookers with them. But if you are looking at the lay of the land you should check out combustion and meater. 🔥🔥🐿️
Retired, living in Western Mass. Enjoy music, cooking and my family.
Current cookers Weber Spirit 3 burner with a full insert griddle added. A 22" Kettle with vortex, SnS and a Smokey Joe. The most recent addition is a Pit Barrel Jr with bird hanger, 4 hooks and cover. ThermoWorks Smoke 2 probe, DOT, 2 ThermoPops and a Thermapen MK4. A Thermoworks RFX Gateway 2 probe meat thermometer.
I have the 2 channel Smoke and 3 TempSpikes. All BT. Good range for monitoring. I did have an issue with ambient temperature being off by 10 degrees on one of the TempSpikes. I sent a picture to them showed the error and they sent me another probe. That's why I have 3. Good service. One other thing, the app can only monitor 3 probes. So if you're needing more it might not be the right solution.
I won't have any of it, so tired of technology that doesn't work or impossible to figure out. Since I have a pellet pooper a standard digital probe thermometer gives me something to do since I don't need to worry about feeding the flame. Rant over.
LSG Adjustable Grill/Smoker, MAK Pellet Grill, Large BGE with Several Attachments from the Ceramic Grill Store, Weber Genesis E335 Gasser, Cast Iron Pans & Griddle, Grill Grates, Mostly Thermoworks Thermometers, Anova SV Stick, BBQ Guru Controller and Fan
So I've got a Firebird V2 Drive. I love it. It does what it's supposed to. Customer service is excellent. When I melted a probe, dropping it in my charcoal basket on my PBC for an hour.... they just sent me a 4 pack of new ones. Easy to use. Reliable. I think it's worth the money. They are not inexpensive.... but "buy once, cry once".
Having said that, I've got an old Maverick ET-732, (I think is the model), I keep at my dad's house. The outside got a little melty, but it's done the job reliably for a long time. I wouldn't hesitate to try out the Maverick XR 50. My Maverick instant read has been good.
Troutman was generous enough to share a remote, multi-read, thermo-meter that he won for his SVQ medium rare brisket. It was good. When I upgraded to the Fireboard, I passed it along to my brother. It's been a good unit. He uses it all the time, but I don't remember the brand.
the questions I'd ask -
1) do you want to have to use an app on your phone to monitor it remotely?
2) are you hooking it up to a fan to use as a controller? Or just to monitor temps?
3) what range do you really need? Things that hook up to wifi reach further than Bluetooth.
4) what's your actual budget?
For the few years I've been doing this, my current view on equipment is that the best money I can spend is on a good few thermo-meters. I think I can smoke better with a good thermo-meter, and a crappy smoker, than the other way around.
Scotch: Current favorite- The Arran (anything by them), Glenmorangie 12yr Lasanta, sherry cask finished. The Balvenie Double Wood, also like Oban 18yr, and The Glenlivet Nadurra (Oloroso sherry cask finished) among others. Neat please.
About meReal name: Aaron
Location: Farwell, Michigan - near Clare (dead center of lower peninsula).
Occupation:
Healthcare- Licensed & Registered Respiratory Therapist (RRT) at MyMichigan Health, a University of Michigan Health System.
Thank you for this! I just bought one! I’ve been looking for a 4 probe one for my Backwoods and really didn’t want to pay as much as Thermoworks wants right now.
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