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.
Not being happy with the TempSpike is to be kind to the product. So reading all the external reviews and what our Pitmaster community says
while wanting remote monitoring of temperature both proteins and ambient, I just ordered the Thermoworks RFX, 2 probe version. I'm excited and looking forward to receiving before Christmas according to their website. Happy Hanukkah and Christmas, oh hell Happy New Year to me.
Cheap CharGriller Offset
22" Coleman Kettle
Traeger Tailgater
Jackson Grills Luxe 580 Gas Grill
Weber Q2200 Portable Gas Grill
Some other no name portable gas grill.
Smoke X4 with Billows
Classic Thermapen
Thermopop
Dreams/Future Purchases:
The Good One Open Range (or build something similar)
Grilla Grills - Grilla
I know your pain with the TempSpike. I'm on my second one and it will not charge or connect to the app anymore. I'm seriously considering the RFX as well. Looking forward to hearing what you think.
FlashHokie you're not the only one with issues with TempSpike. I'll certainly provide feedback. But based on feedback here and external reviews I would not wait. On sale till the 31st. No big discount. But better in your pocket. Meathead might have done a review.
lol I never use mine anymore. Actually tossed one the other day when I found it, the other two will be following. I've bought 3, 2 were replaced, so I've been through... 5 now? And had 2 working - they just stop connecting to the bases. And mine didn't get heavy use - maybe a half dozen times each?
Sous Vide Joule® Turbo Sous Vide
Anova Culinary Sous Vide Precision Cooker, Bluetooth, 800W
Accessories
SNS
Steelmade Flat Top for Outdoor Grill (Griddle Insert)
BBQ Guru DigiQ (for PBC and 22" Weber Kettle)
BBQ Dragon
Grill Grates for Blaze grill
Hovergrill
About me
Name: Jim
Nick name: Bear
Location: Spokane Valley, Wa.
Born at a very young age at Egland AFB, Ft. Walton Beach, FL.
USAF vet, ECM (F4 & B52)/B52 Crew Chief, Computer Systems NCO, disabled
Former Computer Tech/Admin
Campus Manager/Lead Tech/Tech (IT) for The Kemtah Group contracted to Intel, Rio Rancho, NM.
Short Term Missionary to the Marshall Islands with MAPS of DFM of AOG
I have been having issues with my TempSpike2 disconnecting during cooks. The only way to get it to connect again is to remove it from the food, clean it, put it back into the charger, then see if it will work again. So, I purchased the Thermoworks RFX4 probe. Only have used it 2 times so far but I am happy with it.
Another unhappy TempSpike owner here. Poor temperature accuracy, connectivity issues, poor range, etc. I’m watching all these various threads on the newer offerings with interest. I’m planning on buying one in the spring.
The kids got me a ThermoMaven wireless thermometer for Christmas.I know nothing about them, never had one before. Going to break it in today on a rotisserie chicken and see how it goes.
Careful with the RFX.
I have 3 out of the 4 probes that go from 100% to 0% in 4 to 5 hours.
I contacted ThermoWorks about this and they asked for the probe numbers, so the 2nd time the 3 probes did this I sent the info.
They suggested I try the 3 degree rate instead of the 1 degree rate, and I should get 65+ hours (Compared to 8-15 hours).
Nope 4 hours on one, 5 hours on the second one. Didn't use the other 2 probes.
Contacted (email) them again early Wednesday morning, if I don't hear by Friday calling directly.
I have no confidence in them. Good thing I didn't listen to my wife and sell the wired monitors.
Last edited by Duanessmokedmeats; December 19, 2024, 09:23 AM.
Reason: Wrong name...
I have always wondered about battery life on something as small as these probes, and kinda found the 65 hour advertised life kinda miraculous. I say this as an electrical engineer with some experience in rechargeable battery technology. HEAT is the enemy of all batteries, and a battery of any sort that can survive 900 degrees is not something I've come across in the world of Lithium-Ion, Lithium-Polymer and so forth.
Interesting. I used the RFX to monitor a recent dino rib cook that took 7 hours. No issues with the batteries, although I did have to reseat 1 probe during the cook as the meat shank enough to expose the insert line and that probe went "inactive". I have not changed the default update timing of the probes.
It sounds like you might have gotten a couple of faulty probes. Mine lasted more than 13 hours on the 1 degree setting when I cooked a brisket a couple of weeks ago. I would trust ThermoWorks to make it right, especially when they're trying to build up this particular product line. I'd be interested to know if the other two probes are also running on deficient batteries.
Gear includes: Char-Griller's Grand Champ off set stick burner/smoker, SnS Kamado Deluxe, Weber 22, PBC, Victory gasser, Victory 36 griddle, Smoke Hollow electric smoker. ThermoWorks Thermapen Mk4, Smoke, Signals, and RFX4, Meater+, SNS-500, roti fits 22 n gasser, Emeril countertop TO, InkBird Sous Vide, Potane Vac/Sealer. Fire&Ice griddle/cooler ensemble.
3-pkg of Collapsible Prep Tubs
Junior, Original, Xtra Lg. SS D. Norcross
Complete set (Tx PJ!) Wusthof Knives n block.
Dalstrong:
Phantom Series Paring knife
Shogun SeriesX 6" Chef knife
Gladiator Series 12"Cleaver knife
Just got into charcoal Dec ‘21 (PBC)
fav is brisky. Love Turkey on PBC. also Turkey in the glass,(any nice bourbon)
Bud has always been my barley pop.
Been smoking a handful of years, just got serious in the last two or three years. Thanks to AR n @glemn picked up an SnS Kamado for appx 1/3 price of new. I dont think he used it twice. Love AR! keep calm n smoke on! Miss you Bonesy.
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
realdocBBQ My $.02: I currently own a FB2 (not the Pro or Drive), FB Spark and 3 Pulse probes, the RFX gateway with 2 RFX meat probes, the Combustion Inc Gen 1 (2 boosters and probes, 1 display - I do have the Gen 2 on order). I have owned the Meater and Meater 2 - gave them away. Owned the TempSpike, threw it away.
Geeked out as you can see. I love the Fireboard products - the App is so feature rich, the best on the market IMHO, the connectivity is solid (WiFi and BT), the support is terrific. However, it is pricey compared to the Thermoworks RFX.
The RFX is solid, can handle higher temps, has solid connectivity (WiFi and BT). Very easy to setup. I find the App to be basic compared to Fireboard's App. For example, you cannot see all the probes and the gateway in one graph view - you can only view the graph for each device separately. You cannot add Notes or Pics and other features that make the FB App shine. Also, if you do not have a smartphone or tablet handy, you can access your sessions through a standard web browser.
However, if you just want to track the probe temps and 1 ambient (remember, the RFX uses a wired ambient probe per gateway, so you can only monitor the ambient of 1 cooker at a time), and to have alerts/alarms to high and low temps, the RFX is great.
Another nice thing with the RFX probes is that the probe holders use batteries to recharge the probes, so no USB charging cables/plugs needed. The FB has stackable charger cradles for their probes, so you can charge many probes with 1 USB charging cable/plug.
IMO, bottom line: The RFX is a solid basic wireless monitoring setup. The Fireboard with Pulse probes is also solid, with a superior App and completely wireless monitoring (ambient and food).
Obviously, this is not a complete review of these products, but hopefully it will help you with deciding which fits your needs best. I did not include input on Combustion Inc as I think their Gen 2 products, which start shipping soon (I hope!!) provide a better comparison to FB and Thermoworks.
DaveD But wait! There's more!! Thermoworks One, Thermoworks MK4, Thermoworks Dot, Thermoworks IR gun. I had a Thermoworks Signals, which I gave to a buddy for his Traeger. I am a total sucker for this stuff. 😎
Nice job. I also hate my TempSpike and pretty much have relegated it to the draw as I use my wired probes 95% of the time. What is the point of a wireless probe if it won't connect to my phone unless I'm within a few feet of my cooker?
GolfGeezer thanks so much for your analysis! I am really glad to have someone with the experience with both the Pulse AND the RFX to lean on.
I also love the Fireboard software, I've been a user for many years and have an original FBX11 and now a FB2Drive. I really would like to be able to use the Pulse as well, as I would love to continue to use the Fireboard Ecosystem - but... they're also not in stock and going to be a while. Preorders for NOW are probably not going to ship for another month, it looks like. Ugh! Also, a bit more expensive. I can get 4 RFX probes for the price of 2 FB probes, or near enough as makes little difference.
But the concerns about RFX battery life are MASSIVE for me... I've also not heard about that anywhere else, so I'm REALLY interested in Duanessmokedmeats ongoing experiences with this issue. Let us know, brother!
I had ordered a 3rd Pulse on 10/18 as I wanted a colored one to help me identify which probe is where when using 2 in something like a turkey, roast or pork butt. It arrived earlier this month. I had pinged Support and they said they were finally past pre-orders and into regular shipping. So, not sure what the deal is with out of stock.
I have never had an issue with my TempSpike. Of course, I only use it once a year on Christmas day for the prime rib on the rotisserie (I bought it specifically for use on the rotisserie), so I am going to go find some wood to knock on that this isn't the year it craps out...
Conversely, I have never had anything but issues with Fireboard products including the app. They worked with me a lot to get things right, but it has long ago been relegated to the bottom of the box as the emergency emergency back up because it didn't work reliably. I just finally got tired enough of having to work on it when I wanted to use it.
Mosca yeah. They had some 3 to 5 bone roasts out in a cooler, and I asked the guy at the meat counter if he still had any in the back still uncut in the cryovac. He bought me all 4 he still had to choose from, and the one that looked the largest and best marbled, end to end, ended up being 23.15 pounds when I had him print a sticker for it!
I just received a response back from ThermoWorks.
They are replacing my whole kit, and want the other back to do more testing on it.
very satisfied with the customer service.
jfmorris Using Pit Barrels and a Masterbuilt Electric Smoker.
For CHRISTmas I need more charcoal, preferably Kingsford, more 16 mesh black pepper and Kosher salt.
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