Took the Dive

[Mosca]

I’ve had two TempSpikes. One has been fine, one conked out after a couple uses. But I only paid for one; I ordered one, it never arrived, I called, they sent another one, and then both showed up. I asked if they wanted me to return one and they told me to keep both. So we’re square.

The one that works, works okay enough. I guess, I dunno. When I use it, I use it in the oven, indoors. I don’t really like the app, but I don’t like any cook tracking apps. I don’t like FireBoard’s, I don’t like TempSpike’s, and I didn’t like BBQ Guru’s.

But actually I rarely use the TempSpike at all. I strongly prefer the old (OLD) school ThermoWorks Chef Alarm. Turn it on, insert the probe, set the alarm, stick it on the oven door with the magnet so the wire is out of the way, and go do something else.

I have a Pulse coming as a gift that I asked Mrs Mosca for. I’ll give it a shot in the Christmas roast. I’ll use my new prep tub to keep the SPG from going all over the place, I’ll use the Pulse to monitor the temp, and I’ll use my new torch to sear the crust!

[klflowers]

The tempspike was so disappointing. I have 2 sets - when I complained about the first set they sent me a second set. One probe died, the others won't transmit through the lid on the Bronco. So I just ordered new probes for my Maverick XR50. I know, it is wired, but it is reliable. I've had it for years. I lost one ambient probe and the food probes finally crapped out. $66 for 4 replacements. All I need.

[realdocBBQ]

Yup, I've still got a pair of Maverick 2-probe units, if I ever decide I need 'em.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I received my replacement probes and Gateway yesterday afternoon.
What quick response.
Trying a couple of them out CHRISTmas day. After work going to smoke a couple of thick cut pork chops for dinner.

[RichieB]

It arrived today. Easy setup and ready to cook something. What and when is the question. I'm thinking a chicken on the pitbarrel this Friday.

[kenrobin]

I also have the FB Pulse & the TW RFX and I completely agree with GolfGeezer. I love the sleek design of the RFX which I'm guessing was due in part with their decision to leave the ambient temperature sensing capability out of the RFX. That being said, I don't think that I will ever use the TW's wired ambient probe because it defeats the purpose of being wireless. I wish/hope they come up with a wireless solution for measuring the ambient temp.

Meanwhile, the FB Pulse checks all of the boxes and their app continues to be superior. I have only used both products a few times but so far I give the edge to the Pulse but I like both of them better than my other wireless probes, i.e. Meater Plus and Meat Stick. Combustion is also also a strong contender.

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.

[RichieB]

My wife might go to our local market tomorrow morning, I've heard this before. I asked her to find a 3# or less rump or bottom round. Worst case a turkey breast. I'm anxious to do a 1st run on the RFX.

[RichieB]

I got a chance to put the RFX to work. A 2.4# Spoon Roast. It was done in the slow cooker. Set the temperature to 135, figure there would be carry over. It hit 140 which was fine. About 3 hours. The 2 probes basically had the same temperature, maybe a tenth off. Connectivity was great as it never lost it. The app is easy to use and I love the cloud. So, it's a keeper. That being said, I ordered another one of their large storage cases and a spool for the ambient probe.
No pictures of the cook, hey football was on. A shot of the meat label.

[radiodome21]

I’ve been using my RFX for only a couple of weeks. I was also gifted a Meater+ by my wife. She didn’t know that I bought the RFX and said I could return it but I wanted to to try that too for an apples to apples comparison. I love the RFX but I’ve had a few minor issues.

I used both on Christmas night when I did the beef Wellington. The RFX failed. It didn’t connect at all via Bluetooth and when trying to switch WiFi networks (I was at my lake house) I discovered the next day that when you can only do this by manually entering the network name and password. There’s no network scan option. Luckily the Meater+ worked so alls well that ends well.

Now last night I tossed a 10# pound shoulder on my silverback and the RFX won easily. The Meater+ worked fine but eventually it dropped the connection , though this was towards the end of the cook.

Another nitpick I have with the RFX is the base unit’s battery seems so-so. I think they advertise that one full charge gets you 25 hours. That’s not true. In my experience it might be about 15? The good things though is that all I need to do is plug in a charger and it still works.

overall though I’m very happy to made this purchase. My SIL asked me for a recommendation for a new meat thermometer. I said google thermoworks and pick one out. She said what about Amazon and I spelled out thermoworks for her 😜

[FlashHokie]

I appreciate the feedback from the pit. I ordered the RFX today with a free shipping code Thermoworks sent me. (The final push I needed) Looking forward to tossing my TempSpike in the trash. 😁

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I did a short cook with thick pork chops and boneless skinless chicken breasts.
In the 2 hours they performed flawlessly, without losing battery life, like the old set.
Hopefully a long cook is in the near future.

[briano52]

I am two cooks into my RFX experience with good battery life on one 3 hour cook and one 6 hour cook. Longer cooks to come. I completely agree with ThermoWorks decision to make the ambient temp probe wired. Wireless ambient probes just can't take the heat exposure and be as reliable as we like them to be. I have been using ThermoWorks tools for more than ten years and their customer service, on the few occasions I have needed it, was nothing less than immediate and completely satisfying.

[Alan Brice]

Totally agree. Going for the third cook tomorrow in a pork loin n snausages with sauerkraut.

[Sweaty Paul]

Following this thread. Trying to decide between Thermoworks and Fireboard.

[RichieB]

Get both. Your MCS will thank you. 🍷🍸🍺

[Sweaty Paul]

RichieB my MCS knows few limits much to my wife’s chagrin! My mother-in-law told my wife over Christmas that our patio (which we built 4 yrs ago) wasn’t big enough. In my defense, it is winter and the babies are all underneath the roof so they are snuggled in out of the cold.