I’m Not Liking RFX

[Nicolaus]

I purchased the Thermoworks RFX with four probes along with the Billows.

It seems as if you cannot set multiple alarms for either the food temperature or the ambient temperature via the wired grill probe. Even at that, the alarms I did set didn’t go off. And yes, I did check to make sure notifications were enabled on my devices.

To top it all off, toward the end of my smoking a pork shoulder, the readout of the wireless probe went from 196 to 204 in an instant. I was not happy about that for obvious reasons. I’m thankful that the pork was just fine.

I much prefer my FireBoard equipment. And as of now, I would rate even my Meater probes above the RFX.

I now regret spending nearly $400 on the Thermoworks equipment.

[Jerod Broussard]

I have the Combustion and.......meh. Glad I kept my wired probes.

[dpearce]

I purchased the Thermoworks RFX with four probes along with the Billows.

It seems as if you cannot set multiple alarms for either the food temperature or the ambient temperature via the wired grill probe. Even at that, the alarms I did set didn’t go off. And yes, I did check to make sure notifications were enabled on my devices.

To top it all off, toward the end of my smoking a pork shoulder, the readout of the wireless probe went from 196 to 204 in an instant. I was not happy about that for obvious reasons. I’m thankful that the pork was just fine.

I much prefer my FireBoard equipment. And as of now, I would rate even my Meater probes above the RFX.

I now regret spending nearly $400 on the Thermoworks equipment.

Did you reach out to Thermoworks support? I'm wondering what they would have to say about that behavior. I haven't bought the RFX devices yet, I've got a Signals with the Billows, and it's working fine. Upgrading for just wireless would be nice, but, I don't have $400 at the moment! Well, and I like to see how other people deal with a new product first before I jump in.

If I recall, I had to play with the transmission rates on the Signals to get faster readings when I first got it, same with the Node unit I have on my garage fridge/freezer. Course, when I get close on the cook, I'll use a Thermopen pretty much until pull temp.

Anyway, hope they can help you out. $400 is a lot to spend on something that's not working well for you.

[Spinaker]

Yeah, If you have the time, I would contact Thermoworks and try to trouble shoot this with them. This is a bummer if more people are having these issues. For that price point, things should work smoothly.

Bill McGrath might be able to give you some insight. He did the product review for the RFX. There might be in some insight on his review as well.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[GolfGeezer]

One thing of note with the RFX is the setting for temp reading updates to the App. This is configurable. I think the default is 3 degrees and that is the max setting. The probes can be set to update every 1 degree, which of course increases battery usage. I know that doesn't seem to explain the jump from 196 to 204 degrees, but it could have contributed to the jump in readings.

I haven't used any alarms with mine, but like the other responses, a call to Thermoworks seems in order.

One other thing I learned - the Gateway actually works better for transmission range if it is run off its internal battery in lieu of being plugged in.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[Mosca]

Wow, sorry to read about your troubles. Is the inability to set alarms part of the limits of the devices, or just that yours didn’t work? Or both?

I had an issue with my FireBoard Pulse which I didn’t report here because they just jumped right on it and fixed it. But when I accidentally burned out a ThermoWorks wired probe by overheating it, ThermoWorks replaced it no problem, with a warning to not overheat the probes.

I consider both companies top tier in product and service; they should be able to help you. I hope they do, $400 ain’t chump change.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I have the RFX 4 probe pack.
The first pack was exchanged because the probes lost there charge anywhere between 3-8 hours, on 3 degrees (which should last 24 hours+).
The second batch worked great for the first 2 times, but am noticing a loss of charge earlier than expected.
I have only one alarm. It sounds for acquired IT, or ambient temp over or below target setting.
My real disappointment is that they will are intermittent on readings when meat is foil wrapped and in the electric smoker. I have the transmitter on top of the smoker.

[Nicolaus]

Yes, they did tell me that wrapped meat can be a problem. Although, my pork shoulder on Monday was not wrapped-it was only boated halfway through, and they said that that should not be a problem.

[radiodome21]

I too have noticed that the alarms are hit or miss on the app too. Sometimes they work and sometimes they don’t. Much like the alerts I’ve set up on my Grilla app too.

Sorry you’re having more issues than I am. Since my faith in alarms isn’t that high and am used to being let down (I am a Bears fan after all ) I still just constantly check my app. Hopefully Thermoworks helps out. They’ve helped me out before.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[jfmorris]

I hate to hear this. I will say that the Thermoworks app is likely the culprit - that and the default to update the reading every 3 degrees. I am betting an update was broadcast and somehow missed by the app, so it skipped to the next update.

I've been using a Smoke (2 channel) for years, and it has alarms for both inputs (high and low), but I've seen the app on my phone drop out before, and was always glad I had the dedicated remote.

I am confused about you saying you can only set one alarm for the wired probe. That is normal. Each additional device channel (the wireless probes) should have its own alarms.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[BBQPhil]

Anyone having issues with Combustion orders? I have been waiting close to a month now for an order I paid for. They keep telling me it's coming in the next week and then it's not. They're very responsive and offered to cancel the order, but I bought it at a sale price and prefer not to lose that.

[realdocBBQ]

Wow, this is surprising.

[Smoking77]

Unfortunately, I had the same issue. I finally decided to cancel my order. Just didn’t feel like waiting any longer. Ended up buying the FireBoard Pulse.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[realdocBBQ]

I'm really surprised - haven't heard a lot of complaints about the RFX. I agree, it sounds like an app issue.

Love my Fireboard, and its software in general, but occasionally there are some wonky issues.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[Redwng]

I have had mine for about six months and they have worked very well for me. I have used them in a rotisserie chicken twice, a steak (and seared it over a 800 degree fire), a tri tip and some dino beef ribs. I set the temp about 10 degrees lower than I wanted to finish at and checked the temps with my Thermapen to confirm and the temps have been accurate.

Hopefully Thermoworks can assist.

[Alan Brice]

Had my four pack since just before Thanksgiving. Only used two probes, twice. Flawless.
Exactly what I was wanting. No wires, works inside the oven. I am happy. Do not need bells
and or whistles. It does it's thing and does it well.
The white Mr. Clean sponge is non abrasive, and removes carbon easily n scratch free.

[Nicolaus]

I was able to troubleshoot somewhat yesterday with Thermoworks, although that was obviously apart from the problematic cook this last Monday. I will eventually post the things I learned below.

[BKYDBBQ]

I used my RFX for the first time tonight...not a good experience...

Cooked 2 pork butts on the PBC...

One probe stopped working a little over half way through the cook so I put a second probe in that one...second probe worked fine most of the rest of the time, original probe kept going in and out...

I wrapped the butts in foil and placed in the oven to finish...during the wrapping and transfer the first three probes lost connection. I added the fourth probe and it worked for a while and lost connection after about 45 minutes in the oven...

I ended up reverting to my Smoke x4...

I am attending a BBQ class next weekend, hopefully they will let me use it to try it out again...

eta...the fourth probe started working again...so 1 out of 4 is currently working...all four are in use

[Denny O]

I preordered my RFX-4 with gateway on the day they were first announced. I waited what seemed like forever as the delivery date were in constant delay.
When they announced that the first orders were being shipped, I waited with anticipation to get them. They were sent with the large storage box as a "Thank You" , for your patience.

My early cooks did loose battery during very long cooks of over 9 hours. Contacted customer service and with their help we saw a few things that needed to be changed mostly concerning the reporting intervals. During all of that first months use we determined that 2 of the probes were bad and had an immediate shipment back to me. Later I was still having an issue and with CS on line again we recorded which probe was in which charger and tested and recorded which probe was faulting then switched to another base to determine was it a probe or the base. I had one more replaced and I have not had an issue yet.

I use mine in the smoker, Sous Vide, oven and deep frier. I will see how they are doing next month when I start to get into me bacon making season. I'll run through 3-40# cases of pork bellies.

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I had the same initial issues, CS took care of it and everything is hunky-dorey.

[SheilaAnn]

So far for me…. 😐