Wireless meat probes -- recommenations?

[jasonwilliams14]

Hey Folks!
With Labor day sales in full swing, I keep thinking I would love to add a wireless probe to my arsenal and take advantage of its capability.
Was thinking of one that is highly recommended, well built, reliable are all things I am thinking about.

I would like a setup that can support multiple probes, but it does not have to come with more than one probe. I could add later as I cook more.
A solid App is a bonus, but not required if the option the vendor provides is a good one.

Definitely multi purpose use and with a lot of BBQ'ing and grilling in my future, I can see the need to use this to help me see where I am in my cooks.

I have browsed a lot of sites and it is a bit overwhelming (lot of bias reviews/paid), so I wanted to ask the folks in our community.
This is the best source of information by far IMO on topics like this.

Really appreciate everyone!

JW

[Duanessmokedmeats]

I like my Thermoworks RFXs.
Great connectivity.
The ambient temp probe still has a wire to the transmitter.

[surfdog]

ThermoWorks RFX.

https://www.thermoworks.com/rfx-starter-kit/

Works like all ThermoWorks products (read: great) and they stand behind their stuff. I have the four probe kit…but can easily add several others. It can handle high heat AND can be fully submerged. It can even handle being deep fried. O_o
They also offer a 1 probe & 6 probe kit. The gateway can handle like 50+ probes or some ridiculous number.

And I know they stand behind their products because I had one fail. Quite probably my own fault. (I somehow managed to break it at the fitting.) They simply replaced it and asked that I please return the broken probe (at their expense) so they could see if it was something they might need to change.

Between the RFX, Thermapens (ONE & Mk 4), and any number of other ThermoWorks products that I have…any failed cook is entirely on me.

[Ace]

+1 on anything from ThermoWorks... Great company. :-)

[jayjordan]

I have a lot of ThermoWorks products and confirm their customer service is outstanding. They replaced a ChefAlarm that had a bad screen even though it was out of warranty for 2 years because the pictures I sent showed the device in excellent condition.

[OC Sandy]

Another recommendation for the Thermoworks RFX. You can get as few as 1 meat probe, or you can add many probes, according to your needs. I love that the meat probes are safe up to 1,000F degrees. They are also waterproof. Connectivity has been flawless.

[jasonwilliams14]

Sounds like Thermoworks RFX is overwhelming the winner. That would make sense and would go already with my thermoworks setup, so that is a win win!
Great....i shall start with that one!

Much appreciated everyone!

[STEbbq]

I still like and recommend my Combustion.

https://combustion.inc/

[SheilaAnn]

Oh boy, I having a time with my combustion! And not in a good way!

[Santamarina]

I have the MEATER Block - I was an original kickstarter backer. It was rough at first, but multiple firmware updates have made it fairly reliable. Newer models have added features and stability.

That said….I would not buy it again.

If I were buying today I’d be a part of the large crowd here and get a Thermoworks RFX!

[Jerod Broussard]

I threw my Combustion equipment (pre WiFi) in the trash.

I'd have to go Thermoworks if I wanted to go that route again, and I don't.

[SmokingPat]

"If I wanted to go that route again ...". What would you prefer - wired probes?

I was satisfied with my last set of wired probes (before I killed them.) I'm really happy with any thermometer system that gives me a temp over time graph.

[Jerod Broussard]

SmokingPat I use Thermoworks Smoke X4 for my big vertical (no graphs, obviously) and wired Fireboard for LSG pellet

[johnec00]

I have a Typhur Sinc Gold with 2 probes. I can't compare with any others, but to me it was the best for the dollar.
1. You can complete the entire cook using the display on the base unit without using the "app". Thats a big plus for me as I'm not much of a "smart phone" enthusiast.
2. The low frequency connection between the base unit and the probes is good for at least 200 feet with the probes inside the big green egg.
3. The blutooth connection from the base unit to the "app" is OK, I guess . . again very strong range and solid connection.
4. There is a wifi capability, but I can't comment, I've never used it.

Here's the free site write-up.

https://amazingribs.com/ratings_reviews/typhur-sync-gold-dual-reviewed-and-rated/

[dpearce]

jasonwilliams14 Thermoworks is currently running a special until 11:59pm MT tonight. Save 20% plus an additional 10% with stackable code LABORDAY2025

Not a bad price on those.

[SheilaAnn]

It does…. I just read about it.

[SheilaAnn]

I bit. $138 out the door for single probe.

[shify]

Thanks for this - just jumped on it as the deal was too good to pass up.

Looking forward to getting back into the wireless game after many failed attempts using the TempSpike which will now go into the garbage where it belongs

[jlazar]

I use the Fireboard Pulse.

[Richard Chrz]

How are you enjoying the Pulse so far? I’m watching from a distance on wireless. But my experience love and hate with both thermoworks and FireBoard, I remain in the sidelines a skeptic.. But if I were to move one direction, FireBoard has more to offer in peripheral devices like fridge monitoring, including humidity, etc

So I would love some real feedback.

[jasonwilliams14]

How do you like it? I have been thinking about adding some Fireboard items for my setup (ATC fan etc). It looks good, but curious on real world

[Manxman]

When I went wireless I went with the Meater block which was good but not exceptional, one of the stronger points is the app which has a some useful features like estimated cooking time over and above simple temperature display which have their uses. Conversely things like ambient temperature display doesn't actually display the ambient temperature of the grill for example. Another somewhat frustrating thing was that when updated models came out they are not backwards compatible with older models.

So when the time came for an upgrade I researched at the various units available (more limited here in the UK) and decided to wait until the Thermoworks RFX arrived on this side of the pond. Then I originally bought the Gateway and 2 meat probes and now have 4 probes with plenty of room left for expansion. Thermoworks say that new products will be backward compatible with older units and the (wired) ambient temp probe is a true measure of ambient temperature. Conversely the app is rather basic at the moment but for me the best product on the market at the moment is the Thermoworks RFX albeit at a premium price.

Build quality is spot on, everything appears very robust and they have not missed a beat over the 30 plus times I have used them so far.

[surfdog]

Ironically, the RFX should have been available there first. They’re actually made by ETI (Electronic Temperature Instruments LTD) in Worthing. That’s why many of the best products on the ThermoWorks website state that they’re made in the UK. ThermoWorks is just the US distributor.

[Manxman]

Just to follow on from surfdog's comments they are marketed as Thermapen RFX here in the UK. The ironic thing is that quite a few people tried to buy them from the US and import them but there must be something in the ETI / Thermoworks agreement that precluded this, we had to wait a good few months to be allowed to buy them here and at greater cost!

[surfdog]

Manxman Well that’s not right. :-/ sheesh
I mean, if it weren’t for ETI…it’s quite doubtful that there would even be a ThermoWorks.

[jlazar]

Richard Chrz Richard. I am enjoying the pulse. I find it accurate and easily pairs shows up on the Fireboard and Fireboard app.

A few things to point out. Like most wireless thermometers, the ambient temperature is not accurate when first using due to the cold temp of the meat. This is pretty true of all wireless. You would still need to use a separate ambient probe to monitor ambient temp.

The pulse just has two temps, internal and ambient. I know some show 6 or more readings. Too much info for me. I am just looking for the IT. Some are predictive. I have cooked enough to know how long a cook takes and how to adjust heat to adjust the time. So I was not looking for predictive.

I use it primarily for brisket, pork butt, hams, and meatloaf. It is pretty thick, and in something thin and soft would be top heavy. I don't use it for chicken, ribs or any other meat.

It has a very long battery life and I have never lost connectivity.

Bottom line, with my smoker I have another way of monitoring ambient temp, so I can truly use it as a stand alone. Bottom line - for me and I use it - no negatives. I would buy again.

[SheilaAnn]

Like Santamarina I have been known to sacrifice a potato for ambient only with my combustion. Tried the foil method and the probe went to over heating error in, like, 30 minutes. Hence, I just picked up the RFX based on reviews here and that they state it can go up to 1000*F.

[Richard Chrz]

So for those responding here, wouldn’t a grate clip drilled out to size to hold it work? Is the potato solely to protect the end that would generally be in the cut?

[Santamarina]

Richard Chrz That would totally work. I don’t have a clip, but I’ve usually got an old potato laying around I’m willing to sacrifice! 🤣

[jayjordan]

Like a dummy, even though I own a lot of ThermoWorks products, when I bought a wireless probe I went with Meater. Then I bought a Combustion probe. When I compared both wireless probes with a wired Thermoworks probe in the same cook/piece of meat neither of the wireless probes had the same temp or matched the wired Thermoworks. I'm going to correct my mistakes and buy the RFX.

[jlazar]

jayjordan How many degrees difference was there between the wired and the wireless?

[jayjordan]

As much as 10 degrees, average 4-5 degrees.