Interested to know your opinions, is the Thermoworks MK4 ThermaPen worth the investment? Is it really better than the Thermopro TP19 which is significantly cheaper?
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Club Member
- Jul 2016
- 3597
- Elizabethtown, KY
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Current line-up of cookers: Oklahoma Joe's Bronco Pro, Masterbuilt Gravity Series 1050, Blackstone ProSeries 4 Burner 36" griddle, Weber Performer Deluxe and Weber Smokey Joe.
Seems like the Thermopro would work just fine. Check out the review here on the free side and compare to the review of the MK4. I doubt many here will have used both. I really like my MK4, but I wouldn't rule out the Thermopro if I had known about it when I was looking for an instant read thermometer.Last edited by Steve R.; January 19, 2021, 12:47 PM.
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Club Member
- Aug 2017
- 7679
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Primo XL
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Absolutely. I first bought the Thermoworks ThermoPop which is a great more affordable option. But eventually, I broke down and got the MK4. No regrets. It's worth the investment.
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Club Member
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- Phoenix, AZ
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I have purchased 3 MK4s (2 for gifts). I can't speak to Thermopro products. I do know all of Thermoworks products are top notch. Plus you get Jelly Bellies with every order.
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Club Member
- Aug 2020
- 7360
- Houston, Texas
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SnS Kettle Grill
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I don’t have their instant read thermometer, but I have a ThermoPro remote food thermometer with dual probes and have been very happy with it. It is accurate as well, I’ve compared food temps with another brand of instant read, and it was spot on.
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- Nov 2014
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- Land of Tonka
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John "JR"
Minnesota/ United States of America
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I have three MK4s and I love them all. They are indispensable. The Thermapen is higher quality than the Thermopro, the MK4 is waterproof, the battery lasts for ever and it reads faster. I would not even mess with the Thermopro.
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Club Member
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Just like most everyone here, a lot of other stuff!
I have tried other offerings in instant reads. I always go back to my Themapens. I have two and find the MK4 to be very worthwhile. I gave up on finding cheaper alternatives. I have gifted three to each of my children. Extremely well made, waterproof and it works!
BUT, never pay the list price. They have sales all the time. Reminds me of the old Sears pricing strategies and makes me wonder about the health of their business.
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Club Member
- Aug 2017
- 7679
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Primo XL
Weber 26"
Weber 22"
Weber 22"
Weber 18"
Weber Jumbo Joe
Weber Green Smokey Joe (Thanks, Mr. Bones!)
Weber Smokey Joe
Orion Smoker
DigiQ DX2
Slow 'N Sear XL
Arteflame 26.75" Insert
Blaze BLZ-4-NG 32-Inch 4-Burner Built-In
- With Rear Infrared Burner
- With Infrared Sear Burner
- With Rotisserie
Empava 2 Burner Gas Cooktop
Weber Spirit 210
- With Grillgrates
​​​​​​​ - With Rotisserie
Weber Q2200
Blackstone Pizza Oven
Portable propane burners (3)
Propane turkey Fryer
Fire pit grill
Rganaway If you're ready to pull the trigger today may be the day. They are running a 20% off promotion today on the MK4. If not they do run this promotion frequently.
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Administrator
- May 2014
- 20065
- Clare, Michigan area
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Follow me on Instagram, huskeesbarbecue
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About me
Real 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.
You'll be plenty happy with the TP-19 IMO. Bill (our thermometer guru) thinks very highly of it and gave it Gold. 1-3 yr warranty, and all for only $30.
I started out with an off brand folding Thermapen imitator, and I loved it. In fact I was in the "why should I pay $100 when this is the same thing for $15?" crowd. Then one day the housing literally came apart on my cheapy. I tried to unfold it and it just broke. So, I bought a $25 ThermoPop, because I couldn't afford a Thermapen. I love the T-pop. Used it for a couple years, still resistant to paying for a T-pen.
Then one day I bought a discounted open-box T-pen and came to see what I'd been missing. It really is nice, heavy, solid, quick, it's a Ferrari. Do you need it? No. Once you get one would you be glad you did? Probably. I do feel that those who pay for expensive things will always justify it by saying that expensive thing is "the best". Whether that's true or not is up to the purchaser to decide.
Something to consider when looking at the cheaper imitators is customer service. Will ThermoPro stand behind their products, will they honor a warranty claim since they offer 1-3yrs, etc. ThermoWorks is top notch in that regard. If ThermoPro doesn't, well you can buy 2 more for the price a single T-pen would cost you. It's all give & take and often the proverbial "you get what you pay for" applies, but not always.
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