Grilling Thermometer

[deans6571]

Hi!

I'm currently using a cheap non branded thermometer with a probe, which I bought from Amazon, whenever I grill on my Weber Master Touch. It works ok but its quite cheap and one or two features on it don't work consistently (like changing from Celsius to Fahrenheit) so I am looking to get a better one.

I did have my sights on a Maverick, which seem to be highly rated on Amazon, but then I came across this: https://meater.com/

Its basically a single wireless probe, which you put inside the meat, and the tip of the probe obviously reads the meat's internal temperature, however, the probe also has a secondary function in that it also has a thermometer at the end (the black end part) whereby it reads the ambient temperature inside the grill.

The probe connects to your smartphone via an app, via either Bluetooth or WiFi so doesn't need the wired connection associated with 99% of normal probe and temperature units.

A couple of questions:

1. Has anybody seen this before and had experience with it (its £79 for a single probe, which comes with its charging unit)
2. Would I be better off with a Maverick as this 'Meater' probe thing looks a little gimmicky?!
3. ANyone had issues with having their phone near their bbq, for reading temps?!

I've also seen this unit, which looks similar to the Weber iGrill 2 (which I think is over priced) and pretty much does the same exact thing: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B076Q9JSKL/?coliid=IF3M9SGJ79R0Y&colid=QRWXXTKE98H8&psc=1&ref_=lv_ov_lig_dp_it

Thoughts?

[ECinEI]

https://www.thermoworks.com/Smoke

I'm going to apologize for not answering your questions directly but if you're serious about grilling and want or need a two channel thermometer it's just a matter of time before you end up with the unit above.  Might as well save money on the inexpensive ones before you get there.

I used to use a Maverick and it's a toy compared to the Smoke.

[deans6571]

https://www.thermoworks.com/Smoke

I'm going to apologize for not answering your questions directly but if you're serious about grilling and want or need a two channel thermometer it's just a matter of time before you end up with the unit above.  Might as well save money on the inexpensive ones before you get there.

I used to use a Maverick and it's a toy compared to the Smoke.

..wow - never seen this one before and they even have one on Amazon UK (£78 and free delivery) although it could be a little overkill for my needs but has 5 star reviews all round, so sounds pretty awesome!

Hmm, now really need to think which one to go for!!!!!! 

[Firemunkee]

There are several threads on here that talk about the meater that you can search for. The main attraction of it is no wires, which is particularly nice with a roti setup. That said, I only have a Maverick. It has served me fine for the past 2 years but recently it would randomly read HHH or LLL and I would have to restart it to get it back. Had I known about the smoke back then, I just would have spent the few extra dollars and got that. Whenever my Maverick dies I will be getting the smoke though.

[deans6571]

There are several threads on here that talk about the meater that you can search for. The main attraction of it is no wires, which is particularly nice with a roti setup. That said, I only have a Maverick. It has served me fine for the past 2 years but recently it would randomly read HHH or LLL and I would have to restart it to get it back. Had I known about the smoke back then, I just would have spent the few extra dollars and got that. Whenever my Maverick dies I will be getting the smoke though.

...funny that you mention about the HHH and LLL as my current cheapie thermometer and probe does this all the time (I have to keep removing the probe, turning the unit off and on again, to get it to function correctly). I think it is to do with the probe reaching a temp that is either too high/low for the unit hence the HHH/LLL.....

The only thing holding me back from the meater is the fact that I would need to keep my phone near the BBQ all the time (something I don't really like doing, in case it gets wet, dirty, etc!).

I'll try and find some of the threads on here to see what they say...

[hawgheaven]

I use Thermapens exclusively.  Never had any issues with them, accurate as all hell. I hate wires dangling all over the place. .Just my 2 cents...

[elninohese]

thermoworks tp20 is $52 Canadian all in amazon...bought it yesterday, being shipped today...suppose to be the best one out there? I also have a thermometer on the cooking surface grate --so will see if they are the same when i get it....going to run probes under lid...hopefully doesn't damage them...too lazy to run through vents etc.

[Firemunkee]

There are several threads on here that talk about the meater that you can search for. The main attraction of it is no wires, which is particularly nice with a roti setup. That said, I only have a Maverick. It has served me fine for the past 2 years but recently it would randomly read HHH or LLL and I would have to restart it to get it back. Had I known about the smoke back then, I just would have spent the few extra dollars and got that. Whenever my Maverick dies I will be getting the smoke though.

...funny that you mention about the HHH and LLL as my current cheapie thermometer and probe does this all the time (I have to keep removing the probe, turning the unit off and on again, to get it to function correctly). I think it is to do with the probe reaching a temp that is either too high/low for the unit hence the HHH/LLL.....

The only thing holding me back from the meater is the fact that I would need to keep my phone near the BBQ all the time (something I don't really like doing, in case it gets wet, dirty, etc!).

I'll try and find some of the threads on here to see what they say...

You're right about what HHH/LLL is suppose to mean. Except when it happens to me it is when it is in the food, so no way it is over 5xx degrees F or under whatever the lowest value is. Same when it happens to the grill temp probe, it is when I'm doing low and slow and the temps definitely aren't spiking/dropping that much. A quick reset shows it is just the probe/unit malfunctioning. Right now it happens maybe 50% of the time and usually only once per cook. Also FYI that I always run the probes through the vents so this isn't due to pinching the probe cables.

[deans6571]

There are several threads on here that talk about the meater that you can search for. The main attraction of it is no wires, which is particularly nice with a roti setup. That said, I only have a Maverick. It has served me fine for the past 2 years but recently it would randomly read HHH or LLL and I would have to restart it to get it back. Had I known about the smoke back then, I just would have spent the few extra dollars and got that. Whenever my Maverick dies I will be getting the smoke though.

...funny that you mention about the HHH and LLL as my current cheapie thermometer and probe does this all the time (I have to keep removing the probe, turning the unit off and on again, to get it to function correctly). I think it is to do with the probe reaching a temp that is either too high/low for the unit hence the HHH/LLL.....

The only thing holding me back from the meater is the fact that I would need to keep my phone near the BBQ all the time (something I don't really like doing, in case it gets wet, dirty, etc!).

I'll try and find some of the threads on here to see what they say...

You're right about what HHH/LLL is suppose to mean. Except when it happens to me it is when it is in the food, so no way it is over 5xx degrees F or under whatever the lowest value is. Same when it happens to the grill temp probe, it is when I'm doing low and slow and the temps definitely aren't spiking/dropping that much. A quick reset shows it is just the probe/unit malfunctioning. Right now it happens maybe 50% of the time and usually only once per cook. Also FYI that I always run the probes through the vents so this isn't due to pinching the probe cables.

...have to say I get the same exact scenario as you!!

I've never run my probes through the vents though as when you close them, the wires will still pinch against the vent, wouldn't they?!

If I'm honest I'm probably leaning towards just getting a Maverick. That Meater thing seems too 'gadgety' for my liking plus I don't like having my phone outside anywhere near the bbq area whilst I am cooking/socialising, to check on the progress.

That other 'Smoke' one (£78 on Amazon) is too pricey for me and probably a little overkill for my cooking methods anyway!

[addicted-to-smoke]

Bluetooth remote thermometers don't suit my style, either. I liked being able to take my Maverick two-three houses away to the neighbor's and enjoy a nice beverage while not running back to the grill to check it.

I no longer use the Maverick. The interface is frustratingly stupid for any of the functions you're paying for beyond temp readouts. And one of my probe inputs reads 20 degrees off. Not the probe, but the input.

The Smoke is quite a bit more money, but it's a real tool. Buy once, cry once.

Mostly what I use these days is Thermoworks' Thermapen and check meat every so often. It's the only product I can afford that's the undisputed "best" in its class. But for longer cooks yeah, I'd set up the Smoke.

[elninohese]

thermoworks tp20 is $52 Canadian all in amazon...bought it yesterday, being shipped today...suppose to be the best one out there? I also have a thermometer on the cooking surface grate --so will see if they are the same when i get it....going to run probes under lid...hopefully doesn't damage them...too lazy to run through vents etc.

best deal thermopen thermopop are same price for 2 wire probes ...

[deans6571]

thermoworks tp20 is $52 Canadian all in amazon...bought it yesterday, being shipped today...suppose to be the best one out there? I also have a thermometer on the cooking surface grate --so will see if they are the same when i get it....going to run probes under lid...hopefully doesn't damage them...too lazy to run through vents etc.

best deal thermopen thermopop are same price for 2 wire probes ...

....yea, that Thermoworks tp20 is £49.99 here on Amazon UK - its also the 'Amazons Choice' and has a full 5 stars reviews.

I'll probably end up going for this one!!

[Mike in Roseville]

Thermoworks stuff is excellent.

Dots, Thermapens, and the Smoke are the best!

They just had a deal (might still be going on) with open box Smokes for $74. Highly recommend it!

[addicted-to-smoke]

The TP20 is by ThermoPro, not ThermoWorks.

Not the same company!

thermoworks tp20 is $52 Canadian all in amazon...bought it yesterday, being shipped today...suppose to be the best one out there? I also have a thermometer on the cooking surface grate --so will see if they are the same when i get it....going to run probes under lid...hopefully doesn't damage them...too lazy to run through vents etc.

best deal thermopen thermopop are same price for 2 wire probes ...

....yea, that Thermoworks tp20 is £49.99 here on Amazon UK - its also the 'Amazons Choice' and has a full 5 stars reviews.

I'll probably end up going for this one!!

[Cellar2ful]

I own and am a huge fan of the Thermapen and Smoke both.  Used a $15 Maverick ET-71 remote thermometer for many years.  I got me by but the level of my food increased once I purchased a Thermapen.