Equipment Reviews: Remote Probe Thermometers 

I'm so glad Lisa's back. The infomercial-style reviews were killing me. I'm super happy to see the detailed reviews with: a variety of use cases considered, testing methodology provided, all models addressed (not just the winner). Thank you

Lisa is great. Her thoroughness and attention to detail are why I trust her so much.

I own and love the ThermoWorks Smoke. That said, I have one major criticism. Every time the alarms go off they ring on both the base and the probe. The problem is that I have to physically touch both units to silence both alarms. That means that if I leave the remote sitting on the coffee table or kitchen counter as I am tending to the pit and opening doors, I end up with an undeniably loud alarm blaring continuously throughout the house until I can make my way back inside. Ironically, this usually happens in the middle of the night when the rest of the family is sleeping. It would be so much better is silencing the alarm at the base would silence both alarms and vise versa. Thumbs up if you can relate!

ThermoWorks is gold standard with professional bbq gurus.

One thing that is failed to mention, I found that A LOT of the probes that rely on a phone have VERY sketchy apps. Why would a temperature probe app need access to my phone contacts?

I have a Thermoworks Smoke X4 and I really love it.

I would disagree about “Bluetooth”. On the MEATER, The remote base should be near the probe for Bluetooth, but if you have WiFi at home that lets you use the base to send temps to the phone, it works great. We have used this for smoking meats and went out to run errands, and were still notified of the internal & ambient temperatures. This allowed us to go out.

I have a Thermoworks DOT and it’s awesome.

I use the InkBird BBQ Go bluetooth unit with 4 probes and I absolutely love it. Accuracy is great (validated with my thermaworks pen) and setting custom alarms is so super simple. I have some set for when it's time to wrap my brisket, or pull steaks out of the oven when reverse searing, etc. Who needs 300 yards of range? I can leave the house, come back, and it automatically reconnects.

I use both a pen-style NSF THDP-450 and the CDN DTTC-W COMBO PROBE THERMOMETER, TIMER AND CLOCK. Bought both from a local kitchen/restaurant supply facility that is open to the public. Both work very well, no BT or WiFi. Just change the batteries when they run down every year or so. Both easy cleanup. I just use the other one until I can get the new batteries on my next shopping/errands trip, etc. Hope this helps someone.

I have a basic Thermoworks DOT and put it in front of my wifi security camera and it is perfect, I can see from anywhere, no matter how far away, as if I were standing next to it, also hear the alarm, it if I am not watching!

Don't want to seem rude, but these reviews where it is just Lisa are the best. Great information!!!

Nice review, but an update should discuss additional concerns. First, only the wireless thermometers will work on a rotisserie. Though not essential, a graphing function of the entire cook may be of interest to some users. Third, which models can control a temperature activated fan to maintain a constant temperature of a BBQ grill/smoker?

Glad I found this to confirm some of my suspicions that my Weber Igrill is inaccurate. Nice idea about benchmarking it with an immersion circ.

The meater plus will do WiFi as well, I use it to check my smoker from the other end of the city!

My Grandfather always said to buy more tool than you need. You will never be sorry if you buy a thermometer that is too accurate nor too fast. He was an engineer for GE for 30 years.

(Portable induction cooktop) we need a review on this product. how well do they work? who's the best?

I purchased the smoke Gateway and no problem pairing. Love it!

Been looking forward to this review! Would have been great to have a "Durability" criteria where you put the probes through thermal cycle testing. So many probes I've had in the past break or go dead after a dozen or so uses.

Wow. That was thorough. And captivating. Who knew?

I am so happy to to have to go and do a ton of research on my own...I just go to YT put in "American Test Kitchen" with the product i'm interested in and viola! research done. My pots/pans, knives, salad spinner and can opener....all bought in the last year via our friends at ATK

Call me old-fashioned but I just don't know if I'm ready to worry about my grills Bluetooth connection yet! 😂

I just bought a smoke! Thermapen is the best!

Thanks for the info! I bought the winner and am excited to use it at home. Bread in our miserable oven has been ridiculous to try to bake.

One thing I like about about the app-enabled thermometers is that you can see a graph of temperature over time. This lets me monitor the temperature swings of my grill so I can adjust accordingly. What I don't like is that the graph resets if you lose bluetooth connection. I have been looking for a wifi solution, but haven't found a device that didn't have it's fair share of issues.

Very helpful review. Thank you.

Which was the one giving inaccurate readings? Which was the one delayed by 25 seconds? Which was the Bluetooth one that needed to be re-paired* completely whenever you went out of range? It's great that you did these tests but without naming those products how can people avoid them or make informed decisions? You say 300ft (91m) in open air for the winner, but not what that distance is through wooden or concrete walls like you would have in normal household use moving room to room. You said you tested those things, but never used the results of such testing to any real end. While the fact Bluetooth and WiFi are different things should be obvious to essentially everyone, you never actually expanded on that like you promised. If you had it would have become clear that your comparison of WiFi to Bluetooth products based on distance from a cooking surface was unfair, and ultimately nonsensical. A Bluetooth probe works via Bluetooth, which works line of sight between the source and the receiver. (Ad hoc)* A wifi probe joins your WiFi network. Your proximity to the probe is irrelevant because the prove isn't transmitting to the receiver. It's transmitting to your wireless access point, which is then transmitting to your receiver. That means your range for a WiFi probe is limited only* by the range of your own WiFi network, not the probe itself. Testing it's range with a corporate network comprising many enterprise grade WAPs to extend the network over a huge area is not suitable for comparing to household use where most people will be using the dodgy WiFi connection the ISP provided gateway delivers. It isn't clear why you recommended the nurichef as your smartphone based alternative to the pager style one. It was also hard to discern how much of your trouble with the smartphone based ones was genuine product flaws and how much of it was the clear technological illiteracy that exists in Americas Test Kitchen. Overall this round-up seems unreliable and half baked, which is a shame because your round ups are usually the gold standard. As the kitchen increasingly joins the IoT, It might be time for Americas Test Kitchen to hire someone very technologically literate to help with round ups involving those kinds* of devices. Edit: If you do, then the new thing to test on all IoT kitchenware is security. That's a big factor in "smart" appliances because it ultimately doesn't matter how well that WiFi thermometer or "smart" toaster performs if it represents an attack surface for a hacker to enter your network and cause havoc.

I have the Meater+ and Signals. Neither is perfect, but they both work quite well for me in different applications. I found that if I leave a spare tablet or retired smartphone in the house but within reasonable range of either thermometer, it vastly improves connectivity as I wander around. Even then the Meater+ is more stable than the Signals. The Meater+ app is also very intuitive and flexible. My only gripe about the Meater+ is that the signal from the probe does not reach the base through my Weber Smokey Mountain--so I use the Signals for smoking. I haven't tried this with the Meater+ yet, but with the Signals you can go anywhere and keep tabs on your readings as long as your phone has network connection (wifi or mobile).

April 4, 2019 this YT channel did a review of scales. Would you mind doing an updated review of kitchen scales?

So appreciate these reviews! Thank you 🙏

Should have tested the fire board 2. I have one and it works brilliantly. WiFi enabled and it can also run a bbq fan

Great review Lisa !

This is probably one of my favorite reviews!

built a Cap'n Brian HeaterMeter years ago that still blows these commercial products away.

Outstanding! As always!

Great review

The Smoke is great! I love all of the Thermoworks products.

Great timing. Our remote thermometer just died. With the pager style, you guys can go outside to check out what’s going on at the dry dock or look at incoming ships. :-)

I feel like you missed some pretty good options. Fireboard is Wi-Fi and I feel like that overcomes a lot of the Bluetooth connection challenges you have with a lot of these.

Love Thermoworks and have the classic Thermopen. If I had been able to pull the trigger a little sooner, I would have likely gotten the MK4 version for roughly the price of the classic. Oh well. Still a very good investment indeed. Have been eyeing the Chef Alarm to replace my Taylor probe whereby the probe went bad. The big reason for the Chef Alarm is if the probe is bad, I can get another one for less than $20, not an entire new unit like the Taylor unit as it's all or nothing.

I wish you would have included the Fireboard 2. It is a great unit.

i have one called -FireBoard. it's wifi with up to 6 wired probes can be used, and you can even hook up a fan to control temps in wood/charcoal grills and smokers!

We own 2 Thermoworks products and they are just excellent.

Excellent review ty

I have used the Meater+ on four cooks so far and it works great. Ambient temperature can't be over 500° or it cuts out. But I think the testers had a negative attitude about the Meater+ and didn't evaluate it on its merits. I also used an iPad as a bridge when I smoked on a cook. Not good to pre-judge a product and not use it properly. There's a video on the Meater and it's proper use and function from the company. America's Test Kitchen should have watched it.

Y'all always publish your reviews at just the right time. I was planning to buy a remote probe thermometer next weekend and was leaning toward getting two of the Meater+, but now I think I'll get one Meater+ and one ThermoWorks Smoke. If the latter had wireless probes, I'd probably just get that one. Thanks!

Meater does also allow using a third device (old phone, etc.) as a base station to make the probe WiFi enabled with unlimited range.

Great Video, Thanks

Kitchen timers! Especially durability, we find most dont survive in a busy bakery

I’ve had a Smoke since soon after it was released, and the Smoke Gateway since the week it was released. I’ve never had a single problem with it or the app, and it’s so nice to not be tied to the grill all through a low & slow cook. I considered a Signals when it came out, but it has a sealed rechargeable battery rated for 16 hours of run time - *when new.* Rechargeable batteries lose capacity over time. Briskets can take every bit of 16 hours - so IMO that unit is under-designed. The review really should have included Fireboard. But overall it’s a good review.

I use the Smoke, by ThermoWorks. Especially handy for reverse sear of steaks and roasts. When you spend the big bucks for a prime rib or huge rib eye steak, the last thing you want to do is screw it up. I tried other thermometers before which sounded good but failed miserably. You can’t go wrong with the ThermoWorks line and accessories.

Seems like ThermoWorks doesn't offer that product anymore (or they've renamed it). The URL above no longer works. The "ChefAlarm" item on their website doesn't have the remote "pager" component, just the monitor connected by wire to the probes. They have similar items, but I don't know which is comparable.

While I find you bashed the Meater more than it deserves (and it also monitors the oven temp, which is great), you missed that it can only be used to measure internal temp up to 93°C, which means it can't be used for bread baking.

Please make a video on dehydrators

if i can't monitor my roast and cheat on my wife with my neighbor, i don't want it.

I have the nutrichef one or at least a knock off of it. Uses the same app as what is shown in the video and it works great. Super easy to set and save presets and even have multiple users with different presets. Only complaint is that the interface for historical temperature and graphs is a little buggy.

ATK is my trusted reviewers before I buy any cookware.

Pager's gonna be making a comeback. Technology's cyclical.

The review completely ignored the huge difference in convenience between those products with cabled sensors, versus those with wireless sensors. I use the MEATER+, which has a wireless probe and was trivially easy to pair.

I love Lisa! No nonsene lady!

do you think this one is better than the wireless thermometer from AKSESROYAL?

Hi can you update this list for 2022

I’m going to have to wait for Lan’s review.

Only down side on the thermoworks Is that it has a delay

Is Thermoworks a sponsor?

You really were a bit dishonest about the Meater+. It can connect via Wi-Fi if you read the manual. Target temperature is not fixed. And the dual probe means it can not only monitor the meat but the temperature of the oven or smoker giving you an accurate idea of when the food *will be* done and how long to let it rest.

you complained about a pairing problem then immediately cut to phone pairing process which clearly shows how the probe should be located

What about the Fireboard 2?

Definitely one of my favorite YT Channels. However, where is Fireboard? Hands down one of the best remote thermometers on the market.

Looks like Lisa used to work in the taste kitchen.👩🏿‍🍳🥯🍰🧁🍦🍩🍫🍪🍔🍟🍕🌮🌯

The Thermoworks is clearly the star of this show, but honestly, the XR-50 is much better than your review. In two years (ish) of ownership and well over 100 outdoor cooks on all types of weather, I’ve NEVER had to re-pair the remote to it. I do wish it was backlit, but I’ve never had any problems with off angle viewing. I’m disappointed that you failed to mention it’s four probes, and instead chose to song the receiver size, which is required four four temp displays. I do agree that the smoke walks circles around it, and appreciate the review of the Meater.

i really would have loved if you had also tested the fireboard

They need to make one with cellular technology or some other technology that would allow you to know your temperature from anywhere, even when you're not home just like you can change your home temperature or check your cameras. Of course, they could make the wi-fi capabilities connect to more than just the base and you get the same thing.

What about the temperature resistance of the cables? I tried one of the cabled models on my charcoal grill, only to have it fail after a few minutes (shorted). Being an engineering sort, I pushed the braid aside to examine the cable. Yup, it was melted, and the reason was stamped on the cable itself. The insulation was rated at a mere 105C. (220 F) While that won't be a problem with the bit that is in the food, the 6 inches or so between food, and the edge of the grill will be sitting at at least double that temperature. (especially if you use lump charcoal) I checked several different brands, and they all seemed to use the same supplier for the probes, when marked, it was the same 105C. I replaced the wire with some that was UL 94V0 rated for 260C (500F) Its held up so far, but should it fail I will order some TGGT wire rated to 450C (840 F) (at $3/ft I don't keep it around)

i watch you for couple years now and am grateful for your work, but you gotta lose the "football field units" and convert or AT LEAST include metric.

Great review. Personally I can't stand kitchen equipment that depends on apps. If the app becomes unsupported, or isn't compatible with your next smartphone upgrade, you've essentially purchased an expensive brick.

Fireboard is great. I can even check the temp using Alexa when I can't check the unit/phone.

My recteq smoker has built in temperature probes that can be calibrated and it uses my WiFi with great results. I have used the redi-check from Maverick with a very confusing set up. Didn’t like it.

Will the Thermoworks thermometer measure grill temp in addition to meat cooking temp?

I love how sous vide can target a perfect temperature every time.

I'll admit my Meater isn't perfect, but I'm not going back to any corded style. I had a pager type before, and the thing ate batteries and the cords were a real pain to deal with.

I so totally disagree with you! yes Thermoworks products are spot on(I own and have used the Smoke,thermopen)BUT those cables for OUTDOOR COOKING are a pain!The Meaters(BLOCK) is fantastic.Besides reading spot on internal temps(no difference then Thermoworks products)It also reads ambient temps of your Grill(oven).And the setting up of Wifi was easy,you just need to place the block(acts as a signal booster)at a midway point.So I'm disappointed with ATK's review or are with going to have that OXO and Thermoworks conversation now

I like my Maverick.

A network connected probe thermometer is just about the most overengineered thing I can imagine. You didn't even mention the security risk of connecting another random device to your home network. Did you check what kind of network activity it generates? How much do you trust the thermometer manufacturer to push out timely security updates? Plus, you have to install their spyware to your phone.

Can we please get a review of true wireless thermometers only for those of us that are not half wits and know how to work a smartphone.

I'm grilling on my patio, as I cook other things in the kitchen 10 ft away. Why do I care about 300 ft range? Ridiculous test conditions. And I have to pay to read the report! You gotta be kidding!

Should have tested FireBoard, but it is hard to beat ThermoWorks for accuracy and performance.

If you're 400 ft from your steak when the temp probe sends an alert can you get back to your steak before it's overdone? I doubt it. I believe there is a logic failure here.

The recommended item is $100. I would like to see value based recommendation too. A best at $50 range recommendation. Thank you.

Why didn't you also mention the one that was the worst one in this test, just so we have a reference? . . . .

Why 1000 feet? That seems pretty excessive.

Link is dead?

I still prefer the meater probes. You must not have connected the block to your wifi because I have been able to monitor brisket cooks from another city on my phone while at work. Illcall my girl when the alarm goes off..... BABE ITS TIME TO WRAP!!!!!!

So basically the apps are all hot garbage

Where’s Dan?

Could you add into your review ThermoPro models. These are go to for many. TP829 is a latest hit.

Any pitmaster worth their weight owns at least one thermoworks product. They are the gold standard in quick accurate temperature readings.

Has ATK ever done a review of microwaves? Not that I can find.

She forget to mention how the wired thermometers cannot be used for rotisserie items, which severely limits your options.

Another plus for the Thermoworks Smoke: It has 2 channels and comes with 2 probes, so you can monitor oven or grill temperature with one probe while monitoring food with the other at the same time