If I ever use a probe thermometer, this is what I use.
Most leave-in probe thermometers suck, which I talk about below.
Dedicated Receivers are Better in Just About Every Way, For ME
I don’t like apps that connect to my phone because my phone is almost always dead, or the app sucks, or the app needs an update, or insert reason here.
If you’re similar to me, you’ll like having a dedicated receiver.
It’s just easier to take the receiver, walk away and have it near you vs a phone that may die or go missing or lose sync.
The receiver doesn’t update real-time but it’s fast enough.
The receiver also can sync your alarm setting too.
My Biggest Gripe with Most of Leave-in Thermometers is Battery Life
Seriously too – like the Combustion INC. wireless thermometer or the Meater probes.
The number of times I’ve gone to reach for these things and they’re just dead is too many to count.
It’s my fault for not remembering to charge them between cooks but holy smokes would I like either to last longer.
Range on both is always lackluster too and as soon as you put walls between them…connection lost.
With the Smoke X the batteries last me MONTHS and the range is ~1.24 miles.
One of the better features for battery life is when you actually remember to turn either the receiver or the Smoke X off but not the other, it’ll alarm telling you they lost sync.
AKA it tells me to turn them off.
Honestly, the Only Thing that Sucks is the Price
Granted, most thermometers these days are expensive.
Unless it’s on sale, it’s ~$200; On sale it’s ~$120.
I’d also never buy the 2 channel option either because the price difference is negligible (like a $10 difference).
The only “cheap” brand that I’ve tested is ThermoPRO (not to be confused with Thermoworks), and their thermometers work OK.
Their TP20 lasted me like 1200+ days until someone in my family put it in the dishwasher.
It was accurate (to their spec), range was OK and did the job.
I can also vouch for their warranty – they ask no questions and just send you a replacement (this is especially useful for situations like the below for probes).
If you’re on a budget, I’d consider the TP20 or their TP829 which is 4 channel.
The Probes are Accurate But…
This is the biggest complaint you’ll find with this device (check the probe reviews).
The probe cables can tend to bend and kink – if you can, try to store properly.
If you don’t, the cables will end up reading incorrectly and you’ll get error codes like “LLL” or “HHH.”
The cables/probes are pretty expensive to replace too; In nearly 900 days I’ve replaced them once.
But Thermoworks is trying to strike a balance between being thin and effective so they don’t cause lid leaks.
I do really like how the sensor is in the tip and the probe is thin because often with the leave-in probes, they’re thick.
When you go to slice your meat you have these giant circles which isn’t super appealing.
Lastly, Magnets are Cool
If your probe thermometer doesn’t have these, I’d look for ones with them.
I underestimated how much I’d use these – to the point where the “stand” is a whatever feature.
Stick them to your fridge, your smoker, your grill, etc.
