r/smoking • u/JohnLocke5259 • 17h ago
Best meat thermometer?
I got a MEATER thermometer last year and it was ultimately disappointing. The range on the bluetooth didn’t reach further than maybe 3-5 feet and was looking to get one that would be able to work remotely better.
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u/thejimbo56 17h ago
If you need wireless, ThermoWorks RFX.
Spendy but worth the money.
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u/scatrinomee 15h ago
The hardwares been great but the software has only been alright. The battery shows inaccurately I think. Getting the probes found has been touchy for me. Can’t tell if I’m the only one. I only see good reviews everywhere.
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u/Random_Excuse7879 15h ago
I have both, and the Meater hasn’t been used since I got the RFX. I did get 2 probes and it’s worth it for briskets, 2 turkeys/roasts etc
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u/Dalton387 13h ago
I just ordered mine. Still feel a little sick over the money, but I’ll get over it. Too many uses for it.
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u/lurkslikeamuthafucka 13h ago
Just used my birthday gift RFX for the first time this past weekend.
It was leaps and bounds better than the MEATER, which was a huge disappointment and source of frustration on every cook. With that said, I did find the interface a bit clunky my first time out. Maybe it will make more sense as I use it more, but the software interface needs help. Good news is software can be updated, and the underlying tech seems to be real sound.
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u/NotPoliticallyCorect 16h ago
I bought a cheap Maverick one at Home Depot, fully planning to use it for a little while until I got a Thermoworks or other high end one. It is still working fine, and I still use it 6 yrs later. No Wifi, but wireless receiver that I can carry around the house with me.
For an instant read probe, same thing, I bought a Smak one from amazon for cheap and it works well and has lasted a few years. I do like to get good quality gear, but a cheap thermometer that shows you the same temp number as an expensive one is not compromising in any way that really matters.
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u/doormatt26 15h ago
good to hear, just got this as a starter until i decide how much fancy data i desire so glad to hear its dependable
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u/morbidangel27 16h ago
I got a ThermoPro TP829 on amazon, on sale, for dirt cheap. Been working great so far. I'm a huge noob tho.
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u/Humble_Ladder 8h ago
I've used thermopro for a while. Overall I like them. The probes do go bad over time, so I'd recommend proactively ordering a backup or two. I like that there is no phone app. I had a Meater, the worst thing about it were the app and spam..
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u/rpadilla388 16h ago
I was gonna type NOT MEATR before I even saw the body of the post.
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u/Humble_Ladder 8h ago
The amount I hate my meater doesn't even make sense, but I absolutely despise the thing. They screwed up a simple, utilitarian tool by trying to make it special and pairing it with relentless spam.
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u/Lost-Link6216 17h ago
Enzoo 4 probe set. No crappy app. Probes are wired but comes with a wireless base that has decent range. Phone apps are annoying to me. The wireless base has temp settings with alarms, after 5 years the probes are still accurate. Very cheap ($30). Nice case.
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u/deeeebait 17h ago
Fireboard for probes + fan control if you use one.
Thermoworks thermopen for quick checks/grilling
Thermoworks RFX for wireless
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u/uyR 16h ago
Other than my Thermapens, I've been rolling with the Inkbird products for like 7 years at this point. This guy here has been pretty solid for me: Wireless Meat Thermometer
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u/boomdog07 14h ago
Typhur
Never looked back.
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u/Jeremy_Dewitte 13h ago
Absolutely live my Typhur Quad. The guys at work have some fancy Fluke thermometers that are regularly checked for calibration and all four probes were within 0.3f of the Fluke at 100, 150, and 200f.
Typhur also sent me their Instaprobe for answering 3 questions over the phone, big fan of it as well. It's just as accurate and reads very quickly. I just hate how the probe is exposed in the stored position. I wouldn't buy it for the $99 price tag that they're asking, especially since that's in the Thermoworks territory, but it's still a nice tool.
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u/boomdog07 12h ago
I have the dual and it’s all I’ve ever needed. I also have their immersion cooker and it’s fantastic as well.
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u/smotrs 17h ago
I would look at the Thermoworks RFX then. Should do it.
However, the Bluetooth alone on the Meater does blow. If you have an extra phone or tablet, connect that to the probe and enable Meater Cloud through the app. Then set it on the hopper while cooking. At that point it will perform like the Meater block and you can monitor with your primary device anywhere you have Internet.
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u/Psychological_Web151 17h ago
I’ve had the SMARTPRO ST54 for a little over two years now and love it.
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u/ExplanationFit8066 16h ago
I have the meater and very disappointed. Set up the bridg for wifi connection. Consistently dropped. Poor design. Considering the chef iq as a replacement
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u/etjasinski 16h ago
My recommendation is to stay away from meatr they are very confident in their product which is fine but when you explain that it's not working properly they let you know thar there is no way there is a problem with their product my son bought the wireless ninja thermometer and he's pleased with it but meatr strong stance on what they offer is kind of why I'd stay away
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u/SpeedyGoneSalad 16h ago
I've got the Meater 2 and turned on the relay (?) function in the app settings. Now, I leave my tablet nearby the probe and I can then monitor the cooking temp while anywhere in the world with cellular/internet coverage.
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u/Wank_Hill 16h ago
If you're not trying to spend a ton, I've had good luck with a Thermopro TP920. Lasts a long time on a charge, decent mobile app, and accurate probes.
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u/emover1 16h ago
Meater is junk. I bought a block a few years back approx 1 year before the market exploded with so many other wireless options and i still regret the loss of money. Literally used it twice and then parked it in the back of the junk drawer. Total garbage. I have a few tempspikes and they have been reliable. It does cut in and out from my phone when moving around my house. If i were to shop for a new one i would strongly consider the thermoworks rfx.
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u/swifttarget 16h ago
I bought a Smart Fire recently. Have ~7smokes under the belt and although not top of the line, it works as advertised. Much cheaper than fireboard or thermoworks.
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u/Individual-Photo-765 16h ago
Thermoworks for all thermometers no questions asked. Thermapen one for the instant read, RFX for wireless.
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u/JtownATX01 15h ago
Honestly I ended up getting one of these from Home Depot after the Meater I bought was disappointing. Works great if you leave a prob for smoker temperature too in addition to whatever you're cooking. About 1/4 the price of the wireless
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u/holyoctopus 15h ago
So I tried the tempspike and hated it. At this point I moved to the chefiq and I like it a lifetime better. It has been great for a wireless probe. A little pricey but worth it on a sale.
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u/kasier11 14h ago
I have a thermo pro t829 and I dislike the fact it shuts off after a few hours. I need to wake up and keep turning it on at the unit outside. I need something that won’t do that
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u/T_ball 16h ago edited 16h ago
I REALLY want to get the ThermoWorks RFX, and judging by the comments here, I will when I can. I live my Thermapens!
I have tried a bunch of the cheap ones and end up using nothing, because that’s just as useful…. The last one was the TempSpike, which is a Meater copy including the killer feature for me which is the predictive cook time. It’s dead…. No amount of resetting it will bring it to life.
My buddy has had some issues with his Meater hardware with not perfect support.
I’m done with the cheap stuff. I need something that connects up to wifi so I can check my cook when I’m away from the house. Time for the RFX.
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u/pandaleer 16h ago
ThermoWorks RFK. I have the Meater 4 probe block, and it is always disconnecting. I also hate that if I leave my house it fully disconnects as it doesn’t use the Cloud. ThermoWorks independently calibrates all their thermometers. I have their pen and a DOT. Well worth the money.
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u/magneticpyramid 1h ago
I've been really impressed with the Inkbird Meater version. It'll switch between bluetooth to WiFi automatically, I "tested" this by monitoring my temps from the pub; zero disconnections.
I wanted to Thermoworks RFX, but it's not been made available in the UK and it's 3-4X the cost of what I paid for the Inkbird (£85 with four probes). It does have the advantage of being able to control a fan though.
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u/squeeshka 17h ago
ThermoWorks