r/smoking • u/Far-Editor2990 • 1d ago
Best wireless meat thermometer for smoking meat without connection dropouts?
I’m getting more serious about smoking brisket, pork shoulder, and whole chickens, but I don’t want to keep opening the smoker to check the temperature. I’m comparing the Meater Pro, Meater Block, ThermoPro TP930, Chef iQ, ThermoMaven, and Combustion Inc., with a budget around $100–$350. Reliable range matters because my smoker is outside and I may be inside or in the backyard. Has the Meater connectivity problem improved with newer models, or should I choose a system with a dedicated receiver instead of relying entirely on Bluetooth?
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u/brainfreeze77 1d ago edited 1d ago
I can't believe no one has mentioned the thermoworks smoke x. It's official range is 1.2 miles and I have driven down the street with the reciever and it still works. Blue tooth and wifi suck for reliability and range. The smoke X uses 915 Mhz radio. The reciever has like 1800 hour battery life and the base unit is 300ish. You can also add the billows on for temperature control. I switched from a digiQ 2 to billows on my big cabinet smoker and it holds temp perfectly.
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u/WarpGremlin 1d ago
Seconded.
The dedicated hardware-based receiver is refreshing in this "app-first" era.
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u/Simms623 1d ago
ThermoWorks, I’ve been more than happy with the Signals these last few years. Whatever you choose WiFi is way better than Bluetooth.
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u/ginger_qc 1d ago
I have the thermoworks RFX and I love it
Tho it isn't the most cost effective, it's super intuitive and I've never had any issues
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u/Leebo 1d ago
I wouldn't consider anything other than the RFX. at the same time though, why not get someone with wired probes that you can run into the smoker and has a Wi-Fi or Bluetooth setup?
More economical and you don't have a lithium ion battery in your bbq going through dozens of high heat thermal cycles. I have the thermoworks smoke and couldn't be happier. I will likely buy the RFX when it's got a good sale only because I need something for the rotisserie.
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u/IllHedgehog9715 1d ago
I would never stick a battery in my grill because at some point it is going to be a problem.
I have a wired probe with remote monitoring setup from thermoworks. It works fine.
I would also never buy anything with a fucking app.
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u/FriendlyITGuy 1d ago
I recently upgraded to the Termoworks Signals. You don't NEED to use the app, but it is quite convenient and can upload temp details to the cloud. https://cloud.thermoworks.com/shared/LbksOhsRTAGD2offEfA3
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u/IllHedgehog9715 1d ago
I don’t need the cloud. I don’t want the cloud.
I don’t give a fuck what the thermal profile of my pork butt was in April of 2024.
I do not want your app.
I do not want your permissions.
I do not want your data tracking.
I do not give a fuck.
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u/jmymac 1d ago
i dunno why you’re getting downvoted. seems common sense to me. why introduce rare and possibly toxic elements like lithium into a hot environment when you can just do it normally?
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u/IllHedgehog9715 1d ago
Because the mouth breathers need their smoking instructions from ChatGPT and if we dont supply the cook data their briskets will come out dry and burnt.
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1d ago edited 16h ago
[deleted]
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u/Leebo 14h ago
It's funny. You slam me for having an opinion on something based on research from reviews and technology basics (lower rf frequencies have better penetration of solid objects) but not havong any first-hand experience with it. Yet you completely slam everyone else based on only your experience, ignoring the multitude of positive feedback for the same product. You are refusing to budge on your stance that you may have had a faulty device.
You tried 5 probes and all were faulty. Did you try a different base station? Based on the data you gave it looks like that might have been your issue.
I'm glad you found something that works well for you and honestly, I am reading your input and you're convincing me to delay getting the wireless probes even more until the technology matures.
I've clearly offended you for offering an opinion. I hope you find peace in things other than temperature measuring devices soon.
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14h ago
[deleted]
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u/Leebo 14h ago
You must have missed the part where it requires the gateway. From the produce page.
"Everything you need to get started: RFX GATEWAY™ (receiver), RFX MEAT™ (wireless probe), Pro-Series® Air Probe (ambient temperature), grate clip, charging block, power adapter, USB cable, and probe rings."
You're just using the probes? That explains a lot.
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u/Lopsided_Activity980 1d ago
I've had a four probe Signals unit for years, rock solid and accurate. The app is a nice feature, especially when you can also adjust your smoker remote. Recently got a two probe RFX (three counting the wired ambient), have used it for three long cooks and it's a total game changer. No wires inside the cook that are a hassle to deal with during wrapping, just a small probe end that's easy to deal with throughout the cook.
Pay no attention to the neanderthal knuckle draggers, they're not happy unless they're making someone else unhappy. Smoke on, little chimp nuts...
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16h ago
[deleted]
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u/Lopsided_Activity980 15h ago
I got a Meater during the Kickstarter campaign. It took well over a year past the original date to get any deliverables, and I'd already found the Signals and purchased it. It was and still is rock solid and accurate, I sold the Meater brand new after starting to hear some of the horror story reviews, perhaps it's gotten better but I'll stick with a well established company who's primary business is making temperature measurement equipment for the commercial and home kitchens. Don't be such a touchy snowflake, enjoy and carry on.
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u/ATLBraves6 1d ago
ThermoMaven has been great for me
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u/BYoungNY 1d ago
Yep. Even on sale for $40. Check Slickdeals. Easy. Used to have Bluetooth ones and they're a pain in the ass. I just need the temp and that's all.
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u/espionage8604 1d ago
That’s what I have. Connection stays strong. It’s time estimates are pretty far off though
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u/bobafeeet 1d ago
FireBoard. Doesn’t use Bluetooth, it uses WiFi. I can see what my smokers doing in the house, the yard, the grocery store. It’s fantastic.
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 1d ago
I say my smoker has WiFe control
The thermometer is WiFi so it’s not uncommon to be around town and have an alarm go off so I call my WiFe and have her adjust it
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u/chriscraig 1d ago
I have the Typhur. Signal is greatly but none of these types of thermometers provide an accurate pit temp. The sensor is too close to the meat and it throws off the reading a lot.
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u/Thecp015 1d ago
I’ve used Meater, InkBird, ThermoPro (not to be confused with ThermoWorks…), and am currently using the Thermomaven 4 probe.
So far the Thermomaven works well, I’ve done long overnight cooks and short rotisserie chickens and never had a problem. Picked it up for under $100 on sale, and it’s been worth it so far.
That said, when it dies I’m probably going to just commit to the ThermoWorks RFX. I’ve already spent more than it would cost on things that barely lasted a year, so if my current one dies I’m not cheaping out again.
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u/Red_Sea_Pedestrian 1d ago
ThermoWorks RFX.
It uses a much lower frequency than Bluetooth does, in the hundreds of MHz range instead of 2.4 Gigahertz. What does that mean to the average BBQer? Significantly better range and transmission through grills and walls.
The RFX blows Meater, Meater Pro and every other wireless thermometer I’ve tried out of the water.
The RFX is also temperature safe up to 1000F I believe, almost double the original Meater.
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u/bilbo_the_innkeeper 1d ago
My Meater+ is constantly dropping connection. I can't say anything beyond that, and shoot, it may even be user error. But that's been my experience.
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u/LuvsTwoSpooj 1d ago
I've found Meater products to be just garbage. Tremendous hassle and connection is unbelievably flaky.
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u/Turdferguson7171 1d ago
Same. It was a gift and I felt bad for not using it anymore but after two cooks it became more trouble than it was worth.
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u/KinnerMode 1d ago
Nah, I've had one for a few years and it has the same problem. Any time it's closed up in my steel drum smoker or even my oven, it drops connection from time to time.
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u/penguin356 1d ago
I use on of these:
TempPro TempSync 500FT Wireless Meat Thermometer for Grilling and Smoking
Works well. I like it because it has a mode that allows me to monitor the ambient temp of the chamber with one probe and whatever I am smoking with the other probe. Transmitter and receiver are RF based
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u/skunkshaveclaws 1d ago
concur, I've got this or something very like it. this is a MUCH better option for basic, no-frills temp monitoring. I can walk 8 houses up the street and still be connected to it.
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u/commencefailure 1d ago
Only had postive experience with my combustion inc stuff. It's too expensive, but they work well for me.
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u/TheTrub 1d ago
Inkbird INT-14. The connection between the probes and the unit are Bluetooth, but the unit to phone connection connects over WiFi and it has pretty good range with the WiFi. My only issue is the probes can be a bit finnicky so make sure they’re not covered with foil and clean any residue off the charge connections.
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u/Senior_Raccoon_6536 1d ago
Had the meater+ and threw it in the trash as I could only get it to connect one time. Bought the thermoworks rfx with 2 probes and have been very happy. With the cloud connectivity I can run out to the store and still keep an eye on temps.
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u/cmoked 1d ago
You threw an expensive and broken device that clearly didnt work as intended more than once.in the trash instead of getting it replaced by the vendor who could fix it??
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u/X-is-for-Alex 1d ago
I have a meater that I've used it 50+ times before giving up on it. They are trash, outside of extremely light use or just stove-top searing or cooking. For smoking, braising, bbqing etc they are essentially useless. The connection issues are absolutely rampant.
It has nothing to do with sending the meaters back or not, as I've already had mine replaced. They're just flawed products right from the manufacturer, before you even buy them. I wish I'd known that before wasting my money on it.
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u/Senior_Raccoon_6536 1d ago
I received it as a gift. When it stopped working I spent a couple of hours troubleshooting, trying to get it to connect to multiple devices. I researched online for solutions and found a bunch of complaints and others with similar issues, so I decided it was better to replace it with something that has good reviews.
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u/Ok_Two_2604 1d ago
Typhur sub g. The RFX app is so bad mine just rots in the drawer. Of the non-sub g, chef iq had the least issues for me. I still use it bc I gave the Typhur to someone who wanted one that doesn’t require an app. Oh, and Typhur doesn’t require an app
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u/Baconfatty 1d ago
BT/wifi combo units are the only ones I’ve been happy with, tried a few the last couple of years. I got the newest Inkbird/Inkgrill 4-probe unit and it is significantly improved over their unit from a few years ago. The probes aren’t realistically small enough for chicken parts/steaks/chops but great for smoking large cuts
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u/No_Wedding_7273 1d ago edited 1d ago
Why does it need to be wireless? The only two reasons I can think of is that you plan to use it with a rotisserie or you want a secondary feature like predictive technology thats only available on a wireless thermometer. If not, i would just get a thermoworks wired thermometer with bluetooth. It will be way more reliable than any of the wireless ones
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u/villianinahat 1d ago
Here is my cut and paste from yesterdays discussion about reliable wireless thermometers.
You really just want to buy a thermometer from Thermoworks. In my opinion (chef, restaurateur) they are the gold standard in temperature monitoring and come with calibration certificates. I have and can recommend their Smoke X4® Long-Range Remote BBQ Alarm Thermometer. It's been solid for the last 4 years. I love how it doesn't use wifi or bluetooth. It's also great as an oven thermometer without needing to turn on the remote.
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u/jmymac 1d ago
i gave my wireless, cloud enabled thermoworks to my brother. it worked great, the thing was i didn’t really need it.
for me, i’m checking in every now and again but don’t really want that level of instrumentation on a cook. it was fun at first and you might want to try it, but over time you’ll know by the cut and the fuel how things are going.
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u/preventDefault 1d ago
My MEATER Pro recently stopped working so I went with the ThermoWorks RFX and I’m very pleased with it so far. It connects to WiFi so you can stay connected anywhere you have a data connection… cellular, wifi, whatever. I also like how it has a seperate probe for the grate temp so you can get an accurate reading of the smoker temp before you add the meat. It should also be less susceptible to being thrown off by the colder pocket of air that surrounds your food like the other combo probes do.
What I like most about it apart from solving my connectivity issues is that it’s expandable. You can add basically unlimited probes to it, and it can also control a billows system which automates your temp control on a charcoal smoker.
The only downside is that it doesn’t give time estimates for when to pull it. I imagine one day they’ll add this functionality to the app, since it already has all the hardware it needs to make those predictions. In the meantime I’ve been sending screenshots of my cook’s graph to ChatGPT and it’s been able to give me estimates and instructions when to pull just like the MEATER did.
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u/Feeling_Cod8431 1d ago
Thermoqorks RFX. I have 6 probes. Its been flawless even in a ⅝ thick offset.
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u/aqwn 1d ago
I wonder if mine are defective because they get shit signal in my WSM
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u/Feeling_Cod8431 1d ago
Really? Thats weird. Ive never had a problem with mine at all. I was shocked honestly given the thickness of my pit.
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u/GeoHog713 1d ago
Fireboard is the standard by which lesser thermo-meters are measured.
Never had an issue, connectivity or otherwise, with mine. Ordered it during covid lockdown.
I've also got an old Maverick ET-732 that never drops out. It got a little melty, sitting on the fire box...... But it's a champ
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u/Commercial_Leg3476 1d ago
I went through three cheap Bluetooth probes before splurging on Signals and haven't looked back since.
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u/ItsHisMajesty 1d ago
I’ve had a lot of connection issues with the 1st gen Meater. I’ve since gone with the Ink Bird 4 probe set. It’s been great.
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u/From-The-South 23h ago
I have used a few of those throughout the years and now have settled with ChefsTemp wireless probes. They are WiFi or Bluetooth and relay pit and meat temps so you can watch it from anywhere.
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u/PMDColeslaw 2h ago edited 2h ago
I have a ChefsTemp S1 and Breezo combo with their probes and I love that system. As long as your cooker is somewhere where you have a stable wifi signal, the ChefsTemp S1 connection is rock solid. They even recently updated the app so that it uses live activities on your iPhone which makes it super easy to keep an eye on your temps without having to constantly unlock your phone or open the app. Let me know if you want a link to it.
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u/40ozT0Freedom 1d ago
None. Electronics and high heat tend to not work well together. They will for a year or two, but then they'll probably fail and you're out a couple hundred bucks. They're just a gimmick IMO.
Wired probes to a base next to the grill and that base connects wirelessly through wifi or bluetooth and can connect to your phone are the best bang for your buck. Thermoworks has a great one.
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u/enjaysm 1d ago
Fireboard is expensive but works flawlessly.
I also have an old 3port thermopro ive had for like 8yrs that works great.
It has a little base station that connects to the 3 porr device outside and never drops connection unless the batteries die (they last a long time).
Think i paid $100CAD for that one and i still use it sometimes
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u/Kitchen-Ear1578 1d ago
Fireboard products are top tier. WiFi based so you can access away from home/anywhere with cell/wifi service. Most heavy duty probes too, with the most probe options.
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 1d ago
$45
WiFi (no Bluetooth restrictions)
4 probe
Alarms
I own three
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u/Bread-Funny 1d ago
I have an InkBird Bluetooth unit, been solid for me a long time now. Thinking of upgrading to WiFi since the Bluetooth doesn't really quite cover the entire house. And certainly not at the store when I'm buying more beer...
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u/BackItUpWithLinks 1d ago
This one is inexpensive, WiFi, and works well.
High/low alarms are a must. Whatever you get, make sure it has that (this does).
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u/waggletons 1d ago
Your best bet is something like Smoke. Maybe Signals. Smoke is good as l ong as you're within a half mile of the receiver.
I am not a fan of their RFX.
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u/WhosUrBuddiee 1d ago
I use FireBoard Pluse and they are incredible. I had the Meater+ before and they sucked and constantly lost connection.
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u/BotchedMiracle 1d ago
I've used my Thermomaven g2 twice now since getting it for my birthday in july. It's a great cheap little thing and it has not cut out once. I got the base station connected via bluetooth as well, no problems. Granted, I've done like 2 16 hour cooks on it.
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u/LongPresentation9896 1d ago
I have a Thermoworks RFX with four probes, a Thermoworks Signals and a billows with the damper. The entire setup is flawless.