Wireless Thermometer

Sethwvu · October 2016

Hello Everyone,

I'm a BGE newbie here and would like to add a wireless thermometer, so I can be more consistent with cooks. I have been considering the flameboss 200, Thermaworks Smoke, or IGrill 2. What do you use and do you have any words of wisdom before I purchase? Is the Flameboss 200 worth 2-3 X more cash?

Thanks in advance.

PSC · October 2016

I use the Maverick and I'm happy with it

SmokingPiney · October 2016

I have Flame Boss 200 and I love it. I love the web interface - I don't have to worry about being out of range from the base unit.

Well spent money for my BGE.

blind99 · October 2016

You're sort of comparing apples and oranges. A flame boss is more than a thermometer - it's a controller, and it's accessible from the web. If you want to remotely monitor and control the egg, for long cooks, it's great. But certainly not needed.

As far as remote thermometers the only one I have experience with is the maverick. A little hard to program but it works well.

my only concern about the thermoworks unit (which I don't have) is all the controls are on the unit which stays outside. Seems like a hassle.

blind99 · October 2016

And welcome to the forum!

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

I have a couple of the Maverick ET-733's and they have served me well. Someday I may get around to a pit controller.

Good luck with your decision.

HeavyG · October 2016

The FlameBoss is more than just a remote thermometer. It is a "pit controller" that can use a fan to force air into your Egg to help it hold a specific temp.

If all you are looking for is a remote reading thermometer and have no interest in using that fan you really don't need to spend the extra cash.

The other two you listed are just remote reading thermos. They have no ability to run/control a fan.

If you just want a simpler remote read thermo with a portable display unit and not needing a fan or checking temps on your phone the Smoke would likely be a good choice. The Smokes are now shipping - some have already received theirs, mine will arrive Saturday. I'm sure it will be a good quality product.

The iGrill2 was recently bought by Weber and there have been numerous complaints that Weber has broken the phone/tablet app for that device. I'm sure they'll fix those issues in time (the app still works just not as well as it used to before they updated it).

The Smoke will be selling a WiFi gateway for the Smoke early next year if that is of interest. If you add that to it tho you're spending about as much as you would if you just went with something like the Flame Boss.

xfire_ATX · October 2016

I have had the Maverick ET-7 for a good while and other than one of the probes getting wonky its worked great. Currently using it to monitor the temp of my Freezer which is not cooling well- wont go below 14 degrees though.

I dont ever use the remote monitor- I just aim the base unit so I can see it out the window.

Raymont · October 2016

Greetings. I would recommend you go with Maverick or iGrill. Get your feet wet for a while before you consider a unit that can also control egg temp (e.g. fan/blower). --And before any of these, get yourself an instant read thermometer. Thermopop or Thermapen are most recommended.

Sethwvu · October 2016

Thanks for the feedback. I think that I will probably et the igrill/ thermaworks/maverick for now and maybe get the flamboss once I get more familiar with things if I feel like iI need the pit controller. I already have an instant read, but have been looking at the thermapop/thermapens for something that doesn't take forever to give me an accurate reading.

Carolina Q · October 2016

Apples and oranges indeed. I have a Maverick and a DigiQ pit controller (no wifi). If I had it to do again, I would have neither.

At least I use the DigiQ occasionally (mainly because I already wasted, er spent, way too much money on it). However, my last turbo cook was so successful, I may never use the DigiQ again. As for the Maverick, I haven't used that in years.

Re pit controllers, conventional wisdom says, learn how to use the egg (i.e. how to control temps) first. Then decide whether or not to buy one. I did that, bought a controller and I still wish I hadn't.

SmokeyPitt · October 2016

If you only want a remote thermometer then I would go with the Smoke. I have been through a couple of Mavericks and the probes fail. I have an iGrill2 and the range is not great.

JacksDad · October 2016

I've had my eye on a FB200 for months now. Would love to be able to put a butt on the egg on a weekend morning and then head out to kids sports and errands and be able to monitor the egg and meat remotely through my phone.

Any ideas if they are going to release a new version any time soon? A "FB300"? Or should I just ask the wife for the FB200 for Christmas?

lousubcap · October 2016

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
I echo the above about learning the manual mode of operation and then figure out whether to go with a controller.
Regarding remote-how remote do you want to be? lf all you want is something that will let you know what's going on inside the BGE from the outside, then you can downscale to a cabled rig. Thermoworks makes one and I have had good luck with a long-lasting Accurite unit (4+ years to date). FWIW-

johnkitchens · October 2016

I have a Maverick and love it, BUT it is pain in the butt to program.

Sethwvu · October 2016

lousubcap said:

Welcome aboard and enjoy the journey.
I echo the above about learning the manual mode of operation and then figure out whether to go with a controller.
Regarding remote-how remote do you want to be? lf all you want is something that will let you know what's going on inside the BGE from the outside, then you can downscale to a cabled rig. Thermoworks makes one and I have had good luck with a long-lasting Accurite unit (4+ years to date). FWIW-

That's basically what I wanted the ability to do, but it would be nice to cut grass, or set an alarm if the temp drops while I'm sleeping (which will be rare that I cook overnight). I don't want to be opening the lid to check if a brisket or butt are close to finished.

chuckytheegghead · October 2016

Just do it once and get the Flameboss.

SaintJohnsEgger · October 2016

johnkitchens said:

I have a Maverick and love it, BUT it is pain in the butt to program.

I agree. I just use the probes on mine to monitor the meat temp and the pit temp. The remote sites next to me when I am working at the computer and I can check it as often as I want.

BilZol · October 2016

I've been using the iGrill2. Works great for me and I like the fact that you can have four probes at once. I've used them all more then once. The main unit is also small and has a magnetic base so it can be stuck out of sight. The software on the app has a lot of preset temps and ranges plus you can customize them as well.

tikigriller · October 2016

I have the igrill2. Enjoy it.

I have the FB200. Enjoy it for same and different reasons.

I have a thermapen. Enjoy it for completely different reasons.

When i I bought the igrill2, smoke was not an option and I did not own a thermapen. After owning a thermapen, I would go with the smoke. Granted though, first year product could have bugs.

In the end, I am glad I have all three. I have used them all in different ways already and will continue to do so. I admit, I like to cook with tech.

smokeyw · October 2016

I would definitely go with the Thermoworks Smoke. I don't have one yet but their quality is second to none. I have owned several Mavericks and found them to be OK but the quality was not great. I went from those to the Thermoworks Chef Alarm. Those are great but are not wireless.

Sethwvu · October 2016

Thanks for all the replies. I'm going to go with the Smoke, since it has the features that I'm really looking for and save myself some cash compared to the flameboss.

Wireless Thermometer

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