ThermaQ Review

blasting

I bought a DigiQ last week and I liked it while fooling with it, but then it malfunctioned, so I returned it.  I'm not at all down on DigiQ, as every product has glitches from time to time.  That said, I remembered a while back somebody saying it's best to learn your unit prior to adding a controller.  I decided to order the ThermaQ High Heat Kit, while it was on sale last week for 15% off.  Total cost with including shipping was about $191.  That is with the unit, silicone boot/stand, high temp meat probe, grate clip, and grate probe, zippered case, and of course a package of Jelly Bellies.

The unit is substantial, and feels of the same build quality as the Thermapen.  It comes with a silicone / magnetic boot with a fold out stand, for multiple options on how to set it up.  The controls are simple with only 4 buttons, and it is very intuitive.  All the information is there at a glace, without toggling screens.  It displays pit temp, high temp, low temp, alarm temp high, alarm temp low.  It also displays the same information for the food probe on the same screen.  The screen is backlit for night use.  The probes themselves are substantial.  

I've got the probes hooked to a butt right now, and I've already learned a lot about my smoker, in the way of reaction times, the effect of my adjustments, and real time temps. I like the ThermaQ - it has really impressed me.  I'm sure some will say that it is an expensive thermometer, and for $100 more I could have had a controller.  This is true, but the quality supports the price, imho.  Eventually I'll get a controller, but for now this is unit has taken out the guesswork, and I'm learning a lot.

The good news is, I've now forced Thermoworks to release a sweet wifi unit shortly.  How do I know?  Because I just purchased this unit, and that is the way it works with me.  Y'all are welcome for that!

It's tough to get pics of screens in the AZ sun - The screens show up crystal clear in person.  Hope you get the idea and this helps somebody.

Jeepster47

blasting said:

... The good news is, I've now forced Thermoworks to release a sweet wifi unit shortly.  How do I know?  Because I just purchased this unit, and that is the way it works with me.  Y'all are welcome for that! ...

That's dirty pool my friend ... you had me for going for awhile. 

blasting

@Jeepster47   Well, that's what you get for trying to skim such an obviously well written review. lol  

Seriously though, I'll bet that within 6 months they have one out.  I asked them on the phone, and their response was that they are working on some cool stuff but they couldn't talk about things they had in the hopper.

RiverRatSkier

If they add in wifi and a blower, I will be telling them to take my money now.

caliking

Nice review. How many probes can this unit accommodate? 

RiverRatSkier said:

If they add in wifi and a blower, I will be telling them to take my money now.

I had been holding out for quite some time for Thermoworks to sell a controller but no such luck yet. I recently bought a Flameboss 200 and like it a lot. Easy to set up, and has already made life easier.

blasting

caliking said:

Nice review. How many probes can this unit accommodate? 

Thanks.  2 probe capability.

Mdlrat

I have one and like it very much

HeavyG

I've got the older Thermoworks TW8060. It's ok but it does have a few quirks. The main thing is that when I leave it laying for an hour or so in the sun on a bright hot summer day the screen turns black so I have to unplug it and toss it in the fridge till it cools down enough for the display to return (which it does fairly quickly).

Was thinking about replacing it with the ThermaQ when they announced it and had their big sale a few weeks ago but wasn't certain that the screen on this new unit would behave any differently.

Howsabout laying yours out in the sun for a couple of hours and reporting back if the screen turns black.

blasting

HeavyG said:

Howsabout laying yours out in the sun for a couple of hours and reporting back if the screen turns black.

No problem, i"ll get right on that for ya.

swordsmn

I am compelled to recommend you put a helmet on that, soldier... I.E shield that puppy from direct sun

blasting

swordsmn said:

I am compelled to recommend you put a helmet on that, soldier... I.E shield that puppy from direct sun

Thanks, and that's probably sound advice.  

I'm now using it on the North side, so it gets no direct sun.  I've mounted a 6 x 6 metal plate to the side of the house so the magnets have something to grab (I stick the Thermopen to it as well).  No rain can get to it now  - not that we ever get any.

egghead43

blasting said:

swordsmn said:

I am compelled to recommend you put a helmet on that, soldier... I.E shield that puppy from direct sun

Thanks, and that's probably sound advice.  

I'm now using it on the North side, so it gets no direct sun.  I've mounted a 6 x 6 metal plate to the side of the house so the magnets have something to grab (I stick the Thermopen to it as well).  No rain can get to it now  - not that we ever get any.

Sorry for the thread resurrection, but any thoughts on this model after having it since September?  I'm not sold on my Maverick ET-733 and was looking for something different.  The model that works with your phone looks cool, but I'm a little turned off by the 36 hour battery life and recharging.  The one thing I really did like about the ET-733 was the handheld receiver.  I'm not sure why they didn't do something like that.

blasting

@egghead43  I use it all the time. I've got it in an angus brisket for tonight, and it will go into the pork butts tomorrow which are brining now.  It obviously isn't a controller, and I've since added a Party q.  I use them both at the same time, and I like the combination.  The build quality and accuracy are terrific.  Let me know if you need and other info. 

Begger

GOOD,   The photo show REAL ThermoCouple connectors for type 'K'.   This ensures maximum accuracy.    Nice unit and priced 'fair'.

egghead43

blasting said:

@egghead43  I use it all the time. I've got it in an angus brisket for tonight, and it will go into the pork butts tomorrow which are brining now.  It obviously isn't a controller, and I've since added a Party q.  I use them both at the same time, and I like the combination.  The build quality and accuracy are terrific.  Let me know if you need and other info. 

That looks like it would be a great combo!  I looked up the Party Q and I really like the simplicity of it.  I started another thread for recommendations on a good alert thermometer to replace the ET-733.  The ThermaQ does look great.