Thermoworks Chefalarm

Hoops10

Been in the market for a new temp monitoring solution since my Maverick took a crap and will not let me program it anymore.  I've read some of the Chefalarm and the Smoke from Thermoworks.  I have never used either so I am coming here to get advice on which is more preferred.  Thank you for any and all input.

Griffin

Both work great as do every Thermowork product I've used but there are some differences. With the Chefalarm, you don't have a receiver, so you can't walk away from your Egg and still monitor it. The Chefalarm I mainly use in the kitchen as we have an open floor plan and I can hear it from the living room. So its fine for cooking in the oven or when I'm brewing beer on my stove. The Smoke only gets used on the Egg so I monitor what's going on when I'm inside.

They do have a new product called Signals and Billows that allows you to actually control the temperature of your Egg as well if you want to go down that route.

To me, for cooking on the Egg and comparing something to the Maverick, you are looking more towards the SMOKE and it is light years above the Maverick (which I owned ages and ages ago)

JethroBodeen

Never used the chef alarm. I have used Mavericks many years ago. I have used both the Dot and the Smoke from TW. The Smoke is quite a bit better than the Maverick IMO. The range on the Smoke is WAY better. The accuracy is also better.

Hoops10

Thanks for the input. I currently use a FB 400 to maintain temps on my Egg, although I've only used in a couple of times so still getting used to it myself. It seems like the Smoke is loaded with features, but it a lot more expensive than the Chefalarm.

JethroBodeen

Hoops10 said:

Thanks for the input. I currently use a FB 400 to maintain temps on my Egg, although I've only used in a couple of times so still getting used to it myself. It seems like the Smoke is loaded with features, but it a lot more expensive than the Chefalarm.

I'm sure the extra costs comes with the convenience of having a remote reading in the house while your cooking outside. If you want something really simple take a look at the Dot with bluetooth. Works great also inexpensive. One probe at a time though...

ColtsFan

I'm a big fan of my Smoke. I too upgraded from the Maverick

1voyager

I upgraded from Maverick to Smoke also. Smoke is an excellent product and far superior to Maverick, IMHO.

Hoops10

Does the Smoke ever go on sale? I've only ever seen it at the normal, retail price.  Thanks.

JethroBodeen

Hoops10 said:

Does the Smoke ever go on sale? I've only ever seen it at the normal, retail price.  Thanks.

Yes, it goes on sale from time to time. Be patient and get on their email list. They sent me an extra 10% coupon that is even good on sale items. I'll post up the sale as many others will, if I see it.

speed51133

i vote for fireboard https://www.fireboard.com/

Hoops10

Thanks, I am on the email list already. I got the email for the open box Chefalarm that is very tempting but I really want the Smoke.

BugFreak72

Haven't used the chef alarm or smoke but I picked up Signals recently and really like it. I was upgrading from an iGrill which worked fine but had no wifi that I need so it can reach from my bedroom to the smoker in overnight cooks. Signals offers 2 more probes and the ability to add billows down the road if you want to. Also smoke doesn't have wifi without the extra add-on while signals does. Definitely worth the extra cash imo.

I used the email coupon on top of a signals sale a few weeks ago which basically got me the signals and billows for the price of the signals so wait on the coupon for sure. Also don't forget the adapter plate for the egg when you order if you get billows.