temp probes

JohnfromKentucky

So I found some that I am debating on getting, but don't know if one is better than the other. 

https://www.amazon.com/ThermoPro-TP930-Thermopro-Grill-Thermometer-dp-B094N6DZLC/dp/B094N6DZLC/ref=dp_ob_title_kitchen

THermopro TP930 - I like how it it has an app for the phone so if it's raining, I don't have to go outside.

Then this one got rated high by that Nibble me this site: 
https://www.thermoworks.com/square-dot/?tw=NIBBLEMETHIS

Thermoworks Square Dot
Doesn't seem to have the app for the phone.

Both are roughly the same price, so it's a matter of if anyone here has used one or the other.

Botch

I had a different style Thermopro that didn't last a year.  My Thermoworks Thermapen has been going 8 years or so now, most folks here will recommend their stuff.

JohnInCarolina

Having had several wired probes over the years and recently picked up a Meater, I’ve been impressed so far.  It’s a handy little probe that gives you both protein and ambient temps, wirelessly.  It seems to be quite accurate too.

WeberWho

Have you purchased an instant read thermometer at all? I'd start there before buying multiple probes. 

To answer your specific question above I'd buy the Thermoworks probes. Just for the quality of the product. A great company with a great product. I can't talk bad about the other product as I'm not familiar with them. Bluetooth only works so well and goes so far. WiFi is the winner if you want something remote. 

danhoo

I have and highly recommend a thermoworks smoke. They go on sale often for 20 percent off. 

MasterC

I second the meater. And yes you can stay inside when it rains 

JohnfromKentucky

WeberWho said:

Have you purchased an instant read thermometer at all? I'd start there before buying multiple probes. 

yup!

danhoo

I bought a meater plus to use for rotisserie. It is kind of cool, yet  I prefer my TW Smoke.

UncleKeith

I have an older version of this Maverick https://www.maverickthermometers.com/product/xr-30-remote-thermometer-with-insta-sync-technology-copy/

It doesn’t have phone connectivity but the receiver works quite well and I can bring it in to the house and get readings.

Or, you can just cut bait and get a SMOBOT and get your next layer of gadgetry out of the way

https://smobot.com/

I have had one for about three years and it is a fantastic tool.

JohnfromKentucky

UncleKeith said:

I have an older version of this Maverick https://www.maverickthermometers.com/product/xr-30-remote-thermometer-with-insta-sync-technology-copy/

It doesn’t have phone connectivity but the receiver works quite well and I can bring it in to the house and get readings.

Or, you can just cut bait and get a SMOBOT and get your next layer of gadgetry out of the way

https://smobot.com/

I have had one for about three years and it is a fantastic tool.

That will have to come later. Thanks for the link, I have saved it

JohnfromKentucky

What's the difference between the flameboss and that SMOBOT? 

UncleKeith

The SMOBOT attaches to the top vent on the cooker and uses the natural air flow through it to regulate the temp vs most other controllers that force feed the fire.

From a fire science training perspective I like that better. I’ve never used one of the blower type but I’m thinking that if you stoke the fire it may cause greater temperature fluctuations. But, that is speculation on my part. They sell a bunch of the blower types and have rabid followers.

Plus, the guys that designed the SMOBOT are science/engineering geeks.

jtcBoynton

ThermoWorks is the gold standard. All their products are quality. Others brands try to match, some come closer than others. 

danhoo

I have a Themoworks Billows driven by a smoke X4 and it is perfect IMO for long, low temp cooks.

There is no temp fluctuation. It holds the temp rock solid when setup correctly.
I've done overnight in the rain at 225 grate ( about 240 dome ) and temps were solid and stable all night long.

The only "flaw" is the free-flow amount of inbound air is too much for temps below 275F.   TW solved this with an adjustable damper that limits the free-flow intake air through the fan.

The billows has been criticized on this forum as being too powerful of a fan for an egg, yet I don't agree. The smoke X4 cycles, or pulses the fan as it gets close to target temp and it does not overshoot temps.

My normal use of the billows now is to get the temp stable before I even connect the fan, then the fan is just there as my overnight insurance so I get good sleep.

WeberWho

JohnfromKentucky said:

What's the difference between the flameboss and that SMOBOT? 

Like Uncle Keith mentions above, the Flameboss is fan driven. The fan will sit and do little puffs when the temperature wants to drop. It will stay locked in at the temperature you set. The Flameboss also comes with food probes. I really like the SMOBOT but you're limited to what you use it on. The fan controllers come in handy if you have other smokers you can use them with. 

6baluts

@JohnfromKentucky,
- I went through this thermometer nut roll not to long ago. I have multiple PIDS (BBQ Guru, Flameboss, Fireboard and Smobot) which can be used for what you need, however the price is a buzz kill and me personally I do not want to use one of those on a grill/cooker not readily designed for a temp controller without some modification.
- The grills I was looking for a thermometer for were specifically my Hastybake Gourmet and PKO not so much any of my gassers but you could include them.
- After a bit of head banging I settled on the Tappecue Touch. You can design your own system or buy a prepackaged setup.
- I went with Tappecue because of the probe options offered. They have normal probes which you can use for meat temp or chamber temp. They also offer dual probes which is actually a single probe that measures both meat temp and chamber temp. Additionally they offer a wireless probe (Air Probe 2) which measures both meat and chamber temp much like the Meater mentioned above. Tappecue touch is the only thermometer at present time that can do wireless probes.
- Tappecue can utilize bluetooth or internet. App is pretty intuitive.
- Now your wondering why would I want this. Like I mentioned above I have multiple PID controllers so that was not a driver in my decision. However for you at a later date if you wanted to have/get a PID controller all you would need to do is add the Tappecue Cruise Control option and a fan and your set. The Tappecue Touch is capable of operating 4 fans if that is a desire.
- The Tappecue Touch can read 8 probes at once with jumpers.
- Concerning accuracy pretty darn accurate across the board with each type of probe. Overall very happy with the purchase. I know I signed up for their "Tappecue News" or some such thing and that gave me 15% off which helped nudge me in their direction.
- BTW made in the USA.

6B