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Thermapen worth it?

2

Comments

  • gdenby
    gdenby Posts: 6,239
    GATraveller said:
    gdenby said:
    HeavyG said:
     Just as good, better warranty, significantly cheaper.

    Dood, how can you say that!? They're maybe 1 second slower, and .2F less correct.

    Joking.
    One second is an eternity when you're holding your arm over a 650 degree grid. 
    Pretty much.

    I wonder how long either brand would hold up at that temp. That is well out of their operating range.
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  • Elijah
    Elijah Posts: 880
    Any instant read is better than none.

    It doesn't take many ruined cooks to justify the price.
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  • jtcBoynton
    jtcBoynton Posts: 2,814
    My Themapen costs to date are less than $0.03 per day.  Three cents additional cost to the $50+ for that steak on the grill is well worth it.
    Southeast Florida - LBGE
    In cooking, often we implement steps for which we have no explanations other than ‘that’s what everybody else does’ or ‘that’s what I have been told.’  Dare to think for yourself.
     
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  • SmokinTiger81
    SmokinTiger81 Posts: 746
    Love mine, and occasionally they have a 15% off sale.
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  • Fred19Flintstone
    Fred19Flintstone Posts: 8,174
    I was playing hide-&-seek with Wilma with mine.  She kept on swiping it so we bought another Thermapen.   Peace was restored in the Flintstone household.
    Flint, Michigan
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  • JohnnyTarheel
    JohnnyTarheel Posts: 6,629
    Yes it will make your cooks much more successful!! 
    Charlotte, NC - Large BGE 2014, Maverick ET 733, Thermopen, Nest, Platesetter, Woo2 and Extender w/Grid, Kick Ash Basket, Pizza Stone, SS Smokeware Cap, Blackstone 36"
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    Here's an interesting fact that no one else has brought up - the Thermapen is a battery juice miser! 15+ years and I'm still on my initial battery! 
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • flyerdoc
    flyerdoc Posts: 141
    Javelin Pro here, and the cost, accuracy build quality are all I need. The Thermopen may get a faster read by 1 or 2 seconds, but I am good with that. Hey, whatever floats your boat!
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  • MCRyan
    MCRyan Posts: 167
    Considering the cost of a BGE, it's a small percentage to pony up for complete accuracy.   Anyone who complains about the cost of it sounds like a guy complaining about the cost of tires on his Ferrari.  :|
    XLBGE, SS table
    McKinney, TX.
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    RRP said:
    Here's an interesting fact that no one else has brought up - the Thermapen is a battery juice miser! 15+ years and I'm still on my initial battery! 
    My oldest Thermapen is only 10 years old and while the battery was still fine I swapped it out last year just because I start worrying about leaking batteries when they get really old.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    MCRyan said:
    Considering the cost of a BGE, it's a small percentage to pony up for complete accuracy.   Anyone who complains about the cost of it sounds like a guy complaining about the cost of tires on his Ferrari.  :|
    If Thermapens were actually more accurate than some of the others now available on the market I'd be inclined to agree that cost may not be much of an issue.
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • Mickey
    Mickey Posts: 19,768
    I have two and YES VERY MUCH WORTH IT!
    Salado TX & 30A  FL: Egg Family: 3 Large and a very well used Mini, added a Mini Max when they came out (I'm good for now). Just given a Mini to add to the herd. 

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  • mvnole
    mvnole Posts: 54
    I am going to get one. I have the BGE dual remote and it is not accurate. The two prongs are always 9-15 degrees different, even sitting on the counter when I start it up.  Yesterday, one side was at 75 and the other 155.  Frustrating. 
    LBGE 
    FWB, FL
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  • CtTOPGUN
    CtTOPGUN Posts: 612
     I use a thermopop at my Dad's place. It is a nice piece for low cost. But the Thermopen I use is definately faster by a good margin.(limited edition burning lump graphic for fastest!) When I am reaching over a real hot fire that response seems worth it to me. On hot fast cooks the Thermopen is king of all the instant reads I have tried. If the cost is beyond what you are comfortable with, then the Thermopop is still a pretty good tool.

       Jim
    LBGE/Weber Kettle/Blackstone 36" Griddle/Turkey Fryer/Induction Burner/Royal Gourmet 24" Griddle/Cuisinart Twin Oaks/Pit Boss Tabletop pellet smoker/Instant Pot

     BBQ from the State of Connecticut!

       Jim
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  • Macho_comacho
    Macho_comacho Posts: 6
    So I went with the javelin pro. Maybe for Christmas I'll get the therma and run then side by side and see what we get. 
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    Macho_comacho said:
    So I went with the javelin pro. Maybe for Christmas I'll get the therma and run then side by side and see what we get. 
    I've got two Thermapens (both older models) and two Javelin Pro's. I've compared them. No signifcant differences. The Javelin has larger digits and is easier to read and I do like the hold temp feature of the Javelin Pro (don't know if the hold feature is available on newer Thermapens - my old ones don't have it).
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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  • kl8ton
    kl8ton Posts: 6,423
    I don't regret purchasing mine.  Don't let these guys lead you astray.  Red is the fastest and is more accurate.  It is also non GMO.
    Large, Medium, MiniMax, 36" Blackstone
    Grand Rapids MI
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
    wait... red is non gmo? wish i had known.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • 4Runner
    4Runner Posts: 2,948
    love mine. 
    Joe - I'm a reformed gasser-holic aka 4Runner Columbia, SC Wonderful BGE Resource Site: http://www.nakedwhiz.com/ceramicfaq.htm and http://www.nibblemethis.com/  and http://playingwithfireandsmoke.blogspot.com/2006/02/recipes.html
    What am I drinking now?   Woodford....neat
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  • bgebrent
    bgebrent Posts: 19,636
    Thermapen is a great and necessary tool.  Thermopop works very well too.
    Sandy Springs & Dawsonville Ga
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  • Dave in Florida
    Dave in Florida Posts: 1,157
    https://www.amazon.com/Lavatools-Javelin-Digital-Thermometer-Chipotle/dp/B00NMQGAT4    Works just as good as my Thermopen.
    ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

    Welcome to the Swamp.....GO GATORS!!!!
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    HeavyG said:
    RRP said:
    Here's an interesting fact that no one else has brought up - the Thermapen is a battery juice miser! 15+ years and I'm still on my initial battery! 
    My oldest Thermapen is only 10 years old and while the battery was still fine I swapped it out last year just because I start worrying about leaking batteries when they get really old.
    Good point. I just pulled that battery and gave it a thorough exam and it looks and performs just fine. I forgot that tiny canister style battery is 12 volt! Then I opened my newer waterproof one and found it has one of those small round coin style and it is only  a 3 volt! Then trouble struck...the battery cover would not stay closed! I then saw the tiny locking stems had broken off! PISSER!!!

    I am now sending an email to Thermoworks to see if they will just sell me a replacement battery cover - AT LEAST I HOPE! I mean losing a $90 Thermapen for a friggen .02 cent piece of plastic!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • StillH2OEgger
    StillH2OEgger Posts: 3,896
    If I knew of the Javelin Pro ahead of time it's very possible I would have opted for that instead, but I have absolutely no buyer's remorse because the thermapen is such a terrific product that justifies the premium cost for me. No regrets whatsoever.
    Stillwater, MN
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  • GrateEggspectations
    GrateEggspectations Posts: 11,613
    I was given the Thermopop a few years ago and love it! It's small and accurate. Cooking to internal temps will help your cooks exponentially.
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  • Toxarch
    Toxarch Posts: 1,900
    I love mine so much I bought a second one incase one goes missing. I've given thermopops to friends and they love them.
    Aledo, Texas
    Large BGE
    KJ Jr.

    Exodus 12:9 KJV
    Eat not of it raw, nor sodden at all with water, but roast with fire; his head with his legs, and with the purtenance thereof.

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  • Phatchris
    Phatchris Posts: 1,726
    edited August 2016
    I have a thermapen, thermapop and a superfast pocket from thermaworks... They all work great, but for $19 the pocket is tough to beat... Is the backlit thermapen faster? Yup .... Is it $100 faster? Depends what your cooking I guess...
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  • smokeyw
    smokeyw Posts: 367
    I now have three of them. Two at home and one in my BBQ tool box. Great investment and not just for BBQ either.
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  • RRP
    RRP Posts: 26,457
    RRP said:
    HeavyG said:
    RRP said:
    Here's an interesting fact that no one else has brought up - the Thermapen is a battery juice miser! 15+ years and I'm still on my initial battery! 
    My oldest Thermapen is only 10 years old and while the battery was still fine I swapped it out last year just because I start worrying about leaking batteries when they get really old.
    Good point. I just pulled that battery and gave it a thorough exam and it looks and performs just fine. I forgot that tiny canister style battery is 12 volt! Then I opened my newer waterproof one and found it has one of those small round coin style and it is only  a 3 volt! Then trouble struck...the battery cover would not stay closed! I then saw the tiny locking stems had broken off! PISSER!!!

    I am now sending an email to Thermoworks to see if they will just sell me a replacement battery cover - AT LEAST I HOPE! I mean losing a $90 Thermapen for a friggen .02 cent piece of plastic!
    I received a reply first thing this morning and they are sending me a new cover FREE today!!! GREAT service, I'd say!
    Re-gasketing the USA one yard at a time 
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  • tgs2401
    tgs2401 Posts: 424
    edited August 2016
    I bought the RT600C pocket thermometer for $19.00 from Thermoworks last year when they were on sale for $19.00. It takes 5 seconds instead of 3 and is small, lightweight and waterproof. All features I was looking for. 

    http://www.thermoworks.com/RT600C
    One large BGE in Louisville, KY.
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  • HeavyG
    HeavyG Posts: 10,380
    RRP said:
    HeavyG said:
    RRP said:
    Here's an interesting fact that no one else has brought up - the Thermapen is a battery juice miser! 15+ years and I'm still on my initial battery! 
    My oldest Thermapen is only 10 years old and while the battery was still fine I swapped it out last year just because I start worrying about leaking batteries when they get really old.
    Good point. I just pulled that battery and gave it a thorough exam and it looks and performs just fine. I forgot that tiny canister style battery is 12 volt! Then I opened my newer waterproof one and found it has one of those small round coin style and it is only  a 3 volt! Then trouble struck...the battery cover would not stay closed! I then saw the tiny locking stems had broken off! PISSER!!!

    I am now sending an email to Thermoworks to see if they will just sell me a replacement battery cover - AT LEAST I HOPE! I mean losing a $90 Thermapen for a friggen .02 cent piece of plastic!
    Yeah, I hate those oddball 12 volt batteries. When they came out with the Mk 4 I almost bought one cuz it uses "normal" batteries. However, I liked the Javelin Pro so much I doubt I'll ever buy a Mk 4.

    Glad to hear they are sending you a replacement cover!
    “Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.” ― Philip K. Diçk




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