I'm interested in getting a wireless thermometer for my Weber kettle. I've seen a couple recommendations on here for the thermopro TP20 but I'm also intrigued by the TP25 which is about the same price.
The extra probes and app functionality with my phone instead of a receiver seem handy but I'm unsure how well the Bluetooth actually works.
Has anyone tried it or tried both?
I don't know about Thermopro specifically, as I've never used them.
But I advise against the phone-based ones. At least when I smoke, I like to be able to have the receiver with me at all times. If I'm in the kitchen, put it on the fridge. Keep it in my pocket if I'm mowing, etc. Quick glance is all it takes.
Pulling out the phone is an added step. I understand there's alarms and all that, but I just like to know the pit temp and meat temp in a split second.
I am a huge fan of Thermoworks stuff, and have their Smoke X4, among other things. It's a lot more money than you're talking, though. But it can also control a fan (which is another added cost). I got my dad one for Christmas last year (Smoke X2) and it literally has a quarter mile range. He's been all over their property, inside buildings, and never has any range issues. I personally don't believe the marketing on the Thermopro site. I know Bluetooth 5.0 is a better protocol, but I've always had a better experience with actual RF stuff.
I use a cheap infrared thermometer for oil and liquids, it works great. Perfect for checking the Blackstone temperature too. They're a pretty cool tool for 20 bucks.Thermoworks for anything temp related. Their stuff is excellent. I have the Thermapen and the thing is easy to use, convenient, fast, and accurate. I even use it in the house to check oil temp if I'm going to deep fry something . I think it even gets an accurate reading if you just opened it up and took the ambient temp.
I have a signals and smoke.I love my TP20. I have had it for at least 3 years and it's been flawless. The range is perfect anywhere in my house.
I've toyed with getting the Thermoworks "smoke" for the advantage of being completely wireless and knowing what's going on with the smoker if I happen to need to leave the house for a time. However I've never been able to justify the cost vs that small benefit.
I would absolutely love to have 4 probes instead of 2 probes, though. Usually I'm smoking at least 2 different types of meat, so it would be nice to have at least one more meat probe plus one more that could either go in meat or be a pit monitor. I think at some point I'll upgrade to the TP25 as there are some "cook time estimate" algorithms in the app that would be interesting, if they actually work.
Highly recommend reading this first: https://honest-food.net/how-to-smoke-salmon-recipe/im going to smoke some salmon this weekend. very jacked up about it
Looking at getting a budget pellet smoker. Considering the Campchef DLX 24. Any experience/recommendations?