Smoking Meat Questions and Discussion
- Thread starter Statefan515ISU
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Smoked a turkey breast and fried a full turkey. While watching the fried one I had a can of cold coffee I was drinking. Halfway through the coffee was slushy. It was cold out there.
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?
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.
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 just picked up the TP20 and it works great. I agree with @NickTheGreat on the phone/app setup. I don't find it particularly useful especially since my smoker requires manual adjustments.
I'm the same way. I've owned quite a few thermometers over the years. Always went for the bargain, because Thermoworks seemed so much more expensive. I finally just did the sensible thing and spent the money. If I'd have just done that from the get go, I would have actually saved. I almost spent more on bargain therms as I would have to just buy the Smoke right off the bat. And eventually would have spent more if I wouldn't have bit the bullet.
I never have owned a Thermopro either, but have tried just about everything else and they all seem to fail one way or another in about a year or two. I think I'm on 4 or 5 years now with the original Smoke Alarm and I haven't even had to change the batteries in it.
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 this this thermometer (but mine says Veken and I got it from Amazon) and I have been very happy with it.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BBQ-Dra...ERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-315294064-_-N&
https://www.homedepot.com/p/BBQ-Dra...ERCH=REC-_-searchViewed-_-NA-_-315294064-_-N&
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.
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.
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.
Just scored $6.99/lb prime rib roast from Aldi's. Limit was one, but kept my receipt and the 8.5 lb one under one arm to get another 8.5 lb one. Needless to say but they sold out in less than 10 minutes. Will cut one into steaks and smoke the other one for Christmas. There was line 15 deep to get into the store when it opened.
I have a signals and smoke.
I've had probe temp issues with the smoke. Just replaced all of them, so I'm hoping it was maybe just a bad batch when manufactured. They all initially worked fine.
I do like Thermoworks products.
Highly recommend reading this first: https://honest-food.net/how-to-smoke-salmon-recipe/
Did some apps today on the smoker. Smoked stuffed mushrooms with cream cheese and graziano sausage. Spicy smoked shrimp. Smoked cheese stuffed bacon wrapped graziano meatballs.
Thats a pretty small surface area depending on what you want to do. I’ve got the one below and I sometimes wish I would have bought the biggest one. I’ve had good luck with it. The thermal blanket has been awesome the couple times I’ve used it this winter. GMG also has a decent grill in that price range.
