Wireless food probes are some the best fryer to monitor meat and other items while cooking. You don’t have to dodge cords when you’re flipping a steak or trying to sear a brisket. They are made by several companies owned by Traeger Meater is an example, but existing products rely only on Bluetooth and have ambient temperature sensors that may not be the most accurate. ThermoWorks is famous for its company Thermapen instant read thermometersthere is officially announced takes the wireless meat probe: RFX Meat.
Like ThermoWorks’ more robust grill and smoker temperature monitors, the RFX Meat uses radio technology to transmit data rather than Bluetooth. The company explains that its “patented sub-GHz RFX wireless technology” provides a more reliable connection with a direct line of sight of up to 2,132 feet. When placed inside a grill or smoker, the ThermoWorks promises a range of 659 feet. Similar to the competition, the RFX Meat has four built-in sensors that provide accurate measurements of food temperatures between 14 and 212 degrees Fahrenheit with an accuracy of 0.9 degrees. This probe is also IP69K rated so it is safe to use for deep frying and sous vide. Plus, it can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, making it great for high-heat frying and dishwasher safe when you’re done.
Since RFX Meat uses radio frequency, not Bluetooth, you need an RFX Gateway receiver to use it. This small device sends cooking data to the ThermoWorks Cloud when connected to WiFi, or can be used offline with your phone via Bluetooth. Either way, you get timely updates on your phone to track meat and other foods. When the RFX Gateway is connected to WiFi, you can monitor what’s on the grill or smoker from anywhere. The RFX Gateway is capable of handling up to 70 RFX Meat probe readings simultaneously.
Most of these wireless probes come with a charging unit that doubles as a Bluetooth transmitter. The RFX Meat houses one of these (minus the Bluetooth), and ThermoWorks says you can get over 50 hours of use on a 10-minute charge. The dock uses a single AAA battery that lasts for more than 175 full charges, according to the company.
One thing the RFX Meat doesn’t have is an internal ambient temperature sensor. Meat productsfor example, wireless probes have one located at the far end. However, ThermoWorks claims that this component does not provide accurate readings. According to the company, the internal ambient temperature sensor cannot accurately keep the marks on the grill because it is initially close to the cold meat or in the evaporating cooling zone around the food. So ThermoWorks developed a solution that uses a wired Pro-Series Air Probe from their other products that connects to the RFX Gateway. Since this probe only monitors grill or smoker temperatures and can be placed out of the way, it’s not that important that it’s wireless.
The RFX Meat starter kit is available for pre-order today 159 dollars. This price includes the RFX Meat probe, RFX Gateway and Pro-Series Air Probe. Same package as the four RFX Meat probes 349 dollars and are individual probes 89 dollars. You can also purchase RFX Gateway 79 dollars, comes with a Pro-Series Air Probe. ThermoWorks said it will begin shipping the grills on September 10.
