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Buying Guide: Smart Meat Thermometer
Long gone are the days when technology was only reserved for a select few. Today’s kitchens are becoming smarter and more efficient with each passing day, and the latest kitchen gadget that has enraptured every chef — newbie and expert alike — is the smart meat thermometer.This device comes with a probe that’s connected to a transmitter — simply stick this probe into the meat sitting in your sizzling grill or steaming pot and it will transmit the meat’s temperature to your smartphone via a companion app.While that sounds effortless, buying a smart meat thermometer isn’t exactly easy. With so many options available, you may get a little overwhelmed when it comes to navigating this market. Join us as we take you through our favorite smart meat thermometers of 2023 and give you a complete 101 to these marvelous devices.
MEATER Smart Meat Thermometer
Best Overall
KIZEN Smart Meat Thermometer
Best Screen
CHEF iQ Smart Meat Thermometer
Most Advanced
ThermoPro Smart Meat Thermometer
Long-Range Pick
Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer
Most User-Friendly
Govee Smart Meat Thermometer
Best App
NutriChef Smart Meat Thermometer
Budget Pick
What Are the Different Types of Smart Meat Thermometers?
Wireless smart meat thermometers
As the name suggests, wireless smart meat thermometers are completely wireless devices. The apparatus you get in the package acts as both the probe and the transmitter, and its readings are sent directly to your phone via a companion app. Some wireless smart meat thermometers require their charging docks to be placed nearby for an amplified signal.Wired smart meat thermometers
We’ve also got wired grill thermometers to consider. With these, the probe is connected via cables to a transmitting device. The probe then detects temperatures and sends them to the transmitter, where you can view the readings. You can also connect this transmitter to your phone through an app.Are Digital Meat Thermometers Worth It?
Perfect doneness every time
If you’re always struggling to get that perfect level of doneness when on the grill, a smart meat thermometer can be the solution to your problems. By keeping track of the ambient temperature of the grill and the internal temperature of the meat, these devices can help you set ideal heat levels and inform you when to flip your steak (or whatever it is you’re grilling up) for those exquisite sears.Versatility
A smart meat thermometer will also ensure that you don’t have to keep watch in front of the grill or interrupt your routine to check the meat cooking inside. This means you’ll have more time on your hands, which you can utilize to cook side dishes, hang out with the guests, or simply put your feet up and watch some TV — the choices are limitless.What Should I Look for in a Smart Meat Thermometer?
Range
First thing’s first, you need to think about the Bluetooth range your new smart meat thermometer offers, as this will directly impact your freedom of movement when using the device. Generally speaking, you can expect a better range from your smart meat thermometer when you go for a wired option. You can also expect a superior range when cooking outdoors due to the absence of walls and minimal obstructions. This range will be mentioned in the product description, and you can go through some customer reviews to verify whether the stated range is accurate.App
From temperature readings to guidance while cooking, there’s a lot your new smart meat thermometer’s app can offer. Make sure to think about these features before finalizing your purchase. You should also consider how user-friendly its app is — anything with a cluttered interface or complicated setup process should be a big no. Once again, the product page’s customer review section can be extremely helpful in assessing how easy a smart thermometer’s companion app is to use.Additional Buying Tips
Probes
Some smart meat thermometers give you the option to connect more than one probe to their transmitters or app. You can opt for such devices if you’d like to get a reading on different dishes simultaneously.Maintenance
From gravy to spices to oils, there’s a lot you’ll be exposing your smart meat thermometer to. Make sure that the one you purchase is easy to clean, and keep an eye out for dishwasher-safe models for added convenience.MEATER Smart Meat Thermometer
Best Overall
This smart meat thermometer from MEATER boasts a completely wireless design, with the device acting as both a probe and a transmitter. Its transmission range can be boosted to 165 feet by keeping the charging box within 10 feet of this smart meat thermometer, and it comes equipped with dual sensors to simultaneously monitor the ambient temperatures of the meat and your grill. Along with helping you monitor time and temperature inside the grill, this smart meat thermometer’s companion app also comes with a Guided Cook System. This helps you cook meat in real-time based on readings from the probe, and the app also has an Advanced Estimator Algorithm that can calculate the remaining cooking time with a high degree of accuracy. This companion app is definitely the star of the show, and it helps set this smart meat thermometer apart from the others on our list.
Pros
- Easily to clean — dishwasher-safe
- Compatible with Alexa
- Impressive, user-friendly app
- Easy to recharge
Cons
- Transmitter box isn’t weatherproof
KIZEN Smart Meat Thermometer
Best Screen
The KIZEN Smart Meat Thermometer is an ideal product for any kitchen, outdoor cooking, and grilling. It is ultra-fast with an instant-read thermometer that takes the temperature of food in as little as 2-3 seconds with a wide range of -58°F-572°F. Cooking has never been easier. Plus, it is waterproof with an IP67-rated waterproof housing that can be cleaned under running water for easy cleaning and sanitation.The convenience and clarity of this digital thermometer make it a great choice for anyone wanting to keep tabs on the temperatures of their food. The large bright LCD screen with a contrasted blue backlight makes it easy to quickly and clearly see the temperature without confusion. The 240-degree rotating probe makes it useable even in awkward angles, and the built-in bottle opener doubles as a hang hole so you can crack open a cold one while you BBQ.
Pros
- Ultra-fast temperature reading
- Easy to clean
- Wide temperature range
Cons
- Not the best design
CHEF iQ Smart Meat Thermometer
Most Advanced
For any chef or cooking enthusiast who wants to achieve perfect results every time, the Chef iQ Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer is the perfect tool. This thermometer allows you to take full control of your cooking, providing accurate results that ensure maximum flavor and satisfaction. This digital thermometer has an ultra-thin stay-in-meat design which keeps the delicious juices inside where they belong, and sensors that are accurate to 1 degree Fahrenheit for precise cooking. Not only will you get perfect results every time, but its unlimited Wi-Fi connectivity range allows you to keep an eye on your cooking from anywhere in the house, be it preparing other food or simply socializing with guests. This meat thermometer comes with an app which offers a variety of guided cooking recipes, an interactive cooking guide and real-time cooking notifications. These features bring a restaurant-quality experience right into your home.
Pros
- Advanced internal sensors
- Sends alerts when your food is done
- Provides accurate results
Cons
- Some people don’t like the audio alerts
ThermoPro Smart Meat Thermometer
Long-Range Pick
With an incredible Bluetooth range of 650 feet, the ThermoPro Smart Meat Thermometer brings a new meaning to long-distance cooking. This range is all thanks to the Bluetooth 5.0 technology that powers this beast, offering you increased convenience while making dinner. This smart meat thermometer features a wired design with dual probes connected to a transmitter. The probes can monitor the temperatures of your grill and meat with an accuracy of 1.8°F for more reliable meal preparation, and the transmitter comes equipped with a backlit screen for easy readability. The battery life of this smart meat thermometer is also amazing, with a single 3-hour charge offering around eight months of use before it will need to be recharged.
Pros
- Amazing battery life
- App helps estimate remaining cooking time
- Probes are extremely accurate
Cons
- Transmitter isn’t that sturdy
Yummly Smart Meat Thermometer
Most User-Friendly
Similar to our top pick, this smart meat thermometer also features a truly wireless design. The probe, which also acts as a transmitter, has a Bluetooth range of 150 feet that you can take advantage of with its companion app, and the rubberized end of this smart meat thermometer insulates its grip and offers easier handling. As far as charging goes, all you need to do is pop this smart meat thermometer into the charging dock that it comes with. On a single charge, this dock can give you up to 25 hours of use, and it also boasts a magnetic backing that lets you fix it onto your refrigerator or oven for easy storage. This smart meat thermometer also comes with several preset cooking programs, offering an all-around more convenient grilling experience.
Pros
- Easy to clean
- Rubberized backing helps avoid burns while handling
- Includes meat, fish, and poultry preset programs
Cons
- Readings can sometimes be inaccurate
Govee Smart Meat Thermometer
Best App
Next up, we’ve got the Govee Smart Meat Thermometer. You can get it in 2-probe and 6-probe designs, but regardless of the option you go for, you’ll receive a digital meat thermometer that can read the temperatures of your grill and the meat inside with an impressive accuracy of 1.8°F. This smart meat thermometer’s readings can be viewed on its app or the transmitter device that the probes connect to. This device has a backlit screen for easy readability during late-night BBQ sessions, and its app comes with some handy cooking presets as well. These settings suggest the ideal temperatures for various types of meats and doneness levels, offering you high-quality, tasty results that are easier to achieve thanks to this smart meat thermometer.
Pros
- Backlit transmitter is easy to read
- Probes detect temperatures within 1.8°F of accuracy
- User-friendly app experience
- Amazing price point
Cons
- Transmitter alarm is a bit loud
NutriChef Smart Meat Thermometer
Budget Pick
Closing the curtains on our list is the NutriChef Smart Meat Thermometer. While its price tag may give off a budget vibe, this smart meat thermometer is nothing short of a beast when it comes to performance. Both the probe and transmitting device can withstand super-hot temperatures, making this option ideal for outdoor grilling. Speaking of the outdoors, this smart meat thermometer’s outdoor Bluetooth range is a whopping 328 feet, a full 228 feet more than its 100-foot indoor range! You can connect both of its probes to the app to get simultaneous readings for different meats, and the app will also alert you when it’s time to flip the meat and when it’s done cooking.
Pros
- Extremely easy to use
- Great for outdoor grilling
- High-quality results for a low price
Cons
- Not safe for dishwashers
People Also Asked
How do I choose a smart meat thermometer?
When in the market for a new smart meat thermometer, make sure you go for something large enough to accommodate the types of meat cuts you’ll be using it for. You should also think about the Bluetooth range the device offers and how easy it is to clean.
Are smart meat thermometers worth it?
A smart meat thermometer can ensure that you never overcook or undercook your meals. It’ll also offer you the convenience of not having to stand in front of the grill or stove all the time, letting you take care of other tasks while cooking.
How do wireless meat thermometers work?
Wireless smart meat thermometers consist of a probe and transmitter. When you insert the probe into the meat it detects its temperature, and these readings are then transmitted to your phone via an app.
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