BBQ thermometer, my new best friend
I was a little envious at previous BBQ competitions when I noticed that a couple of the BBQ teams were using Dual probe thermometers. I guess you could say it was gadget envy. This was especially the case in the last competition when I had forgotten my meat thermometer/timer at home. Up until this point I had only seen them at the store and wondered if they were actually useful or were they just for lazy folks.
I use a single probe meat thermometer and a separate gauge-style smoker thermometer which I have had for quite sometime… they have served me well over the years and give me all of the information that I need. Who could ask for more? While I was at Barbecues Galore picking up some hickory wood chunk I saw that dual probe thermometer staring me in the face. I couldn’t resist… after all, everyone else is using it… right? So I dropped the extra $50 ($49.95) and got myself a handy dandy dual probe Redi Chek BBQ thermometer and I couldn’t wait to use it.
There I was unpacking it and as my wife looked over shaking her head as I try to justify the purchase. Fortunately she likes BBQ and didn’t challenge my decision-making abilities… this time. One added bonus that I hadn’t noticed, or didn’t bother to notice, was that it was a remote thermometer. I have a remote thermometer, that I have never used, that I picked up at one of those end of season sales a while back. It was under ten bucks and I couldn’t say no. These things always seemed like a gimmick to me, kinda like the BBQ set that has that fork with an instant-read thermometer built into it. Remote thermometers have one more piece than your standard probe thermometer. Thats in my book one more piece that can get broken, lost, or just run out of battery juice. Well, what the heck, lets give it go anyways.
The learning curve was a little steep, but if it gave me both temperatures it would be worth it. After all, that what I really wanted. As I sit programming this thing i notice that it also lets me set an alarm for high and low temperatures for both probes. Sweet, so I go ahead and do that put my butts in the smoker and go. And there they were, the temperatures for both my smoker and my meat.
The beauty of the remote BBQ thermometer was made apparent once I went inside and started, surfing the web, watching TV, cleaning the kitchen, and just doing my thing. I could just take a look at my thermometer and have peace of mind that my temps are all good. It was amazing, just like magic. All of these year I have been going outside and checking my smoker and meat temps. Now I can do that from indoors. Yay! It’s just like using WiFi for the first time, you wonder how you ever lived without it.
Overall, I’m very pleased with my purchase except for steep learning curve required to use this thermometer. I have to make sure that I keep the instructions in a safe place. I wonder if other brands are easier to use? I love what it does, gives me smoker and meat temperatures from the comfort of my living room, just wish it was a little easier to use.
nice purchase. I am thinking of getting one of those as well. Dual readings on 1 unit is perfect, especially with the different alarm settings (even if it is a bitch to use). Makes that aspect of Qing just a bit easier.
After I started using it I can’t imagine BBQ’n without it.
Junkie,
Have used that model for over a year now. It works great. Also purchased a dual temp for meat so I can now insert three probes into meats and one for the smoker.
Luv mine except for the broken on-off switch which I use a paper clip to maneuver. Keeping track of the smoker temp and meat temp at the same time rocks.
Loved mine for the first 6-months that it worked. Then the on-off switch broke and I can’t get it to turn on. Sounds like this could be the weak link in this product. Well worth the $50 if it is working properly, and it wasn’t that complicated to work.
What a great idea! And then the Propane Fairy can deliver your propane tanks too!
I noticed you buy your wood at Barbecues Galore. i have found the beat place for all your wood, charcoal needs.
Its
California Charcoal & Firewood
1518 So. Eastern Ave.
Los Angeles, Ca 90022
(323) 780-6000
They carry all types of charcoal and wood. Since they sell to resturants, you cna buy in bulk too.
Greetings from Oregon! I enjoy your site very much. One thing I want to CAUTION all probe thermometer users is this:
Keep the probe away from high heat and flames! If the probe gets exposed to high heat or flames, it will damage the probe, rendering it useless.
The only probe thermometer I know of that will withstand 600 degree F temps is the Accu-Rite probe thermometer.
This is all based on my personal experience. If you’re doing competition cooking, you might even want to purchase one or two extra probes for back-up in the field.
Keep on Smokin!
Mr BBQ, KXL NewsRadio 750,Portland,OR.
The Redi-Check is worth every penny. Two years since I bought mine and wouldn’t know what to do without it. I can finally set it up without the instructions too!