Chef IQ Smart Thermometer (Bluetooth & WIFI) Demo / Review

What's your go-to bbq thermometer?
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Get THIS one if you want a multi-probe setup:
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Today I'm here to add another installment to my Man Cave Meals #MCMReallyRightStuff collection. I have been fascinated by the wireless probes for a while but I have never forked out the money for one that has wifi control capabilities. I just couldn't make myself justify the price of what's out there until now.
Someone introduced me to the Chef IQ recently so I decided to buy one and give it a try. I paid $79 on Amazon for this thermometer (the link will be in the first comment on this post). I also spent another $50 to get an additional probe for it.
I have done several cooks with this after making this video. I have learned a good deal about this and I'm ready to give it my recommendation at this point. Here's what I like about this system:
1. It's wireless. That makes it more convenient in about any use configuration. Less hassle in cleaning, storage, and no trip hazards during the cook.
2. It's water resistant to the point where you can put it in the top rack of the dishwasher if you want, you can use it for sous vide applications, and according to the website, it's safe for use in deep frying as well.
3. Connectivity has been zero problems for me. You can connect to this via bluetooth or wifi/cloud. I haven't lost any connections during cooking.
4. You can use it as a leave-in thermometer on a rotisserie if you wish.
5. Everything is powered by rechargeable batteries that recharge via USB-C.
6. The charge life is excellent. My last cook before writing this review was an overnight pork butt. I ran a 15 hour cook without losing charge on the base. The probe life is actually longer than the base life on a full charge, so that should never be an issue.
7. For peace of mind on long cooks, you can connect a USB battery to the base for continuous power without having to worry about losing the charge.
8. The probes are super easy to clean. I clean these with the standard grocery store variety Clorox wipes before storing them back in the base.
9. PRICE. This is the kicker for me really. You can have the basic single probe unit for about $79, depending on sale prices. You can add up to two more probes for $50 each, making a $179 3-probe solution. In my world, that's quite acceptable for this type of solution.
Those are the bullet points of my approval for this device.
What do I NOT like about it?
If you are buying this as a single probe system, there is nothing to ever worry about in that setup. The base unit charges the single probe in the charging cradle. IF you have purchased extra probes (up to two additional,) they are stored in a silcone storage bay in the lid of the base. They do NOT get charged while riding in the base and they DO discharge when not in use. They need to be charged prior to use. My estimation is that they will discharge in 48 hours or less based on what I have seen so far. If you want to use multiple probes on a cooking session, you will need to rotate the probes into the charging slot prior to the cook. These probes APPEAR to charge fully in about 30-40 minutes from what I can tell. You will also want to plug the base into a USB charging cable during that process so you don't discharge the batter on the base prior to the cook.
The APP seems to be pretty decent. Setting it up and connecting to WIFI was easy enough... no problems there. The only catch in the app that I don't like is that you don't have the ability to create 'alerts' for the internal meat temperature. You get to create two targets if you wish. One is a finishing temp and the other is a temp at which you want to remove the meat from the grill. When you set these, they trigger the end of cook event when they are reached. I personally like to set temperature alerts for other reasons. On this pork butt, for instance, I like to know when the meat hits about 165 internally so I can go decide if it's ready to wrap or not. If i set that as a target in this app, it wants to end the cook when I get to that. If I want to keep cooking from that point, I can simply start a new cook, which is easy enough, but I won't have a single cook 'history' that I can go back and review and see the graphs if I want.
MY target use for these is in my pellet smokers. I will also be experimenting with them in sous vide and deep frying applications in the near future.
If you have any questions about this, leave me a comment and i'll do my best to answer them.... I give this the thumbs up so far!
#chefiq #mancavemeals

[@lokes2]

Bought a drum smoker yesterday and Chef IQ today. Look out world! Good review, keep up the good work. Love you bottle collection. +1

[@ManCaveMeals]

Thanks!

[@stevestudley5685]

I really appreciate what an excellent job you did on this video. You are a fluid speaker. Clear and concise. I just purchased this thermometer form Costco. It came with 2 probes for $99. I have not even opened it yet. I have some ribs in the oven right now. Thank you for taking the time to share your knowledge and insights.

[@ManCaveMeals]

The two probe version is a better deal for sure

[@gwilson87]

Hey, John! Great video as always. I got the 2 probe Chef IQ last month and so far I really like it. I actually went to the grocery store during a cook and it was cool to never lose connection. My only complaint so far is that after only a couple of cooks the numbers on the probes are almost gone. I can figure it out by just turning both on and holding one in my hand to get a temperature difference. One thing I haven't tried yet is using them on the JoeTisserie - kinda nervous that the probe will fall out during the cook, but I'll give it a try and see what happens.

[@rodvaughn9112]

Right now Costco has the 2 probe version for $100.00.

[@jhunt3r29]

Thank you! Your comment saved me 40 bux!

[@markc2182]

Just bought one too!

[@JRoss707]

Bought one today at Costco, a Christmas present for myself.

[@gotskillz135]

Gonna follow suit and get two probes at Costco

[@mjl4237]

Got one from Costco. Ambient temp seems off by 100deg. Trying to figure it out

[@k-12clothing23]

Just purchased using your link. First time using an affiliate link. Thanks.

[@tritontr21]

Just a very good review. Well done, man. Keep it up. You're made for this.

[@kstogie]

Definitely an appealing price point. Your link has a 2 probe version that appears to charge both probes simultaneously ($130.00 USD). And states they are safe up to 572°F including deep frying.

[@ManCaveMeals]

Sure enough.. i wish i had known that was an option before I bought this one... lol.

[@test1one16]

​Agreed. Just returned the One-probe version for the Two-probe version. Whenever you leave the other two probes in the storage slots, they are continuously draining and the battery dies after a few days. But with the two probe Hub, both probes they continuously charged and ready to go as soon as you're ready to cook without the annoying need to charge them up. (They should have an auto off feature.... especially for the folks that buy the One-probe Hub and two additional probes like I did)

[@mikelepori1007]

Costco 2 probes $99

[@smokingtarheel3003]

Great video John. That seems to be a nice alternative to to the Meater block.I would have never thought you would get 17 degrees of carry over cooking. Looking forward to seeing more cooks using this.

[@ManCaveMeals]

Thanks! There is a lot of 'science' to carryover cooking. It varies from item to item and from cooking temp to cooking temp.

[@richsam287]

Great info man, best in depth review on the product yet.

[@crazymonkey9611]

Always really enjoy your videos. So well thought out and easy to understand. U r so good u could make a video on a Kleenex box entertaining. Keep up the good work!

[@joebuckner4854]

Got mine at Costco for $99 - $20 Instant Manufacturer Rebate with 2 probes and base/charger with 2 probe capacity. Cheers!

[@goostador]

Love seeing your videos. I'm looking for the Chef IQ reviews and you came up. I started smoking and grilling because of you and your recommendation of the Akorn smoker. Good to see you're making videos! 👍

[@Boater]

Really appreciate the discussion and writeup detail. Curious about how well the base unit works in heat. With my units, I have to keep them out of the sun, and this summer we've had several days that had air temps above their safe operating range (!). Looking forward to getting more info on this.

[@ManCaveMeals]

I never leave stuff like this in direct sunlight. If its not in the shade, I toss a towel over it. I do the same thing with my fireboard because that kind of heat plays havoc with LCDs.

[@BJCulp]

Great video with exact information I’m looking for. Thank you!

[@JRoss707]

I do wish they would upgrade their app so you can adjust your cook temp within a preprogrammed setting. For example, when you go to whole roasted chicken, on the MEATER you can adjust the cook temp from its default 160° to 155°, etc.. on the Chef IQ that’s not an option. Just purchased the two probe unit from Costco yesterday. I’m looking forward to using it.

[@ManCaveMeals]

Agreed. The app is not as nice as the meater app but the price is much better

[@bbqcraft]

Thank you for the video. Im buying it now.

[@themeatstall9001]

Great Video brother. It really helped me

[@mopetersen6696]

Great review. Have you tried the Thermopro meat spike yet? Curious on that one too....

[@ManCaveMeals]

I have a Thermopro TempSpike. I did a video review on it here on my channel. I am no longer gonna review or advocate bluetooth thermometers. The connectivity is not reliable enough for me to recommend it. While it make work for me in my environment, it may not work for someone else in theirs.

[@mopetersen6696]

Yeah, that makes sense. Thanx for the reply!!!@@ManCaveMeals

[@crushingbelial]

​@@ManCaveMeals solid point John - I gave away my meater probe because it just plain would not communicate through the stainless steel in my KBQ-c60. Drove me nuts

[@MyCHEFiQ]

Thanks John!

[@billcallanan6913]

Thanks very much. Good stuff!

[@hyz007]

Great review. Curious what chicken holder you are using? Thanks!

[@ManCaveMeals]

It's called a turbo trusser.. they are in amazon

[@ddff5242]

It does keep the probe charged even if the unit is off. At least mine does

[@test1one16]

I bought the One-probe version and 2 additional probes. But the two probes that weren't plugged into the hub directly, would slowly drain and die every week. So I returned it and bought the Two-probe Hub....I don't have 3 probes now (which sucks), but at least the two I do have are ready to go right way at all times. Was too much of a pain in the ass to have the One-hub version and have to charge the other probes manually for 10 minutes each....I spend good money on these damn things. I just want to open them up and start cooking....I got got too much shit in life to do everyday....adding another stupid poorly designed step was not jiving with me.

[@davidhelland3054]

The only thing that bothers me is not cooking the chicken to 165. Other than that great video.

[@ManCaveMeals]

There is a lot of great information out there about pasteurization of chicken at lower terms and the time associated with it. But, none the less, you should always cook to your own preferences.

[@dawsonmobley]

My wife just gave me a 2 probe set for our anniversary. Looking forward to using them but one thing i cant imagine how they overcame. Lithium ion batteries dont like heat (as in 120F will kill them quickly), so what magic have they performed that prevents the battery (lithium ion according to the chefiq website) inside the probe from getting too hot while sitting in a 300 to 400 degree oven?

[@ManCaveMeals]

I dunno but it works whatever it is.

[@93EagleFan]

Hey John, great video. I'm curious, how close did the ambient temp on the probe jive with what your grill was actually running? My meater+ can be off a good bit at times which is frustrating.

[@ManCaveMeals]

My grill was running at 205 to 210 during the entire cook. It wasn't very close until after about 8 hours into the cook on the Kamado. On my pellet grill cooks it stayed really close.the while time

[@dawsonmobley]

I'm aggravated! Where is the "smart bar" where I can set the the target temp without using all the smart features? Most of the time I just need to monitor the temp and get an alert when it reaches the temp I want and I can't seem to find a way to do that in the app? chefiq's faq says I can do that by hitting the "smart bar" but I can't find those words in the app anywhere and they don't show what or where the smart bar is?

[@ManCaveMeals]

I don't remember at this point. I am no longer using this device.

[@jcgreader]

@@ManCaveMeals So what device are you now using?

[@ManCaveMeals]

@@jcgreader I am using the Meater Block when I want to use a wireless probe.

[@dylandefronzo916]

Awesome review. You have PERFECT teeth btw. Congrats on those

[@camblinmartin3226]

More cooking videos please John 😬

[@ManCaveMeals]

I appreciate the request but I think I am mostly retired from making cooking videos. No one is watching them so I am gonna stick with photo cooking essays on my facebook page (Man Cave Meals). There are scarce few people who have the attention span to watch a video any more. Even fewer take a moment to leave a comment :)

[@jdannug517]

would it have told you to take it off more accurately if you had used one of the presets rather than the quickset/custom setting you used?

[@ManCaveMeals]

I don't think so. I just don't think this thick of a layer of technology is the right tool for cooking steaks and other things that cook that quickly.

[@tombob5553]

How far away can u use it and still contact to phone. Bluetooth

[@ManCaveMeals]

Bluetooth specs are gonna be different depending on your environment. Realistically, I would say 50-100 feet depending on what is between you and the device. Your mileage may vary. If there is nothing between you and the device, you might get 300 feet. If there is a lot of stuff between you and the device, you might get 25 feet. This is why I don't mess with bluetooth thermometers. The reliability is a problem.

[@jamesm.8392]

Warranty ??? Sensor Batteries - Built-In (non replaceable) Or Replaceable ??? If Built-In when the battery dies the sensor is Done.

[@nebraskaryan9308]

What is your go to digital thermometer? If you used the second probe how would you utilize it?

[@ManCaveMeals]

I am making this one my go-to for a while as I continue to evaluate it. I'm quite impressed with it so far.

[@gotskillz135]

What seasoning did you use for the chicken

[@ManCaveMeals]

It was a a trial run for me of Kingsford's lemon pepper blend

[@cavyboy99]

How far away can you go and keep connection to the probes. It says on the description its unlimited. And how many hrs will they last on a full charge.

[@ManCaveMeals]

Its unlimited distance with wifi. I dont know battery life because i have never depleted it on a single cook. I have run it 15 hours several times with no issues

[@cavyboy99]

It's pretty accurate and worth buying though?

[@ManCaveMeals]

@@cavyboy99 I haven't had any issues with accuracy at all. In terms of wifi wireless thermometers, THIS one is the best bargain out there as far as I know. I would, however, buy the dual probe version if I was buying it again.

[@BrianMiller1973]

Was that an air chilled chicken from Publix? I haven’t seen those at my Publix in months. Wondering if they are not an option anymore.

[@ManCaveMeals]

No.. this one didn't come from Publix. I will check my Publix next time I'm in there and see if they have any of those... The air chilled one was a greenwise brand but NOT the organic version.

[@rogerboyer6323]

I have the meater + and the tempspike. I'm trying to remember if you reviewed the tempspike. Both are very similar but the tempspike seemed more reliable from a connectivity standpoint.

[@ManCaveMeals]

@@rogerboyer6323 I have both of those and I found that the TempSpike seemed to have a better range than the Meater+. I published a video review of the TempSpike here as well. For the money, I'd have this Chef IQ over both of those because of the wifi.

[@jrubin4239]

I just bought one and am cooking chicken breast on the ninja grill. What temp would you remove to allow for carryover?

[@ManCaveMeals]

@@jrubin4239 10 to 15 degrees shy of your target

[@gotskillz135]

Thanks for sharing new subscriber here

[@bradlyballock3052]

How far can you get? Will it work if you leave the house?

[@ManCaveMeals]

Unlimited range with wifi

[@susancutler3478]

Thank you for sharing your experience. Please get rid of all the alcohol bottles. It really detracts from your presentation.

[@ManCaveMeals]

Lol

[@housebuilder5314]

Well, that's obviously the man's bar, in his home. Eyes rolling at you.

[@zemry]

I love the bar…….nice touch!