Thermoworks goes Wireless

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Actually, the TW RFX is less expensive than the Combustion Inc unit and comparable to the Meater 2+ when you consider the extended range.

I, too, liked the specs…enough to have just ordered a 2-probe set (Starter Kit + 1 additional probe). We’ll see how it all turns out after a head-to-head test against the Meater 2+. I don’t have the CI units any longer, so can’t do that comparison.

Among the specs I liked was the 1000F ambient temp capability and fully waterproof probes (dishwasher and Sous Vide safe). The probe dimensions are similar to the other units out there; I was hoping for a thinner probe, but I think there is a limit to how small they can go and still get the sensors inside. Four internal sensors plus an ambient sensor in the head are similar to the Meater 2+.

EDIT: I misspoke regarding the ambient temp sensor; it is not inside the head of the probe. Instead, the Wireless Gateway transmitter/receiver has a port for the wired TW Pro Series ambient temperature sensor. Actually, I kind of like that concept as it allows the user to select where the ambient sensor will be placed in the cooking chamber. While an ambient sensor is provided with the unit, I have 2-3 of them available from my other TW units.

And, I like the fact that they are a TW product. I have had excellent results from their other products.
 
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Yeah, I'm seriously thinking about pulling the trigger on this, but I also must admit that I just purchased a Milwaukee battery-powered circular saw and accessories for what my wife pointed out was an impending and overdue project where I need to make two cuts to one piece of wood. I believe I am on some sort of watchlist now.
 
I believe I am on some sort of watchlist now.
This is why I maintain a small personal checking account and PayPal account. I must admit that my wife is very good about not restricting my purchases, and I reciprocate. We also have an agreement that purchases over $500 require advance notification (but not, necessarily, formal approval) of the other party. :rolleyes:
 
In doing some research, I was pleased to find that the RFX Gateway and probe can be added to the existing TW app; no additional app required. The selection panels have already been added to the app.

So, the same app that works for my Signals and Blue Dot units also works with the RFX. That make life a little simpler.
 
So, the same app that works for my Signals and Blue Dot units also works with the RFX. That make life a little simpler.
That is excellent and sounds like TW, has figured out something most businesses miss.
 
Just got an e-mail from TW saying my order is “back-ordered” and is expected to ship in September. I knew when I placed the order that it was a “pre-order,” so the notification was not unexpected. Just thought I’d let folks interested in this unit know that it won’t ship for a couple of months.
 
Thanks for the update, although like you, I figured it wouldn't be around before Labor Day. At this point, much like Combustion, I may just let you early adopters let us know how it goes. At the end of the day, I really am not bothered often with cables. This would be a "novelty" purchase and I have plenty of other things I can spend money on between now and Q4. FYI, I am officially tapped out in knife block storage and under cabinet gadget storage, so maybe I just need to focus on another freezer (or maybe meat slicer or sous vide setup!). Thanks as always for everyone's contributions to the addiction.
 
I just bought another freezer last week; a Frigidaire 13 cu ft upright. Ran out of room in the chest freezer.
 
If you watch YouTube, the account The Barbecue Lab has posted a ‘review’ of the new TW wireless probe. One issue I took with the ‘review’ is that, according to TBL, competing wireless probes are inaccurate with the ambient temps they record. So the TW probe has a port in the bridge device that lets one plug in a tailed probe to get an ‘accurate’ ambient’ temp (BTW, so does the FireBoard).

This phenomenon of ambient temp at the meat vs grate temp in the cooker was discussed at length with anyone who has followed Chris Young and the CPI probes. The protein cools at the meat surface when cooking, thus the ‘ambient’ temp recorded at the probe (meat surface) is lower because of this, and is not an accurate reflection of the temp in the pit. This is TBL reporting this, so the ethical folks at TW may call them out on this, but keep in mind the dynamics of what is happening here. Not using CPI probes here nor do I have anything but respect for TW stuff, but this point by TBL is just not accurate. .
 
Received an E-mail today from ThermoWorks (TW) about the RFX (Wireless Probe). They are taking orders for SEP deliveries.
 
If you watch YouTube, the account The Barbecue Lab has posted a ‘review’ of the new TW wireless probe. One issue I took with the ‘review’ is that, according to TBL, competing wireless probes are inaccurate with the ambient temps they record. So the TW probe has a port in the bridge device that lets one plug in a tailed probe to get an ‘accurate’ ambient’ temp (BTW, so does the FireBoard).

This phenomenon of ambient temp at the meat vs grate temp in the cooker was discussed at length with anyone who has followed Chris Young and the CPI probes. The protein cools at the meat surface when cooking, thus the ‘ambient’ temp recorded at the probe (meat surface) is lower because of this, and is not an accurate reflection of the temp in the pit. This is TBL reporting this, so the ethical folks at TW may call them out on this, but keep in mind the dynamics of what is happening here. Not using CPI probes here nor do I have anything but respect for TW stuff, but this point by TBL is just not accurate. .
Yes, @Greg Jones, I am familiar with Chris Young’s discourse on the ambient temps issue and understand where he’s coming from. To me, this is not an “accuracy” issue and I’m not sure the two reading concepts are incompatible. Yes, they are different, but it depends on what measurement you feel is critical to your cook.

EDIT: I forgot to mention that the TW RFX does not appear to have the “predictive” technology that CI offers, so the food surface temperature doesn’t seem to be a critical measurement.

Personally, the “ambient” temperature reading is just an indication to me that the grill is performing as expected, whether it is a pure grill temperature or a nuanced one affected by proximity to the protein. Since I frequently use one of the TW ambient probes with my Signals, I am familiar with those results and using the same probe with the RFX Gateway would be familiar territory. YMMV
 
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Yes, @Greg Jones, I am familiar with Chris Young’s discourse on the ambient temps issue and understand where he’s coming from. To me, this is not an “accuracy” issue and I’m not sure the two reading concepts are incompatible. Yes, they are different, but it depends on what measurement you feel is critical to your cook.

Personally, the “ambient” temperature reading is just an indication to me that the grill is performing as expected, whether it is a pure grill temperature or a nuanced one affected by proximity to the protein. Since I frequently use one of the TW ambient probes with my Signals, I am familiar with those results and using the same probe with the RFX Gateway would be familiar territory. YMMV
I do like the idea that TW is outfitting their unit with the ability to plug in a tailed probe. I find that a stellar idea even if many never use it. My 2 cents FWIW 😀
 
Yes, @Greg Jones, I am familiar with Chris Young’s discourse on the ambient temps issue and understand where he’s coming from. To me, this is not an “accuracy” issue and I’m not sure the two reading concepts are incompatible. Yes, they are different, but it depends on what measurement you feel is critical to your cook.

Personally, the “ambient” temperature reading is just an indication to me that the grill is performing as expected, whether it is a pure grill temperature or a nuanced one affected by proximity to the protein. Since I frequently use one of the TW ambient probes with my Signals, I am familiar with those results and using the same probe with the RFX Gateway would be familiar territory. YMMV
I believe that the YT video I mentioned above by someone who has clearly an inside connection with the TW probe (given he has one already) is very specific that it is an accuracy issue with other wireless probes. Apparently TW does not have an ambient sensor-it appears you must have the bridge device that uses a wired pit probe to arrive at ambient temps. Well anyone can do that, but if you need to use a wired pit probe along with a wireless probe, what is the point of having a wireless probe?
 
I believe that the YT video I mentioned above by someone who has clearly an inside connection with the TW probe (given he has one already) is very specific that it is an accuracy issue with other wireless probes. Apparently TW does not have an ambient sensor-it appears you must have the bridge device that uses a wired pit probe to arrive at ambient temps. Well anyone can do that, but if you need to use a wired pit probe along with a wireless probe, what is the point of having a wireless probe?
Just cause? 🤣🤣🤣
 
I do like the idea that TW is outfitting their unit with the ability to plug in a tailed probe. I find that a stellar idea even if many never use it. My 2 cents FWIW 😀
Plugging in a meat probe would let you check the accuracy of the wireless unit, wouldn’t it?
 
I do like the idea that TW is outfitting their unit with the ability to plug in a tailed probe. I find that a stellar idea even if many never use it. My 2 cents FWIW 😀
The FireBoard technology does that also. Actually one can buy their wireless Pulse probe(s), the instant read Spark probe, and a tailed pit probe and do the same thing as what anyone else is doing with only two devices.
 
I believe that the YT video I mentioned above by someone who has clearly an inside connection with the TW probe (given he has one already) is very specific that it is an accuracy issue with other wireless probes. Apparently TW does not have an ambient sensor-it appears you must have the bridge device that uses a wired pit probe to arrive at ambient temps. Well anyone can do that, but if you need to use a wired pit probe along with a wireless probe, what is the point of having a wireless probe?
One possibility would be to keep tabs on the grill temperature during a rotisserie cook. The wireless probes would be free to rotate without issue while the tailed ambient probe would track the grill temp. That would avoid the need for two separate devices.
 

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