Category Archives: Reviews

First Looks: ThermoPro TempSpike!

The ThermoPro TempSpike is a completely wireless thermometer… no wires! That allows you to wirelessly monitor your cook with compatible smart phone apps. It’s a available in a single probe version and and a dual probe version.

This is a look at the single probe TempSpike. Stay tuned to this post which will turn into a comprehensive hands on review as I become more experienced with this wireless thermometer.

Front of the box

Back of the box

The case and probe in the box

What came with my TempSpike – The probe, case, manual, charging cord and a couple additional pamphlets. Note that a USB charging block is not included, but it will work with any standard USB charger.

Side of the case. The storage case serves multiple purposes – storing the probe, charging the probe and it operates as a signal booster. This is a picture of the side of the case that shows you the USB charging port.

A closeup of the case

The probe comes with this sticker reminding you to always insert the probe past the marked notch to avoid damage.

A look at just the case

The TempSpike probe

Notch indicating minimum insertion to avoid probe damage

The case along with a section of the manual that describes each component

The section of the manual that walks you through getting started with the TempSpike

Case with included charging cable plugged in

Charging cable plugged in to this USB charging box from Anker. Note that a USB charging block is not included, but it will work with any standard USB charger.

Stay tuned for more on the TempSpike. I’m planning to use it on my next cook and will have more info then.

Check Current Price & Availability:

Thermapen ONE Review:

ThermoPro TempSpike Premium...image
ThermoPro TempSpike Premium Truly Wireless Meat Thermometer up to 500-Ft Remote Range, Bluetooth Meat Thermometer with Wire-Free Probe, Meat Thermometer Wireless for Sous Vide Smoker Rotisserie
  • 500-Ft Ultra-Long Range: Connected via the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2, this wireless thermometer for grilling can monitor your cooking from up to 500 feet away, truly wirelessly tracking your meal from anywhere!
  • 100% Wire-Free: Meat thermometer digital wireless removes all the tanged wires, makes it a versatile tool for electric rotisserie, smoker, oven, grill, pan-fry or sous vide; Enjoy 100% wire-free cooking and the convenience of no-hassle setup and cleanup
  • 1 Probe, 2 Sensors: Bluetooth thermometer for smoker features a meat temperature probe that can simultaneously measure internal meat temperature and ambient pit temperatures, while still reading highly accurately in just 3 seconds, so you’ll never overcook or undercook again!
  • Easy-to-Use, Multifunctional App: Get real-time alerts on the go with the smart meat thermometer App; Supports custom timer and temperature graphs; USDA-recommended preset temperatures elevate your cooking like a pro every time you fire up your grill with our bluetooth thermometer for grilling
  • Smart Alarm Effectively Manage Your Time: Wireless grill thermometer App takes the guesswork out by estimating how long to cook; Set up ambient pit temperature alarms and cooking pre-alarms that trigger within 5°F/10°F/15°F of the target temperature, and both your smartphone and the booster will beep to remind you, never overcook!
$54.95 -$3.16 $51.79
MEATER Plus: Premium...image
MEATER Plus: Premium Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth | for BBQ, Oven, Grill, Kitchen, Smoker, Rotisserie | iOS & Android App | Apple Watch, Alexa Compatible | Dishwasher Safe
  • [The ideal choice for indoor and outdoor cooking enthusiasts] MEATER Plus is 100% wire-free, allowing you to cook with complete freedom and flexibility. The Long Range Model is the world's first truly wireless meat thermometer. Plus, you can easily monitor your cooking progress using the free app, which is available for both iOS (version 12.2.0 and later) and Android (version 8.0 and later) smartphones and tablets. Please note that the smart phone is not included in the package.
  • [2 Sensors, 1 Probe] The dual temperature sensors on this meat thermometer enable you to monitor both the internal meat temperature (up to 212°F) and the ambient/external temperature (up to 527°F) at the same time. This means you can achieve the perfect level of doneness for your meat, while also ensuring that your grill or oven is operating at the right temperature. And when it comes to cleaning up, you'll appreciate the fact that this thermometer is dishwasher safe.
  • [Say goodbye to guesswork with our Guided Cook System] This innovative feature walks you through each stage of the cooking process, ensuring perfect and consistent results every time. You can even set up custom alerts and notifications based on temperature and/or time to keep you on track. The algorithm can estimate the ideal cooking and resting times for your food, taking the stress out of meal planning and allowing you to sit back and relax while your meal cooks to perfection.
  • [Extend your wireless range over WiFi with MEATER Link] All you need is a 2nd smart phone/tablet to bridge the connection to your home WiFi network.
  • [Probe Spec] Stainless steel, water resistant, and easy to clean. Bluetooth 4.0 wireless connection up to 165 ft. Max internal temp: 212°F. Max ambient temp: 527°F.
$99.95
ThermoPro Twin TempSpike...image
ThermoPro Twin TempSpike 500FT Truly Wireless Meat Thermometer with 2 Meat Probes, Bluetooth Meat Thermometer with LCD-Enhanced Booster, Meat Thermometer Wireless for Rotisserie BBQ Grill Oven Smoker
  • 500FT Ultra-Long Range: Advanced 5.2 Bluetooth tech ensures this wireless thermometer for grilling provides stable and reliable connectivity up to 500 ft, handily outperforming the competition at a lower cost
  • Booster with Standalone Display: Monitor the ambient and meat temperatures on the Booster display without checking the App, easier and more convenient; Backlight LCD allows you to cook in dim-light condition
  • Twin Probes, Dual Sensors: This Bluetooth thermometer for cooking features two wireless meat probes, each equipped with separate sensors capable of simultaneous internal/ambient temperature monitoring
  • 100% Wire-Free: Unlike other food thermometers and their fussy wires, this affordable wireless cooking thermometer features a truly wire-free design perfect for rotisserie, oven, grill, smoker, and more
  • Smart App Control: Remotely monitor your grill/oven, preset target temps, estimate cooking times and get real-time alerts with the TempSpike App (included), a virtual sous chef for your personal use
  • Power Saver: Low Battery Indicator on the Booster indicates when to charge; 5-min Auto-Off ensures super-long battery life for this waterproof, dishwasher-safe, fully-featured digital meat thermometer
  • Certified by NSF: All ThermoPro products have been certified by NSF. This ensures that our products are food-safe, quality qualified and environmental friendly, which is more secure than most products on the market
$139.99
ThermoPro TempSpike 500FT...image
ThermoPro TempSpike 500FT Truly Wireless Meat Thermometer, Bluetooth Meat Thermometer for Grilling and Smoking, Meat Thermometer Wireless for BBQ Oven Smoker Rotisserie Sous Vide
  • 500-Ft Ultra-Long Range: Connected via the most advanced Bluetooth 5.2, this wireless thermometer for grilling can monitor your cooking from up to 500 feet away, make it outstand from other smoker accessories, truly wirelessly tracking your meal from anywhere!
  • 100% Wire-Free: Meat thermometer digital wireless removes all the tangled wires, makes it a versatile tool for electric rotisserie, smoker, oven, grill, pan-fry or sous vide; Enjoy 100% wire-free cooking and the convenience of no-hassle setup and cleanup
  • 1 Probe, 2 Sensors: Bluetooth thermometer for smoker features a meat temperature probe that can simultaneously measure internal meat temperature and ambient pit temperatures, while still reading highly accurately in just 3 seconds, so you’ll never overcook or undercook again!
  • Easy-to-Use, Multifunctional App: Get real-time alerts on the go with the smart meat thermometer App; Supports custom timer and temperature graphs; USDA-recommended preset temperatures elevate your cooking like a pro every time you fire up your grill with our bluetooth thermometer for grilling
  • Smart Alarm Effectively Manage Your Time: Wireless grill thermometer App takes the guesswork out by estimating how long to cook; Set up ambient pit temperature alarms and cooking pre-alarms that trigger within 5°F/10°F/15°F of the target temperature, and both your smartphone and the booster will beep to remind you, never overcook!
  • Rechargeable & Waterproof: The Bluetooth meat thermometer wireless is rechargeable and has low battery indicator, perfect for long-term cooking like smoking and grilling; Wireless meat probe features IP67-rated stainless steel that is easy to clean, allowing you to always keep your space tidy, dishwasher-safe
$79.99
TempPro 500-ft-Ranged Wireless...image
TempPro 500-ft-Ranged Wireless Meat Thermometer, Bluetooth Food Thermometer with Temperature Alarm, Digital Cooking Thermometer for Oven, Grill, Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker & Rotisserie
  • UP TO 500 FT RANGE: The remote meat thermometer wireless built-in Advanced 5.2 Bluetooth Technology lets you receive signals from up to 500 ft away! No additional setup or pairing needed.
  • NO WIRES, NO MESS: After just a quick insertion, this bluetooth thermometer for smoker and cooking operates independently free of cables to provide you with a hassle-free culinary experience. Without cords to get tangled, this digital meat thermometer bluetooth is perfect for oven, grill, smoker, bbq, electric rotisserie turkey, Air Fryer
  • 1 PROBE, 2 SENSORS：The wireless meat probe thermometer with dual temperature sensors can simultaneously monitor internal meat temperatures up to 212°F and ambient temperatures up to 572°F with an accuracy of ±1.8°F; Dishwasher-safe, deep-fryer proof, and 36-hrs+ battery life is ideal for sous-vide, low and slow cooking.
  • APP REMOTE CONTROL: The wireless thermometer for grilling and smoking with app serves as your personal sous-chef! Monitor real-time temperatures, customize cook alerts, and receive notifications when your meat is ready. Easily cook anything you want and get great results. Never overcook your meat again!
  • INTELLIGENT COOKING SYSTEM: Make quick adjustments heat using the in real-time temperature chart. Manage your time efficiently using the built-in time estimate algorithm. Create delicious, restaurant-style food easily! This smart meat thermometer digital is the best assistant for your cooking
$45.59

My BBQ Rub Recipe

Connect with BBQ Finds to Stay In the Loop!

Also: Our Fuel Deals Roundup!

hardwood pellet and charcoal deals

Price, promotions and availability can change quickly. Check the product page for current price, description and availability. top:tempspike tag:tpr

Hands on Review: GRILLART Grill Brush & Scraper

GRILLART makes grilling accessories including several grill brush and scraper models.

This is a hands on look at their 18″ bristle free stainless steel grate scraper and brush.

Hands on Review GRILLART Scraper and Brush

A look at the stainless steel scraper blade. It features notches on each side to clean individual grate wires.

A closer look at the galvanized twisted wire. Note: I purchased this in June of 2020. It’s been outside, in the elements, constantly since that point. The galvanized twisted wire remains visibly rust free over two years later.

Hanging from my Weber grill. This brush is about 18″ in total length.

A look at the handle

The end of the handle features a loop for hanging

Hey, look, it’s hanging.

Check Current Price & Availability, Review Continues Below:

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: Rubbermaid Commercial Products Bus Box! – NSF Rated for Food Contact

I’m a big fan of Rubbermaid’s Commercial’s utility tubs. I literally have a stack of these, in different sizes, for different things around the house, including homebrewing.

I use the 4.625 gallon size to thaw meat, trim, apply rub, carry around cook day tools and more. These are NSF rated and big enough to hold larger cuts of meat. They catch excess rub and drips and make clean up easier. With handles on every side, they’re easy to carry and move. You can also spin it around as you’re trimming or applying rub for easy access.

Hands on Review Rubbermaid Commercial Utility Tubs

A look at the 4.6 gallon tub. These measure approximately 20.4″ x” 15.6″ x 5″

The bottom

A look at the imprints on the bottom

Close up of the Rubbermaid Commercial Products logo

NSF certified logo imprint on the bottom

These are generally available in two sizes (and multiple colors). The 4.6 gallon is on the left the 7 gallon is on the right. I’ve found the 4.6 gallon size to be right sized for BBQ-ing and grilling. The 7 gallon works too, but it’s a bit oversized for BBQ, when it comes to my needs. If you’re doing huge quantities of food, the 7 gallon is worth a look.

Check Current Pricing & Availability:

Larger 7.125 Gallon Size: Rubbermaid Commercial Products FG335100GRAY Standard Bus/Utility Box, 7.125 Gal, Gray – Note that multiple variations of these products may be available, as such a different version may appear at the link

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: Kingsford Charcoal Kaddy – Charcoal and Wood Pellet Storage – includes Capacity & Weather Resistance Trials

This is a hands on look at the 32 quart Kingsford branded charcoal kaddy.  I picked this up for wood pellet storage.

Hands on Review Kingsford Charcoal Kaddy:

A look at the bottom. There is a lip on each end to raise the containers a bit, giving them some airflow.  This reads Made in the USA and Buddeez. This is a Kingsford branded container that’s manufactured by Buddeez.

Check Current Price & Availability, Review Continues Below:

Continue reading →

Hands on Review: ThermoWorks Thermapen ONE!

Thermapen ONE Brisket

The Thermapen is a thermocouple thermometer produced by ETI, Ltd and sold by ThermoWorks. It’s used by restaurants, home cooks, homebrewers, grillers, bbq-ers and more.

Here’s an in depth hands on look at the latest iteration, the Thermapen ONE starting with a history of the Thermapen, accuracy and response time tests and lots more.

Limited Time Deal, Review Continues Below:

Save 30%… For a limited time ThermoWorks is discounting this great thermometer by a whopping 30%. No coupon code required, check the product page to see if you can still get this deal.

Valid on Red, Yellow and Orange.

Thermapen ONE

AND Beat the Upcoming Pricing Increase…

From ThermoWorks:

For the past couple of years, while the industry has been increasing prices, we’ve held off on increasing the price of Thermapen® ONE. In fact, in September 2022, we lowered the price of Thermapen ONE to help fight inflation. But now rising costs are forcing us to raise the price a modest amount.

Effective October 12th, 2023, the price of Thermapen ONE will increase to $109.00.

History of the Thermapen

The Thermapen was introduced in 1992. The original invention of the Thermapen was by Electronic Temperature Instruments Limited (ETI, Ltd.) of Worthing, England. Each subsequent version of the product has been engineered and manufactured by ETI, Ltd.

Thermapen was the first thermocouple thermometer designed for commercial and home kitchens. Prior to that time all other thermocouple thermometers were designed for science and industry; and were much larger, handheld devices with separate probes. These were generally priced at about $200 or more (after purchasing a probe).  Keep in mind that’s in pre-1992 dollars.

thermapen historyFrom left to right – Original Thermapen, Thermapen MK2, Super Fast Thermapen (now sold as Thermapen Classic), MK4, Thermapen ONE

Continue reading →

Hands On Review: Roto Molded Igloo 55 Quart Sportsman Cooler

Here’s a look at Igloo Products 00044921 Sportsman Cooler.  I purchased the white, 55 quart size.  It’s also available in tan and in other capacities.  According to the description it is “Virtually indestructible rotational molded construction”.  Features a heavy-duty “3-point grab” handle with comfort grip with durable, rubberized T-Grip lid latches and anti skid feet.  It also includes an oversized insulated and tethered drain plug.

Continue reading →

A Look At: Lodge’s 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven

Here’s a look at Lodge’s 5 Quart Cast Iron Dutch Oven Model L8DO3.

Front of the Box Reads: Lodge Cast Iron, American Made Since 1896.  5 Quart/4.7 Liter.  Cast Iron Dutch Oven with Bail Handle.

Side of the Box Reads: Brutally tough for decades of cooking.  Seasoned for natural, easy-release finish that improves with use.  Easy: Hand wash, dry, rub with cooking oil

Made is the USA

The Dutch Oven

Underside of the lid

Lid on

Underside

We’ve used this in both our oven and our our smoker.  It fits really nicely on my 22 1/2″ Weber Smokey Mountain Cooker.  One Smoke gave the handle a nice hue.

I’ve owned this since October of 2013.  As of this most recent update in August of 2017, it continue to function.  In my opinion, Lodge makes extremely well built items.  The box reads “Brutally tough for decades of cooking”.  I don’t think that’s an overstatement.  This is a great Dutch oven that has served us well for years.  I fully expect it to serve us well for decades.

Lodge L8DO3 Cast Iron Dutch Oven, Pre-Seasoned, 5-Quart – via Amazon

More: Recent Outdoor Cooking

review:lodgedutchoven

Hands on Review: Pelican Elite Cooler

pelican elite cooler review

Pelican Elite Coolers by Pelican.  30 quart capacity.  Extreme ice retention: 2 inch of polyurethane insulation with a 360 degree freezer-grade gasket that delivers extreme ice retention for up to 10 days.  Features: molded handles and tie-down slots, 3 inch locking latches, reinforced lockable hasp, stainless steel bottle opener, anti-shear hinge system, leakproof drain plug, 4 self draining cup holders, integrated measuring board on lid in centimeters and inches, non-skid rubber feet.

Made in the USA: includes pelican’s legendary lifetime guarantee – you break it, they will replace it…Forever.

A top down look at the cooler.  The label reads Pelican – 30 – Made in the USA.  You can see the fish scale on the top both in inches and centimeters.  The top also has four cup holders that are designed to let condensation runoff the side, instead of pooling.

Continue reading →