ThermoWorks RFX with WSK?

[Joe D - BBQ Joe]

I pulled the trigger. Ordered the RFX and Billows while the RFX is on sale.

Joe how is it going with the RFX? I have a Combustion, Meaters galore and a Temp Spike, all useless unless I am standing beside the WSM with the cell phone. I am interested in the claimed range of the RFX, but leery of the reports of poor battery life on the probes.

 

[Wilmer Cogburn]

I am still watching this RFX but have not pulled the trigger.

Waiting to hear when/if the app is fixed to allow all probes to be displayed on the same graph simultaneously.

 

[John Christensen]

I will jump in here with my opinion of what Thermoworks could do to improve this product.
I think they should add a digital display to the receiver (Gateway) so that internet connectivity is not necessary.
I just want to be able to look at the display and see the current temperature, kind of like my Smoke-X.

 

[Joe-Mofongolero]

Joe how is it going with the RFX? I have a Combustion, Meaters galore and a Temp Spike, all useless unless I am standing beside the WSM with the cell phone. I am interested in the claimed range of the RFX, but leery of the reports of poor battery life on the probes.

I apologize for taking so long. I had two probes run for 15 hours a while back without dying for a brisket cook. A few days ago one of the two was almost dead after 8 hours, but no clue why. The other one was fine for over 12 hours and could have kept going. These are the only two probes I have. I have seen other people report that it's something that they've seen happen as well. I will update after I use them again to share if it might have only been seated in the charger poorly or if it is in fact already defective.

Regarding range, I keep the controller right next to the grill and connected to wifi. I have no trouble at all with it that way.

Aside from that and the graphs being separate for the probes and controller, I am still happy with the product. I know they will eventually get the graphs in one spot and I don't mind switching between them for now. Also of note, I charged the probe that drained quickly for maybe 7-8 minutes which then had it last through the rest of the cook and for the cooldown without an issue.

I'll pay more attention for any responses now

 

[Joe-Mofongolero]

Update: the probe that was problematic last time just went 6 hours and still shows 100% (I know it's not actually fully charged, but it's not drained like last time). Only tried for 6 since I'm doing ribs and I'm near the end and no longer need the probe in.

 

[Joe D - BBQ Joe]

Thanks Joe. Great info.

I ended up ordering the 4 probe starter set, and I am pleased. I am getting temp readings anywhere in the house and also away from the house like out in the world. This was promised by the other wireless probes but just not delivered.

The probes are thin enough to be useful on smaller portions, which is not always the case on wireless probes as a lot of technology needs to be fit into the probe. I had three salmon fillets on the gas grill the other night and the probe performed well and had no effect like unsightliness on the fillet.

What I didn't do, and probably should have, was use two different probes on two different fillets as they varied a lot in size. That's a helpful feature but I tend to act as if I only have one probe because I always have had only one in the past.

Anyway after trying so many other brands, it has cost me a lot of money to get where I am on these wireless thermometers but I am hoping that I have at last turned the corner. I use the rotisserie a good bit so these have been a great development.

 

[Joe-Mofongolero]

Thanks Joe. Great info.

I ended up ordering the 4 probe starter set, and I am pleased. I am getting temp readings anywhere in the house and also away from the house like out in the world. This was promised by the other wireless probes but just not delivered.

The probes are thin enough to be useful on smaller portions, which is not always the case on wireless probes as a lot of technology needs to be fit into the probe. I had three salmon fillets on the gas grill the other night and the probe performed well and had no effect like unsightliness on the fillet.

What I didn't do, and probably should have, was use two different probes on two different fillets as they varied a lot in size. That's a helpful feature but I tend to act as if I only have one probe because I always have had only one in the past.

Anyway after trying so many other brands, it has cost me a lot of money to get where I am on these wireless thermometers but I am hoping that I have at last turned the corner. I use the rotisserie a good bit so these have been a great development.

Excellent. I did this with two racks of ribs. Used one in the biggest part of all, and another in the smaller of all. Something else I learned over the weekend is that I saw the alert triggering of the probe getting too hot (212F is the max the probe is supposed to get) despite the temp reading 196 or something. I'm sure it's because 196 is the lowest of the 4 temps in the probe (since it has 4 sensors) and the highest was probably in a thinner spot and getting close to 212. I was confused but then realized what was probably happening."

Also, YES! Leaving the house is a big plus. I went to a pumpkin patch with the family while those ribs were on. I also have a Billows, so I was able to up the temp from 225 to 250 while I was out.

While there are little annoyances such as the charts not being ideal, that does not have any effect on the result of the food, and I don't mind much at all.

Glad you're enjoying the purchase so far!

 

[R Chin]

I used the RFX in the short ribs that Kemper inspired me to try.

I had a hard time getting the probes inserted beyond the insertion mark and still have the tip in the right position to read proper temp in the individual short ribs. In fact, the tips protruded out the far end of the meat halfway through the cook as each rib shrank. Of course, I also got the high temp warning as each probe passed 190f…

To be clear, the probe from the tip to the insertion marks contains the battery and electronics which they want you to keep under 212f. The protruding end has the antenna which can handle up to 1000f.