Great video! I have the original and it has ‘saved my bacon’ both literally and figuratively (hmmm bacon 🥓). I’ve used it at dinner parties and I am known as the meat king 👑 because of it. Agree with the rotisserie - game changer - no longer need to open the dome for frequent spot checks.
You are the reason why i got the block... :) Thank you for the Long Term review - I am def not interested in the "sales pitch" or glorified sales via initial impressions of folks who are just reading the spec sheets :) This is why your channel shines. Cheers!
I was having issues with ambient temp being way off from the done thermometer to detrimental effects on one of my cooks. And was about to give up on the meater. Came here looking for some info on if maybe I was using it wrong and it turns out ya I may have been a weird angle user. And maybe prong it in too far. Going to try it a few more times and see if things work out better.
I was having issues with ambient temp being way off from the done thermometer to detrimental effects on one of my cooks. And was about to give up on the meater. Came here looking for some info on if maybe I was using it wrong and it turns out ya I may have been a weird angle user. And maybe prong it in too far. Going to try it a few more times and see if things work out better.
In the video I noticed that you put the probes in at angles that were not 90 deg or 0 deg. Is that because you are only measuring internal temp? Hoping for some clarification on this and thank you for the info
@@jamesgummel4957 yes. I am not worried about the ambient as I know where I am at so just tracking internal. The comment is for people who want ambient how to get it
James, thank you for making such a comprehensive review! You sold me on the Meater Block! This was the unit I was looking to purchase, but was apprehensive after reading several negative reviews. This will fit my needs perfectly. Glad you went in depth on the plusses and minuses of each one.
I bought the block about a year ago based on your recommendation. Love the flexibility and quality. Always disappointed with the connection distance until watching this video. Better late than never.
I have had the Meater Block for 2 years also but I cannot recommend it for anyone. The "block" is old and is in need of some serious technology updating. The software I would rate it (A+), probes (A), but the block (C-). My number one complaint is that you lose connection a lot. It doesn’t matter if you set the block next to the grill and, if you have a strong wifi connection, the block has many connection drops. You don’t have to take my word for it, just Google it. Other observations, include a type-c connector, relocate the connection port to a more convenient spot of the block, and a probe charging indicator on the block.
I have the same connection problems. It’s unreliable and therefore useless to me. My grill is literally about 5 feet from my WiFi and block. My WiFi is good.
Got the Meater Plus 6-months ago, liked it so much, bought 3-more for each of my adult kids. Have not broke the bank on the block, have so many other thermometers, have not had the need to buy 4-more & a block.
Dad - Well yet another excellent video my Canadian friend. Have used a Meater for 3-4 years now. Have original and 2 plus. YES I wish I'd just bought the block to start with but . . . Just wanted to take the time to tell you how much I enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.
Based on your review I have both a Meater Block for home use, and Meater+ to take with me when I go camping. I like to keep them separate as otherwise I will find myself camping with the stuff I need at home. I'm quite happy with both.
Thanks James for a fantastic channel and your very honest, transparent approach. I must advise that my Meater experience has been very different. I first got the Meater Plus and worked fairly well. Interesting cook setup and monitoring but the range was considerably less than advertised. So this fall I ordered the block. After waiting weeks and no delivery Meater gave excuses and delayed a refund. When pressed, they said that they declared that they provided a refund (in writing) but actually process a second charge for the block. I suggest that you reconsider “influencer” support for a problematic supplier.
After watching one of your videos last year, I bought the Meater+ as an Xmas present to myself. This year I’m giving my father and father-in-law one. (And getting another for myself.) Note to self: try the potato hack to truly map out the hot spots in my grills. Keep up the good work!
Wow glad I watched you today!!!! 🎉 used your link cuz was curious and it was in sale, 92$ off the block and then got your discount added. Oh my goodness.
I bought 2 normal MEATER blocks two years ago. They were on sale for 2 for $120. They have worked great. Just this weekend I had to replace the batteries. I have yet to ruin a long cook, reverse seared steak or even salmon. I do, however want to upgrade to the the block because of having to cook more than two pieces of meat at the same time. Just waiting for a good sale.
I love my Meater Block. One thing I wish Meater would add as an option would be an "Ambient Only" probe with an alligator clip on the end instead of a point. That way I could clip it right to the grate and not mess with a potato or apple. It would be really handy when bringing the cooker up to temp.
@@SmokingDadBBQ I emailed Meater a couple times and suggested it but never heard anything back. Not a word. Not even a generic "Thanks for contacting us blah blah blah." I would have rather had them tell me 'You're an idiot, we're not doing that" than to just ignore me the way they did.
Yep, this is probably the most requested feature. The challenge is that the meat side has a tolerance of 212 degrees, so it would be destroyed if left uncovered. To make this work, Meater would need to provide some kind of sheath to protect that end of the probe. I'm more surprised that someone hasn't come out with an ambient-only probe, which is what you and others of us would be interested in. Even something that would be designed like a standard spike through dome thermometer but then connected to an app or other display.
@@johnpryes4360 When I say "ambient only" I mean it would have NO electronics in what is now the "meat" end. An alligator clip replacing the point on the end would be really convenient to attach it to the grate AND it would keep guys from ever confusing it with a standard Meater probe.
Meater+ just went on sale for $80 so I finally got one. I’ve been wanting it for awhile, as every time I use my Thermoworks Smoke, I get frustrated with the wired probes, especially when putting everything away. It was one of your earlier reviews that convinced me, but it took a sale to get me to actually get one - just in time for Thanksgiving!
James… Great review but just as good is the tutorial aspect of the info provided. I traded my ThermoWorks Signals for the Meater block this past summer (mainly because of the Joetisserie) and I’ve been struggling a little with how different some readings seem (on cooks I’ve done dozens of times before). Your tips have helped me better understand my data. I appreciate you!
I bought a Meater+ after seeing you use it a couple of years ago, absolutely love it and it is a Must I think for a newbie like me with a Kamado. Upgrading to a block now, thanks for the discount code. :)
Sure glad I found this channel in time! I took advantage of the MEATER Block 25% off during their year end sale. In addition, your discount code also applied so I got another 10% for a total of 35% off. Something to be mindful of with the probes though .. I compared their accuracy against my instant read and found they were 5deg f high… all 4 probes read on the high end. In other words a MEATER app setting of 120 was actually 115 with a quality instant read. They were right on for the cold end test though. Not a big deal now that I know, just something to be mindful of. Thanks again for this review and the discount code!
I rarely cooked meat (other than chicken breasts and ground meat) because I thought I'd ruin it, not knowing about thermometers and using internal temperatures. During covid, that all changed. I started educating myself on that and finding a suitable thermometer. A number of RUclips chefs recommended Meater. After some research, I decided on the Meater+. It's been almost 2 years and I haven't regretted it one bit. My family is always pleased with how our meat is cooked. I mostly use the Meater+ in the house, I now have a grill outside that has space for 4 wired probes, I have 2 for it, and I also have 2 handheld quick temp probes. I'm pretty well covered for my cooking/grilling skill level. If I find myself needing more probes, or if my Meater+ dies, I'll get a Meater Block so I'll be ready larger cooks. Great review confirming my choice!
I just bought a Tempro wireless probe. Probe is not charging, already! After adding gaskets and thermometers to both my Weber kettles I was going to add probe grommets. I even bought some. I was unimpressed with the wired Bluetooth I had. So, I decided it was time to go wireless and skip the grommet! When I realized that the single probe had a sensor for ambient temperature, it was a no brainer! Especially since it is the same price as a wired twin probe bt thermometer! The Meater Block is definitely my next thermometer purchase! The app alone makes it worth the price! I’m just going to have to save my lunch money 💰!!
It's also worth mentioning that (at least from my experience) Meater app does not really consider resting temperature in account when signalling to remove meat from heat. For example, if you set a cooking temp to 55C for medium rare, it will signal to remove the meat at 55C. But it can easily gain another 10C on top when resting (which was the case with me). So, in order to actually get a medium rare, I have to set the temp to 45-47 and let it rest, getting to 55-57C.
I have the Meater, it is nice... But the Combustion Inc. one is out soon-ish and it's going to blow the Meater out of the water. Why: 1- More accurate. 2- The probe is lined with individual temp sensors, so you don't need to be wildly accurate with placement. It can measure internal temp, exterior temp, and all the points in between. It can use the rate of change in heat to very accurately predict when things will be done. 3- Thin. No more big giant shotgun slug wound through your meat. The guy behind it was on the Modernist Cuisine cookbook team, so they are Class A food nerds of the highest order.
Bought a block 2 years ago, right out of the box after charging everything it wanted to do a software update…..a week later got it out to use for the first time and again it required another update…..life is too short to deal with problems like this….packed it up and returned it and have never regretted the decision….went with a wired 4 probe and have never had a problem. Plus set up is not near as complicated
Thanks for the video. I just bought the Plus and I was trying to connect my phone for Bluetooth but apparently there isn't an actual connection that you click on. It's just Bluetooths The temperature to your phone is what I'm understanding?
One gotcha you didn’t mention. I thought plugging it in would recharge the batteries and thought mine was broken. Found out plugging it in only helps charge the probes. I use rechargeable batteries now which I take out and put on a charger when they get low. The app is hands down better than any other I have used.
After maybe 40 cooks (never used high heat) my Meater + ambient started reading. 30 degrees F below true temp. This wasn’t a dome v grate, cooking food etc issue, I put another probe next to it and got the correct reading. Then when I pulled it out of my pork shoulder, the end came off, the glue had melted after 40 cooks. The longevity of the Meater+ is in serious doubt.
i use a green scour pad and some dish soap. let them soak a few min, rub gently pushing the probe up through the green pad your gripping and comes clean very quickly. flip and clean the charge pad and its ready for next time
I have the block and use it on a Kettle Weber. Despite the block being so close to the probes, any of the probes can often lose connection unexpectedly and I get the circle indicator going round and round. I keep the unit well charged, the evening before I plug it in and it remains plugged in while in use. If I move the block away like 6ft away, forget it.. not sure how the 33 foot thing works but I suspect it doesn't - at least not while the probes are in the kettle and it's closed. Honest report.
I’ve played with the temperature readings & they can be out a bit but not much. Last January it was -8 c (17 F) which is a really warm day for Canada in January. I have a MEATER + & a Thermapen MK4, also checked the weather 😂 like that’s right. I was getting ready to BBQ with the probes on a table next to me, started playing with temps & watching things for about an hour the biggest variable was only 2.5 F.
Great review. I had always wondered about the reliability. Good to know it has been performing so well. I had placed a pre-otder on Predictive Thermometer from Combustion Inc, just in case it fails to perform, now I know Meater is a solid option. Keeping my fingers crossed.
i also bought the block and a little over a year one probe split in 2 pieces, but it still working. but for that price, i expected more than a year trouble free. i would still buy it again because i didnt find better so far
I bought the meater block and returned it. The reason why I returned is because the ambient temperatures were way off from all four. I inserted all four probes into a cut of meat in a one inch square. I remember seeing a twenty degrees discrepancy.
If the grill is not heat soaked I have seen very different ambient temps as the heat moves around the food and grill whereas later in the cook these inevitably get closer together. In either case appreciate it’s not for everyone but wanted to share what causes theseb
Ahoy James, I bought a rotisserie for my Kamado Joe Classic 3. Now I need a wireless temperature meter. I saw your video on the meater. Then I wanted to see what else is on the market. I saw several coming by but as I live in The Netherlands not everything is available here. I have ordered the Meater block (sold out in most places). Now I just saw this video about the long term use and this convinced me. I have not used it yet. Thank you for your excellent advice. I have one question: can the probes be calibrated? (I have seen one video that said that the probes were not accurate with the same temperature)
The non-replaceable batteries in the probes themselves were the deal breaker for me. When the probe battery quits taking a charge, and ALL rechargeable batteries will eventually stop taking a charge, you have no option but the toss the thing and buy another. I think Meaters (and MeatSticks and a host of other competitors on Amazon) are a great option for folks that do a lot of rotisserie cooks and need to probe the meat, but for normal cooking almost every other quality brand is better. Meaters and their competitors are also poor choices for fish because of the physical size and need to push them so far into the meat being tested. Meters (and Meater competitors, because all their probes have EXACTLY the same temperature limitations which makes me think they are all the same but just rebranded) top out at 212°F. Any temperature measuring system tends to lose accuracy at its limits on both ends of the scale. There are plusses and minuses to any system though, so choose wisely.
I dunno.. they last forever under normal circumstances. If you don't see value over that time with a hundred dollar accessory that ensures your food is cooked safely, that's a little..I dunno. I've spent more on less. Everything is made to be disposable these days on some level. I would much rather spend the hundred bucks every say, five to seven years, than deal with swapping batteries and the ongoing costs of upkeep. Plus, there's no way it would be viable in the form factor the Meater even is. How difficult would it be to get such a tiny and specific battery locally? How much larger would the Meater be if they implemented user replaceable batteries as an option? How much would a battery cost? Would one be locked in to only sourcing from Meater themselves for batteries when needed and how long would they even be supported without forcing you into a newer model by pricing it so high that it wouldn't make financial sense? Some of what you're paying for here is convenience and people overlook this on a continual basis.
@@BrewReview I agree if its 5-7 years even 4-5 for me would be acceptable, but i doubt they will last that long; one of mine already split in 2, its still working but it got me worried about longevity
Great video James! I got my own block a year ago, and already adviced people to buy one. But it does eat batteries at great speed! I see a adapter connection at the back, but can’t find the adapter itself anywhere. Any idea what to buy? Thanks
I have the meater and i use it a lot. Love the programming and the software. tryed to buy the block but in Holland the are imposseble to find. Seeing your video i a going to check again this month hahaha ;-)
Hi. Have you used the Meater+ in your wood fired pizza oven for a slow cook? Does is work okay with or without the door on? Thanks for the vids. Cheers
can a probe work as an instant read? Recently bought the block and was thinking of giving my daughter in Inkbot that has 2 wired probes and an instant read
Interesting review, some very good comments and tips but I must say I don't see the value of getting the block since its only true advantage is when doing rotisserie as you pointed out and you will never need 4 probes for it; the many reported issues by other users are a bit too alarming and I much prefer the stability / data refresh of a wired system than gambling on the meater technology. I think it is a good idea to have a meater plus in your arsenal but spending twice as much as an excellent 4-channel wired competitive product makes little sense to me.
The Treager guy at Costco said that the Meater block has a major flaw. When the battery goes out on the block all the probes become worthless. He recommended buying 4 individual Meater probes and that way when one fails you replace it not all four.
You can run the block off power. Traeger bought Meater … that sounds expensive, has no wifi and after 3 years with my block can’t say I’m concerned lol
James - I have the MEATER Pro which I like a lot. This was purchased thanks to you. Do you have experience or knowledge of it being safe to use in Air Fryer ? I contacted MEATER who’s not responded. Thank you.
Hey James, can you clarify the power source on the Meater Block. Do the batteries only charge the probes and the "block" gets charged with a cable and has the ability to hold a charge for some time? I really enjoy your videos and have become pretty good using your advise and direction! Thank you! b
I wish i could be as enthusiastic about the meater block as you are. Two cooks on Thanksgiving, one outdoor on a grill the other inside in the oven. Only about 40 ft Max between the two cooks yet no matter where I put the block one of the probes was always saying signal lost move block closer to probe. The turkey outside said cook finished at 137 even though it was set for 167? App information was inconsistent. I want to love it as much as you but I'm getting myself a wired thermometer..... I need more consistency.
Excellent video but not sure about the product. I have a Meater block that I use with a 26 in Weber Kettle. No matter what I do, the block repeatedly goes to sleep and disconnects when I am away from the grill. I use the Meater block in WIFi mode and am sure that the block and my phone are on the same network. The batteries are new, probes are fully charged and spotlessly clean. The Meater block is place less than 4ft from the grill. I have been through every FAQ on the Meater site to no avail. I cannot identify a place to call, chat or email Meater for help. I sent an email many days ago to Apptionlabs, the company that owns meater - radio silence. Any suggestions regarding how I can prevent these repeated disconnects would be very much appreciated.
My problem is connectivity. I take the probe from the base and it simply doesn't connect. The light simply flashes red. Sometimes it connects after 20 minutes. Also the probe is very thick versus typical thermometer sensors.
Great video. You missed the biggest question I had when I saw the intro... since you have so many of those things, are you going to give any away?! ;-) I have the Meater+ and it allows me to connect anywhere in the house or yard. It was worth a few more bucks, but now I'd love to have a block that would give more than one data-point. The only complaint I've had about the Meater probe is that it has an upper temperature limit so that it doesn't work to monitor the final temp of a steak if you do a reverse sear- I think it cuts out at 500 or 550, but well below a raging fire.
Had a bit of a problem with Meater customer service. I got both the block and high temp single for Christmas in order to choose the one I wanted. I decided I did not need the block. I went to return the completely unused block and customer service said that since I opened the box it is not returnable. So now I'm stuck with probes I have no use for. Ebay time and loss of dollars are coming up.
I was on the fence about getting Meater Block. After watching your original review I ordered one. Owning this for six months now and I totally hate this product. It's completely trash. Constantly disconnecting, the distance needed for connectivity, just makes this unusable. I thought the first one was a dud, contacted the company did a few trouble shooting and sent it back for another one. It has the same issue. The app looks beautiful but it's all fluff. For an example, try to remove a block. Despite having a section to add and remove the devices, there's no clear option to remove. Also check the wifi status on the block. It'll say "bad" and "unknown" then crashes (Android). Don't be tempted and fooled with all these social media ads, read the comments and reviews. It's a horrible product.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I have had the opposite so it’s good for people to read both real experiences. I have receipts for my original purchases and wasn’t paid to make that video or this one. I made it as I was frustrated with how I thought the ability to get info on my phone from anywhere works vs how it actually works. If your wifi isn’t 2.4, if you share the same wireless channel as your neighbours (router settings, there are 11 to choose from) you will have interference, and if you stretch to the advertised distance there will be connection problems. I have none of these issues but my block sits on the table beside my grill (probe is less than 6ft) and the wifi is on a channel with less interference on a full strength mesh network. I totally get your frustration but for the product or any wifi product to work it needs a good road to operate on. If we took a Ferrari on a broken up pothole gravel road and said it’s a terrible car because you had to go slow to avoid the massive holes that’s more of a road problem then it is the car. Unfortunately with tech the limitation for any of them to work is a really good wifi foundation that’s not included with the product
@@SmokingDadBBQ I wish I've had the same results as you, you're the reason why I bought the Meater block after months of contemplation. I have a full mesh network that covers my home and yard. The 5ghz would not reach the far corner of my yard as that frequency requires you to be somewhat close. I've also use wifi analyzer to choose the channel with the least interference in my neighborhood. I too place the block next to the smoker during the cook. The difference here, I think is the medium the frequency passes through. I used the Meater probe in a metal grill and in an oven with the door closed. Despite the block being as close as possible, so close that the next step would be putting the whole block in with the meat. Despite being this close there's connectivity issues and it just makes me go nuts. What works is if you have a direct/unhindered sight line from block to probe. Such as a scenario where you're searing the meat on a cast iron. But I'd like to use it to make sure the meat is cooked perfectly before then, so I really wish I had your same experience. Thank you.
Great video on the probes! I have my 4 box for a couple of years now and love it. I use it for both long and short cooks. For long cooks (16 hours), I use a fire control blower so I can go to sleep at night. What I found between a horz. Meater Probe and my Fire Control probe mounted on the grate itself is about 20 degrees difference. I guessing the Meater Probe is 20 degrees cooler is because of the cooling effect of the meat. Your thoughts?
Looking at one of these for my air fryer. Mainly so I don't over cook venison . The basic one says it's not recommended for them but the extended range one is ( well it has a tick in the box for air fryers ). If the probes are the same why would that be? Also if you run the app direct or thru another smart device ( old phone I've upgraded from) can you run up to 4basic probes ie buy another probe later . Or is it only with the block you can have multi probes at the same time
I want to purchase a Meater for my brother for Christmas, but don’t really know the difference between the individual stick, and the block. He lives to smoke and bbq at home and at the trailer, but he’s not in the competitive bbq world.
love the Meater +, have been using it for a while and great quality product . If I upgrade to the block with 2 probes can I move the old probe to the new block?
How do you do steak? I typically would get my grill way over the 527 max ambient temp for steak. The joy of steak was not needing to really worry about how hot the grill gets: the hotter the better. In order to not risk damaging it due to the typical fluctuations of a kamado, I'm guessing you'd have to shoot for something like 450 at the most?
I remove the probe for searing. I reverse sear to 114, leave probe in to track it climb and then cool and then blast sear with the probe out as I am no longer cooking for fineness but instead crust / look
Have you tried the Chef IQ? I’ve never tried any smart thermometer so I’ve been doing some research and came across the chef IQ. I’ve read several comments from long time meater users saying that the Chef IQ works just as good and some say even better. Just wondering if you tried it.
So, Meater plus. The meter has a range of 165 feet. The block extends that range. SO technically, I could have the meater installed in the cook, 165 ft from that distance place the block, and it can extend my range within my home? Do I understand that right?
No the probe goes to the block which goes to your phone for a total of 165ft. If that doesn’t reach your house/device you would use a spare smart device to act as the wifi bridge to upload to cloud and now you can access in your phone anywhere
People, do not waste your time or money with the Meater+. Just get the Block as it supports WiFi without adding in a secondary device just for that purpose. I also use the FireBoard 2 Drive for longer cooks. I mostly use the Meater for shorter ones.
@@SmokingDadBBQ Me too. I still have the Meater+, literally haven't touched it since I got the Block. Another money saving tip for the block is to get yourself 8 AA eneloop rechargeable batteries, and when your batteries die you can just swap in your backup set and recharge the other ones.
Are you sure the probes are interchangable? I started with the Meater+, and was gifted two Meaters. I wanted to switch to the block, but was told that the probes are not compatible between the individual Meater and the Block.
Excellent channel, top notch content, however... I've had an abysmal experience with the Meater block, starting with their support (or lack there of), they do everything in their power to not interact with a human. I spent 3+ months fighting with support email (only contact option) and finally, despite much push back, I got a replacement block for my initial lemon (constant connection drops, and yes I followed all KB's multiple times, it was a lemon/dud). The replacement block is performing much better, although I would still NOT recommend it, 100% you're better off getting a wired probe monitor, save yourself $$ and headaches. I much prefer the reliability and ease of use on my cheaper wired set purchased on amazon, and it was less than 1/3 of the price. For now its primarily a $350 paper weight, I use it so infrequently the batteries end up dying between uses, yes it uses AA batteries. Meater block pros: - Looks sharp - App is nice - Awesome when it works Meater block cons: - horrible support - I have to troubleshoot connection issues frequently, it rarely powers on and just "works", usually requires a couple power cycles, app force close/open, by that time I give up spending more time troubleshooting and just use a wired probe. - uses AA batteries in the block Thanks for your videos, keep up the great work.
I bought a the original meter stick for $113 at Dickson's BBQ and have used it 3 times in 2years, and have absolutely regretted the purchase. Now I accept 100% blame for buying it before doing research on the product and instead relying only on a few opinions. When I bought it, it did say certain kinds of cookers would limit range (ie ceramic style), which if I had done my due diligence would be reason not to buy it. Also after hearing your first review on the Meter+ and the need for a separate base station for the system to really function as advertised I definitely would have given this a pass. When using it on my KJ3 I would put my expensive android on the side shelf and it would lose connectivity in about 20 seconds, and it would keep doing this. I would have the same problem with my offset (didn't put my phone that close to it). In the end I threw it on trash pile of BBQ regrets. Sigh. I eventually bought a Therm O Pro, 4 probe blue tooth wired thermometer, with a range of 650 feet, which I can monitor on my phone any where I am around the house. If I'm going to be away during a cook I set up my Flame Boss 500 and can monitor and adjust my cook over my cell phone from anywhere there is a signal. I am definitely not saying yours anyone elses opinion or experience is wrong, but we should heed that saying buyer beware by doing a little research, and finding out does the product really do as claimed, and does it suit my need. Well James that's enough preaching from me.
And another very informative video. Been thinking about the Meater block or The Meatstick pro WiFi set and your video now gets me leaning back towards Meater. Because of all the videos were the range of the Meatstick (distance connection and temperature) was better compared to Meater and the reviews from customers about poor connection and poor customer service from Meater I first was leaning towards The Meatstick. Still a few days to Black Friday deals😅 A pity your code /link doesn’t work in Europe (the European website) or does it..?
@@SmokingDadBBQ is the link correct..? SmokigDad instead of SmokingDad..? With the link you get the normal site and normal price when you choose the Meater block.
Would anyone recommend using a single meter for the purpose of only tracking the ambient grill temp? I read that you need to use an apple or potatoe but how long until you need to switch it out for another? Also, will the probe stand up to a higher temp for a short period? Not worried about temp tracking at that point, just that the probe doesnt get damaged...
I'm setting up a smart home and have automated my garage door, lights, blinds, etc. I've had an easier time setting up and using most of these devices than setting up than using my Meater (why are all letters capitalized?). I think they need to massively improve their ease of use. I consider myself pretty savvy with networking (I've worked for major networking companies for over 30 years) but Meater has flummoxed me. This is a hugely helpful video but it shouldn't be required to use something that you should be able to solve in and use.
It’s puzzling the either works automatically OR people experience what you’re experiencing… no idea why that is. I do know 2.4ghz is needed and I do know that occasionally changing the frequency is needed if there is too many homes near by on the same default frequency
Great review. I bought one off your reviews as well have been happy with it. Have you had issues with the historical temps being in accurate? I think the latest update messed up my history. Example: I cooked a chicken to 165 and now it says I cooked it to 99. Was curious if you had same issue and if you noticed some relationship between how different the temps are. I was trying to see some history for how I've cooked certain things
Great video! I have the original and it has ‘saved my bacon’ both literally and figuratively (hmmm bacon 🥓). I’ve used it at dinner parties and I am known as the meat king 👑 because of it. Agree with the rotisserie - game changer - no longer need to open the dome for frequent spot checks.
You are the reason why i got the block... :) Thank you for the Long Term review - I am def not interested in the "sales pitch" or glorified sales via initial impressions of folks who are just reading the spec sheets :) This is why your channel shines. Cheers!
Thanks Wiktor
The tip about placing the Meater probe at either 0° or 90° to the meat is outstanding. I haven't seen that tip elsewhere. Keep up the great content!
Thanks
I was having issues with ambient temp being way off from the done thermometer to detrimental effects on one of my cooks. And was about to give up on the meater. Came here looking for some info on if maybe I was using it wrong and it turns out ya I may have been a weird angle user. And maybe prong it in too far. Going to try it a few more times and see if things work out better.
I was having issues with ambient temp being way off from the done thermometer to detrimental effects on one of my cooks. And was about to give up on the meater. Came here looking for some info on if maybe I was using it wrong and it turns out ya I may have been a weird angle user. And maybe prong it in too far. Going to try it a few more times and see if things work out better.
In the video I noticed that you put the probes in at angles that were not 90 deg or 0 deg. Is that because you are only measuring internal temp? Hoping for some clarification on this and thank you for the info
@@jamesgummel4957 yes. I am not worried about the ambient as I know where I am at so just tracking internal. The comment is for people who want ambient how to get it
I bought my original meater after I saw you using it on your channel. Can't imagine cooking without it anymore, so easy to use!
same here
James, thank you for making such a comprehensive review! You sold me on the Meater Block! This was the unit I was looking to purchase, but was apprehensive after reading several negative reviews. This will fit my needs perfectly. Glad you went in depth on the plusses and minuses of each one.
Great to hear!
I bought the block about a year ago based on your recommendation. Love the flexibility and quality. Always disappointed with the connection distance until watching this video. Better late than never.
Hope it solves it for you. A solid connection makes all the difference
I have had the Meater Block for 2 years also but I cannot recommend it for anyone. The "block" is old and is in need of some serious technology updating. The software I would rate it (A+), probes (A), but the block (C-). My number one complaint is that you lose connection a lot. It doesn’t matter if you set the block next to the grill and, if you have a strong wifi connection, the block has many connection drops. You don’t have to take my word for it, just Google it. Other observations, include a type-c connector, relocate the connection port to a more convenient spot of the block, and a probe charging indicator on the block.
I guess I am lucky to win the connection lottery. Don’t have these but I have good wifi so maybe that helps
I have the same connection problems. It’s unreliable and therefore useless to me.
My grill is literally about 5 feet from my WiFi and block. My WiFi is good.
Got the Meater Plus 6-months ago, liked it so much, bought 3-more for each of my adult kids. Have not broke the bank on the block, have so many other thermometers, have not had the need to buy 4-more & a block.
Dad - Well yet another excellent video my Canadian friend. Have used a Meater for 3-4 years now. Have original and 2 plus. YES I wish I'd just bought the block to start with but . . . Just wanted to take the time to tell you how much I enjoy your videos. Keep up the great work.
I was on the fence about this product until this video. I'm purchasing right now. Thank you.
Glad I could help!
Thank you for another great video James! I own the MEATER Block and love it!! It was one of the first items I purchased after following your videos.
Congrats
can you purchase more probes?
Based on your review I have both a Meater Block for home use, and Meater+ to take with me when I go camping. I like to keep them separate as otherwise I will find myself camping with the stuff I need at home. I'm quite happy with both.
THANKS FOR THIS BRILLIANT VIDEO. I see loads of people complaining about the Meater probes and this I can now forward to them - great information.
Great video again James. I have been using the Meater based on your perspective but I learned even more from this presentation. Thank you!
Thanks Grant
Thanks James for a fantastic channel and your very honest, transparent approach. I must advise that my Meater experience has been very different. I first got the Meater Plus and worked fairly well. Interesting cook setup and monitoring but the range was considerably less than advertised. So this fall I ordered the block. After waiting weeks and no delivery Meater gave excuses and delayed a refund. When pressed, they said that they declared that they provided a refund (in writing) but actually process a second charge for the block. I suggest that you reconsider “influencer” support for a problematic supplier.
After watching one of your videos last year, I bought the Meater+ as an Xmas present to myself. This year I’m giving my father and father-in-law one. (And getting another for myself.)
Note to self: try the potato hack to truly map out the hot spots in my grills.
Keep up the good work!
Wow glad I watched you today!!!! 🎉 used your link cuz was curious and it was in sale, 92$ off the block and then got your discount added. Oh my goodness.
Boom
I bought 2 normal MEATER blocks two years ago. They were on sale for 2 for $120. They have worked great. Just this weekend I had to replace the batteries. I have yet to ruin a long cook, reverse seared steak or even salmon. I do, however want to upgrade to the the block because of having to cook more than two pieces of meat at the same time. Just waiting for a good sale.
I love my Meater Block. One thing I wish Meater would add as an option would be an "Ambient Only" probe with an alligator clip on the end instead of a point. That way I could clip it right to the grate and not mess with a potato or apple. It would be really handy when bringing the cooker up to temp.
That would be cool
@@SmokingDadBBQ I emailed Meater a couple times and suggested it but never heard anything back. Not a word. Not even a generic "Thanks for contacting us blah blah blah." I would have rather had them tell me 'You're an idiot, we're not doing that" than to just ignore me the way they did.
Yep, this is probably the most requested feature. The challenge is that the meat side has a tolerance of 212 degrees, so it would be destroyed if left uncovered. To make this work, Meater would need to provide some kind of sheath to protect that end of the probe.
I'm more surprised that someone hasn't come out with an ambient-only probe, which is what you and others of us would be interested in. Even something that would be designed like a standard spike through dome thermometer but then connected to an app or other display.
@@johnpryes4360 When I say "ambient only" I mean it would have NO electronics in what is now the "meat" end. An alligator clip replacing the point on the end would be really convenient to attach it to the grate AND it would keep guys from ever confusing it with a standard Meater probe.
Sounds great but I don’t think that would be possible. The meat end insulates the internal battery and wireless transmitter from overheating.
I feel that I have learned more about the Meater probe by watching this video than reading the Meater manual.
Thanks, Cheers
James, it's commendable that you can feature a product and give it enough time and a fair shake to avoid being a shill!
Thanks. I try to limit reviews to when I have a learning or insight that I think would benefit people
Meater+ just went on sale for $80 so I finally got one. I’ve been wanting it for awhile, as every time I use my Thermoworks Smoke, I get frustrated with the wired probes, especially when putting everything away. It was one of your earlier reviews that convinced me, but it took a sale to get me to actually get one - just in time for Thanksgiving!
James… Great review but just as good is the tutorial aspect of the info provided.
I traded my ThermoWorks Signals for the Meater block this past summer (mainly because of the Joetisserie) and I’ve been struggling a little with how different some readings seem (on cooks I’ve done dozens of times before). Your tips have helped me better understand my data.
I appreciate you!
Thanks Adam
the air range is not the problem, but the metal attenuation around the probe!
I bought a Meater+ after seeing you use it a couple of years ago, absolutely love it and it is a Must I think for a newbie like me with a Kamado. Upgrading to a block now, thanks for the discount code. :)
Cheers Carl
Sure glad I found this channel in time! I took advantage of the MEATER Block 25% off during their year end sale. In addition, your discount code also applied so I got another 10% for a total of 35% off. Something to be mindful of with the probes though .. I compared their accuracy against my instant read and found they were 5deg f high… all 4 probes read on the high end. In other words a MEATER app setting of 120 was actually 115 with a quality instant read. They were right on for the cold end test though. Not a big deal now that I know, just something to be mindful of. Thanks again for this review and the discount code!
Thanks!
Hey James! Time to do an updated review now the new Meater Pro XL block is being released 😊
I rarely cooked meat (other than chicken breasts and ground meat) because I thought I'd ruin it, not knowing about thermometers and using internal temperatures. During covid, that all changed. I started educating myself on that and finding a suitable thermometer. A number of RUclips chefs recommended Meater. After some research, I decided on the Meater+. It's been almost 2 years and I haven't regretted it one bit. My family is always pleased with how our meat is cooked. I mostly use the Meater+ in the house, I now have a grill outside that has space for 4 wired probes, I have 2 for it, and I also have 2 handheld quick temp probes. I'm pretty well covered for my cooking/grilling skill level. If I find myself needing more probes, or if my Meater+ dies, I'll get a Meater Block so I'll be ready larger cooks. Great review confirming my choice!
I just bought a Tempro wireless probe. Probe is not charging, already! After adding gaskets and thermometers to both my Weber kettles I was going to add probe grommets. I even bought some. I was unimpressed with the wired Bluetooth I had. So, I decided it was time to go wireless and skip the grommet! When I realized that the single probe had a sensor for ambient temperature, it was a no brainer! Especially since it is the same price as a wired twin probe bt thermometer! The Meater Block is definitely my next thermometer purchase! The app alone makes it worth the price! I’m just going to have to save my lunch money 💰!!
I tried my meater plus today and absolutely love it! The steak was amazing!
right on!
It's also worth mentioning that (at least from my experience) Meater app does not really consider resting temperature in account when signalling to remove meat from heat. For example, if you set a cooking temp to 55C for medium rare, it will signal to remove the meat at 55C. But it can easily gain another 10C on top when resting (which was the case with me). So, in order to actually get a medium rare, I have to set the temp to 45-47 and let it rest, getting to 55-57C.
Depends on the cut of meat. When it comes to large roast my meater informs me to take it way before internal temp is met because of carry over
I just ordered one this morning. Looks great!
Good vid, good info re probe position…. I’ve owned the “Block” for about a year and concur with all your info…Thanks.
Cheers Tom
I have the Meater, it is nice... But the Combustion Inc. one is out soon-ish and it's going to blow the Meater out of the water. Why:
1- More accurate.
2- The probe is lined with individual temp sensors, so you don't need to be wildly accurate with placement. It can measure internal temp, exterior temp, and all the points in between. It can use the rate of change in heat to very accurately predict when things will be done.
3- Thin. No more big giant shotgun slug wound through your meat.
The guy behind it was on the Modernist Cuisine cookbook team, so they are Class A food nerds of the highest order.
Bought a block 2 years ago, right out of the box after charging everything it wanted to do a software update…..a week later got it out to use for the first time and again it required another update…..life is too short to deal with problems like this….packed it up and returned it and have never regretted the decision….went with a wired 4 probe and have never had a problem. Plus set up is not near as complicated
Thanks for sharing for people researching the good and the not so good. I am lucky I guess to have avoided all these niggles
Thanks for the video. I just bought the Plus and I was trying to connect my phone for Bluetooth but apparently there isn't an actual connection that you click on. It's just Bluetooths The temperature to your phone is what I'm understanding?
One gotcha you didn’t mention. I thought plugging it in would recharge the batteries and thought mine was broken. Found out plugging it in only helps charge the probes. I use rechargeable batteries now which I take out and put on a charger when they get low. The app is hands down better than any other I have used.
Good point
After maybe 40 cooks (never used high heat) my Meater + ambient started reading. 30 degrees F below true temp. This wasn’t a dome v grate, cooking food etc issue, I put another probe next to it and got the correct reading. Then when I pulled it out of my pork shoulder, the end came off, the glue had melted after 40 cooks. The longevity of the Meater+ is in serious doubt.
Another great video. But.... Just wondering.... How do you clean the probes?
i use a green scour pad and some dish soap. let them soak a few min, rub gently pushing the probe up through the green pad your gripping and comes clean very quickly. flip and clean the charge pad and its ready for next time
I have the block and use it on a Kettle Weber. Despite the block being so close to the probes, any of the probes can often lose connection unexpectedly and I get the circle indicator going round and round. I keep the unit well charged, the evening before I plug it in and it remains plugged in while in use. If I move the block away like 6ft away, forget it.. not sure how the 33 foot thing works but I suspect it doesn't - at least not while the probes are in the kettle and it's closed. Honest report.
I would be interested to know if the steel of the Akorn disrupts the signal a whole lot or just a little bit.
i am using the meater+ for over a year now. it is amazing.
Awesome
Such great information. Thanks. How about wrapping with the Meater?
Another fantastic video James, I have asked Santa for a Meater Probe can't wait currently using corded type. Cheers.
Tip for Meater users: My probe was mis reading - but cleaning it well fixed the issue.
This is a very helpful video, I’ve had mine sitting in a drawer for three years because I don’t understand the block connection😂😂
haha its not as easy as you'd think some days ... especially if using 5ghz vs. 2.4 wifi
Im cooking pork spare ribs. Are the probes too thick for this cut of meat in your experience?
I’ve played with the temperature readings & they can be out a bit but not much. Last January it was -8 c (17 F) which is a really warm day for Canada in January. I have a MEATER + & a Thermapen MK4, also checked the weather 😂 like that’s right. I was getting ready to BBQ with the probes on a table next to me, started playing with temps & watching things for about an hour the biggest variable was only 2.5 F.
Great review. I had always wondered about the reliability. Good to know it has been performing so well. I had placed a pre-otder on Predictive Thermometer from Combustion Inc, just
in case it fails to perform, now I know Meater is a solid option. Keeping my fingers crossed.
Cheers
i also bought the block and a little over a year one probe split in 2 pieces, but it still working. but for that price, i expected more than a year trouble free. i would still buy it again because i didnt find better so far
I bought the meater block and returned it. The reason why I returned is because the ambient temperatures were way off from all four. I inserted all four probes into a cut of meat in a one inch square. I remember seeing a twenty degrees discrepancy.
If the grill is not heat soaked I have seen very different ambient temps as the heat moves around the food and grill whereas later in the cook these inevitably get closer together. In either case appreciate it’s not for everyone but wanted to share what causes theseb
Ahoy James,
I bought a rotisserie for my Kamado Joe Classic 3. Now I need a wireless temperature meter. I saw your video on the meater. Then I wanted to see what else is on the market. I saw several coming by but as I live in The Netherlands not everything is available here. I have ordered the Meater block (sold out in most places).
Now I just saw this video about the long term use and this convinced me. I have not used it yet. Thank you for your excellent advice.
I have one question: can the probes be calibrated? (I have seen one video that said that the probes were not accurate with the same temperature)
The non-replaceable batteries in the probes themselves were the deal breaker for me. When the probe battery quits taking a charge, and ALL rechargeable batteries will eventually stop taking a charge, you have no option but the toss the thing and buy another. I think Meaters (and MeatSticks and a host of other competitors on Amazon) are a great option for folks that do a lot of rotisserie cooks and need to probe the meat, but for normal cooking almost every other quality brand is better. Meaters and their competitors are also poor choices for fish because of the physical size and need to push them so far into the meat being tested. Meters (and Meater competitors, because all their probes have EXACTLY the same temperature limitations which makes me think they are all the same but just rebranded) top out at 212°F. Any temperature measuring system tends to lose accuracy at its limits on both ends of the scale. There are plusses and minuses to any system though, so choose wisely.
I dunno.. they last forever under normal circumstances. If you don't see value over that time with a hundred dollar accessory that ensures your food is cooked safely, that's a little..I dunno. I've spent more on less.
Everything is made to be disposable these days on some level. I would much rather spend the hundred bucks every say, five to seven years, than deal with swapping batteries and the ongoing costs of upkeep. Plus, there's no way it would be viable in the form factor the Meater even is. How difficult would it be to get such a tiny and specific battery locally? How much larger would the Meater be if they implemented user replaceable batteries as an option? How much would a battery cost? Would one be locked in to only sourcing from Meater themselves for batteries when needed and how long would they even be supported without forcing you into a newer model by pricing it so high that it wouldn't make financial sense?
Some of what you're paying for here is convenience and people overlook this on a continual basis.
@@BrewReview I agree if its 5-7 years even 4-5 for me would be acceptable, but i doubt they will last that long; one of mine already split in 2, its still working but it got me worried about longevity
Question. Yes I could look it up
What is the safe temps to run a meater How low will you go….. never exceeded what temp
Internal is something like 212f and external I think is 500f
Great Video! Great info! Love my Meater Block!
Rarely make it through a MEATER cook without troubleshooting. Flawed product IMO. I have the block.
Great video James! I got my own block a year ago, and already adviced people to buy one. But it does eat batteries at great speed! I see a adapter connection at the back, but can’t find the adapter itself anywhere. Any idea what to buy? Thanks
I have the meater and i use it a lot. Love the programming and the software. tryed to buy the block but in Holland the are imposseble to find. Seeing your video i a going to check again this month hahaha ;-)
Hi. Have you used the Meater+ in your wood fired pizza oven for a slow cook? Does is work okay with or without the door on? Thanks for the vids. Cheers
Just used mine today in the oven below 500f
@@SmokingDadBBQ thanks so much for the quick reply 👍
Do you run into issues with the probes losing connection or failing to connect with the block?
Great video, I have just gotten an egg, and this has helped me to decide to buy a temperature probe
Glad it helped! and congrats on your egg
can a probe work as an instant read? Recently bought the block and was thinking of giving my daughter in Inkbot that has 2 wired probes and an instant read
Interesting review, some very good comments and tips but I must say I don't see the value of getting the block since its only true advantage is when doing rotisserie as you pointed out and you will never need 4 probes for it; the many reported issues by other users are a bit too alarming and I much prefer the stability / data refresh of a wired system than gambling on the meater technology. I think it is a good idea to have a meater plus in your arsenal but spending twice as much as an excellent 4-channel wired competitive product makes little sense to me.
Rotisserie is where this makes sense. If you don’t have a rotisserie you have lots of options
@@SmokingDadBBQ Thank you for responding. You have a great channel.
Wow great connection hack, didn’t think of that!!
Cheers Ian
What kind of watch is the watch app compatible with? I have a Galaxy watch and cannot find the app in the Galaxy Watch Store.
The Treager guy at Costco said that the Meater block has a major flaw. When the battery goes out on the block all the probes become worthless. He recommended buying 4 individual Meater probes and that way when one fails you replace it not all four.
You can run the block off power. Traeger bought Meater … that sounds expensive, has no wifi and after 3 years with my block can’t say I’m concerned lol
@@SmokingDadBBQ I waited on making a decision and now I am glad I did. Thanks for such a prompt response.
James - I have the MEATER Pro which I like a lot. This was purchased thanks to you. Do you have experience or knowledge of it being safe to use in Air Fryer ? I contacted MEATER who’s not responded. Thank you.
I found this recipe on their website so i think that means yes - meater.com/blog/air-fryer-fish-and-chips-with-meater/
@@SmokingDadBBQ I called and told YES it can be used Air Fryer. Nice lady, good customer service. Thanks James for looking that up.
Hey James, can you clarify the power source on the Meater Block. Do the batteries only charge the probes and the "block" gets charged with a cable and has the ability to hold a charge for some time? I really enjoy your videos and have become pretty good using your advise and direction! Thank you! b
Block charges probes. Power cable can run block. Block needs either batteries or recharging batteries that you recharge and put back in the block
@@SmokingDadBBQ Thank you Sir! I learn so much from you and your channel. Best. b
Great video I'm going to buy the meater block to try it out
Hope you enjoy
I wish i could be as enthusiastic about the meater block as you are. Two cooks on Thanksgiving, one outdoor on a grill the other inside in the oven. Only about 40 ft Max between the two cooks yet no matter where I put the block one of the probes was always saying signal lost move block closer to probe. The turkey outside said cook finished at 137 even though it was set for 167?
App information was inconsistent. I want to love it as much as you but I'm getting myself a wired thermometer..... I need more consistency.
I wish I knew why once and a while people get such an opposite experience than I have had. Bummer
Excellent video but not sure about the product. I have a Meater block that I use with a 26 in Weber Kettle. No matter what I do, the block repeatedly goes to sleep and disconnects when I am away from the grill. I use the Meater block in WIFi mode and am sure that the block and my phone are on the same network. The batteries are new, probes are fully charged and spotlessly clean. The Meater block is place less than 4ft from the grill. I have been through every FAQ on the Meater site to no avail. I cannot identify a place to call, chat or email Meater for help. I sent an email many days ago to Apptionlabs, the company that owns meater - radio silence. Any suggestions regarding how I can prevent these repeated disconnects would be very much appreciated.
My problem is connectivity. I take the probe from the base and it simply doesn't connect. The light simply flashes red. Sometimes it connects after 20 minutes. Also the probe is very thick versus typical thermometer sensors.
Great video. You missed the biggest question I had when I saw the intro... since you have so many of those things, are you going to give any away?! ;-) I have the Meater+ and it allows me to connect anywhere in the house or yard. It was worth a few more bucks, but now I'd love to have a block that would give more than one data-point. The only complaint I've had about the Meater probe is that it has an upper temperature limit so that it doesn't work to monitor the final temp of a steak if you do a reverse sear- I think it cuts out at 500 or 550, but well below a raging fire.
Had a bit of a problem with Meater customer service. I got both the block and high temp single for Christmas in order to choose the one I wanted. I decided I did not need the block. I went to return the completely unused block and customer service said that since I opened the box it is not returnable. So now I'm stuck with probes I have no use for. Ebay time and loss of dollars are coming up.
I have a Meater but a great cheaper wired version is the Grill Eye
I was on the fence about getting Meater Block. After watching your original review I ordered one. Owning this for six months now and I totally hate this product. It's completely trash. Constantly disconnecting, the distance needed for connectivity, just makes this unusable. I thought the first one was a dud, contacted the company did a few trouble shooting and sent it back for another one. It has the same issue. The app looks beautiful but it's all fluff. For an example, try to remove a block. Despite having a section to add and remove the devices, there's no clear option to remove. Also check the wifi status on the block. It'll say "bad" and "unknown" then crashes (Android). Don't be tempted and fooled with all these social media ads, read the comments and reviews. It's a horrible product.
Thanks for sharing your perspective. I have had the opposite so it’s good for people to read both real experiences. I have receipts for my original purchases and wasn’t paid to make that video or this one. I made it as I was frustrated with how I thought the ability to get info on my phone from anywhere works vs how it actually works.
If your wifi isn’t 2.4, if you share the same wireless channel as your neighbours (router settings, there are 11 to choose from) you will have interference, and if you stretch to the advertised distance there will be connection problems.
I have none of these issues but my block sits on the table beside my grill (probe is less than 6ft) and the wifi is on a channel with less interference on a full strength mesh network.
I totally get your frustration but for the product or any wifi product to work it needs a good road to operate on. If we took a Ferrari on a broken up pothole gravel road and said it’s a terrible car because you had to go slow to avoid the massive holes that’s more of a road problem then it is the car. Unfortunately with tech the limitation for any of them to work is a really good wifi foundation that’s not included with the product
@@SmokingDadBBQ I wish I've had the same results as you, you're the reason why I bought the Meater block after months of contemplation. I have a full mesh network that covers my home and yard. The 5ghz would not reach the far corner of my yard as that frequency requires you to be somewhat close. I've also use wifi analyzer to choose the channel with the least interference in my neighborhood. I too place the block next to the smoker during the cook. The difference here, I think is the medium the frequency passes through. I used the Meater probe in a metal grill and in an oven with the door closed. Despite the block being as close as possible, so close that the next step would be putting the whole block in with the meat. Despite being this close there's connectivity issues and it just makes me go nuts. What works is if you have a direct/unhindered sight line from block to probe. Such as a scenario where you're searing the meat on a cast iron. But I'd like to use it to make sure the meat is cooked perfectly before then, so I really wish I had your same experience. Thank you.
Great video on the probes! I have my 4 box for a couple of years now and love it. I use it for both long and short cooks. For long cooks (16 hours), I use a fire control blower so I can go to sleep at night. What I found between a horz. Meater Probe and my Fire Control probe mounted on the grate itself is about 20 degrees difference. I guessing the Meater Probe is 20 degrees cooler is because of the cooling effect of the meat. Your thoughts?
Yes I would say the meat bubble accounts for the difference
@@SmokingDadBBQ I just heard that you and Al are doing a cook tomorrow! That should be fun, wish I could watch it live, but I will be working.
@@Keith80027 we recorded it so you can catch it later in the day
Looking at one of these for my air fryer. Mainly so I don't over cook venison . The basic one says it's not recommended for them but the extended range one is ( well it has a tick in the box for air fryers ). If the probes are the same why would that be? Also if you run the app direct or thru another smart device ( old phone I've upgraded from) can you run up to 4basic probes ie buy another probe later . Or is it only with the block you can have multi probes at the same time
I want to purchase a Meater for my brother for Christmas, but don’t really know the difference between the individual stick, and the block. He lives to smoke and bbq at home and at the trailer, but he’s not in the competitive bbq world.
Thank you for the info.
I bought the Meater +. It would be great to have multiple probes but don't think I can spend the $$$ on the block.
these things add up $$$
love the Meater +, have been using it for a while and great quality product . If I upgrade to the block with 2 probes can I move the old probe to the new block?
I will try with mine. Some people suggest old firmware might be an issue for this
@@SmokingDadBBQ thanks
How do you do steak? I typically would get my grill way over the 527 max ambient temp for steak. The joy of steak was not needing to really worry about how hot the grill gets: the hotter the better. In order to not risk damaging it due to the typical fluctuations of a kamado, I'm guessing you'd have to shoot for something like 450 at the most?
I remove the probe for searing. I reverse sear to 114, leave probe in to track it climb and then cool and then blast sear with the probe out as I am no longer cooking for fineness but instead crust / look
Have you tried the Chef IQ? I’ve never tried any smart thermometer so I’ve been doing some research and came across the chef IQ. I’ve read several comments from long time meater users saying that the Chef IQ works just as good and some say even better. Just wondering if you tried it.
Not yet!
So, Meater plus. The meter has a range of 165 feet. The block extends that range. SO technically, I could have the meater installed in the cook, 165 ft from that distance place the block, and it can extend my range within my home? Do I understand that right?
No the probe goes to the block which goes to your phone for a total of 165ft. If that doesn’t reach your house/device you would use a spare smart device to act as the wifi bridge to upload to cloud and now you can access in your phone anywhere
Great presentation! You answered a lot of my questions. Is it possible for you to discuss the app in more detail?
I will sneak of it that into videos / cooks for sure
People, do not waste your time or money with the Meater+. Just get the Block as it supports WiFi without adding in a secondary device just for that purpose.
I also use the FireBoard 2 Drive for longer cooks. I mostly use the Meater for shorter ones.
I would have saved money if I did that first
@@SmokingDadBBQ Me too. I still have the Meater+, literally haven't touched it since I got the Block.
Another money saving tip for the block is to get yourself 8 AA eneloop rechargeable batteries, and when your batteries die you can just swap in your backup set and recharge the other ones.
@@praetorxyn good advice
Are you sure the probes are interchangable? I started with the Meater+, and was gifted two Meaters. I wanted to switch to the block, but was told that the probes are not compatible between the individual Meater and the Block.
I know they are the same probe but interchangeable after coming paired to a base I am not sure
Hi James, so if I understand correctly, each probe measures both the meat AND ambient??
Hey Andrea. Yes each one has its own internal meat sensor as well as an ambient air temp sensor
thanks, @@SmokingDadBBQ James! most helpful!
Excellent channel, top notch content, however...
I've had an abysmal experience with the Meater block, starting with their support (or lack there of), they do everything in their power to not interact with a human. I spent 3+ months fighting with support email (only contact option) and finally, despite much push back, I got a replacement block for my initial lemon (constant connection drops, and yes I followed all KB's multiple times, it was a lemon/dud).
The replacement block is performing much better, although I would still NOT recommend it, 100% you're better off getting a wired probe monitor, save yourself $$ and headaches. I much prefer the reliability and ease of use on my cheaper wired set purchased on amazon, and it was less than 1/3 of the price.
For now its primarily a $350 paper weight, I use it so infrequently the batteries end up dying between uses, yes it uses AA batteries.
Meater block pros:
- Looks sharp
- App is nice
- Awesome when it works
Meater block cons:
- horrible support
- I have to troubleshoot connection issues frequently, it rarely powers on and just "works", usually requires a couple power cycles, app force close/open, by that time I give up spending more time troubleshooting and just use a wired probe.
- uses AA batteries in the block
Thanks for your videos, keep up the great work.
Thanks for sharing your experience for others considering as not everyone has the same experience I have had
@@SmokingDadBBQ kinda seems like only a few have had good experiences as you have.
I bought a the original meter stick for $113 at Dickson's BBQ and have used it 3 times in 2years, and have absolutely regretted the purchase.
Now I accept 100% blame for buying it before doing research on the product and instead relying only on a few opinions.
When I bought it, it did say certain kinds of cookers would limit range (ie ceramic style), which if I had done my due diligence would be reason not to buy it. Also after hearing your first review on the Meter+ and the need for a separate base station for the system to really function as advertised I definitely would have given this a pass.
When using it on my KJ3 I would put my expensive android on the side shelf and it would lose connectivity in about 20 seconds, and it would keep doing this. I would have the same problem with my offset (didn't put my phone that close to it). In the end I threw it on trash pile of BBQ regrets. Sigh.
I eventually bought a Therm O Pro, 4 probe blue tooth wired thermometer, with a range of 650 feet, which I can monitor on my phone any where I am around the house.
If I'm going to be away during a cook I set up my Flame Boss 500 and can monitor and adjust my cook over my cell phone from anywhere there is a signal.
I am definitely not saying yours anyone elses opinion or experience is wrong, but we should heed that saying buyer beware by doing a little research, and finding out does the product really do as claimed, and does it suit my need.
Well James that's enough preaching from me.
Bummer your experience sucked. I guess I am lucky to be part of the 90% positive reviews and you got the bad luck for the one out of 10 with issues
@@SmokingDadBBQ True.
And another very informative video. Been thinking about the Meater block or The Meatstick pro WiFi set and your video now gets me leaning back towards Meater. Because of all the videos were the range of the Meatstick (distance connection and temperature) was better compared to Meater and the reviews from customers about poor connection and poor customer service from Meater I first was leaning towards The Meatstick. Still a few days to Black Friday deals😅 A pity your code /link doesn’t work in Europe (the European website) or does it..?
It should. Just got a bunch of EU countries setup. EU link meater.store/SmokigDadBBQEU
@@SmokingDadBBQ is the link correct..? SmokigDad instead of SmokingDad..? With the link you get the normal site and normal price when you choose the Meater block.
@@Raymond-sj7cn it should be 10% at checkout unless there is a sale and it takes the better price
how do you clean them?? I find it a PAIN in the *** trying to clean these things after a long smoke...
i spray with dish soap, and use a green scour pad... comes clean pretty quick
if i bought a block with 2 probes can i convert my meater+ probes to work with it?
Would anyone recommend using a single meter for the purpose of only tracking the ambient grill temp? I read that you need to use an apple or potatoe but how long until you need to switch it out for another? Also, will the probe stand up to a higher temp for a short period? Not worried about temp tracking at that point, just that the probe doesnt get damaged...
I had the meater + aznd was tired of fighting to short range and didn't have an extra ios device to serve as intermediary. I just ordered the block.
That’s what lead me to the block as well
I'm setting up a smart home and have automated my garage door, lights, blinds, etc. I've had an easier time setting up and using most of these devices than setting up than using my Meater (why are all letters capitalized?). I think they need to massively improve their ease of use. I consider myself pretty savvy with networking (I've worked for major networking companies for over 30 years) but Meater has flummoxed me. This is a hugely helpful video but it shouldn't be required to use something that you should be able to solve in and use.
It’s puzzling the either works automatically OR people experience what you’re experiencing… no idea why that is. I do know 2.4ghz is needed and I do know that occasionally changing the frequency is needed if there is too many homes near by on the same default frequency
can you use the meater on an infrared grill?
Have you ever had a probe fall out of the meat, maybe even during a rotisserie cook? Because that's something thad concerns me.
How many probes can you add in the app
Is there any concern that the battery in the meater will outgas at temperature?
There's a hell of a concern that I didn't even think of. Bravo to you, sir. Another point leaning me into the direction of a wired setup.
Great review. I bought one off your reviews as well have been happy with it. Have you had issues with the historical temps being in accurate? I think the latest update messed up my history. Example: I cooked a chicken to 165 and now it says I cooked it to 99. Was curious if you had same issue and if you noticed some relationship between how different the temps are. I was trying to see some history for how I've cooked certain things
Update: now all my historicals are gone!
I’ve never seen that but will keep an eye out. Interesting, wonder if it was an app version error that’s been patched