Thermometer options and Maverick quality

[crimsonaudio]

732 user here, zero issues. Occasionally a probe will fail, but they're cheap (from Amazon) and I keep spares on hand. I dig it.

 

[bbq1980]

I have had multiple Maverick ET's and they all crap out. I hate their products. They are toys made in China that are not accurate at all. Total waste of money. I love the Thermowerks products because they are accurate and reliable but to my knowledge they don't have a wireless one.

I wouldn't quite go that far, as the one I have has worked for the most part, it's just the quality, consistency and lifespan don't seem to correlate with the price point. If the Thermoworks TW8060 had a remote receiver, I'd be all over it. The Stoker looks intriguing though, albeit at $400.

But my advice: buy Thermoworks products. I don't care what the initial cost is. You will eventually end up there anyway. And buying Thermoworks as a first thermometer is far cheaper than buying it as your third thermometer....

Exactly what I was getting it. Buy a better product now and invest a bit more up front in exchange for peace of mind and reliability later.

Great thermometers - I have the goto Thermapen. However, do they make wireless thermometers? I have not see one or I would have it. They make a data logging thermometer that will upload temperature history to your PC, but this is not the same as a hand held temp display or a phone app that you can carry around to where you are.

Other than the Bluetherm Duo, I've yet to see a wireless device from Thermoworks but I'd probably be right behind you in line if there was one. If they engineered one and somehow bundled it with a Thermapen in a packaged deal, I bet it would make a small fortune because they've really built a solid brand.

 

[TcircleT]

Just purchased two ET-733’s a couple of weeks ago. I’ve used them for 4 cooks so far, using every probe meat/cooker temp combination possible. The range has been great and the temps seem to be consistent.

The draw backs are:
The instructions – have to read them carefully if you are into that sort of thing.
The initial set up and changing target temps, etc for the two different probes – Read the instructions again.
The wires on the stock probes are a little short. Defiantly worth springing for the 6 foot replacement probes when you order your original unit if you can get them from the same shipper and shipping price. Keeping the stock ones as backup as you’ll have to order replacements at some point anyway.

And the big one, the screen on my second receiver unit stopped working after the first cook. I can still use it, but need a bright light at the correct angle to see the temps.

Conclusion – look for the ET-733 on sale and take advantage of any shipping options to reduce cost. I wouldn’t rush an order for example.

 

[woodsider]

And the big one, the screen on my second receiver unit stopped working after the first cook. I can still use it, but need a bright light at the correct angle to see the temps.

I had a screen problem too when I placed the receiver in the sun for a while and it heated up, but once it cooled back down it worked fine again. Did you try viewing it out of the sun and/or in a cooler place?

 

[TcircleT]

^^^^^
It was a hot and sunny day so leaving it out in the sun for a few may have been the start of the problem. I still had the issue on subsequent, cooler day cooks and indoors. Thanks for the heads up.

 

[Budman1]

Got a 733 as a gift back in May. Used it 8-10 times so far, works good. Range for the wireless is also decent. I did check the probes in ice water and boiling water, they were off about 10* from each other, emailed customer service had two hew probes in a couple days. Can't beat that.

 

[haroldaugustine]

Just got my 773 and Pitmaster IQ110. Hoping to put both to use this weekend on my Akorn. Hope the 733 probes don't crap out as I failed to read the posts and order extras with longer leads.

 

[Tom Sellecks Mustache]

I've used my 733 multiple times and I've never had anything but positive results. Like seattlepitboss said, it's kind of complicated at first, but once you get the hang of it, it's smooth sailing. I did put a cardboard box on the top of my smoker to put it in as a sort of sun shade and insulation from the heat of the smoker too, quick and cheap fix.

 

[THoey1963]

Never had the screen issue, but then again, I usually put a patio umbrella up when I am smoking so I don't melt...

 

[ButtBurner]

electronics and heat do not mix so I take measures to protect all my electronic devices

 

[rookiedad]

[ame="http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Dlawngarden&field-keywords=maverick+ot3-bbq"]Amazon.com: maverick ot3-bbq: Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/415HZpkJ6KL.@@AMEPARAM@@415HZpkJ6KL[/ame]

you can use one of these with multiple probes for different cookers. you just need to shut and restart the unit when switching from probe to probe.

 

[bvbull200]

Very disgruntled Maverick owner here. My ET-732 didn't even make it 6-7 months before I started having issues. Swapped out probes and still had issues. The pit temperature always, and I mean ALWAYS ends up jumping about 100* over what my analog thermometer reads and what my meat probe reads when it is sitting in the pit, too. If I swap the probes at the transmitter, but leave them in the same spot in the pit, sure enough, the pit reading goes up to 100* over both of the other measurements I have.

Now I just use the meat probe in the pit to check pit temps and leave the pit probe out. If someone else makes a wireless thermometer that is any good, they'll get my money and likely sink the Maverick thermometers for good.

I cook fine without one, but it is nice to have. Planning on a Thermoworks for now until something else comes along.

 

[oldbill]

I recently looked into an old thread about the "BlueTherm Duo" by Thermoworks because I'd like to find something that I can use with an iphone app but reading a less than one year old thread on the product changed my mind about it.
http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/showthread.php?t=171107
The unit appears to be built well but the bluetooth connection seems to be pretty weak and some of the posters were talking about losing connection past 30 ft.! If I'm going to spend $240 on a thermometer (whole starter kit) it'd better work well, in fact I'd like it to wash my car for me too! LOL!
http://www.thermoworks.com/products/logger/bluetherm_duo.html
It looks to me like the Maverick ET-732 is still the most reliable thing out there according to most posts that I've read but there are also many posts about problems with it's probes and on/off switches, so I've just continued using a cheap single probe unit that I bought at HEB.
This thing cost me about $13 or so, it is very accurate next to a reliable digital thermometer that I've used for years and it's now lasted over a year and a half. I can walk into my house and go up stairs with the receiver (well over 100 ft. and through walls) and still get a signal from it. (Here's one at Amazon that is very similar).
[ame="http://www.amazon.com/Camp-Chef-LTRM-Wireless-Thermometer/dp/B003Z8VUVC/ref=sr_1_40?s=lawn-garden&ie=UTF8&qid=1406294697&sr=1-40&keywords=wireless+grill+thermometers"]Amazon.com : Camp Chef LTRM Wireless Thermometer with Probe : Meat Thermometers : Patio, Lawn & Garden@@AMEPARAM@@http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41sRLwhxPDL.@@AMEPARAM@@41sRLwhxPDL[/ame]
I look at this unit as a "throw away" tool that gets the job done but is one that I KNOW is cheap and that I EXPECT to crap out eventually but in the meantime isn't costing me anywhere from $60 to $250 to buy it. With this cheap little unit I get accurate readings, replacement probes are very inexpensive and it's easily replaceable when it does crap out (these things are in every box store).
This cheap little thing has already lasted longer than many of the Mavericks that people have bought and while it only has one probe it does give me an accurate IT on a piece of meat and can also be used to monitor pit temp as well. I think I'll just continue on with this until there is a TRULY reliable and durable unit to invest money into, that won't require handing over a valuable appendage or a first born male child to purchace.:shock::wink:
P.S. The CyberQ by BBQ Guru looks like a good unit but it's also pretty pricey.:-D

 

[TcircleT]

Quick update: The screen on my first unit went completely blank and was not usable at all. At the same time, the screen on the second unit started to fail like the first and I knew it wouldn’t be long before I had two bricks on my hands. Screens blank, but system still apparently functioning as they beep when you power them up or hit any of the other appropriate combination of buttons. Must be duds, right?

Initially I tried swapping out the batteries with no luck. As I started to rant about the situation, Mrs. TcircleT asked about changing the batteries and offered to pick up a fresh pack while at the store. No, batteries couldn’t be the issue as I just put in a fresh pair from the basket of batteries on the bookshelf. Well apparently that’s where we store the used batteries. Store used batteries? Really?

So when your screen starts to fade or go blank, that is the universe telling you that your significant other saves used batteries for the recycler.

 

[bbq1980]

So it looks like I'll reluctantly order a second ET-732 and hope for the best. I wrote ThermoWorks an email inquiring about the possible addition of a receiver to the TW8060 but have yet to hear back. I've got a cook for around 30 people or so coming up in 2 weeks and I need the 2nd therm since I'll be running both cookers.

I now think I'll ultimately practice on the UDS more and wind up with a DigiQ or CyberQ since these dual probe ATCs would eliminate the need for Mavericks and allow the pit temp to be controlled.

I'd definitely consider the BlueTherm Duo if the software or bluetooth improve or else there's wishful thinking that ThermoWorks finds a way to add a receiver to the TW8060.

 

[NeilH]

Have had the Maverick 732 for several years, no problems whatsover and long battery life. Just wish they'd send longer probe wires with them instead of having to purchase seperate.

 

[Smoking Westy]

I've had my ET-732 for about 2 1/2 years now and have no complaints besides my dog eating the meat probe. Ordered up a new USA made probe from the bbequipment store last Fall and all has been good.

It's hard to go wrong with the Thermoworks stuff but I'm not sold on blutooth - for me the distance the signal travels is just too short to be worthwhile.

 

[ICDEDTURKES]

Like some above I have had a 732 2+ years first probe went after two years I can live with that..

As a 2nd Thermo if I want to use 2 cookers I bought the ET 85.. Does not have remote capability but that is no big deal as little as I use it.

 

[Faston]

I goofed. Bought a new Maverick ET-732. 1 year later never taken out of the box. I just got bummed after reading so many posts about problems. The Thermopen is so fast and accurate I don't want to fool with anything else in my meat. I've heard that ET-732 has a thermistor and know that they typically are fairly high resistance. Almost all the fluids used in Q carry salt which is very conductive. So the probes must stay completely sealed without any leakage between the conductors all the way to the sending unit. Smokers are not are very friendly environment to say the least. The other bothersome part is it's ability to communicate reliably between the sending unit and receiving box. I know some of you have had very good results with them and that's great. I'll stick to my large antiquated mechanical gauges that are very easy to see; 1 year later that are still spot on verified with a boiling water test. (Not a true cal test but good enough for me). I'll take the reliable thermocouple in the Theropen for internal meat test which is more robust mechanically. (Did have a guy at work hook one up a thermocouple backwards once and blew up half the plant once! Opps!!!) Luckliy it was night shift and there were injuries!

 

[allancoh]

i went through the same decision when buying my 733. half the reviews i read had issues and half were great. i ended up buying it and have had it for about 6 months with no issues and i also bought some spare probes from the bbqequipment store.

there was another post earlier today about the thermoworks TW8060. if you are willing to drop the cash they sell a kit for $221 with the wireless receiver. when you go to their site click "kits" on the bottom right of the TW8060 page. it is the Pro BBq kit. i have not used it but read about it earlier