Update January 2020: I did not have high hopes for this thing given it was a cheap Bunnings purchase. I managed to do a couple of cooks with this before it started acting up on me. The thin wire that connects to the probe eventually discoloured and then I started experiencing inaccurate temperatures.
I have vowed to never buy cheap essential items ever again. Instead, I bought the ThermoPro TP20 which has been incredibly reliable. It cost way more than the Bunnings probe but has elevated my smoking game considerably.
When it comes to barbecuing, the temperature is everything. You can get some affordable barbecue oriented thermometers and some really expensive ones (if you’re a serious griller). Your everyday home cook might find it hard justifying a $100 bbq thermometer purchase.
Recently I purchased a quite affordable wireless thermometer for my grilling efforts in the form of the Gasmate Remote Wireless BBQ Thermometer. At a cost of $30 AUD from Bunnings, I thought it was a steal because I could monitor my temps remotely. I couldn’t find much information on it, so I decided to give it a good try out and write this review.
Build Quality
Honestly, this remote thermometer has an appearance that matches its price tag. The plastic is cheap looking and kind of resembles a children’s toy pretending to be a cordless phone or walkie talkie.
Appearance isn’t everything, but if you’re expecting something heavy-duty looking then this is not the thermometer for you. I am convinced this thing would not fare too well if dropped or placed too closely near heat (the receiver that is).
Features
Features wise it has all of your basic temperature sensing needs. It has presets for various types of meat like the important proteins: beef and chicken. You can select from predefined doneness temperatures for your beef and it’ll beep at you when it is done. It even has a flashlight on-top if you need to look at your food in the dark.
You can choose between Celsius and Fahrenheit, and if you’re wanting to adjust the temperature values yourself you can also increase or decrease the values manually (handy if you like your steak well done and to a particular temperature).
It also has a timer function if you’re more of a fan of time-based cooks as opposed to temperature based cooks (as some steak grillers are).
The probe is stainless steel and has heatproof wiring on it. However, the wire looks thin and there are warnings everywhere telling you to avoid putting it on direct heat sources like your burners or coals (probably common sense). The more expensive remote thermometers are more adequately heat-protected on the probe wire, but this cost $30 and as long as you’re mindful will not be a problem.
You also get a little base station which the probe connects to, and for the initial pairing of the probe you need to rest the receiver on it.
Conclusion
I have only used it for one cook so far (a 6-hour brisket) and it seemed to do the job just fine. I am pretty happy considering it was so cheap, I might eventually buy something a little more heavy-duty and long-lasting.
Bought worked fine for several low-n-slow cooks then started claiming that the internal temp of the meat was 464F. Guy at work had similar problem after about 5 low-n-slow cooks, he replaced the probe and cable and it seems to be working OK. If you get one, make sure the cable doesn’t get crimped and you might want to think about wrapping the cable in foil – shiny side out.
Thinking of getting one, how are things 1 year on? Still working?
I wouldn’t recommend. Mine started playing up at second cook.
Probe in meat started giving temperature of meat out of the fridge as 80 degrees C.
I have been very careful with the cable and only wiped down the probe after use.
Bought one for my self used it a few times kind thought it was reading higher than what it should ..came to the conclusion it’s about 10 degrees higher .. got one for family and it seems to be doing the same thing..
Don’t do it- I’m onto my third (because I love steak) and they always start to read super high or low after about 6 months. I got one replaced under warranty, then foolishly purchased another.. NEVER AGAIN ! Purchase well and once- not this plastic garbage.
I have updated the review, guys. Basically, this thing did not last (as expected). I would not recommend this probe to anyone. Save your money and buy something like the ThermoPro TP20 which I linked in the post. I’ve had my TP20 for a while now and it is incredibly reliable.
worked 5 times now won’t go less than 51 centigrade even with ice on the probe.