Smoke X4 by Thermoworks Review [Is it the Best Wireless RF Thermometer?]
Thermoworks Smoke X RF Thermometer Testing and Review. We put the Smoke X4 (www.thermoworks.com/smokex?tw...) through a series of tests throughout the process of unboxing, hooking it up to the BIllows fan, and hooking it up to the smoker for some good ol’ fashion BBQ. We also tested basic things such as range, temperature accuracy and logged any details related to functionality and usability. Here’s an overview of the video should you care to skip around or jump to Our Final Thoughts:
0:00 Intro
1:29 Unboxing
3:30 Ice Test
5:09 Connecting the Billows
8:22 Cooking with the Smoke X4 and Billows
11:48 Testing the Range
15:58 Our Final Thoughts
Read the complete results of our testing here: smokingmeatgeeks.com/smoke-x-....
As always, we have high expectations anytime we test a ThermoWorks device. It was no different with the second generation Smoke. The original Smoke’s range was impressive at the time, boasting a broadcast range of 300 feet; while the range was good for its time, it wasn’t the only RF thermometer on the market that had this capability. The Maverick RF thermometer was always the alternative choice to the original Smoke as it also advertised a range of 300 feet. As of now, there is no other wireless meat thermometer using Radio Frequency that has the type of the range that the ThermoWorks Smoke X advertises: 1.2 miles.
Naturally, the first thing we were dying to test was the range. It reminds me of being a kid, running home with the walkie-talkies from the local K-Mart, excited to test the range. So once we unboxed the Smoke X, ran it through the ice water test for accuracy, hooked it up to the Billows, put the meat on and hooked it up to the smoker; finally, it was time to test the range.
To do this we left the transmitter attached to the smoker in the backyard and hit the streets. First across the street, then down the road, then to the end of the street and around the corner. In total, we made it about 1,000 feet before turning around and we were still in-range to receive transmissions. Later that day, we tested the range again, this time we jumped in the truck and ended up getting .2 miles (1,065 feet) before going out-of-range and losing our signal.
All in all, range was impressive; transmitting through an urban area. Comes with quality probes.
The device was very easy to use as there was no need for syncing or pairing - everything just worked, right out of the box.
Пікірлер: 24
Great review! I've been a Thermoworks customer for many years using Thermapen's, and the original Smoke, along with the Dot Thermometer, and various other goodies. Absolutely awesome products! I own Weber grills exclusively! And, upon givng my son his first Weber 22 kettle for Christmas last year, I gave him my second generation Thermapen. 👍 Yesterday, I finally ordered the Smoke X (4 channel) & Billows. It was high time to add a fan system to my Smokey Mountain 22!! My son will now become the recipient of my Smoke with the Smoke Gateway. 🙂 We smoked a 3 lb. beef brisket on Monday. 7.25 hours total. It turned out fantastic!! But; I was having to keep adjusting the vents to stay around 250. I am super excited about getting the Smoke X and Billows!! 🍻
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
Something to be said for tradition. Themoworks + Weber is a solid combo. You're gonna love the Smoke X.
Suggest you do not attach Smoke X tp the side of the smoker. The heat of the smoker will probably damage the circuitry of the Smoke X.
like my inkbird but this looks promising also... been looking for a second thermometer may have to pick this one up !
So is this preferred over the Signals product? I'm thinking the X4 is the way to go.
I have the same smoker you do in the video. Did you cover up the factory air inlet and cut or drill a new hole to install the billows ?
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
3 жыл бұрын
Actually, we installed the Fireboard fan by drilling a hole into the Pit Barrel Cooker, however we only did this for testing various fan controllers in a separate testing. The Pit Barrel doesn't benefit from a thermostatic controller as it holds pit temps steadily on its own right around 255F. Personally, I don't recommend installing a fan on it in most cases.
Question- Once you connected the billows unit I no longer saw the Alarm for the high and low on the number 4 slot containing temp probe. Does connecting the billows take away the cook chambers high/low temp alarm setting ?? Many thanks..Mark Y.
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
Hey Mark, missed your comment sorry for the delayed reply. Once you plug in Billows alarms become auto set to ±25 degrees from whatever your target temperature is, you are not able to edit it at this time.
Did you keep track of the temperature over the entire cook time? I am interested to know how closely it kept the temperature of the Pit Barrel Cooker to your desired temp of 230 deg. F?
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
Started at 7:40 it was about 250 to start out, was about 235 by 9:00 and then jumped up to about 260 by around 11:40 which is right before we opened up the lid to capture some footage and such; so then it shot up to about 350 as we had the lid off for a while. With that being said, it was done by about 12:40. The Pit Barrel is designed to run at about 280 naturally. Which is part of the reason why you can yield an amazing brisket in under 8 hours (maybe even a little less). The Pit Barrel is more of a convection cooker than it is a smoker.
How did you connect the billows to the Pit Barrel Cooker since you’re putting a rectangular peg in a round hole? Also what do you connect the ambient probe to? I just got the same exact setup. PBC and the Smoke X4 with the Billows. Thanks
@wippdriver1
4 жыл бұрын
I have the smoke x 4 and billows. Billows installed just fine in a 1 inch hole on my 30 gallon UDS... No Leaks and works fantastic at keeping desired temp.
@Mike-hs8fq
4 жыл бұрын
Did you drill the 1 inch hole to install the billows?
Does the receiver somehow let you know if you are out of range/lost your signal?
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
Yes, as soon as the receiver fetches and doesn't get a signal back from the transmitter it will indicate it is out of range.
If you pair this with willows fan , good or still flame boos 500 it is the way to go in accuracy?
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
Yeah, I like Fireboard's setup. But both Flame Boss and Fireboard are ideal for accuracy.
@ronkeys1712
3 жыл бұрын
@@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks and the X4 is not? I'm trying to decide which one to get.
Nice job. What kind of connection did you have to have to hook the billows up to the smoker? Thx
@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks
4 жыл бұрын
There's a spring clip at the end of the Billows that you squeeze together as you shove it through and then it opens just like a wall anchor. In this video we show us hooking it up to a standard Weber grill: kzread.info/dash/bejne/nWWNlMSfidOsgps.html. ThermoWorks also sells mounting plates that fit certain smokers like the Kamados, Smoky Mountain Bullet, etc; here's a link for them: www.thermoworks.com/TX-1607X-M1?tw=THERMOSMOKE
@WKYanks
4 жыл бұрын
@@SmokingMeatGeeksMeatGeeks Thank you
Nobody cooks at 32 degrees. Maybe a better test to check accuracy is a boiling water test.
You spend all that money on a temperature system but not cabinet handles? haha. Great review. Thank you.