Introduction
Wireless meat probes are notoriously inaccurate when measuring the cooker’s “ambient” temperature. The ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 and its peripheral equipment take a different approach by introducing a separate ambient temperature sensor as well as a temperature-regulating fan. This ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 review covers the S1 sensor unit as well as the four optional probes and fan.
The ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 is intended to be mounted on your cooker, replacing the “heat sensor” dial that comes with many grills/smokers (those sensors are so unreliable that I hesitate to call them “thermometers”). As a stand-alone sensor, ProTemp S1 is designed to more accurately measure the cooker’s internal or ambient temperature. The unit communicates with up to four wireless meat probes, purchased separately, that monitor internal food temperatures. The unit’s display can show one particular probe’s temperature, or it can rotate through all four probes in sequence. The S1 can also communicate with and control a fan, again purchased separately, that regulates airflow, and hence temperature, inside the cooker.
The S1 pairs with the wireless probes and the user’s smartphone via Bluetooth. In the app, you can monitor each wireless probe and independently set target temperatures. The app, which looks very much like Meater’s app, lets you select a food type and a doneness level. You can also set up a custom cook if you prefer. Each probe’s channel can generate alarms to warn the cook that a particular piece of food is approaching its doneness level. You can also configure S1 to communicate via Wi-Fi with your router, giving essentially unlimited range.
Measuring the Accuracy of ProTemp S1
For this ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 Review, I measured the accuracy of both the ambient sensor unit and the wireless probes. The probes were spot-on temperature-wise. I had some problems measuring the value of the ambient sensor. The sensor, visible in the lower left corner of the product photo, has threads that are larger than the aperture in my test rig, and that prevented inserting the sensor more than about 1.25 inches (~3 cm). I set the test rig using a ThermoWorks Reference Thermapen to set the temperature. I tried to place the Thermapen’s tip at about the same depth as S1’s sensor tip would go. Nevertheless, the S1 read 216°F when the reference thermometer said the temp was 225°. When I set the dry well to 325°F, the S1 read 309°F.
I’m not sure these discrepancies would really be a problem because measurements of ambient temperatures are highly dependent on probe placement, and values can differ by tens of degrees within a cooker. You can adjust the displayed value up or down if you want to apply some compensation to the nominal value. The food temperature measurement is really the important number, and the S1’s wireless probes were nearly perfect there.
When you place them in their charger, the wireless probes do not turn off, so if you don’t plug in the charger, the probes discharge. If they’re discharged, it only takes about 10 to 15 minutes to fully charge them, so that’s not a huge problem. On the plus side, you can monitor each probe’s temperature via a direct Bluetooth connection with the S1 turned off completely. However, since the S1 acts as a relay device, direct connections between the app and the probes may be quite range-restricted.
Using the App
The app is easy to use. You can monitor everything via smartphone, including adjusting the cooker’s temperature if you’re using the fan option. A rotary graph displays the ambient temperature, the food temperature, and the food’s target temp. The app also computes and displays the food’s estimated doneness time. The predictor will advise when to remove the food, factoring in carry-over cooking and resting times. I did not attempt to test the accuracy or the timeliness of the predictions.
For this ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 Review, the manufacturer supplied two wireless probes that are visually indistinguishable. To differentiate between them, I used a couple of small silicone donuts of different colors, slid over the probes. (These silicone donuts came with another manufacturer’s product—hint to ChefsTemp!) In the app, you can name the probes according to the donut color. This makes it easy to keep the probes straight.
The S1 unit itself has two parts: the mounting frame/sensor and the puck-shaped electronics module. The mounting frame is available separately so you could, in theory, use a single electronics module on multiple cookers without having to disassemble the frame from the cooker. The two parts separate with a twist, allowing quick swapping between cookers.
If you want the complete package, including the S1 sensor module, two wireless probes with a charger, and the blower fan, you’d spend only $245, which is relatively inexpensive for total temperature control and monitoring.
Final Thoughts
The build quality of ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 is high. Everything fits together well, and nothing seems cheaply made. I would recommend this package to anyone who runs a charcoal or stick burner and wants temperature control and real-time cooking status. The ProTemp features remote control via the internet as well. One feature that is missing is the ability to upgrade firmware.
The ChefsTemp contact info can be found in the owner’s manuals. Yes, this manufacturer provides owner’s manuals, something I wish more manufacturers would provide. The warranty is for one year.
