The Meater Pro Duo is the latest wireless food thermometer from Apption Labs, recently acquired by grill maker Traeger. This review of the Meater Pro Duo also includes a rating. The product features two probes, each of which has five separate temperature sensors along the probe’s length to mitigate errors caused by less-than-perfect placement in the food. This permits you to monitor two different foods simultaneously. Each probe has a number, 1 or 2, stamped on its handle so you can keep track of which probe is in use.
Functionality
The handle of each probe also contains another sensor that measures the ambient temperature in the cooker. The probes communicate with the charger-cradle/range-booster which, in turn, communicates with your phone. The cradle/booster also uses Wi-Fi connectivity to allow reception anywhere an internet connection is available, if you choose that mode.
The charger cradle uses a USB-C connector (cable supplied, but no charger) to charge its own battery and keeps the probes charged while they are inserted. Fully charged, the probe is rated to operate for 24 hours. If the probe were to discharge, 5 minutes in the charger will give about 2 hours of operation.
Closed cookers act as electromagnetic shields that block radio signals, so it’s important to place the charger/booster close by. Each Meater probe relays the boosted signal to the smart phone via Bluetooth 5.2 or Wi-Fi connectivity. Meater claims that the LE Coded PHY Bluetooth protocol extends the range between the booster and the phone. Range claims usually rely on ideal conditions that are almost never present, so testing these claims is a dubious proposition. Under ideal conditions, the manufacturer claims 250′ (76m). Should the probe and the phone lose communication, the app will make noise and splash a warning on the phone’s screen. The charging cradle can also connect to your router, giving indefinite range via the cloud.
How to Use the Probe Correctly
The probe limits its delicate internal electronics to 221°F (105°C), so they rely on the meat to act as a heat sink. You MUST insert the thermometer to at least the etched ring on the probe, about 2.5″ (6.4cm) from the tip, or you may damage it. The handle is rated at 1000°F (538°C), the highest I’ve seen on any competing product. The manufacturer claims that the probe will survive flare-ups, a comforting thought. The probe is smaller in diameter than most of its competitors: 0.20″ (5mm). The probes are waterproof and you can clean them in a dishwasher.
Accuracy and App Tests
For this Meater Pro Duo review, I tested the food-end of the probe at three temperatures: 135°, 160°, and 205°F (57°, 71°, and 96°C, respectively). These temperatures correspond to medium-rare beef, safe poultry temp, and brisket/pork butt. The measured values were 134.7, 159.9, and 205°F, all excellent results in terms of accuracy. My test equipment won’t accommodate the size of the probe’s handle, so I tested it at 32° and 212°F (0° and 100°C). The measured values were 25° and 223°F. You can calibrate each of the six sensors individually if needed as the product includes a calibration sheet.
The app is easy to use. It displays the current food and ambient temperatures as well as a target temperature for each probe. You can enter the latter manually or pick from a menu of meat types and their corresponding doneness temperatures. The app also displays the remaining time before the food is done, factoring in resting and carry-over. This feature will be the subject of a future article so we will not address it here.
Conclusion
The warranty period is one year. You can find contact info in the printed material and the app, should you need help. The website offers additional product information.
So, we have a two-thermometer set that is very accurate, has multiple sensors, is thinner than most wireless probes, has higher safe temperatures, is waterproof, is quick to charge, and is easy to set up and use. The Meater Pro Duo Thermometer earns a solid recommendation and Gold Medal.
