The Meater Pro XL is the latest wireless food thermometer from Apption Labs, a company that Traeger acquired in 2021.
Features
The Meater Pro XL features four 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 four different foods simultaneously. Each probe has a number – 1 to 4 – stamped on its handle so you can keep track of which probe is in use. There is another sensor in the handle of each probe 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 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 you insert them. Fully charged, The Meater XL estimates that the probe will operate for 24 hours. If the probe were to discharge, 5 minutes in the charger will give about 2 hours of operation. You can use the charger’s display panel instead of your smartphone if you would prefer, making the use of the app optional.
How the Meater Pro XL Works
Closed cookers act as electromagnetic shields that block radio signals, so it’s important to place the charger/booster close by. The boosted signal from each probe is relayed to the smartphone via Bluetooth 5.2 or Wi-Fi connectivity. Bluetooth range between the booster and the phone is claimed to be extended by the use of the Coded Phy Bluetooth protocol. 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). If the Meater Pro XL loses communication between the probe and the phone, 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.
The delicate electronics inside the probe are limited to 221°F (105°C), so the probes rely on the meat to act as a heat sink. The thermometer MUST be inserted to at least the etched ring on the probe, about 2.5″ (6.4cm) from the tip, or damage may result. 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 can be cleaned in a dishwasher.
Testing
I tested the food end of the probe at three temperatures: 135°, 160°, and 205°F (57°, 71°, and 96°C, respectively). These temps correspond to medium-rare beef, safe poultry temp, and brisket/pork butt. The measured values were 134.7, 159.9, and 205° – excellent results. 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. Each of the six sensors is individually calibratible if needed. A calibration sheet is included with the product.
The app is easy to use. It displays the current food and ambient temperatures as well as a target temperature for each probe. The latter can be entered manually or picked from a menu of meat types and their doneness. It will also display the time remaining before the food is done, factoring in resting and carry-over. This feature will be the subject of a future article and won’t be addressed here.
The warranty is one year. Contact info is found in the printed material and the app, should you need help. The website offers additional product information.
So, we have a four-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. A solid recommendation and Gold Medal.
