So, I bought this great meat thermometer ThermoPro TP20 by ThermoPro. I love cooking with barbeques and smokers so a good, wireless, meat thermometer is really handy.
As a cook, I get pretty critical about my devices, so here’s a ThermoPro TP20 Review to share my experience with this product.
Product Review
* ThermoPro TP20 Wireless Digital Food Thermometer
What comes in the Package?
- A Digital Thermometer Receiver
- A Transmitter
- 2 Food Temperature Probes
- 4 Triple A batteries (2 each for receiver and transmitter)
- A User Manual
Little Specifications:
- Temperature Range (in ˚F): 32-572
- Accuracy: ±1.8˚F
- Resolution: 1°
- Probe Lengths: 6 ½” for food grade probe and 3″ for oven/bbq probe
- Cable Length: 40″ (stainless steel mesh)
- Certifications: FCC, CE, ROHS and FDA approved probe
- Uses: BBQ, Oven, Smoker, Meat, Food
Some Highlighting Features of the Thermo Pro Thermometer
Things that I’m specifically looking for in my thermometers are pretty basic. The wireless range needs to be good. The receiver should be readable in all types of lights. The build should be tolerant. Design can be minimal but should be hassle-free. Any additional features apart from this are always welcome, but these points are very necessary.
The two things that absolutely blew my mind in the ThermoPro TP20 Remote Thermometer were the timer function feature and the pre-programmed templates. But I will tell about that in a while. In addition to that, the communication between the two units of this ThermoPro meat thermometer is also admirable.
As soon as the device is turned on, the units are ready to interface, simple as that.
The rubber covering splash-proofing both these units in this ThermoPro wireless thermometer was also a good idea. It doesn’t make the transmitter completely water-proof but it does protect it from accidental splashes while cooking.
Besides that, the receiver also has a pull-out counter top stand along with a belt clip. This makes it easy to keep with you while you are busy with other tasks around the house.
The temperature display on this ThermoPro digital thermometer’s sending unit goes to and fro between probe 1 and probe 2. Both of these probes are attached to the transmitter. This means that you can use the thermometer for cooking two different things at once.
I personally prefer placing one of these into the meat I am cooking and the other one in the pit to act as an ambient temperature probe.
You can see temperatures in either ºC or ºF.
Being a timer thermometer, it allows the user to select alarm temperatures for both the probes. You can use the USDA recommendation chart, though I prefer setting my own. One thing that bugs me is that it cannot be used efficiently as a cooker monitor as it only has an upper limit.
The two probes in the device are identical, enabling you to use either one measuring food temps. In regards to outdoor bbq use, I felt 40″ (1m) to be on the short side for cable length. Though the cable’s temperature resistance of up to 716˚F is remarkable.
The cooker status can be measured with the help of a grill grate clip attached to a probe. The probes have a “Step-Down” tip. This means that the end of the probe gets a bit thinner. This is a very smart design because of the convenience it provides. You need to insert the probe in the thickest part and the thin tip makes it very easy.
Coming back to the timer part, the timer has two modes – count up and count down. The upper limit for the timer is almost 100 hours. What I liked most about the timer feature was that the up/down timer simultaneously runs with the temperature alarms.
For instance, if there’s a communication problem between the two units, the time out is up to 4 minutes or if there’s no signal from the transmitter the time out is 30 minutes. In both the cases receiver sounds an alarm. In addition to that, the usual timer and temperature notification alarm works as expected.
There’s nothing from the manufacturer about the range. But it seems to be up to 300 feet which is far better than Bluetooth models. There’s no use being wireless if you can’t step away a good distance from your food as its getting cooked. Wifi thermometers have larger range but they are pretty expensive too.
This one uses RF technology with some proprietary functions.
All I care about is that I can leave the transmitter with the grill or smoker or anything else I am cooking on and roam around with the receiver. This is a great relief and comes really handy for slow cooking especially on smokers. The beep and the backlight work accurately with the alarm threshold, good work there. But then again it lacks is a button for activating the backlight.
Another mind-blowing feature of this device are the built-in templates. The thermometer is preprogrammed with various types of meat cooking options and taste profiles. You can scroll through the various options and select your desired settings.
I’ve tested the settings for beef which has many options – rare, medium, well done etc. And what’s even better is that all the settings you punch in are going to stay saved even after switch off the device.
Coming to readability, the receiver comes with an LCD display. It is large and therefore easily readable. The screen has a backlight feature which is pretty effective for getting a reading in low light.
About the Build Quality & Design
Build and design are important aspects for a cooking thermometer. You are dealing with high temperature and no one wants their thermometer to break in the middle of a barbeque.
For ThermoPro TP20, the build is sturdy for the main unit which makes it easy to handle. It is hard to achieve such a durable build with just plastic and rubber. I can vouch for the hardiness of this bbq thermometer even through many bumps and bruises.
As usual, the probes are quite good.
Also the wires are thick so the temperature tolerance is pretty high and neither the probes nor the wire will break during usage. The reading stability of the probes is also good which again speaks to their build.
One thing I am very particular about, especially for devices like these, is the design. Offer one less feature and I won’t bat an eye. But if I need to keep the receiver in one hand and the user manual in the other, then that’s a “No thanks”. But that being said, ThermoPro TP20 has a design that’s time-tested and even quite standard.
As mentioned before the user interface is simple and anyone can use it after some practice. The backlight on the receiver screen secures it some brownie points that give it a leg up on some other competitors on the market. The buttons are big and readable, providing way better ease of use.
The intelligent design of the probes is another huge plus, especially with the step down tip. If it were up to me, I would make it a standard for all thermometers.
Warnings and Directions by the Manufacturer
There is a user manual to help you with all usage directions in case you have any doubts. As for the warning, there is the usual: “keep the probes dry” and “keep away from flames”. There is a one year warranty period which means you can get the product replaced for free in case of any issues.
As I said previously, the rubber cladding works effectively for splash proofing but the device is not water-proof so DO NOT leave the transmitter out in the rain.
Final Word
As mentioned earlier, I do not like to compromise with my cooking apparatuses. Heat is one of the fundamental elements of quality cooking and therefore it is necessary that your meat is the right temperature at the right time. With the advances in cooking technologies, thermometers are also getting better in terms of ease of use.
That said, it is totally up to you as a cook to select the best technology that suits your personal needs. For a multitasker like me, ThermoPro TP20 really is a gift. It most importantly has sufficient range and ticks all the other boxes. I’ve tested it with poultry and beef but I’m sure it would be great with Pork and other kinds of meats as well.
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The intelligent pre-programmed options for different kinds of cooking are a boon and the readability is great. There are little design flaws here and there but overall I liked this product very much.
It is more than adequate for home use. All in all I’d give 4 out of 5 stars for it. That’s all for my ThermoPro TP20 Review. Stay tuned for more information. We will be back soon.
