TempSpike

I naively assumed that I would be able to monitor the temperature of my smoked meats remotely. No, my phone must be near the smoker because the app connects directly to the TempSpike Plus device by Bluetooth. It doesn’t do what my other devices do which is connect to my WiFi and post updates to the server so I can use it on the go. Lame. The other usability problem is that the Fahrenheit temperature tries to show one significant digit instead of rounding which means sometimes the number is too wide to appear so it is truncated with an ellipsis and I can’t even read the number on the overview page. On the TempSpike Plus device which has a digital readout it rounds the numbers and doesn’t have this problem. Note I am using two probes at the same time so of course I want to monitor both at once on the overview page in the app. But I have to click to go into the detail screen of each one. Lame.

Used this for the first time and it worked great. Must’ve been updated because I can set presents for highs and lows to my own liking. Also alarms can be programmed when to come on or off. Used it on a 4 lb whole rotisserie style chicken and it came out perfectly. Quick note : trust the ambient temp on the app because it tells the true temp inside your grill. My new Weber just I bought a month ago, the temp gauge reads 425* but the TempSpike app says 370* a 55* difference. So when the recipe calls for 370* put tape over grill temp gauge and trust The TempSpike reading. Love the countdown on the app giving time left before cooking is done. Ok, one little thing is, the time it takes to charge the probe. Took about 4 hrs. No biggie, just plan ahead before you use it. The base only took about half of the time. Follow directions and you’ll happy with the results like I was.

I don’t know if it’s just a lack of experience cooking that creates a very narrow approach to companion applications for these thermometers, but there are some glaring issues that could easily be fixed. First, why in the world do I have to select a meat type just to choose a target temperature? OK, fine. I can either create my own or use “No Profile.” Regardless, it’s ridiculous that I have to go BACK into the settings THREE LAYERS DEEP into the selected cook just to change the target temperature. Make it simple! Let me tap a button on the main screen, adjust the temperature up and down with a plus and minus, and that’s it! Don’t make me go back into a menu setting just to change it. Argh. Second, why do I have the ability to set a low and high alarm for the ambient temperature, but I don’t have the ability to set the same low and high on the internal temperature? I know it seems silly to some, but when I am resting something like a brisket, pork shoulder, etc., knowing that it is not dipping below a certain temperature is important to me! It’s such a simple concept. This app could be so much better improvements. Also, to some other reviewer’s points, signal strength on Bluetooth connectivity is super helpful! Hopefully the developers are listening!