ThermoWorks has introduced a shorter version of its RFX Meat wireless temperature probe, aimed at cooks who need to monitor smaller cuts of meat, poultry and fish. The new RFX Meat Mini joins the existing RFX Meat in the company's lineup of grilling tools. It is available now for $99, the same price as the full-sized RFX Meat when that probe is not on sale.
The original RFX Meat measures 4.7 inches and has a minimum immersion line of 3.15 inches, which made it a poor fit for items such as filet mignon or individual portions of salmon. The Mini addresses that with a maximum immersion line of 2.6 inches and a minimum line of just 2.36 inches. Otherwise, ThermoWorks says the Mini delivers nearly identical performance to the larger probe.
Like the RFX Meat, the Mini carries four internal temperature sensors and an IP69K waterproof rating that makes it dishwasher safe. It can withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. It ships with a charging block powered by a AAA battery, which ThermoWorks says is good for more than 175 charges.
The chief difference between the two probes besides length is battery life. The Mini runs up to 48 hours on a charge, compared with more than 65 hours for the RFX Meat. ThermoWorks positions 48 hours as sufficient for the longest low-and-slow barbecue session a home cook would undertake, particularly since the probe can sit in its charging block when not in use. Only commercial cooks are likely to test the outer limits of the lineup's battery life.
The Mini's distinguishing feature among competing products is its use of a 433MHz radio frequency rather than Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. The probe connects over that radio link to the RFX Gateway, which syncs with a home network and the ThermoWorks app. Radio waves are less vulnerable to interference from the thick walls of a grill or smoker, according to ThermoWorks. The Gateway also supports a separate wired ambient temperature probe, a setup the company says yields more accurate grill readings than wireless food probes that place an ambient sensor on the end and must contend with evaporative cooling during long cooks.
Because the probe operates on a Sub-1GHz radio frequency, buyers need an RFX Gateway to use the RFX Meat Mini. ThermoWorks is currently offering a 20 percent discount on the Mini with the purchase of either the RFX Gateway or the RFX Meat Starter Kit, which includes a Gateway.
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