Not too long ago I posted an entry that detailed my adventures with smoking my own chile peppers & red onions. The product was and is today, a-fricken-mazing. In the midst of that was a promise to review the newish wireless temperature probe that I bought for the ‘experience’.
Piece of crap.
It isn’t a long review, but one worth paying attention to. Save yourself 30 bux or so.
There are several things going on here. What I need and what the product was able to provide. Wait, there’s three. What I need, what the product was able to provide and what the product should have provided. In any event, what I needed was a wireless temperature probe (use a dictionary if you don’t quite get it) and a timer. Timers are handy because as we get older, we forget what 3 hours feels like. Temperature probes are handy because we get tired of burning our fangers. Or ruining dinner.
Anyhoo, with a smoking process that I knew would probably take 30 hours plus, I knew I didn’t want to run out to the smoker to see what the fire or temp was up to. I wanted it on my belt, wireless like. Bitchen. Why? Because digital temperature probes are all over the damned place these days. So while at my local Ace Hardware Store I picked up Taylor’s version. The package really doesn’t give up much. I figure, how bad could it be?
Well, first off I noticed it didn’t easily give up the temperature of the probe. This was either locally OR with the remote. As we’re on the subject. This is technology is supposed to work on the basis is that there is one electronic device with a wired probe that serves as the base unit (battery powered). Then you have a smaller radio type device that receives temperature & timer information from the base. Some of the fancier ones have independant timer functions, this one does. But it ain’t fancy.
Anyway, as I was saying, you can’t initially get the system to give you the probe temperature. It’s set up with preset meats & temperatures. You are supposed to set it to, BEEF – RARE and set back. When it gets to that temp, whatever it is, the buzzer goes off and your dinner is ‘done’. Great. Thanks for thinking for me. I had no idea a beef roast should be roasted to 125 degrees.
There is some setting where you can put in your own temperature settings, oh boy. That sort of worked, but the two units (base & remote) seemed to lose their minds every hour or so.
At that point, I decided that maybe just using the timer funtion and coming out every 2 hours would have to do. No. Taylor in their infinite wisdom decided that 99 minutes was all you needed. No kidding. There is NO hour function with this system. They do have seconds though. So if you need to roast your quail for another 75 seconds, this wireless temperature probe system is for you.
At this point the temperature information is qwerky and the timing function is lame. Okay, so I come out very 99 minutes to check the fire. Great. ‘Within about 20 some odd hours, at about 4 in the morning, the batteries go dead.
Why, at this point I didn’t put a shovel through the ‘things’ is beyond me. Oh wait, I know. I wanted to review it here, then send a copy with the units to Taylor for their review.
So with all that in mind, I’m sorry I don’t have a solution. Only a dry rant that hopefully will save you your hard earned money when it comes time to buy a remote temperature probe system.
Xo Xo
I just purchased a remote Taylor Wireless Ditigal Cooking Thermometer/ Timer and I am having a hard
time with the unit showing the current temperature
of the food I an grilling.
It worked when I first started using it, now the timer function comes on and it is not giving me a read out of the cooking temperature.
Please help.
Thank you.
Hey Jim,
I don’t know specifically because I’m not there observing what exactly is going on. But mine would lose its marbles after a while. It would work fine when I was 5 feet away, but if I went in the house, 20 feet away it would start doing odd things and not keep track of the temp.
This is why I smashed it.
Biggles
I HOPE I HAVE THE RIGHT SITE. THIS IS IN REFERENCE TO A TAYLOR PROFESSIONAL THERMOMETER
THAT I BOUGHT, AND FORGOT WHERE I BOUGHT IT. ANY WAY I DONT CARE FOR IT, IT DOSENT WORK PROPERLY, COULD YOU PLEASE TELL ME WHERE I COULD HAVE PURCHASED IT. TAYLOR MODEL 9840
First of all the item is the 1474 NOT the 9840…you guys are so lame I can’t believe it…did you realize that you can only be 100 feet away from the grill with the remote sensor? Probably not…it is not made for use with a smoker grill…it is meant to be used with a regular grill or your oven in your house or trailer. 99 minutes…let’s see…if you leave meat on a grill for 99 minutes…I hope you like it as cooked as charcoal briquette cause that is what you are going to get if you leave it on there for that long…that is unless you are cooking a whole deer or some other critter you want to eat. Folks…this is not rocket science…it’s cooking meat on the grill or in your oven. I have used this product, the 1474 for two years now and LOVE IT! It works perfectly when you read the instructions and operate it correctly. The 9840 is an instant read thermometer NOT this item…I have one of those too and it works great too. I have worked in food service for years and this company makes the best thermometers over any other company in the business. Anyway I just wanted you to know the whole story…
Hey Lisa,
Understood.
Why can’t I use this wireless thermometer in my smoker? It’s just like your oven in your kitchen, but with smoke and at lower temperatures. Such as 255 degrees F. I read the instructions and there was no mention of their thermometers inability to be used in a smoker. None of the probes parts or probe was anywhere near a direct fire. If it works in your oven at home, it should work in my smoker.
I was never 100 feet away from my smoker, my property isn’t that large.
I cook 12 lb pork shoulders and slabs of ribs on my grill, for hours. Cooking a 12 lb pork shoulder, indirectly on a grill takes longer than 99 minutes. Remember, I’m using mesquite charcoal, not propane.
I gave away my collection Taylor, and other brands as well, instant read thermeter and bought a Thermapen. It’s faster and the tip folds in. While Taylor’s rigs are excellent performers, they do not make the best thermometers over any other company in the business. Not even remotely close.
My review stands. Even with the model number inaccuracy.
Biggles
I have a Taylor 1470 and loved it,so I bought my son one as well. It has stopped working, and appears to be a faulty probe, as the unit works okay with my son’s food probe. I am trying to replace the probe, but the Taylor web sit is basiclly empty. Any ideas who might sell replacement parts. My retailer wasn’t much help. Thanks. I really miss it especially at Thanksgiving.
Syd
Hey Syd,
I honestly don’t know. However, these things are mass produced and basically a disposable item.
I have a handful of Taylor and Polder thermometers, they come and go on a regular basis. The only one that’s lasted is a Polder that I bought nearly 10 years ago. It looks like hell, won’t stand up anymore, but works just fine. It’s exactly like the one Alton Brown uses.
Biggles
These thermometers will melt if they get too hot. How can a stainless steal probe melt, well in that probe it is all plastic on the inside of that tube, and it melts especially fast in a grill that over heats. Most melt at about 375 to 410 degrees, so if you are cooking at 425 degrees and it is rated at 375 you know the answer, you just cooked your thermometer. I have gone threw many of them and I know not to cook them, but I forget sometimes.
Hey Richard,
I haven’t melted any of mine yit. They’re only used in the smoker and rarely get above 275.
For testing meat on the grill I use my thermopen, dialed in perfection.
Biggles
i`m looking to purchase a remote thermometer for my grill(charcoal)but am scared…..oh yeah,I think some of you should invest in an instant spell check device!!
I have an older #1470 and the probe no longer works. I love the unit – simple operation. Would like to purchase a new probe. The 800# with the paper work is not valid now. Anyone know how to order a new probe???? Thank you for any help…
I have a #1470 and Taylor sent me a replacement probe at no charge 3 or 4 years ago. I lost the phone number, though, and now I need another replacement.
Leaving the probe in the meat on the grill killed the first one, testing the probe in boiling water – complete immersion past the connection to the wire – killed the second one. It still works but no longer reads correctly.
I think I copied the phone number from a new package in the store, I just have to find it and see if they will send another.
I hope this helps some of you guys out. I have the Phone# for Taylor Precision Products..It is 1-800-289-0994 or 1-866-843-3905..I also needed a new probe for my Thermometer 1470. They told me to send a 5.00$ money order or check to: 2220 Entrada del Sol, Las Cruces,NM 88001..Tell them this is for a 1470 RP. Hope this helps. Haven’t tried it yet!
The above number is almost correct. The right number for Taylor Customer Service is 1-800-289-0944.
Here’s the link
http://www.taylorusa.com/advantage/root/contact.html
Love your web site.
Where can i buy a Thermopan?
What I wanted to say in my last post,was,” my wife bought a Taylor digital thermometer today, with an extra battery. Being the kind of guy I am, I wanted to see how to replace the battery. Would you believe, the battery clip was soldered to the circuit board, no way was I going to be able to replace the battery. So much for built in obsolescence.
Hey H,
All those things are crap. Just do a google search for “buy thermapen” and your life will change. I use mine from the grill, smoker & the fish tank. Gotta make sure the water I add is at the correct temp.
I’ve never, not even once, regretted the purchase. I’ve regretted every purchase of every other type of thermometer.
Biggles
I have one made by Oregon Scientific and I love it..it works fine and the timer can be set for any number of hours…I use in on my smoker..have not used it on a grill. It show the actual temp and the target temp.
Hey James,
Thank you so much for stopping by, I’m off to go have a looksee. It isn’t so critical for a grill, it’s direct cooking. It’s the tender temperatures of the smoker we’re worried about, eh?
Biggles
I received the Taylor 1474 for Christmas two years ago, and I love it. I have put in in ovens up to 550 degrees (didn’t know I couldn’t) but it’s still working. Thanks to Terry for the info on a replacement probe in case I ever need one.
I purchased a dual probe digital meat thermometer from Williams-Sonoma. I fried the probes by getting them to close to the broiler coil. I am looking for another dual probe that can be trusted. Any suggestions?
Bill
I loved my Taylor thermometer with the pager until the probe failed on the third use. I was cooking a boneless pork loin at 325 degrees. I bought four of the thermometers and used three for Christmas presents. I am not sure of the model number since they do not have that on the units (pager or thermometer) but the probe failed on the third use. I think Taylor owes me a probe, but I don’t have the warranty info.
If a thermapen is too expensive for you kids, little steep for me, i suggest the thermo I use. The Cooper DFP450W works great and has held up in the kitchens I work in. Not remote by any means but i would buy it over a thermapen any day.
I have a Taylor 1470 & 1474. I need replacement probes for both. Just contacted Taylor at Info@taylorusa.com. Replacement probe for 1470 is 1470RP and is $5 check or money order, free shipping. Taylor said 1474 is obsolete but covered under 10 year warranty, including probe. If I send 1474 back they’ll replace with new 1471. 1471 does not have remote page.
1471 has exact same specs and buttons as 1474. I think I’ll spend $5 for 1471 probe and see if it works. If not and if I can’t find replacement probe may take Taylor up on their offer.
Jim
You might giver the Maverick ET-7 or ET-73 a try…
I am told that you can tell the temperature of the smoker useing a digital remote theroumometer by running the probe through the meat and it will read the pit temp. not the meat temp. is this true
Hi Pops,
What problem you are attempting to solve? Yeah, if you stick the probe all the way through the meat and in to the smoking chamber, yes you’ll read pit temp.
If you’re attempting to find out what the temperature is in your pit, just run the probe in and affix it to the grill next to the meat, at meat level. I use a metal clip that can be found at an office supply store. Usually used to hold bunches of paper together, all steel and lasts for years.
Biggles
I’ve also seen someone use a potato sliced in half and placed on the grate.
While looking at cooking thermometer reviews, I came across your post and enjoyed the read! After years of being a really bad cook, I’ve decided a meat thermometer can’t hurt. Do you have any updated info on your likes? Thanks, TV
Hi TeeVee!
Not really. I still use the Polder wired thermometer and probe that I purchased back in ’98. It works just fine as a timer and temp probe for meat and my smoker. For an instant read thermometer the Thermopen still rules the roost. Sorry I couldn’t have been of more help!
Biggles