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Wireless thermometers are an absolute boon for the home cook. I’ve used a number of them over the years, including the ones built-into my Traeger grill but for those looking to get some wireless measurements on a budget there are only a few contenders.
Recently I got the chance to try the ThermoPro TempSpike, a basic thermometer with Bluetooth connectivity that lets you connect to your food from up to 500 feet. The spike itself pairs with a base station that boosts the Bluetooth signal considerably and pairing the system requires an app download and a button press. It’s that easy.
The Good
As I mentioned before this thing is dead easy to use. You download the app, pair it with your phone, and it will start sending temperatures immediately. You can set an alarm or timer and you even get ambient temperature which helps you make sure your grill is still heating.
The case doubles as a charger and is powered via USB-C. There are lights to signal low power in the Spike and the base and the Spike itself lasts an estimated 36 hours on one charge. When I tested the Spike on a pork shoulder I was smoking it offered worry-free measurements for hours.
I really liked the ambient temperature sensor and the alarm. I used a number of wireless and wired thermometers when testing this kit and I found the TempSpike to be extremely useful. I could even see it being a single source of truth for all my grilling in the future.
The Bad
I honestly can’t complain about this product. At $99 it’s on par with similar offerings and ThermoPro is a great company and makes great products. You could do a lot worse with competing products at a lower price point.
One slight concern is the Bluetooth range. If you have a huge yard (I don’t) I could see this thing losing connectivity at some point in your travels. I lost connection when I went to the sidewalk in front of my house, about 100 feet from the grill. The Bluetooth connection had to blast through brick and wood to get to me so I can’t fault the Spike for that but it’s something to consider if your estate is bigger than, say, a suburban lawn.
The price is a little high – $99 for a single thermometer – and you can get similar readings from something like this dual thermometer from ThermoPro that costs $39 and is also wireless. That said, if you’re looking for a fire and forget solution, this thing is great.
The Bottom Line
ThermoPro makes a range of really good thermometers including this handheld one for $14 that I use almost daily. The TempSpike is a great way to get a continuous temperature reading using a device that is as simple as a stylus.
You need a thermometer if you’re grilling or even cooking. It will change the way you grill and manage your food. This is one of the best ones you can get.
