The Meater (wireless meat thermometers) - Kickstarter project
- Thread starter tnlyne
- Start date
SconnieQ
New member
Want...one...now! So do a lot of other people considering the success of their crowd-funding campaign. $100,000 goal, and now up to nearly $1 million. Thanks for posting!!
I have looked into an iGrill, but iGrill has a couple issues for me:
1) Accuracy of the probes is not good.
2) Bluetooth connection is unreliable, even within short distances.
Sounds like the Meater is using high quality probes, but is bluetooth, unless you buy the block. The ability to use your home WiFi network is huge for me. I really love the idea of graphing your temps over the entire cook. But have not been sold on the iGrill. Thinking seriously about funding this, to get an early release. These guys are going to be RICH!
I have looked into an iGrill, but iGrill has a couple issues for me:
1) Accuracy of the probes is not good.
2) Bluetooth connection is unreliable, even within short distances.
Sounds like the Meater is using high quality probes, but is bluetooth, unless you buy the block. The ability to use your home WiFi network is huge for me. I really love the idea of graphing your temps over the entire cook. But have not been sold on the iGrill. Thinking seriously about funding this, to get an early release. These guys are going to be RICH!
gregbooras
Moderator
Alright I am really impressed what I see with the Meater. I even considered jumping in and spending the money. But my real concern is with our smokers being stainless and really well constructed the ability of the bluetooth working with them.
For now I will wait, it sounds like these babies should start showing up in the next 3 months.
Greg
For now I will wait, it sounds like these babies should start showing up in the next 3 months.
Greg
SconnieQ
New member
I funded... at the level where I get the 4 probes and block, which uses your own WiFi network. I am a sucker for this kind of stuff. Hopefully January delivery. I'm either an idiot or a genius for jumping on it. Indoor ovens are also heavy steel and well insulated, so if it is designed to work with those, seems it should probably also work with the SI.
gregbooras
Moderator
I may still op in to buy a set but first plan to do a test.
First I will pair my headset with my cell phone and then place the phone in the smoker and close the door.
It should be interesting to see what kind or range I do or don't get. I am out of town until Friday, so I will post my results then.
Greg
First I will pair my headset with my cell phone and then place the phone in the smoker and close the door.
It should be interesting to see what kind or range I do or don't get. I am out of town until Friday, so I will post my results then.
Greg
SconnieQ
New member
Good plan. In their FAQ section, they address this issue (Faraday Cages). Below is the Q & A, but you are totally right to be concerned. Our SI's are much better sealed than other smokers and grills.
Q: Aren't BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens essentially "Faraday Cages" that would significantly reduce the wireless range of the MEATER probe?
In theory, a "Faraday Cage" will block RF signals from entering and exiting the cage. The good news is that BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens are not built or designed to be "Faraday Cages."
A good "Faraday Cage" has no gaps, slots, and holes; Are usually made of thick conductive material and designed with as little individual parts/pieces as possible (i.e. every joining edge or corner between materials are spot welded, etc.).
In reality BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens are anything but a "Faraday Cage." They have plenty of large air vents and gaps. If air and smoke can enter or exit your BBQ grill, smoker, and oven, then it'll be easy for 2.4GHz radio frequency to enter and exit through the same gaps and holes.
Also, there are a few MEATER backers in the comments section who did their own testing using a Bluetooth speaker to test the effect of their BBQ grill on Bluetooth signal range. They too have found that it made no noticeable difference
Q: Aren't BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens essentially "Faraday Cages" that would significantly reduce the wireless range of the MEATER probe?
In theory, a "Faraday Cage" will block RF signals from entering and exiting the cage. The good news is that BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens are not built or designed to be "Faraday Cages."
A good "Faraday Cage" has no gaps, slots, and holes; Are usually made of thick conductive material and designed with as little individual parts/pieces as possible (i.e. every joining edge or corner between materials are spot welded, etc.).
In reality BBQ grills, smokers, and ovens are anything but a "Faraday Cage." They have plenty of large air vents and gaps. If air and smoke can enter or exit your BBQ grill, smoker, and oven, then it'll be easy for 2.4GHz radio frequency to enter and exit through the same gaps and holes.
Also, there are a few MEATER backers in the comments section who did their own testing using a Bluetooth speaker to test the effect of their BBQ grill on Bluetooth signal range. They too have found that it made no noticeable difference
damnfingers
New member
Funded for two probes and the wifi block. Not too worried about the signal blockage...the smoke hole will all the signal out as will the door...all that built up smoke on the edges prevents a good electrical signal seal.
DivotMaker
New member
I'll keep my fingers crossed for you all. 
I funded for a block and 4 probes about 5 minutes after I posted this link!
I'm a sucker for this kind of tech as well and the wireless freedom really opens the door to "revolutionary" in this arena. I still love my HeaterMeter (doing some PID tuning and script optimization lately if folks are interested - http://bbq.tonylyne.com) but if this "Meater" pans out I might have a hard time figuring out what to use when.
I'm a sucker for this kind of tech as well and the wireless freedom really opens the door to "revolutionary" in this arena. I still love my HeaterMeter (doing some PID tuning and script optimization lately if folks are interested - http://bbq.tonylyne.com) but if this "Meater" pans out I might have a hard time figuring out what to use when.
NDKoze
Moderator
Wow, over a million dollars pledged so far!
I wish I had it for this weekend. We are going to be smoking 75lbs of venison snack sticks (finishing up processing from our 2014 hunt) and use two smokers to run 25lb batches at a time. This would allow me to monitor the smoker and internal temps from both smokers at the same time from the same device!
I wish I had it for this weekend. We are going to be smoking 75lbs of venison snack sticks (finishing up processing from our 2014 hunt) and use two smokers to run 25lb batches at a time. This would allow me to monitor the smoker and internal temps from both smokers at the same time from the same device!
damnfingers
New member
Came after my money today...long wait till it ships in January!
I'm an avid kickstarter backer... about a dozen projects at this point. Of those, only one has been an utter disappointment when I received it. I'm still waiting on several projects from almost 2 years ago though. They all seem to hit problems along production. Especially when they far exceed their projections.
I have gotten some great stuff through Kickstarter though. For instance:
My Belt is from Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/klikbelts/klik-belts-upgrade-your-belt
I got an awesome water repellent fabric softener: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2044033654/sofft-super-hero-of-fabric-softeners-blocks-stains
My absolute favorite hot sauce and spicy pickles...(I've order a LOT from him since the kickstarter) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/329062845/organic-bhut-jolokia-ghost-pepper-hot-sauce-and-pi
A fun 3-D printing pen: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1351910088/3doodler-the-worlds-first-3d-printing-pen
An entirely new type of deck/drywall screw: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/outlawfasteners/screwing-reinvented-the-worlds-best-deck-screw
But then there were the not so great ones.....
Cat Toy - Over a year late... still got nothing: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1046165765/egg-the-intelligent-cat-companion
This piece of garbage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/817146541/boss-a-titanium-mutli-tool-that-puts-you-in-charge The only thing it actually does well is open bottles. Nothing else is as advertised. The hex spots are neither metric nor SAE. The "screwdriver" is way too wide to fit in the head of any screw known to man. Even the keychain slot is too thin to fit a dang keychain loop in it.
Counter-top kegerator : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1620669801/synek-any-beer-ever-made-fresh-on-your-counter was due in June. Haven't seen anything yet. They added $55 in shipping after the fact. The very few that have received their unit are reporting that it doesn't come with fill hoses for the bags, regulators break, no-one can fill them...
So... it's a mixed bag. But I have fun being part of the process. When I backed the Meater, I also backed a kitchen knife Kickstarter that promises to be a better quality, but cheaper option for kitchen knives... Don't get me wrong, I love my Wustoff's, but I have to sharpen the damn things all of the time, and in sharpening, am noticing a lot of defects in the blades.
I have gotten some great stuff through Kickstarter though. For instance:
My Belt is from Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/klikbelts/klik-belts-upgrade-your-belt
I got an awesome water repellent fabric softener: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/2044033654/sofft-super-hero-of-fabric-softeners-blocks-stains
My absolute favorite hot sauce and spicy pickles...(I've order a LOT from him since the kickstarter) https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/329062845/organic-bhut-jolokia-ghost-pepper-hot-sauce-and-pi
A fun 3-D printing pen: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1351910088/3doodler-the-worlds-first-3d-printing-pen
An entirely new type of deck/drywall screw: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/outlawfasteners/screwing-reinvented-the-worlds-best-deck-screw
But then there were the not so great ones.....
Cat Toy - Over a year late... still got nothing: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1046165765/egg-the-intelligent-cat-companion
This piece of garbage: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/817146541/boss-a-titanium-mutli-tool-that-puts-you-in-charge The only thing it actually does well is open bottles. Nothing else is as advertised. The hex spots are neither metric nor SAE. The "screwdriver" is way too wide to fit in the head of any screw known to man. Even the keychain slot is too thin to fit a dang keychain loop in it.
Counter-top kegerator : https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/1620669801/synek-any-beer-ever-made-fresh-on-your-counter was due in June. Haven't seen anything yet. They added $55 in shipping after the fact. The very few that have received their unit are reporting that it doesn't come with fill hoses for the bags, regulators break, no-one can fill them...
So... it's a mixed bag. But I have fun being part of the process. When I backed the Meater, I also backed a kitchen knife Kickstarter that promises to be a better quality, but cheaper option for kitchen knives... Don't get me wrong, I love my Wustoff's, but I have to sharpen the damn things all of the time, and in sharpening, am noticing a lot of defects in the blades.
gregbooras
Moderator
SconnieQ said:
I also have Wustoff's knifes, but these look really interesting. I have not done a kickstarter before, can I still get in on the price for the knives ?
Greg
gregbooras
Moderator
SconnieQ said:
I checked their website and it looks like once they start shipping they will only be $5.00 more.
Greg
