Thermoworks RFX First Impressions

[ThermoWorks]

I'm using my RFX for the second time.

Its going great, my only complaint is how the phone app displays. I like to see the ambient temp and meat temp at the same time, without having to toggle back and forth.

Thanks for sharing! We are currently working on app updates! Happy cooking.

 

[ThermoWorks]

I'm using my RFX for the second time.

Its going great, my only complaint is how the phone app displays. I like to see the ambient temp and meat temp at the same time, without having to toggle back and forth.

Results of battery life test with a 20 minute charge.

I think this is probably the most important test everyone should do with their probes to determine if the probe batteries are performing as advertised. It will also give you a feel for how long your probes will last after they alert about the battery.

Serial #, Temp Based Interval Setting, Battery Life (hrs), Start %, Battery life after 10% alert (hrs)
M100006599, 3, 68.96, 80%, 19.2
M100009080, 3, 50.06, 100%, 12.4
M100006601, 3, 53.86, 100%, 13.9
M100006598, 3, 74.43, 100% , 15.9

Two of my probes that have been consistently underperforming did not last the advertised 60+ hours on a 20-minute charge. Since I battery life appears to be proportionate to charge time and TBIS I will be requesting to return those two probes. Probes that last 30% less on with a TBIS of 3 will underperform by as much with a TBIS of 1 where it will be more critical to me. Those same two probes only made it 37+ hours on a 10-minute charge. One other probe only made it 46 hours on a 10-minute charge.

Note - a full charge (stop blinking) provided up to and additional 25 hours.

Results of battery charge test – how long it takes to stop blinking with fully discharged probes.

Serial # , full charge -stops blinking in minutes
M100005699 49.25
M100009080 42.35
M100006601 37.45
M100006598 49.01

Note - the underperforming probes took less time to stop blinking.

Prior to doing the stop blinking test I decided to test the probe charging batteries (original batteries that were included). All read well into the green on my battery tester. However, 1 out of the 4 battery compartments had a stripped screw. Took a while to get it out, a few shavings left behind. Going back in was equally difficult, not sure I got back to the point where the gasket sealed. They are very small screws, seems like a potential issue over time.

Identified what I think is another software bug or at least somehting that generates confusion. When changing the time based interval on the Gateway while the Gateway is turned off, it will update the "Last Seen" Timestamp to the time the change was made. Given that it also continues to show a temperature reading that is from the last time a probe was plugged in, it makes the information displayed misleading and obviously inaccurate because the gateway was not seen. Similar issue with the probes, when turned off (in their charging stations) or fully discharged, changing the Temperature Based Interval Setting will update the "Last Seen" timestamp to the time it was changed in the application.

Upcoming tests:
Gateway battery life - fully charged (left on charge turned off overnight), no probes
Gateway battery life – 4 hour charge, no probes
Gateway battery life – 4 hour charge, 4 probes TBIS = 1
Penetration and distance tests

Don

As always, thanks for sharing Don! We looped in the product team.

 

[cwood]

Well I am 3 cooks into this new setup including billows and its impressive. I have done some WSM smokes as well as last night asked my kettle to stay at 130 for 1.5 hours for reverse sear smoked strip loins.....and it handled everything flawlessly. It puts the flame boss and meaters in a solid second tier spot with respect to how everything just works...no errors, no time outs updating targets and connectivity etc. Even when I am still getting used to the connections with billows and the wired ambient.....if you start a cook and don't have stuff plugged in, you make it right and it picks everything up cleanly. There is still some odd app navigation and some data that should be on the same chart (meat and ambient) but I know it will come.....its just software. The hardware and the detail and fit and finish in the software even now is fantastic. Very pleased with the purchase.

 

[Fraser]

Well I am 3 cooks into this new setup including billows and its impressive. I have done some WSM smokes as well as last night asked my kettle to stay at 130 for 1.5 hours for reverse sear smoked strip loins.....and it handled everything flawlessly. It puts the flame boss and meaters in a solid second tier spot with respect to how everything just works...no errors, no time outs updating targets and connectivity etc. Even when I am still getting used to the connections with billows and the wired ambient.....if you start a cook and don't have stuff plugged in, you make it right and it picks everything up cleanly. There is still some odd app navigation and some data that should be on the same chart (meat and ambient) but I know it will come.....its just software. The hardware and the detail and fit and finish in the software even now is fantastic. Very pleased with the purchase.

Glad to hear Billows works as I haven’t tried that yet, although I shouldn’t be surprised; works very well on my Signals. I just might have to add to my Top Reasons To Use RFX (rotisserie, frying, SV): UDS! It will be nice not to need to pop the lid so often to check temps!

 

[ThermoWorks]

Well I am 3 cooks into this new setup including billows and its impressive. I have done some WSM smokes as well as last night asked my kettle to stay at 130 for 1.5 hours for reverse sear smoked strip loins.....and it handled everything flawlessly. It puts the flame boss and meaters in a solid second tier spot with respect to how everything just works...no errors, no time outs updating targets and connectivity etc. Even when I am still getting used to the connections with billows and the wired ambient.....if you start a cook and don't have stuff plugged in, you make it right and it picks everything up cleanly. There is still some odd app navigation and some data that should be on the same chart (meat and ambient) but I know it will come.....its just software. The hardware and the detail and fit and finish in the software even now is fantastic. Very pleased with the purchase.

Thank you for sharing! Happy cooking!

 

[schlotz]

The RMA replacement package arrived the other day so went about testing the probes battery life with the gateway plugged in. I didn't replace the batteries first though. Want to say upfront that TW tech support has been exemplary throughout the process. This is why I deal with them. They are a top notch reputable company that stands by their products, of which I own many.

Probe 1 Probe 2
1º 10h 24m 1º 11h 37m
2º 48h 15m 2º 53h 17m

The 1º times seem a bit off & frankly was expecting more around the 17h mark. The obvious assumption is that the 3º setting will yield even higher results so I haven't bothered to run that test. At this point I'll say I'm satisfied as they will certainly perform well for how I'll be using them.

Matt

 

[jasonvr]

Thank you to all the early adopters for hammering out a lot of issues (normally something I'd be doing, I could see a lot of spreadsheet tabs tracking data).

One thing that immediately bugged me is the inability to charge with a USB C to C cable (or USB PD). Why? I did confirm that plugging the gateway into my laptop USB-C charger did nothing (didn't show as charging in the app). There is nothing special about the power brick included (5V/3A). I confirmed that charging with the included cable from my laptop worked fine as well. So why doesn't C-to-C work? Missing circuitry? I'm really trying to purge non USB-C items as much as possible (though this is still better than the USB-Mini-B on my Smoke gateway)

Edit:
Seems like maybe they omitted the pulldown resistor on the CC lines which would allow any source to charge the gateway, though it might limit to 500mA vs 3A. Still seems like it would have been a very small addition to actually use USB-C as USB-C even if it required a small IC to do true USB-C.

USB-C - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Dustin Dorsey]

I finally got one and tried it on a pork butt in my 22.5 wsm with the Billows. I love it so far. I also have done a reverse sear steak. My only problems are with the android app which others have probably addressed.

One is that when running the billows the alarm doesn't seem to update and stays at the setting I was at before I started the billows. I for whatever reason had the ambient set to 165. So when I'm running at the billows at 225 I keep getting alarms that I'm above 165. I have to unplug the billows to update the alarm.

The other is that whenever I open the app it dings and shows my last alarm regardless of whether it cleared.

Other than those two things I'm thrilled. It ran the billows flawlessly.

 

[cwood]

I finally got one and tried it on a pork butt in my 22.5 wsm with the Billows. I love it so far. I also have done a reverse sear steak. My only problems are with the android app which others have probably addressed.

One is that when running the billows the alarm doesn't seem to update and stays at the setting I was at before I started the billows. I for whatever reason had the ambient set to 165. So when I'm running at the billows at 225 I keep getting alarms that I'm above 165. I have to unplug the billows to update the alarm.

The other is that whenever I open the app it dings and shows my last alarm regardless of whether it cleared.

Other than those two things I'm thrilled. It ran the billows flawlessly.

Yes I have had some strange billows behaviour as well. Last cook it ran 20 degrees under my set point... Have a support request in on it.

 

[jasonvr]

Got to try my RFX last night. 14hr smoke on a pork butt in my RecTeq Bull. Didn't have any battery issues and everything lasted with plenty to spare. I did proactively change the update intervals to the max (i.e. least number of updates), just to make sure on the first cook. Seems like it worked great. The convenience of being able to take the butt out to put in a pan, rotate, etc without having to deal with the wires was awesome.

Based on what I read here I pushed the probes thru the foil once I put it in the pan so that I got connectivity (didn't even try it thru the foil to know if that is a true problem).

After the cook was done I brought the butt inside to rest in the oven, but I noticed one of the two probes disconnected (weird since they were right next to each other obviously). I brought the base unit inside and the probe reconnected without issue.

Overall looks like my Smoke will be getting retired, and maybe even my Square Dot

Only issues are with the app. The most annoying is not being able to see both probes and the ambient temp all at once. Constantly having to go back to the devices list is annoying. Same with saving sessions - each probe and the base unit have to be saved individually. And if you hit the wrong button the whole app just closes. Wish I could see the battery charge level more easily as well

Edit: One other weird thing. If I go into the history for the probes I have sessions from 12/4 which is weeks before I got it. Is this something from factory testing?

 

[cwood]

Got to try my RFX last night. 14hr smoke on a pork butt in my RecTeq Bull. Didn't have any battery issues and everything lasted with plenty to spare. I did proactively change the update intervals to the max (i.e. least number of updates), just to make sure on the first cook. Seems like it worked great. The convenience of being able to take the butt out to put in a pan, rotate, etc without having to deal with the wires was awesome.

Based on what I read here I pushed the probes thru the foil once I put it in the pan so that I got connectivity (didn't even try it thru the foil to know if that is a true problem).

After the cook was done I brought the butt inside to rest in the oven, but I noticed one of the two probes disconnected (weird since they were right next to each other obviously). I brought the base unit inside and the probe reconnected without issue.

Overall looks like my Smoke will be getting retired, and maybe even my Square Dot

Only issues are with the app. The most annoying is not being able to see both probes and the ambient temp all at once. Constantly having to go back to the devices list is annoying. Same with saving sessions - each probe and the base unit have to be saved individually. And if you hit the wrong button the whole app just closes. Wish I could see the battery charge level more easily as well

Edit: One other weird thing. If I go into the history for the probes I have sessions from 12/4 which is weeks before I got it. Is this something from factory testing?

Agree on all your points. The app closing when backing out, I told them was not normal behaviour. Also each device having a session to close is wacky. And seeing pit and probe curves at the same time is a basic expectation. Going to settings to see battery is odd.

 

[Smokin Okie]

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Thanks for sharing! We are currently working on app updates! Happy cooking.

Smoked baby backs on my Assassin GF yesterday. Used the RFX to control the Billows and it ran like a charm.

As to the app, I would really like to be able to disable the High/Low temp alarm. You can see how the " L's " clutter my chart. And for every " L " on that chart, it was when I had the smoker open and tending to the ribs, all the while, my phone is dinging with a Low alarm. Its annoying.

I don't do over night cooks, but I'd still like the option to enable the High/Low alert in case I ever did. Would be great to be able to toggle it off/on .

 

[ThermoWorks]

Smoked baby backs on my Assassin GF yesterday. Used the RFX to control the Billows and it ran like a charm.

As to the app, I would really like to be able to disable the High/Low temp alarm. You can see how the " L's " clutter my chart. And for every " L " on that chart, it was when I had the smoker open and tending to the ribs, all the while, my phone is dinging with a Low alarm. Its annoying.

I don't do over night cooks, but I'd still like the option to enable the High/Low alert in case I ever did. Would be great to be able to toggle it off/on .

View attachment 710555

Looks like a great cook! The option to toggle alarms on and off exists in the channel settings. Simply tap on the box with the channel information in it and a popup will appear with the ability to set/toggle your alarms along with multiple other settings.

 

[Smokin Okie]

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Looks like a great cook! The option to toggle alarms on and off exists in the channel settings. Simply tap on the box with the channel information in it and a popup will appear with the ability to set/toggle your alarms along with multiple other settings.

Duh. I should've seen that option.

I also don't know if this is app related or due to the browser I use. But I would like to see 25* or 50* gradients instead of 100* . On my stickburner cooks, it would tell me more, since I cook within a range on the offset.

 

[cwood]

After having had great experience, I just had the fun of an overnight brisket smoke filled with alarms and anxiety.....both probes have lasted about 11 hours before throwing battery alarms. One was at 60% after 2 hours. They came out of the chargers at the same time after multiple days of being docked. Also struggled with the temp control on the WSM with the Billows. Seemed to lock in and do really well, then was all over the place. Will have to dig in on two fronts with support on Monday.

 

[schlotz]

First question: what degree interval did you have your probes set to? IMO, reset them to 2º and they should be more than fine for an overnight cook. See my note #186 above. Next, run a test after recharging with fresh batteries in the probe holders. Plug in the gateway (verify it is set to 60 second reporting), place the probes on the counter and observe how long each lasts at 1º setting. Then repeat with a 2º setting.

 

[cwood]

First question: what degree interval did you have your probes set to? IMO, reset them to 2º and they should be more than fine for an overnight cook. See my note #186 above. Next, run a test after recharging with fresh batteries in the probe holders. Plug in the gateway (verify it is set to 60 second reporting), place the probes on the counter and observe how long each lasts at 1º setting. Then repeat with a 2º setting.

Cook continues in oven because I could not get the billows to run hot enough.one probe shut down at 12 hours. The other is still in meat showing 20%. I replaced the batteries in the chargers this morning as a first step. Changed to 2 degree setting on the one that is still alive. Had to dust off the freaking Meaters as a back up for when the second one dies. This was to be a long hold Brisket.

 

[schlotz]

Yup, gotta do what's necessary when in the middle of a long brisket attempt . Going forward I bet you will discover a freshly recharged probe set to 2º will last close to 48 hours as mine did. Can't offer any help with the billows though. Here's hoping your brisket turns out great!

 

[cwood]

Yup, gotta do what's necessary when in the middle of a long brisket attempt . Going forward I bet you will discover a freshly recharged probe set to 2º will last close to 48 hours as mine did. Can't offer any help with the billows though. Here's hoping your brisket turns out great!

It did turn out great. Long hold is the best way to do Brisket in my experience of late.

 

[schlotz]

It did turn out great. Long hold is the best way to do Brisket in my experience of late.

Out of curiosity how long did you hold it? In cooler or oven @what temp?