The Meatstick Chef X Wireless Meat Thermometer is a cutting edge kitchen gadget for indoor and outdoor cooking enthusiasts. This is a smaller wireless meat thermometer that provides real-time monitoring and alerts directly to your smartphone with the capabilities to be used in various cooking methods.
This smart wireless meat thermometer has three internal temperature sensors and one ambient sensor. You can use it to deep fry, in the slow cooker, and even toss it in the dishwasher. The Meatstick Chef X is on the smaller side making it great for smaller cuts of meat such as filet mignon, chicken breast, or pork chops.
Table of Contents
Meatstick Chef X Set Performance
After checking out all the features and putting this meat thermometer to the test, I rate this wireless thermometer 4.5 out of 5 stars. See below in detail for how I rated each category.
- Features: 9/10
- Design: 8/10
- Ease of Use: 9/10
- Performance: 10/10
- Accuracy: 10/10
- Battery & Charging: 8/10
- Maintenance: 10/10
⭐ Overall Score: 9/10
Pros:
- Accurate results
- Extended Bluetooth wireless range
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Great for multiple cooking methods
- Quad sensors for more accurate readings
Cons:
- Higher price point
- 18 hour battery life may not be long enough for long cooks
- Batteries not included
- LED lights are confusing without instructions (that aren't included)
How We Tested
I have used the Meatstick Chef X Set several times now. For this review, I cooked up some baby back ribs on our Traeger Ranger while we were doing some Fall camping. To test the accuracy and performance of the Meatstick Chef X Set, here are a few of the things I performed.
- Ice Bath Test
- Magnetic Test
- Cook Set Up (on the mobile app)
- Bluetooth Range Test
- Internal Temperature Accuracy Test
Review & Test Results
Features
Quad Sensors: Ability to monitor 3 Internal Temperature Sensors (32-212°F) and 1 Ambient Temperature Sensor (32-572°F)
High Durability Dual Shell: This thermometer can be used for different methods of cooking since you can submerge it in liquid. So you are able to Sous-Vide, deep fry, use it in the air fryer, and it is dishwasher safe.
Extended Wireless Range: With the Xtender built into the charging block, the Meatstick Chef X stick's Bluetooth Range has the ability to stay connected for up to 650 feet outdoors.
App Controlled: Pair the device and stay connected via your IOS, Apple Watch, or Android with alerts sent to your device during the cook.
Magnetic Charger: Easily keep your block nearby or store it in the refrigerator when not in use.
18+ hour battery life: The thermometer will last over 18 hours on a full charge.
⭐Features Ratings: 9/10
Design
The Meatstick Chef X Thermometer
The thermometer is the Meatstick's smallest wireless meat thermometer at 9.5cm in length versus the original Meatstick or the Meatstick 4 x at 13.5 cm. This smaller-sized meat thermometer accommodates smaller meat cuts. The diameter is a nice size so it isn't going to damage your meat, either.
The Charging Block
The Chef X Set comes on a block that is made out of plastic and is also magnetic. It is great to keep it nearby during the cook or place it on the refrigerator. I placed it on the refrigerator along with the side of my smoker to test the strength of the magnet and it was strong. This block actually feels a little more solid than the Meatstick 4 x block.
It does have one LED indicator light that gives you information about the battery life of your thermometer. The packaging does not include an instruction book, so I wasn't sure what the light indicates since it blinks, turns red, or if the stick was charging or not. So I feel that could improve, or at least an added instruction sheet would be helpful. The app does have an info button on this explaining what they mean.
⭐ Design Rating: 8/10
Ease of Use
Startup
Once the Meatstick Mobile App is downloaded and the thermometer is charged, the Meatstick Chef X set is very easy to use. Remember that this does not include batteries so you will need 2AA batteries to get your stick charged for a few hours. So, make sure you are ready to go before cooking. I feel like with the quality and price tag of this thermometer, that included batteries would be nice.
The Meatstick Mobile App
Once downloaded the Meatstick App walks you through the permissions and steps to get your thermometer paired. It does have quite a few prompts that I just exited out of. Then the app is pretty simple to navigate. Basically, you click on set up cook and then there is a "Quick Start" menu that provides options to air fry, grill, smoke, sous vide, deep fry, and more. Once you select your method of cooking it offers a meat type selection. Once you select that it will bring up tons of choices.
For the ribs I was cooking, I selected Smoke>Pork>Baby Back Ribs. Then it will pull up the target temperatures, and you can go with what they recommend or customize it. I find the app makes it simple to get cooking quickly.
⭐Ease of Use Rating: 9/10
Performance
The Meatstick Chef X has the ability to monitor the 3 internal temperature sensors along with the ambient sensor. So it is nice to see where you are during the cook. And if this type of thing excites you, you will love it.
Speed of readings
The app quickly displayed the different temperatures once it was in the meat, once the ribs were on the smoker, and the ambient temperature if we opened the lid of the smoker.
The approximate remaining cooking time came in quickly after 18 minutes of cooking.
Range
The Meatstick Chef X has the capability to stay connected to the mobile app for up to 650 feet. When I was cooking the ribs, I took the phone for a walk to test out how far I would get before getting disconnected. I was at a campground on the lake with not too many trees or anything getting in the way. I calculated about 930 feet away from the smoker before I lost signal. I was really impressed. Then last weekend when I was cooking some pork belly, I had to run to the store and the app was still connected several blocks away.
Inside the house, I did not lose signal, not even once.
⭐ Performance Rating: 10/10
Accuracy
Before doing my first cook with this thermometer, I did a quick ice bath test to see how quickly it would come down to 32 degrees F. It did get to 32 degrees. The last degree, from 33 degrees to 32 degrees, took a few, but it got there.
Both the ribs and the pork belly I smoked were within a few degrees from my Thermapen that I checked it with. The ribs were perfectly cooked.
⭐ Accuracy Rating: 10/10
Battery & Charging
The block that comes with the Meatstick Chef X runs off of 2 AA batteries that are not included. So if you are like me, you may not always have batteries lying around. With these high-quality products, I wish they tossed in some so you can get started more quickly.
The thermometer is supposed to run for over 18 hours on a full charge. I have used it several times now, and the battery life is still holding. This time frame should get you through some shorter cooks, but maybe not a longer cook such as a large brisket.
⭐ Battery Life Rating: 8/10
Maintenance
Since the Meatstick Chef X is fully submergible, you can place the thermometer in the dishwasher. Or run it under water and wipe it clean.
Like I said about the block, it is magnetic so you can put it in your refrigerator, toolbox, or side of your grill when it's not in use.
⭐ Maintenance Rating: 10/10
Value
The Meatstick Chef X set is on the higher side at $124.99 (currently). Many similar products range from $69-$99 from companies such as MEATER, ThermoPro, and Chef iQ.
What Other Reviews Say
Common Positive Feedback:
- Nice for smaller cuts of meat
- Easy to clean
- Easy-to-use mobile app
- Accurate readings
Common Negative Feedback:
- Initial installation of the app is time consuming
- Batteries not included
- Rechargeable battery life would be nice
FAQ
Why is my Meatstick Chef X blinking red?
If your charging block is blinking red, it indicates that the batteries are getting low. If it flashes red five times, no stick has been detected.
How long does the Meatstick Chef need to be charged for?
The company recommends 4 hours for a full charge.
Watch our Meatstick Chef X Video Review
Should you buy the Meatstick Chef X Set?
If you are looking for a smaller wireless meat thermometer, this may be the product for you, especially if you often cook smaller cuts of meat such as steaks, chicken, etc. This also makes a great option if you want to use a thermometer for deep frying, sous vide, and other cooking styles.
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