Transition from the Meater Block to Thermoworks RFX
Meater versus Thermoworks! This is my experience transitioning from the Meater Block to the Thermoworks RFX system. There is a difference, so read on to learn more before you spend your hard-earned money.
1/30/20257 min read
Are you interested in a wireless thermometer? Are you unsure whether to spend your hard-earned money on a Meater or Thermoworks wireless thermometer? Let me share my experience with both products.
I've used the Meater Block or Plus for two or three years. The Block is a wireless block that holds four temperature probes. The probes communicate to the Block, the Block to wireless, and then to the Meater cloud. The probes are managed and monitored using a phone app.
The Thermoworks RFX is similar to the Block, but the physical format differs. The Thermoworks app is also different (significantly) from the Block, and I will explain more below.
I won't discuss the specifics of each product; you can find those in the links below. Instead, I will share my real-world experience with each and compare it.
Meater: https://amzn.to/4juNohu
Meater v2: https://amzn.to/4hfmxo0
Thermoworks RFX: https://www.thermoworks.com/rfx/
Meater
I started with the Meater Plus (https://amzn.to/4hs9MpA), a single probe that uses Bluetooth to your phone. It uses the same app as the Meater Block, and both the Block and Plus can be used in the app simultaneously.
Note: This article focuses primarily on my experience with the Meater Block, which I've used for over 2 years. A newer version of the Block is available.
After one season with the Plus, I was gifted the Block. I went from the Plus to the Block because of Bluetooth's distance limitation. With the Plus, when I went into the house, the probe would disconnect, and the app would not update the Cook with the current status.
The Block resolved this issue by using Wi-Fi. As a Network Engineer, I have Wi-Fi inside and outside the house, so a wireless product was a no-brainer. The Block has four probes, and I highly recommend having more than one probe.
One nice thing is that the probes are numbered 1 - 4. You can also get metal flags with the numbers that slide onto the probes, adding additional identification. You can see them in the photo of the Block, and you can store them in the Block.
This is my Meater Block that I use and reference in this article.
I haven't removed the protective film from the display/touch panel.
Thermoworks RFX
Enter the Dragon! I'm a fan of the movie and Bruce Lee.
Using the Meater as a comparison, the RFX is also wireless using the RFX Gateway (like the Block). The probes communicate to the Gateway, the Gateway to wireless, and then to the Thermoworks cloud. The probes and Gateway are managed and monitored using a phone app.
Unlike the Block, with the RFX, you use the Gateway and only the probes you will use. Because of the size of the Gateway, it's a lot easier to carry. In the house, I insert the probes into the food, put the Gateway in my pocket, and bring them all out to the grill or smoker. I can't do that with the Block.
The Thermoworks app allows you to configure and manage the RFX system and other Thermoworks products. In this screenshot of the app, we also have the Thermoworks Node (https://www.thermoworks.com/node/) for our greenhouse, which works great.
The app is fundamental and does a good job. With the RFX probes, you can set high and low-temperature alerts and monitor current temperatures—more on the Thermoworks app below.
The transition from the Block to the RFX
The App (there's an app for that)
As mentioned, I have used the Block for over two years and the Meater app for at least three. The Meater app certainly set the bar high.
With the Meater app, you set Cooks. Select the probe, food, and preferred doneness (high-level overview). The app will monitor the temperature and, over time, will give you an estimate of when it will be done. Also, it provides the time for the food to rest (if applicable).
The Meater app also lets you set additional alerts. A couple of alerts I have used in a cook are the "amount of time before the Cook ends" and the "temperature reached before the final temperature." The "amount of time before a Cook ends" alert is extremely helpful, allowing you to start cooking something else, like a side dish.
Having used the Meater app and the features above, I found the Thermoworks app disappointing. The Thermoworks app allows you to set high- and low-temperature alerts but not others. In summary, most of the features in the Meater app are absent from the Thermoworks app.
I hope that as Thermworks becomes more popular, especially with the RFX system, they will improve or add features to the app.
The Hardware
I briefly described the hardware in the previous paragraphs. In summary, the Meater Block is a wood block with four probes that store and charge the probes. With the RFX, you have the Gateway, each probe, and a charging dock for each probe.
The Pros and Cons
Here, I'll provide the Pros and Cons of each. Though these are based on my experience, some may be debatable.
Meater pros:
The app:
Cooks are configured based on the food (meats, fish) and preferred doneness.
Multiple alerts can be configured, for example, a time before Cook ends or when a temperature is reached before Cook ends.
Accurate regarding internal temperature(s).
The probes are numbered for identification. The Block has a display but only shows the probes' status and wireless and cloud connectivity.
Meater cons:
Software updates for the Block have been troublesome. The two I've attempted have failed multiple times despite trying many methods. For the first one, I had to contact support. For the second, which is recent, I've given up on the update.
Sometimes, during a Cook, I'll receive messages about the probe(s) disconnecting. When I go back to the app, they usually show as connected.
Having used the Thermoworks RFX, carrying the Block outside (grilling or smoking) seems outdated. If I insert the probe into the food in the house, I take the RFX Gateway, which is the size of the palm of my hand.
The probe's external temperature is usually way off.
I've had issues with loose batteries almost from day one. The Block would power on or off when it was handled.
Thermoworks RFX pros:
Reputation for accuracy. Also, my experience is it is accurate.
The physical format is convenient and better than the Block.
Each probe has a dock for storage and charging. The dock sits on a flat surface but also has magnets for a vertical surface.
The probes have a narrower end than the Meater probes, which makes it easier and cleaner to insert into the food.
As mentioned, the RFX gateway is small. Also, it has magnets for a vertical surface.
I've contacted Technical Support several times, and they've been very responsive and helpful. I contacted them to learn and understand a few things, especially transitioning from a Meater. So, the quick, knowledgeable, and professional response adds them to the pros list.
The distance from the probe to the Gateway is further than the Block.
Thermoworks RFX cons:
The app.
It works, but many features need to be added. If you are moving from Meater to Thermoworks, you are in for a surprise. Don't expect the features and user interface found in the Meater app.
The Thermoworks app allows you to set high and low-temperature alerts but no others.
When I initially received the RFX, I charged the Gateway using the supplied charger, which is a USB-C connection. After testing the RFX for a while, it was time to recharge the Gateway, so I used a premium USB charging hub that I use for handheld radios, flashlights, wireless cameras, and other devices. When the Gateway was connected to this hub, a fan icon kept going in and out in the app for the Gateway, and a message popped up: "Set Temp 225 F Fan is Paused."
I contacted Thermoworks Technical Support about this. They said I had to use the charger supplied with the Gateway. Once I did, the icon and message disappeared.
I put this on the cons list, as it seems outdated that the supplied power supply must be used and not a compatible USB charging device.
Neutral:
The RFX Gateway has an external temperature probe that can be mounted in the grill to monitor ambient temperature. This has helped me monitor and compare my smoker's temperature to the built-in probe, which can be considered a pro.
With Thermoworks, you can manage and monitor their product in one app.
Battery life: Time will tell, especially since I'm new to Thermoworks.
As a side note, Thermoworks probes have longer battery life based on the settings you set for temperature updates to the app.
An LCD on the RFX Gateway would be nice, but it can be a feature recommendation.
The RFX probes are unnumbered. Instead, they provide multiple colored high-temperature rings that fit on the probes. It's not a con, but multiple rings can be used on the same probe for specific identification. This might allow one probe to be used only for a particular food, protein, or food allergy.
The Block itself looks good (decorative).
Summary
As mentioned, I've used the Meater for a few years and the RFX for a few weeks. As above, each has its pros and cons.
In my opinion, the RFX is a better hardware solution, but the Meater app is better than Thermoworks's. If Thermoworks adds additional features to the app, like more alert options, then the RFX is a clear choice. If their app is similar to or close to Meater's, then it's a no-brainer to choose the RFX.
I hope Thermoworks will add additional features to the app, especially considering the quality and features of the RFX and their other products.
This is my Thermoworks RFX that I use and reference in this article.