A wireless food probe is one of the best grilling tools you can buy. The device allows you to monitor temperatures without having to juggle cables as you flip meat or move things around. Meater is one popular choice when it comes to wireless probes, and their Meater 2 Plus now offers a more durable probe construction that’s fully waterproof and has improved accuracy and range. Now the company is back with the 4 Probe Pro XL, which uses these updated components with a WiFi-enabled cooking hub.
Meater previously featured four probes in its Meater Block; the Pro XL is the same idea with an improved probe from the Meater 2 Plus. The probes are waterproof, making them suitable for sous vide cooking and deep frying, and can be washed in the dishwasher when you’re done. Plus, these probes can withstand temperatures up to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. There are five sensors inside to monitor the internal temperature of your food, while an ambient temperature sensor on the edge monitors your grill or smoker. Using data from all these components, the Meater app gives you an estimated time until cooking is done after you select your food and cooking method.
Like the Meater Block, the Pro XL also works on its own as a standalone grill monitor. It can also send measurements to your smartphone via Bluetooth, so you can keep track of things from the comfort of your favorite chair. Finally, the WiFi connection syncs with the Meater Cloud, so you can check the progress on your smartphone from anywhere. This is handy if, for example, you’re cooking a brisket and you run out of wood pellets and need to refill. The benefit of the four probes is that you can monitor four things at once. For example, let’s say you have friends over and each want their steaks done at different times. Two probes are also useful for things like smoking brisket; use one for the point and one for the flat. Currently, Meater does not offer a double probe option.
Unlike the Meater 2 Plus, the Pro XL can be charged via USB-C rather than a battery. The company claims that a fully charged probe will last for over 24 hours, more than enough to get you through a long smoking session. In terms of accuracy, Meater promises readings to within half a degree, and the system will show the temperature to the nearest tenth of a degree on the Pro XL display in the app.
The Meater Pro XL is available to preorder now for $349.95, which is $50 more than the Meater Block’s list price (currently $239.95). The Pro XL is scheduled to ship on September 12th.
