The Not so Smooth Meater 2 Experience
Ever since I discovered the Meater 2, I've been intrigued by the idea of a wireless thermometer. As a lazy cook at heart, wireless means less time spent by the stove or grill and more time on the couch. But alas, the Meater 2's promise of connectivity falls short under seemingly simple conditions.
Loose Connections
I've conducted eight trials with the Meater 2 and various other wireless probes in various cooking environments and proteins. To my dismay, the Meater 2 frequently dropped its connection, leading to endless phone notifications and lost temperature readings. This issue arises in almost every environment I've tested, usually within a 20-foot radius of the probe and the transmitter. In other instances, it could reasonably be attributed to my house (perhaps there's hidden high-frequency interference affecting the Meater 2), but in all cases, other probes like Combustion functioned flawlessly in the same area.
I reached out to Meater, who sent me a second detector that they had tested in their own home before delivery. I conducted three more trials with the new probe and still encountered the same issues. I've read numerous reviews stating that the Meater 2 doesn't face connectivity problems, and Meater attributed the issue to metallic surfaces in my oven, pan, or grill. That might be a valid concern, but where else can I cook then if the thermometer isn't up to it? It should find a new line of work.
I'm constantly bombarded with disconnection notifications (source: Meater app)
If I didn't mention this, I'm referring to setting up a WiFi connection for the Meater 2, which requires two wireless devices - a tablet or phone for sending and another for receiving. This setup could potentially work (I generally prefer wireless network connectivity over Bluetooth), but it necessitates a device that isn't included with the Meater or shipped with it, effectively requiring the user to forgo a device during the entire cooking process. And it doesn't actually solve Bluetooth issues; it's just a workaround.
Stylish Hardware, but a Brainy App
Apart from these connection woes, there are several aspects of the Meater 2 that I appreciate. The new version of this thermometer is smaller than its predecessor. It's made of metal for an elegant appearance and comes with a wooden charger that doubles as a receiver. I'm fond of the wooden block with its magnetic hooks, which stick to the oven, fridge, or grill, but I'm not a fan of its battery-powered and non-USB-C rechargeability.
The Meater app, on the other hand, is a visually pleasing experience, although it's nowhere near as straightforward as it should be. The app might not expect you to dive right into the action. Before you even touch the thermometer, you're required to go through a series of informational screens and videos, which is redundant and confusing. And even when you register the thermometer, you're greeted with yet another set of instructions these steps need to be repeated every time a new probe is added. The app does have its merits - it suggests safe cooking temperatures based on USDA guidelines - but it fails to address the fundamental connectivity issue.
Meater actually predicts that your food will be 10 degrees too hot after coming out of the oven, but they don't tell you why. You just have to guess or be annoyed.
The Drama of Disconnected Connections
Meater also attempts to predict when your food will be done based on your desired temperature, although it doesn't deliver spectacular results. The predictions get more accurate as you approach your target temperature, but they're far from being as precise as mathematical computations. Meater does something interesting that I appreciate - they tell you your food will be 10 degrees overcooked based on their temperature predictions, and that solves another problem. While this might not sound like a big deal, it's actually a thoughtful feature that other apps don't have.
However, Meater's notifications and alerts can be a confusing mess. On the one hand, you want to know when the thermometer is disconnected or when your food is nearly done. On the other hand, you get inundated with notifications about redundant disconnections, reconnections, and temperature readings. It's a tough call, but for me, Combustion offers a more user-friendly app experience.
Master Class on Meater
Meater also offers a MasterClass integration in its app to help users prepare certain dishes. Meater could be a helpful tool for beginner cooks, but as an experienced chef, I prefer a thermometer that just does what it's supposed to do, without telling me how to cook.
In Conclusion: The Meater 2 Needs to Improve Connectivity and App Functionality
All products, including the Meater 2, have their pros and cons. I reached out to Meater, who was willing to discuss the connectivity issues with me. I assumed that the connection issues were due to a hardware fault or an issue with my house's WiFi. While Meater didn't specify the cause, they did mention that other wireless probes worked flawlessly in the same conditions, and that's the core issue.
Despite the numerous connectivity solutions Meater offers - from informational videos to notification settings - they don't address the fundamental problem of Meater 2's spotty connectivity. The Meater 2 is less expensive than its competitor Combustion (Meater 2 is priced at $119, Combustion $149), but its connectivity issues ultimately make it a less reliable choice. Let me know in the comments if you've had a different experience with the Meater 2.
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