The RFX Meat Mini offers almost identical performance to the full size grill probe.
ThermoWorks’ RFX Meat Probe is an excellent grilling tool. By connecting it to a Wi-Fi-enabled RFX Gateway, you can monitor food temperatures on your phone from anywhere. And while wireless temperature probes have been around for a while, the RFX line boasts ThermoWorks’ proven track record for accuracy. That’s an essential tool to have in your apron pocket.
As good as the RFX meat is, the 4.7-inch probe is too long for smaller cuts of meat, poultry and fish. With a minimal plunge line of 3.15 inches, the grill tool wasn’t a great option for things like filet mignon or single portions of salmon. That is now changing, thanks to the new RFX Meat Mini. This shorter version offers almost all the same features as the original RFX Meat, including four internal temperature sensors, an IP69K waterproof rating (so it’s dishwasher safe) and the ability to withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. The Mini still comes with a charging pad powered by a AAA battery, which ThermoWorks says is good enough for over 175 charges. The best part is the maximum diving line is 2.6 inches, and the minimum line is just 2.36 inches.
Other than length, the big difference between the RFX Meat and RFX Meat Mini is the length. The Mini will last up to 48 hours on a charge, while the meaty RFX can go for over 65 hours. 48 hours is enough for the longest low-and-slow barbecue session you’d do at home, and battery life on the Mini probably won’t be a concern if you dock it in the charging pad when not in use. Only commercial chefs are likely to push the limits of the RFX Meat lineup’s battery life.
Like the RFX meat, the Mini’s big differentiator among the competition is that it works on a 433MHz radio frequency instead of Bluetooth or Wi-Fi. This is how the probe connects to the RFX Gateway, which in turn syncs with your home network and the ThermoWorks app. Radio waves are less susceptible to interference from the thick walls of a grill or smoker. The gateway also accommodates a separate, wired ambient temperature probe. This setup enables more accurate grill readings than you get from wireless food probes that have an ambient sensor on the end; those devices have to contend with evaporative cooling during long cooking, which can affect temperature accuracy.
The RFX Meat Mini is available now for $99, the same price as the RFX Meat (when it’s not on sale). ThermWorks is currently offering a 20 percent discount on the Mini when you purchase either the RFX Gateway or the RFX Meat Starter Kit (which includes a Gateway). Due to the sub-1GHz radio frequency the probe runs on, you will need a gateway to use the RFX Meat Mini.