If you own a charcoal grill or a smoker, you are likely familiar with the “lie-o-meter”—that cheap analog dial stuck in the lid of your cooker that claims it is 250°F when your grate level is actually pushing 350°F. We have all ruined a brisket or dried out a pork butt because we trusted that foggy, sluggish piece of metal. You want precision, you want remote monitoring, but you don’t want to drill new holes in your expensive ceramic grill or run a tangle of wires across your patio.
Enter the ChefsTemp ProTemp S1, a device that promises to solve this age-old BBQ headache by replacing your dumb analog gauge with a smart, digital command center. In this review, I am going to break down whether this “Grill Gauge System” is a genuine innovation or just a pricey gadget. We will cover installation, app connectivity, and whether it truly makes temperature control hands-free. If you are ready to stop guessing and start knowing exactly what is happening inside your pit, this comprehensive guide will help you decide if the S1 is the upgrade your grill deserves.
My Experience With The ChefsTemp ProTemp S1
I decided to pull the trigger on the ProTemp S1 because I was tired of babysitting my Kamado Joe during overnight cooks. I love the flavor of charcoal, but waking up every two hours to check the vents is a young man’s game. The promise of the S1 was simple: unscrew the old thermometer, screw in the new smart hub, and control everything from my phone.
Installation was surprisingly straightforward, though not without a moment of panic.
The S1 comes with different “base” options depending on your grill’s hole size.
I had measured mine beforehand (crucial step!) and the unit threaded perfectly into the dome.
It felt secure, and the “puck” unit snapped onto the base with a satisfying magnetic click.
Visually, it looks futuristic sitting on top of a classic ceramic grill—like slapping an Apple Watch on a vintage car.
The first cook was a pork shoulder, a classic 12-hour endurance test. Pairing the device to my Wi-Fi was seamless, a relief given how finicky some BBQ tech can be. I set my target ambient temperature to 225°F and plugged in the optional “Breezo” fan (sold separately but often bundled) to manage the airflow.
The real game-changer wasn’t just the data; it was the location of the data. Usually, with a wired probe, I have cables pinched under the heavy ceramic lid, which can damage the wires and break the air seal. With the S1, the ambient sensor is built into the stem inside the lid, and the meat probes talk wirelessly to the hub. My setup looked clean—no wires draping over the side of the grill.
However, I did notice a learning curve with the “dome temp” vs. “grate temp” disparity. Even though the S1 is digital, it is still measuring temperature at the top of the dome. The app allows you to offset this, but for the first hour, I was confused why my grate-level puck was reading 20 degrees lower than the S1. Once I calibrated the offset in the app, it was smooth sailing.
The peace of mind was incredible. I went to the grocery store while the pork was stalling, monitoring the pit temp from the produce aisle. The connection held strong, and I got a notification when the fire dipped slightly, allowing me to rush home and add fuel before it died completely. It didn’t make the meat taste better—that’s still on the chef—but it made the process of cooking it infinitely less stressful.
Read More: Comparison Of Thermoworks And Meater
Pros Of ChefsTemp ProTemp S1
When evaluating the S1 against the crowded market of BBQ controllers, several unique features make it stand out. It is not just a thermometer; it is a retrofit kit for your grill. Here are the specific benefits that make it a compelling purchase.
- Wireless Installation That Preserves Integrity: The biggest selling point is that it utilizes the existing thermometer hole in your grill’s lid. Most other temperature controllers require you to clip a probe to the grate and run wires under the lid, which can compromise the seal and crimp expensive cables. The S1’s “Base Unit” screws directly into the dome, measuring ambient temperature from the top down, just like the original dial but with digital precision. This keeps your setup looking clean and professional, with zero wires cluttering your workspace or getting tangled in your grill brush. You get smart functionality without looking like you hooked your grill up to a hospital life support machine.
- Dual Connectivity (Wi-Fi + Bluetooth): Many cheaper thermometers rely solely on Bluetooth, which has a limited range and drops out if you walk inside the house. The S1 features built-in Wi-Fi, which connects the device to your home network and the cloud. This means you can check your temperatures from literally anywhere—the office, the store, or your bed—as long as your phone has internet. If your Wi-Fi goes down, it seamlessly falls back to Bluetooth for local monitoring. This redundancy ensures you never lose eyes on your expensive cut of meat during a long cook.
- Modular Design With “Breezo” Fan Support: The S1 is not just a monitor; it is a controller hub. It integrates with the ChefsTemp “Breezo” blower fan, turning your manual charcoal grill into an oven-like device that holds temperature automatically. You plug the fan into the S1, and the S1 dictates when the fan should blow to stoke the fire. This modularity allows you to start with just the thermometer and upgrade to full temperature control later without buying a whole new system. It effectively turns a $300 kettle grill into a $1,000 pellet smoker in terms of convenience.
- Comprehensive App Ecosystem: The companion app is robust, offering more than just current temperature readings. It provides detailed graphs of your cook, showing you exactly when the “stall” happened or when your fire started to die. You can set customizable alarms for high/low ambient temps (to warn of flare-ups or fire loss) and target meat temps. The “estimated time to finish” feature uses algorithms to predict when your meat will be done, helping you plan dinner service with surprising accuracy. Unlike some clunky generic apps, the interface is polished and user-friendly for both iOS and Android.
Cons Of ChefsTemp ProTemp S1
Despite its innovation, the S1 is not perfect. It is a premium product with a premium price tag, and there are some design limitations you should be aware of before buying.
- Compatibility And Fit Issues: While advertised as “universal,” the S1 relies on the specific diameter of the hole in your grill lid. If you have an older grill or a unique model with a non-standard thermometer port, the base unit might not screw in securely. You often have to buy specific “adapters” or bundles for brands like Big Green Egg vs. Weber, which can be confusing during checkout. If the stem is too short for your specific double-walled insulation, the sensor might not reach deep enough into the cook chamber to get an accurate reading. You need to measure your current setup precisely before ordering to avoid the hassle of returns.
- Dome Temp vs. Grate Temp Confusion: Because the S1 mounts in the lid, it measures the temperature at the top of the grill, which is naturally hotter than the grate level where the food sits. While you can adjust for this in the app, beginners often forget and end up undercooking their food because the “dome” says 250°F while the meat is sitting in 225°F air. It requires you to perform a “biscuit test” or use a grate probe initially to learn the temperature variance of your specific grill. Unlike a grate-clip probe, it doesn’t automatically tell you what the heat is at the meat without manual calibration or mental math.
- Battery Management For Multiple Devices: The S1 ecosystem involves multiple batteries that need charging. You have the main S1 hub unit, and if you use the wireless meat probes, those need charging too. If you forget to charge the hub before a long cook, you are out of luck, as it cannot run while plugged into a wall outlet (it is designed to be wire-free on the lid). Managing the charge levels of the hub, the probes, and your phone can be a juggling act compared to a simple wired unit that runs on AA batteries you can swap instantly.
- Not Fully Waterproof (IP54 Rating): While the unit is “water resistant,” it is not fully waterproof like some of its competitors. An IP54 rating means it can handle light rain or splashes, but it cannot be submerged or blasted with a hose during cleanup. If you leave it out uncovered during a heavy thunderstorm, moisture could potentially ingress and damage the electronics. You have to be diligent about bringing the “puck” inside after every cook, treating it like a piece of electronics rather than a durable grill accessory.
Maintenance Tips For ChefsTemp ProTemp S1
To protect your investment and ensure accurate readings for years, you need to treat the S1 with care. It is a precision instrument, not a cast-iron skillet.
- Clean The Threads And Sensor Gently: The stem of the S1 will get covered in smoke, grease, and carbon buildup over time. After every few cooks, unscrew the unit and wipe down the metal stem with a damp cloth and mild dish soap. Avoid using steel wool or abrasive scrubbers on the sensor tip, as scratches can affect its accuracy or corrosion resistance. If grease builds up on the threads, it can make it difficult to unscrew the unit for charging, potentially causing you to strip the mounting nut. A clean sensor is an accurate sensor; carbon acts as an insulator and will slow down the response time.
- Protect The Charging Port: The USB-C charging port on the side of the unit is the most vulnerable point for moisture entry. Always ensure the rubber dust cover (if equipped) is firmly pressed in when the unit is in use. When charging, make sure the port is completely dry; plugging a wet cable into the unit can short-circuit the battery. If you live in a humid area, inspect the port regularly for any green corrosion and clean it with a dry toothbrush if necessary.
- Store The Puck Indoors: While the mounting base can technically stay on the grill, you should always remove the electronic “puck” (the brain) when not in use. Extreme temperatures—both the freezing cold of winter and the scorching heat of direct summer sun—can degrade the lithium battery life. Store the puck in a kitchen drawer or the provided case at room temperature. Leaving it attached to a grill cover baking in the sun is the fastest way to kill the LCD screen and battery capacity.
- Firmware Updates Are Critical: Being a “smart” device, the S1 relies on software to function correctly with your phone. Check the app regularly for firmware updates for the hub. These updates often fix connectivity bugs, improve battery optimization, and refine the temperature prediction algorithms. Do not ignore the “Update Available” notification; running outdated firmware can lead to connection drops in the middle of a cook. Always update the device while it is fully charged and you are not in the middle of smoking a brisket.
Comparison with Other Brands
The market for smart BBQ controllers is fierce. Here is how the ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 stacks up against three of the heavyweights in the industry.
- ThermoWorks Signals + Billows: This is the gold standard for competition BBQ, featuring a wired hub and a powerful fan. Comparison: The Signals is a brick—it is rugged, wired, and uses standard Pro-Series probes that are cheap to replace. However, the Signals is a mess of wires; you have cables running from the fan, power, and four probes. The ProTemp S1 is vastly cleaner with its wireless design and lid-mounting capability. Signals wins on durability and “field repairability,” but S1 wins on aesthetics and ease of setup. If you hate wires, get the S1; if you trust cables more than airwaves, get the Signals.
- Meater Block: The Meater is famous for its completely wireless probes that connect to a wooden block. Comparison: The Meater system is excellent for rotisseries because there are zero wires, just like the S1’s probes. However, the Meater Block does not control a fan; it is purely for monitoring. The S1 actively controls your grill’s temperature via the Breezo fan, whereas the Meater just watches it happen. The S1 ambient sensor is also on the lid, which is more stable than the “end of the probe” ambient sensor on the Meater, which is often too close to the cold meat to be accurate. S1 is a controller; Meater is a monitor.
- FireBoard 2 Drive: This is a high-end, cloud-connected controller with a massive screen and fan support. Comparison: The FireBoard 2 is a powerhouse with arguably the best app and data logging in the business. But like the Signals, it sits on a side table and requires wires to be run to the grate. The S1’s form factor—replacing the analog dial—is unique and saves shelf space. FireBoard supports more probe types and higher-end fans, making it better for professionals. The S1 is more consumer-friendly and integrates better into the physical design of a Kamado or Kettle.
Also Read: Comparison Of Thermopro Tempspike And Meater Plus
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
The unit has an IP54 water resistance rating. This means it is protected against water spray from any direction, so it can handle light rain or a splash. However, it is not waterproof enough to be submerged in water or washed in a dishwasher. You should use the provided waterproof cover if you expect heavy rain during a cook.
Yes, but you must ensure you purchase the correct version or adapter. The Big Green Egg typically has a smaller hole for the thermometer stem compared to a standard Weber Kettle. ChefsTemp sells a specific “BGE Edition” or an adapter kit to ensure the base unit threads securely into the ceramic dome without wobbling.
The battery life varies depending on usage, specifically how much the Wi-Fi is transmitting. On average, you can expect between 20 to 30 hours of continuous use on a full charge. This is sufficient for even the longest brisket cooks, but you should get in the habit of charging it before every major BBQ session.
Absolutely. Without the fan, the S1 functions as a high-end smart thermometer. It will monitor the ambient temperature and the meat probes, sending alerts to your phone. Adding the fan later simply unlocks the “cruise control” feature where the device actively manages the fire for you.
Conclusion
The ChefsTemp ProTemp S1 is a brilliant reimagining of what a grill thermometer should be. By utilizing the existing footprint of the analog dial, it clears the clutter of wires and bulky boxes from your side shelves, offering a sleek, integrated look that modernizes even the oldest kettle grill. Its ability to not just monitor but control your fire (with the optional fan) makes it a legitimate tool for achieving consistent, competition-quality BBQ at home.
While the price point is higher than a standard instant-read and the fitment requires checking your specific grill model, the convenience of Wi-Fi monitoring and the clean installation is worth the cost for serious pitmasters. If you are tired of hovering over your vents and want to sleep soundly while your brisket cooks to perfection, the ProTemp S1 is a worthy upgrade that pays for itself in sleep and succulent meat.