The MeatStick Chef X Review and initial cook!
The MeatStick Chef X Review and initial cook! To all my average Joe's out there we must first ask what is the Meatstick Chef X and how is it different from the MeatStick 4X?
If you are unfamiliar with the MeatStick products, The Chef X is the upgraded version of the MeatStick Mini. So the question is, how is the MeatStick Chef X vs. The MeatStick Mini? Is it worth the upgrade if you already have the Mini?
The Mini had an (as in just one) internal temperature Sensor of a max of 185 F, which considering this is generally used for smaller cuts such as steaks and chicken that isn't a deal breaker. The Ambient has a max of 572 F. The dimensions are 9.5 cm by 5.5 mm.
The Chef X rocks the same 4X technology that it's bigger brother the MeatStick 4X came to market with. The dimensions and the Ambient Temp Sensor are the same but where an upgrade comes into to play over the Mini is the additional sensors and the fact the max is now 212 F which means up can take that pork butt or brisket all the way to the finish. It also has the Xtender built in giving it a range of 650 ft with the Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity. The battery is rated for 18 hours for a single charge.
Side by side comparisons below:
How does Chef X compare to some of the other competitors on the market? Meater, ThermoPro TempSpike, Chef iQ don't make a smaller version, the only one I could find in similar size is the Yummly by KitchenAid. It is about 4.25" in size which is slightly larger. It is Bluetooth as well but needs to be hand washed. However it doesn't have the ability to have Wifi and appears to only have 1 internal and ambient temperature sensor. MSRP is $99.99.
The MeatStick markets the Chef X and touts it as the smallest (It may be small but it's mighty)
"Transform Your Home Cooking
Take your home cooking to new heights with the MeatStick Chef - the smallest wireless meat thermometer - perfect for smaller meat cuts, like filet mignon, chicken breast and salmon steak. Featuring True Temperature Quad Sensors and Dual-Shell High Durability, this revolutionary gadget can withstand harsh cooking conditions on your grill, oven, air fryer and deep fryer while remotely monitoring precise temperatures for perfect outcomes with The MeatStick App. Lasting for 18+ hours, the MeatStick Chef is ideal for cooking any meat, making it effortless to achieve ideal results every time, from tender steaks to juicy chicken and beyond. For even more convenience, monitor your meat up to 650 feet away with the Xtender built-in premium Charger using advanced Bluetooth technology. With this setup, keeping an eye on your meat is easier than ever."
Let's check out the specs:
The MeatStick Chef is innovative in its size and capabilities, but why do you need to add this to your cooking arsenal? It is absolutely essential for smaller cuts of meat. When I first received the MeatStick 4x, on my second cook I attempted some chicken thighs....
These were pretty big thighs and you can see a little be of the internal (silver) stick exposed. The other end was nearly exposed as well.
The app does clearly tell you to fully insert the probe. So I tossed them on the grill and after awhile I got a nice warning that the temperature was getting to hot and to remove it before it was damaged! That's pretty nice as I wonder how many other probes I've damaged in the past with various brands.
This isn't a knock on the 4X it just isn't designed for smaller cuts. This is where the Chef X will shine.
So my first cook with the Chef X I decided to add in the 4X just to see how well both worked in conjunction on the app and how easy it was to set up both devices. The Chef X is the top left and the 4X is the bottom. In the App the 4X is on top and the Chef X is the bottom probe. This was a pretty thin cut of ribs. #shoutout to Far Out Foods the Therein Lies the rub blend is very tasty and all natural. Wait till you see the color at the end of the cook!
The app was easy enough to pair with Chef X and both were up and running with no issues.
The 3 internal sensors are amazing and you can see it gets hotter as it gets closer to the ambient sensor. I can tell you as the ribs cooked down and bone was exposed I did have a much higher reading on the 4X as opposed to the Chef X as it ended up being exposed. The 4 X ended up resting on the metal grate causing a higher temp reading as well. The furthest internal temp was also reading 185 degrees telling me the cook was done. I moved the ribs back and it adjusted 4X and the temp went back down to be more inline with the Chef X.
I pulled the MeatSticks as the ribs were done and tossed them in the dishwasher for an easy clean up. No wires and no mess. The ribs came out amazing, packed with flavor and cooked perfectly. We didn't even have to sauce them.
If you are in the market grab a MeatStick. If you cook smaller cuts of meat go with the Chef X. Or order the bundle and save.
Order directly from MeatStick and earn rewards as well!
I use the Kamado Joe Classic II and the Pit Barrel Cooker! Check out flavorflamebbq.com for more information on the Kamado Joe, accessories, fuel, meats and more! FFBBQ participates in some affiliate programs so by purchasing from links you are helping support the site! So far FFBBQ has made a few dollars! Thanks for helping to keep the flame going!
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