As a BBQ enthusiast, I know how crucial precision and temperature control are to a perfect smoke or grill. That is why I’m always on the lookout for new and innovative methods to up my game. So, when Armeator contacted me about their latest offering, the Armeator One wireless thermometer, I couldn’t wait to put it to the test.
Offering real-time temperature readings delivered straight to your phone, it promised to add a new level of control to my cooking. My hands-on experience involved smoking a pork shoulder and grilling a ribeye, and I was astounded by its impeccable accuracy, high-temperature tolerance, and quality build. However, like all tools, it came with its own limitations.
Let’s delve deeper into my experience with the Armeator One.
The Armeator One thermometer shines when used to monitor temperatures of large cuts of meat like pork shoulder or brisket. It’s also handy when cooking whole poultry or smaller cuts like steak or chops. It tracks the meat’s internal temperature and sends the temp back to your phone through the Armeator app.
Unlike many competing thermometers, The Armeator One is totally wireless. It charges when it’s docked in the protective case. It runs for 72 hours per charge – that’ll get you through several briskets. It feels like the thermometer of the future. It can withstand temperatures up to 932°F and is flame-proof, according to the manufacturer, so it’s a beast.
This thermometer is a great choice if you’ve got a reliable dome thermometer on your grill or if you’ve got a pellet smoker.
The temperature readings were extremely accurate compared to my Thermapro Smoke, which is one of the go-to thermometers in the BBQ community. When the probes were inserted side-by-side, the temp readings were identical. Armeator’s packaging says the thermometer is accurate within .9°F, and it certainly was when I used it.
You’ll need a smartphone and a smidge of tech-savvy to work the thermometer. (Not much. It’s super easy to set up.) Just download the Armeator app from the app store. Open the app, and your thermometer should connect via Bluetooth, displaying the temperature. Mine connected with no issues.
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Here are my favorite things about this thermometer:
The Armeator One feels like a first-class thermometer, right down to the packaging, which is thick, glossy cardboard. The thermometer feels solid when you pick it up. The probe is stainless steel, while the white handle is ceramic. Good, quality materials make a good, quality product.
A thermometer is only good if it’s accurate, and the Armeator delivered incredible accuracy.
The temperature readings the Armeator sent my phone through the magic of Bluetooth were highly accurate. I tested it against an instant-read Javelin thermometer and my leave-in Thermoworks Smoke thermometer. The temperature readings were identical, backing up Armeators’ +/- .9°F accuracy claims.
Did I go overboard with the thermometers? Probably. Anything for our readers!
The fact that you can use this bad boy in flames (up to 932°F, per Armeator) is super cool. There aren’t many thermometers on the market for home chefs that can be used in flames. Most begin to malfunction at temps above 500°F or so.
Not the Armeator One. Since you can use it in flames, I used it to reverse sear a thick ribeye. I cooked the steak over indirect heat to 115°F. Then I removed it from my grill grates and cranked my Kamado as hot as it would go. I grabbed the steak with some tongs and seared the meat, holding it just above the coal bed. I pulled it from the fire at 125°F.
In the old days, I’d have to pull the steak from the heat frequently to temp it with an instant-read thermometer. Not anymore!
I know you’re wondering: was it an amazingly delicious steak? Absolutely. Thanks, Armeator!
Note: Charcoal burns between 800°F-1,000°F. I kept the thermometer above the coal bed, not on it.
There’s something fun about having temperatures beamed to your phone. Don’t ask me how it works. It’s just cool that it does.
Since the Armeator is wireless, it’s perfect for rotisserie cooking. In the old days, we’d have to use an analog meat thermometer to do this. Those days are behind us!
I smoked a pork shoulder with the Armeator, and it was cool to check the temperature of the pork from my couch! You won’t miss a minute of the big game with the Armeator. Just glance down at your phone to check your meat temperature.
This is nice in the winter months, too. I’m from Michigan, where smoking meat in February is not as fun as smoking meat in July. But the Armeator One removes some of that cold weather friction.
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Here are a couple of things to be aware of:
The Armeator One is great for tracking food temps, but it doesn’t track your cooker temperature. This one really isn’t the fault of the thermometer – it’s only designed to track food temps. It’s more of a critique of grill and smoker manufacturers.
Most “thermometers” on grills are cheap. I hesitate to call them thermometers. Random number generators might be more accurate. I have one dome thermometer read off by 75°F or more. It’s almost impossible to smoke good food with inaccurate temperature readings.
Armeator does not address this problem (again, it’s not the thermometer’s fault). Still, you’ll probably have to buy another thermometer to monitor your grill or smoker’s temperature.
The probe on the Armeator One needs to be inserted 2 ¾” to protect the electrical components.
This means you’ll still need an instant-read thermometer for things like smash burgers and chicken wings. Any small or thin cut of meat.
Also, if you’re cooking several small cuts of meat (say chicken breasts for a crowd), an instant-read thermometer would be much faster and more efficient than the Armeator. The Armeator would work in a pinch, but it wouldn’t be ideal for this chore.
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The Armeator One is a dandy little thermometer that’s perfect for smoking large cuts of meat and steak. It’s cool, can withstand extreme heat (it’s flame-proof), and it’s made of high-quality materials.
The shortcomings are that it won’t monitor your cooker temperature, it’s not ideal if you’re quick temping lots of food, and it doesn’t work with really thin or small cuts of meat.
It was a joy smoking a pork shoulder with the Armeator. If you’re interested in scoring an Armeator One, head to their website to make the purchase.
