I'm done with the thermapen

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sqwib

Smoking Guru
Original poster
OTBS Member
Sep 25, 2007
5,962
1,034
Philadelphia
When it works it's great, but it doesn't always work.

This is my 3rd and it stopped working so I figured I would check the battery. THAT IS IF I COULD OPEN IT.

This is the second one that I couldn't even get the battery compartment open without mashing it.

The teflon o-ring is too dam tight




The dam thing wouldn't work but after I beat the battery compartment open it started to work. I can no longer give these pens Kudos. Time to move on.
 
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Lavatools makes a good alternative.   Amazon search has many options if you want that instant read thermometer ability still.   Think they are like $25 for the small ones.. which I have and have had no issues and it was spot on for my elevation compensation boil and ice water tests.
 
Do a google search for Extech 39272 Its about half the price and works great. Uses 1AAA battery. been having mine for over five years and still works great.

Jerry S.
 
Wow sorry to hear that SQWIB.

I've had my thermapen for several years & changed the battery just one time.

It works all the time without any problems.

Why not email them & see what they have to say, maybe they will send you a new one.

Al
 
Sorry to hear that! I've had mine going on 3 years and haven't had any problems. Maybe just bad luck?
 
Sure like my $25 dollar Lavatool therm. I have two and the oldest one is going to my on three years old now, not a lick of problems. I use it daily, even when I'm not smoking food.
 
 
Wow sorry to hear that SQWIB.

I've had my thermapen for several years & changed the battery just one time.

It works all the time without any problems.

Why not email them & see what they have to say, maybe they will send you a new one.

Al
 
Sorry to hear that! I've had mine going on 3 years and haven't had any problems. Maybe just bad luck?
I'm fairly mechanically inclined and struggled to get the cover off. It's just odd based on all the great reviews, never read anything bad about these. I feel like one of those idiots folks that is usually chalked up to operator error!

This is my 3rd one, the first one was always buggy and when I complained to customer service they replaced it with one that was run over by a forklift (not their fault), then they replaced that one (I think I got the story posted here somewhere on the forum) anyhow this worked fine for several months then got buggy again like the first, I could not get it to work, after I mashed the battery compartment up it works now, I still haven't replaced the cover yet.

They're just too expensive to be replacing every other year.
 
I got a Java Pro for Christmas. 8 Months and so far very happy...JJ
 
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I have a Lava Tools ($25) on my buy list if the $10-$15 cheapie digital I own ever gives out.  My cheapie will give me a read in 5-10 seconds. 

A few years ago when I was looking at the Thermapen for $99, which gives a 3 second read, my wife put it in prospective for me.  She said "You can buy a three second thermometer for a hundred bucks, or a ten second thermometer for $10.  Explain to me how 7 seconds is worth $90 for a meat thermometer."   I didn't have an answer.     
 
 
I have a Lava Tools ($25) on my buy list if the $10-$15 cheapie digital I own ever gives out.  My cheapie will give me a read in 5-10 seconds. 

A few years ago when I was looking at the Thermapen for $99, which gives a 3 second read, my wife put it in prospective for me.  She said "You can buy a three second thermometer for a hundred bucks, or a ten second thermometer for $10.  Explain to me how 7 seconds is worth $90 for a meat thermometer."   I didn't have an answer.     
Thin Fish Fillets is the only meat that a few seconds can make a difference. But I agree, $100 is pretty stiff when for $25-$50 you can get pretty close to the Thermapen speed...JJ
 
 
Put a Lavatools Javelin pro in my Amazon cart...AGAIN!
I've had my eye on the new Lavatools since a lot of us jumped on them when they came out. three or so years ago  This Javelin Pro Limited edition 001 olive drab with an orange/red backlit display is 2-3 seconds.  $54.99. 
-Kurt
 
I'm still looking, I'm finding it hard to spend near 60 bucks for another thermo. Was going to get a reboxed thermo pop for $15
 
Hi I'm with ThermoWorks. I'm sorry you experienced this issue and we'd love the chance to fix the problem. If there is any way we could get your contact info, or if you could contact our Tech Support at [email protected], we'd be able to care if this. 

Thanks,

Mindy
 
So i am fairly new to the smoking grilling thing and looking to get a nice thermometer in the near future and I want to get an accurate and dependable one. Is there any difference between the Lava Tools ($25) and ThermoWorks $100 becauses the 1 second temp reading or 3 second temp reading?
 
 
So i am fairly new to the smoking grilling thing and looking to get a nice thermometer in the near future and I want to get an accurate and dependable one. Is there any difference between the Lava Tools ($25) and ThermoWorks $100 becauses the 1 second temp reading or 3 second temp reading?
My lavatools have worked flawlessly. average time for reading that I get is 3 seconds. Fast enough for me, and the extra $75 bucks bought a ton of meat to smoke!
 
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