Before we dive in, a quick heads-up: Ninja sent me their ProChef Wireless Thermometer to test and review. But as always, you’re getting my unfiltered thoughts—the good, the bad, and the stuff I think could use some tweaking. Let’s get into it.
I’ve been testing the Ninja ProChef Wireless Thermometer for a few weeks now, putting it through its paces with brisket-style pork belly, dirty-seared tomahawk steak, and birria taco-worthy beef short ribs. While it’s hands down more reliable than my old MEATER PLUS in terms of connection and durability, the app has a few niggles that need addressing.
What the Ninja ProChef Nails
Rock-Solid Connectivity: Unlike the MEATER PLUS, which would lose connection if I even glanced at a wall, the Ninja ProChef worked flawlessly. I could monitor my cooks from my office, 15 metres away, through multiple rooms. Absolute game-changer.
Handles the Heat: Whether it’s a slow cook or slapping a tomahawk steak directly on the coals for a dirty sear, the thermometer took it all in stride. No alarms, no drama, just solid performance.
Versatile Performance: Across low ‘n’ slow, high-heat sears, and everything in between, it’s been a reliable sous-chef.
App Niggles That Need Fixing
No Cook History: I can’t refer back to previous cooks, which is frustrating. As someone who documents recipes and loves learning from past sessions, this is a feature I really miss.
No Apple Watch App: It’s a small thing, but glancing at temps on my wrist with the MEATER is a convenience I’ve come to love.
Preset Temp Limitations: The app restricts specific temps for certain meats (e.g., pork belly brisket style). You can bypass this with a manual mode, but it feels like a workaround instead of a solution.
No Custom Alerts: The MEATER lets you set custom temp alerts for different cooking stages—smoking, resting, searing, etc. The Ninja ProChef doesn’t offer this yet, and as an organised cook, I miss it.
The Silver Lining
The best part? All these issues are software-related, and as someone who’s worked in tech for 20+ years, I know they could be fixed in a single app update. So, Ninja, if you’re listening—how about it? Let’s take this from great to unbeatable.
Verdict
Cards on the table—if I had to pick between the standard MEATER and the Ninja ProChef, I’d go ProChef every time. The connectivity, range, and durability are leagues ahead, and the fact I can dirty sear a steak without my phone having a meltdown is a game-changer. Fix the app, and this thing would be unstoppable.
