Fireboard 2 vs Thermoworks X4

[RonParrett]

Looking for opinions on the Fireboard 2, the Thermoworks Smoke X4, and maybe the Thermoworks Signals.

I am currently using a Maverick digital remote which seems to do a great job.

 

[Sloppysalmon219]

I had the smoke x4 and upgraded to the signals because I wanted wifi.. well a year into cooks with the signal and their cloud service sucked in my opinion. The signals was amazing the app is trash... my wife got me the fireboard 2 and had it for 2 weeks and love it more and more

 

[John S.]

I’d go FB2

 

[Timmy]

FireBoard gets my vote.

 

[Reecard]

I also had a Maverick Pro, after about 6 months two of the channels started reading 85° higher than they should have. And I also started noticing that my pork butts were not as "fall apart" when they reached the desired temp. I made the switch to FireBoard 2 and I won't look back! My last pork butt might have taken 1 1/2 hours longer, but I have not had one that tender. I feel that my Maverick was not reading the temp correct and I was wrapping and pulling too early. Just my $.02.

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

You didn't ask, but my Inkbird WiFi is 1/4 the cost of the FB and while it doesn't necessarily have the polish of the FB cloud service (only can see history through the app on IB), it's been great for me for over a year.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say no if someone gifted me a FB2, but the IB more than does the job in my case - in fact, I have two of them

 

[CMTiger]

You didn't ask, but my Inkbird WiFi is 1/4 the cost of the FB and while it doesn't necessarily have the polish of the FB cloud service (only can see history through the app on IB), it's been great for me for over a year.

Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't say no if someone gifted me a FB2, but the IB more than does the job in my case - in fact, I have two of them

Where can I see cook history for my InkBird? I didn’t know that was an option. It works but if I could have cook histories somewhere that would be great

 

[TheGrumpyGriller]

Where can I see cook history for my InkBird? I didn’t know that was an option. It works but if I could have cook histories somewhere that would be great

You can see it in the app. I think the IB needs to be turned on, but you can go into the chart and on the bottom you can change the date and look at historical info. I don't know how far back, but I think it was a fairly good amount. Unfortunately, the FB I believe, has the ability to name cooks, making it easier to find. On the IB, you'd have to know that you did brisket on 3/4/22 and then go to that date and the correct probe (1-4) to look at it.

I also think you can export a cook, but I haven't done that yet.

Hope this helps!

 

[miguelb]

I have the FB as well and it won't disappoint. Not sure about the other two you listed.

Just a side note, if you do end up getting FB, make sure to get the magnetic base. I don't know what I was thinking going without until I finally got it and it's a necessity.

 

[CMTiger]

I have the FB as well and it won't disappoint. Not sure about the other two you listed.

Just a side note, if you do end up getting FB, make sure to get the magnetic base. I don't know what I was thinking going without until I finally got it and it's a necessity.

InkBird comes with magnet back but I can’t imagine using it without that feature

 

[dflaher]

Just a side note, if you do end up getting FB, make sure to get the magnetic base. I don't know what I was thinking going without until I finally got it and it's a necessity.

^^This. And I really like the Thermoworks probe spools as well. Great way to keep your probes organized and tangle-free.

 

[RJ101]

I started with the cheaper Maverick, upgraded to the Thermoworks smoke with the wifi gateway, then got a Signals. Also had 2 thermopens. I find Thermoworks equipment to be crap. Both of the Thermopens quit working in a year, the screen on my first Signals cracked sitting in my equipment box at 1 month old, so I wound up paying for a second Signals. That unit had a bad probe port, so it was thankfully replaced under warranty, and now my third signals won't hold a charge after less than a year's use (4 times a month). Had LOTS of problems with the firmware updates on the Signals. The only thing that has worked and held up was the 2 channel Smoke. Their cloud service is nice, but I've been having more and more trouble with their data in the past 2 months. So, I'm really looking at a Fireboard 2 (need the cloud service when I'm out on a longer cook) based on the fact that I've never really seen anyone that had bad things to say about them (like what I describe above). I'd love to hear more from Fireboard owners.

 

[miguelb]

I started with the cheaper Maverick, upgraded to the Thermoworks smoke with the wifi gateway, then got a Signals. Also had 2 thermopens. I find Thermoworks equipment to be crap. Both of the Thermopens quit working in a year, the screen on my first Signals cracked sitting in my equipment box at 1 month old, so I wound up paying for a second Signals. That unit had a bad probe port, so it was thankfully replaced under warranty, and now my third signals won't hold a charge after less than a year's use (4 times a month). Had LOTS of problems with the firmware updates on the Signals. The only thing that has worked and held up was the 2 channel Smoke. Their cloud service is nice, but I've been having more and more trouble with their data in the past 2 months. So, I'm really looking at a Fireboard 2 (need the cloud service when I'm out on a longer cook) based on the fact that I've never really seen anyone that had bad things to say about them (like what I describe above). I'd love to hear more from Fireboard owners.

From my experience, it's a good device. I have no issue with it. I did have an ambient probe go bad. Since it was under warranty, I got it replaced.

There are also two type of probes. Don't make the mistake of buying both. RTD is one type.

 

[Dan-H]

I have a 2 channel TW smoke, and a TW smoke X4. Both work flawlessly. I've had the smoke about two years. and the smoke X4 for about six months.

I researched the signals and decided against it for a number of reasons, one which is I don't want another reason to have to look at my phone. I like the dedicated remote.

The smoke X4 also runs their fan which I use on my BGE.

For me graphing, and charting and internet access wasn't a priority for me.

I also have a 5 year old thermapen that still works great.

The display on the remote of my maverick died after about a year, but I still have the base unit in a box somewhere.