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One of the lessons you learn when you’ve prepared whole turkey as much as I have is that cooking large servings of meat is like that one Janet Jackson song. You gotta have control.

More specifically, you need to have temperature control. From a honking slab of prime rib to a well-seasoned roast chicken, proper temperature management spells the difference between a juicy, adequately cooked centerpiece for your lavish meal and a dry hunk of protein or worse — an undercooked mess that’ll punch diners a one-way ticket to food poisoning.


Yikes.

It is with that thought that I approach the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer Mini. A reimagining of iDevices’ full-size thermometer, the Mini version shrinks not only the size but the cost of the original to a more affordable $40. Does it downsize its utility as well? Let’s test this baby out, shall we?

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A combination of two of my loves — cooking and gadgets — the Kitchen Thermometer Mini certainly sounds like an idea that hits all the right buttons for yours truly. Unlike traditional “dumb” thermometers, the Mini is a smart device that integrates with compatible iOS and Android devices via the iDevices Connected app. Add Bluetooth to the mix and you’ve got the ability to monitor the temperature of the food you’re cooking in real time via your smartphone, tablet or other requisite gadget.

The design of the device itself is done quite well. The Mini thermometer doesn’t look cheap and also adds some utility into the equation.

This includes a magnetic attachment for attaching to the sides of an oven or fridge as well as a spool for easier storage. Multicolored lighting, meanwhile, serves as indicators for things like Bluetooth pairing or temperature presets.

One thing it sadly does not come with is a full manual, which isn’t helpful for the not-so tech savvy. Instead, you get a quick start guide that’s lacking in the details department and refers you to the Connected app for a full user guide. The good news is that pairing the device with a phone is pretty easy. Just turn it on, activate Bluetooth on your smartphone or tablet and look for the Mini’s name on your Bluetooth menu to pair with it. Once paired, you can start monitoring real-time temperatures with the probe and also program a target temperature for when your meat should be cooked. The Connected app also comes with presets for various types of meat, which is helpful. For steady cooking, the device can let you know if your temperatures go below or past ideal ranges as well. Temperature readings were quite accurate, which is definitely a plus.

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The probe tip itself can be used in the oven so feel free to push it into an ideal area of the meat, stick the magnetic module outside the oven and wait until your food reaches the ideal temperature. Sadly, the probe is not designed to be used with deep fryers so leaving it in a turkey while using my ginormous deep fryer is a no-go. One downside is that the main body does not come with a temperature indicator. This drops the overall utility of the device as you pretty much need a smartphone or tablet to use it. I also wish it came with a rechargeable battery for added convenience. While battery life is solid, you still need to hunt down coin-style battery once it runs out, especially if you forget to switch it off after use.

Overall, the iDevices Kitchen Thermometer Mini represents a neat concept that isn’t perfect just yet. Although its smart features are nice to have, its niggles also don’t make this a full replacement for a traditional yet reliable low-tech thermometer. Even with a Mini in tow, I still like to have a “dumb” kitchen thermometer around just in case the Mini runs out of juice or I just need a quick temperature reading and don’t want to finagle with the Mini and its app. If you like the idea of a smart thermometer, however, the Mini is worth a look.

Final rating: 3.5 out of 5
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