Tappecue AirProbe2 Review

There are many wireless meat probes on the market, what makes the Tappecue AirProbe2 Wireless Meat Probe so special?

What sets the Tappecue AirProbe2 apart from the rest is that it’s the only wireless meat probe you can use in pressure cookers. It works in air fryers and sous vide applications as well.

Using the AirProbe2 in an air fryer to monitor a pork chop’s internal temperature.

It has no internal battery and is rated IP67 waterproof.

An IP67 waterproof rating means that you can submerge it directly in liquids for up to 30 minutes. (Sous vide cook tracking is not direct submersion unless you have the AirProbe2 submerged in a marinade in the bag.)

Using the AirProbe2 to monitor a pork chop in a sous vide water bath.

The AirProbe2’s technology also opens up a new world of insight into the temperature and cooking times of the currently popular air fryer and Instant Pot cooking methods.

The AirProbe2 isn’t perfect, however.

Like all wireless meat probes, it puts a lot of trust in the user’s placement of the probe in their food.

The probe needs to be inserted 2.75 inches into your food up to the engraved safe insertion line to keep its sensitive food sensor safe from temperatures over 212°F.

On smaller air fryers and instant pots, you’ll need to get creative to make the AirProbe fit while also keeping it inserted in your meat up to the safe line.

This makes it impossible to hit the thermal center of cuts of meat less than 5.5 inches in length.

And like all wireless meat probes, it is noticeably thicker than a typical temperature probe.

The tell-tale sign of a wireless meat probe.

However, I think these tradeoffs are worth it.

The flexibility and versatility that the AirProbe2 gives you in monitoring temperatures in a vast array of cooking methods that can’t be tracked using any other thermometer are what give it value.

It is the only wireless meat probe on the market right now that is capable of being used in a pressurized cooker.

In this review of the Tappecue AirProbe2 Wireless Meat Probe, I’ll examine its features, usability, accuracy, durability, and price to help you determine if it’s a tool worthy of your cooking arsenal.

I’ll also compare it to the other notable wireless meat probes on the market, the MEATER plus, the MeatStick X, the Yummly Wireless Smart Thermometer, and the Maverick Stake thermometer.

Here’s the MeatStick X Meat Thermometer Review.

Tappecue AirProbe2 Smart Wireless Meat Probe

The Tappecue AirProbe2 Smart Wireless Meat Probe is the updated version of the original AirProbe, which Tappecue released in May 2020.

The original AirProbe could only connect to the Tappecue Touch during its initial few months on the market but gained the ability to connect directly to mobile devices in September 2020 through the AirProbe Direct Tech feature in their app.

Tappecue AirProbe2 Wireless meat probe on the left and the original Tappecue AirProbe on the right.

The AirProbe2 was released in February 2021 with a few updates in design and functionality.

These updated features include:

• A more watertight body that can be put in a dishwasher
• Increased quality to be used in pressure cookers and air fryers
• A sharper point at the tip for easier insertion into your meat.

The AirProbe 2 with a visibly sharper tip

The Tappecue AirProbe2 on the right.

The AirProbe2’s ability to be used in air fryers and pressure cookers is what makes it unique amongst all of the other wireless meat probes currently on the market.

Would a meat thermometer probe even be helpful in an air fryer or instant pot cooking scenario? I think so.

An 8-ounce pork chop measuring an internal temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit on the Tappecue mobile app.

The same pork chop after resting for over two minutes out of the air fryer.

I monitored the internal temperature of pork chops using the AirProbe2 in an air fryer over multiple cooks, coming away with some valuable insights.

One of the most important being there is a lot of carryover cooking when you use an air fryer.

The internal temperature of an 8-ounce pork chop will easily rise another 10 to 15 degrees while resting after cooking it for 11 to 12 minutes in an air fryer.

The AirProbe2 gives you more control over your air fryer cooking instead of being captive to the current cooking time guidelines set forth by recipes online.

However, the AirProbe2 is more than just a tool to monitor pork chops and chicken breasts in an air fryer.

Let’s take a look at the features of the AirProbe2 and its usability in different cooking environments.

Features and Specifications of the Tappecue AirProbe 2

Here are the important features and specifications of the Tappecue AirProbe2 Wireless Meat Probe.

• Food Temperature measuring range of the probe tip between 32°F and 212°F.
• Ambient Temperature measuring range in the handle between 32°F and 572°F.
• Accuracy in the probe tip +-1.8°F.
• Bluetooth Transmission range of 15 to 20 feet. 
• Battery life duration 4 to 10+ hours based on environment.
• Charge Time of 5 to 10 minutes.
• Waterproof IP67 rating
• Probe dimensions 1/4 inch in diameter and 3 3/4 inches in length.
• Connects to the Tappecue Mobile App via AirProbe Direct

Usability

The Airprobe2 is relatively easy to use.

All of the control functions for the AirProbe2 are located within the Tappecue mobile application.

It doesn’t have a smart algorithm cook feature like some of the other meat probes such as the MEATER.

These guided cook features will estimate how long it will take for your meat to cook at certain specified temperatures.

The idea of an assisted cooking feature is nice, but I’ve found it to be very inconsistent when I’ve attempted to use it with both the MEATER and the MeatStick.

The main culprit is that the ambient temperature reading isn’t accurate, leading to cooking times that are way off.

You’ll need to download the Tappecue app from either the Apple store or Google play store.

To connect the AirProbe2 with the Tappecue app you need to use the AirProbe Direct function within the app.

Make sure you’re within a few feet of the probe for easy connection.

The Bluetooth range between the probe and your mobile device will top out at 20 feet without any obstacles.

If you put a wall between the probe and your phone it will cut out.

If you’re using the AirProbe2 in a heavy cooker like a ceramic grill the Bluetooth range will be even less than 20 feet.

There are some things you can do to extend your range of monitoring your cook remotely.

1. If you have a spare tablet or smartphone you can use it to connect to your AirProbe. Make sure this device is connected to the internet via WiFi or via Cellular.
2. This tablet or smartphone will then send temperatures via the internet to Tappecue’s Session area in the cloud.
3. You can then view your cook section on your main tablet or smartphone anywhere you have WiFi or cellular internet service.

The Tappecue Mobile App

The screenshots below are from the Tappecue’s mobile app.

The app itself is easy to navigate, with all of the information you need via its temperatures and graphs sections.

The temperature section of the Tappecue mobile app. Notice that there is no time designation when you scroll along the graph, it just gives you the temperature (the white bubble with 131) There is a time indicator on the main graph, however.

The main AirProbe Direct screen in the Tappecue app.

The graphs section of the app will have more detailed temperature and time readings than the other sections.

Accuracy of the AirProbe2

How accurate is the Tappecue AirProbe2? After using it in the oven, on the stovetop, in a sous vide bath, and in an air fryer, I can safely say it’s pretty accurate.

The Tappecue AirProbe2 mobile app displaying a chamber temperature of 131 degrees Fahrenheit in a sous vide bath.

How accurate is the sensor inside the probe tip? It is just as accurate as the MEATER Plus, which is very accurate.

I tested them in a sous vide bath with their probe tips at equal levels. Both the AirProbe2 and the MEATER Plus reacted to temperature changes in the water equally well.

Durability

The durability of a meat thermometer is measured over time and its amount of usage. I’ve used the AirProbe2 in an air fryer over 10 times with no problems.

I’ve also used it to monitor a pork chop submerged in a sous vide water bath for over 3 1/2 hours with no problems.

Time and temperature graph of the Tappecue AirProbe2.

The probe is also dishwasher safe and rated IP67 waterproof.

One important thing to note is that the probe tip’s delicate temperature sensor can’t withstand temperatures higher than the boiling point of 212°F.

That’s why there’s a safe insertion line etched 2.75 inches from the tip of the probe. You need to keep the probe inserted in your meat to protect it from temperatures higher than 212°F.

You also wouldn’t want to use the AirProbe2 inserted into a thick steak while searing it over a hot gas or charcoal grill with open flames to keep the ambient sensor in the handle safe.

If you’re mindful of operating within these parameters the AirProbe2 should be durable.

Price

The AirProbe2 isn’t cheap, but it’s still cheaper than its rivals that have less features, most notably no WiFi connectivity or ability to go in a pressure cooker.

It has a retail listing of $79 at the time of this review. This price puts it lower than its main rival, the MEATER Plus wireless meat probe.

The Original Tappecue AirProbe and the MEATER meat thermometers side by side

The AirProbe2’s versatility in many cooking scenarios is what sets it apart from the MEATER and the other wireless meat probes on the market.

Only the AirProbe2 is capable of working in a pressure cooker.

It’s also very convenient in tracking food in sous vide water baths giving you feedback on both meat and water temperatures accurately.

And like all of the other wireless meat probes, it’s really handy for cooking anything on a rotisserie.

If you use any combination of these cooking methods I could see the AirProbe2 providing a great amount of insight into your meat temperatures.

The Tappecue AirProbe2 vs the MEATER Plus and Others

How does the Tappecue AirProbe2 compare to the other top wireless meat probes on the market?

	Tappecue Green AirProbe2 Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer for Kitchen Pressure Cooker, AirFryer, BBQ Grill, Oven, Smoker, Rotisserie | Wireless Bluetooth & Cloud Connectivity		View on Amazon
	MEATER Plus | 165ft Long Range Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer with Bluetooth for The Oven, Grill, Kitchen, BBQ, Smoker, Sous Vide, Rotisserie		View on Amazon
	The MeatStick X | 260ft Wireless Meat Thermometer Withstanding High Temperature for BBQ, Smoker, Oven, Deep Frying, Sous Vide, Stove Top, Rotisserie, Kamado		View on Amazon
	Yummly YTE000W5KW Premium Wireless Smart Meat Thermometer with Long Range Bluetooth Connectivity and Assisted Cooking, 1, White		View on Amazon
	Maverick Stake Truly Wireless Bluetooth App Enabled Probe Thermometer for BBQ, Grill, Smoker, Oven, Rotisserie and Sous Vide Cooking		View on Amazon

The AirProbe2 and the MEATER Plus wireless meat probe are capable of WiFi connectivity without purchasing an additional WiFi connection device.

Why is WiFi connectivity so important for a wireless meat probe?

The wireless signal range is inherently limited on a wireless meat probe because it is transmitting a signal from inside a cooking chamber enclosed by various metals or materials.

That is why most of these probes have a very short wireless signal distance of under 10 to 15 feet to a phone or docking station.

They will then state a considerably longer wireless range in their marketing, but that is the range from the docking station to your phone.

This signal range is still determined by the number of obstructions and the Bluetooth ability of your mobile device.

Most Bluetooth signals will cut out after 20 to 30 feet or a few walls in between devices.

The Yummly Smart Wireless Thermometer and the Maverick Stake are Bluetooth-only devices.

See my review of the Yummly Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer.

The MeatStick X does have the option of purchasing an additional WiFi bridge for $65, but this is a non-starter for me.

However, you can connect the MeatStick X to WiFi if you have an additional smartphone or tablet to act as the WiFi bridge.

Granted, to connect the AirProbe2 and MEATER Plus thermometers you will also need an additional smartphone or tablet to act as the WiFi liaison, but at least you have that option, all at a much lower price.

Unlike the other meat probes, the AirProbe2 also has no internal battery, which makes it safe to use in pressure cookers.

If choosing between a device that is strictly Bluetooth or one that has both Bluetooth and WiFi at the same price, I’m going with the latter.

None of the other wireless meat probes can do what the AirProbe2 can at the same, or lower price.

Only the MEATER Plus is in the same ballpark in terms of value, but even then it can’t go in a pressure cooker, and it’s $20 more.

Final Thoughts

Wireless meat probe thermometers have exploded in popularity in recent years. With so many to choose from, it can be hard to decide on one that works for you.

You might ask yourself if you even need one and then think about the type of cooking that you do.

The Tappecue AirProbe2 brings more to the table than the other wireless meat probes currently on the market.

With its added versatility in air fryer or pressure cooker applications, WiFi ability with no costly extender needed, and a comparable price to its rivals, I think the Tappecue AirProbe2 is a good value.

The one trade-off is there is no internal battery in the probe itself and it only has around a 4 to 5-hour battery life under normal cooking conditions.

This could be a deal breaker for some people. If you do a lot of low-and-slow meat smoking you’re probably better off with a WiFi thermometer like the Tappecue Touch, Thermoworks Signals, or FireBoard 2 Drive.

But for most people, 4 to 5 hours is plenty of time to cook roasts or whole chickens and turkeys in the oven.

This versatility is what gives the AirProbe2 its value. If you do a lot of conventional cooking and grilling, as well as air fryer or instant pot cooking, the AirProbe2 would be a good tool to have.

View on Amazon

Tappecue Red AirProbe2 Smart Wireless Meat Thermometer for Kitchen Pressure Cooker, AirFryer, BBQ Grill, Oven, Smoker, Rotisserie | Wireless Bluetooth & Cloud Connectivity

• PRESSURE COOKER & AIR FRYER COMPATABLE: This meat thermometer works inside pressure cookers and air fryers so you get alerts on your smartphone for exactly when your food is ready to take out. It allows 2 readings, the temp of the meat and the ambient oven temperature.
• NO WIRE, NO FUSS: The Tappecue AirProbe thermometer was designed and engineered for rotisserie chicken, oven cooking, grilling chicken, grill steaks, slow cooking BBQ, for and smoking meats. With less wires to fumble with and cloud connectivity, you can enjoy unlimited freedom while you grill.
• SAVE YOUR COOKING HISTORY: Temperatures and your notes are saved to the cloud and can be emailed for easy import into excel or simply saved it in the app.. Cloud based data storage lets the cooking thermometer help you analyze your cook for repeatable results. NOTE: Unlimited emails and never a charge to monitor your cook. A small fee for over 5 saves per month Resets each month..
• FREE MOBILE APP: Download the proprietary phone app, connect and receive alerts on Android and iOS devices from anywhere when the minimum and maximum temperature limits are reached. And with Guest Mode functionality, your guests can view your readings and get alerts. This BBQ thermometer is perfect for professional kitchens and a must-have for everyone seeking to enjoy high quality meals with loved ones.
• CLOUD BASED: Our Cloud Software paired with the AirProbe Thermometer lets you conveniently monitor temperatures remotely and view previous settings data to help you repeat excellent results every time you smoke meat. (note with additional mobile devices, bluetooth connected tablet then phone can be anywhere)

View on Amazon