ThermoPro TP829 Remote Meat Thermometer Review

The ThermoPro TP829 Remote Meat Thermometer boasts of a 1000 foot wireless signal range between its transmitter and receiver units.

That is an incredibly long distance and puts the TP829 only behind the Thermoworks Smoke X4 in terms of wireless signal range. I tested the signal strength and it is legit, see the usability section below.

However, the wireless signal range is just one aspect of a remote wireless meat thermometer and it often overshadows its other features.

The usability, durability, accuracy, and price relative to similar thermometers are the features that determine any thermometer’s value.

How does the TP829 stack up in the world of remote meat thermometers?

See my review of the two-probe ThermoPro TP826 Remote Wireless Meat Thermometer.

In this review of the ThermoPro TP829 Remote Wireless Meat Thermometer, I will examine all of its important features as well as how it compares to the other remote wireless meat thermometers on the market.

View on Amazon

ThermoPro TP829 Long Range Wireless Meat Thermometer

The ThermoPro TP829 remote meat thermometer is remarkably similar to the ThermoPro TP27 remote meat thermometer that they released around six months ago.

Here are the similarities between TP829 and the TP27:

• Four color-coordinated probes.
• Both have four dedicated display screen sections for each probe.
• Hi and Low temperature alerts clearly visible on the display screen of the larger unit.
• IpX4 Waterproof. (Splashing water won’t hurt it.)
• Temperature range and accuracy of probes.
• 15-second backlight illumination.

Here are the differences:

• The biggest difference is the TP829 has a wireless signal range of 1000 feet versus 500 feet for the TP27.
• The TP829 has the preset meat temperatures option, the TP27 doesn’t.
• The TP829 has a timer, the TP27 doesn’t.
• Transmitter and receiver functions are switched between the two. The larger unit that controls everything is now the receiver on the TP829.
• The backlight is touch activated by pressing the logo on the TP27, the TP829 has a button that it shares with the Fahrenheit/Celsius selection function.
• There are no color-coordination dots on the receiver of the TP829.
• The probe handles on the TP27 are fully painted in different colors, the TP829’s probe handles have a painted band.
• As of this review, the TP829 was a lot lower in price. (It’s half the price right now.)

I’m not sure if the price point of the TP829 is settled yet considering I’m writing this the day after its release, but as of right now this thermometer presents a tremendous value.

Let’s look at the features of the TP829.

New and Old Design Features of the ThermoPro TP829

The ThermoPro TP829 represents both the new and the classic features of ThermoPro thermometers.

What does this mean?

While the TP829 has many newer advanced features such as the extended wireless range, IPX4 waterproofing, and color-coordinated probes, it retains a similar button interface and transmitter and receiver functionality of prior models.

It also brought back the preset meat temperature alert options from prior models. The newer TP27 ad TP28 did away with this option.

This isn’t a bad thing. If it works, it works.

It appeared that ThermoPro was transitioning their lineup of remote meat thermometers to have the larger of the two units become the transmitter.

This larger unit can also function as a standalone thermometer so that you don’t necessarily need a receiver as well.

It also made the smaller receiver easier to carry around.

Their recently released TP27 and TP28 remote models are designed this way.

ThermoPro switched it back for the TP829 model.

If you prefer to carry a smaller receiver around to monitor your food on the grill then the TP27 and TP28 models are for you.

Receiver Features

Here are the important features of the ThermoPro TP829.

• Remote range of 1000 feet.
• IPX4 Waterproof. It is protected from splashing water but don’t submerge it in water.
• Backlight that stays on for 15 seconds.
• Tabletop stand, magnet, and hook placement options.
• Runs on 2 AAA batteries (included)
• Timer Function

Receiver Buttons

Here are the receiver buttons and their functions.

• Power button

Press to turn on and off. Press and hold for 3 seconds to enter the synchronization process with transmitter.

• Probe/Timer

Rotate between the four different probes. Press and hold for 3 seconds to enter the Timer mode.

• Light/F°/C°

Press to turn on and off the backlight. Press for 3 seconds to switch between Fahrenheit and Celsius.

• Up and Down Arrows

Increases and decreases temperature settings as well as time.

• S./S./((.))/Clear

Turns the alarm on and off in thermometer mode. Confirms the timer settings by pressing once. When the timer is set press once to start the timer. Press once to pause the timer. Hold down for 3 seconds to clear the timer.

• Meat

In thermometer mode, press to select the type of meat and its preset temperature settings.

• Taste

In thermometer mode press to select the meat doneness level: Rare, medium-rare, medium, medium-well, and well done. While in BBQ mode, press to display Hi and Low-temperature alarms.

Transmitter Features and Buttons

Here are the features of the ThermoPro TP829 transmitter:

• Remote range of 1000 feet.
• IPX4 Waterproof.
• Backlight.
• Tabletop stand and wall hook placement options.
• Runs on 2- AAA batteries (included)
• Color-coordinated probe ports that correspond to color-coordinated probes.

There are only two buttons on the transmitter, a power/ Fahrenheit/Celsius button and a backlight button.

That’s it.

With all of the control functions located on the receiver that you carry with you, how is the usability of the TP829?

Usability of the ThermoPro TP829

How easy is the ThermoPro TP829 to use? I think that most people should have a decent grasp of its functioning after a few uses.

It’s relatively easy to use.

There are a few “user experience” aspects that you will either love or leave. One of them being the preset meat temperature option.

This is handy for some people that are unfamiliar with the proper serving temperatures for different meats but I still think the preset temperatures are off by quite a bit.

An example is that the lowest setting for pork is 160 degrees Fahrenheit, 15 degrees higher than the 145 degrees Fahrenheit that the USDA changed it to in 2011.

This isn’t a huge deal as the TP829 also offers a self-programmed temperature option.

Another design feature is the choice to move all of the thermometer’s control functions back into the receiver.

If you had a choice of carrying around one of the two units that come with the TP829, which one would you choose?

The larger receiver is similar in size to a cellphone so it’s not that large. But the smaller pager-style receiver of the TP27 and TP28 thermometers does have its merits.

It’s now time to discuss the most publicized feature of this thermometer, its purported 1000 foot wireless signal range.

The 1000 Foot Wireless Signal Range

It’s legit.

I’m always skeptical when thermometers claim a certain wireless signal distance.

The advertised distances are always a best-case, no obstacles, line-of-sight measurement between the transmitter and receiver.

I always test the signal distance by taking a walk around my neighborhood.

I live in a hilly neighborhood with plenty of houses and even more trees.

With all of that in the way between the TP829’s transmitter and receiver, I was able to go 880 feet (according to Google maps) before the signal cut out.

I continued to walk down to the next street and around the block and the transmitter re-engaged around 800 feet on the next street over.

Is this a real-world grilling scenario? No. Unless you like to go on walks while you’re grilling.

The marketed wireless signal distance is symbolic of the thermometer’s signal strength.

There are plenty of remote thermometers that will lose signal between transmitter and receiver even by putting a few walls of your house in between.

The main takeaway, the TP829 won’t do this. I can see why they included the signal range in the title on the box.

View on Amazon

The Durability of the TP829

How durable is the TP829? Durability is tested over time and many cooks so it would be premature to give any indication of how durable it is.

It does have at least a semblance of waterproofing with an IPX4 rating. The main question for any barbecue thermometer is will it hold up in the rain?

I think it would survive a brief rain shower but I’m not sure about leaving it out overnight in the rain.

The temperature probes are standard issue ThermoPro and are 8.5″ long with 42″ long cords.

The temperature measuring range of the probes is between 14 and 572 degrees Fahrenheit. The probes and their cords are heat resistant up to 716 degrees Fahrenheit.

Accuracy

The ThermoPro TP829 is very accurate. I tested it against a highly accurate thermometer with probes measuring the temperature of water heating on the stove.

The TP829 produced similar readings as the other thermometer with a little lag time in terms of responsiveness to temperature changes.

Price

I don’t think the price point is set firmly yet for this thermometer. Right now the price is a steal and I highly recommend getting it before the price most assuredly goes higher.

It has pretty much the same features as the TP27 which is twice the price, and it has twice the wireless signal range.

I’ll update this section a little later once it’s been on the market for a while.

October 2022 Update: The TP829 continues to prove a great value at its current price and I stand by my original price assessment.

Final Verdict

The ThermoPro TP829 Remote Meat Thermometer is similar, but not identical, to its cousin the ThermoPro TP27.

With four, color-coordinated probes and a strong, 1000 foot wireless signal range, it presents a tremendous value at its current price point.

Will this change? We will see.

It is currently half the price of the highly-rated TP27 model, with double the wireless signal range.

If you’re looking for a remote meat thermometer for your grill, this is probably the easiest purchasing decision that you’ll come across.

Things could change and the price might go up, but I think the TP829 is a great value even at a possibly much higher price.