Thermoworks Square DOT Thermometer Review
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The Thermoworks Square DOT Thermometer sets itself apart from the Thermoworks DOT and the Thermoworks ChefAlarm in that it has two temperature probes and a new air temperature average function.
Like the ChefAlarm and the DOT, the Square DOT has no wireless Bluetooth or WiFi capabilities.
The Thermoworks ChefAlarm on the left and the Thermoworks DOT on the right are both single probe thermometers.
See the Thermoworks ChefAlarm Review.
See the Thermoworks DOT Review.
The additional probe gives you the ability to monitor both the internal temperature of your food and the ambient air temperature of your cooking chamber.
The Square DOT comes with an ambient air probe and a food probe.
Why is this important?
This allows you to use the Square DOT for monitoring food on a smoker, oven, or grill where the cooking temperature isn’t consistent.
And speaking of consistency, the new air temperature average function shows you the average ambient air temperature of your cooking chamber over the last 15 minutes.
Meet the DOTs.
See my review of the Thermoworks BlueDOT Bluetooth Meat Thermometer.
This information can help you in adjusting your cooking temperature to reach the desired final internal temperature of your food.
I’ll examine this function further as well as the features, usability, accuracy, durability, and price in this review of the Thermoworks Square DOT Thermometer.
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Thermoworks Square DOT Thermometer
Although I like the non-wireless Thermoworks ChefAlarm and DOT thermometers, I always wished they had the option for additional probes.
My prayers (and many other home cooks and grillers) were answered with the Thermoworks Square DOT.
The additional air temperature probe allows you to track the often fluctuating chamber temperature of a smoker or grill while your food cooks.
Also, not many people are aware that the temperature of their oven will oscillate up and down over the course of a cook.
Here’s a time-temperature graph of my 350°F oven as monitored by the ambient temperature probe of the Thermoworks Signals.
I’ve noticed this oven temperature fluctuation on many cooking tests over the years with multiple ovens and it is just how they operate.
Bottom of the oven heating cycle, the Square DOT displays the average oven temperature.
If you were to view the real-time temperature of an oven at the high or low point of this cycle you could misinterpret it and adjust it accordingly.
The average temperature function gives you a better overall idea of your cooking chamber temperature.
Near the top of the oven’s heating cycle, the Square DOT’s average temperature function still shows a much lower average temperature.
Some people will appreciate this function, some will not.
I think it is helpful to know your oven’s temperature accuracy. I also think this function is useful in monitoring your average smoking temperature during low-and-slow bbq cooks.
Here are the other features of the Thermoworks Square DOT.
Features of the Square DOT
Here is what comes in the box of the Thermoworks Square DOT Thermometer:
- One Square DOT Alarm Thermometer
The Square DOT has a dual display screen for both of its temperature probe channels. The display shows both the current temperature and the alarm temperature setting.
- One Pro-Series High Temp Penetration Probe
The food temperature probe is 4.5″ long. You can purchase additional probes such as the 6″ Pro-Series probe above it in the picture below.
The Square DOT’s 4.5″ food temperature probe is below the 6″ food temperature probe of the Thermoworks Signals.
- Pro-Series High Temp Air Probe
- Grate Clip
- Instruction Card
- A Certificate of Calibration
There’s a Certificate of Calibration included in the box. This certificate is signed off by a Thermoworks employee and certifies that the Square DOT is accurate according to laboratory standards which are traceable to standards maintained at NIST.
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Using the Square DOT and other thermometers to track the internal temperature of a roast chicken at different points.
Specifications
Here are the specifications of the Thermoworks Square DOT thermometer.
- Probe Temperature Range: -58 to 572°F (-50 to 300°C)
- Cable Temperature Range: Can withstand temperatures up to 700°F (370°C)
- Accuracy: +-1.8°F (+-1.0°C) between -4 to 248°F (-20 to 120°C)
- IP Rating: Rated IP66 Waterproof
- Backlight Time: 10 Seconds
- Sensor Type: Thermistor
- Battery Life: 2 -AAA Batteries with up to 5000 hours usage.
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Usability
Like the original Thermoworks DOT, the Square DOT is incredibly easy to use.
Using the Thermoworks Square DOT as the accuracy baseline during a chicken cook involving three smart wireless meat probes.
There are four arrow buttons on the front that you use to set your alarm temperatures up or down. Any button will mute an active alarm.
There are two buttons on the back of the thermometer. There’s a power/backlight button on the left and a button marked “AVG” on the right.
Pressing the power/backlight button for three seconds will turn it on and off. Pressing it once will turn on the backlight for 10 seconds. When you press it for 6 seconds it will switch between Celsius and Fahrenheit settings.
The AVG button controls the revolving average temperature calculation function. Press and hold this button for 3 seconds to activate this function.
This will then display the average air temperature for the last 15 minutes of your cook, starting when it reaches your set alarm cooking temperature.
The bottom display is responsible for this feature.
The back of the device is magnetic and also has a pull-out stand that is sturdy and doesn’t tip over.
As I noted earlier, the Square DOT has no WiFi or Bluetooth wireless capabilities.
This limits some of its usability to cooking in the kitchen and outdoor grilling and smoking close to the house where you can keep an eye on your food.
Accuracy
The Square DOT comes with a certificate of calibration in the box.
On the certificate, my particular thermometer was rated +1.0°F accurate for the food temperature probe channel and -1.0°C for the air temperature probe channel.
I also tested the accuracy of the Square DOT alongside many other thermometers during many test cooks.
In one cook, I used the Square DOT as my temperature comparison for a roast chicken involving the MEATER Plus, the MeatStick, and the Tappecue AirProbe Smart Wireless Meat Probe thermometers.
The Square DOT was the most accurate thermometer in both chamber temperature monitoring and in the internal temperature monitoring of the chicken during the 425°F cook.
The Square DOT displayed an average oven temperature of 426 degrees Fahrenheit (the oven was set to 425 degrees Fahrenheit).
I consider the Square DOT to be extremely accurate, just like all of the Thermoworks thermometers I’ve used.
Durability
The Square DOT features Thermoworks signature molded-in splash-proof seals and a commercial-grade plastic body.
It is rated IP66 waterproof, this equates to protection against high-pressure jets of water. This is the same waterproof rating as the Thermoworks Signals.
The Square DOT also comes with a two-year warranty.
I consider the Square DOT to be very durable.
Thermoworks Square DOT vs Thermoworks DOT
What are the similarities and differences between the Thermoworks Square DOT and the Thermoworks DOT?
The backlight of the Square DOT is noticeably brighter than the DOT’s backlight.
All of the temperature specifications and ranges are the same for both the Square DOT and the DOT.
They also both have the same 4.5″ Pro-Series High Temp Straight Penetration Probe.
The most obvious difference between the Square DOT and the DOT is the extra temperature probe and channel of the Square DOT.
The Square DOT’s Average Mode function is the other obvious difference as the DOT doesn’t have this feature.
Another difference between the two is waterproof rating; the Square DOT has an IP66 rating, the DOT has an IP65 rating.
The backlight on the Square DOT is also noticeably brighter than the backlight of the DOT.
The Square DOT has a price of $69 versus $45 for the DOT.
Price
The Square DOT has a price tag of $69. This puts its price slightly above the ChefAlarm at $65 and quite a bit above the $45 for the DOT.
Due to the extra probe capabilities of the Square DOT, I would consider it to be slightly better value for someone that wants the ability to track the ambient air temperature of their cooks.
Final Thoughts
Thermoworks thermometers are the most accurate and durable on the market. I challenge you to find another dual-probe thermometer with an IP66 waterproof rating with the same accuracy as the Thermoworks Square DOT for $69.
After testing it alongside many thermometers during many cooks, including all of the more expensive (and less accurate) smart wireless meat thermometer probes, I can attest to its superior accuracy.
If you don’t need or want Bluetooth or WiFi capabilities, the Square DOT is an excellent choice for the kitchen or cooking on the grill.
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