Today’s innovators have found ways to make modern technology help with every aspect of home life, and that remains true in the grilling industry!
Grilling and barbecuing are time-honored cooking hobbies that let you test your culinary skills, experiment with flavor, and feed your friends and family.
But in the past, failing to pay attention for just a moment could lead to burned meat and regrets.
Overcooking is now a relic of a bygone era, though. The iGrill thermometer series is a line of digital Bluetooth-connected thermometers that can send important temperature data right to your phone.
You’re no longer chained to the grill — you’re free to rove around the party, trusty smartphone in hand!
The Weber iGrill 2 Vs iGrill 3
Product | Compatibility | Battery Life | Type of Mount |
---|---|---|---|
#1. iGrill 2 Our Best Pick Check Price | Stand-alone model that can be used with any grill brand or model | 200 hours | Magnetically mounted |
#2. iGrill 3 Check Price | Designed for use with Weber Genesis II, Spirit II, and Genesis II LX grills | 250 hours | Permanently mounted to the side of the table |
#1. iGrill 2
The iGrill 2 connects to your smartphone through an app to provide Bluetooth thermometer readings.
You can constantly monitor the individual temperatures of up to four pieces of meat simultaneously, from the start of the cooking process to the end.
The iGrill sends you a notification when the food has reached the perfect temperature, so you don’t need to worry about undercooking or overcooking.
Whether you have years of grilling experience under your belt or have just tried out this new way of preparing vegetables and meat, this thermometer uses innovative technology to make the process easier than ever.
The app is available for both Android and iOS systems.
Since the thermometer tends to be on the pricier side, you’ll need to consider whether the investment is worth it.
For grilling enthusiasts who want to make the perfect food for their next barbecue or outdoor family meal, it’s hard to pass up.
The thermometer has a Bluetooth signal that can stretch across most grill-to-kitchen distances. That said, if your house is constructed from brick or concrete, or the grill is a long way from the home, you might experience interruptions in your signal.
Pros:
- Connects to both iOS and Android mobile devices
- Bluetooth connection signal can reach over most grill-to-kitchen distances
- Multiple probes are available to measure meat and ambient temperatures
Cons:
- Compatible with any grill types
- May experience signal interruptions if the thermometer is moved too far from the grill or has to send data through brick and concrete
- Isn’t as highly compatible with Genesis and LX grills as the iGrill 3
#2. iGrill 3
Conceptually speaking, the iGrill 3 is similar to its predecessor.
It’s a Bluetooth thermometer that allows you to connect to your grill.
However, the iGrill 3 is specifically formulated for use with a Genesis II or Spirit II grill from Weber. It won’t work with every grill on the market.
The thermometer has the capacity for up to four probes.
Its package comes with two meat probes. There are ambient temperature probes available for separate purchase.
You select the kind of meat being cooked on the thermometer, then wait for the digital interface to message your smartphone that the ideal internal food temperature has been met.
This tool is convenient for amateur grillers and seasoned pros who want to make the grilling process easier.
Rather than needing to hover by the grill, you can meander and socialize in your home or backyard, confident that you’ll receive an alert when the food is ready.
The smartphone app is available for iOS and Android devices, and it’s built to connect to phones, laptops, and tablets.
In addition to telling you when the food has reached the correct temperature, the iGrill 3 provides you with maximum and minimum temperature alerts to allow monitoring of your grill’s ambient temperature.
The thermometer comes programmed with preset and customizable options. The preset options will pick a predetermined temperature that’s deemed “ideal” for the type of meat or vegetable being cooked.
As you become more familiar with grilling and develop your cooking skills, you can input customized temperature readings.
Another neat feature is the fuel level detection gauge. For grills powered by liquid propane, this feature measures the amount of fuel that’s been used and how much is left in the grill.
Pros:
- Able to connect up to 4 probes
- Connects to Android and Apple tablets, phones, and computers
- Minimum and maximum ambient grill temperature alerts
Cons:
- Choice between preset or custom temperature settings
- Only designed to be compatible with certain Weber grills, not all models
- Still may cause Bluetooth connectivity interruptions if the signal is blocked
- Slightly more expensive than the previous model
Final Thoughts
The iGrill 2 and iGrill 3 share many conceptual similarities. Both can monitor both the internal meat and ambient temperatures of your grill. Both send notifications to an app on your Android or iOS device.
For people with a Genesis II or Spirit II grill, the latter model is the obvious choice.
The iGrill 3 has more technological features like fuel gauges, customized cooking settings, and minimum and maximum ambient temperature alerts.
It’s also not hugely more expensive than the iGrill 2, although the price does raise a bit.
If you have any other grill model, the iGrill 2 is a better option because the iGrill 3 simply won’t be compatible with your grill.
Though it doesn’t have every one of its successor’s features, it’s still a good remote temperature monitoring system that takes the hassle and guesswork out of grilling.