KitchenAid has entered the smart thermometer market with its first product in the category, a Bluetooth-connected probe that retails for $100 for the single-probe model and $200 for the dual-probe version, according to a report by Engadget.
The device is designed to work across a broad range of cooking methods, including grilling, roasting, smoking, air frying, and stovetop cooking. The probes are waterproof and dishwasher safe, removing some of the cleanup friction that comes with traditional probe thermometers.
Battery life is one of the product's more prominent selling points. A full charge delivers up to 24 hours of use, making it capable of staying active through extended low-and-slow cooking projects. For shorter needs, a five-minute quick charge adds an additional five hours of cooking time.
The thermometer connects to a KitchenAid app, which displays a graph view of temperature changes over time, stores records of up to 20 previous cooks, and sends alerts and timers keyed to specific temperature thresholds. Those notifications can prompt a cook to take specific steps at particular moments in a recipe, rather than relying on checking manually.
Bluetooth powers the connection, and the device has a standard range of 285 feet. A Range Extender Mode, activated through a second internet-connected device, can stretch that range further for situations where the cook is farther from the grill or smoker.
KitchenAid is not the first major kitchen brand to enter this space. Whirlpool, which owns KitchenAid, has also put out a competing product. The market already includes dedicated specialists such as Meater and ThermoWorks, which have built their reputations specifically around wireless and smart probe technology.
The KitchenAid Smart Thermometer is now available, with the single-probe model priced at $100 and the dual model at $200.
