Customer Reviews

Princess International PI333 Wireless Remote Grill Thermometer

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(13)

 

 

Well, I used this device (sorry Amazon, purchased from a local store) for about a month. After 4 uses, the thermometer only reads from 350-450 which is clearly a false read. Turns out the probe is the most likely culprit as the wires in the probe overheat and short out. Can't find a replacement probe anywhere, but am hoping that a replacement probe from another product will work.

If you buy it, take great care that the probe wires stay away from heat or hot metal.

Yep, a real waste of your money. Batteries in both the base unit and the remote come unseated -- even when battery compartment is closed. Once I figured that out, then the two units wouldn't establish a wireless connection. I think this actually worked twice for me.

I picked one of these up at a discount for about $5 at Marshall's (sorry Amazon, didn't know they existed until I saw it there) on a whim. It works great! Other reviews I've read indicate that pinching the probe wire in the grill or subjecting it to too much heat, usually through direct contact with a grill grate or flame, can irreparably damage them, but if you take that into consideration and take some basic steps to avoid either issue, no damage will occur. I've used this on steaks, burgers, and even this year's Thanksgiving turkey. Flawless operation and I didn't have to wonder about a stupid pop up timer failing and causing the turkey to overcook. I've had minor battery fit issues, but with a little fiddling they are fine. I've never had a connection issue. Turn on the base, turn on the handset, away you go. If you turn the handset on first it might cause problems.

All in all, for the price, this can't be beat.

Got it as a gift. Cool idea, was really excited. Unpackaged, read instructions installed everything. First use was easy. Simple to figure out and was accurate. Thought we had winner for minute. The directions state to not allow the cord for the probe to be in direct flame. Well, that's pretty hard on a flame filled gas grill but I made sure this didn't happen. I took steps to rout the wire through the "Rotisserie" hole and up the top rack with the probe straight down into the top of the meat. This never came into contact with flame. Second use the probe separated from it's wire that connects to the base and is now completely useless. This was the second use. I took care of this thing, but it is HARDLY ready for the grill let alone anything else.

Bottom Line: Novel idea, too bad product did not last more than one use. Purchased the product as it appeared to be a great idea. Never could get the light to illuminated. Base and Remote worked fine the first night. The remote would not power up the second day. Too bad. Can not find a manufacture representing the product. Now it's time to purchase a new thermometer, just not this one.

Much like other reviewers, I had great luck with this thermometer for a short period of time. The batteries do come loose from their contacts in the base all the time and I had to use a piece of paper inside the cover to hold them in place. Once up and going, the unit worked great for the first three times I used it. On the fourth try it started giving false readings, then stopped transmitting to the receiver. It was not due to abuse as stated by an earlier reviewer. The probe or wire never came in contact with direct flame or got pinched. It just stopped working. Too bad, because I really liked it while it worked.

I too, had issues with this unit. Bought @ BJ's for $15. I exchanged the first one because the light did not work. The light on this one lights up, but it is so dim that it doesn't light anything up. I used it one time in my smoker for Pork Shoulder. It worked great during the beginning of my cook, but stopped functioning correctly about halfway through. I put fresh batteries in the base and receiver, and the temp spikes for no apparent reason. It even told me that Boiling Water was over 300 degrees! Look elsewhere for a higher quality device.

I realize that some products will have problems...but, this is ridiculous! Like everyone else's mine only worked 2x's.
As someone mentioned earlier, there is no manufacturer info on the item. Looking for instructions/return info I stumbled upon these reviews.
All I can say is if you are looking to purchase one of these items...DON'T!!!

Lasted for a very short time and then I started getting false readings like the other reviewer said.

I came here looking for manufacturing information or a replacement probe for the unit. On the pro side it has a much better range than the Maverick brand. I bought it to have an additional wireless unit not on the same frequency as my Smoker/Meat unit. I spotted it at BJs (maybe Costco) for $10-15.

Cons: At first I had a lot of trouble synching the transmitter and receiver. I found the batteries on the base kept popping out of position.

I also found that it was less accurate at higher temperatures. This was probably due to heat leakage in the probe. I learned from my Maverick usage to cover the wire end of the probe with metal duct tape wound very tight.

Finally one day I lost my grip on the door of my smoker and the wire sheared off. The Maverick wires were not harmed and I cursed myself for my clumsiness. I liked the unit enough to look for a new probe but after reading the others reviews it looks like it would be foolish to buy a new probe for such a cheap unit. There isn't even a name brand on it.

Conclusion: Buy Maverick or other and protect the probes. Also do not use at grilling temperatures they are good for barbecue but will die quickly at high temps.