A smart grill worth it?

When they are turned on, smart speakers are understandable: the ability to talk to your speakers across the room is a good idea to ask for mundane tasks like volume adjustment. Then everything started to get smarter, but some smart products seemed like a dumb idea: smart toilets, smart water bottles, smart hair brushes. Now there are smart grills. But do we really need to add the most basic human technology: cooking on fire?

What is a smart grill or smart BBQ?

Let’s turn this off by setting the parameters: A smart grill is a dedicated grill or barbecue (or BBQ, for your minimalist designers) that also has built-in technology. The technology typically includes remote ambient (under the lid) grill temperature monitoring, the use of a temperature probe to check the indoor temperature of food, and a companion app that lets you monitor your cooking from the backyard or indoors.

It is true that there are remote devices (Weber iGrill 3), probes (Maverick iChef) and The wireless thermometer (meter) that can deliver this kind of smart to any grill in the world, the question we see is, is it worthwhile to build this technology inside the grill?

This season, BBQ giant Weber has launched its Genesis series smart grill. I Weber recently reviewed Genesis Smart Grill, the model EX 325s, and had the opportunity to spend a few weeks cooking with one of these new grills and experience its built-in intelligence.

The Weber Genesis EX 325s is, in essence, a regular (albeit really, really nice and high quality) BBQ. Its smarts come in the form of a special built-in module that is embedded in the front of the grill. The module has input for two wired probes that will constantly monitor the internal temperature of your food and the module connects wirelessly to the Weber Connect app. The app is your nerve center for all kinds of information, and not just about your food; It’s full of recipes and grilling tips, too.

How does a smart BBQ work?

Using the Weber Connect app you can choose a recipe to follow, insert the probe into your food, then plug the other end into the module. The display panel will show you some information, but the app is fun: you can see both the internal temperature of your food (or two different meats, if you use two probes) and the ambient temperature under the lid, so you know if things are too hot or too cold. Being. The app will send push notifications to let you know when it’s time to flip your meal and send another notification when it’s off. A countdown timer inside the app is constantly adjusting based on real-time temperature and will give you an accurate estimate of when your food will be ready.

What are the benefits of having a smart built-in?

This technology, built into the BBQ, gives the grill a non-stop, glamorous look. Built-in temperature sensing means you’ll also find enclosed text inside the lid that you wouldn’t find with an aftermarket probe.

But more than that, there really isn’t much benefit to creating this technology. After enjoying my Web Genesis EX 325s for several weeks, I was most impressed with the design, engineering, heating capacity and durability of the grill. It cooked meals evenly, and it looks great in my backyard – much nicer than the cheap propane-powered grill I had many years ago. As far as I’m concerned, with smart technology it’s like a bonus; Cherries on an already delicious sundae.

Nevertheless, these high-performance Weber models are expensive; The Genesis EX 325s model I tested the ring at around $ 1,479 (including smart module, extra storage and a specially adapted grill for BBQ cookware’s webber crafted line of cookware), and since you can spend hundreds of dollars for a completely fine BBQ, to weigh Of course there are many reasons. Genesis compares around $ 999 without smart modules and extras.

In short: it’s probably not worth it to go out and buy a smart grill, since basically the same technology is also available in third party devices and you would have to spend hundreds of dollars less to avoid the smart model. But if you have the money to spend and you’re in the market for a new BBQ, it can be worth the upgrade.