About 5 years ago, I bought a charcoal grill, along with a barbecue thermometer - the kind where you leave a probe in the meat and connect it to an external monitor with a long cord. However, I quickly found it cumbersome because I had to set it up and put it away every single time, and despite how hard I tried to keep it organized, it would always become a messy pile in my drawer by itself.
So, I did a lot of research and comparisons, and finally decided to try the INKBIRD INT-31-BW. It’s completely wireless, which means I no longer have to spend like 10 minutes untangling cords before grilling. I’ve been using it for over two months now, grilling a few whole chickens, beef briskets, salmon fillets, and pork shoulder. I wanted to see if, besides being cordless, it was also fast, reliable, and accurate. Now, I think it’s time to share whether this thermometer lives up to the hype and is worth the price.
RELATED: INKBIRD INT-14-BW Review
INKBIRD INT-31-BW Overview
After using the INT-31-BW for two months, I’ve found almost no shortcomings in this thermometer. I selected it carefully so basically, as long as the actual experience matches the specifications, I can confidently say it has lived up to my expectations - it features a multi-sensor probe, stable WiFi and Bluetooth connections, and a multifunctional smart app. Overall, I’d rate it a solid 9.8/10 If you don’t want to read the lengthy review below, this table might be helpful.
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What I Like |
What I Dislike |
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INKBIRD INT-31-BW Wireless Thermometer Review
I’ll break down my experience with the INT-31-BW into several key areas that matter most when you’re relying on a tool to check the doneness of your expensive meat. If you have other questions or want more info, just drop a comment, and I’ll provide a detailed response.
The Base
Right out of the box, the base unit, or the hub itself, makes a statement. I really appreciate its sleek design and minimalist vibe of the device, which shares a similar design language with the iPhone 17 Pro, yet still manages to feel premium.
On the front top, there is a screen which is pretty clear, even in bright sunlight, and this is a huge plus for backyard use. The back houses the probe cabin and strong internal magnets, which held firmly to my grill’s lid. Basically, the base unit lets you monitor temperatures without neither WiFi or Bluetooth connection and of course, charge the probe.
Overall, the INT-31-BW feels less like a kitchen gadget and more like a piece of premium tech.
The Probe
I compared the thermometer with many other brands and found that most probes either have only one sensor for food or, an extra one for ambient temperature. The INT-31-BW, however, integrates five sensors in just a single, slim probe, which isn’t just a gimmick.
The four food sensors are particularly useful for even cooking, and for pit masters, this could be the game changer. For me, monitoring ambient temperature is quite important since I use a charcoal grill, where temperature fluctuations can be drastic, though it may not be as vital for those using pellet or gas grills.
According to INKBIRD official website, the probe is made of food-grade stainless steel, and the handle is made of zirconium oxide ceramic. While I haven’t been able to verify this, I’ve used it several times over open flames, and it remained flawlessly. Furthermore, it’s totally dishwasher safe, making cleanup a breeze.
Accuracy and Response Time
This is the heart of any thermometer, and the spec sheet claims that the INT-31-BW boasts NIST-traceable accuracy of ±0.5°F. While I don’t particularly care about a degree or two discrepancies - after all, I’m not in a BBQ competition - greater precision is always a plus.
I tested it in a glass of ice water and a pot of steadily heated water by a sous vide machine, all against a calibrated instant-read thermometer, which is considered to be one of the most accurate thermometer kinds, and the INT-31-BW never deviated by more than 0.3°F, and usually much less.
What impressed me even more was how the temperature readings displayed instantly on both my base unit and my phone as soon as I inserted the probe into the water baths. This is the real key that food is cooked to the desired doneness.
Connectivity
The INT-31-BW offers both WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, with WiFi supporting 5GHz and 2.4GHz bands. As a tech geek, I know the importance of dual band - 2.4GHz has a better range through walls, but can face more interference and lag.
What I like most about it is that this wireless thermometer seamlessly switches between Bluetooth, WiFi 2.4GHz, and 5GHz, covering literally unlimited range from near to far, which is why it has never dropped the connection.
I tested it from my backyard to the living room and even to the upstairs bedroom, and I experienced no disconnections. This means I can check the food in the grill from anywhere simply using my phone. Even if the connection drops, INKBIRD claims it will record the offline data for up to 120 minutes, which I haven’t tried yet, but it sounds like a solid backup option.
The App
The INKBIRD app interface is quite intuitive and feature-rich. If you’re a beginner, the app will definitely be a great help. It features 28 USDA-recommended menus, including options for meat type, cut, and doneness.
Basically, you simply connect the thermometer to your phone, insert it into the meat, and tap on your phone to select a menu, you will then receive a notification as soon as the meat reaches the desired doneness. The app even calculates the remaining cooking time. While I’m not sure how it works, I’ve found it to be impressively accurate in my grilling experience.
If you’re a grilling OG, the app also offers extensive customization options, including separate alarms for food and oven temperatures. The biggest highlight is its seamless connection to your Apple Watch, enabling you to monitor the temperature simply by raising your wrist.
Charging & Battery Life
The probe charges incredibly fast, but since I haven't completely drained its battery, I can't confirm if it actually reaches a full charge in 25 minutes. Typically, after each use, it recharges in about 10 minutes.
Surprisingly, the battery life is quite robust. I was a bit doubtful at first, so I started with a fully charged device to grill brisket. After 8 hours overnight, 140°F ambient, 165°F meat temp, I woke up to 72% battery remaining. After a full 14-hour cook, it still had over 30% left, which proves it can handle any cooking session you can throw at it.
Additionally, INKBIRD has thought of the details - the base unit adopts a USB-C interface, so you can directly use a phone charger to power it up.
INT-31-BW: Yes or No?
If you’re averse to smart devices, then a simpler, budget-friendly instant-read thermometer will do the trick. But if you’re a tech-loving cook, a serious grilling enthusiasts, or just host gatherings, this is an easy yes. It’s completely wireless and delivers lab-grade accuracy. Plus, its easy connectivity, readily available recipes, and exceptionally long battery life provide peace of mind.
For me, the INT-31-BW has earned a permanent spot not in the drawer, but on my charging station, ready to go. It’s one of the closest things to a “set it and truly forget it” experience I’ve found, and for anyone who takes cooking or grilling seriously, this is worth the investment.
