Review on SMARTRO ST49 Digital Thermocouple Meat Thermometer: Instant Read, Professional BBQ Kitchen Food Cooking Thermometer for Grilling, Deep Frying, Candy Making, and Oil Temperature Monitoring by Anna Goetz

First of all I would like to say that this thermometer is very well designed and I am very disappointed that I had to send it back because it was SOOOOO very slow and inaccurate when I tested it. Up to 3°F error with repeated testing before and AFTER CALIBRATION. Immediately after testing after calibrating, it got close to actual temperature by 0.7°F from temp, but still had a 7-second problem getting to that temperature, so after waiting 5 minutes and testing again, it came back was just as inaccurate. as before calibration. I wanted this thermometer to work so bad that I repeated the calibration and got the exact same results, which disappointed me. First the reasons why I like it so much: 1. Usage. easily accessible and affordable AAA batteries instead of expensive and hard-to-find watch button batteries. 2. Uses a thermocouple sensor instead of a thermistor sensor for quick temperature measurements. 3. IP67 waterproof rating ensures long service life. 4. The overall functional yet elegant design and the sleek, modern simplicity with which it presents itself when viewed, with the large Smooth Flush display and equally large, contrasting numerals accompanying it. 5. Simple but functional one button operation to control all settings. 6. It's magnetic feature for convenience and accessibility. I give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe I got a DUD because they recently upgraded and upgraded the ST49 so maybe quality control is still an issue, I don't know of course but I know the specs of this particular thermometer, that I got. are unacceptable AT ANY COST, let alone how much I paid for it. While this thermometer was FAST and ACCURATE from the start, here are some OTHER things it needs to improve: 1. Improve the magnetic backing of this thermometer as it cannot support its own weight. It kept sliding down the wall of my fridge. Only after a few tries did the magnets seem to strengthen their bond, but only after those repeated tries, but only strong enough to hold them in a certain vertical position. If they don't want to upgrade the magnets, they have to remove them all together. 2. Improve the calibration mode and offer "OFFSET CALIBRATION MODE”, some models in this price range of ST49 thermometers have an "offset mode” of +5°F or -5°F, which is in 1/10 degree -Measurements is implemented. This prevents people from returning the thermometer due to inaccuracies as it allows it to be properly set up for accurate readings instead of the "AUTO SETUP MODE” this model has (which is obviously just FACTORY RESET MODE). Which seemed to work in my case, but only on the first temp measured after calibration, but got super inaccurate on retesting from +2°F to +3°F! With "OFF SET MODE" I could adjust it and I would save it (even if it was faster when reading temps). If it were FAST and ACCURATE I would give it 4.5 stars and subtract half a star just for the weak strength of the built in magnets. The only reason I even gave this ST49 thermometer 2 stars instead of 1 is because of the elegant and functional design of this redesigned ST49 thermometer. In conclusion, I would like to say again: I like the functional and elegant design, but not the speed or accuracy of this thermometer, at least as tested on the device I received. (PS) - The PDF manual also shows the "ST49 Black Version" and it looks even sleeker and more modern with its sleek and FULLY BLACKED-OUT body! Fix the quality control issues with this model and add the ST49 black version and I'm sold. Then it would easily be 5 stars!